Obama Faces Doubts Among S.C. Blacks

[Alamom]

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/07/27/ap3961705.html

Forbes

Associated Press
Obama Faces Doubts Among S.C. Blacks
By NEDRA PICKLER 07.27.07



TIMMONSVILLE, S.C. - Presidential hopeful Barack Obama faces two major obstacles in South Carolina, the first Democratic testing ground for black support: the popularity of the Clinton name and doubts among blacks that white America is ready for a minority president.

The candidacy of the 45-year-old Obama elicits genuine excitement in a state where blacks comprise about half of the primary electorate. Yet coupled with that emotion is a strong degree of skepticism about the freshman senator's experience and whether he can win.

Obama also is up against the formidable Clinton, the Democratic front-runner who enjoys strong support in the black community and is married to former President Clinton, who is wildly popular in the community.

The Associated Press interviewed Democratic voters across the state, including about a dozen blacks, and found evidence of excitement and doubts.

Ashley Torrence, a 27-year-old college instructor in Greenville, S.C., is torn between voting for Obama and Clinton, and considers her vote crucial because either candidate could smash barriers. Torrence has talked to Clinton and was disappointed when all she got from her encounter with Obama was a handshake.


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[draft_mario_cuomo]

1. "Obama has about 40 staffers in the state, more than double any of his rivals"

Interesting...

[Tellurian]

2. After the stunt Obama pulled insulting Hillary this week, he better treble his staff!

maybe it will or maybe it won't do any good..

meanwhile, here's a



to stop the bleeding, Obama. Don't say we never gave you anything!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. LOL

"the stunt Obama pulled"

[rinsd]

4. Polls have been a bit inconsistent in SC though Hillary has been doing well (nt)

[jenmito]

5. "The popularity of the Clinton name..."

Where would she be without Bill? She's riding his coattails.

[Ethelk2044]

6. Only in the media.

[Colobo]

7. I think it is obvious: Obama needs to convince America he's got what it takes, which he does.

[Scriptor Ignotus]

8. is irony the right word

if the doubts black people have about Obama keep him out of the White House? Well, theres still lots of time. Hopefully he'll win them over.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

9. Well, he is doing substantially better among African-Americans than among the general population

He was at, what, 41% among African-Americans in the latest poll while he has hovered around 23-25% in recent national polls.