Obama and the Confederate Flag: what's his stance?

[DiamondJay]

A lotta people think Obama can win southern states, but before anyone judges, what is his stance on the Confederate Flag? This is important because a lotta southern whites care about this issue, and it has cost many a politicians reelection, and the image against it hurts Dems there. This issue is bound to come up, especially because of the racial aspect, and some think the flag is racist, which it is. but some hick rednex don't. anyone know his stance? I also mention this because back in 03, Howard Dean said we oughta include "people with confederate flags on the back of their pickup trucks" to demonstrate what he believes to be part of a cross section of democrats. he may have had a point

[fenriswolf]

1. ummm its a non issue?

and posting a position either way would put him in the limelight and cost votes.

[DiamondJay]

4. but it WILL be an issue

if he becomes a national candidate. There are 12 states south of the Mason Dixon line, and at least 70 electoral votes. and of those 12 states, many of them have the Rebel Flag on their state banners. SO it will become an issue, especially because of the fact he could be the first black candidate

[cbayer]

15. Which flags would those be exactly? nt.

[MikeNearMcChord]

5. Besides the people who give a damn preserving the

Confederate flag aren't going to vote for Obama or Hillary anyway.

[NOLALady]

2. I don't know his stance or Hillary's stance

on the Confederate Flag.

[glowing]

3. As a Presidential contender, he should state it is a state's issue, and he

will leave it up to the state's people to decide what is best for them..

[fenriswolf]

7. great idea

[jlake]

6. His stance will depend on his audience.

[ErnestoG]

8. Here is your answer ->

from THE NATION -04/26/07


"But Obama knew how to touch the hearts and minds of the crowd on the campus of a historic black university when the issue of displaying the flag of the Confederacy came up. Speaking in a state where the issue of flying the Confederate flag on the grounds of the State Capitol and other public buildings remains a hot topic, Obama did not play word games. He did not equivocate.

After the moderator asked where it might be appropriate to display the symbol of the southern struggle to defend the sin of human bondage, Obama replied: "in a museum."

The crowd roared its approval. "

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?pid=190489


Now go ahead, Hillarites. Go into your laughable hysterics about how he is "pandering".

[babylonsister]

13. Absolutely perfect answer! nt

[sniffa]

9. I may be wrong, but I think his position is

that he's in favor of race riots and killing whitey.

[Olney Blue]

10. I don't think Obama needs to worry about these votes.

He would never get them, even if he wore a confederate flag pin on his label :)

[blonndee]

11. Would any "hick rednex" who proudly defend this racist symbol

vote for ANY Democrat, much less Sen. Obama? I disagree that this is important. All but the thirty-percenters are so far beyond this kind of "issue." It's going to be the economy, health care, change in general, and maybe Iraq.

[DiamondJay]

16. well Obama supporters keep saying he can win the south

and he can't do it in the general on black turnout alone. In these states whites outnumber blacks 7:3 in overall population. and its not a delegate race, its winner take all electoral college, and the popular vote, the higher of that we get, the more political mandate we could get if he were to be the nominee and win. actually there are many southerners who legit believe it is truly nothing but a piece of history

[blonndee]

18. You're assuming all whites are going to see this as an issue!

And a more important, pressing issue than jobs, inflation, healthcare, and the war. And furthermore, that it is SO important that they would vote for a puke over an extremely popular Democrat. Again, this will not be the deciding factor in any southern state. If they stay red, it won't be because of this. MHO.

[bluerum]

12. Why, I am sure he thinks it is just darling.

[K Gardner]

14. Wow. Here you are AGAIN with the RACIST BLACK divisive crap again. Figured out what the

black states are yet? I'm still waiting for a list. Please stop this race-baiting. Your concern is noted and also bullshit.

[Kahuna]

17. Once he wins the GE, it will be retired to the dust bin of history once and for all. nt

[theHandpuppet]

19. Well, there are alternatives, you know

The "stars and bars" represents only one specific group of Southerners -- white males who fought for the Confederacy. But there were nearly 200,000 Southern loyalists who fought for the Union, not counting 170,000 members if the United States Colored Troops recruited from southern states. Flying only the stars and bars as representative of "Southern heritage" dishonors nearly 400,000 Southerners whose battle flags fly over no courthouses and statehouses.

Number of United States Colored Troops (USCT) by state, listing southern states and border (neutral) states only for this discussion:

Alabama 4,969
Arkansas 5,526
Florida 1,044
Georgia 3,486
Kentucky 23,703
Louisiana 24,502
Maryland 8,718
Mississippi 17,869
North Carolina 5,035
South Carolina 5,462
Tennessee 20,133
Texas 47
Virginia 5,723

How about flying some of these battle flags as part of a "Southern Heritage" celebration?

Or battle flags of these southern regiments...

http://www.civilwarreference.com/catalog/ItemView.php?catalogID=30
Civil War Regiments from Kentucky and Tennessee, 1861-1865
"Civil War Regiments from Kentucky and Tennessee" provides concise regimental histories of the infantry and cavalry regiments and artillery batteries that fought for the Union from the Bluegrass and Volunteer states. Kentucky contributed over 51,000 white and 23,000 African-American troops to the Union, of which over 10,000 died while in service. Of the deaths, about one-quarter were killed in action or from wounds received in battle. Kentucky raised fifty-five infantry regiments, seventeen cavalry regiments, and 5 artillery batteries. Five regiments (3rd, 5th, 6th, 25th, and 17th) are listed in William F. Fox's Three Hundred Fighting Regiments found in "Regimental Losses in the American Civil War." Tennessee provided over 31,000 white troops to the Union cause, losing nearly 7,000 in dead--744 from combat-related wounds. Nearly ten regiments of cavalry, nearly ten regiments of infantry, and a few artillery batteries mustered into Federal service from Tennessee, despite the state having seceded.

Also see:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~arcivwar/loyal.htm
http://www.1stalabamacavalryusv.com/loyalist.asp

[uppityperson]

20. I don't think he has a wide stance.

[blogslut]

21. I have advice for you

Keep reaching for the straws stars!

[AlCzervik]

22. people with confederate flags on their trucks need to move into this century.

[ithinkmyliverhurts]

23. Hopefully on top of it . . . pissing.

[blonndee]

24. Woot woot! Another race-baiter gets the cookie!! n/t