Time to note diversity of black vote

[jenny623]

Wonderer wrote:

<quoted text>
Without any meaningful differences between Clinton and Obama on issues important to Black Americans, the only logical reason Obama has received 90%+ of the black vote is race.

North Carolina is 72% white, yet the only focus is on the 90% black vote. Also, if there's not much difference between Obama and Hillary, why not Obama. He doesn't have the baggage Hillary has. I fail to see why blacks are labeled racist for voting for him, yet he won North Carolina with a 72% white population. How do you figure this? Did the whites stay home that day?

[Jay C]

Annie Reader wrote:

In the general election, I agree that blacks vote mainly Democrat because the Democrats are perceived as being more committed to things like affirmative action and social programs. But this is the Democratic primary. Hillary has always supported things like affirmative action and higher taxes on the rich to pay for social welfare programs. On social issues important to blacks, she is indistinguishable from Obama. So shouldn't she do better than 7% of the black vote? If the black vote is so diverse, why aren't more black women supporting her?
It is clear that blacks are supporting Obama because he has identified himself as black (which he actually is not--he is biracial).

Ann,
You are correct Hillary Clinton and her husband has always been seen in the black community as alies. Her husband has always been on the forefront in fighting for the rights of minorities. However, remember this.... before the Iowa Caucuses Hillary Clinton received a majority of the black vote. Also remember that when Barak Obama became a serious threat to her inevitable candidacy her husband begain to inject race and comparing Obama to Jesse Jackson and Ferraro (a clinton insider) also begain to inject race into the campaign saying that if Obama wasn't black then he wouldn't be so competitive.

Now when you begin taking plays out of the Karl Rove play book and inject race into the campaign and then you wonder why blacks have left Hillary in droves? Just think about it. All she had to do was talk about why she is better as president. Why try to destroy the man. Majority of the time Obama has tried to take the high road. Clinton has a lot of baggage herself but have you heard Obama say anything about their family's past?

I heard nothing about Monica Lewinsky!

[Jay C]

JustMe wrote:

If she is a suburban mother whose kid plays soccer, than she is a soccer mom, no matter her race. People don't all fit neatly into one group. Most people would fall into multiple categories. However Dawn,(I think this might be the first time I disagree with you) blacks have overwhelmingly voted for Barack Obama, and many, not all and probably not most of them, voted for him simply because he is black.

I guess you are right there could be a small percentage of blacks who vote simply on race. Let me ask you this, would you say a small percentage of whites vote along racial lines as well? If so, then we could say that blacks don't have a monopoly on this sort of thing correct? In closing let's just say that we as people can't really say one way or the other what peoples intentions are unless we really interact with people of other races correct?

[jenny623]

Jay C wrote:

<quoted text>
I guess you are right there could be a small percentage of blacks who vote simply on race. Let me ask you this, would you say a small percentage of whites vote along racial lines as well? If so, then we could say that blacks don't have a monopoly on this sort of thing correct? In closing let's just say that we as people can't really say one way or the other what peoples intentions are unless we really interact with people of other races correct?

So true. As I said in a previous post, Obama concended West Virginia to Clinton. He didn't even battle for it, he knew he didn't stand a chance with the mostly white voters there. No harm done, we just accept it when the majority of white voters want Clinton only. Yet people act like blacks have a monopoly on voting race, when this is the first time blacks have even had the opportunity to see a candidate of color get this far. Yet I talk to whites who say they won't vote for Obama, even though he and Hillary are close on the same issues. So people shouldn't just point the finger at blacks alone.

[denita d]

I find it very interesting that when Hillary Clinton was getting the majority of the balck vote,white people had nothing to say,now that the tides have changed,black people are being questioned on why we are voting for obama.since when do we have to answer to white people for the political choices that we make?it frankly is none of your business,this country will always have a problem with people of color no matter what we do.So dont even waste your time trying to convince these people of anything different.lets ask why the obama camp is getting bomb threats and the children working on his campaign have to contend with being called racist names(by white people?)the real problem with racism has been and will always be with white people,and I find nothing wrong with all people of color sticking together,God knows we need to.every thing that has been accomplished in this country has been a direct result of white people sticking together,ie..slavery,jim crow,housing discrimination,job discrimination,discrimination in the public school system,institutionalized racism on every level in these United States.now all of a sudden you are afraid of a black man and woman coming to power,you are afraid and probably a little ashamed of yourselves,this will prove to the rest of the world that the very people you spend 98% of your time hating and tearing down every chance that you get,may not really be the uneducated,criminals that you love to try to make us out to be.wake up,this country was built by all people,not just white people.the only reason that you do not want obama to win is this(will black people do to us what we have done to them,if they ever come to power?)I can answer that question for you..no,because we seem to understand that you reap what you sow,and one day we all have to answer to a higher power for our actions,and spending your whole life mistreating people based on the color of their skin,then asking for forgivness in your twilight years,will not make it all go away,we all still have to answer.Good-Day

[Obama Nanny State]

pamiety wrote:

<quoted text>
Extremely valid points. WOW!
OBAMA '08'

You are easily wowed (read: fooled). That explains your vote for Obama then huh?

[Harrisson]

Lil Ticked wrote:

<quoted text>
Now look here Jerkface, or whatever your name was (is). I am a poor white male, and I have black friends I am not racist. And I was sooo happy that a woman and a black man are even able to run for president at all.

And guess what my black friends are voting for Obama Because he is black, and at least they are willing to admit it and not hide behind your crap trying to say it is not about race. IT IS!

I don't like, nut at least my friends own up to what they are doing and why. so why don't you grow a pair and just admit it.

Why? First because I already have a pair. Second, because I'm not one of Your Black Friends! LOL!

Seriously, the idea that if Rev. Al Sharpton were running for the Dem presidential nomination, I'd be all fired up about him because he's.... BLACK!!! is pretty stupid.

Because when he tried it in 2004, I DIDN'T support his goofy a$$. I was a Dean supporter, and finally a Kerry supporter. Rev. Sharpton does good work as an agitator and civil rights advocate, yes, but I don't think that qualifies him to occupy the Oval Office.

So I didn't support him. Or even get excited about his candidacy. Understand??

So much for your magic black-mind-reading-skills, eh? LOL Really, you need to think of blacks as a group of individuals, with varying motivations, interests and powers of reasoning.

To do anything less, makes you the sort of bigot you probably insist you are not. Quit trying to insist that black folks are too dumb to think about ANYTHING OTHER THAN SKIN COLOR when a black man is in the race.

Think about how profoundingly insulting that is to all the black people in the USA who are NOT as simple as the friends you have.

[Obama Nanny State]

Jay C wrote:

Majority of the time Obama has tried to take the high road. Clinton has a lot of baggage herself but have you heard Obama say anything about their family's past?
I heard nothing about Monica Lewinsky!

I guess you missed this one (and the one about the middle finger). Yeah that's the high road.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/hunter/518408,CS...

QUOTE At another stop, in Atlantic, Michelle said she travels with her husband in part "to model what it means to have family values," adding "if you can't run your own house, you can't run the White House." She didn't elaborate, but it could be interpreted as a swipe at the Clintons. END QUOTE

[Jay C]

JustMe wrote:

<quoted text>
Jay,
There is more than one democratic candidate. If there were two white democratic candidates the black vote would reflect that and there would be a percentage of blacks voting for one white candidate and a percentage of blacks voting for the other. You would not see 90%, or more, of the black votes going to one white candidate over the other.
BTW, I am a white female that not only voted for Harold Washington, I campaigned for him as well. I did not vote for Obama, as he is not qualified to run our country, and he is just another crooked Illinois politician that says exactly what he thinks you want to hear.
I do however, feel that ANY democrat in the White House is better than the current republican candidate. The problem is Obama can not beat him. While many Clinton supporters will vote for Obama in November if he wins, all of the "democrat for a day" voters will vote republican in November and there will be some ignorant racist whites that will refuse to vote for a black man (qualified or not)and virtually no republicans will vote for him.
On the other hand if Clinton does win, many of Obama's supporters will back Clinton. She will have the support of most democrats. The "democrat for a day" voters will still back their republican candidate, but many of the wives of the staunch republicans will switch their vote to the female candidate, and the democrats can win the election and take over the White House.
Honestly though, as one of my best friends (a black male) put it, either way life isn't going to change much for most of us posting here. It will be politics as usual no matter who wins.

Just Me,
I really could tell that you were sincere in the questions you posed. I will try to answer you central question which is:

"If there were two white democratic candidates the black vote would reflect that and there would be a percentage of blacks voting for one white candidate and a percentage of blacks voting for the other."

You are correct however here is the difference:

(1)You must admit that Hillary Clinton prior to the Iowa Caucuses did have a majority of the black vote. Barack Obama along with Edwards Dennis(Liberal Democrat) what his name, had the remaining percentage of the black votes. However, something important happened that caused African Americans to vote overwhelmingly for Obama...

(2)After Clinton saw that Obama won the Iowa Caucuses she, her husband Bill and her campaign surrogates begain to panic and started to use a page out of the Karl Rove handbook.

(3) "The race card"
Examples: When Obama started winning other contests Bill said "Jessie Jackson also won certain states as well." - Implication Jessie wasn't a serious black candidate like Obama

(4) Geraldine Ferrerra (sp?) Obama wouldn't be where he is if he wasn't black.- Wow I never new there was an advantage to being black in this country over being white?

(5) Hillary Clinton - Speaking on the Rev Wright issue: When asked by a reporter about the Rev Wright issue Hillary stated: "If it was me I wouldn't have been a member of that church for 20
years" Has Obama ever mentioned anything negative about Bill and Hillary clinton during their tenior in the white house - can anyone say Monica Lewenski?

(6) Recently Hillary quoted an AP story about her ability to get the white blue collar vote and that Obama had a hard time capturing a high number of the very same vote - Instead of her repeating the AP story word for word she says "Senator Obama's support among working, hardworking Americans, white Americans, is weakening again" The implication is that African Americans aren't hardworking Americans?

Just Me - I wouldn't make a difference if Obama was black any candidate or their campaign staff that offends a group of people will be expected to lose support. I know Hillary isn't racist, she is just using race to win at any cost that offends me.

[amk]

denita d wrote:

I find it very interesting that when Hillary Clinton was getting the majority of the balck vote,white people had nothing to say,now that the tides have changed,black people are being questioned on why we are voting for obama.since when do we have to answer to white people for the political choices that we make?it frankly is none of your business,this country will always have a problem with people of color no matter what we do.So dont even waste your time trying to convince these people of anything different.lets ask why the obama camp is getting bomb threats and the children working on his campaign have to contend with being called racist names(by white people?)the real problem with racism has been and will always be with white people,and I find nothing wrong with all people of color sticking together,God knows we need to.every thing that has been accomplished in this country has been a direct result of white people sticking together,ie..slavery,jim crow,housing discrimination,job discrimination,discrimination in the public school system,institutionalized racism on every level in these United States.now all of a sudden you are afraid of a black man and woman coming to power,you are afraid and probably a little ashamed of yourselves,this will prove to the rest of the world that the very people you spend 98% of your time hating and tearing down every chance that you get,may not really be the uneducated,criminals that you love to try to make us out to be.wake up,this country was built by all people,not just white people.the only reason that you do not want obama to win is this(will black people do to us what we have done to them,if they ever come to power?)I can answer that question for you..no,because we seem to understand that you reap what you sow,and one day we all have to answer to a higher power for our actions,and spending your whole life mistreating people based on the color of their skin,then asking for forgivness in your twilight years,will not make it all go away,we all still have to answer.Good-Day

Wow Denita, I'm glad you claim to know me and how I live my life seeing as how I will reap what I have sown! I didn't realize you knew me, or the hundreds of people who read/write this board. Honestly, I don't care for Obama much because of reasons outside of race. Your post however makes me hope he wins. People will lose a lot of the wind from their whine once they get their black president. Then it will be up to them to get their lives together and stop crying foul. Best of luck to you, with an attitude like yours you might need it.

[Harrisson]

Nick wrote:

<quoted text>
I will say a strong majority of blacks vote for obama on race alone. Hell 92% of blacks are voting for Obama.

Have 92% of blacks in history ever voted that strongly for one cadidate?

I could care less if someone thinks my opinions are racist because saying they are racist is the easiest way to write them off instead of analyzing the situation...

The problem is, you're NOT ANALYZING the situation. You're talking out your a$$. There's a difference. It's that simple.

Now if you claimed authoritative expertise such as Political Science Ph.D-level research into the varying levels of motivation of black voters over the last 20 years, with more than 1,000 recorded interviews, yadda-yadda-yadda, we might take you seriously and be willing to listen.

But all you're giving us is:

"Look - this is how blacks think! I know they think this way... because I SAY they do."

LMAO! Sorry, Nick. That may cut it with the friendly white forklift driver at your local lumber warehouse... BUT that's pretty weak sh!t to peddle to educated people who do more than watch Sean Hannity or listen to Rush Limbaugh to figure out what's going on.

If you got something better, I'll be glad to hear you out.

[grumpy]

Jay C wrote:

<quoted text>
Just Me,
I really could tell that you were sincere in the questions you posed. I will try to answer you central question which is:
"If there were two white democratic candidates the black vote would reflect that and there would be a percentage of blacks voting for one white candidate and a percentage of blacks voting for the other."
You are correct however here is the difference:
(1)You must admit that Hillary Clinton prior to the Iowa Caucuses did have a majority of the black vote. Barack Obama along with Edwards Dennis(Liberal Democrat) what his name, had the remaining percentage of the black votes. However, something important happened that caused African Americans to vote overwhelmingly for Obama...
(2)After Clinton saw that Obama won the Iowa Caucuses she, her husband Bill and her campaign surrogates begain to panic and started to use a page out of the Karl Rove handbook.
(3) "The race card"
Examples: When Obama started winning other contests Bill said "Jessie Jackson also won certain states as well." - Implication Jessie wasn't a serious black candidate like Obama
(4) Geraldine Ferrerra (sp?) Obama wouldn't be where he is if he wasn't black.- Wow I never new there was an advantage to being black in this country over being white?
(5) Hillary Clinton - Speaking on the Rev Wright issue: When asked by a reporter about the Rev Wright issue Hillary stated: "If it was me I wouldn't have been a member of that church for 20
years" Has Obama ever mentioned anything negative about Bill and Hillary clinton during their tenior in the white house - can anyone say Monica Lewenski?
(6) Recently Hillary quoted an AP story about her ability to get the white blue collar vote and that Obama had a hard time capturing a high number of the very same vote - Instead of her repeating the AP story word for word she says "Senator Obama's support among working, hardworking Americans, white Americans, is weakening again" The implication is that African Americans aren't hardworking Americans?
Just Me - I wouldn't make a difference if Obama was black any candidate or their campaign staff that offends a group of people will be expected to lose support. I know Hillary isn't racist, she is just using race to win at any cost that offends me.

You still miss the point.
If there were 2 white candidates running, what percentage of the black electorate would bother to vote, as compared to the percentage of the black electorate that voted in this primary.
The difference is race.

[John_Lai]

High sounding nothing.
Nowadays people are so used to ring up the Maths. Why wouldn't they apply here?

Perhaps, it is only applicable to the advantage of BO.
I am sick and tired of the double standards which do not make sense.

After this election, the coalition will recede and a balanced view of racism has to be put in place. After the black gets his president, even by scratch ball, we can never condone any more of this sort from a race, not the white, and definitely not from the black which is the second largest ethnic group here.

Next time, when there is a candidate from the black community, he should be scrutinised for his racial record. before getting elected for fairness.

[athina]

Good obama would help the latinos not just one race he is only half black he will also help the asian. He will help everybody even if they are muslims may be will have a latino v.p. that would be very good for our country!!

[John_Lai]

Also, Hillary has the gut to campaign wholeheartedly in states with more than 30% of black population in democratic primaries, why wouldn't BO at least give a respectable effort in winning his nomination.

He is so settled to have someone giving him the nomination rather than winning it for himself. He is so slack that he is not fit for job of any significance.

Day after day, he is skittish and shows words with inadequate effort. That will never do for presidency.

His opposition is not because of his race but his character and personal integrity in handling cases like Florida, Michigan, West Virginia, Rev Wright, REZKO, the liberal survey,...

[STOP]

Some white people are always complaining about AA black people sticking togather now. At first it was cute to have us against each other, see at first I recall the media saying that black people were not going to vote for OBAMA because he was not black enough! Now 90 percent of black people are voting for him and now black people are racist, even though over half of black people in America date out side of their race more then any other race of people. We are just proud of this mix man and let us be proud! Some white people are always trying to get black people to turn against each other but white people it does not work all the time.

And then now I heard the media say that white women are supporting HILARY only because she is a white women, come on let white women be proud also. We all are sick of pure white men f8@king up the country IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE!

[STOP]

athina wrote:

Good obama would help the latinos not just one race he is only half black he will also help the asian. He will help everybody even if they are muslims may be will have a latino v.p. that would be very good for our country!!

Co-sign!

[Ariane Reed]

As I recall, the so-called racist comments by Bill Clinton (!!) were made after Obama had already won North Carolina and some other states by winning 90+% of the black vote. I have no love for Bill Clinton, but what he said was essentially true, if imprudent. In the South, African-Americans make up a majority of the Democratic vote. I think it is naive to believe that the Obama people did not have a strategy of winning these states by capturing large margins of the black vote.

[Harrisson]

grumpy wrote:

<quoted text>
You still miss the point.

If there were 2 white candidates running, what percentage of the black electorate would bother to vote, as compared to the percentage of the black electorate that voted in this primary.

The difference is race.

You'd be a lot sharper if you'd said "PART of the difference is race." Sure it is.

But saying "the difference is race" puts you back in the "slow" category. Believe me, there ARE not-so-bright black candidates out there who compete against sharper whites. And those blacks get their a$$es handed to them - by both blacks and whites.

Blacks do not get fired up over any old fool who's black and says "I'm gonna run!!" Ever heard of Rev. Al Sharpton, candidate for Democratic presidential nomination?

How'd that work out for him? LOL

[Harrisson]

Ariane Reed wrote:

As I recall, the so-called racist comments by Bill Clinton (!!) were made after Obama had already won North Carolina and some other states by winning 90+% of the black vote. I have no love for Bill Clinton, but what he said was essentially true, if imprudent. In the South, African-Americans make up a majority of the Democratic vote. I think it is naive to believe that the Obama people did not have a strategy of winning these states by capturing large margins of the black vote.

I don't think ANY Obama-supporter would dispute the last sentence above. Isn't that like saying that tomorrow, the sun will almost certainly rise?