Why is the Republican Party so racist?

October 16, 2008 by twitterpaters

by twit

via TPM, from the Press Enterprise on October 16, 2008:

The October newsletter by the Chaffey Community Republican Women, Federated says if Obama is elected his image will appear on food stamps — instead of dollar bills like other presidents. The statement is followed by an illustration of “Obama Bucks” — a phony $10 bill featuring Obama’s face on a donkey’s body, labeled “United States Food Stamps.” The GOP newsletter, which was sent to about 200 members and associates of the group by e-mail and regular mail last week, is drawing harsh criticism from members of the political group, elected leaders, party officials and others as racist.

But wait, there’s more…

Via McClatchy on October 15, 2008:

Sacramento County Republican leaders Tuesday took down offensive material on their official party Web site that sought to link Sen. Barack Obama to Osama bin Laden and encouraged people to “Waterboard Barack Obama” – material that offended even state GOP leaders.

image via Wired

There has also been a racial undertone to the spin by Republicans and McCain about the causes of the current economic crisis. McClatchy reports on October 11, 2008:

As the economy worsens and Election Day approaches, a conservative campaign that blames the global financial crisis on a government push to make housing more affordable to lower-class Americans has taken off on talk radio and e-mail. Commentators say that’s what triggered the stock market meltdown and the freeze on credit. They’ve specifically targeted the mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which the federal government seized on Sept. 6, contending that lending to poor and minority Americans caused Fannie’s and Freddie’s financial problems. Federal housing data reveal that the charges aren’t true, and that the private sector, not the government or government-backed companies, was behind the soaring subprime lending at the core of the crisis.

When you hear McCain blame “Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac” for the current economic crisis (as he did in last night’s debate), not only is he lying about the actual causes, but he is also appealing to the idea that “poor and minority Americans” are to blame.

And then there is this:

Via the LA Times on October 12, 2008:

Before McCain spoke, a Christian pastor offered a prayer that seemed to ask for divine intervention on his behalf. “There are millions of people around this world praying to their God — whether it’s Hindu, Buddha, Allah — that [McCain’s] opponent wins for a variety of reasons,” Pastor Arnold Conrad said. “And, Lord, I pray that you would guard your own reputation, because they’re going to think that their god is bigger than you, if that happens.”

Related:

American racism: Not dead yet

Sarah Palin rallies the KKK

The difference between Sarah Palin and the KKK

The racism of John McCain