Let's give a break to what many think is a mythical being: the undecided voter. There are 24 days before Election Day, and the Undecided Voter is catching hell -- from Saturday Night Live, most recently. This isn't new; The Daily Show gave them the business in 2008. Really, you haven't made your mind up by now?, they imply. No, some haven't. Some folks have actual questions they still want answered.
If that isn't clear by the polls being swung by a 90-minute debate in which the one guy who lied loudly came out the "winner" over the President, I don't know what to tell you. Clearly, "Undecided Voter" doesn't just apply to people who haven't made any kind of decision whatsoever.
Surely such an important decision -- who will be the Leader of the Free World -- is an important one to ponder. And it should be encouraging that there are citizens among us weighing all the important policy positions, personal attributes, and records of the men running for President of the United States. Right?
Instead, these utterly responsible citizens are being pillories as if they were aliens walking amongst us, and encounters with them are on the level of what Carl Sagan described in "Contact." Meeting one is like encountering an Oklahoma City Thunder fan; seriously, have you met one? But there's the problem with anecdotal evidence right there: there are tons of people (though likely not in Seattle) who root for that team, as there are actual, real, living undecided voters.
So rather than asking those people in a fury, "WHY HAVEN'T YOU MADE UP YOUR MIND, DUDE/LADY?!?!", today we'll explore some of the things that could help sway their vote in these final days. Naturally, there are people who are their direct opposites -- folks who have voted early, in states like Ohio. Well, in today's edition of This Week in Voter Suppression!™, we'll bring you some fresh news on what extremes Republican lawmakers and state officials are going to in order to block people from voting early.
We'll also assess the cultural and social impact of an Obama second term on African Americans, and take a look at school desegregation through busing. And we'll have a Foot Soldier which you will not want to miss!
Our guests include:
- Barbara Arnwine, president and executive director of the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
- Anthea Butler, professor of religious studies and graduate chair of religion at the University of Pennsylvania.
- Prudence Carter, associate professor of education and sociology, Stanford University, and author of "Stubborn Roots: Race, Culture, and Inequality in U.S. and South African Schools."
- Jelani Cobb, associate professor of Africana Studies at the University of Connecticut.
- Kim Janey, senior project director at the Massachusetts Advocates for Children, and a part of the Boston School Reform Project.
- Glen Johnson, politics editor of Boston.com.
- Nina Turner, Ohio State Senator.
- Matt Welch, editor-in-chief of Reason Magazine, and author of "McCain: Myth of a Maverick."
As always, folks -- be sure to interact with us during the show here in the comments of this post, on Facebook, and on Twitter, using the hashtag #nerdland. We look forward to having you join us at 10am ET on msnbc!
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In this election the choice can't be any clearer. The undecided voter simply can't be swayed or truly does not like either candidate.
I am always amazed how many people don't care or just don't vote. I find it incredibly irresponsible..we are voting not only for the policies and candidates that affect our country but the world at large...our vote can accomplish so much and for people to scoff at it makes me angry. Trust me...I know a lot of people like this and I have an aunt who doesn't vote but leaves it "up to God"..how maddening!
Americans generally are not patriotic. Everyone throws the corporations under the bus for their lobbying which they should, but people generally have a philosophy of "what is in it for me." Not what would be the best thing for the country. How is that any different? You are looking out for #1. To me, they are just as guilty as the corporations, the difference being they don't have the dollars and power to make people listen. It is understandable. I am somewhat guilty because I am a veteran, and I want to protect the benefits we have earned. I just do not like the hypocrisy, and how the media, especially this Harris-Perry who looks like a closet racist.
THE GOP Rape/Incest Exception for Abortion – Why It Does Not Work
The thing that has really bugged me with the GOP stance on abortion is their so-called rape/incest exception. They think that they are throwing us a bone. But it is fraught with serious problems. The biggest being regulation. So, if you are pregnant because you were raped or a survivor of incest, we will allow you to have an abortion. So, how does one prove they were raped? Does that mean you have to have a police report? Do you have to get a signed statement from your rapist? How does a victim of incest prove it? And to whom does one need to prove it to? A doctor? A panel of judges? The government? There is no way the government can regulate abortion through exceptions.
But it goes even further. When someone is sexually assaulted, they have their rights violated. They have been disempowered. The first rule of advocacy is empowerment. Empowerment means survivors have the right to make choices about reporting, prosecution, healthcare, future safety and other issues raised by their experience. What if a survivor of rape does not want to make a report but still wants needs an abortion? Now, she has not only been disempowered because she was raped, but is now forced into doing something she doesn’t want to do because she has to “prove” her rape. This makes me crazy
Segments/hosts like this just add to the apathy. Melissa's personal opinion skewed by her limited and close-minded world view clearly diminishes her ability to comment objectively on politics.... credibility is lost when one becomes so bathed in ideology that they can't think critically - thus, removing themselves from professional journalism and aligning with the "entertainment partisan, talking heads" like Hannity and Limbaugh. Come on... we can do better than this.
When will people realize this election has more to do with race than any important issue. All things remaining as they are there should be a landslide vote towards President Obama. I might remind you all this is the party of No! This is the party of voter suppression, not one democratic held state is looking to change voter laws. Both R candidates have told blatant lies, this has not changed the view of those who want their country back!!!!
On your 'letter' to Justice Thomas...
I marvel that your solution to the race-based prejudice of our shared history is .... to institutionalize race-based prejudice.
There will never, ever be any genuine racial equality if we continue to measure merit on a sliding scale based on race. Might that seem to make it more challenging for the first generation or two of blacks who wouldn't be assisted by Affirmative Action? Of course it would, but can you think of a more noble challenge? If genuine equality is what you seek... such is the price. By continuing Affirmative Action you are institutionalizing racial inequality.
R's are following a very dangerous game now- for themselves. Remember people died to give and get the right to vote. Becoming known as the party that wants to take away the right of people to vote will be remembered for a long time. People still remember Jim-Crow laws with anger. Why should anyone vote for a party that has tired to win by attacking your right to vote. Those who are not upset by this think, "it does not apply to me." If you live long enough, it will.
The reason the Dem party had so much dominance after 1932 was the memories of the people that remembered how the Rep party had not supported "the people" as much as they thought they should have. The Rep party was the conservative party through my youth, until 1996 when they began to really change to the obstruction party. Many people no longer feel they have a truly conservative party to go too.
The point being expressed here is these actions are generational in memory. This memory of a party who believes they want to kill anyone's vote who disagrees with them may be remembered for 50 years or more.
The Change in Tone and Civility…
(azcentral.com, McCain, 2/17/2012) “U.S. Sen. John McCain is one Arizona Republican who is not excited about Wednesday's GOP presidential debate in Mesa.
A downbeat McCain told The Arizona Republic last week that he believes that the preponderance of debates over the past year or so -- there have been 25 since May -- and the increasingly negative tenor of the forums could result in the Republicans nominating a damaged candidate to take on President Barack Obama this year.
"They've turned from a candidate's ability to describe their position on the issues to mud-wrestling," McCain said. "Unfortunately, it has driven up the unfavorables of the candidates. So I think we've had enough debates, and every day that it goes on, the more advantage it gives to President Obama."
Even back during the Republican debates, the GOP had a problem with “NEGATIVITY”. President Obama’s first debate demonstrated to the Democrats how ill prepared they were for politics in the 21st Century. With the likes of Hannity, Limbaugh, O’Reilly, Coulter, Savage, the Teavanglicals and the Fox Noise Team, Republicans have become increasingly angry and negative. Somewhere down the line the “TRUTH” also took a battering as the GOP strategy became to win at all cost, LIE if you have too.
In last nights debate Vice President Joe Biden gave the Republicans a dose of their own medicine. Joe Biden’s infamous smile was as effective as Mitt Romney’s Cheshire Cat grin in his debate with President Obama. With Ryan playing the “Professional” Congressman, he didn’t have a chance. Although America says it longs for “Civility” what we really want is “SPECTICAL” for entertainment, revenge and ratings.
No my friends “Democrats” are not above this sort of thing, and that’s good. Last night Joe Biden’s PERFORMANCE gave America hope that the Democratic Party had the BALLS to win. That we were not neutered by our own politeness and civility; that we could still defend our beliefs and fight for the American Middle Class without apology.
Lamenting days past is useless. The only way to fight FIRE is with FIRE and last night Joe Biden created that fire-line and let loose the dogs of hell. He changed the game for the Democrats, who have been afraid to fight, afraid to say Mitt Romney is a LIAR….afraid to interrupt or to take back the floor when interrupted, to be aggressive and assertive while defending their positions. But that is the world we live in now, it doesn’t’ really matter whether it is unfortunate or not…it is what it is and it has been changing for quite sometime….The Republicans were counting on a another election season where the Democrats would not catch on…they were counting on them staying neutered, polite and passive.
The first Presidential Debate seemed to have awakened the sleeping giant, one can hope. The issues are too big and too important to the American Middle Class and the poor among us to wring our hands about being POLITE….We must fight tooth and nail for what we believe, because the other side is doing the same…
The GOP stopped being “COLLEGIAL” with each other long ago, why would the Democrats think they were still going to extend that courtesy to you?
So my fellow Democrats, Progressives and Independents….it is time to stand up for ourselves and what we believe in and not hide behind the veil of “likability”, we can be civil, but assertive and show America that we do have the CAJONES to lead…we must show them our CAJONES are HUGE and made of STEEL!!! JOE BIDEN was surely PROUD TO SHOW HIS and they were COLOSSAL LOL Good job JOE!
A question for the "UNDECIDED" voter.....if you actually vote for Romney and he wins by lying and cheating (voter suppression) do you ever think the American people will ever hear the TRUTH AGAIN? Democracy will be dead, because you have just signaled to both parties that you WANT to be lied too.
Now you are playing the victim card. That's rich. Yes, the hundreds of millions worth of ads spent by the Obama campaign were just puppies and babies.
Enjoy your tax hike. You wanted the chosen one, you got him. And the first debate went down the way it did because its difficult to substantiate that record of his not because Barry was too "polite" you've got to be kidding me. If you caught him with your wife you would probably find some way to excuse it away. All I can think about is James Jones. Please don't drink the koolaid though, I need the tax base you provide.
Ms Melissa, did I miss the part where you pointed out to the undecideds that while the economy, health care, revenues/expenditures, etc. are important and pressing, and should be debated, the difference between the President and ... the other guy, the elephant in the room, is this: the leader of the (current) Republican party is not actively trying to stop elements of his party from trying to disenfranchise millions of American citizens?
YAHOO THOM: The longer Sen. McCain supports a candidate who tacitly approves of the attempts to disenfranchise American citizens, the less respect I have for the man (McCain). And the Bushes. And the Grahams. And Sen. Santorum.