I've got an issue for Obama to take to the white working classes: college legacy admissions

bluestateguy

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Fri May-02-08 05:59 PM
Original message

I've got an issue for Obama to take to the white working classes: college legacy admissions

These colleges, mostly private, but some public ones too, that give extra points (or even automatic admission) for the children of alumni. Just as working class white folks are the most vocally opposed to affirmative action (rich white folks are not as bothered by it), they are also most stringently opposed to college legacy admissions. Their kids don't have the connections to get into UVA or an Ivy League school. They have to do it on hard work alone. This might be an issue for Obama to play up in the future, perhaps in Kentucky and West Virginia. He'll loses those states anyway, so it might be interesting to see if he can move the numbers a bit in his favor with this issue.

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democrattotheend

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Fri May-02-08 06:07 PM
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1. Interesting idea, but risky

I think Obama is probably better off staying away from anything regarding college admissions, for obvious reasons. If he starts talking about legacy it'll invite questions about affirmative action, which is a no-win situation for him. He could take the same stance Bill Clinton took when he was president (mend it don't end it) but coming from him it will be treated differently. But perhaps if he is asked about affirmative action, he should bring this up. But if he can avoid talking about it at all that's better.

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CTyankee

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Fri May-02-08 06:29 PM
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2. I tried this tack with a coworker (white) whose son was accepted but not given aid at

Tufts (what we call the "little Ivies" in New England). His parents were working class, non college educated. They were angry and upset, not at white students who were admitted because of "legacy" but at minorities who "took up" all of the slots.

I tried hard to argue this point with them. I must say that it is a losing argument. They just don't get it. They wanted to blame minorities. They are white and they feel left out and they are bitter.

This is our party's ongoing challenge, IMO...

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