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AP Poll: Obama Loses 6 Points Due to Race
If you haven't read about the AP poll on race and the election, go take a look.
To be frank, it's pretty disheartening. And not just in terms of Obama's electoral chances. It says some pretty awful things about America. Did you know that more than a quarter of white Democrats feel that "if blacks would only try harder, they could be just as well off as whites"? And that nearly four in 10 white independents feel the same way? When given an opportunity to label blacks, 22 percent of whites agreed with the word "boastful," 29 percent reach for "complaining," and 13 percent go with "lazy."
The write-up takes care to note that whites more frequently have positive things to say about blacks than negative things, and that many whites who feel negatively about blacks are still eager to vote for Obama (yay, exceptionalism!). But it concludes: "Obama's support would be as much as 6 percentage points higher if there were no white racial prejudice."
A couple key questions. Will that 6 percent be erased by increased support among minorities? Obama will almost certainly do better among blacks than John Kerry, and he is solidifying the Hispanic vote as the election goes along. In effect, will Obama gain as many votes because of his race as he loses?
And will the 6 percent of voters who presumably would vote for a white Democrat be swayed if Obama performs ably in the three debates? If Obama defies every stereotype of blacks that these misguided voters believe in, will he be able to earn their votes? Or is racism beyond reason?
Update: Just saw something over at TNR — 42 percent of white Democrats agree with the following statement: "Italians, Irish, Jews and other minorities overcame prejudice and worked their way up; blacks should do the same without special favors."
Wouldn't you think Democrats who feel this way would support Obama, because he has done exactly what they think all blacks should do? If they honestly believed in an up-by-your-bootstraps worldview that was devoid of racism, they would applaud a man who has — through hard work, talent, intelligence and no special favors — beaten the odds. But in reality, just 61 percent of these Democrats back Obama, indicating that there is either (1) a distaste for blacks at the root of their answer, or (2) a suspicion on their part that no matter how well Obama hews to the "rugged individualism" ideal, he will begin dispensing undeserved handouts to blacks as soon as he takes office.
"And will the 6 percent of voters who presumably would vote for a white Democrat but won't vote for Obama be swayed if he performs ably in the three debates?"
Wishful thinking. I'm saddened by the amount of people who would vote against their interests based solely on skin color, but not entirely surprised. Racism is at its very core irrational, and those that hold irrational beliefs are very unlikely to change.
I'd probably note here that the 6 percent reflects those who will admit that they won't vote for Barack because he's black.
There may be even more white folks who won't end up voting for him, without ever admitting even to themself that race is the reason.
On the other side of this coin, there certainly have to be some Americans who will vote for Barack simply because he's black. Whether it's because they're a racial minority too, or because of the 'white guilt' factor or whatever.
Will the net result be a wash?
Or will the race factor tip the result in one direction or the other?
We'll probably never know what the overall effect was, but you can bet we'll be debating it for years to come.
I read the poll,it started me to think about a a young black women a Lt Prerez. She was killed in Iraq two years ago. I Have a picture of her in her West point grays. She died for a country in which 40 percent of white people see her only in terms of her race,a nigger.Thats all her life is worth to these people the color of her skin.No matter what she achives, no matter what her level of education she might attain,no matter how good a person she was , she is still a nigger. Then these idots wonder why Black people are "angery"?
Hey People,
Why isn't it JUST as important when so many black people are voting for obama BECAUSE he is a brother..?
Why is it that black racism is accepted but imagined white racism is hyped..?
I, and many other people, am getting sick and tired of them NEVER making a big deal about it being "OK" for 95% of blacks to vote for obama, solely, for the reason he is black...!!!
If you had 95% of the white people voting for McCain since he is white, you would have riots in the streets.
Well, I think we WILL be having riots when obama and his baby momma lose..!!!
Oh, and a note to the rioters in los angels, many people are volunteering to sit on rooftops of the oriental businessmen this time. We will not let the gang banger trash and burn LA like they did before...:-)
Bill
Bill Nigh - you should wake up and realize that you, as with most of America, have more in common with poor and middle class blacks, whites, latinos and Asians than you do with the rich and connected of any stripe. Making racist comments and having an elitist attitude must make you feel right up there on top...
What does your comment have to do with the points i brought up..?
Oh, nothing, since you have NOTHING to say about black racists doing exactly what they THINK white people are doing..HUH..?
Boy, you just hate it when people point out your reverse racism..:-)
BIll
I'd just point out that IF 95% of blacks voting for Obama simply because he's black, it wouldn't be nearly stupid as stupid as the 6% of whites voting based on race, because THEY wouldn't be voting against their own interests. If every individual voter actually took the time to analyze which candidate would be best for them, McCain would only get between 5 to 10% of the vote. If you take all the intangibles out of the race and simply focus on which candidate benefits the widest range of the population, Obama is it. Hands down. From white collar professionals at the top to poor folks on government assistance, you are better off with Obama. The only folks who benefit from a McCain presidency are the top 5%.
Finally, I would challenge your number anyway. J. C. Watts or Alan Keyes wouldn't garner many of those votes.
Angry white guy is pathetic, but always good for a laugh.
This Bradley Effect in this instance is overhyped. First of all, there's no way to account for those who will vote for the first time (black or not) because of Barack Obama. Add in the massive voter registration effort, the fact that the Dem candidate is not Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson or an African-America widely considered threatening to suburban white America.
Lastly, why are liberals so focused on the negative ALL THE TIME, talking yourselves out of something good and strong and viable. There was gnashing of teeth and tearing of clothes when McCain took a one-point lead in the polls. Grow a pair. Stop whining and do something other than watch Countdown to take back your country.
Maybe Phil Gramm was right.
Dan's response to Bill (hi Bill! thanks for the traffic!) is the correct one. When 95% of African-Americans vote for Obama, they are voting for the candidate that is from the party that has traditionally respected their rights and their priorities, as well as worked for their interests. This is proved true decade after decade. To be honest, it's surprising that 5% would vote for the other guy.
Please remember that the AP/Yahoo poll was written by Ron Fournier, Karl Rove's 'e-mail buddy. Fournier has written countless negative articles about Obama. These latest polls about race is exactly what the conservative base does when it's grasping for air because they are drowning in their own pool of lies. Read the fine print on these polls....it speaks volumes.
To the person who is ranting about 'black racism', your mindset is exactly why this country will never evolve from the subject you seem to "think" you know about. Quite frankly, you fit the percentage of an uneducated, and illiterate hot-head. Have you ever tried to have a civil dialogue with anybody without threatening violence? You sound like someone who has a major chip on their shoulder. My suggestion would be to dump it quick before it consumes you. It could be your demise.
Hey,
obama might be WORSE than jackson..:-) After we saw his pastor and what his feelings were... That episode taught Americans what obama REALLY feels about the rest of the country..:-)
BIll
. As a black women and a democrat that left the party last week I am sick and tired of the hate and lies being spewed out of the party. It shows outright blatant sexisium and a vicious assault on a mother of 5 children who showed the world us sisters can do it! Without a bunch of keep them on the reservation socialist liberal garbage that I was brainwashed into following for 28 years. We sisters are finally free at last
Look Obama is now crying racism about McCain Commercial showing Obama's financial advisors Franklin Raines and the whose who of Fannie Mayes Corrupt thieves. Every time this FILTHY Lying POLITICAL SCUM Hack Obama gets the light shinned on him he cries racism. Do not forget he called Bill Clinton a racist when Clinton called Obama a liar
This u tube video is the final nail to McCain campaign
must see.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8
Hey People,
Where is the Capt..? or that Wexler guy...? These normally prolific blogers...?
Oh, they are hiding and cowering behind obama and baby mama..:-)
You people never realized that i am a NORMAL buy, and that what i say is just what the average American thinks..HUH..?
The previous poseters are a little over the top, but this is what obama is REALLY like...:-)
I LOVE THIS>.!!!!
Bill
As I said before - 95% of Americans of all colors have more in common with each other than they do with the other 5 percent (Obama, McCain, included) All of this forward/reverse racism talk is just part of the self-replicating virus of racism institutionalized by wealth and priviledge - Keep the lower economic classes pitted against each other with stereotypes and unfounded prejudice so they don't pay attention to who is really the source of their predicament. Take a look around at who is really got their foot on you - Was it African Americans or Latino immigrants that caused the financial crisis? Sent your job overseas? get real
THEWEEK.com has linked to you in a piece titled "How racism hurts Obama" - You have been featured as Best Opinion!
hosting thank you very much