Humotropy

Outrage of substance

 Ed Brayton thinks that people’s reactions toHillary Clinton’s reference to the Bobby Kennedy assasination is “feigned and misplaced outrage”.  While I appreciate his even temperament towards Clinton, I think he is being WAY too generous and missing the more subtle and equally disturbing problem with her statement.

I agree that it is absurd to think that Clinton is suggesting an assassination MIGHT happen.  It is even more absurd to think she wants an assassination attempt.  That’s not the point of this and it isn’t what bothers me.  Bringing up the subject of assassination reminds voters of the numerous political assassinations during that time, specifically of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s and of the countless African American and Caucasian civil rights workers.  It reminds voters that there are people who will take violent action against prominent leaders and that they will do this with special verve against black leaders - as they have done many times in the past.  Oh yeah, Barack Obama is a black man seeking leadership.  Remember that?  Clinton’s statement isn’t a warning of what might happen, but a reminder of the hatred and distrust that still exists in America.  Broaching the issue of Bobby Kennedy is a good way of saying “Barack Obama is black and running for office and lots of people hate that” using the violent imagery of political, racist assassination without actually saying it.

In order to believe that Clinton’s comments were only meant to point out that “campaigns often last this long,” I would also have to believe that in the meeting where Clinton and her advisers were discussing how to make this point, either 1) no one brought up Bobby Kennedy’s assassination, or 2) it was brought up and ignored. I simply can’t will myself to believe that team Clinton (which, admittedly has not shown itself to be the cleverest bunch) would not see the association: Kennedy political assassination -> Violence against African Americans -> Violence against African American politician, and I can’t believe that the subject didn’t come up.  It offends my Pollyanna-ish ideals that people may be dumb, but they ain’t THAT dumb.

From her statements and from her overwhelming wins in West Virginia and (alas, my home state) Kentucky, it is clear that Clinton feels she is getting a foothold in the lingering racism scattered throughout the United States.  This certainly isn’t an issue to be ignored, but is it really an issue to seek leverage?