Race is expected to be a factor in W.Va. vote

[Hubert Flottz]

Obama gaining, but must sway voters to defeat McCain

By Rick Maese
October 23, 2008

INSTITUTE, W.Va. - Race was not on the mind of Michael Whitaker, 18, as he defended Barack Obama during an impassioned conversation in the student union at West Virginia State University.

Whitaker, an African-American majoring in political science, touted Obama's views on health care and taxes. But three white classmates preferred John McCain, and one sarcastically suggested that they were "too white" to come around to Whitaker's point of view.

Whitaker brushed aside the comment. But after the group broke up, he fretted openly that race would affect the outcome of the presidential contest in West Virginia and elsewhere.

"People want someone who closely represents them, and race plays a major role in that," Whitaker said.
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http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/politics/bal-te.race23oct23,0,211829.story

I have heard the same thing since May...it really makes me sad.