I've always believed that visuals provide some of the most powerful tools available for dog whistling. And when you combine these images with the content of the ad, this one is literally screaming.
Update: I'm sure its not worthy of a "happy dance," but this post got linked and quoted over at the conservative blog Hot Air. It seems that the folks over there are having trouble hearing the dog whistle. Imagine that.
Unfortunately, posts like this really stretch his [Lewison's] credibility as a political analyst, especially since it takes some effort and planning to notice that all but maybe one (I watched the ad very carefully after reading Lewison’s post) of the people in the video are white. Unless I’m missing something, and it’s both more obvious and more insidious than I thought? Either way, if this is the worst “racism” the left can find in Romney, I have to wonder why the effort is being made. The left is wrong on most policy issues, but that doesn’t make them bad strategists, and accusing Romney of racism when the vast majority of Americans won’t see it is not a good use of time, effort and other resources.Let me correct one thing about that right off the bat...it takes effort and planning to notice the whiteness IF YOU ARE WHITE. If you're a person of color - not so much.
So if you imagine that the "vast majority of Americans" who "won't see it" are white - just like the vision of America Romney is portraying in this ad - then no, I suspect its not a good political strategy to point it out. But if you're African American, or Latino, or Asian, or Native American, then you probably already noticed that you're missing. Having someone see that and point it out (in this case, a couple of white people) just might be rather affirming.
So yes Mr. Siggins, you missed something that is pretty common and insidious. When you think about "Americans," what do you see?
Looks like an accurate depiction of Romney's America to me.
ReplyDeleteI am one white person. I have no power. I have no hope. And I have no understanding left for a country whose people are so fearful and have been so divided that they can be lured into the belief that all our problems are a result of a black man being President of this country. The only thing I have left is the shame I feel for my race.
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