As an early primary campaigner for Obama, the frustration with AA voters concerns me.

[Barack_America]

Back in 2008, I spent a good amount of time campaigning for Obama in Camden, NJ and West Philadelphia. Perhaps obviously, I was campaigning to win support in primarily African American populations. My most active time with the campaign was when most voters were just beginning to appreciate Obama as a viable candidate...and there was skepticism. The same sort of skepticism I imagine Sanders campaigners are facing now. Certainly the same fondness and loyalty towards the Clintons those campaigners are facing now.

Those days spent going door-to-door and in churches are truly cherished moments for me, but they certainly showed me that Black voters tend to be slower to embrace a "new" politician, and deservedly so. I can readily recall a conversation with one man who bluntly, and honestly, asked why I, a white woman, had shown up at his door campaigning for a Black man. It was easy for me to rattle off Obama's positions, and why I felt he had an easier path to victory in the general election than did Hillary. But this man was asking me why I trusted Obama to do these things, which is not something I had thought much about before. Of course, maybe I should have, but that is for another thread. Point is, he was RIGHT to ask that. And I experienced that evaluation of trust time and time again.

What I also came to appreciate was the strength of the Democratic machine, and the trust Black voters had in their community leaders, particularly in whom to support as a candidate. And, in most instances, the sense of responsibility these leaders felt when recommending a candidate.

As a Sanders supporter, I am not surprised in the least to see this same skepticism towards Bernie. And I can't fault African American voters for it. This skepticism has roots deep in our country's history. So to see several threads in GDP express frustration, anger and even dismissal of Africian American voters saddens me.

Yes, I will be disappointed if lack of Black support costs Bernie the nomination, but I will understand. Trust is complicated and precious, and takes a hell of a lot of time and effort, probably more than the Sanders campaign has had to give. Deserved or not Hillary has it, for now.

I've rambled enough here, thanks for reading.

[kcjohn1]

1. Good post

I wish I had the link to study I read awhile back. It basically said the AA vote was the demographic that consistently votes in a uniform block. Obviously we know about Democrats vs GOP but it was looking at local elections.

My theory is that AA despite voting 90% with Democrats is the most conservative constituency within the party. I would love to see the voting age of AA vs the general public. It is my theory it skews older and female (horrible for Bernie). That is why I'm looking forward to SC and the exit poll.

[Barack_America]

2. Thanks.

But the flip side is that those votes he does earn, that support will be strong and sincere.

While writing this, I saw Bernie's ad he's showing here in Michigan. It's very clearly geared towards the Black vote, and appropriately argues that he's "been there" in the civil rights fight. I think it will have an impact.

Now, how it will play to white independent-minded voters in this sadly segregated region, is another matter. Hillary's ads play better there, but such voters here tend to not be so fond of her.

We'll see.

[kristopher]

3. K&R

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. You noticed that as a campaigner

I do as a reporter. The kids though, were faster once they realized he might be. Talking to my local kids, it is a similar pattern. Early adopters are very committed and talking to their friends and elders.

[NanceGreggs]

5. It's been amazing ...

... to read all of the "here's why the Black folk aren't getting behind Bernie" posts over the past few months. They've been cast as everything from low-info voters to having Stockholm Syndrome.

And now we have yet another explanation - "Black voters tend to be slower to embrace a 'new' politician."

Well, here's an explanation that's both logical and easy to understand: Black voters - just like everyone else - assess the two candidates, and put their support behind the candidate they think is the better candidate.

See! Easy-peasy. No further explanation necessary!

I don't know why BS supporters can't wrap their heads around the obvious.

[Barack_America]

7. Yeah, sure. Have you by chance had conversations with voters and ward leaders...

...on the topic? I see your post as a dismissal that Black voters could have a different take on American politics, which is unfortunate.

[Luminous Animal]

9. She lives in Canada.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. So I can now fully ignore her pearls of wisdom

With tje other Canadian. Thanks

[JonLeibowitz]

14. "pearls of wisdom"? -- You are far too generous!

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. What can I say?

Maybe I should prod her on the new PM who kicked Harper to the curb? I asked that other guy about that matchup and I am still waiting for an answer

(For the record, Trudeau Jr seems to be doing very well)

[NanceGreggs]

34. I'm an American citizen ...

As such, I cannot vote in Canadian elections, nor do I take any interest in Canadian politics.

So exactly what did you think you could "prod" me on? My non-participation in another country's election?

[NanceGreggs]

33. Yes, I live in Canada.

I am an American citizen, and I vote in US elections.

When did my living in Canada mean that I have no right to opine on US politics?

[JudyM]

10. +1

It has been so interesting to watch this unfolding, and from my point of vision it does appear that reticence to shift trust that's already been established is near the heart of things. I could be wrong but that seems right to me, too.

[NanceGreggs]

11. And what is their "different take"?

They don't assess the candidates and choose who to support, just like everyone else?

[Barack_America]

17. Well, you may not have noticed, but...

Black community leaders are very influential when it comes to candidates. Luckily for your candidate, she has not dismissed this. Once you do accept this, you might take a further step and ponder the source of this influence.

But, truly, two white women arguing over the "reality" of Black politics is beyond ludicrous, so unless you have anything to discuss other than your disbelief that Blacks might approach American politics differently...

[NanceGreggs]

27. Oh, I see.

So AAs are easily-led by community leaders.

And here I was, in my ignorance, assuming that black people have minds of their own.

As I said, what's been interesting is watching BS supporters trying to "explain" why AAs aren't feeling the Bern, instead of trying to figure out why HE'S not appealing to THEM.

Again we have the Blacks might approach American politics differently theory - so exactly how do they approach politics differently?

[Kentonio]

42. You don't think it might be somewhat relevant

That after centuries of oppression and discrimination, the AA community finds it much harder to believe the words and promises of politicians who have lied to them on so many previous occasions. Or indeed that this might lead to a much stronger reliance on those who are felt to have earned their trust over many years, including their own community leaders who have spent their lives fighting to improve their communities?

[Live and Learn]

6. K&R nt

[DemocratSinceBirth]

18. Just because a person chooses a candidate, not of your choice, doesn't make...

Just because a person chooses a candidate, not of your choice, doesn't make him or her a "low information" voter.

Since you hold yourself out as being above them could you please post your curriculum vitae or résumé with identifying information redacted, of course, so the rest of us can judge if you do indeed have the authority to tak down to the rest of us.

Thank you in advance.

For the record I am a Caucasian.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

22. Am i supposed to be intimidated

20. WTF are you babbling about?

Am I supposed to be intimidated by you faux internet tough guy personae? Well , I am not.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

29. You are the one ...

You are the one that is trying to make me cower with intimidating language:

-WTF are you babbling about?

-yiang yang

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511324842#post20

Whatever, my friend. You are off topic. I don't blame you, though. You're in wayyy over your head. Good night.

-yiang yang

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511324842#post24

You, my friend, are the one who is holding himself or herself out as some ersatz philosopher king or queen who has been sent from the heavens to bestow your wisdom on us plebeians.

I merely had the temerity to ask you to establish your bona fides.

[trillion]

30. What does name removed mean? Were they kicked off the site?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

32. Yes, my friend...

That suggests the poster was either a sock of a current poster or more likely a "ghost" of a PPRD one.

John Stuart Mill came up with a scheme of weighted voting where the more intelligent you were the more heavily your vote was weighted. There are a lot of "intelligent" Republicans but intelligence is not always synonymous with wisdom. I don't think any of us want to go down that road.

[trillion]

35. Okay, thanks for explaining. I didn't read his posts so I have no idea.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

36. His or her posts were extraordinarily mean and condescending, and deliberately so.

[passiveporcupine]

40. I saw that poster in a thread earlier today and kinda wondered

what they were here for. I'm sorry you had to deal with that.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

46. Not that it matters but I am white.

I just don't want to mislead anybody, intentionally or unintentionally. And like a lot of white folk I have an affinity for African American icons, especially the one in my avatar. But the departed poster's sentiments were designed to hurt. That's obvious.


I will stipulate the "low information" voter exists. But being "low info" has nothing to do with race or station in life. And a lot of times it's just an epithet to be hurled at those who disagree with a person.


Any way, have a nice day.

DSB

[passiveporcupine]

49. Thanks for telling me

I shouldn't make assumptions that someone is AA because that is their favorite group. I will remember that.

And you are right. It doesn't matter what race you are. what matters is that we no longer have to deal with that poster here (until the next time...ugh).

[YCHDT]

21. "They are low information" are you calling black people as a whole low information?

[YCHDT]

25. You said "they are low information voters"

[Change has come]

28. Your post is cringe-inducing.

wow

[JonLeibowitz]

13. Thank you for the insight into how the campaign went.

I certainly understand the reticence and need to TRUST the candidate. I hope that works out well for Bernie; it will be a shame if AAs do not ultimately embrace him.

[JackRiddler]

15. I certainly won't blame AA voters for anything they do.

I can only do what I can for the Sanders campaign and hope there will be a turn in time to prevent another establishment victory.

[Agnosticsherbet]

31. A very insightful and thoughtful post. nt

[erlewyne]

37. I never miss a vote. I'm patriotic!

Just because the polls are a block away and on my
bike trail has nothing to do with me never missing a vote.
I am always ahead of the businesses and schools.

A few times over the years I didn't realize it was a voting
day until I was passing the polls. Voting is easy and I
wish everyone was as patriotic as I am.

[Nyan]

38. As a Bernie supporter, I completely agree.

And appreciate this perspective.
Bernie has never viewed AA voters as a monolithic voting bloc and he hasn't been hasty in courting black votes. And I fully agree that there may very well be particular historical and emotional elements affecting which direction AA voters gravitate towards at each stage of election cycle. We still have a long way to go and we've got to keep things in perspective.

[Flying Squirrel]

39. Thank you.

I've said nothing about this racial kerfuffle and I plan to continue saying nothing. I wish more Sanders supporters would do the same. It can't help, it can only hurt. Let people make up their own minds regardless of race. Stress Bernie's positive history and combat the lies, but do not attack black people who support Hillary as being uninformed or worse -- that's the line that shouldn't be crossed.

[passiveporcupine]

41. Yeah, and to have that happen in this thread...wow!

I'm glad they are gone.

[nc4bo]

43. For what it's worth, HRC had my vote until around June, 2008. I switched to Obama. nt

[Skwmom]

44. There are GOP and others masquerading as Bernie supporters on this board.

Let's continue to divide. In chaos we can reign and serve our 1% masters.

[mmonk]

45. Thank you for sharing. As a former state delegate for Obama in 2008,

I remember the early on frustrations as well before he began to take hold.

[myrna minx]

47. That you for your thoughtful post. It's too bad that thoughtful

Perspective, experience, and insight can be drowned out by all of the quarreling. Thank you.

[bigtree]

48. excellent post

k&r