Post by roycastro on Sept 26, 2008 20:39:13 GMT -5
Chip Bok, The Akron (Ohio) Beacon-Journal 09/24/08
In this cartoon, we can see that Obama and McCain are playing what seems to be some sort of card game. McCain is dressed in a tank top and has both of his shoes and a clip of money on the betting table, whereas Obama is fully dressed and has a large pile of coins or chips behind him. This indicates that he is clearly winning whatever game it is they are playing. McCain has an angry look on his face as Obama puts down a card and says, "My race card trumps your Britney card." This game is symbolic for the presidential campaign between Obama and McCain, which many believe that Obama will win.
As we all may know, most presidential ads are aimed to degrade or make people think less of the opposing candidate in lieu of promoting one's own goals and aspirations. Recently, McCain ran an ad that compared Obama to a major celebrity such as Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. Because of the fact that these celebrities have gained infamy, the comparison between Britney and Obama was aimed to degrade Obama so that people would vote for McCain instead. Obama counteracted this ad by "dropping the race card."1 This "race card" brought into view a problem between the clear racial differences between Obama and McCain. Since Obama is black, he pleads that McCain will only try to make people fear him and make them not vote for him because he is inexperienced and "has a funny name." These are all things that are traced back to the racial separation between Obama and McCain. Racism is something that is frowned upon nowadays and many people try to refrain from being racist. By acknowledging the diversity, people will feel as if they were being racist if they don't vote for Obama; therefore, Obama's "race card trumps" McCain's "Britney card."
It's ridiculous how far people will go in order to demean someone. It is seen in almost every presidential campaign: one candidate speaking badly of the other. This campaign, by far, has proved to be one of the most ridiculous yet. Stooping so low as to compare a potential president to someone who has been accused of indecent exposure and negligence. Presidential candidates should focus on promoting their aspirations and goals for the future of our country instead of "playing games" by seeing whose "card" will gain them votes.
1.) "Obama’s Florida Strategy: PLAY THE RACE CARD." No Quarter. 21 June 2008. 30 Sept. 2008 <http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/06/21/obamas-florida-strategy-drop-the-race-card/>.
