Edwards needs to attract black voters

[antiimperialist]

In his own state, John Edwards has a comfortable lead over Hillary Clinton (39-25%), according to a Public Policy Poling (PPP) poll, but ranks third as the preferred candidate of African Americans here. Clinton and Obama are the preferred choice of 33% and 38% of African Americans, respectively, compared to 18% for Edwards.
According to a Field Poll released recently, In California, where Edwards receives 13% of the Democratic preference, the number is almost halved (7%) among African Americans.

John Edwards needs to do something; anything, to mobilize this very important part of the population. Edwards needs their support to win in racially diverse states.

NC poll
CA poll

What can Edwards do to overcome this obstacle?

[Joe Chi Minh]

1. I don't put a lot of credence in the polls, certainly not their significance.

Economic policy is what matters to everyone, first and foremost.

A level playing field for everyone in terms of a) survival and b) prospering. Edwards has a record of looking out for the little guy against Big Business.

[venable]

2. Edwards does very well w/ African American voters, in NC

being in 3rd here is troubling, for an Edwards supporter, but there are two obvious reasons:

Bill Clinton (not HRC)

Obama


These are some serious candidates for these votes. Edwards is just working against some powerful forces. I think he's going to be alright in the end.

[antiimperialist]

4. Doing very well is troubling?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you said that Edwards is doing very well among blacks, and that the situation was troubling. How can both conditions coexist?

[venable]

8. no, I wasn't clear...

what I mean is that Edwards has, in the past, done very well with African American voters.


Now, he is in 3rd place in his home state among those voters.


I'm an Edwards supporter so I am troubled by this third place standing.


I do expect, and hope, that he will bounce back. His message should carry throughout the south, and throughout inner cities. Frankly, I think his message should carry well everywhere but the corner offices of Halliburton.


Sorry for the confusion.

[ddeclue]

18. Edwards MESSAGE is the answer - not gimmicks..

1) Ending poverty both here and abroad. African Americans are disproportionately amongst the ranks of the poor in this country and much of Africa suffers desperately from poverty. We, as Edwards supporters, need to communicate his message and reach out to African American voters, not just right at election time but continuously.

2) Universal healthcare - African Americans are also disproportionately amongst the ranks of the uninsured and underinsured and are most at risk therefore for diseases like cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease because they do not have the same access to preventative care that largely white middle class and upper class Americans have access to.

One America is Edwards goal- it's our goal. Let's make sure it is heard.

Doug D.
Orlando, FL

[antiimperialist]

3. And the Iraq war doesn't matter to everyone?

I assume you meant to say that the economy mattered the most to everyone.
Even if this were the case, you failed to explain how Edwards has a better economic platform than Obama and Clinton, and how you came to the conclusion that the economy matters more than say, the war in Iraq.

[Joe Chi Minh]

5. It was stated just after the election that the polls indicated the war was NOT the primary reason,

Economic hardship was.

Many people's lives are imperilled by poverty at the moment, and it is normal to worry about that first. Even with a child in Iraq, if families are rendered homeless, it would jeopardise any ability to take care of their often traumatised sons and daughters, when they return.

But, also, read the post about the selfishness of most people. If they do not have a child of their own in harm's way, they are not all that concerned. It was why Charlie Rangle said that to galvanize MASS opposition to the war, a general draft, such as obtained during the Vietnam War, is needed.

[antiimperialist]

6. I don't remember hearing that the economy was the primary reason

Can you refer me to that statement?

[spooky3]

9. 2006 exit poll results, for what they are worth

2006:

% viewing Iraq as very important or extremely important: 67%
% viewing Economy as very important or extremely important: 82%

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/US/H/00/epolls.0.html

[Joe Chi Minh]

11. Thank you, spooky3.

[spooky3]

13. you're welcome KCDMIII!

:hi:

[antiimperialist]

14. But among Democrats, Iraq and the Economy are tied in that poll

First of all, Corruption/ethics was ahead of the Economy. And we are talking about the Democratic primary. You included responses from Republicans and independents.

And note that the statement that started this argument was a sweeping generalization to the effect of "the economy is what people care about".
Saying this made no sense without also adding that Iraq is what people also care about

[antiimperialist]

15. And that's without even mentioning that this is 2007, not 2006

And if you want to use all voters instaed of only Democrats, let's see what happens:

Hotline asked all adults (March 29-April 1) which of these issues is the top priority:

Iraq: 26%
Economy: 9%

CBS asked on March too, which is the top problem:
Iraq: 29%
Economy: 8%

NBC/WSJ (March):
Iraq: 30%
Economy: 12%

http://www.pollingreport.com/prioriti.htm

[antiimperialist]

16. Pew also asked voters what the top issues were in '06

Days after the elections concluded, Pew Research found that,

a majority of voters saw the Iraq war as one of the top two issues in the election (53%), with the economy second (37%), followed by values issues such as abortion and marriage (27%).

link

[KingFlorez]

7. There is really nothing he can do

With Hillary and Obama in the race, he doesn't have a chance of picking up much of the black vote.

[w4rma]

10. A black man and the wife of "the first black President". (nt)

[Joe Chi Minh]

12. We'll see.

[NormanYorkstein]

17. Hillary has the established Black leaders

Obama has the charisma and buzz. It will be an uphill battle for Edwards, or any other possible candidate.

[GreenTea]

19. Once Edwards get some exposure over the DLC Hillary & Obama Edwards will, Edwards has

a great platform for all poor and middle class Americans...It's just a matter of time before he gets heard over the republicans choice's Hillary & Obama.

[Lerkfish]

20. non-sequitor: I first read this thread as "Edwards needs to attack black voters"

Just got done reading about Imus, and misread the word, and so I opened this up thinking wtf? only in the reply field I reread the title again.

whew!

ok, carry on, sorry for the interruption.