From African-American blogger: What Obama means to Black voters

[AnnInLa]

Nice.....from http://www.oliverwillis.com/2007/02/obama_08_the_bl.html

"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."

[illinoisprogressive]

1. I read this on his site last night. Willis is a great blogger.

[Clark2008]

2. Devil's advocate here, but...

Yes, it would energize a lot of black voters. No question.

However, wouldn't it also energize a lot of racists? Would Obama have a chance?

Just a question because I saw something similar in Tennessee during the Ford/Corker race. Ford was ahead of Corker all the way up until about two weeks before the election. Then, I guess the voting-booth racists came out. Ford not only had to battle the corporate, anti-Democratic media bias that normally occurs in my state, but he also had to battle the racism, therein. I don't think Ford lost entirely because of race, but I do think that the race factor lost him the four percentage points needed to overcome all the other uphill battles Democratic candidates must face.

Democrats, particularly in red/purple states, already have to deal with the fact that there's no real advocate for their candidacies since the reason most red states are red is the lack of honest, alternative media (for example, my local radio station has Rush, Hannity, Boortz and Savage - and NO alternative voice, at all, ever). Factor in race and a black (or female) candidate stands no chance, sadly.

[Pithy Cherub]

4. Ford's creds in the African American community were suspect.

Ford had to have Obama come to Memphis to shore up his creds with black folks. My family in Memphis thought it was a hoot because the Ford family rivals Anna Nicole for bizarre behavior in public. Ford screwed himself over by having positions akin to white republican pols and not those positions that traditionally draw support from the black community. Ford also was detrimental to himself because he pandered to whites and hence a white Jewish guy now represents a predominantly black district.

Obama is the real deal to African Americans as he relates and speaks the language that Ford lost in his quest to out DLC everybody. As an African American I detest junior, but could fall in love with an Obama candidacy should Clark not run. Obama draws huge multi-cultural crowds be it in the deep south or here in Southern California. As Michele Obama will state tonight on 60 Minutes, Barack could get killed just going to get gas - its part of the black experience.

Junior wishes he had Obama's talents - which is why he called on Obama to help him in Tenn. So yep, there will be avid interest in Obama throughout the south and the racists are going to vote for republics anyway.

[Clark2008]

7. But, you didn't answer my question.

I can see how Obama would inspire black voters - that part I get.

My question was how Obama would alienate certain white voters, particularly those swing voters who don't think they're racist, but are. Black voters DID come out in force for Ford, DLC or not, which is why he only lost by 3 percent. The problem was that more white voters came out, too, and many of them didn't want to see a black senator from Tennessee.

I'll try to find you the figures, if I can, but I know more black folks voted in Tennessee's senatorial election than in previous elections (I saw the figures once - it's just a matter of finding them again). Ford wasn't hindered by a lack of black votes - he was hindered by A.) The fact that a Dem can never get a fair shake in Tennessee's media, which is true of all Dems and B.) He had the added burden of being black, which brings out the racists to counteract the black (and liberal) vote.

That was what my question was to.

:hi:

[Clark2008]

8. Here you go:

Ford got 95 percent of the black vote:

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006//pages/results/states/TN/S/01/epolls.0.html

I'm still trying to find where I read that more black voters came out in 2006 than in previous years since Ford was on the ticket, but I think that you can see from the link above that Ford had solid support from the African American community.

EDIT: Here's a breakdown on it: http://www.blackagendareport.com/004/004a_gf_time2stop_supporting_every_blackface.html While certainly NOT flattering to Ford, it still supports the theory that more black voters turned out because Ford was on the ticket.


My whole point was this: I supported Ford. I'd support Obama should he be the nominee and I'm white; however, I just saw so much voting-booth racism among people I would have never considered racist during the Ford/Corker race. It was sad. I think Obama would have a difficult time overcoming this in the red and purple states.

[Pithy Cherub]

10. yep the yellow dog dems turned out

but Ford's policies put many more people off than people know. the "D" didn't carry a lot of weight and his brother's antics on the campaign trail are still cause for comedic relief. Believe it or not people are ecstatic there is not a Ford in federal office right now. Obama spent years working in Chicago as a civil rights proponent, Ford does not have those creds - there is a very um, ugly name that Ford is called in the Black community and a mistake in his campaign was endorsing his brother rather than the Democratic nominee - it hurt turn out.

What you saw was true, but ony in the context of Ford not being able to enlarge his voting population to offset wingnuts. Thats where Obama just trumps Ford. Believe it or not, the person yapping about poverty is not catching on with black voters. ;)

[Pithy Cherub]

9. Actually Obama won't alienate the unelightened

white voter. here is an anecdote for your consideration: :hi:

Saddleback Church, Rick Warren pastor & author of the Purpose Driven Life, invites Obama out here in Orange County, (Lake Forest) home of each and every republican for president's money base. Newport Beach, Irvine, Corona del mar, Coto de Caza (where the Housewives of Orange County on Bravo is filmed and the exact folks you are describing) turned out in the tens of thousands to see Obama. They wrote it up in the Orange County register and for DAYS I heard all about Obama in the market, at the gas station and sometimes they could not even see me - I was in the aisle over - how much they the junior wingnuts could vote for him. It was amazing and trust me there are not that many of us black folks out here. Obama had them cheering him on.

To expand your idea a bit not only would the racists come out in droves, but the new voters will come out if Obama gets close. In days he had over a few hundred thousand young people on facebook. My Marine nephew and niece are Obama-manic (he thinks Clark isn't running and they Love him) and he attends a university in Wisconsin that is likeminded. My other niece is in Tempe where Obama gave less than 24 hours notice for Pederson campaign and turned out thousands including the very chi chi Scottsdale set. In Dallas, he turned out thousands of young people. So yep it will turn out some bigots, but he has the potential to expand his voting base. Obama is a huge draw at universities.

PS. There were a lot of black folks that left that Ford's race blank or did not turn out. I know many of them are my family and friends.

[pnwmom]

14. I never thought my elderly mother would be excited by the idea

of a black candidate for president. But she is -- this white senior citizen in Texas loves Obama. And I suspect she's just the tip of the iceberg.

[BlooInBloo]

12. They're already energized. See voter-suppression, southern turnout, etc.

[pnwmom]

3. I love Obama, and I agree. But the same argument holds true for Hillary.

I think millions of young women could be motivated by her candidacy.

[skipos]

5. And the same argument holds true for Richardson. nt

[dysfunctional press]

6. according to a black guest on the Colbert Report- Obama ISN'T black...

per her- in order to be considered "black" in America, you HAVE to be descended from slaves taken from western africa...:crazy:

[pnwmom]

11. When a man who looks like Obama walks into a store or down the street,

or drives in his car, he's going to be treated like a black man. He's spent his whole life being treated like a black person.

On the other hand, I hope that black guest on the Colbert report also acknowledges that none of us Americans who descended from whites who came here AFTER the emancipation of the slaves are really WHITE.

[BlooInBloo]

13. I'm sure that's a great comfort when the nightstick is shoved up your ass.

[FrenchieCat]

15. I believe that Obama's candidacy will inspire many young people,

and will provide a great amount of pride in the Black community, for both young and old.

Nothing could be better for young Black youths (as well as their parents) than the sight of a Black man taken seriously by a White society that has opressed so many for so long. Remember that MLK had to be shot down before there was a true appreciation of his worth. Jesse Jackson's run was so long ago, that most youth weren't there and don't truly remember it...but they do remember him being mired in personal controversy. Al Sharpton, as in your face and direct as he is, never garnered top notch respect in the Black Community.

There are many Black people who have made their way to greatness, but at the same token, many have been demonized along the way. After scandals plaguing the likes of the famous and gifted like Bill Cosby, Coby Bryant, Michael Jackson and OJ (and a few more)...and watching the likes of Colin Powel and Condoleeza Rice and Justice Thomas be the few still somewhat heralded by our Corporate media (but yet opposites in their ideology to most in the Black Community), and then watching Rep. Harold Ford being demonized right before our very eyes....OBama is a fresh breath needed!

I believe that many young Black people will walk the streets with their head up that much higher due to an Obama candidacy, and that can only be a good thing!

My 19 year old Black daughter currently attending Harvard in her 2nd year is one of those. With a new Black Governor in the state that she now resides in, and Obama one of the leading contenders for the Democratic nomination for the presidency, how could she not be proud?

This is a wonderful occurence and even if he doesn't win, will be the source of inspiration for many for years to come! :thumbsup:

He's giving a whole new meaning to young Black youth......that if you study hard enough anything is possible. Obama proves that and makes it meaningful and tangible.