How would a VP candidate Bobby Jindal affect the Southern vote?

[solarstorm]

Or in other words: Do Southern racists only hate black people?

[Cobbler]

Herman Cain was doing pretty well in the South when he was leading in the polls. I think Bobby Jindal would be exciting to Southerners as a solid conservative governor, and that his race wouldn't hurt the ticket that much in the South.

[Maxwell]

It would help a tad, but Romney already has the south in the bag by being Republican.

[World politics is up Schmitt creek]

From Alexis de Tocqueville on, all objective observers have noted that Northerners are much more racist than Southerners.

I'm not sure on what basis Tocqueville can be said to have thought that or to have been objective in thinking it if he did, living as he did in a time period in which black people were institutionally whipped and tortured as a cornerstone of Southern society, but it's been a while since I've read Democracy in America.

[old timey villain]

Isn't it funny how the south has changed. 50 years ago, a Republican like Mitt Romney couldn't get elected dog catcher in the south.

As for Jindal, it wouldn't be a problem at all. He's a conservative Republican, not black, and christian. They'd probably be super jazzed to vote for Romney/Jindal to prove to the world how not racist they are.

[pbrower2a]

Or in other words: Do Southern racists only hate black people?

Bobby Jindal is assimilated enough into the Louisiana way of life that he is a cultural match. Barack Obama is about as poor a match for Southern white culture even in Louisiana as anyone could be. President Obama does well enough in Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia to the extent that those states are not Southern. Missouri is really in that group.

[Mr. Taft Republican]

He has a worse southern accent than anyone has any right to have, and the not-white thing doesn't hurt. I'd say he's golden.

[You kip if you want to...]

Or in other words: Do Southern racists only hate black people?

Bobby Jindal is assimilated enough into the Louisiana way of life that he is a cultural match.

It's the skin colour issue.

[Vote UKIP!]

Or in other words: Do Southern racists only hate black people?

Bobby Jindal is assimilated enough into the Louisiana way of life that he is a cultural match.

It's the skin colour issue.

As a Southerener, I resent that. The South has elected two governors of Indian descent, and gave Herman Cain tremendous support in the polls last year. I know that's beyond some of you, but maybe the South is moving beyond its racist heritage.

[Dr. Cynic]

Why would Romney need help in the south? If anything, he should shore up votes in the industrial belt.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Or in other words: Do Southern racists only hate black people?

Bobby Jindal is assimilated enough into the Louisiana way of life that he is a cultural match.

It's the skin colour issue.

As a Southerener, I resent that. The South has elected two governors of Indian descent, and gave Herman Cain tremendous support in the polls last year. I know that's beyond some of you, but maybe the South is moving beyond its racist heritage.

Yes and no.  But it is fair to say that the major faultline on race is not that between White and non-White but between Black and non-Black.  Both Jindal and Haley are non-Black.

[Torie]

Asymptotically close to zero effect on how anyone votes.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Why would Romney need help in the south? If anything, he should shore up votes in the industrial belt.

Probably to drive turnout in VA/FL/NC.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Why would Romney need help in the south? If anything, he should shore up votes in the industrial belt.

Probably to drive turnout in VA/FL/NC.

If Romney needs to drive turnout in Florida and North Carolina, he's almost certainly lost the election.

[WhyteRain]

Why would Romney need help in the south? If anything, he should shore up votes in the industrial belt.

Probably to drive turnout in VA/FL/NC.

If Romney needs to drive turnout in Florida and North Carolina, he's almost certainly lost the election.

Yes.  This is why my advice to Romney is to ignore the South when looking for a running mate.  Best to get someone from the West.  Of the names being tossed about as serious contenders, I would say that Condi Rice (who has connections to CA and CO) or Paul Ryan (WI) would be best.

[solarstorm]

Yes.  This is why my advice to Romney is to ignore the South when looking for a running mate.  Best to get someone from the West.  Of the names being tossed about as serious contenders, I would say that Condi Rice (who has connections to CA and CO) or Paul Ryan (WI) would be best.

Isn't Rice's home state Alabama?