BonnieJ2

Did the pollsters ask the WV black voters what percent of them would not vote for McCain because he's white? You're just going to assume that it's 90%?

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"You can't have a light without a dark to stick it in." -- Arlo Guthrie

Throwby

The exit polls had nothing to do with McCain as they related to the primary between Obama and Hillary; in other words, these were all Democrats voting for Democrats as I understood it. I would expect any Democrat, regardless of race, to generally vote for their candidate and race would have nothing to do with it.

I don't believe every black vote for Obama is because of his race but there is alot of difference between 20% and 90%. I think anyone could rightfully assume that many of those voters are basing their votes on race. However, it's a non issue with me. I am pointing out the fact that the racial overtones are not a one way street.

BonnieJ2

OK. I meant Clinton and not McCain. It was just a brain cramp. But if you ask the white voters that question and not the reverse of it to the black voters, you're not really comparing apples with apples. You can't assume that just because 90% of the black voters voted for Obama, that they voted for him only because his opponent was white.

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"You can't have a light without a dark to stick it in." -- Arlo Guthrie

Tight-Waist

You can't assume that just because 90% of the black voters voted for Obama, that they voted for him only because his opponent was white.

No but I can assume that a very large percentage of that 90% voted for Obama because he is black. There has NEVER been a candidate in a vigorously contested primary who got 90% of the black vote.

I can say as I blame them, but anyone that thinks that 90% of blacks would rally around a white candidate in a smilarly contested race (two liberals at 50% each) is very naive and historically ignorant. Im sure a great deal of this phenomenea is due to the fact that there is really very little issue wise that divides these two.

It is interesting though that a far greater percentage of white female voters "cross the line" to support Obama than do blacks to support Clinton, even though her husband was called the "first Black President".

Throwby

Did you not read my post? I am not making that assumption. Let me post it again "I think anyone could rightfully assume that many of those voters are basing their votes on race." MANY does not equate to "that they (90% of black voters) voted for him only because his opponent was white".

Yes, the polls could have been clearer and that would have been helpful but that's what they did and it's all we have to work with. Perhaps a pointed question could lay this to rest. Do you agree that their is a racial element working on both sides of the equation in the Democratic primaries?

BonnieJ2

I don't think it's the same. I don't hear African Americans people saying that they could never vote for McCain because he's white. Are they voting for him because he's black? It's more than that. He's intelligent and charismatic and so was Bill Clinton and they voted for him in large numbers.

Before Obama announced, I was at a "girls night out" dinner with my two sisters-in-law, several of my husband's cousins and his niece. They are professional African American women. I was the only white person there, but it wasn't weird because we've known each other for 25 years. I brought up the subject of Obama running for president. Everybody was pretty informed about him because he is our senator, but I was the only one who was excited about him running. At first I was shocked, but after talking for awhile I came to see their doubts and fears. They were afraid he'd get swift-boated or assassinated, but mostly they didn't think that white voters would vote for him. All of them were very skeptical and it took quite awhile for them to get on board, but they are there now. I'm just saying that they were not automatic votes, and I think that Obama has had to prove himself in the African American community the same as other communities.

I think it's insulting to say that African Americans vote for him because he's black. It gives them no credit at all for thinking beyond race and discounts the fact that they may agree with his platform or that they like him for his intelligence and leadership.

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"You can't have a light without a dark to stick it in." -- Arlo Guthrie

skipster

Why is it that you don't believe that my skin is black, matclone? Is it because you personally know me? Is it because I don't fit your stereotype of what a black man should do or say? Have you now declared me non-black because I don't fit your bigotted version of what a black person should be?

Also, why do you challenge my education? I am currently working on my PhD in Turfgrass Physiology. Do you not believe that a black man can pursue a doctoral degree? Do you not think that a black man can earn an advanced degree in a scientific field?

You advocate talking to black people personally, but when you hear from one on the forum and he disagrees with what you tell us is the sole and only "truth," you tell everyone that he is not black. What hypocrisy!!

BTW, you can't find out what "black people" think about ANYTHING, because INDIVIDUALS have thoughts which differ from one to the next. If I wondered what white people thought about taxation, should I ask a white person on this forum? You imply that all black people think the same -- which is not necessarily true. Just like thoughts can change from one white person to the next, they can change from one black person to the next.

Still, matclone, you can't seem to separate the person from his skin color. You have shown and implied that I can't possibly be black because I don't think, write, or pursue avenues of education and vocation that you think black people should pursue.

I guess we should remember that matclone holds the only possible truth and things in the world cannot possibly be so if they don't fit matclone's view. So, if you see a black man as a turfgrass professor someday (or currently), remember that this is not possible -- matclone said so. Matclone holds the truth, not the people who are actually doing it.