Minority Voters Push Hillary Clinton to Victories

[TomCADem]

Source: NY Times

Hillary Clinton took full command of the Democratic presidential race on Tuesday as she rolled to major victories over Bernie Sanders in Texas, Virginia and across the South and proved for the first time that she could build a national coalition of racially diverse voters that would be crucial in the November election.

Based on results from Democratic primaries and caucuses in 11 states, Mrs. Clinton succeeded in containing Mr. Sanders to states he was expected to win, like Vermont and Oklahoma, and overpowering him in predominantly black and Hispanic areas that were rich in delegates needed for the Democratic nomination.

Mrs. Clinton, who also won Massachusetts and showed notable strength among Southern white voters, came away with a strong delegate lead over Mr. Sanders — notably larger than the one that Barack Obama had over her at this point in the 2008 presidential race.

“What a super Tuesday!” Mrs. Clinton declared to cheers at a victory rally in Miami. In her recent signature line mocking Donald J. Trump’s slogan, she said: “America never stopped being great. We have to make America whole — fill in what’s been hollowed out.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/02/us/politics/democratic-primary-results.html?_r=0

[LiberalLovinLug]

1. Its called voting against your best interests

[Tarheel_Dem]

2. Really? Ted Rall? In some quarters it's called "sour grapes".

[Depaysement]

4. Congratulations to your candidate

It's your choice.

One thing though. Please don't complain to Sanders supporters if you have buyer's remorse in about eighteen months.

[Tarheel_Dem]

51. I don't even know any "Sanders supporters", so no worries.

[Depaysement]

61. Well, that's your loss

They're great Americans.

[Tarheel_Dem]

62. The way they've gone after civil rights icons & elected officials who endorsed Hillary, I'm not so..

sure I would characterize them as "great", and I sure wouldn't want to be associated with that.

[Depaysement]

65. That's a crazy way to judge people

Sometimes people go overboard, but that doesn't make them bad. Now convincing the President to start a war in which thousands of children died, well, that's something different entirely. But I guess it takes a village . . . and having seen the horror of war up close and personal, I guess I can't summon the will to do another hand wave.

[Tarheel_Dem]

67. Well, I guess we see things differently, which is why we support different candidates. Oh well.....

[NanceGreggs]

3. It's called ...

... Democrats choosing their nominee.

Black Democrats, white Democrats, Asian Democrats, Middle Eastern Democrats - ALL DEMOCRATS.

And your cutsie cartoon is offensive on so many levels, I wouldn't know where to begin explaining them all.

[NanceGreggs]

7. Pointing out that someone is being offensive ...

... is not about refuting what they're saying.

It's about pointing out that what they're saying is offensive.

I'm sorry you don't understand the difference.

[NutmegYankee]

11. It trolled...poorly.

[Tarheel_Dem]

52. ^^^ THIS ^^^

Offensive indeed.

[Bassomar]

5. Love it. Great cartoon.

I've always found it insulting she continues to considered us, minorities, her firewall

[onenote]

42. The problem with the cartoon is that it assumes Clinton's support among AA's

is attributable to one thing and only one thing: the AA community's support of Bill Clinton.

But here's the thing. The AA community's past support for Bill Clinton didn't translate into overwhelming support for Hillary Clinton in 2008.

So why do they support her now after she tried to deny Obama the nomination in 2008? I think it comes down to this: If Clinton had walked away after losing the nomination to Obama, and had stayed on the sidelines, she would have burned her bridges to the AA community. But she didn't do that. She endorsed Obama. She campaigned for him and urged her supporters to work on Obama's behalf. And she became part of the Obama team after the election.

That, in my opinion, went a long way to solidifying her status in the AA community -- a community that still overwhelmingly supports Obama. Far more than what her husband did 20 years ago.

[LiberalLovinLug]

58. That is a thoughtful response

I never really looked at it that way. Probably an element of truth there for sure. In those Red states they also get hammered day in and day out with 24/7 Obama Hate Radio. And that must just rub it in all the more. Plus the fact, as has been mentioned, that the MSM keeps any knowledge of Sanders, and his positions invisible, which would go much further to help reform the whole justice system, combined with social benefits, like a decent minimum wage to discourage turning to crime or drugs.

[markj757]

9. I think its sad....

To all you Bernie supporters who don't see how offensive and demeaning this cartoon is to an entire race of people, to basically say we lack the intelligence to make an informed choice about our preferred candidate for the Presidency....just because your preferred candidate got his ass kicked on Super Tuesday. I think it says a lot about the mentality of many of the Bernie supporters on DU when it gets K&Rs, instead of being soundly rejected as offensive and racist. And as I have said before, it does a disservice to, and does not reflect the values of the candidate Bernie himself.

Let me ask you a question, at what point do we as black people become less ignorant? When Bernie has accumulated 40%, 51%, or 80% of black vote like Hillary?

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

21. I see it as demeaning to Hillary, not to AA's.

The black guy knows he's been had - I wish more people would come to the realization that Hillary is not going to be working for them. And because you aren't educated about a candidate has nothing to do with intelligence. It has almost everything to do with the corporate media suppressing information about Bernie for so many months.

[markj757]

26. unfortunately, that's condescending and arrogant....

I'm very educated about Bernie's positions, which is why I'm for Hillary instead of Bernie in this primary race. And I have discussions with my family, just like I'm sure a lot of other black families do as well. I assume your excuse will be that I'm an outlier among black people rather than the norm because as a community, we can't be informed about where Bernie stands on the major issues that affect us and this nation, and still vote overwhelming for Clinton. And if Bernie could not gain more traction among black voters, then there must be something lacking in their education of the issues and thinking. That's the condescending arrogant perception which seems to be pervasive among Bernie supporters in so many DU threads.

Let me educate you on something....the black community often votes heavily towards one candidate in the primary, just like we do in the general. Hillary was beating Obama easily among black voters, before Obama began to methodically make his case to us, the democratic party, and eventually the entire country that he was best person to lead this country out of multiple crises we faced at the time. Because often for us, one candidate makes more of a connection with us as a community, and where we stand on the issues important to us and this great country. Hillary has been building those relationships for decades, just like Obama started out as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago decades ago, and Bernie simply did not have that kind of time to overcome the relationships Hillary has built in our community. It was a herculean task for Obama, and he was black and had ties to the community going back decades as well.

Also, Bernie's Medicare for all plan combined with tax increases, and eliminating the Affordable Care Act, which was Obama's signature domestic accomplishment, was NOT popular in our community. Like I have said many times, Bernie should have went for the public option, and allow Medicare and Medicaid to negotiate drug prices. He would have had much more broad support for his signature policy proposal, including in the black community as well. He definitely would have had my support. By the way, if he was challenging someone besides Hillary, its a good chance Bernie could have gotten much more support in our community. He is very well liked.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

27. Condescending and arrogant? I know you are but what am I?

So sick of Hillary people mischaracterizing anything a Bernie supporter says around here. Enjoy your bleak, fubared future. And I don't want to hear you crying when you realize what a fool you've been taken for by the Clinton machine.

[kwassa]

39. You are the problem, not the solution.

You ignored what the poster before you said, to your peril. All you do is drive a deeper wedge between Bernie and African-American support.

Bravo!

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

48. Really. Man, I have a shit-ton of POWER!!

Your post is lame, arrogant, and wrong. But you do what you Hillary folks do.

[LiberalLovinLug]

59. You are mistaken on Bernie's positions

Firstly, Bernie's Medicare for all, ie. Single Payer, would cost much less in the pocket book eventually. I'm sure there would be startup costs for the first few years. Cheaper than Obamacare, which still caters to the private profiteers, shareholders, and large executive payouts. Now I still respect Obama for getting what he got done. And it at least began the process of examining the American model. I do think he could have done more to promote, and stand up for, a public option. And allowing doctors and nurses in favor of single payer to testify and be a part of the conversation.

Every other modern democracy uses the Single Payer model, even Conservative run countries, because it is cheaper. Plus the main benefit is that it covers everyone, from birth to death, no matter where they live or what circumstances. It cements the idea in law that healthcare is right and not a privilege. Something the richest nation on earth should be embarrassed by that they still don't embrace that fundamental right. The concept is simple really, if every tax paying citizen pays into one pool, you will be able to get the cheapest coverage. And even if you lose your job, or become to sick or injured, everyone else picks up the slack. And this kind of giant pool also allows the possibility to negotiate drug prices.

Which was another "mistake" you made. Where did you get the idea that Bernie now or ever did not want to allow negotiation of drug prices. Back in 2007 he "Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Apr 2007)" By the way he has also:
Preserve access to Medicaid & SCHIP during economic downturn. (Apr 2008)
Improve services for people with autism & their families. (Apr 2007)
Establish a national childhood cancer database. (Mar 2007)
Increase funding for occupational & physical therapy. (Apr 2011)
Voted NO on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
Voted YES on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program. (Jan 2009)
Make health care a right, not a privilege. (Nov 1999)

among other votes

http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/bernie_sanders.htm

And today? On his website he clearly states:

- Require Medicare to use its bargaining power to negotiate with the prescription drug companies for better prices – a practice that is currently banned by law.

https://berniesanders.com/issues/fighting-to-lower-prescription-drug-prices/

Overall, Bernie's positions would much more greatly and quickly help middle and lower income people, both those in the AA community and others, not just the 15 per hour minimum wage, but the overhaul of the justice system to target racial injustice, free college, and of course single payer health insurance, to take a huge weight off of everyone.

I honestly think that if Bernies message got out there, the AA community would join those like Killer Mike, and wholeheartedly and obviously back Bernie.

[markj757]

71. Just to let you know....I'm not mistaken on Bernie positions....

I never made a statement about single payer cost at all, except to mention it comes with tax increases which is accurate. And I never made a statement that Bernie was against Medicare negotiating drug prices. I know allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices is banned by law, that's why I think Bernie should have emphasized that as part of his signature healthcare policy proposal to eliminate that big pharma giveaway.

There are some of Bernie policy proposals that I like, but his signature healthcare proposal to eliminate our entire health insurance infrastructure, and switch to single payer, no I don't support it, and I won't vote for him in the primary because of it. As far as Bernie's lack of support in the black community due to our ignorance of his message, like I said in a previous post, that strain of thought seems to be pervasive among Bernie supporters on DU. I've already addressed it, so enough said.

[nyabingi]

30. I don't see what's so "demeaning" and "offensive"

about this cartoon - Hillary and her campaign truly does view the Black vote in the south as her firewall against Bernie.

I think Hillary's mystique as being more "electable" won her more Black votes than anything about her character or policies.

Hillary's demonstrated racism over the years and her callous disregard for our lives for political advantage should be what's offensive to all Black people.

[Starry Messenger]

10. Rall jumps the shark so many times he has medaled in it.

[Blue_Tires]

16. Condescension from the 'other' side is still condescension...

Back on the ignore list you go

[LiberalLovinLug]

57. Wow...ignore list status!

Condescension? That's rich coming from a Her Inevitatableness supporter.

Don't know if you can see this, but IMO I never did understand why anyone puts anyone else on ignore. Never done that myself. We've had some lively discussions on Snowden etc.. Its not exactly fun, but its a good exercise I find to spar with those of differing opinions. Also, one may run into them on another thread where they actually agree with your position and that is interesting to me. But, hey, if you can't take the heat...

[Democat]

33. Maybe they're voting for who they think will represent their interests

That cartoon objectifies POC while making a joke about objectifying POC.

[houston16revival]

12. When was the last time

I'm not familiar with elections internationally or historically

When was the last time an intellectual movement - or a fundamentalist
religious one for that matter - derailed established corporatocracy candidates?

[nyabingi]

13. I think BAR has a lot more

realistic take on why some many Black people are pulling for Hillary right now (and it has nothing to do with the love of her positions).

http://www.blackagendareport.com/bogus_power_of_black_vote

[Zorra]

15. It is ironic that, while believing that they are voting to keep the white racist out of the WH,

they are actually voting the white racist into the WH.

Clinton cannot beat the Republican nominee, and Sanders will.

[Blue_Tires]

18. How exactly would Sanders do that

when he isn't even getting minority votes in the primary?

[Herman4747]

24. If Bernie's the nominee, do you truly think that

Black voters would stay at home and thereby permit President Trump?

[onenote]

45. So AA voters will come out to defeat Trump

because they realize what a disaster he would be.

But white "progressives" would stay on the sidelines and enable a Trump victory.
Is that because white progressives don't care as much about protecting minority rights as AAs? And isn't protecting minority rights a progressive value? If so, why enable the election of someone the AA community recognizes as being so dangerous?

[Herman4747]

63. Who said anything about this:

"But white "progressives" would stay on the sidelines and enable a Trump victory."

NOT ME!

[onenote]

66. You haven't noticed how many posts claim that only Sanders can defeat Trump?

The answer is that Clinton can't defeat Trump if Sanders' supporters sit on the sidelines. And Sanders can't defeat Trump if Clinton supporters sit on the sidelines.

[Herman4747]

68. "And Hillary can't win against Trump if Bernie's supporters sit it out."

But I can assure you that many of Bernie's fans will have trouble voting for the one on the right:



I know, I know, you're going to tell us all what a lovely couple they make, but the fans of Bernie are able to detect problems here.

[onenote]

69. Thus making my point. You'd sell out the civil rights of racial and religious minorities, gays,

women, and the disabled by enabling Trump's election.

But you think that those groups will save you from Trump by supporting Sanders in order to protect those civil rights.

Sorry, but anyone enabling Trump's election is not a progressive. Progressives do not enable misogynistic bigots.

[Herman4747]

70. Nor do progressives choose to elect warmongering liars.

Agreed?
But don't worry, few Bernie fans will let your beloved candidate down. Though at times there's not much of a gap between Hillary & The Donald, when faced with two horrible candidates, the fans of Bernie will go just about every time with the one who smiles rather than the one who talks needlessly:

[onenote]

72. Sorry to upset your assumptions. I voted for Bernie. I hope he gets the nomination.

And I will be disappointed if he was to drop out before the convention, even if the cause is lost before then. But I also can do the math and see the writing on the wall. I live in the real world. And I have no patience for so-called progressives that would enable the election of a Mussolini wannabe if Bernie doesn't get the nomination (just as I would have no patience for anyone who supported Clinton who did the same if she doesn't get the nomination.

[Blue_Tires]

60. You mean like how the Bernie stans have threatened to do

if he isn't the nominee?

[Herman4747]

64. Who is "Bernie stans"?

Do tell!

[nyabingi]

19. If either Hillary or Donald win,

there will be a white racist in the office of president in my opinion.

I think the strategy white Bernie supporters have been taking (in showing that Hillary is a very racist person) hasn't quite sank in for many Black voters because they see the Republicans as being much worse. Them thinking Hillary is more electable is wholly the fault of the pro-Hillary media who so desperately want her in office.

[kwassa]

40. Hillary is a white racist? I see.

The separation from reality is deep.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

49. It sure is. Wake the fuck up, why don'tcha. Maybe our kids can have a future.

[leftynyc]

44. The polls prove that's bullshit

Either Hillary or Bernie beats trump. Try again.

[Blue_Tires]

17. Glen Ford? Seriously??

[nyabingi]

22. What problem do you have with Glen Ford? (nt)

[1StrongBlackMan]

25. That explains it! ...

Next question to complete the set: "What problem do you have with Cornell West?"

[nyabingi]

28. If you're going to question my link to

an article by Glen Ford, then at least have the decency or knowledge to explain what issue you have with it (if you can) and I can then explain why I disagree. That's how conversation works.

What about the issues Glen Ford brought up - that is the issue here. I'm sure Hillary supporters would rather avoid serious conversation, preferring snark, diversions and emoticons to anything of substance, but let's try to address the points Ford made.

[1StrongBlackMan]

29. Okay ... you first ...

what do you like about Ford and/or his platform ... besides that he hates Democrats and other Black folks, including this Black President ... IOWs, you agree with him?

[nyabingi]

31. Ford and the other authors

who are frequently featured on BAR are a part of the Black Left and as such, pretty much detest any Black person who is a willing participant in the system that harms the Black collective (including the majority of the CBC and the other Black politicians who are trying to "get ahead" by doing the bidding of the rich and powerful). The Democratic establishment is grooming a few young Black "leaders" (Cory Booker, Anthony Foxx, etc.) to "lead" the rest of Black further down the hole we're already in

The folks on the Black Left are proud, but not blind to the fact that other Black people work against our collective interests and aren't afraid to call them out about it. Obama has been taken to task for his support of Bush/Cheney-style militarism around the globe, his coddling of Wall Street and its criminals domestically, etc., and they are exactly in doing so; Obama earned that criticism.

I don't think Ford has a "platform" (he's not running for office as far as I know), but his agenda is that of the Black Left (the Michelle Alexander's, Angela Davis's, Cornel West's, Anthony Monteiro's, Robin D.G. Kelley's of the world) and yes, I can proudly say I agree with all of them.

OK, your turn. What about Glen Ford's article do you disagree with?

[1StrongBlackMan]

32. Okay ...

Ford and the other authors who are frequently featured on BAR are a part of the Black Left and as such, pretty much detest any Black person who is actually doing anything beyond writing about how screwed up Black "establishment figures" are.

I am far more impressed with/supportive of imperfect doers; than, philosopher would be kings.

[nyabingi]

36. I figured you wouldn't put any effort

into responding to my question, and that's not only a problem, it's pretty infuriating (which I'm thinking is your primary goal).

I took the time to actually formulate an answer to you, but all you did is copy a good bit of my statement and ended up saying nothing about Ford's article (and why so many Black people vote for someone like Hillary out of fear).

You've wasted my time before and I promise you, it won't happen again because I won't respond to you in the future.

I guess this is what passes for dialogue and argument around here lol.

[1StrongBlackMan]

38. Oh well. eom.

[Texano78704]

41. I liked that response

It said everything that needed to be said.

[kwassa]

46. Stylistically, this opinion piece is way over the top.

Full of shorthanded catchphrases. I found it almost unreadable. This kind of crap:

The question of self-determination lies at the heart of the political crisis in Black America. If masses of Blacks at this point in history cannot overcome a mind-twisting fear of the Republican/White Man’s Party, to vote their own, thoroughly documented leftist politics in national elections, then activists should treat the duopoly process, itself, like poison. History shows us that the Black self-determinationist imperative blooms and thrives in movement politics – the only kind of politics that can circumvent and ultimately overcome the entrenched and morally defective Black Misleadership Class, who are inextricably entwined with the Democratic Party and its rich financiers.

and not the slightest bit persuasive.

In it's own way, this author is more condescending towards black voters that some of the most offensive Bernie supporters.

[nyabingi]

50. Aside from your stylistic disagreements ("almost unreadable")

what is that you find worthy of the "crap" label?

The idea of self-determination has been a constant theme for Black people in the US, during and after slavery - the freedom to forge our own future, control our own destinies without the distractions and barriers presented by the "melting pot" of America. Black people don't vote overwhelmingly for the left-leaning party (yesterday's Republicans, today's Democrats) because we all just want to stick together, but because as Ford points out, the conservative party is very openly anti-Black, and in a virtual two-party system such as ours (duopoly), Black people only have one sane choice.

The distinction Ford is making (and the one that Black supporters of Hillary refuse to countenance) is that given a better of two choices within the current left-leaning party, many Black people are choosing the "safe" candidate (or the one whom they have been convinced is the only one with a chance of beating the Republican) instead of the one who's policies would actually be better. I think that is absolutely the correct way of looking at the current situation and is no way condescending.

Condescending is assuming Black voters will be your "firewall" and taking us for granted, but that's the kind of person Hillary is.

[LannyDeVaney]

14. If you think about it ...

the Sanders campaign has known all along they would have a problem with minorities. And yet, they aren't doing anything to change that. In fact, his poll numbers among minorities are getting worse - we're talking 80/20 at this point.

Now, Sanders is certainly a man of unwavering principles, and sticks to his guns. And he is sticking to his guns - the alienation of minorities. Minority voter turn-out is higher, while Democratic turnout is lower. Sanders fired up one of his opponent's voting blocks and at this point doesn't even campaign for them, basically mailing in campaigning in all but the whitest of states.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

20. That is such drivel, I don't know where to start.

The "alienation of minorities"?? Tell me what he has done! Such bullshit.

[LannyDeVaney]

35. Well, there are two possibilities ...

1. He isn't going after their vote.

2. He is failing in his attempt to get their vote.

My belief is he is ignoring them.

[Ned_Devine]

53. There's also a running narrative telling voters that he has a problem with diverse states

By repeating it over and over, they are making it so. I just find it disappointing because he is the candidate with the history of standing up for civil rights and nearly every progressive cause under the sun while she's got the history of promoting and pushing law enforcement measures that were destructive to members of the AA community. However, she was able to get many AA lawmakers behind her to push a positive narrative about her and perpetuate a negative narrative about Bernie. It still goes on now. Can you see why that might bug some of us supporters? It's been a constant drumbeat of "He has no support in the AA community..." "He has trouble in diverse states..." "He struggles with black voters..." and so on. Eventually, when this meme has been said over and over for nearly a year, it becomes true and people believe it. They believe it even more when people in the AA community who are also powerful lawmakers push this theme as well.

[nyabingi]

23. How is Bernie "alienating" people of color?

I don't think you have any clue what you're talking about.

[TomCADem]

73. Are Bernie's Supporters Representative of Their Candidate?

Take a look at the first response to this thread regarding minorities voting against their interests. That is pretty arrogant and patronizing. If Bernie is not winning in minority communities or not winning the union vote as was the case in Nevada, then Bernie's campaign needs to take some responsibility about communicating his message to such traditional Democratic constituencies.

If Bernie's supporters on this board are representative of his campaign, then such messages would definitely alienate minorities and unions. Rather than blaming minorities and unions for being too unintelligent to choose a candidate (see first responsive post), Bernie needs to do a better job of reaching out to those traditional Democratic constituencies. Put another way, a true liberal's strength is going to come from unions and minorities, not by trying to over come them as a voting bloc.

My take is that Bernie is not well served by his supporters if they are attacking and putting down the very constituencies whose support they need to win. If Bernie is not winning these voting blocs, then its on him and his supporters to fix it.

[MellowDem]

54. The answer is obvious...

Sanders has a very liberal message and policies are tailored more to the DUers of the world (the very liberal) and most Democratic minorities don't identify as nearly as liberal as DU does. Sanders won't change that message, and therefore, will continue to not appeal to many minority voters as much as someone like Clinton, who is ideologically much closer to them.

And it's the same with white Democratic voters, they are not nearly as liberal as DU,
And so his support with them isn't anywhere near what we see on DU.

It's just highlighting ideological divisions that already exist in our society, and that polling has consistently shown to exist.

Some on DU assume minorities must be super liberal because they always vote Democratic, and then don't understand why they aren't voting for the person who identifies as very liberal.

[Kingofalldems]

34. I like both candidates.

There have to be a few who agree with me.

[onenote]

47. Voted for Bernie. Will have no trouble at all voting for Clinton

Clinton can't win if Sanders supporters stay on the sidelines. But its equally true that Bernie can't win if Clinton supporters stay on the sidelines.

The repub party is tearing itself apart. If we do the same we're fools.

[jwirr]

37. Interesting article - expected to win Oklahoma? And southern

states that will most likely vote Red in the GE? As to delegates is she still counting the super-delegates?

[Texano78704]

43. What's wrong with minority voters?

That's the question that every "white liberal" (or "progressive," "leftist," etc.) says when minority liberals unite behind a candidate they don't like. Maybe they phrase it differently, but they have their rationalizations ready.

[FiveGoodMen]

55. We often wonder why republicans don't vote in their own best interest

I'm trying to remember the last time someone told me that -- since I'm not a republican -- I'm not qualified to discuss what's in republicans' best interest.

IOW: Shooting yourself in the foot is what it is. How you feel about it matters little. When US sovereignty is signed away to the big Corps and no one can even make a law protecting workers, everyone will suffer. Black, white, male, female ... everyone.

[lunamagica]

56. Minorities united for Hillary...isn't that AWESOME!