During his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, Barack Obama declared, “All across America, something is stirring.” But no one could have predicted the vicious sentiments that have been stirring at McCain-Palin rallies across the U.S. The thousands that gather to hear the Republican duo are greeted with vile, racially tinged rhetoric, as the Republican candidates question Obama’s patriotism and associate him with terrorism. The crowds respond with hateful attacks and unapologetic threats towards McCain’s Democratic rival.
Senator McCain once assured Americans that he would never resort to cheap, low blow tactics just to win an election. His hopes for the presidency have taken a significant beating over the past several weeks, and in a desperate attempt to revitalize his campaign, he has opted to use the issue of race in a blunt and aggressive way. On the surface, it seems like these scare tactics could hurt Senator Obama’s chances with undecided voters. The real threat comes from a deep-seated racial bias that many Americans still harbour, but are reluctant to admit.
Senator McCain’s support is dwindling, especially in states like Virginia and Colorado, once considered Republican strongholds. A shallow grasp of economics in troubled times, an incompetent running mate, and an unpredictable temperament that makes his disdain for Obama all the more crystal clear (especially during televised debates) have all but hastened the McCain campaign’s destruction. The McCain camp has taken on a new strategy of preying on the fears and prejudices of voters to combat the recent rush of independents flocking to the Democratic side. Ties to radicals, mischaracterizations of Obama’s policies, and attacks on his patriotism and religious orientation have become last resorts. While hard line Republicans appear to have an insatiable appetite for this sort of discourse, whether the negative rhetoric will pay off in the long run has yet to be determined.
Meanwhile, Obama has stiffened the competition in a number of traditionally red states. Numerous polls show him taking the lead, winning all three presidential debates. According to analysts and pundits, most Americans are comfortable with an African-American in the White House, or at least deem Obama qualified enough to be president. Despite this good news, a question lingers: could the candidate fall victim to the Bradley Effect?
The Bradley Effect is a political phenomenon that explains why polls might be skewed against white candidates. According to the theory, white voters tell pollsters they will vote for a black candidate to avoid seeming racially biased. Once they enter the voting booth, however, their ballot goes to the white candidate. The phenomenon is named after Tom Bradley, the African-American mayor from Los Angeles who lost his 1982 bid for governor. Ahead in the polls, Tom Bradley’s win seemed inevitable—but on election day his white opponent won the race by just a few percentage points.
Just two weeks before the election, there remains a chance that history may repeat itself. No one knows for sure what kind of an impact this phenomenon could have on the election. After all, Barack Obama triumphed over his white opponents in the Democratic primaries. Thus far, he’s shown level-headedness in a time of crisis and a depth of knowledge that his rival lacks. The Democratic homerun was wrought by eight years of mismanagement and unwise policies by the Republicans. Considering increased voter registration and a level of enthusiasm unmatched by any other party or candidate, preconceived notions about Barack Obama should become virtual non-factors by November 4th.
The outcome of this election will not end divisive politics, but it will encourage individuals to reexamine their own racist attitudes and reject the spineless tricks employed by Republicans.
