I wouldn't now dare to even attempt to predict the outcome of this year's Presidential election, but I do predict a bump that will make the outcome surprising and garner headlines worldwide. I believe that non-college educated whites will again make themselves noticed in November, as they did in June's recall election. I know that they can be fierce, and wonder what, if any, attention they will receive from the candidates. I expect they'll receive quite a bit from the Romney/Ryan ticket, though it's hard to be sure which way that will ultimately cut. Ryan is sure to play better among them than the top of the ticket.
I worry that demagogues will tap into their rage. Remember that the Internet doesn't have teachers, librarians or other authority figures to moderate or classify the information spread online. One can stumble unexpectedly on a white supremacist site in a Google search for "non-college educated whites" via a link with a relatively inoffensive title such as "Occidental Dissent". With the Internet being the uncivil and unfettered forum it is, it's often difficult to distinguish a hate site from any random one.
The racists take advantage of the awkwardness and discomfort most feel when discussing racial matters, allowing them to recruit with the seductive lure of the forbidden. As in so many areas, when it would be healthier for everyone to express their opinions and for society to hold an open and honest discussion, we go the route of shushing and repression. As we've seen from last week's events, while we would never want evildoers to determine the agenda, it's critical that we get this right.
