How will Obama do with whites in the primaries?

[quinnox]

I was just thinking about this with the news story about Obama and Hillary trying to attract black support. I would guess Obama might manage to do well with blacks (though it is still uncertain) but how do you think he will do with white voters in the primaries? Do you think he will get more white votes than Hillary? (or if Hillary stumbles, Edwards)

[Beelzebud]

1. He's got my vote, and I'm white.

[murielm99]

17. Obama won overwhelmingly

in white and repuke districts in Illinois. He won in places where Democrats never win. He would have won, no matter who the repukes put up as a candidate.

And just who will run against him? The republican candidates this year are inferior to any of ours.

[depakid]

18. Considering who he was running against

that's not a good analogy.

http://www.greatertalent.com/backend/speakers/347/Keyes,%20Alan.jpg

[murielm99]

24. I don't think it mattered.

When their candidate dropped out due to a sex scandal, they could not find anyone sane to run against Obama. Everyone knew they would be defeated.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

2. He will do VERY well with all groups

he's very popular

[BlooInBloo]

3. Not anywhere near as well as white folks say he will....

... Somehow, magically, the white support will quietly substantially evaporate, I predict.

[butterfly77]

4. Agreed...

[Clark2008]

9. Agreed - saw it happen the last three weeks of

the Ford/Corker race here in Tennessee.

Ford was ahead for weeks and weeks and then, all of a sudden, that white support just evaporated.

[BlooInBloo]

12. It's always amusing to hear the sputtering "but... but..." made-up excuses white folks give...

... for "changing" their decision.

[Clark2008]

15. I called it Voting-Booth Racism.

[BlooInBloo]

16. It's also commonly called the "white lie".

[Nicole]

5. How will Hillary do with males in the primaries?

Some white people will never vote for a black president just as some males will never vote for a female one.

Sad but true. It may change in time but I doubt that we're there yet.

[quinnox]

7. good question

These questions show the primaries will be very interesting! Especially when they show the breakdowns of the various groups and how they voted.

[rebel with a cause]

6. How will Clinton and Edwards do among "whites"?

This question being raised about Obama both concerning "whites" and "black" vote is getting old. Why is there not threads on the other two candidates and how they will do with certain populations. I see this as a bias against Barack just because he is a "Black" candidate.

I am "White", have met the man and I supported him in 2004 and support him now. I live in an area which has a majority of "White" voters and he had a lot of support here in 2004. Now the young people are taking to him, and that will add to his supporters.

I am on a limited income, very small monthly amount, and have already donated to his campaign.

[MADem]

8. I'd say it might be a function of his performance in the debates and on the campaign trail.

If he gets up and can't support his contentions, and does a shitty job, then no one but his wife and relatives will vote for him. If he knocks it out of the park at the debates, then he'll bring people to him. I think that if he makes his case, he'll gain support from all but the racist bastards who wouldn't vote for him ANYWAY, and they're voting for the other ticket, anyway.

Most people, no matter what their ethnicity, aren't going to vote for someone because they're "the same" if the candidate is a buffoon. People who want "the same" want to vote for a GOOD representative that will make them proud.

Harold Ford campaigned as though he were fifteen points back. If he'd campaigned from a perspective that he was seventeen points back, he'd be the Senator from TN.

I think it is WAY too soon to predict the things you are asking about. We have to see how well or poorly all the candidates do when the cameras are turned on the moderator starts firing questions at them. That's what going to make the difference. While first impressions are lasting, and carry the candidates along up to a point, last impressions can be decisive too.

[quinnox]

10. good point

The long campaign could have things that are unforeseen and who knows what attack ads or brilliant debate performances could alter the race.

[MADem]

11. Anointed candidates; shoo-ins....

Gary Hart.

Ed Muskie.

I rest my case!

[quinnox]

13. no argument here

I still remember the Gary Hart fiasco.

[in_cog_ni_to]

14. I'm white and if Gore and Clark don't run, Obama has my vote.

My entire family loves Obama. My best friend and her in-laws (white), love Obama. Another couple we know who are also Democrats (extinct around here!) LOVE Obama, can't stand Hillary. I think he will do GREAT with the whites in the Primaries. The guy has charisma, brains, class, and compassion oozing from his pores and a GREAT smile!.. He'll do VERY well. Just watch!

[TahitiNut]

19. I'd like to think that anyone who'd not vote for him because he's black ...

... would already be so right-wing that they'd not vote for any Democrat.

I'd LIKE to think that. :shrug:

[IChing]

23. How will Hillary do with male voters or male black voters?

Asian male voters, hispanic male voters, female voters, black female voters, etc.
LOL

[SteveM]

20. He may be hurt mainly because of his stand on guns.

Google Votesmart and check out his stand on ALL semi-automatic guns (not just so-called "assault weapons")in his response to a 1998 survey.

[MADem]

21. If you really wanted people to know, you'd do the work for them.

That's a "poop and run" way of dealing with an objection. If you have a point to make, make it, provide the reference, or just don't bother.

Don't put out "Go google this" teases without any cites (or viewpoints) at all. This is a discussion board, not a mystery game.

Tell us what his point is, at a minimum. How DOES he feel about these weapons? Is he a Rambo, or a Plowshares kind of guy?

And more importantly, why assume that every Democrat is lockstep on the issue of guns? That, in and of itself, is a HUGE (bothersome, too) mistake.

As an undecided voter, and a GENUINELY undecided voter (save Gore, who isn't in--at that point, I decide) that tactic (and I very well may be UNFAIR to you in making this point, and if so, my apologies) sounds like you are trying to dissuade me (and everyone else reading this) from choosing him as a favorite, based on preconceived notions of how "all Democrats" feel about guns.

Now, IF that was your goal, it didn't work. It tends to dispose me towards him, rather than against him, simply because you did not provide me any "proof" that he's in some fashion...wicked...or opposed to my views, or what-have-you.

But then, I understand that some people do need a gun...you aren't going to convince that bear in your cabin, who has just killed your basset hound, and who is awake in mid winter owing to either GOP climate change or good old Democratic Global Warming, and who is earnestly looking for your pancakes and honey, to not claw your six year old grandchild to death in an effort to reach the skillet just because you say "Go away!"

A gun is a good thing to have in that sort of instance, I would imagine.

[IChing]

26. why don't you give the information from the link instead?

Gun Issues



2005 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Gun Owners of America 0 percent in 2005.

2004 Based on lifetime voting records on gun issues and the results of a questionnaire sent to all state legislative candidates in 2004, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund assigned Senator Obama a grade of F (with grades ranging from a high of A+ to a low of F).

2002 Based on voting records and a questionnaire sent out to all state legislative candidates by Illinois Citizens for Handgun Control, Senator Obama was assigned a grade of A (with grades ranging from a high of A+ to a low of F).

2002 Based on lifetime voting records on gun issues and the results of a questionnaire sent to all state legislative candidates in 2002, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund assigned Senator Obama a grade of F (with grades ranging from a high of A+ to a low of F).


http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=BS030017

The NRA and their candidates don't get my vote or support either
Good for him.

[Kelly Rupert]

22. Better than he will with blacks. n/t

[XemaSab]

25. He's like Colin Powell or Condi Rice

He may LOOK black, but he "talks white" and "acts white." He's "articulate," if you will. :P

Even black preachers like Sharpton and Jackson have more of a culturally African-American way about them.

I think you'd have to be REALLY REALLY racist for his color to be a deal breaker.

(Before I get jumped on, yes I know that's a bit of a racist thing to say, but it's my honest feeling about the matter.)