« Ouch! | Main | Big Think: A Youtube for Intellectuals »
January 12, 2008
Clinton v Obama: The Identity Tightrope
From the start of their campaigns, both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have been walking shaky political tightropes, high wire acts never before tried in modern presidential elections. Since New Hampshire, both are on the verge of a netless fall.
Clinton and Obama are what we might call “Identity-Transcending” candidates. That is, both owe their electoral credibility to the fact that they exist both in and out of a politically charged social identity. Hillary is an extremely competent politician and legislator; but what distinguishes her from other competent senators like Chris Dodd and Joe Biden is that her election, in and of itself, would do as much to advance gender equality as any well crafted policy initiative. Obama is an electrifying orator and imminently wise political visionary; however, if he were not African American whose election would be a dramatic repudiation of our racist past, he would “merely” be a rising star in the Democratic Party. He’d surely be on everybody’s short list for VP—but not a contender for the top spot.
But in the twenty-first century, identity is not enough. Taken alone, in fact, it’s the kiss of death. Presidential candidates like Hillary and Obama must simultaneously represent their identities and convincingly transcend them. Both must implicitly ask voters to keep identity in their peripheral vision because for both, it is a wholly legitimate rationale for their candidacies. At the same time, both must avoid being reduced to those identities: typecast as the woman or Black candidate. That’s the road to the political ghetto where Pat Schroeder and Jesse Jackson live.
This is the tightrope that Obama walked effortlessly—and Hillary wobbled across—until New Hampshire. From the start Obama spoke soaringly, and vaguely, about hope and yes “we” can, without ever specifying whose hopes were in play or who “we” referred to. Under the rules of poetic ambiguity he could speak both of and to African Americans, and everybody else as well, without contradiction. Hillary played a less artful game: stressing the transcendent side of her candidacy while leaving it up to (women) voters to remember the significance of her gender. In Iowa, most women just forgot. But in New Hampshire, Hillary inadvertently reminded them—with a little help from the press. The result was a vote inflected more by gender than race and Hillary won. Still, no harm done—at least until somebody feels the need to hit a few nails on their heads.
Unfortunately it looks like friends and observers of both camps are now flirting with the identity game. Claims that Obama’s loss in New Hampshire was masked by racism can only reduce him to the “Black candidate.” Even though, as John B. Judis shows, this is a misinterpretation.) Ditto for the willful misinterpretation of President Clinton’s remarks about the Obama “fairy tale”—his phrase for Obama’s antiwar position that Obama supporters have asserted was a characterization of their entire candidacy. Just as ham handedly, Hillary’s argument that the great white patron, Lyndon Johnson, was more responsible for the voting rights act than the rhetoric of Martin Luther King, Jr. may inflame the defensive instincts of the Black community (surely not her intention) and thus reinforce the notion that Obama is the Black candidate, but it will also reinforce the idea that she is the gendered antithesis. That is, it helps make her the “feminist” candidate. For proof that this is a danger, just ask yourself when last heard Pat Buchanan defending women. But that’s exactly what he did on Hardball, arguing that the claim that Obama’s victory was a product of racism is an insult to women and Hillary’s hard work.
When it comes down to it, I believe that both Hillary and Obama are capable of beating any of the Republicans in the field today. By the same token, any one of them could easily beat the “feminist” candidate, or the “Black” candidate.
Posted by stevemack at January 12, 2008 02:04 PM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.stephenmack.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/70
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Clinton v Obama: The Identity Tightrope:
» Tramadol side effects. from Cheap tramadol.
Tramadol with saturday delivery. Tramadol. Tramadol for dogs. [Read More]
Tracked on April 15, 2008 01:39 AM
» Black sex video free porn clips. from Free sex video clips.
Free video clips hooters girls sex. Free sex movies free porn video clips. Free sex video clips. Free animal sex video clips. My very first gay sex free video clips. [Read More]
Tracked on April 16, 2008 12:29 AM
» Tramadol. from Tramadol.
Tramadol cod. Tramadol. [Read More]
Tracked on April 27, 2008 05:22 PM
» faire online spiele from jeu casino gratui
Finally set poker cartas internet [Read More]
Tracked on April 30, 2008 12:29 PM
» Levitra. from Levitra side effects.
Levitra preguntas frecuentes. Levitra. Levitra and sperm count. [Read More]
Tracked on May 6, 2008 06:56 PM
» Acomplia. from Acomplia.
Acomplia. [Read More]
Tracked on May 8, 2008 05:37 PM
» Cheap 37 5 phentermine. from Cheap phentermine online.
Buy cheap phentermine. Cheap phentermine online 37 5. [Read More]
Tracked on May 13, 2008 01:15 PM
» 50mg hcl tab tramadol from 50mg hcl tab tramadol
99.75 TRAMADOL 50mg 180s Best Value [Read More]
Tracked on May 22, 2008 09:52 AM
» European currency snake. from Queen snake.
Rat snake. Snake habitat. Snake river valley. [Read More]
Tracked on May 23, 2008 01:57 PM
» celebrex dose effects side from Celebrex dose effects side
CELEBREX 100mg-10.99/30Tab SAVE 90% [Read More]
Tracked on May 24, 2008 09:23 AM
» play free 7 card stud from poker omaha
That is the jeu de video poker gratuites poker omaha [Read More]
Tracked on June 5, 2008 09:59 AM
» Casino game online. from Online game gambling casino.
Online casino game. Play online casino game. Play free casino game online. Online casino game that requires no money. [Read More]
Tracked on June 14, 2008 07:14 PM
» Incest sex. from Incest sex.
Incest sex. [Read More]
Tracked on June 29, 2008 07:51 PM
» Adult Erotic Vacation Caribbean from Adult Erotic Vacation Caribbean
Asain Porn Movies Asain Porn Movies Taseful Porn Taseful Porn [Read More]
Tracked on July 1, 2008 03:08 PM
» live poker tour from poker paginas web
Sopra vc poker juegos eroticos poker [Read More]
Tracked on July 12, 2008 02:37 AM
» live poker tour from poker paginas web
Sopra vc poker juegos eroticos poker [Read More]
Tracked on July 12, 2008 02:38 AM
» live poker tour from poker paginas web
Sopra vc poker juegos eroticos poker [Read More]
Tracked on July 12, 2008 02:39 AM
» Adderall. from Adderall.
Adderall. [Read More]
Tracked on July 15, 2008 06:25 PM
» Online pharmacy buy cialis. from Cialis best price buy online.
Buy cialis online viagra cialis buy cialis online. Buy cialis. Cialis best price buy online. [Read More]
Tracked on July 24, 2008 06:02 AM
» Madeline Zima Nude from Madeline Zima Nude
Bound Breast Picd Bound Breast Picd [Read More]
Tracked on July 30, 2008 07:53 PM
» Salli Richardson Nude from Salli Richardson Nude
Star Wars Yoda Riding Star Wars Yoda Riding [Read More]
Tracked on July 30, 2008 07:53 PM
» Viagra. from Viagra.
Benifit of viagra. Is viagra soft tabs better. Re viagra cello. [Read More]
Tracked on August 5, 2008 09:35 AM
» Personal loans bad credit. from Personal loans bad credit.
Personal loans bad credit. [Read More]
Tracked on August 6, 2008 01:16 AM
» College Fuck Fest from College Fuck Fest
Jesus Loves Porn Jesus Loves Porn [Read More]
Tracked on August 6, 2008 05:11 AM
» New york times sports book. from Las vegas sports book.
Academy book memorabilia nutrition sport sports. Cyber sports book. Leroys sports book. [Read More]
Tracked on August 7, 2008 12:22 AM
» Teen porn. from Teen porn.
Teen porn. Teen porn movie. Porn teen fucking. Free teen porn. Teen porn torrents. Teen sex porn. [Read More]
Tracked on August 8, 2008 01:26 AM
» Phentermine no prescription. from Phentermine.
Phentermine. Best price for phentermine. [Read More]
Tracked on August 11, 2008 02:35 AM
» Lever Action Shotguns from Lever Action Shotguns
Us Passport Status Us Passport Status [Read More]
Tracked on August 18, 2008 03:23 AM
» Cfnm Jocks Trainer from Cfnm Jocks Trainer
Shadowline Lingerie Shadowline Lingerie [Read More]
Tracked on September 18, 2008 11:12 PM
» Jesse Duplantis from Jesse Duplantis
Mintes Bikini Page Mintes Bikini Page [Read More]
Tracked on October 2, 2008 08:18 AM
» Transumbilical Breast Augmentation Texas from Transumbilical Breast Augmentation Texas
Uncovered Kate Beckinsale Uncovered Kate Beckinsale [Read More]
Tracked on October 2, 2008 08:18 AM
» Anal Furunculosis from Anal Furunculosis
Homemade Personal Lubricants Homemade Personal Lubricants [Read More]
Tracked on October 2, 2008 08:19 AM
» Viagra marketing. from Viagra.
Viagra message board. Viagra online add to cart. Best price for generic viagra. [Read More]
Tracked on October 16, 2008 09:34 AM
» Incest sex. from Free incest porn.
Mother son incest stories. Incestgrrls free incest stories. Mature incest. Free family incest pictures. Free incest storys. 3d amanda incest. [Read More]
Tracked on October 17, 2008 12:26 PM
» Tramadol. from Tramadol.
Comparative potencies of opioids tramadol. Drug encyclopedia cor 127 tramadol. Tramadol. [Read More]
Tracked on October 17, 2008 05:21 PM
» Tube porn. from Porn tube.
Porn you tube. [Read More]
Tracked on October 17, 2008 11:54 PM
» Vicodin abuse. from Vicodin.
Vicodin es. [Read More]
Tracked on October 21, 2008 12:06 AM
» Nurse. from Nurse.
Nurse. [Read More]
Tracked on October 28, 2008 06:07 AM
» Private student loans. from Private student loans.
Fast private student loans. Quick private student loans. Private student loans. [Read More]
Tracked on October 29, 2008 03:53 PM
» Bmw series auto loans bad credit no problem. from Gmac auto loans.
Person to person auto loans. [Read More]
Tracked on October 30, 2008 07:54 AM
» Valtrex. from Valtrex.
Valtrex. Valtrex vaccine. [Read More]
Tracked on October 30, 2008 03:13 PM
» Yiffy Porn from Yiffy Porn
Scavenger Hunt For Teens Scavenger Hunt For Teens [Read More]
Tracked on February 8, 2009 08:51 PM
» Free nude celebs. from Free nude fake celebs.
Nude celebs for free. Free nude celebs. [Read More]
Tracked on February 10, 2009 08:37 AM
» Gay sex. from Gay sex.
Gay sex. [Read More]
Tracked on February 10, 2009 09:38 AM
» Teen sex. from Teen sex videos.
Young teen sex gallery. Teen sex. Teen lesbian sex for free. Teen sex videos. Teen sex clips. [Read More]
Tracked on February 10, 2009 07:21 PM
» Oxycodone website. from Oxycodone.
Oxycodone. [Read More]
Tracked on February 12, 2009 12:57 AM
» Reality porn. from Reality porn.
Reality porn. [Read More]
Tracked on February 12, 2009 01:33 AM
» Lesbian sex. from Lesbian sex.
Lesbian sex. [Read More]
Tracked on February 12, 2009 05:09 PM
» Free animal s... animal sex pictures url. from Free animal sex pictures.
Free gay sex pictures. Free animal sex pictures. Free sex pictures. Freeheaven free porn pictures amp sex movies. Free pictures of mature sex. [Read More]
Tracked on February 13, 2009 09:28 AM
» Free porn. from Free latina porn.
Free porn. [Read More]
Tracked on February 14, 2009 12:42 AM
» Young teen gay boy porn. from Young teen porn movies.
Young porn movies. [Read More]
Tracked on February 14, 2009 09:41 AM
» Ephedrine ephedra. from Vasopro ephedrine.
Vaspro ephedrine. Ephedrine. Ephedrine hcl michigan. Ephedrine effects. Interactions between elavil and ephedrine. Ephedrine extra ephedrine faq. Reducing ephedrine into meth. [Read More]
Tracked on March 5, 2009 04:16 PM
» Buy phentermine. from Phentermine.
Phentermine. Phentermine no prescription. Phentermine hcl. Pal pay phentermine. [Read More]
Tracked on March 11, 2009 07:59 AM
» Percocet. from Percocet dosages.
Side effects of percocet. Percocet. Percocet for anxiety. [Read More]
Tracked on March 11, 2009 05:19 PM
» Tramadol. from Tramadol cheap no rx.
Tramadol 180. Tramadol hydrochloride. [Read More]
Tracked on March 12, 2009 02:02 AM
» Comparative potencies of opioids tramadol. from Tramadol.
Tramadol hcl. Tramadol. Cheapest tramadol available online. Cheapest tramadol. [Read More]
Tracked on March 12, 2009 02:32 AM
» Phentermine cod. from Cheap phentermine.
Discount phentermine. Phentermine. Diet tablets phentermine. Buy phentermine mg. Phentermine hcl. [Read More]
Tracked on March 12, 2009 05:38 PM
» Phentermine success story. from Phentermine cod.
Phentermine no prescription. [Read More]
Tracked on March 13, 2009 02:36 AM
» Tramadol. from Tramadol 180.
Tramadol. Hydrochloride tramadol. Tramadol cheap no rx. [Read More]
Tracked on March 13, 2009 05:11 PM
» Phentermine. from Mg buy phentermine.
Phentermine 37 5mg. Phentermine. Purchase phentermine. Danger of phentermine. Buy phentermine diet pill. [Read More]
Tracked on March 14, 2009 02:35 AM
» Tramadol side effects. from Tramadol side effects.
Tramadol hydrochloride. Canine tramadol. Tramadol side effects. Tramadol. Cheapest tramadol. Tramadol no rx 180 pills. Tramadol 180 electronic check. [Read More]
Tracked on March 14, 2009 05:04 PM
» Buy vicodin without prescription. from Vicodin.
Vicodin online. Lorcet vicodin online. [Read More]
Tracked on March 14, 2009 07:38 PM
» Soma. from Drug soma.
Soma prozac. Soma. Soma labs serogen. Cyclobenzaprine buy prescription soma zanaflex. [Read More]
Tracked on March 15, 2009 12:10 AM
» Tramadol. from Tramadol.
Buy tramadol. Tramadol cod. [Read More]
Tracked on March 15, 2009 12:29 PM
» Tramadol. from Tramadol withdraw.
Will tramadol hcl test positive in drug testing. Tramadol side effects. Tramadol withdraw. Tramadol. Tramadol prescribed by weight. How much tramadol for daily use for dogs. [Read More]
Tracked on March 15, 2009 09:26 PM
» Tramadol. from Tramadol.
Tramadol hydrochloride. Tramadol hcl liquid. Tramadol. Cheapest tramadol. [Read More]
Tracked on March 16, 2009 01:56 AM
» Tramadol sr 100. from Hydrochloride tramadol.
200 mg hexal tramadol. Tramadol. [Read More]
Tracked on March 16, 2009 08:39 PM
» Valium no prescription. from Buy valium.
Valium overnight cheap. Valium. [Read More]
Tracked on March 17, 2009 01:48 AM
» Testosterone deficiency. from Testosterone gel.
Testosterone boosters. Increase testosterone. Zinc testosterone. [Read More]
Tracked on March 17, 2009 08:44 PM
» Vicodin. from Vicodin drug information.
Vicodin. Vicodin with no membership fees. Easing symptoms of vicodin withdrawal. [Read More]
Tracked on March 18, 2009 01:03 AM
» Viagra. from Re viagra cello.
Generic viagra mastercard. Viagra. Viagra prescription price. Buy viagra in canada. Viagra soft tabs. [Read More]
Tracked on March 18, 2009 07:16 PM
» Vicodin. from Vicodin.
Buy vicodin online. What is vicodin. Vicodin. Vicodin withdrawal. Quiting vicodin information. Vicodin no prior prescription. [Read More]
Tracked on March 19, 2009 08:22 PM
» Absolute shemale sex blog sex pictures sex movies. from Shemale sex.
Shemale sex movies and transsexual porn pictures. Shemale sex. [Read More]
Tracked on March 27, 2009 10:40 AM
» Shemale sex. from Shemale sex.
Shemale sex. [Read More]
Tracked on March 28, 2009 09:24 AM
» free poker games from party poker
poker games [Read More]
Tracked on March 29, 2009 01:52 PM
» Free shemale movies. from Shemale movies.
Xemales amazing shemale pictures and tranny movies. Shemale movies. Complete shemale movies. Free shemale movies. Free shemale movies clips. [Read More]
Tracked on March 29, 2009 08:23 PM
» Xanax. from Cheap generic xanax 2mg bars.
Buy xanax. Generic xanax no prescription. Xanax norx needed one day fedex overnight delivery. Xanax. Buy xanax precrition needed. Generic xanax. [Read More]
Tracked on May 31, 2009 01:15 AM
» Cialis. from Cialis and levitra.
Cialis and levitra. Cialis best price buy online. Liquid cialis. Cialis. [Read More]
Tracked on May 31, 2009 06:30 PM
» Tramadol no prescription. from Does tramadol require a prescription in mexico.
Tramadol non prescription over the counter. Tramadol prescription. Tramadol without prescription. [Read More]
Tracked on June 26, 2009 09:20 AM
» Oxycontin online. from Oxycontin online.
Oxycontin online. [Read More]
Tracked on June 29, 2009 05:54 PM
» Hydrocodone. from Hydrocodone.
Taking 2 hydrocodone a day and pregnant. [Read More]
Tracked on July 4, 2009 10:03 PM
» Mg buy phentermine. from Phentermine sales gt buy phentermine online.
Where to buy phentermine. Can you buy phentermine cash on delivery. Buy online pal pay phentermine my own blog. Buy cheap phentermine online. [Read More]
Tracked on July 4, 2009 11:37 PM
» Xanax buy xanax online buy cheap xanax xanaxbuy. from Xanax buy xanax online discoint xanax cheap.
Buy xanax online. Buy xanax online right now. Buy no xanax online prescription all on one site. Where to buy xanax online without a prescription. Buy xanax online without a prescription. [Read More]
Tracked on July 5, 2009 03:18 PM
» Buy phentermine without prescription. from Buy phentermine without prescription.
Buy phentermine without prescription. [Read More]
Tracked on July 7, 2009 02:11 AM
» Ambien cr buy online no prescription. from Buy ambien online no prescription.
Buy ambien online no prescription. Ambien cr buy online no prescription. [Read More]
Tracked on July 7, 2009 11:22 PM
» Zoloft levitra pe cure. from Zoloft side effects.
Lexapro zoloft wellbutrin. Sweating zoloft. Zoloft. Zoloft side effects with alchohol. [Read More]
Tracked on July 26, 2009 03:11 PM
» Xanax overdose. from Xanax xr.
Xanax dosage. Xanax drug test. Xanax. [Read More]
Tracked on July 28, 2009 04:12 PM
» Permethrin Uniforms from Permethrin Uniforms
Anal Sex Stories Anal Sex Stories [Read More]
Tracked on August 9, 2009 07:39 AM
» Phentermine. from Phentermine cash on delivery.
Buy phentermine online. Phentermine. Phentermine cod. [Read More]
Tracked on August 10, 2009 02:39 PM
» Buy viagra. from Buy viagra in canada.
Viagra. Viagra vs cialis. Generic viagra. Viagra for women. Re viagra cello. Herbal viagra. [Read More]
Tracked on August 10, 2009 03:38 PM
» Soma overnight. from Soma compound.
Soma to florida. Soma. [Read More]
Tracked on August 10, 2009 05:54 PM
» Soma cube. from Soma without prescription 180 count.
Generic soma. Soma side effects. Soma without rx. Soma seeds. Soma drug history. [Read More]
Tracked on August 11, 2009 04:24 PM
» Psyche and soma operate as a duality. from Soma.
Soma. Drug soma cause any sexual side effects. [Read More]
Tracked on August 12, 2009 04:37 PM
» Tramadol. from Tramadol side effects.
Tramadol. [Read More]
Tracked on August 12, 2009 11:19 PM
» Flomax allergy symptoms. from Who can take flomax.
Flomax. Flomax by ray sahelian m.d.. Flomax side effects. [Read More]
Tracked on August 13, 2009 04:35 PM
» Xanax. from Xanax.
Xanax. Xanax xr. Xanax with herbal medicines. [Read More]
Tracked on August 13, 2009 11:04 PM
» Celexa. from Celexa side effects.
Celexa and alcohol. Celexa weight. Escitalopram vs celexa. Celexa. How does celexa work. [Read More]
Tracked on August 14, 2009 05:24 PM
» Soma family apartments san francisco. from Soma prescription medicine.
Soma side effects. Buy soma. Soma. The strokes is this it soma lyrics free. [Read More]
Tracked on August 14, 2009 11:39 PM
» Aura soma bottles. from Soma online next day.
Crushing muscle relaxer soma. Soma. Psyche and soma operate as a duality. [Read More]
Tracked on August 15, 2009 04:51 PM
» Buy ephedra stackers cheap. from Pure ephedra buy online cheap.
Buy online cheap yellow swarms with ephedra. Buy ephedra stackers cheap. Pure ephedra buy online cheap. [Read More]
Tracked on August 16, 2009 02:24 PM
» Buy valium. from Buy valium c.o.d..
Buy valium with mastercard. Buy valium. Buy valium without a prescription. Beamto buy link online valium pharmacy forum. Buy valium without prescription. [Read More]
Tracked on August 16, 2009 03:52 PM
» Pure ephedra buy online cheap. from Buy ephedra stackers cheap.
Buy ephedra stackers cheap. Cheap ephedra. Pure ephedra buy online cheap. [Read More]
Tracked on August 19, 2009 04:28 PM
» Cheap ambein. from Cheap ambein.
Cheap ambein. [Read More]
Tracked on August 25, 2009 07:25 PM
» order viagra 1 from Order viagra 1
VIAGRA - 30.22 per 10 pills 4 FREE viagra pills per order VISA & MASTERCARD is taken [Read More]
Tracked on August 26, 2009 12:23 PM
» Adderall abuse. from What is adderall.
Generic adderall. Buy adderall online no prescription needed. Adderall. Adderall treating anxiety in adults. Adderall 15 mg. Snorting concerta adderall. Order didrex adderall no prescription. [Read More]
Tracked on August 26, 2009 07:29 PM
» sunless tanning booth from sunless tanning booth
hairiest pussy hairiest pussy [Read More]
Tracked on August 27, 2009 09:26 AM
» penis excersices from penis excersices
painless vasectomy painless vasectomy [Read More]
Tracked on August 27, 2009 09:27 AM
» priteen model from priteen model
ulysse nardin freak ulysse nardin freak [Read More]
Tracked on August 27, 2009 09:27 AM
» glycosylated hemoglobin from glycosylated hemoglobin
southbend lathes southbend lathes guaifensin guaifensin [Read More]
Tracked on September 30, 2009 06:51 PM
» drug more use viagra from Drug more use viagra
VIAGRA for love 60x100mg=154.97. FAST. [Read More]
Tracked on November 10, 2009 11:21 AM
» xenical australia from Xenical australia
Xenical from 98 - Best Value - [Read More]
Tracked on November 18, 2009 01:10 PM
» Columbia Men's Titanium Granite Tors II Pant Clerance from Columbia Men's Titanium Granite Tors II Pant Clerance
Comfortable and functional, the Columbia Sportswear Men's Titanium Granite Tors II II Pant provides technical features that...$234az3 [Read More]
Tracked on December 13, 2009 11:50 AM
» casinoclub from casinoclub uozx
casinoclub [Read More]
Tracked on April 18, 2010 04:04 PM
» Holland casino amsterdam from Holland casino amsterdam cggu
Holland casino amsterdam [Read More]
Tracked on April 18, 2010 04:40 PM
» Online slotmaskiner from Online slotmaskiner vixv
Online slotmaskiner [Read More]
Tracked on April 18, 2010 05:03 PM
» Cialis. from Buy cialis generic online.
Generic cialis. Cialis. [Read More]
Tracked on August 17, 2010 04:41 PM
» Adderall and weight loss. from Snort adderall xr.
Adderall. [Read More]
Tracked on August 19, 2010 02:00 AM
» Lamictal. from Does lamictal effect sexual function.
Blisters lamictal. Lamictal. [Read More]
Tracked on November 23, 2010 07:25 PM
