Saturday, November 08, 2008

"The White Grandmother Effect"

As election day drew closer in these past elections, and the polls consistently gave his O ness a slight lead over Mr. Morton, the phrase "Bradley Effect" was on every ones mind. No one (including yours truly) thought that the polls were correct, because we thought that a large percentage of white voters would lie to the pollsters. And now, in retrospect, we can see that the "Bradley Effect" may or may not have had an effect on what the polls were showing, but we know now that it had no effect on the final results.

But I submit to you that another phenomenon did. It's called "The White Grandmother Effect", and it just might possibly be the real reason why his O ness put an old time ass whopping on the former Navy pilot this past Tuesday.


I use a co-worker of mine as an example: This guy, a middle aged Italian, admitted to me that he and his 88 year old mother were ambivalent about these elections and about voting. That is until they heard the tragic story of the O man's grandmother and they saw her pictures on television. The guy confessed to me that his mother cried when she saw the story and decided right then and there to put one down for his O ness. "That poor woman would have wanted to see her grandson become president", he told me she said. I suspect that many people (black and white) connected to this story on many levels. Who among us does not have an older family member that we love dearly, but unfortunately did not live long enough to see us achieve certain milestones in our lives? This story stuck that kind of chord with many of us, and it was made even more tragic by the timing of the poor woman's death.

One of the most brilliant things the Obama campaign dis as election day drew closer, was to run ads featuring Obama with his grandmother. This made folks in the majority population who don't vote issues but identity connect with his O ness on a personal level. Obama by virtue of being Obama, son of a Kenyan father, already connected with black folks, we saw him as one of us. Those television ads featuring his mother's side of the family made him palatable to white folks as well. He became one of them, too.

Now this was the first and I am sure it will be the last time that the "White Grandma Effect" will be a factor in A-merry-can politics, so don't expect it to get as much play as the "Bradley Effect". Still, for this one historic election, it could have been the difference maker. Maybe someone can do a poll about that one day.....ahh never mind, people will just lie to the pollsters about that as well.

97 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dude, sounds nice, but I'm not sure I buy it. I think Obama won because of, or despite, himself and not any of his associations, good or bad.

Anonymous said...

I'm suspicious of anyone who has a stream of tears come out of one eye but not the other (see your picture). That's weird.

Anonymous said...

Obama won because of his crooked tactics, massive amounts of illegal money, and a liberal mainstream media that........you know what? Fuck it. I surrender.

RiPPa said...

I'm sure this did play a small part in affecting the outcome. It sure did make him seem less Anti-Christ like in the eyes of many. You know, the idiots who were buying into that shit? I also think it did a little bit to dispel the Muslim thing as well. But like you said, nobody would admit it.

I tell you what though...

If anything, I bet more white women would be willing to have sex with more black men than ever. Suddenly they'll look past ballplayers and rappers and look to nerds from Africa on college campuses. I'm telling you, white grandma's are gonna be happy once again in America.

Anonymous said...

I think you could probably say "Grandma Effect" without having her have to be white. "The grandmother who raised him" dying the day before the historic outcome would touch people no matter what, I think. But in any event, these same sort of people might have been affected by the "Disabled Child Effect." So maybe they cancelled each other out overall ....

Jody said...

Obama won because he ran the smartest, best organized campaign, ever. His campaign registered voters, kept them engaged and then made sure they got to the polls. He ran a positive campaign at a time when so many americans were sick and tired of divisive politics. He won by such a large margin because he was clearly the superior candidate. His grandma may have played a small role with a few voters, but I doubt it was anywhere near the margins of making or breaking this election. Bottom line, he won because he convinced the american people that he was the right person at this time to lead us out of this nightmare that has been our collective experience for the past 8 years.

Anonymous said...

I think some people probably did vote for Barack Obama for that reason. There was a girl at work who told me that he was either going to win or lose because his grandmother died a couple of days before which does not make sense to me as he could have won or lose if she hadn't died, It's difficult to say.

field negro said...

"Obama won because of his crooked tactics, massive amounts of illegal money, and a liberal mainstream media that........you know what? Fuck it. I surrender."

relax joe, it's over. :)

Mac Daddy Tribute Blog said...

field, I think you're right. For those white folks that did not connect with Obama on the issues, or were lukewarm about him due to questions about his experience, his grandmother's death was the final event that helped them put one down for the "O" man.

Some people need to connect to a candidate in a personal way.

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

Jody:

All that you said up above, Granny agrees with 100%. Now, Granny is gonna go sit, quietly, in the corner, rest her tired body, and watch the rest of the comments in between nods.

Anonymous said...

There is no question (in my mind) about the power of depicting a candidate in the context of her or his family. Depicting Obama as a good husband, good father, and a grandson worked to his advantage.

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

Oh yeah, one more thing, anonymous 6:39 pm, Granny's eyesight is not as good as it used to be, but even I can see the tear stain streak on the right side of his jaw and that his eye is moist. My goodness, do you hate that he won that much, that you have no compassion even for someone who has lost their loved one? Ugggggh! I'm glad the Republicans lost, because they represent a cold-hearted, calculating bunch of folks that I pray becomes extinct like dinosaurs.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure you're right, Field. I do know that the Obama campaign did a masterful job playing up his "white roots." And what's wrong with that?

In today's NY Times there was an article that put forth the proposition that the Cosby Show 20 years ago played an important role in making it easier for whites to vote for a black candidate. I think that makes sense too.

And don't forget Johnny Cochran. A lot of racist whites wanted to go out and lynch OJ after he got off in '95, but you know what? They thought Johnny was a pretty damn good lawyer, too. After the OJ trial it seemed like everybody had to have a black lawyer, even Monica Lewinsky! It was like "black" was the new "Jewish."

I was surprised at how many whites voted for Obama, but maybe I shouldn't have been. I think this has been coming for a long time.

Anonymous said...

Obama win triggers run on guns in many stores
Sat Nov 8, 2008

PHOENIX (Reuters) - Sales of rifles, pistols and ammo are surging in parts of the United States, as many gun owners fear President-elect Barack Obama's administration may seek to tighten ownership of certain weapons.

"The day after the election, I had many more calls than usual from people looking for semi-automatic rifles," said David Greenberg, the owner of the Second Amendment Family Gun Shop, in Bisbee, Arizona, who sold out of AR-15 rifles in recent days.

"There seems to be a fear they will be banned, and it's fairly likely," he added. "Obama and Biden are driven to eliminate firearms from the face of the country."

Gun stores and trade groups have reported a spike in firearms sales in the run-up to the November 4 election victory of Democrat Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden, who many perceive as strongly pro-gun control.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade association for the shooting, hunting and firearms industry, reported a 10 percent jump in gun sales this year based on its analysis of an excise tax placed on firearms and ammunition, and a spokesman said the increase had grown dramatically ahead of the election.

"Gun owners are afraid of what Obama is going to do as far as guns," said spokesman Tony Aeschliman. "He has a clear record of being against us."

Obama stated his support for the right to bear arms during campaigning, although both he and Biden back a permanent ban on assault weapons -- military style semi-automatic rifles -- and "common sense measures" to keep guns away from children and criminals, positions which spurred concern among some gun enthusiasts.

"It's always been the liberal or Democratic agenda to restrict gun ownership," said Jim Pruett, the owner of a gun store in a Houston-area strip mall, whose sales more than tripled on the Saturday before the election to $35,000.

LittleMissSolo said...

Maybe I should take my picture down for this post (I have white friends and they might get offended if they are lurkers)

Anyhoo - I'm not buying this. White folks the first ones to throw their MeMaw into some convalescent home or pay a overpriced Nurse to care for their PawPaw. (I'm from the south - in case you're wondering, thats what country white people tend to call their grandparents).

While baby daddys and baby mamas have a hard time getting along in the black family structure, we love our grandmothers something serious! So, I could see him getting black sympathy votes - but he didn't need that.


And dude beat the breaks off McCain - aint that many sympathetic white folks in A-merry-ca...


2 thumbs down for this theory!

Anonymous said...

Forget the Grandma effect...

I saw a man who love his grandma and I luv to see a man show his emotions in public and in private.

This man is someone that I want my child to look up to and I am glad that he is my president-elect.

For all the haters...get ready..as Sam said "Change is coming."

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure I'm buying this myself. I don't know anyone who woke up on Election Day morning and said, "I think I'm going to vote for Barack Obama today."

That only happens on Boston Legal, and last Monday's episode was a keeper.

La♥audiobooks said...

"Those television ads featuring his mother's side of the family made him palatable to white folks as well. He became one of them, too. "

Field.... I'm with you. Haven't I been saying this for a long time on your blog?? People could pretend all they want, but I truly feel most white people who voted for him at some point felt connected and trusting based on him having half white heritage AND being raised by that side. With much respect to him, I can't honestly say he would have won half their votes if he was raised by two black biological parents and black grandparents. Omerica still has a lot of work to do, let's start with honesty.

Anonymous said...

The huge crowds that Obama was able to draw were the result of a quality about Obama that connected with people who desperately wanted to have hope and to believe that the excesses and greed and gross abuses of power of the Bush administration could be changed.

I have no reason to doubt the tears in Obama's eyes. He was raised by his grandmother after his mother died.

Obama's not like Ronald Regan who could get that catch in his throat but you knew he was acting. Obama is either the genuine article, or as close to it as I have seen since the Kennedys. I predict great things for Obama and the country.

Anonymous said...

Know what, Field? Some of us white folks have been Democrats and Obama and/or Clinton supporters the whole time. We felt the sympathy, sure, but it had nothing to do with our vote. Can you not EVER accept the fact that it's not all about race sometimes for some people? It would be one thing if the polls had not shown Obama leading for weeks, or if he had not won my such a large margin, but apparently, nothing made that much a difference and yet - here you are - still groping to find some kind of reason instead of just enjoying it.

Anonymous said...

I don't care what "effect" helped get the man elected. All I care about is he won, and I'm So happy.

Black Diaspora said...

All the "Effects" were probably in play in this election.

1. The Reversed Bradley Effect (whites told pollster's they're voting for McCain when in fact they were voting for "this one.").

2. The Grandma Effect. Why not, it's as legitimate as any to get someone out to vote.

3. The Iraq War Effect. I would have voted for the O-man for no other reason that I'm sick of us fighting the NeverEnding War.

4. The Deficit Effect. I'm tired of kowtowing to China (as they slowly poison us and our pets), and others who hold so much of our debt. I'd vote for Obama just to get these guys off our back.

5. The Transfer of American Jobs to Other Countries Effect. I'm all for helping the world, but we can't be charitable if we end up being the beggers ourselves.

6. The Unemployment Effect. Wanna bet that this one, alone, got a whole lot of people to the polls this time around?

7. The Housing Market Crisis Effect. So much of our economy is driven by the housing market, and new housing starts, that those recently losing their homes, or is about to lose them, or was laid off for a drop in demand in the housing sector, turned out in droves.

8. The Recession Effect. Well, this one touched us all. It's the economy stupid got everybody up off their butts (we all became super bright over night), and voted for the O-man.

9. And, lastly, but not finally, The Bush Effect. No comment is needed. The rest of the world would have seriously considered paying to have every member of this nation go through psychological counseling if we voted for another Republican that offered, and represented, nothing else but "More of the Same."

field negro said...

Black diaspora, I like all of those effects. :) Good stuff.

And I think pete in az. speaks for most Obamaholics. They could care less what type of effect allowed him to win, they are just glad that he did.

"We felt the sympathy, sure, but it had nothing to do with our
vote. Can you not EVER accept the fact that it's not all about race sometimes for some people? It would be one thing if the polls had not shown Obama leading for weeks, or if he had not won my such a large margin,"

tammy, would you agree that the grandma effect helped? And of course it's not all about race for some people. "SOME" people. Not all.

"I'm sure you're right, Field. I do know that the Obama campaign did a masterful job playing up his "white roots." And what's wrong with that?"

Not a damn thing!

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

black diaspora:

I like the way you broke that down too. All of the post so far have been interesting.

tammy:

People are happy and especially people on this blog. Their just having what you call an election hangover and overwhelmed with excitement, happiness, and amazement.

Anonymous said...

This effect, that effect, all attempts to categorize various aspects of Obama win. I think all these effects play a role, but the simple must important thing is the organizational nature of the battle-ready Obama campaign. I mean, if you dont have in place a mechanism that can fully exploit development and circumstances, you will still probably loose. Chances only favoured the prepared mind.

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

Did it ever occur to anyone that people were drawn to the light within him? Obama's light within was shining for the world to see, and that is what drew people to him. It was that righteousness in him. We're living in dark and perilous times and people want to see some light. Now, I know some of y'all don't believe, and I know that some of you do believe. Let me bring something I said back a while ago, whether some of y'all like it or not, believe or choose not to believe.

"As long as King Uzziah SOUGHT the Lord, he PROSPERED, the Lord gave him VICTORY over his enemies, and his NAME SPREAD ABROAD."

During the election they labeled him a Muslim, but Obama is a Christian. But he is not a fake Christian, the kind that "honors with their lips but their heart is far from him." He is a "doer".

When they attacked him with vicious name-calling, he didn't attack them back with vicious name-calling. Instead he treated them with kindness and respect. He even apologized to some of them, when it should have been the other way around, because he really hadn't done any harm to them. They even underestimated and thought that they would be able to trick and use his family in Kenya to destroy him. But what they didn't know is that his Kenyan grandmother is a wise old woman. She could see through them and cut them off at the path. His other Kenya relatives are no fools either.

As I said before a few of you folks recognized what I was saying when I said this, "You can't curse what God has blessed." Palin, Joe the Liar (Plumber), Hannity, O'Reilly, Ben Stein, Glen Beck, Rush, McCain, Liebermann, Rudy, and many others were his enemies and each time they attacked him, it backfired on them, because God gave him Victory over his enemies. They attacked his faith, his family, his name, his patriotism, and every petty non issue thing they could think of. That's how the enemy works. The enemy is an accuser.

His name spread abroad. People all over the world, and the USA came out in thousands to see him and hear him speak. He wasn't speaking hate towards anyone or inciting violence, he was speaking out against those Goliaths, those giants that people have in their lives such as fear, lack of hope, and disbelief. Obama encouraged and inspired people to believe again in themselves and replace fear with hope and belief, and as some folks put it, he talked to the people's better angels.

As long as he sought the Lord....Obama has prospered with the sale of his books, in his political career, and in winning this election. Prosper doesn't just mean material things and money, it also, means being successful, fortunate, and blessed.

When some people that post on this blog were saying that he was a whimp, asking why he didn't fight back, and wanting him to fight back. I spoke up and said no he is not a whimp, he is a gentleman. I recognized that quality in him. It put me in the mind of one of my uncles. My uncle was a gentleman, but he was tough and strong as steel. After I made that statement, Biden came out and confirmed it in one of his speeches that Obama's back was strong as steel. A few others mentioned his gentleman qualities.

Things that were hidden in the dark are coming to the light left and right. The light is being shined in those dark places leaving no stone unturned.

Anonymous said...

Re: Tammy's comment: - still groping to find some kind of reason instead of just enjoying it.

I totally agree with you, Tammy. I guess the thousands of Democrats who waited in lines for hours to vote before his grandmother's passing should be ignored, because losing his last remaining link to White America was possibly the only reason why some Whites could identify with him.

If his Kenyan grandmother had passed away instead and he won, I could see Fox News coming up with a Dead black Grandma Effect as a possible factor in the election. Your Dead White Grandma theory is no less despicable.

The Christian Progressive Liberal said...

The irony is, Harold Ford lied about the race of his grandmother to win his Senate Seat, and it didn't work for him.

Obama actually had a white grandmother and whether it was because of her, in spite of her, or having NOTHING to do with her, he's now the POTUS.

You know Harold Ford has to be major pissed right now.

Anonymous said...

For those interested, Steve Schmidt of the McCain campaign gave a 4 pages post-mortem of the campaign

? said...

But I submit to you that another phenomenon did. It's called "The White Grandmother Effect", and it just might possibly be the real reason why his O ness put an old time ass whopping on the former Navy pilot this past Tuesday.




Respectfully disagree with you on this one Field. The white people who voted for Obama did so becuase they are smart and recognize their own self interest. I know stone cold racists who voted for the man, why? Becuase they knew Mccain was too damn unstable and plain wrong on the issues. Say what you want about the white folks but they didn't get where they are by being dumb.

Anonymous said...

Oh, here is another one with David Plouffe of the Obama campaign, also giving a post-mortem of the campaign. With all due respect, i think one can glean from these as to how the obama campaign evolved and deal with varioud situations along the way

Kellybelle said...

I was listening to NPR's On The Media this week and they broke it down, there is no such thing as the Bradley Effect. I can't remember what all they said, but the pollsters and statisticians and such said they reviewed the #'s and the Bradley Effect is a media myth.

Chris said...

granny - Let's not make him into a messiah.

All this church talk is scaring me away.

Seda said...

Field,
Good call for a small part of the total.

Black Diaspora,
Great list of effects! Yes, all of them.

Tammy,
Some times it can be not ALL about race and still be PART about race.

And for my own version of the effect: the Dr. King effect. By God, it felt damn good to know that when I cast my vote for this man I was casting a vote to make that great man's dream into reality.

The icing on the cake was the sure knowledge that he is by far the best candidate for the job.

Nelson said...

hmmm...I think such an effect actually might have swung real close states like NC and possibly Indiana.

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

Chris:

I'm not making him into no messiah. He is not the messiah. You misunderstood what I was trying to say.

LISA VAZQUEZ said...

@ Chris

Have you heard of Kurt Carr?

"We lift our hands in the sanctuary.
We lift our hands to give Him the glory.
We lift our hands to give Him the praise.
And we will praise Him for the rest of our days! Yes!
We will praise Him for the rest of our days!
Yes Lord, for the rest of our days!
Yes!"

*just thought I'd sing the first verse. The rest is on YouTube.

*grins*

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

Speaking of Obama's family, I read where his aunt has a lawyer and is going to appeal her immigration case. The article said that it would be hard for them to deny her now because of all the publicity the leak caused and it could put her in danger or something like that.

Thank you Jesus!

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

"The icing on the cake was the sure knowledge that he is by far the best candidate for the job."

Amen Seda, amen!

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

blackwomanblowthetrumpet:

I love that song. It was one of my favorites.

rikyrah said...

CPL,

LOL about the Dark Sith. He dishonored his Elders and was punished for it.

FN,

why not. I always wondered why it didn't seem like White folks were giving the White folks that raised him any credit.


I loved the poster who did all ' The Effects'.

The Bush Effect is the biggest one.

We must thank Shrub. Without him being in the running for the worst President EVER - Obama would not have been considered.


FN...when's that Nudie Run?

rikyrah said...

Here's an OT for the folks here.

This is from the comments over at JJP:

I think the full impact and significance of Barack’s ascension to power will hit African Americans at different points and at different times. It was early on for me when I could first realize the possiblity and all that our people have gone through. I think there will be other times though, maybe as Donna Brazile says when he walks down those steps to take the oath or maybe one day on a news clip when his standing in a tuxedo for a state dinner with dignitaries. There will be many times that chills will go through our bodies at the site of something we never thought we would see and for many the emotion will overcome us and for others it’ll just be muming under our breaths the words “unbelievable’. But the next four years will be good for the souls of black folk.

The list that we came up with...a whole lot of it gave me chills. I'd love to hear what FN readers come up with.

This is my list:

My list so far:
1.Michelle holding the Bible on January 20, 2009.
2. The first time Michelle enters the White House as First Lady (no, we won’t be able to see that)
3. When they meet the fully assembled White House staff (no, we won’t be able to see that)
4. The first time he boards AIR FORCE ONE
5. The first State Dinner (I’ll be glued to C-Span. I hope Leticia Baldridge is still alive and is the usual C-Span guest)
6. State of the Union, 2009. I’m going to be chilled twice:

MADAM SPEAKER, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
(to be honest, I’m still not used to ‘ Madam Speaker’. So, the combo of that and ‘The President of the United States’ - damn)

7. Black History Month at The White House, February 2009
8. President Obama and Mrs. Obama at Buckingham Palace
9. President Obama and Mrs. Obama on an official overseas trip to Africa
10. President Obama’s first G8 Summit
11. The HGTV Special, Christmas at the White House


So, what's your list?

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

I liked that article rikyrah.

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

I was reading where Billy Graham's work is ending as adviser to the President. Whelp, that's wonderful! Time for change there too.

The article, also, said that Franklin and his dad Graham were concerned about Obama's views on abortion and gay marriage. Granny read something about some views Graham had back some years ago that concerned me as well.

Black Diaspora said...

Granny, you are wise. That wisdom has been exemplified many times in the posts that you have left here.

Not once did you deviate from your certainty that Obama would be our next president, not once did you waver.

You have said: "Things that were hidden in the dark are coming to the light left and right. The light is being shined in those dark places leaving no stone unturned."

Granny, you're so on the mark. Because you are, I'm going to share something with you. Those with ears to hear will hear what I say; others, well, they're hear what it is they always hear.

You will hear me, but not all here will. And that's how it should be.

Granny, this election was the most important election in our lifetime, the nation's lifetime.

Not because a black man was elected, but because of what he stood for.

We have passed an important test, the most far-reaching test of our lives. Let me outline it for you:

Obama and Biden represented hope, unity, oneness.

Obama's first speech to the nation occurred years ago at a Democratic convention. It carried the theme that would be restated time and time again during this election:

We're not red states or blue states, we're the United States. We're not Democrats and Republicans, we're Americans. This unity and oneness became the theme of his two-year march to the White House.

On the night he was elected President-elect, he ended his speech to those assembled there with this statement: God bless the United States of America, stressing the "United," setting it apart to give it a special emphasis.

Others who have conjured up those words have merely stated, "And God bless America."

It was a subtle difference, and only a few actually heard it.

McCain and Palin, on the other hand, represented fear, disunity, and separation.

From them we were treated to a divisive theme: the country, we were told, was divided into pro-America, and anti-America--and people were either pro-American, or anti-American, patriotic or non-patriotic.

This was not by accident. The election offered the people of this nation a choice: to go forth as divided, separate and apart (Black and White, minority and majority, Democrat and Republican, liberal or conservative), or to come together as One people, a united people.

The choice couldn't have been clearer.

This nation, and indeed the world, is on the precipice of a shift in consciousness that will shake us to our core.

Oprah Winfrey, in an interview the night of Obama's election, used those very words. She said something like this when asked how she felt:

"This is something big. Really, really, Big! It feels like a consciousness shift."

Granny, if you had asked me a mere three years ago if this nation was ready to elect a black man as president, I would have laughed, shook my head, and answered, "No!"

In the next few years we're going to see an acceleration of events the likes of which the world has never seen.

And, although it won't all look salutary, in the end, it will be.

I had better leave it at that: I don't want to give away all my secrets.

Let me leave you with one last secret, one last peek: the year 2012 is pivotal, it's going to be such a watershed year for humanity that we will look back on it with awe and reverence.

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

black diaspora:

You on target! And yes, amen, those who have ears to hear...hear. And those who have eyes to see...see.

Black Diaspora said...

rikyrah said...So, what's your list?

Certainly all the things you've listed, and everything that you haven't listed.

There's gonna be many moments that's gonna leave us chilled to the bone over the next four years.

Surely, there's another name we can pin to our collective response to this experience.

Let's see: How about the Obama Shivers.

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

One of my cousins that lives in Mass. sent me a postcard she made out of a quilt. It's a piece of quilt the same size and shape of a postcard. On one side of it, it says, "It's not what They call you
Terrorist, Anti-Christ, Liar, Socialist, Baby Killer, Inexperienced Elitist, Born Outside USA
It's what You answer to.
Nov 4, 2008

Flip the postcard over to the other side and it says:

Barack Obama
He answers to Mr. President

Obama 08 with a picture of a donkey embroidery on it on it.

What I noticed about the donkey is that the bottom part is red and the top part is blue, with 4 stars across it.

And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail and thou shalt be above only and thou shalt not be beneath

Christopher said...

Ya' think it's possible people voted for Barack Obama because he's:

1. smart?
2. calm under pressure?
3. informed?
4. learned?
5. capable?
6. a family man?
7. inclusive?
8. attractive?
9. the anti-Bush?

I never bought the so-called "Bradley Effect" because 20 some years have passed since Tom Bradley was defeated and the country has a new generation under its belt.

Sharon from WI said...

I am sure his grandmother's death right before the election had some effect in that it played on people's sympathy--and understandably so.

Someone commented on the tear streaming from one eye. I didn't find that strange at all.

He was overcome with emotion, but wasn't crying, per se, in a manner that would have both eyes streaming tears.

Does anybody remember the PSA with the American Indian streaming a single tear over pollution?

It was classic, although I think some controversy arose over the actor not being a real Native American, but that's a different issue.

field negro said...

"So, what's your list?"

rikyrah, love all the ones you mentioned. For me, it's the first time some AP photographer catches a pic of one of those cute daughters of his, playing with their new puppy on the white house lawn.

granny, LOL! I am agnostic, but you are not scaring me. Preach on sista:)

"Ya' think it's possible people voted for Barack Obama because he's:

1. smart?
2. calm under pressure?
3. informed?
4. learned?
5. capable?
6. a family man?
7. inclusive?
8. attractive?
9. the anti-Bush?"

Christopher, all of the above may be true. But why are folks totally dismissing the "GE"? Maybe he still would have won, but can anyone doubt that the "GE" played a role in how huge the numbers were? Or that it might have helped to push him over the top in close states?

I will give the McCain people two reasons why they lost: Sarah Palin & The Economy.

Sharon from WI said...

gwpriester: I have no reason to doubt the tears in Obama's eyes. He was raised by his grandmother after his mother died.

Obama was an adult when his mother died. She died of ovarian cancer in 1995.

He was raised by his grandparents after his mother decided to send him back to the States from Indonesia.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joanne-bamberger/i-cant-stop-wondering-ab_b_77513.html

LittleMissSolo said...

President Elect Obama reminds me of that cool math teacher in High School. You know, the one that really broke it down so it made sense. The one who explained it to you like no one else had done before. The teacher that made math fun. And you always looked forward to his class because, even though it was math class and you hated math, you found yourself looking forward to that period in the day because it was the person that drew you in and not the subject matter.

And no matter how much homework he gave, how many times you were asked to stay after school and work with classmates to study, or how many projects you were assigned - you did it, and enjoyed it, because HE asked you too. And not only did you do them, you put in 100% and made sure it was the best you had to offer.

President Obama(wow)made me feel this way during his campaign. Politics was never very interesting to me, but I caught the bug around August of last year and now I just can't get enough. I gave my time, took off work, campaigned on his behalf, registered voters, read blogs and news outlets until my eyes bled, talked politics to anyone who would listen, learned as much as I could, and really believed in what he was selling.

I call that The Obama Effect :)

Sharon from WI said...

The Christian Progressive Liberal said...

The irony is, Harold Ford lied about the race of his grandmother to win his Senate Seat, and it didn't work for him.

Obama actually had a white grandmother and whether it was because of her, in spite of her, or having NOTHING to do with her, he's now the POTUS.

You know Harold Ford has to be major pissed right now.


Why did Ford lie about his grandmother? She was black and he lied that she was white?

Sharon from WI said...

So, what's your list?

1. Barack Obama at Camp David
2. Sasha and Malia's First Puppy
3. Michelle Obama's fashions
4. Barack Obama weekly radio addresses
5. Barack Obama on official business in any given country.
6. Barack Obama being covered in the foreign press
7. While Michelle said this campaign was their last "child," an Obama pregnancy in the White House.

Christopher said...

Christopher, all of the above may be true. But why are folks totally dismissing the "GE"?

Field,

Maybe the "GE" as you call it played a role and I'm certainly not saying it didn't but I think you can go back further to see when the polls began to diverge dramatically.

The race was close -- with the margin of error until the economy tanked and the Wall Street crooks went sobbing to Bush and the Congress to bail their asses out.

When McCain warbled, "the fundamentals of the economy are strong," most Americans said, "What the fuck is he talking about," and the next week, Obama was up by double digits. McCain looked and sounded out of touch, like a typical country club Republican (which he is) and Obama seemed the more serious, contemplative and informed candidate.

In a way, McCain's elitism transformed Obama into a populist in many voter's minds.

That's my take, for what it's worth.

But, as you know, I began supporting Obama more than a year earlier and I always said, here and on other blogs, that I knew in my heart and soul that white America would vote for him.

Barack Obama is my generation's John F. Kennedy.

Sharon from WI said...

Christopher,

It certainly didn't help that McCain's campaign adviser, Sen. Phil Gramm, called Americans "a nation of whiners."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/10/mccain-adviser-americans_n_111857.html

Christopher said...

Sharon,

I think Phil Gramm was just one in a long line of terrible examples of the Old Coot's lack of judgment.

Think of all the people he chose to climb onboard the Crack Pot Express?

Sarah "McCandy" Palin
Phil Gramm
Rick Davis
Douglas Holtz-Eakin
Tucker Eskew
Joe Lieberman
Mike Murphy
Willard "Mitt" Romney
Carly Fiorna
Russ Schriefer
Stuart Stevens
Meg Whitman

McCain's campaign was the ultimate example of the gang who couldn't shoot straight.

Hathor said...

Only one thing on my list.

The first time I hear Four Ruffles and Flourishes.

Sharon from WI said...

I think Phil Gramm was just one in a long line of terrible examples of the Old Coot's lack of judgment.

Think of all the people he chose to climb onboard the Crack Pot Express?

LOL. You're absolutely right. His selection of Palin really made me question his judgment. If I had any doubts about him before, they certainly were confirmed in August.

Thank God we can have Obama as our president. He can't get into the White House soon enough.

Jody said...

So, what's your list?

1. Addressing the United Nations
2. Meeting with Representatives from Palestine and Israel
3. Announcing the date of withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
4. Sasha and Malia at the White House Easter Egg roll.
5. Michelle giving a tour of the White House for the holidays
6. Witnessing the Inauguration on the Streets of DC.

Christopher said...

6. Witnessing the Inauguration on the Streets of DC

Yes, Yes, YES!

A witness to history and all that we've worked for these past 15 months.

We survived the Bush nightmare and lived to see the election of Barack Obama!

La♥audiobooks said...

My Last comment, I think the "Bail out/Economy effect" actually lead over the "Granny effect" (yet I am sure the "GE" pulled in a lot of last minute votes). The recent economy decline sealed the deal.

But, I still think the "white heritage effect" was always something steady. It initially got him to where he was in the election, and I don't think that can be denied.

? said...

Key Questions

1. Will the US fully withdraw from Iraq and pull back bases in the middle east?

2. Will Obama launch new offenses against the Tailban? Will he withdraw US forces from Afghanistan? Or will a deal be cut with the Taliban in a power sharing agreement?

3. Will a real national health care plan be put before the legislature?

4. Will the military budget be cut?

5. What will Obama's stance be towards a Pakistan on the brink?

6. Will the "drug war" and the so called "war on terror continue"?

Seda said...

FN,
I will give the McCain people two reasons why they lost: Sarah Palin & The Economy.

This, yes, but Black Diaspora got it right, too. Unity. The American people were given a choice between continuing the culture wars and civil right struggle or joining as one nation to work together to create new solutions and a new direction. It's striking that so many voted to continue, yet also profound that so many didn't.

There has indeed been a shift in consciousness, and the next few years are going to be amazing.

Okay, I'm not black, but as can't a white person also have Obama shivers? Huddling around the computer with my kids and our neighbors, after we'd been unable to get to University of Oregon's basketball arena to see The Man in person, and seeing the complete ease with which he dominated the arena as he spoke of bringing us together. And that was in the primary.

A picture is better than a thousand words, so I'll sign off with this:
http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/rally1.jpg

Monie said...

Yeah I agree about Obama's grandmother.

On another note: is Obama African- American or Kenyan-American? All of the newsreaders keep calling him African-American but I think that's not right, he's not a descendant of slaves so he's Kenyan-American, right?

Hathor said...

Monie,
I only think if his dad had immigrated to the US.

I personally don't like any of the hyphenations.

Anonymous said...

1. The first time "Hail to the Chief" is played for him. Heck, EVERY time it's played for him.

2. His first State of the Union address

3. His first press conference as President. One of my fondest memories of the JFK years is the weekly press conferences. No longer will we have a Pres. and VP who hide in their "undisclosed location" and avoid the People they are supposed to answer to.

SingaporeSwim said...

There's some truth here.

This morning I heard a caller from Kansas on C-SPAN wonder if O's maternal grandfather is still alive and if O will be going to his grandmother's funeral.

The answers, "No" and "Yes."
To which the caller responded, "This makes me feel better about Obama."

Anonymous said...

I long for the day when we are all simply "Americans." I think we took a giant step closer to that ideal last week.

Anonymous said...

Steven Colbert called him America's first Hawaiian-American President. ;-)

Christopher Chambers said...

What we're finding at G-town in analyzing the exit polls and other post mortem crap is that the White Grandmother aspect wasn't really a factor unless the voter was (1) over 50 and (2) in a blue or at least purple voting district and leaning toward him anyway. In other words, little old Jewish ladies in Florida. hahaha But losing them in 2000 gave us "W." Every little bit helps.

Bob said...

Read this from a West Virginia newspaper: "Once again, West Virginia's solid Democrat majority has proven its independence by voting for a Republican president while continuing to cast ballots for virtually every other Democrat on the ticket. And for the third straight presidential election, a 93,000-vote majority compiled by Republican John McCain over President-elect Barack Obama is probably due to many factors."

Many factors, eh? This year I can think of only one.

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

Seda:

"Okay, I'm not black, but as can't a white person also have Obama shivers?"

You really don't have to ask that question, because the answer is YES YOU CAN!

BTW, it's a geniune sincerity in your post that I like about you.

Monie:

All black people are of African descent and are ancestors of the Sons of Africa. Obama's ancestors may have not experienced slavery, but let me remind you that some of blacks who are considered African-American descendants, ancestors didn't experience slavery in this nation either, because they were, also, free blacks that existed during the Antebellum period that don't fall in the ex-slave category. So, in essence, that line of thinking is a fallacy.

ZACK said...

You're wrong about this one, Field. And since you ignore me anyway, I'll write what I feel.

He won because he was qualified and because the economy is fucked up. His grandmother didn't have shit to do with. Plus, his co-Senator, Dick Durbin lost a daughter two days earlier. But voters reelected Durbin for every reason BUT bereavement.

I don't know where this theory came from, but YOUR Blog, Your Voice. I just wish you could hear or read some of the things you express.

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

Field:

"granny, LOL! I am agnostic, but you are not scaring me. Preach on sista:)"

Oh, I suspect I'll be having some of those spirited moments every once in a while whenever it hits me. (wink)

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

zack:

Welcome back zack! Good to see your fonts again.

Christopher:

I liked you crackpot list, but I wish Hannity, O'Reilly, and Rush could be added to the list, because they were the cheerleaders for McCain's team. Oh yeah, and Ben Stein who sat on Glenn Beck show preaching some real racist mess about Obama planning on taking revenge on white folks through a reverse send white folks to the cotton field theory. Ben Stein is one sick, hateful, racist cookie.

Kit (Keep It Trill) said...

This thought flashed through my mind too, Field, as soon as I saw photos of her and him all over the internet and newspapers.

McCain's sharper campaign people must have been saying "oh no" when she died. Her death surely reminded voters of how ugly he had been about his visiting her in Hawaii a week earlier. I actually laughed when I watched McCain offer condolences; I know it killed him to do that. Heh-heh.

Black Diaspora said...

Okay, I'm not black, but as can't a white person also have Obama shivers?

Seda, you can "shiver" right along with the rest of us.

We don't own the shivers, we're just more susceptible to them.

As an aside: I always enjoy your comments here.

Good work.

Brown Man said...

That was the funniest headline I've seen all weekend!

You get an "A" for originality, Field!

It's like I'm at the barber shop in the privacy of my own home when I come over here!

RiPPa said...

I still stand by the opinion that her death helped some.

But don't tell it to these people...

California GOP Files FEC Complaint Over Obama Visit to Grandmother<

By Matthew Mosk

Perhaps the most ill-timed press release of the 2008 campaign arrived shortly after 1:30 p.m. today, sent by the Republican National Committee.

The release forwarded word that the California Republican Party filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, in part because of a visit Sen. Barack Obama made to his dying grandmother.

"Obama for America violated federal law by converting its campaign funds to Senator Obama's personal use," the release stated. "Senator Obama recently traveled to Hawaii to visit his sick grandmother. This was the right thing for any grandson to do -- at his own expense -- but it was not travel that his campaign may fund."

At issue was whether the trip should have been paid for with campaign funds, based on the law that forbids candidates from using such funds to pay for personal travel. The Obama campaign said the trip had been vetted with lawyers beforehand and was allowable. The Republicans argued that, because Obama did not campaign during the quick journey to Hawaii, it should not have been a campaign expense.

But filing the complaint today now seems to have been ill-advised, if not legally, then certainly politically.

Obama and his sister released a statement this afternoon announcing that their grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, died peacefully after a battle with cancer.

LINK:http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/11/03/california_gop_files_fec_compl.html

Christopher said...

Ben Stein is one sick, hateful, racist cookie.

Granny,

Ben Stein is one jacked up old racist.

He always looks like he hasn't had a decent BM in several weeks and the shit is oozing out of his eye sockets.

A despicable man.

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

I didn't like how they abused President Elect Obama's name and tried to label his name as something terrifying or vilifying. Whether people know it or not names are important. In both Hebrew and Babylonian thought, it was believed that existence was wrapped inescapably with a name. It was believed that you did not exist without a name. A name reflected character and personality, one's essence. A name was given with great care and held significance for both the individual and the community in which the named lived. The belief is that there is power in a name. Africans, also, believed this.

In the movie "ROOTS" the significance importance of a name was demonstrated when Kunte Kinte strongly resisted taking on the name given by his master. It showed Kunte Kinte as the young, frightened teenager trying to hold onto that which has utter meaning to him--power if you will--his name, his name. The scenes where his father and later on him went through a ritual of naming their child.

This might seem strange to some and unbelievable to others, but when President Elect Obama's father named him, he gave it great thought and there was an abundance of love for his son when he named him. Think it not strange that newborns in Kenya are being named after him, because they understand the significance of his name.

Barack means "Blessed or Blessing" and Hussein means "Handsome One". Obama means "Male from Western Kenya."

Sharon from WI said...

Barack means "Blessed or Blessing"

No. Barack and Baruch(blessed) have different roots.

Baruch is Bet Resh Kaf
Barak is Bet Resh Koof

(I wish I could put in the Hebrew lettering, the two words are noticeably different.)

Barak means lightning
It was the name of Deborah's general in the Book of Judges

Sharon from WI said...

Field, is there any way to display Hebrew letters here?

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

Lightening is still good, because it symbolizes a double edge sword.

Anonymous said...

One thing I know, and that is the O man...oh wait, where are my manners? President Obama's grandparents were some special people. As my dad said, these people from KANSAS, loved with all their heart and soul the child of their daughter, that she had by an African...in 1959?!?! Unheard of, just completely unheard of in that time.

The Christian Progressive Liberal said...

Sharon,

Harold Ford lied about his paternal grandmother and said she was White.

Which, of course, his aunt, an attorney from New York City, was quick to call the AP and give the real deal; that Vera Ford lived as, and identified as a Black Woman.

What Black woman who could pass for white back in the days of Jim Crow, would WILLINGLY give that up to go and subject herself to Jim Crow oppression?

Harold tried to use that to facilitate a sense of identification with the white folk in Tennessee and it backfired, BIG TIME.

Anonymous said...

Field,

Spot on. Some White people had forgotten that he was part of them too. WIth all those rumors from the right. And I too believe that it did change many minds. Especially those white old women in Florida.
Also the immigration status of his aunt must have got extra Latino votes.

TrueBlue said...

I doubt there was a white grandmother effect. I think a 53%-46% victory was baked in the cake since Oct. 8th, when I predicted that result in an e-mail to 30 of my friends! In the same e-mail, I predicted 375 EVs and about +25 Democratic House seats and +8 Democratic Senate seats.

We'll see how it all turns out when they're finished counting the absentee and early votes -- which, by the way, is a huge issue that has gone completely unmentioned in the post-election euphoria. The election machinery is still broken, and no one's talking about it because they're happy with the result this time.

Karen said...

Gotta tell you that I saw him speak about the g-mother and there were no tears. And I saw the pic you posted here from the same speech at another site, with the tear and everything, and I really think that tear was superimposed later. Not to be an annoying know it all like I usually am, but there is no tear duct on that side of the eye. I really don't see Obama as a public crier, even with a saddest loss. I think he'd find this kind of photo to be kind of a spectacle, frankly; but ofcourse I would think that since I burn incense and murmur an Obamamantra every night at 11:00 (Holy Hour, when California polls closed! Praise!).

Anonymous said...

The Grand ma effect had some pulled to it. I stated this to someone, in how it touched on a personnal level for someone who may had doubts about Obama.

Anonymous said...

sharon,
you've got the etymology wrong. It is true that Barak in hebrew means lightning (remember Barak from Israel?)

from usanews:
"Linguistically, 'Barack' is derived from 'Baraka' meaning 'blessing' in Arabic and Swahili, which is widely spoken in Eastern and Central Africa.

Same etymological root as Baruch, just through a different language

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

risingtide:

I thought I was right, because I remember reading what you pointed out somewhere, and it was explained by an African man. The reason I didn't dispute what Sharon said was because I couldn't remember where I read it. Nevertheless, Obama's name have meaning. Thank you for pointing that out.

GrannyStandingforTruth said...

risingtide:

I thought I was right, because I remember reading what you pointed out somewhere, and it was explained by an African man. The reason I didn't dispute what Sharon said was because I couldn't remember where I read it. Nevertheless, Obama's name have meaning. Thank you for pointing that out.

Sharon from WI said...

Okay. I stand corrected. I had asked BF, who is fluent in Hebrew, about the origin for Barack. I had asked him if Barack was derived from Baruch. He then told me that Barack means "lightening."

I guess it would make sense for the Arabic/Swahili definition would hold sway since his dad is from Kenya.

In any case, I still like the Barack '08 button in Hebrew, even if his name actually is Arabic in origin. :-)

ThePoliticalCat said...

You know what? I don't think it was the whiteness of his grandmother as much as the grandmotherliness of his grandmother. Though it didn't hurt that she was white, he's probably one of the very few people running for president who (1) had a living grandparent (2) who raised him for a good part of her life (3) and who adored him.

As for the dolt with that remark about the tear from one eye and not the other? That's what happens when you're trying not to cry. Sometimes one eye will fill and run over. I just buried my mother this year and surprise, surprise, that's exactly what happened to me.