23% of white Clinton supporters think Obama's a Muslim
Hat tip Art Levine: from the Pew Poll:
Now some might argue that this party-switching among this group is (in part) Hillary's doing because she did not speak out strongly enough against the smear campaign (you know, the whole "as far as I know" and all that. Maybe, but I tend to think that the people who are receptive to this kind of smear are people looking for reasons not to support Obama in the first place - these aren't people on the margin.
White Democrats who hold unfavorable views of Obama are much more likely than those who have favorable opinions of him to say that equal rights for minorities have been pushed too far; they also are more likely to disapprove of interracial dating, and are more concerned about the threat that immigrants may pose to American values. In addition, nearly a quarter of white Democrats (23%) who hold a negative view of Obama believe he is a Muslim.The Pew poll also hints that these folks are among the most likely to go to McCain.
Now some might argue that this party-switching among this group is (in part) Hillary's doing because she did not speak out strongly enough against the smear campaign (you know, the whole "as far as I know" and all that. Maybe, but I tend to think that the people who are receptive to this kind of smear are people looking for reasons not to support Obama in the first place - these aren't people on the margin.
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I think you should just spit it out and say that they are racially prejudiced and therefore discriminate.
March 27, 2008 8:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're conflating "white Democrats who hold a negative view of Obama" with "white Clinton supporters."
March 27, 2008 8:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Maybe, but I tend to think that the people who are receptive to this kind of smear are people looking for reasons not to support Obama in the first place - these aren't people on the margin."
I don't think they even believe it.
They are lying to the pollsters in a spirit of malice.
Proof: Muslims don't have preachers at the United Church of Christ.
Like imagine if you asked people if Hillary had Vince Foster killed. You'd probably get some malicious people who said yes.
Or compare to the polls of muslim countries after 9/11. You had people claiming that Mossad bombed the towers, yet some of these same people were celebrating Osama bin Laden. But if OBL didn't do it, why the tshirt?
March 27, 2008 8:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Never underestimate the power of sheer ignorance. More people than you'd think just aren't paying any attention.
March 27, 2008 10:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are those people considered Democrats? I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm well aware of the bigotted/ignorant arm of the Democratic Party, but after reading the poll I'm wondering how many of them are the Limbaugh Democrats that plan on carrying Clinton.
March 27, 2008 9:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does the poll indicate how old these people are and their level of education? I'm guessing that the majority of the 23% are older, less informed voters. Ok, I know that comes off as a little snobby but who else could this be? Who else cares about interracial dating besides crazy Republicans? Older Democratic voters who kind of missed the inclusion train.
March 27, 2008 10:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Art Levin put it "25% of Anti-Obama Dems Think He's a Muslim", which is almost accurate. You made up the "23% of white Clinton supporters..."
Here's is what the Pew site says.
"The survey finds that, in general, Obama has a highly favorable image among Democratic voters, including white Democrats. But while Obama's personal image is more favorable than Clinton's, certain social beliefs and attitudes among older, white, working-class Democratic voters are associated with his lower levels of support among this group.
"In particular, white Democrats who hold unfavorable views of Obama are much more likely than those who have favorable opinions of him to say that equal rights for minorities have been pushed too far; they also are more likely to disapprove of interracial dating, and are more concerned about the threat that immigrants may pose to American values. In addition, nearly a quarter of white Democrats (23%) who hold a negative view of Obama believe he is a Muslim.
"Less educated and older white Democrats, who have not backed Obama in most primary elections, hold these values more commonly than do other Democrats."
"White Democrats" doesn't equate to "Clinton supporters".
Look, I am hoping Obama is the nominee; but, come on, let's at least be fair and accurate.
March 27, 2008 10:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Channeling Fox there, Brent? What's funny about this is 35% of those who are planning on voting for Obama think he's a Muslim.
Of course, poor hearing challenged Brent missed the first sentence of Clinton's interview, "OF COURSE NOT" followed by "NO, NO, NO." I'm happy to give you the good news, Brent, now you can tell others.
March 27, 2008 10:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, Democrats like this do exist. They're called "old people." Old people with four years or less of college who view the world as a zero sum game.
March 27, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
They're also called Brent Goldfarb and Art Levine, dumb people who just as stupidly as the people they criticize fall for the most convenient meme if it supports their own prejudices and biases, a less than zero sum game.
March 27, 2008 10:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think I should add that it's 23% "of white democrats who hold a negative view of Obama believe he is a Muslim.
There are many Clinton supporters who hold a positive view of Obama. So the 23% is not only not necessarily Clinton supporters, it's not 23% of democrats. It's 23% of the minority of democrats who hold a negative view of Obama
Further down in the Pew report:
"One-in-ten voters believe that Barack Obama is Muslim; 14% of Republicans, 10% of Democrats and 8% of independents think he is Muslim."
Which just makes your 23% of Clinton supporters headline all the more inaccurate.
March 27, 2008 10:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chris and others,
Indeed you are correct - I misread the poll analysis. Thanks for the correction and I apologize.
-Brent
March 27, 2008 11:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Very good of Brent to admit his error. I do wish he could make an update in the article, though, or at least change the title. I find a number of people at Salon and elsewhere using his story as "proof" of Clinton's perfidy. Still, I understnad. The poll was in fact difficult to follow.
Of all the data included, the one I found most surprising was that 10% of white persons still believed Mr. Obama was a Muslim--and 11 percent of African Americans believed it! Astonishing. And perhaps another piece of context that makes the original claim of "white Clinton supporters" even less just.
March 29, 2008 2:05 AM | Reply | Permalink