Will Obama Win Enough White Votes to Beat McCain?

Hillary and her supporters aren't giving up on her arguments that she's the most electable candidate because she's won among blue-collar whites. She told USA Today in an article published today:

"I have a much broader base to build a winning coalition on," she said in an interview with USA Today. As evidence, Clinton cited an Associated Press article "that found how Sen. Obama's support among working, hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again, and how whites in both states who had not completed college were supporting me."

"There's a pattern emerging here," she said.

Clinton's blunt remarks about race came a day after primaries in Indiana and North Carolina dealt symbolic and mathematical blows to her White House ambitions.

Yet Obama doesn't need a majority of blue-collar white voters to win the general election, and he's unlikely to win them all over. All he needs is enough whites in his coalition of liberals,concerned middle-class people worried about the economy, some fed-up blue-collar workers, enthusiasic young people and college students, and the 90%-plus of African-Americans to piece together a winning coalition. Indeed, he's competitive or ahead in several of the states that Hillary says that only she can win, including Ohio and Pennsyvlania. In fact, it's worth remembering that no Democratic presidential candidate since LBJ has won a majority of white voters. The search for these blue-collar "Reagan Democrats" to stay
with the Democrats may be as elusive as the search for the "NASCAR Dads" before the 2004 election, who had previously voted less than 30% for Democrats. As an ABC pollster observed before that Kerry vs. Bush election:

When we run data from our recent polls we find that married, middle- and lower-income white men account for a single-digit share of the national population, and support President Bush in precisely the same proportion as all white men. (Make it rural white men, and it goes down to low single digits.) And white men, particularly Southern white men, are a solidly Republican group, highly unlikely to swing anywhere, anyhow.

For good measure, we checked rural, suburban or small city married white men with children and incomes under $50,000 in the 2000 exit poll. They accounted for 2 percent of all voters, and supported Bush over Gore by 70 percent to 27 percent. You really want to call this a swing voter group?

Apparently white people hold a grudge for a long time: ever since Democrats pushed for African-American voting rights and integration, most whites haven't voted for a Democratic presidential candidate for over 40 years, even as the racial animus got translated into a cleaned-up anti-govenment, anti-crime, anti-tax message. The full story is told in such brilliant books as Chain Reaction co-authored by Huffington Post political director Thomas Edsall, well-chronicled in this early 90s' essay on the Democats' increasingly alienated white working-class and middle-class supporters who now potentially can be won back in hard times, especially after the Republican crack-up.

This Thursday, on the weekly "D'Antoni and Levine Show," with my co-host Portland broadcaster and HuffPost blogger, Tom D'Antoni, we explored these racial dynamics in the primary races ahead and in the general election. The show featured Washington, D.C. analyst Ian Fried, who is also Director of Blue Catapult Political Action Committee (bluecatapult.com), which supports Democratic congressional candidates challenging Republican-held seats. In the past he has worked in Congress and taught courses at various universities, including American University in Washington. You can read Ian's observations and insights in his posts to The Seminal blog (www.theseminal.com).

Fried is one of the best number-crunchers this side of NBC's political director Chuck Todd, and he also explored the impact Obama and Clinton could have on House and Senate races in the fall, making the case that he will be the stronger candidate.

Actually, it seems, Hillary isn't just playing the race card, she's playing the race deck -- throwing everything she can against the wall about Obama to see what sticks, in a last-ditch effort to convinces the superdelegates. But a nuanced look at the racial dynamics at Real Clear Politics, found that Obama's reduced some of the defections among whites since Ohio and Pennsylvania. That outlet's analyst found:

Clinton did about as well in Indiana as she did in Pennsylvania and Ohio with white men, white Protestants, and seniors. However, beyond this, she suffered a decline among her best groups. Notice in particular her decline among white women, white Catholics, and union households. Basically, the core of her voting bloc was still with her, but Obama picked off a larger portion of it than he did in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Some observers argue by speaking so bluntly about race, and invoking Jesse Helms/George Wallace-type comments about "hard-working" white people, she's playing to racial and class stereotypes again. At the Moderate Voice, blogger Elrod points out:

Well, if the USA Today interview with Clinton today is accurate, then she just made an appalling gaffe that goes well beyond the Bittergate comment.

She made the case for her continuation in the campaign by referencing her ability to win a broader coalition against the Republicans in the fall. One element of that coalition that has responded to her, and not to Obama, is non-college educated whites - particularly older ones. But instead of using the typical "blue collar voters" frame, she employed explicitly racial language that closely comports with classic racist rhetoric from the likes of George Wallace and Jesse Helms in the past.

She said, without baiting, that she wins "working, hard-working Americans, white Americans," and Obama cannot reach such voters. The implication is, of course, that hard-working goes hand-in-hand with white. Never mind that Obama has won hard-working black Americans, or that he's won whites everywhere outside the South and the Rust Belt.

The "hard-working Americans, white Americans" is a classic Wallace/Helms/Buchanan equation of whiteness with hard work and honesty. The opposite is either effete white intellectuals who don't work, or lazy blacks who also don't work. In fact, the Reagan coalition GOP even dropped the word "white," knowing that "hard-working" and "law-abiding" already implied, in their minds, white people.

I don't think Hillary Clinton really believes that only white people are hard-working. But she has to know that such phrasing is downright toxic given the racially polarized electorate in the primary. She has been accused - often unfairly - of race-baiting throughout the campaign. But this comment takes the cake and one can only hope it was a slip of the tongue and nothing else.

What makes this worse is the timing. She thinks the next big race is West Virginia and Kentucky (and Oregon) where she assumes that appeals to white working class voters are especially appropriate. The problem is that the people she needs to appeal to are the superdelegates, not voters in states with minimal delegate counts. She is trying to make the case for her electability to the superdelegates. But in doing so, she is treading on poisonous water that must make Democratic superdelegates cringe.

Will Hillary split apart the Democratic Party by demanding the full-seating of all Florida and Michigan delegates? Can Obama win enough whites in the primaries ahead to make his case as the stronger candidate in the fall in November? Can he help build a Democratic majority that is truly powerful enough to move a progressive agenda? Those questions are still to be definitively answered, but a head start towards understanding them came today with Ian Fried's trenchant analysis, now online at BlogTalk Radio.

***********

You can hear more about this year's election controversies, voting rights and the latest political trends on "The D'Antoni and Levine Show," with my co-host Tom D'Antoni, a Huffington Post blogger, every Thursday at 5:30 p.m., EST, at BlogTalk Radio

Comments

[randyjet]

This is incredible. The polling data shows Clinton winning outright over McCain and Obama being at best tied. She wins so far in FL, IA, OH by a large margin. Only a fool would think that Obama is a strong candidate against McCain. The fact is that Obama has programs and policies that will not get him more votes. He can't even come up with any plan about high gasoline prices and doesn't think it important enough to even try! THAT is being out of touch.

How about calling on Bush to stop taking oil OFF the market and putting into the SPR? How about saying he will crack down on the oil speculators and dump oil onto the market from the SPR. THAT will crash the oil speculators and drive down the price.

[GrainOSand]

How about diminishing supply of a finite resource that no one person can address as a problem to solve? How about a national movement towards energy conservation and retooling of workers and rebuilding of infrastructure? How about a national rethinking of standard of living for the good of securing the futures of children yet to be born? How about it is going to take the sacrifice of the masses to achieve transformation of our energy layer? How about John McCain is simply not the answer for a post industrial world requiring insight and vision that frankly escapes the man, not because of age but because of who he is as revealed in the public record. McCain is interested in being president and oh if I can solve a problem or two for the American people while I am president, well isn"t that nice. Obama may not be the answer but McCain is the problem.

[randyjet]

As a retired oil man, I can tell you that there is NO oil shortage that will hit in my lifetime or the near future. The oil shale in the Rockies has enough oil to meet the entire needs of the US at present rates of consumption for over 100 years. There are literally thousands of capped oil wells in Texas that have not been restarted. Peak oil has been touted ever since the 1920s and have ALL been WRONG! Venezuela has more oil that can be recovered with current technology now, and those reserves have more oil than the ENTIRE Mideast.
As a member of the masses, it used to be called the great unwashed masses in elitist terms, I am pissed that the support for high prices only hurts the masses and the wealthy can drive to their hearts content. BIGOT!
Post industrial is STUPID! We need to make things. THAT is called industry. We don't have Star Trek technology yet which will produce goods with no effort. Again, elitism at work in disdaining the FACT that SOMEBODY has to make what YOU use.

[randyjet]

As a white Vietnam era veteran, I will not be voting for Obama which is a great disappointment to me. When he announced, I was for him, until I looked at his web site and proposals, then I supported Edwards since he had the best program. Clinton has the second best proposals in her web site and speeches. She and McCain at least recognize that oil prices are way too high and something has to be done about it NOW! Obama agrees with Bush that the current situation is good, and that releasing oil from the SPR, taking oil OFF the market, and doing nothing about oil speculation is also good. This is a program that hurts the working man. The elites can afford high gas prices, the lower classes cannot.

Obama's health care program leaves me out and will do nothing to help me and the rest of the uninsured. He will take money from me in taxes to give health care to the poor, and make me pay for mine, and when I get ill, I get NOTHING if I can't. Gee, any wonder why most white working people don't want to vote for him? He wants the Chamber of Commerce plan for illegal immigration to help the corporations drive down wages and compete against black, white and Hispanic workers who are less educated. Until Obama and Democrats decide that they should fight for the ordinary people, they will LOSE! If Obama wins, I will lose.

[standforpeace]

Great post. Clinton's comments this week were outrageous and given all that's happened so far should not be chalked up to a slip of the tongue but rather to an effort to build a lopsided victory in West Virginia and Kentucky that she can use in a final appeal to the Super Delegates. Yesterday 9 of those Super Delegates let her know that her attempt to take the Democratic party back to the good ole days of 1950s Dixie was not appreciated. Good on them. As for Hillary...

[army193]

No the Question is will the White Voter Kill more American Soldiers for there entertainment.

[kaypic]

What a stupid question- Will Obama win enough white votes! How in the world do you think he is the leader in total votes. There surely aren't that many black voter in this USA. I'm a white woman, eighty years old, and for the first time in my life I have donated to a campaign. That's how much I think of Obama. I'm also tired of listening to all these so called experts that get paid for their personal opinions. For the future of our country and possibly the world - OBAMA/08

[tlcutter]

Obama will not get the latino vote.

[tbone99]

If Richardson is made VP, he might could.

[kempis]

Nor will he get the working class white vote.

He's really going to have to turn out huge numbers of AAs and academics and hacky-sackers to stand a chance against McCain.

[nomobull]

stop speaking for an entire group of people as though you can read their minds.

[jeanniem]

"Will Obama Win Enough White Votes to Beat McCain?"
At the end of the day, the big day, November 4, the answer will be a resounding yes!!
Every small r racist to big R racist will face a decision between these two men. The decision will be made by answering the question, do you wish to continue with the policies of Bush, are you pleased with the direction of your life, your family's life, under Bush, or do you believe America needs a new direction. If the answer is no, I don't want more Bush style government, and yes, America needs a new direction, BUT I won't vote for a black man, YOU'RE SCREWED. I believe our blue-collar, green-collar, purple-collar fellow citizens will show themselves to be a tad bit smarter than that.

[kempis]

It's not about race, but the more Obama-supporters make it about race, the more it's going to hurt Obama. It's about class. If Colin Powell were running, those same working class whites would have no qualms about voting for him.

Obama's problem isn't skin color, it's class. He cannot project strength and clarity. He's far too ruminative and philosophical and "soft".

But keep deriding anyone who doesn't support him as a racist and see how much white support he ends up with in November. You're setting him up to deal with a backlash.

[jeanniem]

Why is this difficult. Racism exists, and it exists in some x% of voters, but x < 100%.
You are aware of the Southern Strategy, Richard Nixon, the backbone of Republican ascendency of the last 30 years. It requires an imaginative mind to read into my words that I believe everyone not voting for Obama is a racist.

[tbone99]

For example the kind of rhethoric below ( from a post on another blog.) is DEADLY for Obama, Notice the use of the words PUNISH HER RACISM at the end. THAT is backlash material:

."The Clintons have been tailoring a subtle racist message for their whole campaign, attempting to paint Obama as if he is in the Jesse Jackson/Al Sharpton mode. They have mastered the area of public discourse where Whites believe something is neutral while Blacks believe it to be racist

With Hillary's and Bill's outright racist assertion regarding Barack's inability to get "hard working" white worker votes, they have crossed that line. Everyone but hard core racists like Pat Buchanan, Moron Joe and his adoring little sister Mika Zbig know the Clintons are playing the racism card now. Given that Barack has won more pledged delegates under the System , superdelegates must endorse NOW to punish her racism."

Obama supporters get a grip , if you want him to win . Think what you want, but tone down the racist accusations.It is not doing Obama justice as a man for all people!

[Knowledge]

ImHotep,

Nearly every interaction between Caucasians and African Americans is about race. You obviously have never been dark skinned. So you are in no position to be trying to speak as if you know what the lives of African Americans are like.

Anyway, the SUPREME BEING CAME TO me back on February 3rd early in the morning and spoke to me. I know it was the SUPREME BEING because it had woolly, white hair, and feet like Brass as if they burned in a furnace. The voice was powerful and like the sound of many rushing waters. The SUPREME BEING said that nneither Barack, nor Hillary would get enough votes to win the nomination outright. It will go to the convention where one of the Super Delegates will nominate Al Gore. After clearing his throat and Aw shucksing, Gore will accept. Then he will ask Barack to be his Vice President.

When the Republicans get to their convention, someone will nominate Dick Cheney. He will accept and then he will ask Condoleeza Rice to be his president.. Of course she will accept, and everything will be set for the final act in the downfall of the USA.

http://clyde.buildlastingsuccess.com

AmenRa

[rudyinbama]

It's interesting that everyone's decided he doesn't win over working class whites because he's black.
I guess Kerry and Dukakis were black, too.

[abby4ever]

I heard from Lanny Davis, of all people, that Jimmy Carter had the same problem getting the white working class vote.

[kempis]

Exactly. It's much more about Obama's persona, which is in the same academic, liberal, distant mold as Kerry and Dukakis.

But his smug and self-righteous supporters can't resist branding all opponents as racists. The GOP must be licking its chops right now.

[Jaradan]

"She has been accused - often unfairly - of race-baiting throughout the campaign. But this comment takes the cake and one can only hope it was a slip of the tongue and nothing else."

She, along with her philandering, disbarred husband, has been race-baiting since Day One of this campaign. Why do people keep insisting on giving her the benefit of the doubt? (that's rhetorical, btw) When she's clearly lying (e.g., Bosnia sniper fire), she didn't really mean it. When she clearly states "working, hard-working Americans, white Americans," we all know what she means. She didn't stutter. She even clarified "hard-working" with WHITE Americans, just in case any SDs were still unclear about what she was trying to say. And I might add, that the audio was taken and shared without her knowledge, so this is how she speaks in private when she doesn't think those "hard-working Americans, white Americans" (and the rest of us lazy people) are listening. She's a calculating, liar who enjoys slicing and dicing the American electorate into stereotypes. A vote for her is rewarding this kind of divisive politics and scheming. The old divide-and-conquer trick lives on...

[writeaway]

Its this type of comment from Jaradan thats been repeated over and over and over by Obamatons that has convinced me to vote for McCain. Arrianna, Chris Matthews and all of the so-called commentators who have ganged up on Sen. Clinton have been a deciding factor in Obama's success. I am still waiting to hear what "progressive values and social justice" these folks think will come out of an Obama presidency. I believe there are things in Obama's past that will alienate most 'thinking' people and he will never be elected. I don't see the 'charisma and eloquence' attributed to him by the Obamatons. All I have heard him say is "change" What change?

[tbone99]

and what what "progressive values and social justice" do you think will come out of a MCCain presidency. ?

[kempis]

Yep.

It's going to be interesting to see how much passion remains for Obama when he becomes more specific--if that ever happens.

[nomobull]

the fact that you have to label people obamatons turns people off before you can advocate for your candidate.

[JimR]

I disagree with your allegations, but I am sorry you are so bitter and angry. If you truly believe McCain would be better for the country, well... I don't know what to say.

[KarateKid]

I have great faith in the white race, that there are enough enlightened and non threatened, thinking individuals who will study the issues and pay attention to what the Republicans have done to screw things up for everyone.

Without the white vote, Barack Obama would not be where he is, folks, defeating the Democratic machine of the Clintons. He has raised almost 250 million from 1.5 million donors, mostly white. Yet, the media keep talking about Obama's inability to win white voters.

What the hell are they looking at? Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Louisiana, No. Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Virginia, Washington and the other states......they are not dominated by African American populations. In fact, where there ARE many African Americans, like California and New York, Clinton won. Look at a map of the United States and look where Obama has won. It's amazing.

[p0s3r]

"He has raised almost 250 million from 1.5 million donors, mostly white."
Are you saying African Americans are too poor to donate to Obama?

Absolutely disgusting comment. You should be banned.

[Jaradan]

No, he's stating a fact. I'm black and I'm not offended by the FACT that Barack has raised most of his money from white donors. They have more money to donate. God bless generous white people who are ready for change.

Obama '08

[ethancorso]

Seriously? Get over yourself...he was merely stating a fact.

[abby4ever]

I don't think that post is bad enough for banning, you must have a low tolerance threshold.

[jfor]

How pathetic are you? Come join us in the sunlight.

[tlcutter]

pos3r, you are the one who went there not karate kid. He stated a fact, you jump to a conclusion. So who is the bigot.

[whatevertoo]

You are on point with this one.

[arthuride]

I have more than one earned doctorate--and my education spans public to private universities. I am not enlightened because I see past the rhetoric of Obama and check the facts? Obama has done nothing of credit since he took his seat in the Senate that has helped the nation black or white.

[editorjuno]

You obviously have not read his impressive record as a legislator -- it's for more impressive than Senator Clinton's!

[SharonWantsToTalk]

I'm no Hilliary supporter. Shes my Senator and I like her as that. I took 3 days off of work before the PA primary to canvas for Obama there. I think she is tired. She sounded so and flubbed up. Give her a break, Its not as evil as you make her out out to be.

[Jaradan]

If you say so. I don't trust proven liars. Tell me, exactly how many times does she need to "flub" in order for you to call her what she is - a liar?

[Deaninphilly]

WOW, just because she said something nice about Sen. Clinton you discount her post and make a negative remark. Typical.

Liar or not she is a good Senator for NY and wins more than the majority of people democrats and republicans alike.

I've grown soooooooo tired of the people on here being sooooooo hypocritical of Sen. Clinton yet doing the exact same thing. You support Sen. Obama, nice, that's great, good for you. Last I checked you don't know exactly what Sen. Obama thinks of Sen. Clinton so don't presume too and don't presume to "defend" him by espousing disparaging remarks in her direction in "defense" of Sen. Obama. I would gander to guess that he really doesn't like it as much as you might think he does.

[tbone99]

You know Obama has made some questionably honest remarks too, like he never knew how Wright thought , after 20 years.!

These people are not saints they're politicians.Please don't pretend Obama is holy , its not becoming to him.We need a real man in the race, not a saint.

[BigMike75]

I can't begin to detail the depth of disgust and disdain I've developed for the Clintons since this primary process has started. I've seen Hillary use just about every slimy ploy, tactic, and strategy to try and win this nomination, and still she is losing even though she started with the biggest political advantage of any candidate in history. With her comments in the USA today she managed to alienate every african american, latino, and ethnic voter in this country. As if they aren't "hard working" and they're vote isn't as important. Her campaign of entitlement, and her self serving agenda is blood boiling. Obama will lose the white male vote, and still have a SOLID chance to win the general election because he has empowered so many new voters across a number of different demographics. I'm sick of Hillary and her supporters that have reflected her rhetoric, threatening the process with their vote for Mccain. You are seeing a cretin at her finest!

[justShareandbeNice]

I agree with every word you said, except I think Obama will persuade many white men to vote for him.

I think that a very solid trend is that the more people hear Obama speak, or read about him, or just plain learn some simple facts (like, he isn't Muslim) the more they like him.

I can't stand the lumping of people into these demographic groups, anyway. It totally denies the complexity of people lives. People are much wiser than they often let on. That wisdom just needs to be tapped. For decades now, people's ignorance and biases and racist tendencies have been tapped.

Changing this is part of what Obama means when he talks about really, truly changing politics in this country. Sounds impossible, but if we change the way we think and act, then everything shifts. Obama is a great role model for being faithful to your ethics and values and showing how consistently remaining true to your words and values actually does pay off. It is very powerful indeed.

Not that he is perfect. He is a flawed human being like all of us. But he is a great leader, I believe.

[TrixtersMom]

VERY well said. One thing that has been so amazing about Obama's campaign is that I have seen such intelligence, such understanding and beauty in SO many people who support him. That alone has given me so much hope for the future of this country. Obama is bringing out the thinkers, opening minds and empowering people in HUGE numbers. I am so proud to be part of it! And I can't wait til I can be PROUD of the president of my country!

Obama '08! YES WE CAN and YES WE WILL!

[Jaradan]

Last night on Obama's community blog, we all shared our demographic bio. info. and I was pretty shocked to learn how many of his strong supporters are non-college educated. If we let the media tell it, that demographic doesn't support Obama at all...Just goes to show how much the media gets it wrong. These are people who I have been sharing wonderful conversations with for months and we have lots of differences, but we all have the same thing in common - a belief that America can be much better. THAT is what a unifier does.

[Damianna]

Also, Mike, I think the Clintons have not changed - they were always using slimy ploys, tactics and strategies to win at any cost - we just didn't realize it until now.

[arthuride]

"Threatening the process with their vote for McCain"? What does that mean--it reads as if there is no democracy in the USA but we process votes like cut meat. Thanks for the education. I had decided to vote Third Party (Green, as it has a black woman running for president....) but you convinced me, a highly educated male who was an Iowa Chair of the Democratic Party to vote for McCain in November. I will now spend my time getting other Democrats to "threaten the process" and prove that democracy still exists--for a little time more--and vote for McCain.

[atp2007]

With the right VP he can win over the white vote easily, at least the true Democrats as well as Independents and republicans who don't want more Bushism. There are several possible VPs in the party that can play the LBJ-Dick Chaney role for this ticket.

[MourningDude]

All the Obamabots threaten Hillary that if she wins the nomination that all the black voters will sit out the election.

Of course, they never mention what women voters will do if Hillary is snubbed...

The fact is that black voters have gone 90+% for the Dems in every recent election. Obama getting an extra 1-2% of the black vote isn't going to win him the election. Especially if they lose 5-10% of white women voters.

[ObserverinVancouver]

The only way Sen. Clinton can win the nomination is by the superdelegates' betraying African Americans. If that happens, a whole bunch of air starts leaking from the balloon. All the new voters, especially new young voters, will feel betrayed too. An awful lot of them will just drift away.

If Sen. Obama wins the nomination it will not be because Sen. Clinton has been "snubbed". He will win because he built a better organization (that understood and followed the rules) and won more delegates.

What women voters will do on election day is such it up and vote for Sen. Obama because that's preferable to having Roe v. Wade overturned and that is inevitable if McCain is elected. In other words if they want the legal right to control their own bodies they have to vote for Sen. Obama.

[ResidentChimp]

Spin, spin, spin. There have been more conservative Presidents before McCain and roe Vs wade was never overturned. Stop fear mongering. Obama and his supporters don't want to count every vote or let every vote count. We still have States who have a right to have their voices heard until one condidate reaches the requisite number to declare a victor. That hasn't happen yet. Why do Obamaniacs want to alienate the very voters they need to win in November? Florida, Michigan and all the other States that haven't voted yet. And if you think women voters are going to "suck" it up at your behest, you're a much bigger misogynist than your posts implies.

[speechteach]

I am a hard working middle class white woman who supports Obama. I support him because he wants to change the type of politics going on in America. I also support him because he is intelligent, is willing to admit his mistakes and has learned from them, does not pander to get votes, and will surround himself with the best and brightest appointments (in the manner of Abe Lincoln). We can see what has happened to the Clinton campaign, and it makes me wonder if a White House with her in it will be run the same way. It appears that she employs cronies while Obama and his campaign staff have run a very efficient and positive campaign. If Obama finally secures the nomination, I hope other women, of any race or religion, will support him. We cannot allow McCain to win and send more money and lives to fight in a war that should not have been. Nor can we afford to let the Republicans keep destroying our economy by getting our country farther and farther into debt. Let's be rational about this and rally around the Democratic nominee so we can take back this country! If you only read the first couple of chapters in Obama's book, "The Audacity of Hope", you will see that he is committed to changing this country for the better! This is the year that we should win back the White House, if only we quit the bickering and support our nominee.

[justShareandbeNice]

He is gaining every day in the "white woman" category. Catch a clue.

How could Hillary have possibly lost her "inevitable" win without losing white women? I am a white woman and know many, many white women who detest Hillary's tactics and love Obama.

She isn't being snubbed. She lost an election. Get over it.

[slobone]

But the turnout among African Americans eligible to vote was only 56% in 2004 -- white turnout was 60%. Don't you think a lot of black voters will show up to vote for the first black candidate, who would have stayed home if it was Hillary?

[Jaradan]

You make absolutely no sense. Black voters have been the most loyal to the Democratic party. That's why getting the black vote will get you more Democratic delegates than any other demographic. The Democrats know this. Until the "blue-collar white vote" or "white women vote" can consistently vote for Democrats, then that's how it will continue to be...

[kidlucky]

Barack never said i am black, vote for me. Hillary says I am a woman, vote for me.

Black people did not vote 90 percent for Obama in the beginning.

Black super delegates did not support Obama, white people did and white super delegates did.

Black people did not give him the win in Iowa.

Hillary has played the gender card and a race card and she has done it throughout her campaign

I believe that there are racist democrats and there are sexist democrats but a real democratic president does not have to stoop so low use these tactics. If hard working white people want a president who will divide us Americans up so that we never work together than we as Americans lose. If hard working white Americans want a woman president who will be just like other male presidents before her then vote for Hillary and we can have a war mongering, divisive, non listening to what the public wants president. But if hard working white people want a real voice in government that will represent them along with all Americans and will not play favorites and work in the best interest in all of us Americans then vote Obama.

[MourningDude]

I love all the preachy sermons about "dividing us" now that Obama is losing entire voting blocks. This from those who want to stick it to the 'evil' rich, that we actually live in "two Americas", and think all white people are racist and xenophobic.

[justShareandbeNice]

Obama is "losing entire voting blocks"? Isn't that what this article was debunking?

Please link to some evidence or analysis that shows that Obama is losing "entire voting blocks". I am so tired of Clinton apologists just repeating whatever meme Hillary et al have put out for the day. Start thinking for yourselves.

Why can't Clinton supporters just accept Obama as the candidate? He is a great candidate... everyone was always saying "wow, we have such a good group of good candidates" back several months ago. So, stick with the one that one fair and square.

The goal is to prevent the neocons from destroying our country. Now, do you really think Obama is the bad guy? Come on, join the team. He CAN and WILL beat McCain.

[Breni]

Blacks only began to vote OVERWHELMINGLY for Obama when they saw that WHITES were voting for him. ONLY then did they realize that possibly a black COULD win - thus, they jumped ship.

"Hate America/Hate Whitey", "Small town people cling to Bibles and guns", "America is just down-right mean", "I've never been proud of America until my husband ran for president" - Obama and his wife are divisive. They like to play the race card a lot more than Hillary would even dare.

[whatevertoo]

It is amazing how posters twist someone words around and take them completely out of context and post them as facts, even using quotation marks as if they were the exact words that were said, amazing. What is more amazing is how you can state "only then did they realize" how do you know what black people realized? Are you a mind reader of Black people? Do you posses some type of special powers that enable you to know what Black people are thinking. I would like to know how you came to this conclusion when the predominantly white states voted in the primary first. To make such a comparison wouldn't the predominantly black states need to have voted first? In other words the few blacks that did vote in the Iowa, Wyoming, New Hampshire voted for Clinton and then changed their minds once they saw the white vote for Obama, jumped ship and revote for Obama. Which also means that the Black people in South Carolina only voted for Obama after they saw that white people in Iowa Wyoming and New Hampshire vote for him. Meaning they had no intentions on voting for him previously.. And this is substantial how? Oh that's right the mind reading thing that you got going on. What an asinine why of thinking. Has common sense in America left and moved to another planet? Some people just put to much stock, and belief into what the media writes as being truthful, accurate or factual.