Heart Beats Mind (Part Deux)

From the inestimable Mark Adams:

I've seen you say on more than one occasion that voting with your heart over your head is not necessarily a bad thing. While I agree it's reality, I think people would feel insulted when confronted with their actions. They don't want to believe that about themselves. They think it's a bad thing. Isn't it really a bad thing?

Well, that depends.

Some people don't even acknowledge it. Others do, and don't care. Yet others think it's bad. But, as you know, I said it isn't bad or good. It just is what it is.

No use trying to fight it. And (here's where it gets contentious) no use in trying to "win on the issues." The issues only matter in that they trigger an emotional response in the voter -- either for, or against, a candidate/party.

Republicans get this -- and win. Democrats don't get it -- and lose. Yes, I'm simplifying, but not by much.

I really believe that is at the core of Hillary's failure and Obama's success. Hillary, belatedly, understands this now -- and that is why she's now telling everyone who will listen that "Obama cannot win." What she leaves out is the "why:" he's black. Does that make her a racist? No. Hillary (and Bill) are simply dropping the fear bomb: the fear that a black candidate cannot win. Not this year. Not against McCain.

Republicans, OTOH, will drop the fear bomb for a different reason: to trigger a fear in their base that Obama represents the abrupt end of white supremacy.

Whatever it is, it is an acknowledgement that fear moves voters. Of course, they'll rationalize all sorts of reasons for moving after the emotion moves them.

Whatever it is, he just rubs some people the the wrong way. There's just something about him. They just can't put their finger on it...the Harvard education, the community organizing. Or maybe he's yet another man who wants to cut in line ahead of Hillary. They can't stand it -- he's too hip by half, too sexy for his shirt. He's wine vs. beer, he's doesn't even look American. And that Kenyan grandmother!

And the flag pin! And the pledge of allegiance!

Deep down it probably chaps their asses, his refusal to go all H. Rap Brown, no matter how much people goad him. Deep down underneath they just believe he's got a freak flag that he's hiding. And Michelle Obama? Don't get them started!

This explains the explosive reaction to the Rev. Wright videos: people now had a peg to hang their feelings on. And Obama's subsequent comment about his white grandmother -- more of the same. Finally! They knew he was no good.

Again -- I'm simplyfing, but not much.