Why Hillary Trumps Obama with Black Voters
It had the earmark of an old 1960s civil rights revival and rally. But it was the 91st annual NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet in Charleston, South Carolina in September. And there was Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton with arms linked on the dais, swaying, rocking, and belting out a rendition of "We Will Overcome." Clinton then proceeded to give a rip roaring speech in which she publicly vowed to do everything from aggressively fighting hate crimes to strengthening voting rights. It was the kind of civil rights speech that top Democrats in campaigns past have sprinted from like the plague.
A couple of months before Hillary's South Carolina love fest, she uttered a word that top Democratic presidential contenders in the recent past have virtually exorcised from their vocabulary, the word: racism. During a debate at Howard University she intimated that racism drove public policy in how Americans dealt with the HIV/AIDS plague. Clinton told the mostly black audience that if young white women were dying at the rate young blacks were from AIDS there would be a national outcry. That kind of blatant point the finger at racism talk wasn't heard from Democratic presidential contenders in two failed presidential campaigns against Bush. The audience went wild at hearing that.
Clinton's real aim was to send a big, forceful message to chief Democratic presidential campaign rival Barack Obama that she, not he, is the real civil rights candidate. Judging from the polls the message has been received. During the early months after both tossed their hats in the presidential ring, Clinton and Obama ran side by side in the avowed admiration and loyalty blacks gave the pair. In a June 2007 Gallup poll, blacks by 8 to 1 margins had favorable views of both them.
When it comes to who they'll actually vote for, it's no contest. Hillary gaps Obama with black women voters, especially lower income, working class black women. Nearly three times more black women say they'll back Hillary over him. She is a woman, mother, and most importantly is regarded by many black women as a strong advocate for health care and women's interests.
But Hillary also runs neck and neck with Obama in the race to net the overall votes of blacks. It's no surprise why Hillary has outflanked Obama on the civil rights front. Start with Bill, that's hubby Bill Clinton. Despite his centrist, and at times very race neutral and hostile policies, especially his emphasis on crime, middle-class tax cuts, and his proposals to overhaul welfare without significant boosts in spending on job, education and child care, Clinton was seen as the only president with the arguable exception of Lyndon Johnson who did more for blacks than any other president.
The nostalgia and fond remembrances for Bill and the Clinton name still sends shivers up the spines of many black voters. "The name is magical in a lot of black communities," notes South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn," and some of those residual emotions are still there. Clyburn wasn't measuring Bill for his place in American history; he was eying the lift that he could give to wife Hillary, and Clyburn, as expected, was on the dais in an arm lock with Hillary at the Freedom Banquet.
Hillary hasn't rested solely on Bill's laurels and his gargantuan fund raising capacity. She has carefully parlayed a strong network among black ministers, politicians, and Democrats within and without the Congressional Black Caucus, and state black elected officials. In addition to the goodwill of blacks and the endorsement of legions of black politicians, she has a heftier campaign war chest than Obama and will spread money around to sweeten the pot to bag other potential political endorsers.
However, the warm fuzzy feel for Bill, her contacts, her money, and her civil rights pronouncements by themselves wouldn't necessarily guarantee her political one-upmanship over Obama with blacks. Polls consistently show that she's light years ahead of him on the experience and qualifications scale and that translates out to electability. That means volumes to black voters. The loath of Bush by black voters is so deep and implacable that they are desperate for a Democrat who can snatch back the White House. The hard reality for Obama is that in a head to head contest with the Republican nominee, he would need the backing of a near majority of white and Hispanic voters in several key swing states, and that includes Louisiana and Florida, to win those states and the general election. At this stage of the presidential game, that's virtually impossible for a black candidate.
They are not naïve about Hillary. They know that GOP hardliners are licking their chops at a Hillary candidacy and will load up their barrels to tar her as evil incarnate. Yet, she still seems a far better bet than Obama to beat back the assault and to be the Democrat that will raise her hand to take the oath of office in January 2009. That's no knock against Obama, but it tells why she trumps him with black voters.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His new book The Latino Challenge to Black America: Towards a Conversation between African-Americans and Hispanics (Middle Passage Press, October 2007).
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It will be interesting to see how it all shakes down. What you say has it's truth but there are other considerations which may trump those facts. It looks to me like a real toss up at this point
I like them both - Hillary and Barack, in that order.
But I will take them in any order.
that should read "Mrs. Clinton is someone blacks know."
Mrs. Clinton is someone blacks. Like it or not they don't know Obama. He has no history with blacks who wield some political influence and power. Sure the young black politicians may endorse him, but they are like Rumfeld's "New Europe" they are willing but don't have any power or influence.
Mr. Hutchinson states very clearly the reason I could never vote for Obama. He is a punk on racism. It's a deal breaker for me. He won't even talk about it for fear of offending the good white folks who have placed him on an undeserved pedestal. And that speech about "one America" at the convention made me gag. Maybe in the white world he came from everything is rosy, but racism affects blacks from employment, to health care, to justice and the fact that he is unwilling to address it, is just plain cowardly. If he is unwilling to address racism NOW, then he's not going to address if he becomes POTUS.
What candidate do you know who's going to be black enough for you, then?
Obama can't just be the President of Black America and carry the cross of Black America on his back.
He's got to be the president for all Americans.
And his presidency would do a lot in breaking the psychological bonds of racism, in that he would be a role model for young black children who could then aspire to be President of the United States.
Nope. Being President is "acting white", just like getting good grades is.
Racism is a national issue. If he's going to be "president for all Americans why does he remain quiet on racism? Evidently blacks are not American enough for him.
I can imagine the discussions he has with his advisors telling him to not offend his white supporters at the expense of blacks. You KNOW that's exactly what happens and yet you want him to be a role model for young black children. I think our children deserve better.
If Obama addresses racism, the same white folks who placed him on an "undeserved pedestal" will abandon him. But if Hillary addresses racism, this same white folks will view it as being politics as usual, tongue in cheek.
and she'll continue the Clinton legacy of escalating the war on drugs at the same time...rea
No one can ever tell me what the Clintons did that was so great for black America, or what legislation Hillary has passed that should make me want to vote for her.
All anyone ever talks about is Bill when they talk about voting for Hillary.
Shawshank,
Once again, you have hit the nail on the head. Obama is admired by the white public because he makes them feel comfortable. He has a "credit to the race" type of image.
I am not blaming him for this; however, it is what it is....
Whites love to reward Blacks who make them feel safe and less fearful. If Obama were to address racism in a straight-forward manner, he would be punished with plummeting poll numbers and seen as another "Black malcontent"
The truth is that the Black presence in this nation is a constant and malicious threat in the hearts and minds of the white majority.
Whites FEAR of Black people are the surest sign of racism.
Take it to the Bank!!!
Feelfree! Feel free to write more! We need more well informed and observant people like you on this Board! Keeps the "herd's" baying at bay!
"He's a punk on racism"
-feelfree
That is just plain ridiculous. And you know it. Do your research on him and you'll come to a different conclusion.
I believe what Michael Fauntroy (a HUFFPO BLOGGER) wrote about Obama last month: "What Jackson and others who are criticizing Obama on this ("Jena6") issue seem to forget is that overtly and exclusively Black candidates cannot become president. Yes, they can win 11 primaries and nearly seven million votes, as Jackson did in 1988, but they can't win a nomination. Obama can only be as Black as White America will allow, so don't expect to see him front-and-center on controversial racial issues. Be patient with Obama, Black America. He is walking a tightrope unlike any other presidential candidate in American history."
And walking a tightrope doesn't make you a sellout. Because if it does, then I want you to ask Hillary why she isn't talking about the cruel reality of sexism more than she does? You know why she doesn't? Because she will still need a sizeable amount of men to get her elected, the same way Barack will need a sizeable amount of whites to get elected. Period.
And let me take this further: Tavis Smiley (one of my favorite journalists) said in Februsry at his BLACK STATE OF THE UNION that "When you make America better, you make Black America better." And Barack is following this formula. His legislation, which can viewed here http://www
His whole political premise is to explain the color- and ethnic- specific differences (and experiences) that make us unique, and, to explain the color- and ethnic-neutral commonalities that bring us together. And I believe he is doing a great job.
Barack's life has been about being a unifying voice...th
Go Barack!
Earl,
Keep hope alive and keep angling for that Clinton staff position *wink*
Yes, look at Ron Dellums, promised a position by Clinton already for his endorsement. That is how Clinton is going after the black vote.
This is a completely ridiculous piece.
I am speaking as a black person and what i see is that many black people simply don't KNOW about Barack (as my father in N. Carolina told me... "we don't get any news about Barack Obama out here. It's only Republicans and Hillary).
Also, sadly many black people have the belief that White America won't vote for a black man.
When they learn more about his policies, who he is, his intellect, his strong marriage, etc. And that white people DO support him, they change their thoughts and their votes FAST!!!
Yeah. You are not black.
Yes I am.
Earl, you should know better than to write this and it makes me want to enter a response of my own. Look, we as Blacks fear success and Barack represents breaking a glass ceiling some of us are all too comfortable with.
One more thing Mr. Hutchinson
"Polls consistently show that she's light years ahead of him on the experience and qualifications scale and that translates out to electabili
What polls shows her "light years" ahead of Obama in terms of experience and qualifications? Polls don't show that sir. Polls merely provide a snapshot of what the particular sample of participants think and feel. So, to put it more correctly, "NATIONAL POLLS" consistently indicate that a majority of those polled see Hillary Clinton as "more experienced" or "more qualifified". That's the way to put it.
Because truly Mr. Hutchinson, you and I both know that the polls you cite deal with "perception" of experience
"Even on the much hyped question of experience, Clinton, Edwards, and Obama are roughly equal, each having no more than a decade of legislative experience and no executive experience. Given the historic opportunity of an electorate desperate for change and disinclined to elect another Republican president, the Democratic contest is really about who will be the most transformational president. Obama's case is that to change anything in America, we have to begin by changing our politics, and he offers the kind of campaign he is running as evidence that he means it."
In fact, GQ probably looked at what Bill Clinton said in 1992 about "experience":
"I believe experience counts, but it's not everything. Values, judgment and my record...a
Bill is right.
Go Barack!
Who on earth decided that Hillary is more "electable" than the other Democratic candidates? If any Democrat can blow it in November, it is she.
The ONLY candidate who WILL bring dramatic and meaningful change to America... IS John Edwards. These two are PRETENDERS! I would not trust Hillary as far as I could throw her. The Norman Hsu "deal" was demonstrative of her complete lack of integrity. Disappear for a week ... and it will all just go away... and that's what she did. J R
As a black female voter, I feel that Hillary is condescending to black women. She uses whatever strategy she can to get balck vote.
She does that to get any vote.
Hillary is a consummate politician -- for better or for worse.
And we've already seen what worse can do -- so almost any Democratic change is welcome.
This is an opportunity to dramatically change the direction of America for the better and people like yourself are only willing to fight to merely gain the advantage of electing the lesser of two evils?
That is appalling!
You have been brainwashed by the voice of corporate America to accept the candidate bought and paid for by corporate America. The candidate that has never met a lobbyist with whom she would not "consort." Norman asked,"How much is that little "candidate" in the window? Hillary says $850,000 Norman.
SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER!
OOPs! Norman has been in exile for 15 years Hillary... Hillary says, " How could I not be aware of Normans troubles w/ the law after all those dinner parties over the years?" Just one example out of many of the disingenuousness of Hillary, her husband, and the rest of the DLC corporatist cabal.
It's "The Money Party" which is the reality, and two parties that are just a diversion for the masses. The Democrats are the foil for the Republicans much like the Washington Generals are to the Harlem Globetrotters.
The American political system is a false competition and the American people are the "suckers" who are being "taken for a ride"... for the benefit of... "The Corporatio
A disaster for America is looming if Democrats allow the "Corporatists" to continue their rule... w/ Hillary or any "other" Republicans. J R
Perhaps you are mistaking Hillary for Oprah.
(:
This is a non-issue for me, but for people who do care, they should contrast the Clinton and Obama marriages and see what results. Hillary Clinton has been insulted and demeaned by the relationship she has with her husband and his relationships with other women. The Obamas, on the other hand, seem to be a marriage of equals and mutual respect. I am not black, but if I were, I would find Barack and Michelle Obama more of a role model and inspiration than the Clintons. And please, don't anyone come back at me with the argument that a political couple's marriage is their own business and shouldn't affect their performance. In reality, it does. I would say Clinton's immorality and his wife's enabling of it helped at least partially to allow Bush to lie his way into the WH.
Hillary's a regular wife and mom - we've all been married to a governor/President and now multimillionaire. The latest ipsos poll, if you want to go by polls, shows 66% of blacks accept Obama as experienced enough. We OBama volunteers talk to black voters one-on-one and show that Clinton Welfare Reform sent millions of kids into poverty with quotes courtesy of the Children's Defense Fund Exec. Director; we tell them HRC's website brags CDF was her first employer. We discuss her ties to military contractors, lobbyists and PACs; her gift to Cheney, Bush, Lieberman and Kyle, declaring the Iranian Revolutionary Guards terrorists and subject to military attack. We compare that to her Iraq vote. We add Obama made the childcare subsidy six times more than the Clintons so the program could work for poor single parents in Illinois. 9 of 10 African Americans I chat with sign up for BO, a window sign to proudly display at home and a bumper sticker. Prepare for a long-overdue defeat of the Clintons in black communities. Bill was not the first black President, and Hillary Clinton is not, as she has had the nerve to state, in an interracial marriage. Obama has a proven record against racial profiling, the biggest issue in our communities as it wrecks chances for school/work and takes money out of our communities at the rate of thousands of dollars per profiling incident, just to bail out in time to keep a job. Clinton can take credit for higher penalties for crack cocaine and for mandatory sentencing guidelines that more than doubled the prison population - since Hillary claims Bill's administration as her prior experience. Obama polled 30% overall right before his state senate election, then got 52% of the vote, sweeping every county in Illinois for the first time in history. The hilarity of that failed Illinois poll on Obama means black folks especially don't trust polls. We regular non-politi
Earl, are we looking at a major meltdown. Could it be that Black folks have just totally lost any kind of grip we may have had? Have we just lost our minds entirely?
Have we not figured out yet that Slick Willie was a complete and total disaster for Black America?
As a black female Hillary will not get my vote, neither my daughters or my grandaughters.
According to Crystal dated September 26, 2006:
Oh, people truly need to wake up.People that are voting for Hillary fit into one of two categories: 1) they are voting for her because she is a woman or 2) they are voting for her because they liked Bill. Either of the two are not good enough for me given the current situation our country is in. You need to read about Obama’s stance on issues and compare them to Hillary's.
The crime bill that Clinton has advocated and voted for has disproportionately affected black men. “[The Crime Bill] has meant that most of the nation’s 5.5 million black males aged 18-39 would be incarcerated…The impact that this will have on the Black community is difficult even to fathom.”
Also her healthcare policy,
Hillary’s plan would be too financially burdensome for lower-income individuals and families. And by mandating health insurance, it is clear that she didn’t have poor people in mind.
Such a mandate would be too invasive and would restrict personal freedom and choice. If she’s mandating health insurance, she needs to come out and tell us how she intends to enforce it. Because I’m pretty sure that what such a mandate does is eventually fill up our jails with poor black people who cannot afford health insurance.
Individuals cannot be forced to purchase insurance until the cost of coverage is significantly reduced.
JUST READ, GET INFORMED..
Come on people! You knew this day would come. Didn’t you ever hear old people say, “Make sure you get your education, get a good job, because in the future there’s not going to be anymore welfare.” I wish intelligent people such as we would stop all this poor black people crap. Wake up people, Hillary uses certain strategy to get black votes.
I disagree. Hillary leads because she and her husband have been in the media for 40 years. Whenever she speaks and Obama speaks, her numbers come down. Obama's numbers riser ech time the Black community sees his record and listen to his speeches. She is a flatliner and as soon as Blacks know about her triangulations and sense of entitlement, Obama will take off. Most of America and sensible Blacks will not vote for her. HRC is going nowhere.
Chicago Sun-Times writer Mary Mitchell wrote a great article back in February that I would encourage you to read. She ended her article with this:
"Frankly, it is shameful that the most insulting question about race that has swirled around Obama’s campaign is about his commitment to blacks.
"If (Obama's) working as an organizer in a place like Altgeld Garden to empower residents to fight against environmental pollution and lead poisoning, moving on to the Illinois General Assembly and supporting legislation that targeted racial profiling and wrongful convictions, and pushing for the earned income credit wasn’t enough to prove his commitment to African-Americans, platitudes meant to assuage those voters won’t be enough to win this race.
"He has to beat Hillary Clinton and he can’t do that if blacks are misguided into thinking that they owe Mrs. Clinton their political capital.
"Blacks have already given, and they gave when the Clintons needed it the most. If anything, the Clintons owe African-Americans this shot at making history.
"Just as his U.S. senatorial race afforded voters an opportunity to shake up the established political system, Obama’s presidential run offers the same opportunity.
"Black voters would be foolish not to take it."
Read the whole article here: http://www
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