[Sistermadly]

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution comes one of the best analysis of what's on the minds of black voters in South Carolina (and in some respects, the diversity of opinions among black voters as a whole, if you want to generalize):

S.C. black voters still in wait-and-see mode

Will Clyburn's nod to Kerry carry over?

By MATTHEW C. QUINN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- This city is small -- 12,765 people -- out of the way and not particularly prosperous.

But for candidates in this year's Democratic presidential race, it's been a constant draw.

Fresh from the New Hampshire primary, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina went there Wednesday for a rally with students at South Carolina State University. And it was the natural place to look for reaction as news filtered out that Rep. James Clyburn, the state's top-ranking African-American politician, will endorse Sen. John Kerry today.

African-Americans make up nearly a third of South Carolina's population, and they are far likelier to vote Democratic than the state's white residents. They are expected to account for up to 50 percent of the vote in Tuesday's primary.

For reasons demographic and historic, Orangeburg is an African-American focal point. Orangeburg County is 61 percent black and has more than 30,000 registered black voters. Forty miles south of the state capital, Columbia, it is home to two historically black colleges, private Claflin University and public South Carolina State University, that have turned out scores of graduates who are now members of the state's black business and political elite.

In his South Carolina State speech to about 250 students and residents, Edwards drew cheers as he spoke of his commitment to racial equality.

"I believe that the family that you're born in and the color of your skin will never control what you can do," he said.

Joann Berry, a teacher at the campus middle school, liked what she heard, but she was unsure whether Edwards' speech was "just rhetoric or if he's sincere."

"I want to check his record," said Berry, adding that she's looking for a candidate "who is going to put America back to work."

Though Edwards has been the statewide poll leader, the African-American vote has not coalesced around him, and it's not clear whether any one candidate can gain that support in the days remaining before the vote.

Dick Harpootlian, a former South Carolina Democratic chairman, said Clyburn's pending endorsement of Kerry is "huge" and will deliver a "body blow" to Edwards. But state Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, an influential African-American legislator from Orangeburg, wasn't ready Wednesday to say Clyburn's nod will make Kerry the favorite choice of black voters.

"Of course it will have an impact," she said. "There are people who respect Congressman Clyburn and will vote for someone he endorses. But it will not carry over across the board to the black community. Most people are independent in their thinking."

Several of her constituents concurred.

"He's influential, but not to the point where he makes up people's minds," said L. Zimmerman Keitt, 65, of Orangeburg. She has volunteered for former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean because of his strong stance against the U.S. war in Iraq.

"I can't go with what a city councilor or a state senator does," said Eric Jenkins, 31, a barber from Williston. "You have to weigh the odds on each candidate yourself."

Jenkins plans to vote for retired Gen. Wesley Clark because of Clark's military experience, in particular in the U.S. military campaign in Kosovo.

"I love Al Sharpton," he said of the New York civil rights leader who is the only black candidate in the field, "but right now we're looking to choose the right person to kick [President] Bush out. A lot of people may not be ready for Al Sharpton as president."

Archie Fair, 43, owner of Fair's Barber Shop in Orangeburg, said he's considering Edwards because the North Carolinian may have a good chance of winning the Democratic nomination and defeating Bush. But he also likes Dean, citing his record on health care as Vermont's governor.

"Being a small business owner, this is of real concern because it's hard to get good health insurance for employees at a reasonable price," he said.

Cobb-Hunter said her constituents are split among various contenders, including Edwards, Dean, Sharpton and Clark. Herself undecided in the Democratic race, she said the choice for many voters will boil down to: "Who do I like and who can beat Bush? Even if I hold my nose and vote for someone I don't like and he can beat Bush, he will get my vote.

"The best thing that can happen on Tuesday is to dispel the myth that the African-American community takes its cue from one person," she said.(amen!)