Why Barack Obama is Losing Black Voters: Too Little, Too Late ... Too Boring?

If you're wondering why the Barack Obama campaign is losing traction among black voters--and make no mistake, it is, the latest Washington Post/ABC News Poll show he trails Hillary Clinton by at least 13 percent among blacks nationally--look no further than the meta-messaging presented in the New York Times interview with Adam Nagourney and Jeff Zeleny.

The senator rehashed his all-too-familiar "change" rhetoric and says "now is the time" to distinguish himself from the Democratic front runner and accused her of trying to ... obfuscate ... and avoid the big issues.

Blah, blah, blah. It's like going to the club on a Saturday night and watching another guy publicly announce that "now is the time" to put his arm around the neck of a hot babe standing nearby--or, in our case, a hot man--and ask for a kiss. Geez, just grow a pair and just do it.

After almost a decade of languishing under the "compassionate conservatism" of the George W. Bush Administration, the roll-back in civil rights by the Supreme Court, and, the horrors of Katrina, black voters are looking for strong, decisive leadership from the White House. The fact that it could come from the first ever elected black president is definitely a plus. Platitudes on awareness, strategy and messaging just won't cut it senator.

That delicate racial balancing act has consistently been Obama's strongest suit with white voters and the intelligentsia--he is non-confrontational and does not address unpleasant subjects such as institutional racism--and his Achilles heel with black voters. That triangulation on race relations is precisely the reason why Hillary Clinton (so far) polls stronger among blacks--she and Bill are too smart to take black voters for granted.

We just saw this played out to disastrous results over the weekend with the "Embrace the Change" gospel revival concerts headlined by "ex-gay" pastor and gospel singer Donnie McClurkin. Instead of Obama using the opportunity to campaign on "change" and "transformation" within the black community, the campaign allowed ex-gay Rev. Donnie McClurkin to take the microphone and sermonize his brand of "change" and "transformation." It's still unclear who was asleep at the wheel--one of Obama's top LGBT advisors is black, and, the campaign's religious affairs director is black and, like McClurkin, a Pentecostal minister--but the poor choice and Obama's non-response demonstrated a lack of sophistication on the black church. Maybe these black "advisors" actually have little input? Wouldn't be the first time.

Is Barack Obama looking for directions for the road to Des Moines? Or Damascus? If the senator wants "change" or "transformation" in his traction with black voters, it has to happen fast. And now.

Comments

[CLYDEFOROBAMA63]

i am really sick of people on this website who I have already figured out love Hillary trying to twist the perception of Obama. His campaign has always been about getting everyone together, if anyone would pay attention. I was raised in a white mother black father house. I've seen both sides of the racial question and black voters need to understand that no matter how much Hillary wants to make this a black and white issue where Barack is concerned,the truth is that this election is more about helping the poor and the middle class who make up about 80 percent of the population. The problems that effect race in this country are more about poverty than race. Maybe black people should take a look at what Barack's stand on ALL the issues are instead of one. And by the way, Bill is responsible for NAFTA. Anybody lose a job to outsourceing recently?

[avergejoe]

Spot on.

[Jonni Rae]

Thank you Clyde. And don't forget how the Clintons ended "welfare as we know it," balancing the budget on the backs of poor women and children, forcing the women into minimum wage jobs, no day care, kids running the streets, cradle to grave syndrome. And I do believe that black Americans know what it will mean to have a person of color with his family living in the White House. That is real revolution. All the rest is bullshit.

[janmB]

Obama lacks experience and needs to wait til 2012. He got into the race too early.

ON the other hand----he could be helped by picking the best people he could surround himself with and using experienced advisors. So--we'd STILL be better off with Obama than we are now and that's a GIVEN .

[ProfessorDuh]

I used to support Obama, but I doubt i will do so again. He's a gassy weakling who won't fight for the principles he claims to hold. And that's a character flaw that doesn't improve with age.

[JimR]

Actually, the experience of all 3 front-runners in the Democratic race is about the same.

Agree we'd be better off with Obama.

[starrianna]

He is less black than Will Smith was in that show where he acted white.

[RealOpinion08]

Im a single father hispanic from Dallas and I find refreashing whenever I hear his change rhetoric or what you sir call "blah blah blah".
Hillary is NOT Bill and you will see that if she lands the White House. Obama has been neck and neck with Hillary and hasnt taken a dime of lobby greed and money. Why isnt this enough for black voters? I think Obama really tries to talk to everyone at once when he speaks. This isnt "white America or black America", but America in general. I want my views and the views of America as a WHOLE being discussed not just black. Racism still exist to this day, but classism is a very close second and only getting worse. Worry more about your view points income wise more than color and youll see Barack is the candidate that actually has something other than "blah blah blah" to say.

[Qbear]

If Barack is counting on Black voters to carry Iowa, boy is he barking up the wrong tree.
LGBT's probably outnumber Blacks 4 to 1 in Iowa...als­o not good news to Obama.

[JimR]

"If".... "probably"

i.e., "I don't know what I'm talking about and am just making stuff up."

LOL

[genmalia]

That would be more like South Carolina, where the black vote is so important. Barack is virtually tied with Hillary in Iowa, where have you been?

Hillary is so scared, she is hiring another 100 staff in Iowa, and they are directly soliciting Obama staff for these positions. So I'd say, good news for Obama.

[onlythetruthcounts]

I agree. I don't believe that Barack understands the message he sent to the LGBT community over the weekend. There's a lot of anger over him getting buddy buddy with a confused person like the "ex-gay" reverend. Does Barack think that homosexuality is a choice and that choice can be changed at anytime? Thats what I'm hearing.

[Jonni Rae]

Do the gays believe that their issuse trumps all the others? Do the gays believe in exclusion? Scapegoating? Witch hunting? Because that is what this is. I remember when Ted Kennedy would not stand next to Jesse Jackson on the stage because Jesse believed in a Palestinian state and Ted needed the Israeli lobby support. There is a fierce backlash out here from the Obama bashing being waged by the gays,believe me. Did you all see him on "Ellen?" Were you satisfied with his informed response and his pledge of what he would do? did you even watch it --or just the dancing clip on CNN?

[BlackDemfromNH]

First of all, I would assert that Obama is NOT losing black voters, since a single vote has not been cast yet! He sites one poll and it's a national poll at that! The election is decided STATE BY STATE! Consideration must be taken to the fact that in order for ANY black man (or black woman) to win the White House, they absolutely MUST have a plurality of white voters. We may not like that reality, but it is the truth. Therefore, to the minority of voters who may not feel he is "black enough", he will not be appealing. And, as a Black man, let me be frank: if you think for one minute that when it comes time to actually vote in that primary or caucus, that a Black person is not going to vote for Obama, our first, truly viable Black candidate, you're completely out of your mind. You and I both know, Rod, that when the time comes, Black folks will OVERWHELMINGLY vote for Barack Obama. This is not some loud-mouthed, charlatan (see Sharpton) in love with the sound of his own voice that is running for President. It is someone in whom we can feel pride. That is the reality.

[Chocolate2008]

Exactly,

....and I notice that our "brutha" here posted this before the debates tonight. I wonder what his reaction is now that Obama won ? I wonder if his claims even matter. After all, Obama is not running as the Next Al Sharpton. He's running for President of The United States.

[RobynMc]

Ummm...I'm not sure what stats you're looking at, but Obama's numbers among black (particularly in SC) are growing, not decreasing. Yes 13% is still a gap, but it's a shrinking gap! And with 60+ days to go, the fact that is steadily shrinking is IMPORTANT!

You really should do your homework before accusing Obama of taking the Black community for granted. I won't even go into his long history with helping the black community in Chicago. And I won't even get into how the fact that you think this past weekend's concert was his first outreach to the black community in SC.

Not really sure what the point of this article is other than to spread a misleading fact - Obama is loosing the black vote. I understand that there is commentary on this site, but at least pretend to check your facts.

[feelfree]

I think Obama's "delicate racial balancing act" makes him unappealing candidate to many blacks. And the fact that its part of his plan to keep white support further lessens his appeal to many blacks.

[dlkincaid]

YES, YES, YES, and I am Black - not African American. I am 61 years old and Black and proud. I fought to be called Black and I stand by it... Obama will get some Black votes, but not mine.

[Bozwellian]

AM fEM, but HILLARY DOES NOT GET MY VOTE JUST CUZ SHE IS FEM...LOL, neither will Obama get my vote just he IS black...HO­W ABSURD to make THAT >>>THE ULTIMATE CRITERIA

[Bozwellian]

Comment got clipped--mini keyboards are a pain...., IF FEM, not enough to vote HILLARY just cuz SHE fem and can make history just as if black, Obama cannot have my vote just cuz HE or me = black ! How absurd to make that THE ultimate criteria/reason and is somewhat WHY we got stuck with the shcmuck who too many wanted over for a bere and a bbq !!
And a btw, presently Hillary does NOT get MY vote due to many reasons, but not just cuz she fem but due to her UNATHENTICATE qualities that keep showing ...Obama is comes off far less prepackaged and far more authentic and bonus, he is NOT ENTRENCHED in the muddle of the past and THAT is a PLUS !!!

[Northlite]

Nice piece. I particularly like the point that the black community, after being and continuing to be undermined and disrespected by the Bush administration, wants somebody who is unafraid to directly apply corrective action. While its nice to talk about togetherness and bi-partisan spirit, niceness and change, part of what's needed is a leader who will clean the Augean stables of the muck which has been deposited in places like the Department of (now so-called) Justice and other government agencies. The Bushies and Republicans will scream bloody murder--they already do, but we need someone with the courage and steely will and the government savvy, to get the real nasties'--­incompeten­ts, ideologues, and party loyalists-- hands off the lever of our government. Hillary just seems so much more likely, by temperment, values, and experience to take on this tough job.

[Bozwellian]

AH, look more fully into such a prospect of a Clintonian reign...th­e muck and mirings would resurface with a vengence for an ongoing continuation of what wwwent forth against them in those first Clintonian terms. She actually could do far greater good as a Senator and then move over to say SUPREME COURT where she could have GREAT IMPACT for far longer than a temultuaous term in the WH.

[aaronssongs]

Agreed. But her ego, and her subconscious desire to "best" Bill, will either be her undoing or her catalyst toward greatness.
Kucinich or Gravel or Biden, are the real testosterone of the Democratic bunch...an­y one of them would "clean necessary house"...l­et's hope Hillary is not channeling Nancy Pelosi.

[aaronssongs]

Hear, g...d..., hear!!! Well-put.

[CLMMIT]

Obama 08!

[hjo4]

I find it laughable how much stock people place on so-called polls.I'm a Black male who changed parties from democratic to Independen­t.There are 3 candidated I would never vote for Hillary, Giuliani and McCain.The first two have or currently represent my State of New York.Hilla­ry Clinton is a liar and pro illegal alien.Rudy is a closet racist.McC­ain is just to old to be President IMO.

[Chocolate2008]

I just changed to Independent as well. Too many sell outs and basement bigots in the Democratic Party and I would never join the Republican Party because that's like leaving the Jim Crow Era for Full Blown Slavery.

I will be voting for Barack Obama, but I won't be voting as a Black woman. I will be voting as an American who wants this nation to prosper and live in peace. I see Barack Obama as the only one who can make that possible.

[axisofelvis]

If any blacks feel resentment because Obama appeals to a lot of white voters they have fallen into a harmful delusion. If we are not wise enough to see a great leader when we really need one, maybe we don't deserve one.

[genmalia]

Please make sure your state will let you vote int he primaries as an Independant!!! In my state, you have to be registered to a party to vote for the candidate, which is why I switched for "not affiliated" to Democrat - to vote for Barack in the primaries!

[akhinaten]

If you believe that Hillary is "blacker" then Obama then you are just to dumb to vote. The idea that an eloquent black man is not black enough is as racist as only a liberal could be. Assume that he was not black, let’s assume that he was a white guy married to a black woman that fact alone would have made him more appealing to the black votes if they are as racial conscious as they portrayed to be. Obama is married to black woman he is the father of two little black girls. Are the black Americans so politically retarded that they will vote for the first white dude to kisses a black baby without obvious revulsion?

[TWOSHORT]

Black Man and know body listening to me so how do they know these thing's.

[TWOSHORT]

This shit is twisted soap box that hold your comment's for approval!Russia i know they do that!China does it to it people!But here in America!HOME OF THE BRAVE AND LAND OF THE FREE.Those Word's don't mean much now a day's huh?