[shinerbock]

I think it depends.

Plenty of people, I'm sure, will vote for Obama SOLELY because he's black, or for Clinton because she's a woman, or for Romney because he's a Mormon.

However, I think others will vote for Obama because he's black and they're black and thus there is a likelihood that they have similar concerns. I think this is more likely in a religious context, especially one that is as close knit as LDS. However, I think it can reasonably apply in gender/race contexts as well, albeit, IMO, less likely.

I'm a white male voting for McCain, but I'd happily vote for Obama or Clinton if I thought they'd be successful leaders who would represent my values and protect the things I care about. I don't, so I'll vote for the old white dude.