A Postmortem on the Walker Campaign

Thanks to my friend who shared this post mortem on the Walker candidacy.

I disagree with this author's framing on a number of topics like:

"His victory in a hotly contested race represents a triumph of substance over cynicism." Actually over voter suppression... It wouldn't have been that close otherwise.

Walker served as an extreme manifestation of the ongoing misunderstanding and disrespect of the Black community by the Trump wing of the GOP." Not just the Trump wing... The Black community has always been a cudgel for the modern Republican Party.

I was never humiliated by Herschel Walker's candidacy. I never associated myself with it, including disavowing any responsibility for how Georgia votes (not electing Stacey Abrams). Why do people feel embarrassed, ashamed or humiliated by the actions of others, besides the unnecessary self association? "For too many of these voters, only a Black man who knows his 'place'..." I think that many people here have a blind spot to what degree subordination of Black people is the norm.

There was American Symmetry in Ossoff and Warnock being elected together. Contrary to the current narrative being drummed up for ratings, the Black and Jewish communities have historically operated in close proximity.

It is not cynicism that lead to Walker, it was that United States brand of apartheid expressing itself in politics. "And that is reason enough to fully acknowledge the pain left behind by Walker’s candidacy, and even more reason to celebrate Warnock’s win as more than a partisan victory for the Democratic Party. It is a much-needed step toward realizing the dream of multiracial democracy." But is that what's happening? Reminds of the "post racial America" talk after President Obama's first victory.

I especially appreciate:

"I grieve for the parts of America that enthusiastically embraced Walker’s candidacy. Some people are hopelessly unaware of the negative message their support of him sent to millions of Black Americans, who won’t soon forget it."

"The Warnock campaign’s grassroots efforts helped to build the kind of multiracial coalition that would have made Dr. King proud."

These articles also offer a reflection on Walker's unfortunate candidacy:

Herschel Walker embodies every negative stereotype Black Americans have fought against for decades

Njeri Mathis Rutledge · October 13, 2022 · 4 min read

Herschel Walker Is an American Tragedy: Black bodies, white agendas

By Caroline Randall Williams The Perfect Candidate for a Fallen Party: Herschel Walker illustrates where Trump has taken the GOP.

By Peter Wehner