Originally Posted By rafiki72 I would like to think that he could see the innovation in Obamas mind set but then again... what do you all think.....
Originally Posted By SuperDry The world and the nation has changed so much since Walt's death, I'm not sure that anyone could really predict such a thing.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney Have NO idea lol. But my grandmother was convinced Walt Disney was racist. She use to like going to DL, but she never had any respect for WD and she said most Black people growing up didnt like him because he supposedly was very racist. PERSONNALLY I dont know how much that was true and was not around before he died, but I also heard from my grandmother his views changed ultimately. Funny thing, i always meant to ask this question with the huge Disney history buffs here how much this is true or not? Anyway, no clue, but I would LIKE to think he would .
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I here you WD. My mom used to love DL, but not the man as she felt he was racist and sexist. That, plus his role in the McCarthy witch hunts. She was not a big fan of him at all. Then again, he was born in 1901, so his views were quite liberal compared to many of his contemporaries (though he was a card carrying republican).
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "She use to like going to DL, but she never had any respect for WD and she said most Black people growing up didnt like him because he supposedly was very racist." I doubt if he was an out and out racist, but I do think he was a man of his time. His films, parks, and overall view of America were very Midwestern "white bread". I think towards the end of his life his work began to show a broader view of America and the world (Small World, EPCOT, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, etc).
Originally Posted By Rsey103 If he had lived to the present day, slight maybe. But he probably wouldn't have in his lifetime..... No. Did the Millers or the Roy E. Disney's publicly take a side in this presidential election?
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster I really don't think Walt would have voted for Obama. <a href="http://www.robhribar.com/mmbt.html" target="_blank">http://www.robhribar.com/mmbt.html</a>
Originally Posted By peeaanuut that was a from a different time when a different mindset was prevelent. Noone can predict how Walt would have voted yesterday, nor should they. Any such discussion could really only tarnish his image in the eyes of some.
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle I would say probably not. But it's too hard a question to answer. Is Walt a 107-year-old man in 2008? Was he born 50 years later? Or was he cryogenically frozen in the 1960s and brought back in 2008, '60s ideals intact?
Originally Posted By barboy ///she said most Black people growing up didnt like him because he supposedly was very racist./// Considering all US/local guests I wonder if this is why Dl and WDW see far less than 12% of blacks.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>Considering all US/local guests I wonder if this is why Dl and WDW see far less than 12% of blacks.<< I'm gonna guess economics.
Originally Posted By barboy ///I'm gonna guess economics/// I knew that would pop up as another viable theory but I don't think so(or I don't think it is the main reason anyway). I'd say differing personal tastes in entertainment/leisure is even more of a reason.
Originally Posted By avromark Hard question to answer. Now let's go with "Multiculturalism" and remove the "black" from Obama. Let's make this an argument of his ideals/speech prowness/mannerisms et al. Would Walt vote for a white Obama? Also I think the is this a 60's ideal or a 107 Walt a very valid question. Also even if he was alive and still a card carrying GOP would he vote for the candidate or the party? Keep in mind McCain does stand for a lot of what Walt Believed in (Ie. Former Military, proud American.) That said I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to be the one doubting Obama's American pride.
Originally Posted By barboy Walt wouldn't take too kindly to an upstart not wearing a flag pin, I think. He'd be more of an 'I like Iker'.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Does anyone here know what Walt Disney's political affiliation was? I'm guessing Republican, but I've never heard anything about his political leanings.
Originally Posted By avromark Someone earlier in the thread said he was a card carrying Republican. I'm a "red tory" conservative here, which I think on the US political spectrum makes me a left wing Democrat.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer And if he was still alive, would he agree to have his taxes increased, along with increased capital gains taxes??? (I presume he would make a LOT more than $250,000 a year!)
Originally Posted By Elderp I don't think Walt would of voted for Obama either: <a href="http://www.disneydreamer.com/Waltcheck.htm" target="_blank">http://www.disneydreamer.com/W...heck.htm</a>
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Well, if he was like most wealthy Republicans, he probably would have kept an offshore bank account to avoid paying his fair share of taxes.