Please. It seems that your side is the one infatuated with race, unable to see a man without it.
Hmm, thought I did. But sure, I’ll try again:
Because the only reason he was “on the table” in the first place was because of his race, and the racial stereotype that was acted out in his notorious crime.
It’s not as though the 1988 Bush campaign started out with a bunch of racially diverse ads about various felons’ abuses of the prison furlough system and just happened to have Willie Horton as one of the black guys among them. The only reason that the attack ad about the prison furlough program was made at all was in order to associate Dukakis in (white) voters’ minds with the idea that he enabled a black man to rape a white woman.
First, thanks for the clarification. Now, if you think they wouldn’t have run the ad if Willie Horton was white I think you’re massively wrong. The furlough program as something to slap Dukakis with regardless of any racial component. Seems logical to me that they’d have chosen the most horrible result of the program and make that the issue. Now, if you or someone can point to a worse example of Horton who is a white man, and thereby show that he was passed over in favor of a black man to fan the racial flames, I think you might be right.
Just to finish up with the question I had, your response seems to imply that the Willie Horton ad wouldn’t have been run if he were white. Is that you’re position?
Well then, I guess it’s come down to disagreeing about counterfactual speculations, and we’ll just have to agree to disagree since there’s no definitive way to resolve it.
Anyway, thanks for the discussion, although we’d better stop being so civil or we’ll get thrown out of the Pit. 
And yet it was a Republican that ran the Willie Horton ad – for which the left in general is somehow to blame.
To the degree that outrage exists yes. But when using the word blame, you should focus on the three things: Willie Horton, for his evil deeds; the prison furlough program, for its faults and letting Horton out; and Dukakis, for his responsibility over the program.
You know, most people would want this guy off the streets, regardless of race:
Using a scumbag like this to argue against the prison furlough program is perfectly legitimate, again—regardless of race. I don’t see why the accident of him black should mean he can’t be used as the poster child. Can we not point to the misdeeds of blacks?
Yeah, yeah … I remind you:
Fucking left getting all upset at things like this and pointing them out.
Already addressed. Try paying better attention. Or how about answering questions asked of you?
And already ignored, apparently.
Try as you might, the right won’t wash the stink of the Willy Horton ad off their hands.
Not that it matters much in this discussion, but the actress in the commercial regrets doing it.
Did she say: So solly!
That would be an offensive Japanese stereotype.
Ee-ru-si-da-tah-san:
Works the other way. Japanese tend to pronounce “l” as “r”. They have an “r” (not the same as in English, but fairly close), but not an “l”.
OK. its an ignorant offensive Japanese stereotype.
Because there’s no stink there. It’s all in your mind. And you still haven’t answered the simple question I asked. Wonder why…hmmm…
Its because we desperately fear your incisive intelligence and brilliant arguments. Will you go away, now?
Oh, the old “we”… :roll eyes:
And, you might have noticed, I wasn’t talk to you. But do feel free to chime in with something of substance. First time for everything, Mr. Wannabe Funnyman.
When you post to the Board, you talk to everybody. this ain’t a gated community, and you don’t decide shit. Don’t like it, start your own.
Not surprised that this would elude you, but I think it’s great when others contribute to the discussion. That’s why I even asked if you care to offer a feeble answer or failed witticism. The part that I rolled my eyes at is the noodle-sholdered punk in you sticking out his chest, “Yeah, WE don’t like you…This is OUR playground.” Why don’t you have a spine inserted and make believe you’re a man by speaking for yourself?
So, whataya say, funny man?
Now, if you care to offer an answer, I’m all ears. I’m sure it’ll be soooooo funny. And by that I of course mean another miserable attempt at funny. So why not try for substance. Go ahead bicko, give it a try!
Your question has been answered, and well, and cogently. In that it is a non-question, you want to ask why should Willie Horton have been excluded because he was black. Because a decent respect for the opinions of sensible people would demand it. Because of the appearance of racism is something any decent American would avoid.
I am entirely certain that there are Republicans who are, for all practical purposes, not racists. I daresay Barry Goldwater would puke his guts out. I don’t despise Republicans, though I mock them. I despise cynics, who are beyond mockery.