-isms in the 2008 election

Originally submitted by: barcode 2x

Sexism, racism, ageism, faith-ism, even weight-ism are on display in this election. It's not just a bunch of white guys and one or two black Democrats up there on the stand, it's a broad array, a cross section of race and gender politics. And are we playing into it?

The Iowa results demonstrate that race is less of a factor in how people are voting. 92% white Iowa still wanted Obama. Obama is getting railed by Hilary for his youth and inexperience. A reporter asked him the other day if he is worried for his own safety. He replied that any candidate is a potential target, and he has a growing security detail around him at all times now. I have heard from many intelligent liberals the same question: "Is America ready for a black president?"

Hilary was speaking in a school auditorium yesterday. A heckler with a sign stood up and started shouting "IRON MY SHIRT!". She asked to turn the lights on and see the man shouting. She responded with class and power: "Ah, the remnants of sexism are alive and well." Security was on the man in moments (another "Don't tase me, bro!" moment?), his sign was taken by a woman in the crowd, and a counter-heckler shouted "Go iron your own shirt!" And there was much rejoicing. And the other day, she cried in a press conference. John Edwards remarked that this isn't the kind of behavior you want to see in a president, is it?

What would happen if a man was caught crying on camera? There may come a day, and very soon, when we see Senator Edwards cry.

John McCain would be one of the oldest men to ever occupy the seat of the president. Furthermore, he has a disability he sustained while in Vietnam which he keeps well hidden: he does not have the full use of his arms. He needs an assistant to comb his hair. Is America ready for an old, disabled president?

Or Huckabee: are we ready for a religious zealot for a president?

Richardson has a weight problem, and he is hispanic. Kucinich is short. Very short.

It seems to me that lately, the issues aren't the issue. The candidates seem to take more time tearing each other down than speaking out on the issues. Are we going to play into the image-consciousness of the election and let it sway our decision?