The electoral system is winner take all. If there are just enough of Senator Clinton's 'hardworking whites' like these ignoramuses to tip the scales in, say, Pennsylvania and Ohio, the election is lost.
"The United States of America should be run by someone from the United States of America."
Obama faces racism in West Virginia:
Fear of Islam hurts Obama in Kentucky:
I realize there were different dynamics in the Wilder race and he is far more of a centrist than Barack Obama. My point, though, is that despite racism, a good candidate can prevail.
Remember, no presidential candidate has to win every state. It would be nice, but it doesn't usually happen. Racism, as you know, is a bad reason not to support a candidate you believe in. Nobody on RK has to be convinced of that. You've all been leaders in that respect.
I believe we will break the racial barrier this year and someday we also will break the gender barrier and have a woman president. Whoever breaks the glass ceiling this year - and it looks like it's going to be Obama - breaks it for all minorities and for women too. Every successful first time strengthens our courage to forge more first times and to take greater risks for other non traditional candidates.
Also, if he picks Jim Webb as VP candidate, a large part of the Appalachian spine can be, at least, neutralized. Or put into play. Appalachia isn't only West Virginia, it's parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee even a bit of western New York. That's a lot of territory. To obssess about West Virginia and Kentucky is counter productive.
Also, many who voted for Hillary were choosing between two Democrats. Given the state of the economy and their own personal financial situation, many of those voters will, in fact, vote Democratic in November.
The hardcore racists, probably not. But are they really a majority anymore? Or is it just easy to get a good sound byte from them?