Racism in the Presidential Campaign

I just read a most encouraging poll. It is a Rasmussen poll regarding the Presidential election, but it is not a tracking poll. It is a poll tracking the reaction of people to the recent ads/comments by the candidates that have brought a discussion of racism into the campaign. The ad that “started it all” is called “Celeb” (view video after the leap). And here is what I find encouraging:

Of those who have seen the press coverage of the ad, only 22% say that “Celeb” is racist, while 63% say it is not. At the same time, these people were asked if Obama’s dollar bill comment (that he doesn’t look like the Presidents on the dollar bill–his language, not mine) and 53% say it WAS racist and only 38% disagree. See the poll for some interesting crosstabs.

I am encouraged because even Democrats are having to admit to some pretty obvious things about who is bringing race into this campaign. I am also encouraged that McCain is apparently going to be able to attack Obama’s record without the electorate hanging a racist tag on him (the media, however…)

After the leap you can view both the “Celeb” ad that started this whole discussion as well as the follow up web ad “The One”. The latter ad is better, funnier, and demonstrates the presumptuousness of Obama–in his own words. Enjoy.