What I am about to say is completely anecdotal. But I have a sense that the candidacy of Barack Obama, should he become the Democratic nominee, will present a monumental change in black America as a political force. Certainly, black voters are overwhelmingly Democratic, but there is a large segment of black America that like the rest of America does not vote. They’re not engaged in the process because they don’t see what’s really in it for them and their families.
I truly believe Barack Obama can change this. He is the first major party candidate who is black who has a legitimate shot at being president. President Clinton was often called the "First Black President" because he spoke the language of black America and gave us a seat at the table that other presidents haven’t (the GOP strategy of putting a few black faces in high ranking positions while pushing policies that undercut blacks has done nothing to endear that party to black Americans), but Barack Obama would be the actual first black president, without the quotes.
Parents like to tell their kids that they could grow up to be president. It’s parental advice and prodding that cuts across racial and sexual lines. But I believe that the fact that Obama in the White House would be an actual for-real honest to goodness realization of that idea for a black man will become a major driving force in his support from black voters. I think that if Obama becomes the Democratic nominee, we will see unprecedented turnout and shoe leather on the ground support for him among blacks, including a major push for voter registration. For an entire generation of black Americans, there has not been any major cause to be a part of in the way that the civil rights movement was over 40 years ago. I believe that Obama, who is right to not be running as a "black issues" candidate will organically become that cause for millions of people.
Millions of black people across America would like to be able to tell their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins and the like that they could grow up to be president then actually point to the White House and see a guy that looks like them.
not to mention millions of Kenyans.
I hadn’t thought about the Obama factor on the apathetic vote. Even 2% is huge these days.
I saw a piece in the TV news, BBC I think, on the big two Democratic candidates, Clinton and Obama both being from Illinois. They interviewed members of a local church who said if given the choice between the two, that most would vote for Hillary. Mainly based on the track record of her husband. The point the TV bit was making was that Clinton is more popular with blacks and Obama is more popular with whites.
Interesting.
Obama would make a great inspiration for kids–a heck of a lot better than Allen Iverson or some such.
Calling Mr. Cosby. Mr. Cosby? You’re wanted on line 2.
I think the same applied to Jesse Jackson too, but it’s good that the party also has a woman and Latino candidate who are capable of getting elected and governing.
I hear that thiing abouut Obma not being popular with black folks all the time. Sometimes it’s presented as a genrational thing–African American boomers like Clinton and the younger voters like Obama. Who Knows? My limmited experience in the NW urban area I live in is that Obama is the rack star of black voters of all ages. I think the more Obama gets attacked, the better. Everytime the righhtwinngers nuts try to make something of his name or his background or his religion, I cheer. One HUGE advantage Obama has over the other Democrats is tht attacks on him seem to boomerang back on the attacker.
As a white person I have felt it so wrong that there is not really anyone who can be held up to a black child as the reason to strive. other than sports and music what is there. Condi? But, when I was at Springfield and caught a glimpse of Barack I was struck as I have been before, that this man should and needs to be president. It’s more than race. He makes us believe in hope and we can. He makes us want to use up shoe leather for him. He makes us cry. There is something about this man that touches everyone and even the ones who want to smear, it doesn’t stick. Because we won’t let it.
I believe Hillary would be a disaster for this party and the country. she is DLC
Barack Obama touches us inside. All races and party lines. I have heard republicans wanting to vote for him. They get pissed at fellow repugs who smear him. Obama has crossover appeal. Because he has a greatness that is intangible. But, you know he would be a great president. Like FDR. Or Kennedy.
And then, there is Michelle….she is even more potent a force. As first lady women would emulate her and we, as women could hold her up as someone for our daughters. She is what we always imagined a first lady should be like.
And the two of them would both be role models for blacks of both sexes everywhere.
vwcat – “As a white person I have felt it …. ”
ok, as another white person, allow me to politely ask you to not start sentences with that phrase.
I do see your point, – that there is a shortage of role models in Obama’s community. But that’s true even if you were a ‘fictional’ person, or if Obama were Kazakstani and growing up in Chcago with a funny name.
I don’t mean to be harsh, or I do, but constructively so. I agree with everything you said, except for the first 4 words of your post.
That’s hope.
@ vwcat
I don’t think there is anything wrong with your first four words, but I find it hard to believe that you don’t feel that there is a black person that can inspire a black child. Your quote was, “I felt it so wrong that there is not really anyone who can be held up to a black child as the reason to strive. other than sports and music what is there. There is a lot more out there than sports and music. Number one for my children, there is me. Being a rifle platoon leader is not nearly as glamorous as some other jobs, but motivating and inspiring my children is MY job, not the job of some person they see on television. I am not trying to be harsh, but I find it hard to believe you can’t think of any black “famous” positive role models aside from Condoleeza Rice.
Do all women vote? Do all Hispanics?
If you want a sea change effect on the electorate, then Obama has nothing on Richardson. Richardson is getting to a point where he can sling the rhetoric, and bringing the Hispanic vote firmly into our coalition would be a much more significant game-changer than increasing African-American support at the margins.
Excellent. Now america should go about electing the president that will promote one group’s or anothers self-esteem!
How about we worry about voting for the candidate that will be the best for america?
Obama has a long way to go to prove that he is THAT man.
I just dislike the idea of a black person voting for another black person just because he’s black.
As an African-American, Obama is second (and a close second) to Edwards on my Presidential list. Edwards is just much more direct with his answers and Obama just tries to be too damn slick. He, like Hilary are TERRIFIED of offending the right-wing. That’s a trait I dislike.
I can easily think of another hero of the ‘black community’. Barak Obama’s father, whose blackness has nothing to do with being a good father to his son. That man is only a hero of someone elses community – if you say so.
Bill Clinton spoke ebonics?
I missed that one.
As a mullatto Doubloon halfrican who once dreamed of being the first Black president, I second Oliver’s emotion.
As a much more radically positioned individual, I came to realize that they shoot people like me if we get anywhere near the reigns of power. So I took what I understand to be a cowardly approach and have attempted to work the game from the sidelines.
The finest live and in realtime speechifying I have had the pleasure to witness has been Obama and Obama, democratic convention ‘04 and his announcement in Springfield. Dayum!
Stark, I tend to doubt yer cred…………..If Obama gets the nomination, no one is gonna vote for the dude because he is black, people will vote against him ’cause he’s black.
But I won’t be suprised by a reprise of ‘68. And the old 0 curse (dodged by reagan) will become the curse of 40.
.
But what about Hillary Clinton? She leads Obama among black voters. And it’s not just lack of name recognition. Obama’s disapproval among African-Americans is higher than Clinton’s. So even if every single black voter that doesn’t have an opinion of Obama likes him, Clinton will STILL be more popular.
Now to me, rejecting a black candidate in favor of a white candidate would do more to enhance black voter power than falling lockstep behind a black candidate.
Hillary is dirty and someone needs to tell her that she may be able to buy one man’s vote, but the “black vote” as a whole is NOT FOR SALE!
to even suggest it is racial
GO OBAMA!