Black Voters' New Path To Power

Black Voters' New Path To Power
A voter marks her ballot at the Bowen Center in Pontiac, Mich., Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. Michigan voters will choose the Republican who will take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow in November and deciding several key congressional primary races, including challenges that could lead to one or both of the state's black congressmen losing their jobs. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
A voter marks her ballot at the Bowen Center in Pontiac, Mich., Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. Michigan voters will choose the Republican who will take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow in November and deciding several key congressional primary races, including challenges that could lead to one or both of the state's black congressmen losing their jobs. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Conventional wisdom says black voters are the most reliable Democratic voting blocs in American politics. But Tuesday’s election results in the U.S. Senate race in Mississippi prove to many what I’ve always understood about African Americans: They are some of the smartest voters when it comes to their interests.

Incumbent Sen. Thad Cochran is being hailed as a smart, albeit desperate politician, for reaching across the aisle to pursue traditionally black Democratic voters to hold off a furious campaign by Tea Partier state Sen. Chris McDaniel.

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