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

[TWOSHORT]

How do you know he losing Black Voter's is my first question!The reason i ask is you never see Black Men being ask Question on any new's show!National or local in my area.

[TWOSHORT]

I guess Black American's haven't been reading the paper or watching the new's lately.Jen­a 6,Black girl heald against her will while six white people beat and tortured her,Made too eat dog shit,Hang Noose story's showing up on the nitely new's around America!Rep Party of White Men don't think they need too talk to Black Men!Who the hell are you going to vote for another white person wanting to get reelected after getting into office never keeping their promises.B­orn 1953 still fighting

[FirstShirt]

Keep fighting, TwoShort. I am a white republican who will fight for your right to hold racist opinions of me. Is this a great country or what! Oh, and don't forget the Duke Lacrosse players. Racism can swing both ways.

[1will]

Don't forget the white boy in Norfolk, Va that was beaten by several black youths, Jena 6- where a white boy was beaten by SIX black youths and Christian and Newsom in Tennessee where 5 black felons raped, tortured, murdered and mutilated a young couple.
TwoShort plays a game he/she can't win in bringing up racial crimes. The statistics are not in TwoShorts favor.
The difference is unlike in Jena no one is protesting to free these criminals that raped and tortured that black woman in Kentucky. No one is inviting these criminals to an awards show and applauding them like they are innocents or role models.

[aaronssongs]

Oh, let's not go there...ev­erybody knows there are two kinds of justice in America...­"white" justice, and justice for everybody else.
If those LaCrosse players had not had "top notch" representation, and the DA had not revisited the mistakes made by the prosecution in the OJ Simpson trial, they'd be in jail today...ju­st like some of the Jena 6 crew. Money talks, bull walks..mon­ey and celebrity fly first class.

[CitizenE]

The blogosphere is what it is. Disproportionately white, no doubt--left and right. Older than 30, so far. Obama, in the unelectable void of better candidates and the unwillingness to run of the best candidate, should be our best hope. But we have had eight years of the right's version of Jesus, feel good, I'm a uniter not a divider, and if all he has to offer is just another pretty face and more literate rhetoric, he'll stand little chance against the Clinton machine that regularly wins elections, no matter what its shortcomings or who hates it.
We need more than someone who speaks for the audacity of hope; more than such weak tea of blah, blah, blah. Whatever real issues Americans have, we need to see how Obama is a change by his deeds and the nitty grit of what he will do spelled out. So far we know if he has intelligence that Osama is in Pakistan and Pakistan won't do anything about it, he'll invade. Now, does that really sound different? Sounds like Rudy, Rudy, Rudy to me.

[aaronssongs]

Agreed...w­e need a "giant killer", and he can even be, a young-ish, "slight", David-like slinger, not unlike Barack Obama, but he will have to sling shot, and hit the mark...mor­e than once. Or twice.

[1will]

Obama needs to win the Democratic Primary before he can go any further. He needs white voters to do that. On Election Day in 2008 those black voters that make it to the polls will pull the lever for Democrats no matter who is running. Obama needs to fear losing the Democratic Primary first of all. If he doesn't have the white voter then he doesn't have the nomination.

[JimR]

"The Post-ABC poll was conducted by telephone Sept. 27 to 30, among a national random sample of 1,114 adults"

This is what we're talking about here. This is determining our perception of who is "ahead" or "in the lead." Brief conversations with just over a thousand randomly selected adults. It doesn't even say how many of them were black.

The way we elect a president is INSANE.

The poll being referred to:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/02/AR2007100202365_2.html?sid=ST2007100202395

[ryanjones2006]

Obama can't control his own campaign. He will never be able to control the United States of America. Let a tried and true leader do the leading- Hillary Clinton.

[Dantheman99]

Obama's problem with black voters is the same one with all voters. It's kind of reassuring that the primary hasn't sharply divided by race.

Obama's real problem is that there is nothing distinctive enough about his policy program to separate him from Hillary who voters perceive, correctly or incorrectly, as more experienced.

Also, Hillary isn't going to make a Richardson-esqe gaffe that cause people to abandon her. She's too calculating for that.

His only hope to be the anti-Hillary isn't one of style, it's of substance.

If he really wants to change the dynamics of this contest in 10 weeks, he ain't going to do with debating points.

The people who are suspicious of Hillary are on the progessive-liberal wing of the party, not its centrist one.

He might try the following three actions.

- Not just talk about how he opposed the war in the past, but how he will end the war. Specifically, he should commit to leading a fillibuster of 41 Democrats against any war funding bill that doesn't bring the troops home before the end of Bush's term.

- Come out for single-payer health care.

- Lift the cap on FICA tax so that the super wealthy pay the same rate as the working classes.

- Call for federally recognized civil unions, support for gay marriage in the states that approve them, and don't go dancing on Ellen to win LGBT support.

- National commitment to finding an alternative energy source to fossil fuels in his two terms as President.

Only bold policies will change the race.

If he's only focused on his debating tactics, it is already over. Even if he wins debates, it's not enough.

[kishaaann]

First of all sir I didn’t get that memo. Thanks for speaking for me. Sir lets be honest most people aren’t paying attention to these blogs. Only us political junkies. Things will change pretty soon. Secondly, this McClurkin thing is a blip on the screen. It’s a plus in S.C. My family didn’t know about Obama until this went on black radio. And from my perception most people I KNOW were supportive of Obama.

No one cares about this “issue” other than a few bloggers and us readers. Most people care about putting food on their table and paying their bills. It’s sad to see the disconnect we have on the blogs. Let’s get back to talking about real issues instead of made up ones.

Isn’t it sad that 1 out of 3 black males will end up in the justice system due to the Crime Bills of the 1990’s? (Thanks Bill and Hill) Isn’t it sad when 23% of all African Americans live in poverty? (That’s a urban problem right) Let’s talk about the 50% unemployment of black men in NYC. (Another urban problem right) I know that’s not important as the outrage of someone expressing their free speech even if it’s ignorant. Forget about that distant war in Iraq that has killed 3,000 Americans. (Who cares its all volunteer baby)? That’s not important. Forget about the cheap imports tainted with led that may affect our children that’s not important. Don’t worry about the low FDA standards in the name of capitalism for allowing tainted food in our food supply that’s not important (hello E-coli). Let’s not focus on the 47 million people without healthcare (to hell with them don’t get sick). Lets worry about one mans comments. He is so important. Aww the phony blogger outrage. Where’s the outrage to end the disproportionate prison sentences, where’s the outrage to end modern day separate but unequal level of education in our poorest cities. The disconnect from the blogging left continues…….

[NicoleAnonymous]

This is the best response I've seen here. I agree with everything you said but you said it in a more coherent, intelligent way then I could have.

[jeffmorgan]

"lets be honest most people aren't paying attention to these blogs. Only us political junkies."

"The disconnect from the blogging left continues"

I wish more people here could have this reality check.

[Jazz42]

Very well stated. I agree with everything you wrote.
Kishaaann

[FirstShirt]

Very eloquent. Note that much of what you say can be accepted by both republicans and democrats. And, you didn't mention a political party one time. good for you. Also, don't assume bloggers have little impact. As an old guy, this is all a little new but I do know that we now have such a forum as Huffpo where we can communicate our differences and discuss [and rail] if we want. How wonderful for real democratic communication and how empowering of the common man. You can have a say that is not edited by the MSM [liberal or conservative].

[aaronssongs]

Please. You underestimate the climate in this country. The religious right is short of seceding from the union. Republicans have shown that their contempt for things liberal, and Democratic will not allow them to compromise.
Obama and even Hillary can have dreams about what they'd like to do..but unless there is a paradigm shift in Congress and the country, will any of the issues you mentioned get solved, let alone addressed.

[SamanthaJaneSalem]

Obama certainly isn't more boring than Hillary Clinton. She has improved her presentation in debates and interviews but overall she is absolutely painful to listen to.

Not that that matters. She supported the war. Obama didn't. She is part of the tired cycle of Bush-Clint­on-Bush-Cl­inton? where one half of the country continually hates the president. My conservative brother can't help but like Obama, and that's saying something!

Obama is trailing because he doesn't have the insider money and machine that Hillary has. And it's not "African American Candidate Obama" vs. "Unnamed Ideal Black Candidate"-- it's Obama vs. *this* field of Democrats and among them he's the best.

[SeanGardner]

WOW!!! Its two months before the IOWA Caucus, and now Obama has to do something with Black voters.

No, when Obama wins IOWA, disaffected blacks will see that a blkack man can take a state populated by mostly white residents - and has an infinitesimal amount of blacks.

Black voters are watching, just like anyone else.

This race isn't over. Far from it.

I'd love to see what your post will be when Obama wins IOWA.

[Independent voter]

The fact that black voters would prefer a white candidate should be taken as a positive sign that people in America are finally able to transcend race. I know that there are still areas in our country where there are significant racial tensions, but still, this is encouraging.

[THEUNHEARDVOICE]

Shame on Black Folk! Dr King spoke on content not the color of one skin and he died so that one day a young Black Person with content would step up and lead us into a better future.

[Nommo]

That's stupid. Black voters have always "preferred" the white candidate as they have generally been the the only choices. The question is when do whites vote for the Black candidate?

It is not Black people who have to transcend race.
Black people do not write racist laws and do not endorse racist custom. We keep waiting for that.
We keep waiting for whites to figure out the basic idea that it is stupid to vote against ones own interests for fear of the boogey man.

[Independent voter]

Should I ask Obama for my money back.

[dlkincaid]

Many of us have always trancended race, it is a myth that blacks vote for blacks. How many Blacks have you known and how many have told you the real way they feel. I have never voted for anyone because of the color of their skin. You live in a dream world if you think people, many who think just like you or feel the way you do, believe as you. America is a long way from transcending race -Jena 6 and the young black man that was given 10 years in prison for having sex (agreed to by both children) with each other. Transcending race - what a joke?

[VSamuels]

Say what?? Most black voters have had no choice but to chose between 2 or more white candidates, and this process was and is not so much a trenscendation of race as it is the reality of system where in many cases blacks only option is to chose between the lesser of 2 evils.

When Bill Clinton left office, he immeadiately sought out an office in Harlem, NY and according to the Clinton campaign at the behest of Charlie Rangel (D-NY). This was a signal then that Bill was beginning to transfer his 'relationships with the black community' over to Hillary, who has no relative connection to black voters.

To whit: when Obama went to Alabama to join in the rememberance of the Montgomery-to-Selma march, Hillary initial move was to enlist Bill Clinton help, rather than standing on her own record with the black community. Bill Clinton has a major advantage across the black populace, perception-wise of course, however while Rod McCullom criticizes Obama for what he describes as losing black support, he fails to cite what concrete measures or policies exists from within the Clinton campaign that is the root cause of her 'gaining and maintaining' black support.

Obama is not losing black support as much as he is battling the 'perception' issue of the Clintons, who have cleverly used 'access' for real policy. Whether it was 'welfare reform,' 'stringent drug enforcement' or 'NAFTA' the Clinton administration was far more centrist in its approach then what some assume was a minority-friendly ally.

[longislandlol]

Sorry- but here's my opinion- I'm a white mother of 4- largely a democrat all my life; (I'm 60- have a post-graduate degree in Speech Pathology- and you'd think I'm for Hillary- only will I vote for her in the general election against any repub--- but if you are posting this blog to favor her- it's really her husband you're nostalgic for-- she was always way to the right of Bill- she'll stay there if you vote her in-- so- I'm convinced Obama is behind because you're voting Bill-not Hill.

[SisterJ]

Amen, I get the same rightwing vibes from Hillary.
If she wins, democrats are going to be surprised and disappointed when we're still in Iraq come 2013.

[aaronssongs]

Whether she is the lesser of the evils (albeit, evil, herself), remains to be seen.
Richardson is also an "insider", and a worse "panderer" than anyone.
I really like Kucinich and Gravel...t­hey really possess Democratic cojones, for real.

[MPeter]

I would like to disagree with you in this respect. What you are asking Senator Obama to do to cover your so-called 13 percent deficit with HRC when it comes to Black voters does not make sense. It is like asking a man to burn down an entire cottage to roast a pound of pork. Obama has a huge following that is cross-sectional, plus an ever-growing number of first time Black voters that even you and your old-HRC polling ways don't seem to understand. Obama is doing well as far as the Black vote is concerned. If I were you, I would be wondering how it is that a political household name of 40 years in the public limelight like the Clintons now leads a novice like Obama nationally with only 13 percent; particularly when Obama has not even gone national. Your analysis is good insofar as it makes you and maybe the Clinton camp feel good but it is not one a nationally focussed candidate like Obama needs to listen to.