Have you ever met a David Duke supporter?

About ten years ago a new kid entered my high school in California from Louisiana. He never struck me as a racist, but when it came to politics he wasn't too bright. He said David Duke had "changed" and that the Klan was in his past, as he was "different" now. That seemed to indicate to me that he was one of many Louisiana folks who actually bought Duke's claims of having "moderated" his views. I'm just curious to know if the Duke supporters you have met were hard core racists, or just ignorant, or both.

Blatant, overt, unapologetic racists are actually less annoying to me than the ones who either pretend not to be, or sincerely don't think they are, smile in your face and then one day, something slips out - usually something that they would be shocked to know had outed them ;)

David Black. He was sitting across from me at the Burger King. I said "Hello, Mr. Black," and smiled as me and my best friend, a black guy, ate our whoppers.

The problem with Duke is that he is a smart, very likable guy. During the governor's race in the early 90's, he ran against a governor who was indicted and on trial for corruption and was living in the governor's mansion with his girlfriend 30 years his junior. Against that backdrop, Duke seemed conservative to some.

Additionally, you have to understand that the colonial relationship between the white and black communities still exists in many small Louisiana towns. His real appeal is that he is smart, he causes some to look past his KKK membership by advocating very impressive political positions. I mean, had he not been the KKK wizard, he might still be the governor. I liked what he had to say when he was talking policy, but you cannot ignore such an abhorrent past.

Duke convinced even some blacks I knew that he wasn't racist anymore.

I was waiting for a meeting and two guys I knew that were waiitng for the same meeting starting talking. Now this is at the time when Duke was running for Governor from Louisiana....

Guy 1: I saw a Duke sticker on your car, you like Duke?

Guy 2: I'm a huge Duke fan!

(at this point I gulped)

Guy 1: You always been a Duke fan?

Guy 2: Hell yes! Duke ROCKS!

(I am turning red)

Guy 1: how do you think their basketball team will do this year?

(I deflate)

WHEW. Turns out Guy 2 was a Duke University Grad. I told them what I THOUGHT they were talking about and they thought it was a hoot! Turns out both were fellow Dems...

I was tending bar in New Orleans and the back room was rented out to the Duke Alumni Association for an NCAA basketball party. Prior to the party the Duke supporters plastered Duke signs all over the place and they looked almost identical to David Duke's campaign signs. Our kitchen workers saw it and started organizing a walk-out. They were all about to quit their jobs when I explained the situation to them.

..in a restaurant called "Friends" on the Tchefuncte river near Mandeville, Louisiana. His hair was all wild and he gave the appearance of just having rolled out of bed. My parents and I used to drive past his house just to see what was going on, as he'd always have an amusing array of brownshirts out mowing his lawn or raking leaves.

I know someone who ended up going to one of David Duke's parties--a barbecue or some-such--and while there, started talking about some political issue. The guy was such a good speaker that Duke tried to recruit him.

My friend is not a Duke supporter, but to think how easily he could've been sucked to the darkside is pretty damn scary.

Tucker

I saw a pick up truck in a black neighborhood in Phila. with a duke for president bumper sticker on it! This was about 10-12 yers ago.

have more than a few Klansmen in my ancestry. My mother and grandmother used to talk about various uncles and cousins who would all go fishing together, or go out for drinks, just normal everyday kind of guys. But you just knew they were in the Klan. And nobody talked about it much. It was like being a member of the Elks or a Mason (at least to their way of thinking)Being a part of something to make a change for the better (again, to their way of thinking). And y'all are right; that is much scarier than some uniformed Nazi with his flyers and speeches and propaganda, because at least he's out in the open about it, where everyone can see his monstrosity.

...and my SISTER....her husband....various other family members and mostly my entire town was...I've told this before...when DuKKKe was running for govenor I wasn't resgistered to vote....so when my Dad told me..."...you go register to vote..David Duke needs your vote!"...all giddy like too *gag*....as I was reared in a home where minorities were called 'sub-human' mind you.....I looked him dead in his eyes and screamed at him...."....yeah I'm gonna register and I'm gonna negate your vote for that evil bastard and vote for FAST EDDIE!!"

My parents are southern baptists too...yeeeeah go figure huh...and I have to remind my Dad when he gets on his kicks about knowing he's gonna go to heaven because he's such a good christian...that I'd not be too quick to assume such...seeing how you were just blatently being a racist deamon a few minutes ago...and how Jesus wasn't a white anglo-saxon either....blah blah blah....endless battle there...and I ARGUE WITH HIM TOOTH AND NAIL EVERYTIME HE STARTS IN WITH HIS SPEW...and I always will! x(