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![](http://bobmccarty.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/theblackguy2.jpg "\\"The Black Guy\\" by Political Graffiti")
In a post three days ago, I asked a question — Will Obama Be First Arab-American President? — none in the mainstream news media have dared to address. It followed my reading of a Wisconsin-based writer’s claim that, if elected, Barack Obama will be the nation’s first Arab-American president. Today, I ask another race-related — not racist, mind you — question: Will the so-called “Bradley Effect” benefit John McCain Nov. 4?
Despite being decidedly liberal in its slant, the Political Graffiti cartoon above contains an element of truth even when viewed from the right side of the political aisle.
Viewing the issue from the right side, Ann Coulter offered her take on the phenomenon — one that rarely makes it into the mainstream media coverage — in a Front Page Magazine piece published yesterday:
“First of all, if true, (the ‘Bradley Effect’) is the opposite of racism: It is fear of being accused of racism. For most Americans, there is nothing more terrifying than the prospect of being called a racist. It’s scarier than flood or famine, terrorist attacks or flesh-eating bacteria. To some, it’s even scarier than ‘food insecurity.’”
She goes on to explain the root cause of the phenomenon first identified in 1982 when Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley lost the race for governor in California after being comfortably ahead in the polls:
“Political correctness has taught people to lie to pollsters rather than be forced to explain why they’re not voting for the African-American.”
I’m no racist, but I am hoping and praying that Senator McCain and the nation as a whole will, God willing, benefit from the Bradley Effect Nov. 4.
5 responses so far ↓
1 goat // Oct 17, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Bob, what I understand of the Bradley effect is not really about race. In that election there was also an anti gun initiative on the ballot that Bradley came out in support of late in the campaign. The initiative went down big and with it Bradley. There was a huge turn out push to defeat the initiative with turnout over 90% in rural counties throughout Ca. Bradley himself blamed his loss on his support for the initiative. James Taranto posted a lengthy email a few weeks ago from a GOP insider that was working for Deukmejian during that campaign that explains it well. There are examples though that support the theory better than this one notably this years Dem primary in NH where Hillary pulled out a win after Obama was by as many as ten in the polls leading into it.
2 hotoffthepress2 // Oct 17, 2008 at 5:48 pm
goat,
Yes, I realize there are other examples; unfortunately, the one people most recognize is the “Bradley Effect” — due to media use, I’m sure. Still, thanks for the input.
3 CT // Oct 18, 2008 at 4:30 am
Well if Obama doesn’t get elected, forget about the Bradely effect, you could call this one the Wurzelbacher Effect.
4 hotoffthepress2 // Oct 18, 2008 at 7:50 am
CT — The Wurzelbacher Effect? I like it!
5 David Donar // Oct 20, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Thank you for still thinking of me Bob! The Elections tend to put us behind fences, but I know we’ll have plenty of material after this year! I still love your site!
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