The AFP has a story speculating on whether Barack Obama can “sell” himself to black voters. Predictably conservative bloggers have seized on the story to once again try and explain the black vote. Much like the way they expertly predicted Michael Steele would do so great with blacks in Maryland a few days before he went down in flames, especially with black voters.
In the case of Obama, when he ran for office in 2004 he got 92% of the black vote, in a race where his opponent happened to be black. As crazy as a Mad Hatter, but black.
Oliver, it’s not fair to use Obama’s Senate victory as any kind of guide. Hell, Obama gained 40% of the Republican vote in that race.
Obama benefited greatly from the fact that his primary opponent and his potential GOP opponent both suffered from sex scandals and then he got to run against a crazy dude from Maryland.
The situation was ideal for him.
Jay: Even if the Republicans had put up a viable candidate, Obama would have trounced her or him. Obamamania was already pretty high, which prevented the Republicans from running a viable candidate once Ryan’s sex habits became public.
The article misses the point in that, unlike Steele and Keyes, most of Obama’s policies are popular with African-Americans.
Chuck, I have no doubt that Obama still would have won, but his easy romp was set up by the unfortunate circumstances involving his opponents. You have to remember, his primary opponent, Blair Hull had a 10-11 point lead over Obama when news surfaced that Hull’s ex-wife had a restraining order taken out against him.
I don’t think Obama can win a national election at this point and racism would have something to do with it. But it would be the racism that still exists amongst voters who normally vote Democrat.
The conventional wisdom suggests Obama would not win because of those rascally racist Republicans who wouldn’t vote for a black man for President. The fact is, Republicans are going to vote for a Republican.
It’s the white Democratic voters that the Democrats have to worry about. The ones in the northeast and all along the south that vote for white Democrats all the time that will most likely stay home because they wouldn’t want a ‘brother’ running the country.
If most blacks are divided between whether O.J. was framed, and whether they’re simply glad he got over on the white man, believe me, they’ll vote for Barack (”Don’t call me Hussein”) Obama.
They’re still voting for Marion Barry, aren’t they?
BTW Chuck I agree with you and OW that the article is silly with regard to Obama getting the Black vote. That’s not going to be an issue.
The issue is the one that I pointed out and don’t think for a second that Democratic strategists aren’t thinking about it either.
I really think it’ll be an extremely tough road for Obama. We aren’t that far removed as a society from Hank Aaron getting death threats as he approached Ruth. Plus, let’s face it, society has been backpedaling lately. We are less enlightened.
Plus, for the next two years, Obama is going to get the Mega-Swift Boat treatment, even worse than Hillary. It’s already started, in fact and will get horrific. I’m sure of it.
–WKW
We aren’t that far removed as a society from Hank Aaron getting death threats as he approached Ruth
WKW:
Are you setting up his futile campaign already, and chalking up his inevitable loss to racism?
Gimme a friggin’ break.
Yeah, Aaron got death threats by the truckload because his slugging percentage was lower than Ruth’s.
Brilliant observation.
–WKW
Frank, let them blather on all day about Obama losing due to racism. As I pointed out, the racism that exists within their own ranks is where the loss will come from, not because white Republicans not voting for somebody they wouldn’t have voted for regardless of his race.
And William, assuming that every threat Aaron received was due to race, what do you have to say about the threats Barry Bonds has received as he approaches Aaron’s record?
If most blacks are divided between whether O.J. was framed, and whether they’re simply glad he got over on the white man, believe me, they’ll vote for Barack (”Don’t call me Hussein”) Obama.
They’re still voting for Marion Barry, aren’t they?
And republicans wonder why black people don’t like them.
A little tip for the future: People don’t like it when you talk down to them.
It’s the white Democratic voters that the Democrats have to worry about. The ones in the northeast and all along the south that vote for white Democrats all the time that will most likely stay home because they wouldn’t want a ‘brother’ running the country.
And you base this on…
For the last time, people, innuitions pulled from your ass doesn’t count as actual evidence.
Geeze, I could give Barry Bonds a run for his money. I’m batting 1000.
So only 8% of black voters are nucking futs?
BTW, Jay’s a moron and Jesus is a turd.
And you base this on…
I base it on the fact that many Democratic voters are racist. And only a complete imbecile would think otherwise.
BTW, Jay’s a moron and Jesus is a turd.
RBG, I could be a brain dead vegetable, and STILL be smarter than you. Now, go back in your cage.
I base it on the fact that many Democratic voters are racist. And only a complete imbecile would think otherwise.
Wow. You’re not even trying anymore. If the Dems were racists, as you claim, couln’t you point to some trend of Democratic racism? Your refusal/inability to suggest that yes, you did pull this from your ass. A little note for the future: just because Sean Hannity tells you something doesn’t make it an indisputable fact.
His original oppponet was white and when he imploded he was running behind Obama about 40 to 50 points behind.
They couldn’t find a sacrificial lamb to run until they found Keyes and it took about a month to find him.
It was a fun and amusing time here.
The gop in Illinois is in shambles right now.
I do wonder if it is widely known in the african american community that Obama’s wife has been best friends since childhood with Jesse Jackson’s daughter….
I resemble that remark.
Let me assure you that we northeastern white liberals watched the future president introduce Al Gore in 2004.
I called my gf into the room as he spoke. “Sweetie, come quick, the 44th or 45th president is on TV”