People love Obama down here. The scene a moment ago was a bit like that anecdote from Gregory the Theologian about the people in the marketplace holding forth on the Trinity, albeit concerning a much less elevated and important matter. Out of nowhere people offer you their opinions on the presidential contest. Down the street came a black man asking for some help to get to a shelter (tonight it is miserable out in Chicago, must be in single digits), and so we got to talking. I explained that I lived in the neighbourhood and studied history, which prompted the man, out of the blue, to complain about Hillary Clinton’s use of MLK to attack Barack Obama. Granted, this is Obama’s turf and he will probably carry this part of Illinois about 98 to 2, but the genuine disgust the man felt for Hillary Clinton was something to behold. Obama may lose this contest, but I don’t think I appreciated how much the Clintons had alienated black voters until tonight. Come November, she may find a lot of very unmotivated Democrats here and around the country.
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January 22nd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Dave
Upon reading this, Daniel, I had a sudden flash of inspiration. Up until now I had been following the primaries as if they were a horse race, hoping that my favorites would take the lead. However, you have led me to see the opportunities that may emerge from this election under any circumstance: It may lead to a broad disaffection for both parties. The anarchist in me is gleefully wringing my hands.