You voted for a white guy in the last two elections because a black guy wasn't the party nominated candidate. You are not the norm either though and seem actually intelligent enough to have a basis for what you believe, and for that I salute you. I would never tell someone who to vote for, but I will tell you what I believe and why I feel that way. I have asked almost every African American I know who is voting for Obama, WHY they are voting for Obama and get the answer "Because he's the man." What kind of answer is that? I have issues with people voting for someone they know nothing about because we're being stuck with an ill-informed decision.
That has nothing to do with it. If Colin Powell ran on the GOP ticket, agaisnst a white moderate democrat, I would vote for the white moderate democrat. Its simple as that, I have no problem with people voting for someone because of their skin color, voting is a right and people can do whatever they want with their vote, uninformed as they maybe. Its just not my way of voting, I research into the things that will effect me and my family.
Well you have to admit, that conservative blacks are not the norm and don't seem to be popular with the majority of blacks. You can see a parallel in how Palin has been treated by national women's groups, simply because she does no believe in abortion. Minorities buck the trend when they are socially conservative. But informed decisions such as yours, are always the best. Unfortunately the majority has more in common with the mobs of Rome than they do with the vision of our founding fathers. Plenty of people are voting for either candidate based upon their fundamental beliefs about economics, social issues, national security, etc. However, plenty are voting against Obama because he is black, and that is simply racist. The flip side of that coin is that plenty are voting for Obama simply because he is black, and that is racist as well. There really isn't anything else to call a decision based upon race. Edit: The thing that bothers the most though is the people that say they are voting for Obama but may not actually because of his race. There may be a lot of flip flops from what they tell a pollster and what they actually do. Regardless of who wins, if that is the case, it would indicate to me that despite an improving racial situation in this country, there are still fundamental breakdowns that have not been fixed. I hope to see it change in our lifetime, but a few more generations may have to be buried before it disappears altogether.
There are two issues here. One - blacks vote democrat in a block something like 90%. So your second point is a non sequitor. Of course they wouldn't vote for them, because 90% won't vote for the GOP. Two - the question really is - if Obama and Bill Clinton were in a run-off for the democrat nomination (impossible, but stick with me), what would the racial breakout be? You have to admit, that's an interesting question because Clinton has a reputation for being very popular with the black demographic. But is that based on HIM or his Party? My guess - Obama would get >80% of the black vote. It's not just his skin color. It's that PLUS his message PLUS his image PLUS his timing.
I feel there is this aura in the air around Obama and the African-American nation that they believe he will be their guiding light and their savior once he is in the White House (which they cleverly deem the Black House). Example: While walking in Washington D.C., my girlfriends family and I were heading to the Holocaust Smithsonian Museum and were kind of lost as to wear it exactly was in relation to its small graphic on our map. Anyways, we approach a street corner and a guy (homeless person) claims he is working as a volunteer to help tourists and was taking donations. He gave us the exact location of the museum and directions on how to get there. Then he asked for a donation to go buy blankets and toys for homeless children. When my girlfriends father said he didn't have anything on him the man said this: "Oh I see, I can tell when the white man is afraid of the black man. How are you going to feel when WE get into the White House?" I mean, really, YOU are not getting into the white house, and I would hope that Obama would be color blind if he does achieve the presidency. Do the african-american citizens really believe that Obama is somehow going to favor them because he "half" shares their skin color? He went to Harvard for crying out loud, he doesn't realize the "pain" and "game" that the homeless or minorities had to deal with to make it. I just don't understand this, I love this "sleeping giant" vote who decide to come out and vote once they see a person of color.
I agree Obama would get 80+% of the black vote. Clinton would still have won but it would've been interesting. I'm sure Clinton would've been critized for lying about seeing the black churches burned to the ground as a child. They would've crucified each other until a winner was determined...then they would be best friends. Don't you love politics?!!!
I honestly believe you understand what I am saying, I'll repeat it. There are alot of people not voting for Obama because he is black and some of them are dyed in the wool democrats. There are alot of people voting for Obama because he is black, some see it as a sense of pride and some because of racist reasons. Heres a newsflash some black people are racist, alot of people are racist as well. But there is a different from being racist and prejudice. Some people will just say no Im not voting for Obama or whoever because he is black, thats racist. Some folks may say, I believe he will do this and this because he is black, thats prejudice and uninformed. Prejudice can be cured if the person is willing to learn and listen, then they can make a educated decision on the candidate. The people I surround myself with are informed intelligent people of all colors. I think we will see some of the Bradley effect in this race, Im not sure how much it will impact the race, but it will be close enough to where people will study it for years to come. My purpose is to try to make an informed decision all the time no matter what color a person maybe, I guess I dont fit into most peoples stereotypes. Thats just the way I was raised
