Presidential Politics '04: The "Black Vote" Does it Exist?

[Sistermadly]

I found the video from last night. If you want, skip ahead to about 8:08 and watch from there. You'll need the RealPlayer to view the feed.

rtsp://video.c-span.org/project/c04/c04012704_deannh.rm

[Steeltrap]

I still have questions about his ability to beat Gorgie Dubya Boosh (sic) in a general election, but I do appreciate this transcript and his very important point about different experiences.

[TonyB06]

Ok, peeps, get ready to hear the Ds this week holla about civil rights and how they all "polished MLK's marching shoes," blah, blah, blah... Of course we heard NONE of this during Iowa/N.H because they were tailoring the message, but it woulda been nice. Before the week is out, somebody is going to break out into the remix version of "We Shall Overcome." (...excuse me; I'm overly cynical today, I guess.)

H. Dean? with the huge $$ advantage he had he finishes 3rd in Iowa, 2nd in neighboring N.H.? Don't know whether he's Melba, Pumperknickel or Sourdough, but politically, dude is TOAST.

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by TonyB06
Ok, peeps, get ready to hear the Ds this week holla about civil rights and how they all "polished MLK's marching shoes," blah, blah, blah... Of course we heard NONE of this during Iowa/N.H because they were tailoring the message, but it woulda been nice. Before the week is out, somebody is going to break out into the remix version of "We Shall Overcome." (...excuse me; I'm overly cynical today, I guess.)

H. Dean? with the huge $$ advantage he had he finishes 3rd in Iowa, 2nd in neighboring N.H.? Don't know whether he's Melba, Pumperknickel or Sourdough, but politically, dude is TOAST.

I agree with you, because remember, we're heading into Super Tuesday and some Southern primaries. That's why Rev. Al hasn't removed hisself from the race just yet.
I's also feeling cynical today.

[Love_Spell_6]

Originally posted by TonyB06
Ok, peeps, get ready to hear the Ds this week holla about civil rights and how they all "polished MLK's marching shoes," blah, blah, blah... Of course we heard NONE of this during Iowa/N.H because they were tailoring the message, but it woulda been nice. Before the week is out, somebody is going to break out into the remix version of "We Shall Overcome." (...excuse me; I'm overly cynical today, I guess.)

H. Dean? with the huge $$ advantage he had he finishes 3rd in Iowa, 2nd in neighboring N.H.? Don't know whether he's Melba, Pumperknickel or Sourdough, but politically, dude is TOAST.

Thats just politics...politicians always tailor their messages to their audiences...you don't reeaally think any of them actually care about us for real do you??? The Democrats have just been amazing at fooling many African Americans into thinking they really give a damn and they are looking out for our best interest.

[madmax]

Originally posted by Love_Spell_6
Thats just politics...politicians always tailor their messages to their audiences...you don't reeaally think any of them actually care about us for real do you??? The Democrats have just been amazing at fooling many African Americans into thinking they really give a damn and they are looking out for our best interest.

Does that mean you are voting for Bush?

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by madmax
Does that mean you are voting for Bush?

hmmmmm, Because this is my industry (in part), I study political machinations pragmatically; I can argue the other side just as forcefully. I'll leave the final say on my Presidential vote for the voting booth.

...Love_Spell_6,
I'd say Ds and Rs both spend a fair amount of time trying to convince average Americans that they "care." There are no virgins in American (national) politics.

[Love_Spell_6]

Originally posted by TonyB06
hmmmmm, Because this is my industry (in part), I study political machinations pragmatically; I can argue the other side just as forcefully. I'll leave the final say on my Presidential vote for the voting booth.

...Love_Spell_6,
I'd say Ds and Rs both spend a fair amount of time trying to convince average Americans that they "care." There are no virgins in American (national) politics.

That's what people say...but I only see African Americans beating up on Republicans...if that weren't the case...we wouldn't vote for Dems at a 90%+ rate. We obviously believe them... I am neither Dem or Repub..so I have no interest in beating up on one particular party...

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by madmax
Does that mean you are voting for Bush?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


As for who I am voting for unless Joe Liberman wins the nomination...I will PROUDLY vote for Bush...

[pointNclick]

Uhh, is Clinton back on the ballot? I'm just stuck on stupid (or the good ol days).

I am not "overly" impressed with any of the Democratic candidates. While I like Al Sharpton and have met him several times, the world aint ready for black man. We are not living in the series "24."

I may have to vote for Edwards, although his youth is somewhat unsettling to me. However, I do like his style and his message(s).

Bush is a definite no-no for me- so anyone (IMHO) would be a vast imporvement.

[AKA2D '91]

Tom Joyner is hosting a forum in South Carolina where ALL of the Democratic contenders will be present. The idea is to have the candidates to address "our" issues. Everyday AAs are to ask the candidates various questions. You can see it on C-SPAN tomorrow.

If you have any questions you'd like asked during the forum, you can go to BlackAmericaweb.com for more details.

This should be interesting....

[Love_Spell_6]

Originally posted by pointNclick
Uhh, is Clinton back on the ballot? I'm just stuck on stupid (or the good ol days).

I am not "overly" impressed with any of the Democratic candidates. While I like Al Sharpton and have met him several times, the world aint ready for black man. We are not living in the series "24."

I may have to vote for Edwards, although his youth is somewhat unsettling to me. However, I do like his style and his message(s).

Bush is a definite no-no for me- so anyone (IMHO) would be a vast imporvement.

Yea with Clinton in the White House...we'll surely be aHEAD of things...

[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!)

[TonyB06]

Good article. It sort of confirms what I, and others, have been saying about our non-monolithism (sp) as a people.

There is a similar article, making essentially the same points, in this week's Time Magazine.

[Love_Spell_6]

Originally posted by TonyB06
Good article. It sort of confirms what I, and others, have been saying about our non-monolithism (sp) as a people.

There is a similar article, making essentially the same points, in this week's Time Magazine.

I hope this so-called "non-monolithism" is shown at the polls...

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by Love_Spell_6
I hope this so-called "non-monolithism" is shown at the polls...

I think the candidates' positions and their parties will determine this more than anything.