Jon-Christopher Bua, Sky News political analyst

Let's face it, in America racism is alive and well, percolating right beneath the surface in each and every one of us.

Some Americans are openly racist while others are racist only in the privacy of their homes and maybe even in the voting booth.

Some Americans are willing to fight every day to overcome their in-bred, culturally-programmed prejudices. Some are not.

Now, unless you have been on Mars for the last 15 months it's pretty clear that this presidential election is forcing many of our racial stereotypes and fears to the surface.

In the fierce battle for the Democratic nomination where Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama share similar views on so many of the big issues, the focus has shifted to appealing to the voter's worst fears and basic instincts.

In the meantime, questions of crisis, both domestic and global, are going unanswered. Questions like:

- Attacking the economic recession and reducing our national debt.

- Dealing with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - not to mention global terrorism.

- Weaning ourselves off oil, and the international thugs who we are now indebted to, and finally addressing the real issue of climate change.

- Providing health care for the 50m-plus uninsured Americans.

- Addressing the world's food crisis.

Despite the urgency of these issues, the focus seems to be on questioning Barack Obama's patriotism and whether his relationship with his former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, makes him unelectable.

Now, keep your eyes on the code words here. You can no longer say the "N" word in public in America unless you're a 'Rap Artist', which is another issue.

So those inclined to use race as weapon now use codewords like "unpatriotic" and "un-American".

Calling someone "unpatriotic" or accusing them of being guilty by association is more politically acceptable than openly playing the "race card". That is what many people believe the whole Rev Wright furore is all about.

Some leading Democrats like James Clyburn, an influential black Congressman and uncommitted Superdelegate, believe that since the Clintons know they cannot win on the numbers they are "hell-bound" to shred Obama so he will lose to McCain and Hillary can try again in 2012.

Some worry that the Clinton Campaign has not only taken a page from the Karl Rove-George Bush playbook but they have basically laid out a road map of attack for McCain to use against Obama in the general election.

This "destroy your opponent" strategy has never been used before by one Democrat against another.

By doing so, Clinton has broken the taboo and made it easier for McCain to follow her lead without fear of racial backlash.

Obama and his supporters believe he is running as a "post-racial candidate" but it is still unclear if the rest of the voters are ready to see it that way.

So far, Obama's current front-runner status proves that all the rumours and innuendos have not successfully dislodged the hope and promise from the hearts and minds of his ardent supporters.

The question on May 6 in Indiana and North Carolina will be whether the politics of race and the "do anything to win" strategy succeeds.

My guess is that those voters who have dealt with their own issues of race and prejudice throughout their lifetimes and during this election may find their voice.

Comments

[Michael Hardman, South Africa 11 May 2008 08:10:26]

To Dixie Crane,US, When you say the Brits have more problems then the US does. I have to agree, but at the same time they can travel the world safely, they can go to college and not get shot at by some student who has lost the plot, they can murder somebody and not get executed. Secondly I must say that the US is doing an excellent job in Iraq, Afganistan, Somalia, Sudan and of course an outstanding job in the Israeli / Palistian conflict.My suggestion is you pull those teeth out and may be the world will start liking the US again

[Pete Shotton, Philippines 8 May 2008 05:23:55]

Obama is gong to win the nomination. Who will be his VP..Billary Clinton?

[Voter - Indiana 6 May 2008 16:49:32]

Anybody with an ounce of sense can see what is happening in this election. We have a ONE SIDED Media, TV Reporting, Investigation into churches these candidates attend,ALL ONE SIDED!!!!!

Our prayers be with Mr. Obama for he is having to endure the pain, humiliation, hatred, and racial strife that will forever exist in this world.

It is ironic that millions and millions of people sit in a church, each an every day calling them selves christians, yet HATE their brother. Christian means LOVE, even if you don't vote for a person, it is wrong to hate a person because of the color of his skin.

RACISM is coming out of the closet and "LOVE" is no where in the picture....WE NOW SEE

However, we keep forgetting one thing, that there is a Higher Power, a GOD that is JUST, and he sees beyond the lies, the deceit, the racial biases, the color of your skin, HE LOOKS AT THE HEART!!!! ...GOD, is the ultimate judge, and he sits high and looks low!!!!

[Trish 5 May 2008 12:49:15]

Well said Dixie Crane? If I was an American my vote would most certainly go to Hillary Clinton - she has balls??

[Dixie Crane US 3 May 2008 02:44:06]

I find it interesting that Brits have the gall to criticize our country when they have more problems on their tiny island than we can ever have.

As for being racist? Look around at yourselves Blokes---you are a lion who has lost his teeth.

[sandra rennie, south africa 2 May 2008 19:40:20]

I really think Barack Obama should be America's next president, irrespective of colour and race.

He is young and charismatic and that counts in his favour.

The Americans are quick to preach democracy especially to other countries, including ourselves here in South Africa.

I want to know why they are not ready for a Black President! Neither were we, and we have adjusted !

Regards
Sandra Rennie

[Barbara Vero Beach Florida 2 May 2008 13:21:27]

The media is always blamed for misdirecting emphasis on issues and I tended to not agree with that view, however lately I see the point. Patriotism is easy, dealing with the economy, health care etc is HARD. Whine. If the Dems had to choose between having an override majority in Congress or the Presidency, I would hope they'd choose the former. then maybe you'd see some good accomplished.

[Jase, UK 2 May 2008 11:24:36]

Sadly, it is reflective of today's politics that such savage personal attacks seem to attract more voter attention than policies. I suppose we haven't reached a point where a leader is judged on the results achieved rather than his or her lifestyle and, in the United States' case, race or gender. The worst part is that it does not show any signs of stopping and when one party member appears to be deliberately sabotaging another's campaign all the integrity of politics goes straight out of the window.

[Rob, UK 1 May 2008 12:42:44]

Barack Osama plays the race card at every opportunity. Disgraceful comments from a man of god claiming that the US deserved 9/11 don’t help his or the democrat cause.

[Roz - England 30 Apr 2008 17:00:08]

Sad but true. America is not ready for a black President and they have the gall to lecture the world about democracy ?

[Robert Putt, Braintree, Essex. 30 Apr 2008 14:38:49]

From where I sit, looking at the forthcoming U.S. Presidential election, it seems to me that anyone who intends to continue with the policies of George W. Bush, regardless of being Republican or Democrat, is embarking upon electoral suicide. I find it surprising that Senator McCain has decided to follow this path in his quest for the Presidency. In my humble opinion anyone who stands for this great office and enters up a political agenda that can steer America away from the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld mindset can walk straight into the White House. Obama and the Clintons' know this for a fact and arguably the thought is not lost on the rest of the population of the United States. There is no need for the Democratic candidates to resort to personal attacks when all they have to do is proceed. Hillary was looking at defeat recently and there was talk of her pulling out, but she held on, knowing full well that the Democratic Party are about to have one of their number named as the next President. The only thing that could and may prevent this is their public wrangling. Regretfully, and this is what we in the outside world sees, when the question of race comes into political debate, all balanced reasoning goes out the window.

[Truthbetold, London 29 Apr 2008 20:29:41]

"Now, keep your eyes on the code words here. You can no longer say the "N" word in public in America unless you're a 'Rap Artist', which is another issue.

So those inclined to use race as weapon now use codewords like "unpatriotic" and "un-American"."

I totally agree with the assessment of the current American race to the White House. The reason Obama is getting so much flack is because of his colour nothing else. I mean how else do you explain the ongoing Rev Wright fiasco? Hilary has told so many lies but I do not see her getting this much stress whereas what Rev Wright is spewing is not coming from Obama's mouth! AND don't get me started on the "Guilt by association" argument.......

[Toledo, OHIO, USA 29 Apr 2008 12:32:23]

Living in America, I notice that there are only TWO (2) parties shown in this election, as with all other elections.

I am open minded, but not a liberal person. Because of this, I cannot "fall" into either party.

I am not condoning actions by Both parties, nor both liberal candidates.

With that being said, I noticed that America had NOT grown up! This creates an image problem for the USA.

I can easily see how the rest of the world is making fun of us, (or US). I see programmes over the pond that illustrate equality over the 2 racial groups here. I then often think that I should be elsewhere...and NOT proud to be an American.

Selfishness and "one-upness" seemed to create this problem.

[Joanne, UK citizen living IN Australia 29 Apr 2008 03:24:09]

To many people focus on - it would be great to have a black or female president. Would it not be better for Americans to vote for who they feel would do the best job. Regardeless of there own colour or religion. Then maybe America can join the rest of the world.

[jerry, abuja 28 Apr 2008 23:15:06]

the struggle for power is as old as human race, whether black OBAMA or white CLINTON wins America will exits and the world shall still remain. But may i encourage the presidential hopefuls that fair play is the hallmark of politcis where ever in the world. May God lead us.

[leslie whitehouse west bromwich 28 Apr 2008 17:33:45]

Arn't millions of americans voteing for Obama because he's black?

[Judith C 28 Apr 2008 14:15:37]

The biggest question of crisis "both domestic and global" is over-population. Neither Clinton nor Obama nor indeed anyone else anywhere in the world seems willing to address this. The world and its resources are finite and if people go on breeding at the rate they are then in no time at all we'll all be shoulder to shoulder, there will be no animals, no birds, no trees and the seas will be dead, as will be the land (what's left of it) and we'll slowly drown in our own excrement. Full stop! End of story!

[Khalid 28 Apr 2008 13:04:28]

Sir
Indeed as your blog protrays the many a moment surrounding racial [Sadness], unless of course such issues are bought to surface, then human understanding behind the proposed meaning of any such term remains engulfed in myth. The stark choice currently faced by the US is not one that will be decided upon the colour of the chip, but by virttue of what they will deliver for the American people, no matter what creed, suffice to say that everyone who pays tax does so without such prejudice and as such remains entitled to any free healthcare etc that emerging leaders will want to enshrine within legislature.
If as small proprotion of society were to therefore reduce the threat, then it will be they who will lose in the long term as the lower the subscriber to tax, the more tax is subscribed.
So, no matter what, one thing for sure, the [Enigma] caused will be one for cool heads to think about and implement for long term prospects of the generations to come!