Hillary is winning older establishment Democrats who happen to be white.

[cottonseed]

I do not believe racial motivations are responsible for Hillary's slight lead in this demographic. These "white working class" voters are older, safer, establishment leaning, and numerous in this country's rust belt states. They have fond memories of Bill Clinton's two previous presidential terms. They lean Clinton because they know them and truly believe them to be the better candidate (there's nothing wrong with that). Obama is newer, fresher, and to those not willing or capable of researching it a perceived "roll of the dice".

Obama has to work hard for these voters, no doubt about it, but it's not a racial thing (evident with his mountain west showing) -- even though it's unfortunately spun that way by many. If we are to continue on, Obama needs to court these voters and we need to immediately drop this impression that "white voters" will not back Obama. Once we get on to the GE, with a little work, and coalescing of all party factions, we'll quickly start to see the fruits of a unified party (read: smashing McCain and the Republicans).

[ElsewheresDaughter]

1. agreed

[LisaM]

2. It leads me into one thing about Obama that is a problem

With all his talk of a "purple" America, I do not see that his ties to the Democratic party per se are that strong or deep. I think he runs as a Democratic because it's his gateway and, to be fair, because he's clearly NOT a Republican.

But I've never heard of him campaigning for other Democrats (as Hillary has for years, she's been in Washington state many times raising money for candidates) and I've never heard of him working on anyone else's election. My sole exposure to him in connection with any party affair was the 2004 convention.

At our caucus, the old time Dems, party regulars, were marginalized and not allowed to speak. And these were women in their 60s and 70s who probably are the ones who faithfully attended meetings month after month in the lean years.

[AllentownJake]

5. Obama

Worked his ass off for other democrats in 2004 and 2006. He had an uncontested primary in 2004 and was a rockstar on the trail for Kerry.

In 2006 he worked very hard for downticket races.

He also helped a democrat take Hasterd's seat in a special election this year.


He wasn't a national figure before that so how could he campaign for people when no one knew him?

[cottonseed]

6. I understand.

Obama's message is definitely resonating with his core constituencies, the support there hasn't budged, and it is aggressive (which I think has its advantages). I do believe that he'll do a decent job of reaching out if/when the nomination is secured.

I think his relative newness kept him from making too much of a significant impact in working for other's campaigns nationally early on. His organization is growing however, and he'll definitely be able to throw that weight down ticket from here on out.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. 20% of this country is still against interracial marriage.

That number shoots up among white people over 65.

As a white person over 65 myself, I've no doubts that many of these people are racist.

[leftofcool]

4. Some of that may go back to Biblical thinking

There is something in the Old Testament about no inter-racial marriages and I think some older Christians take this literally. I always thought it had more to do with Jewish history and the inter-marriage between tribes. Some have taken that literally I think.