In an attempt to explain how race will impact Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama's run for the White House, Newsweek has created a "Racial Resentment Index" exclusively for white people without measuring such biases of non-whites.
Apparently, it's only important to Newsweek to identify if racism is a factor in why whites prefer Republican presidential candidate John McCain and not if racism is a factor in why blacks support Obama.
Such can be read between the lines in the article published Friday entitled "The White Stuff: A new NEWSWEEK Poll underscores Obama's racial challenge" (emphasis added, picture courtesy Getty Images):
Even as he closes in on the Democratic nomination for the presidency, Sen. Barack Obama is facing lingering problems winning the support of white voters--including some in his own party. In a new NEWSWEEK Poll of registered voters, Obama trails presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain 40 percent to 52 percent among whites. Sen. Hillary Clinton, Obama's challenger for the Democratic nomination, also trails McCain among white voters but by a smaller margin, 44 percent to 48 percent. [...]
Obama's race may well explain his difficulty in winning over white voters. In the NEWSWEEK Poll, participants were asked to answer questions on a variety of race-related topics including racial preferences, interracial marriage, attitudes toward social welfare and general attitudes toward African-Americans. Respondents were grouped according to their answers on a "Racial Resentment Index." Among white Democrats with a low Racial Resentment Index rating, Obama beat McCain in a hypothetical match-up 78 percent to 17 percent. That is virtually identical to Clinton's margin in the category, 79 percent to 13 percent. But among white Democrats with high scores on the Racial Resentment Index, the picture was very different: Obama led McCain by only 18 points (51 to 33) while Clinton maintained a much larger 59-point lead (78 to 18).
Who exactly are these high Racial Resentment Index voters? A majority, 61 percent, have less than a four-year college education, many are older (44 percent were over the age of 60 compared to just 18 percent under the age of 40) and nearly half (46 percent) live in the South.
The complete poll defined the Racial Resentment Index thusly (emphasis added):
The Racial Resentment Index is an additive index based on response to 10 specific questions measuring whites’ attitudes towards African-Americans, social welfare programs, and the civil rights movement. See Appendix for more a more [sic] detailed description.
Here's the appendix:
APPENDIX
The Racial Resentment Index is an additive index based on response to 10 specific questions measuring whites’ attitudes towards African-Americans, social welfare programs, and the civil rights movement. The following questions were used to create the index:
Disapprove of racial preferences (Q17=2)
Less qualified people hired often (Q18=1)
Whites lose out (Q19=2,4)
Gone too far pushing rights (Q20a=1)
Poor too dependent on government (Q20b=1)
Blacks responsible for own condition (Q21=2)
Disapprove of interracial marriage (Q22=2)
Few things in common with blacks (Q23=3)
Would mind if black person moved close (Q24=1)
Would be upset if daughter dated black (Q25=2,3)
The range of possible scores is 0-10.
Racial Resentment Index Score
High (5-10)
Medium (3-4)
Low (0-2)
This raises two important questions for Newsweek:
- Why wasn't it concerned about McCain's lingering problems winning the support of black voters?
- Why didn't it measure a Racial Resentment Index for the non-whites that participated in the poll, especially for the blacks that overwhelmingly support Obama?
In the end, it is clear that this Newsweek poll intentionally ignored how racism is playing a factor for both of the presumed presidential candidates. By doing so, the magazine has exhibited a deplorable bias that could end up furthering the racial divide in our nation.
Think about: we all know that racism exists in our country. This shouldn't come as a shock to anyone.
However, racism is a multi-laned mega-highway wherein some members of each race harbor ill feelings towards others. As such, it is by no means a whites only affectation.
If we as a nation are ever going to solve this problem, we will do so only by identifying the causes of racism in all ethnic groups.
By contrast, if Obama-loving media only look at this matter from the perspective of why whites vote for McCain, they will not only be displaying a deplorable liberal bias in a national campaign, but also will be fanning the fires of racial discontent in this country.
Sadly, this Newsweek poll and article are likely just a precursor to the disgraceful tactics press members are going to take in the next five plus months to seal a victory for Obama.
How truly unfortunate for the future of race relations in America.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Comments Policy
As far as lower
May 24, 2008 - 13:36 ET by MidAmericaAs far as lower education/income whites admitting to racial bias to outsiders, well they are by nature more inclined to say what they think and not what they know they are supposed to say.
Race and the basllot
May 24, 2008 - 14:29 ET by PShannonIt is as evil to vote for someone because of their race as it is to vote against someone because of their race.
Since Newsweek, and everyone else, knows that 98% of blacks will vote for Obama because of his race, it would be useless to create a like index for them and their allies on the left, who will all be voting for Obama because of his melanin.
Obama's Campaign is sending this country back 50 years.
A Few Items Noel Missed
May 24, 2008 - 14:49 ET by zeestephenI posted this same Newsweek story at FreeRepublic earlier today.
Here are the comments I wrote:
Newsweek Title: "The White Stuff"
Newsweek says: ".....Barack Obama is facing lingering problems winning the support of white voters--including some in his own party."
"Some" in his own party?
Newsweek says: "In a.....poll of registered voters, Obama trails presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain 40 percent to 52 percent among whites.....at a comparable point in the 2004 election, Democratic nominee John Kerry received the support of 36 percent of white voters, compared to George W. Bush's 48 percent....."
So, Obama trails in white votes by 12%, EXACTLY the same amount Kerry trailed Bush by in 2004!
Newsweek says: "[Among all voters, Obama] is boosted by a strong showing among nonwhites, leading McCain 68 percent to 25 percent. Clinton leads McCain 65 percent to 25 percent among nonwhites."
So, Obama leads in non-white votes by 43%, Clinton leads in non-white votes by 40%, but Newsweek titles this report, "The White Stuff."
Notice also that this report does not specify Obama's lead in Black votes (about 80%). It only talks about his lead with "non-whites," which cuts the number down to 43%.
Newsweek says: "Confusion over Obama's religious background may also be hindering his ability to attract white support. Asked to name Obama's faith, 58 percent of participants said Christian (the correct answer), compared with 11 percent who answered Muslim....."
Despite the relentless MSM hype about this issue, Obama's religion "problem" is almost non-existent.
Only 11% think Obama is Muslim!
How many people don't know what McCain's religion is?
Make a guess, because it's not in the poll.
Well, let's see: I
May 24, 2008 - 13:39 ET by scamoramaWell, let's see:
I strongly disapprove of racial preferences, and I believe that because of preferences, less qualified people are hired, and that in those cases whites lose out.
I think the Government has gone too far pushing rights.
I believe the poor are too dependent on government.
And I think everyone is responsible for his own condition.
Lock me up; I'm a racist!
Be careful with that last
May 24, 2008 - 15:16 ET by Republic1Be careful with that last line! If the Democratic Socialist Party, the MSM, and the multi-cultural radicals have their way, lock-up is exactly what will happen. As a matter of fact, hate crime statutes allow it already. Don't worry about the hate crime laws if you're non-white though, they're selectively enforced.
"Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him." -Muhammad
ridiculous questions
May 24, 2008 - 13:57 ET by forest"Disapprove of racial preferences (Q17=2)" So if I'm agaist racism, that makes me racist?
"Poor too dependent on government (Q20b=1)" What does this have to do with race?
Bigot, thy name is democrat.
May 24, 2008 - 14:08 ET by CobraMan"Obama's race may well explain his difficulty in winning over white voters."
Only amongst the democrats. Amongst the general population, race has only a slight effect as only 2 percent separate Hillary and Obama. That's well within the margin of error.
I always thought that democrats used race (or gender) as a determining factor at a far greater rate than the general voting population and now Newsweek has a poll which supports that assertion.
Bigot, thy name is democrat.
Yep, we haven't seen
May 24, 2008 - 14:22 ET by bigtimerYep, we haven't seen anything yet with this racism bit only directed at the white folks of course...doing their very best to guilt people to death.
Getting very old already.
Talk about division, the leftist party has done this as long as I can remember...and by Nov. it will be so outrageous who knows what will happen within this country with the msm leading the agenda to get their messiah in.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
If Obama is nominated
May 24, 2008 - 14:38 ET by ahusserNo matter what the issues the whole election will be about race and nothing but race and, of course, anyone Democrat, Republican or whatever who is in opposition will ipso facto be "racists". If he happens to win the election, watch out, again any opposition to anything Prez Obama does or says will be considered racism. It will be a lose lose proposition which I predict in that scenario the further political polarization and division of the populace. The politics of envy, identity and victimhood which liberals espouse is very divisive, destructive and breeds resentment. Obama is not the candidate to engender any compromise or kumbayah togetherness.
This is getting so
May 24, 2008 - 15:07 ET by SickofLibsThis is getting so complicated; I feel like a white lab rat. Couldn't we just have had a regular 100% black guy as the democrat? (I said regular, not typical.)
Obviously this preposterous survey should have been named the WHITE Racial Resentment Index
But of course the 90% of
May 24, 2008 - 15:14 ET by BlazerBut of course the 90% of African Americans voting for Obama are not voting on the racial line. Yep, to the MSM and most liberals if you dont' buy into thier ideaology as alway's your either a "nazi" or a "racist". Thats how most "progressives" try and win the argument most of the time.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Methodology?
May 24, 2008 - 15:35 ET by rsb1The entire "methodology" makes assumptions about the correctness or not-correctness of very controversial statements. (For example, if you disapprove of racial preferences, then you are assigned a point toward supposed "racial resentment", but there are very good non-"racial resenting" arguments suggesting that racial preferences are a violation of basic constitutional principles of our country. So does our Constitution harbor "racial resentment"?)
It is a set-up type of study where the "methodology" guarantees the outcome. Also, in what "methodology" do you assign "high" to 55% of the possible outcomes, and "low" to 27% of the possible outcomes? Talk about set-ups...
Personally, I would rather see an analysis of "liberal" vs. "conservative". I think it would be far more informative. I suspect that the more "liberal" Democrats are his supporters, while the more "centrist" or "conservative" Democrats are not comfortable with Obama. Maybe we could design our own "poll"...
Category
May 24, 2008 - 19:34 ET by scamoramaBe sure to include the category:
"Unreconstructed 60's Burnout Who Still Thinks 'Smash The State' is a Viable Political Alternative"
or I won't get counted.
Here we go!
May 24, 2008 - 18:49 ET by seanrobinsThe mainstream media begins building the "Excuse Express" in anticipation of Obama's loss in November: All those dirty, stupid, bucktoothed, ignorant, uneducated, gun-toting, embittered, racist crackers!
This "survey" of Newsweek's has got to be this political season's most racist bit of journalistic tripe yet.
sean robins
blog.seanrobins.com
Sean...
May 24, 2008 - 19:38 ET by Clear thinker"The mainstream media begins building the "Excuse Express" in anticipation of Obama's loss in November: All those dirty, stupid, bucktoothed, ignorant, uneducated, gun-toting, embittered, racist, DEMOCRAT crackers!"
I agree with you, but they will leave out the one word that will make it a true statement. See my insertion of the word "DEMOCRAT" above.
"Abstain from McCain"
Is there pills for that?
May 24, 2008 - 21:25 ET by the strugglerGreat. Now when some black dude asks me for change at the 7-11, I can tell him I can't because I have a high Racial Resentment Index.
Will Obama's
May 24, 2008 - 22:41 ET by rsb1health care program cover those pills? ;-)
Uh..hey MSM Dirt heads...Obama's Race is half and half...
May 24, 2008 - 23:02 ET by JayTeeI don't feel loaded down with Racists Guilt about what White Americans are doing/feeling, or may do/feel in the Election.
The MSM can't win the battle of making white Americans feel so Guilty....that they force themselves to vote for BHO.
In fact, a half and half candidate like Hussein, runs the risk of pissing off both racial sides....and I think he may be capable of doing this. He's Half way there.....so to speak.
Per centage
May 25, 2008 - 06:32 ET by harry flashmanObama polls 9 out of 10 black Democrat voters.
Hilary polls 6 out of 10 white Democrat voters.
90-10 v. 60.40.
Damned poor, religious, gun-clinging white trash racists!
Shades of George Corley Wallace!
White Resentment Index
May 25, 2008 - 06:36 ET by owr084Well, if they are going to use the racial resentment index, then maybe they should use this too...
APPENDIX
The White Resentment Index is an additive index based on response to 10 specific questions measuring minorities' and liberals' attitudes towards whites, social welfare programs, and the civil rights movement. The following questions were used to create the index:
Approve of racial preferences (Q17=2)
More qualified people hired often (Q18=1)
Minorities lose out (Q19=2,4)
Haven't gone far enough pushing rights (Q20a=1)
Government hasn't done enough for the poor (Q20b=1)
Whites responsible for own condition (Q21=2)
Disapprove of interracial marriage (Q22=2)
Few things in common with whites (Q23=3)
Would mind if white person moved close (Q24=1)
Would be upset if daughter dated white (Q25=2,3)
The range of possible scores is 0-10.
White Resentment Index Score
High (5-10)
Medium (3-4)
Low (0-2)
THE DEMOCRAT WHO HAPPENS TO BE BLACK
May 25, 2008 - 07:43 ET by Der AlteI vote for candidates whom I think have the same beliefs more or less as I do. Their skin color or sex has nothning to do with why I vote for or against someone. I would vote for Condelezza Rice, a black woman, because I think she holds similar beliefs to mine. If not voting for barack "Empty Suit" obama makes me a racist, so be it. If he and his enablers in the msm dont like it, to effen bad!
is white guilt a mental disorder, or a deeper level of P C
May 25, 2008 - 09:08 ET by lunaticcringeradioi contend that in this day and age, since i grew up in the 70s, a white person today who feels guilt for another race and is ashamed and is appolgetic to other races, has a mental disorder. it's obvious there is a disorder erupting in the psyche people in recent years, a perfect example is when you have so many white kids listening to music that is disparaging to them. basically white kids listening to kill whitey rap music and eating it up. it would be the equivalent of a black person listening to neo nazi music race war music(yes it is out there, hilariously stooopid and ignorant). all forms of the media are pushing the idea on the public that because of the color of white persons skin, they are responsible for the problems others are having. how incredibly condencending that is to other races in todays society where everyone is equally free to persue the opportunities in our society to suggest that non white races can't succeed unless the all powerful whites throw out a few more gimmies.
i need to suggest to one of these t shirt companies to publish a shirt "the color of my skin has no input on the problems in your life"
white guilt is a mental disorder that is getting organized, generally supported by the individual who is ultimately on a plea for personal attention and publicizing their guilt by the "look at me i'm in touch" actions they are taking to prove they are extra sensative and caring to causes. go to a college campus you'll see what i mean. kids are going to college to get taught how oppressive they are to others and to feel guilty for it. this is where the whole white guilt agenda and how it seems to be gaining momentum and organization and is now becoming a new facet on the political correctness front.
soon it is going to be spun that because i have no white guilt that means i'm a racist. but how incredibly backwards the truth really is.
lunaticcringeradio
SAY IT LOUD, I'M RACIST AND PROUD!!
May 25, 2008 - 11:11 ET by jefflebowskiLet's face it folks, nothing the white race does will ever stop the left from using the tired old "racist" tag against us. Nothing! So why do we let it bother us so? I know that corporations are scared to death of being called racists because of extortionists such as Jesse Jackson and POS lawyers looking for easy money. We have allowed this to happen to ourselves. Remember this:
WHITE PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS BE LABELED AS RACISTS WHEN WE DON'T DO OR SAY WHAT THE LEFT OR BLACKS WANT US TO DO OR SAY!
One of my favorite books is Atlas Shrugged. If you haven't read it, you should do so. Here are words of wisdom from Ayn Rand:
“The worst guilt is to accept an undeserved guilt — and that is what you have been doing all your life.”
Will white people ever stop letting the left use the "racist" weapon? Who is John Galt?
Of course, it will have nothing to do with his agenda
May 28, 2008 - 10:13 ET by JohnMcGrewAccording to the media, Obama will not lose because most of American's still thoroughly rejects Marxism. (which is pretty much the only "change" within his agenda) It will be declared that it's because we're all racists. If Hillary were to be the candidate and were to lose, then it would be because we’re all sexists.
This is why I still stand by my prediction that the first black or female president of the US will be a conservative running on conservative principals.