Even before I heard Chris Matthews mention it, it struck me too . . .
Among the visuals a big-time campaign carefully choreographs is the human backdrop when the candidate speaks—particularly when it's a matter of an important, nationally-televised speech. So it's very hard to imagine that it was coincidence that the crowd visible behind Hillary this evening as she gave her Kentucky primary victory speech . . . was comprised 100% of people of pallor. Kibitzing with co-anchor Keith Olbermann immediately after Clinton's comments, Matthews mentioned it.
CHRIS MATTHEWS: I thought a giveaway line was "who is best positioned to win in November?" That is not exactly a self-crediting commentary. When you position yourself in politics, it's a deliberate effort to try to find a space, not necessarily your own passionate position, or your real position, but to find a place, to triangulate, to try to find a place that appeals to a certain percentage of the voters that will carry you over. And to advertise yourself as the "best-positioned" is not really a statement of authenticity, it's a statement of political positioning. It's a Dick Morris phrase, if anything. It's certainly an odd way to portray it.
I think I know what she's saying, which is "I'm perhaps stronger on defense, perhaps I'm white, perhaps I'm appealing to the working class." I do think it's interesting that her entire crowd was white tonight. That was interesting. Usually they try to mix it up a bit, up near the lectern on purpose, to give it a sense of random selection. It didn't look very random there.
View video here.
So, what was the "subliminable" message Hillary was sending by the pale panorama?
Note: Don't you hope one of the MSNBC crew asks a Clinton campaign representative about this? You just know he'd deny there was any intent involved. "We're proud to have people of all races and backgrounds supporting our campaign," blah, blah, blah.
Update | 10:30 PM EDT
Even in overwhelmingly white Iowa, the Obama campaign managed to assemble a racially-diverse backdrop for his speech tonight. Surely Hillary's campaign could have done the same if it had cared to in Kentucky.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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looking closer
May 20, 2008 - 22:22 ET by FAQs"Boxer Boy" was reportedly there. He was just a little farther off to the right side of the screen. Link below:
http://gatewaypundit...
If 90% of blacks support Obama, why wouldn't her crowd be white
May 20, 2008 - 22:26 ET by nkviking75When the vast majority of the African-American vote is going for the black man, doesn't it stand to reason that the crowds left for Hillary would be overwhelmingly white? So is it fair to insinuate that Hillary's support comes from white racism? Is it time to start asking about black racism?
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
BIAS? HUH?
May 20, 2008 - 22:43 ET by cjkWhile anybody with eyes understands what you say, the astonding
fact is how the media acts like the obvious question isn't even fit to
be asked. If the behavior of the media in this current campaign hasn't
opened the common peoples eyes, it's going to take burning cresent
moons in their front yards to do so. ICABOD
Nkviking
May 20, 2008 - 22:44 ET by Jerry MackI agree! But I am sure that you already know the spin. Black people are mostly (90%) voting for BHO because they are proud that someone of their color is running for president. White people that do not vote for him are racist.
Statistics
May 21, 2008 - 13:24 ET by mooreusmc"It didn't look very random there."
This made me laugh, as though hand picking a crowd to appear to be more diverse is somehow "random" but allowing whomever shows up to stand where they will is not. Chris Matthews fails at logic.
Matthews is becoming more
May 20, 2008 - 22:58 ET by the strugglerMatthews is becoming more and more a race baiter.
Race Baiter Chris Matthews
May 21, 2008 - 09:58 ET by CTChris Matthews a race baiter on MSNBC the Keith Olbermann Network, how surprising.
i think we all get it now -
May 21, 2008 - 15:39 ET by TruthMongeri think we all get it now - Chris Matthews, Liberal Democrat finds skin color very, very, very, very "interesting"
he fits right into the party
he-one-ob-da-obahseeahs, yassum
No big deal
May 20, 2008 - 23:37 ET by bacadog80% of the voters tonight for HRC in Ky were white. The white ones showed up. What are they supposed to do? Go out on Dixie Highway and troll for people of color?
Maybe they couldn't find any
May 20, 2008 - 23:48 ET by motherbeltMaybe they couldn't find any black Clinton supporters where she was in Kentucky?
Kanye's take is hillary
May 21, 2008 - 15:40 ET by TruthMongerKanye's take is hillary hates black people
Racists
May 21, 2008 - 00:09 ET by cziganFrom what I've read, over 90% of Blacks are voting for Obama because he is black. Therefore I must conclude that over 90% of the Blacks are racist because Hillary is far more qualified to be President. If the Blacks truly wanted the most qualified leader they would be voting for Hillary and not the one with the darkest skin color, and that makes them racists.
It's all about appearance
May 21, 2008 - 00:43 ET by CobraManIt's all about appearance nowadays. No one cares about substance any more, just the appearance of substance is good enough. Who cares if it's the right thing to do or if if someone is right person for the job? Non of that matters any more. As long as it LOOKS good, we should go for it! Talk about shortsighted individuals! That's how countries are lost. Just ask the Romans about that.
you level headed people
May 21, 2008 - 01:05 ET by nicksmith112you level headed people don't get it yet.
it is simple come general election time.
white people that don't vote Obama are RACIST!
I'm a refugee from the Democratic Party.
In defense of the Clinton
May 21, 2008 - 02:38 ET by mostlymoderateIn defense of the Clinton campaign, I really don't blame them for not giving a damn about the so-called "black" vote. Afterall, it's no secret that 90 percent of blacks are voting for Obama for the sole reason that he is black. I remember that the Clinton's always had a very colorful crowd when Bill was President and where did that get them? Every black leader that once supported the Clinton's stabbed them in the back as soon as one of their own decided to run for President. See, it's ok for black people to choose their own kind as preferential but it is racist when a white person does it. Atleast that is what we have been taught.
Easy answer
May 21, 2008 - 07:51 ET by Blogger Guy00001The reason why the crowd was "white" is easy to find. Blacks have abandoned Hillary and are supporting Barack. Don't blame Hillary for this.
Who's your racist?
May 21, 2008 - 09:55 ET by DelsaAnswer: THE MEDIA
Look how on election night the voters are placed into groups.
Blacks for Obama, Whites for Clinton.
One thing I noticed, no where does anyone discuss how many blacks vote for Clinton.
Black voters are only spoken of in the context of voting for Obama.
Matthews is bending over backward to prove HE can vote for a black guy. Never mind the guys lack of qualifications!
Again Matthews talking about whites like he isn't one.
May 21, 2008 - 10:13 ET by szampOne more time Chris Matthews is talking about whites like he is not one. As I said before, this may be the proof that he is an allien from a parallel universe. Not actually human.
This parallel universe is that one where liberals usually choose to live in. One of the portals to this parallel universe may be in Hollywood. There are some others in Cuba and North Korea too.
I wonder if this universe was actually created by the heavy use of illegal drugs during the 60s. These people tend to look and act like hippies.
Just like MSNBC
May 21, 2008 - 11:12 ET by HumblepieWhen all else fails, through out the race card again.
During this time with political correctness at its zenith, I reserve the right to let you know you're an idiot.
They stage
May 21, 2008 - 11:20 ET by docbthose events and the house was half full...she probably had no AFAM voters there. She has drawn smaller crowds for about 2 months...My question: If all the clinton voters are white and low info---does that make them racist???DUH
I guess Chrissy failed to
May 21, 2008 - 13:31 ET by RbastidI guess Chrissy failed to mention when you look at an Obama gathering 70% of the people are too young to vote and are just there to get out of school.
Obama got 300,000 votes yesterday in Oregon, and 75,000+ of them showed up for his rally? When he was here in NJ they showed people going into the gathering, it was all 15 year old kids who work at McDonalds and didn't pass 3rd grade math.