The Caucasian Card

I guess New York Times' columnist Maureen Dowd was the first to use the term "the Caucasian card" when referring to Bill Clinton's role in this year's presidential race. One cannot escape the ironies connected to the accusation that Bill has introduced race into the contest.

It was just a few years back when Bill was having his two heart surgeries that people were looking ahead to his possible funeral and discussing the massive outpouring of love from the African-American community at his death. After all, he was an enigma as far as traditional Southern politicians have gone through the years. He actively supported civil rights and appointed many African-Americans to important offices. After completing his presidency, he chose Harlem for the location of his office much to the delight of many African-Americans. Why has he suddenly become anathema to his former ardent supporters?

Some would say the monolithic falling away of African-American support began with Bill's use of the words "fairy tale" in discussing Obama's candidacy. Later, he was to remind the press and voters that Jesse Jackson had won in South Carolina in previous elections because he was black. He later spoke of the fact that the Obama campaign always planned to use the race card in the election process. In other words, he began to play the victim for the first time instead of the victor.

Clinton's introduction of the Caucasian card has unfortunately contributed to a nearly monolithic defection of African-Americans to Obama. It could very well be that these voters actually believe Obama is the best of the three candidates; it could be that they are simply proud of what he has been able to do thus far against two Caucasian candidates. Regardless of their motivation to vote almost unilaterally for Obama, it is sad to see Clinton's legacy with the African-American community dissipate. When the New Orleans type band follows his casket, way into the distant future playing "When the Saints Go Marching In," we hope Bill will have somehow recovered the trust and reverence of African-Americans who felt betrayed by the Caucasian card in the 2008 election.