Harris' campaign focuses on black colleges for support

[left-of-center2012]

California Sen. Kamala Harris has described her experience as a student at a historically black college as “one of the most important aspects” of her life. Now, her Democratic presidential campaign is using that experience to connect with voters.

Not only is she one of only two black candidates in a field that’s expected to grow to more than 20 candidates, she’s also the only candidate who attended a historically black college or university, commonly called an HBCU. And she’s the first major-party candidate to have graduated from an HBCU — Washington’s Howard University — since Jesse Jackson ran for president in the 1980s.

Harris’s focus on historically black colleges could be particularly important in South Carolina, home to eight HBCUs. Black voters are vital to success for Democratic primary candidates anxious to win the South’s first primary.

Turning to a group of South Carolina State students seated on bleachers, Harris talked briefly about the value of attending a historically black institution.

“At an HBCU, everything you are told is that you can be whatever you want to be, and there will be no barriers to that success,” she said. “And you are told as a young black student that you do not need to make choices and fit into anyone’s narrow definition of what it means to be a young black person in America.”

https://www.apnews.com/83441f0aa4264612928864ab7ea6cc84

[Funtatlaguy]

1. The geography & demographics of early primaries really matter.

I think it matters if you are next door. Klobuchar and Pete to Iowa
Warren, Sanders, Biden near New Hampshire.
Beto and Harris near Nevada.
Large African American Dem voters in SCarolina. Few in Iowa & New Hampshire.
Large Hispanic Dem voters in Nevada. Few in other three states.

Those things will contribute to winnowing the field before the first Tuesday in March. Super Tuesday

https://www.uspresidentialelectionnews.com/2020-presidential-primary-schedule-calendar/

[IndyOp]

3. It is a whole new primary season with California

primary on Super Tuesday.

I see large constituencies for Harris, Warren, Sanders, and possibly Buttigieg in Cali.

I lived there in grad school - I had no sense of how large and how diverse the state is until I lived there.

[exboyfil]

7. In Buttigieg's case

We have a state between us (Illinois).

A part of me does relish the idea of Buttigieg and Pence sharing the same stage during a VP debate. He might be a good balance to a Harris nomination.

Any one is better than who the Republican's put forward. I hope we don't tear ourselves apart to getting to a nominee.

[IndyOp]

2. Wise - powerful community. (nt)

[Hortensis]

4. I think it's wise. A lot of PoC seem to be feeling

pretty embattled and discouraged right now, and some, especially our black conservative Democrats no doubt, are unhappy with all whites for 2016, not just Trump voters. Extremely regrettably, DU’s black forum has currently lost many of its people and its wonderful vigor, some just tired of constant attacks from capital-P Progressives for not lining up behind their leader as well as general disaffection, some actually driven off by personal attacks.

In any case, Kamala obviously has the spirit and conviction all those young people reaching adulthood in the post-Obama reaction need to see and emulate.

[exboyfil]

8. I am a 55 year old white guy

and I took a lot of heat in 2016 for saying that blacks really were never given a reason to vote for Clinton (beyond the obvious disaster that Trump is). I don't know what the answer is, but right now I don't think any candidate has captured it.

[Hortensis]

9. Did I strongly disagree with you then? I think you do grave

injustice to the large majority of PoC who not only did vote for her but most of whom did so with hope and confidence in having a good candidate, even if any white person was an emotional letdown after Obama.

That they didn't know their own business was a common slur back then, and imo, respect for the judgment of those whose own business you're talking about is still in order.

[JustAnotherGen]

13. I disagree

Economy, values, experience, national security, personal safety - it drove us to the polls.I

Had Clinton been in the WH after Charlottesville - she would have lowered the boom.

don't hope the spoiled brats that stayed home in key states are happy now.

Until November - im.focused on maintaining our majorities in the the NJ Assembly and Senate. We can't help it save people in other places - we can only.help ourselves. They've got out double tax dollars (SALT Cap) - just be happy and don't tread on us.

[JustAnotherGen]

10. Yep

Most of us have crept away or just read. Many have connected via social media and are spending time in electioneering and activism circles.

One thing that won't be read at DU? Don't count on us in 2020.

No more going along to get along - it's been horrible for us for years - let it be horrible for everyone else too.

What's the worst thing that could happen? With a slow drop of pressure we can always get 45/140 to strike out.

[Hortensis]

12. Is what you're predicting a fracturing of the unified

black power bloc as many conservatives fall away? Let's trust people like her and these help new hope and conviction develop over the next year and a half. Obama isn't dead, and neither are those who voted to advance equality, not just for a black man.



I'd like to think the Republicans will be too stupid to increase the threat from without before 2020, but they may well delay until after election day plans to use the courts to reverse many civil and other rights, including voter protections, that would hurt PoC especially hard.

[Indygram]

5. After watching the way Beto was received in SC, NC and VA last week...

He may surprise a lot of people. His very bold approach to race issues in addition to that viral video of him standing up for NFL players kneeling really resonated with black voters. That was one of the most beautiful examples of standing up for what's right even when it's not necessarily the popular or easy thing to do that I may have ever seen.

[JustAnotherGen]

11. It didn't sway me

It wasn't bold - it was moral.

[BannonsLiver]

16. How awful!

[FailureToCommunicate]

6. I'm liking her strategy!

[DesertRat]

14. Sen. Harris has visited more historically black colleges than any candidate

She's the only candidate who can lay claim to the rich tradition as an alumna. It would be interesting if she had a townhall at a HBCU.

[comradebillyboy]

15. According to MSNBC Harris is campaigning in South Carolina churches today.

Alex Wittless tells me she was very warmly received. Actually I was surprised Witt mentioned her at all given how little attention the media give non-male candidates.