It must be disheartening for members of the democratic party to wake up every morning and see things like this from their presidential candidates.

These comments were made to a mostly black audience in a forum sposored by Jesse Jackson's Push outfit.

Do you think these two didn't realize what they were saying, or did they think their audience was stupid enough to accept it?

Personally, I believe it is a telling sign of racism. A racism that is not very uncommon in the democratic party. One that galls me because it almost always goes unchallenged.

The link takes me to a lengthy personal opinion thread. Do you have a link to the actual things these Democrats said?

I heard what he said. I was a little surprised he said the president can ignore the Supreme Court but it wasn't racist. They said they supported affirmative action, which didn't surprise anyone. Not everyone thinks affirmative action is racism.

Some links to help the debate

Dems Pledge to Support Affirmative Action

Democratic presidential hopefuls tackle issues of interest to blacks

I read the remarks. Big deal. Politicians pandering to a particular group? What's so special about that?

What specifically do you think they said that was a "telling sign of racism," Passion?

I'm also curious about this one, as it seems to be a very broad generalization that I'm not sure has any support. It seems to me like you're only trying to play partisan politics and name call on this one.

For a serious presidential candidate to suggest using an Executive Order to overrule the Supreme Court is pretty far out there, and doesn't speak well for Gephardt's respect for the Constitution. It does say something for his willingness to pander though ...

Thumbs down on Gephardt for this one. I don't take Kucinich seriously anyway.

Kucinich is an idiot (and my personal Congressman ). The guy's views are pretty far out there. I am truly surprised this guy gets re-elected, but then again, its a VERY Democratic district.

Gephardt's comments are more alarming (since he is almost a serious candidate). Executive orders to counteract Supreme Court decisions? Huh? Doesn't he know that those won't stand up in---court?

I have no idea where the concept of a "compelling interest in diversity" sprang up. It certainly is a nice concept, but a compelling one? I think not.

The state has a compelling interest in EXCELLENCE, not diversity.

I believe that generalization has a lot of support, or recognition if you will, in conservative circles.

My thinking about the racism aspect is fairly simple. I'd bet neither of these two would make similar statements about just 'issuing executive orders' to subvert the Supreme Court in front of a majority -white audience.

That room was surely filled with business and professional people. They were expected to not know any better and accept the drivel. To me, that reveals a racist attitude. As I said, that belief is based on my assumption they wouldn't say the same thing in another forum. And I'm speaking of the subversion of the Supreme Court tactic, not the affirmative action aspect of it.

Didn't Truman's executive order about integrating the military contradict the then precedent of Plessy v. Ferguson to a degree. What is the truth about Executive Orders and Constitutionality and the Supreme Court.

The executive and the legislative branch have clashed before. (FDR & Court packing) Andrew Jackson and Worcester v. Georgia) "Marshall has made his decision now let him enforce it!" Paraphrase

I am not simply trying to light a fire, I am curious about the legality or constitutionality of such a hypothetical action.