Will African-Americans bolt if Hillary doesn't choose Obama for her VP?

[BluegrassDem]

I was just thinking that the pressure on Hillary to choose Obama for her veep will be immense from some of her strongest supporters...African-Americans.

I know a lot of black people are torn between Hillary and Obama. Even the ones that are supporting Hillary are also hoping Obama does well. If Hillary does end up winning the nomination and Obama still does well, I think that she'll almost be forced to put him on the ticket or she will face a lot of angry black voters. And there's history for this. Remember what happened to Kathleen Kennedy Townsend in Maryland when she passed on an African-American for the lt. governor spot? She ended up losing cause a lot of black voters stayed home.

[BOSSHOG]

1. If she does win the nomination

Obama can make it a moot point by saying he will not run as VP. I think he has said something along those lines (just like every other candidate in this stage of the race.)

[BluegrassDem]

3. Obama would take the VP spot

No doubt about it. It would propel him into the national media spotlight and get him prepared to be the next Dem. nominee, even if they lost. He'd be a fool not to take it.

[bigdarryl]

29. Theres no way in hell RED STATE AMERICA is going to vote for a ..

woman and black man this time.

[xultar]

2. Wouldn't that be a question to ask of any candidate not just Clinton?

[enid602]

11. Hillary

Why not ask Hillary if she will run as VP? I've always felt that this might just be the best avenue for her.

[xultar]

16. For her? Why? She is more than capable than any man. Why should she?

[enid602]

21. split

I have to admit I'm so split between Hillary and Obama that I don't know which I'd prefer to see in the top spot. Still, I'd hope the other would have the grace to run in the 2nd spot if that was deemed best for the party. If Cheney's taught us anything, it's that the VP needn't be poswerless.

[xultar]

27. Exactly. I support any Dem over a Rethug. ANYDAY.

[saracat]

23. Hillary "more than capable than any man" ? Whaat? Isn't that very sexist of you?

Frankly, while I think Hillary is capable, she is not "more capable than ANY man" or even "any" woman ! I think many persons of either gender would be as capable and some MORE capable than Hillary.I have frquently opined that I would rather see Elizabeth Edwards or Barabara Boxer as the first female president.

[xultar]

25. Yes. Just responding to people who think she should settle for VP. Chillax.

[ronnykmarshall]

18. 2008 is Hillary's only chance for the Presidency.

If she doesn't get the nomination, she'll stay in the senate. I could see her as the Majority Leader of the senate.

[wyldwolf]

4. Would women bolt if anyone didn't pick Hillary as the Veep?

[BOSSHOG]

7. and how bout guys with good hair if Edwards didn't get the nod?

[wyldwolf]

12. elves and hobbits with hot girlfriends if Kucinich didn't get it?

[Zensea]

5. Unlikely

Your example really isn't pertinent either.
There's a big difference between a governor and a president.
I'm not even a Clinton fan, so I'm not saying this to prop her up.

[Cyrano]

6. Well, as long as we're on the topic, "Will women bolt if Obama doesn't

choose Hillary as his VP?"

I'm sorry, I don't mean to be insulting, but as far as I know, no one has cast a vote for anyone yet and won't until next January in Iowa and New Hampshire. By then, Al Gore might be the nominee, (pick your own VP nominee), and Hillary and Obama might have fallen off the map.

[Chipper Chat]

8. Why are we coronating Hillary?

In January 2004 Howard Dean was way ahead and considered unstoppable. He was endorsed by Al Gore and Bill Bradley. He was being asked relentlessly who he "will" choose as his VP. History lesson here?
*Sigh.*

[Vincardog]

9. The question is will a Republican win if Hillary is nominated? She is their best chance.

[wyldwolf]

13. The question is why the constant repetition of this myth?

[DURHAM D]

15. I don't call that crap a myth - I call it a right wing talking point.

You are kinder than me.

[Vincardog]

20. You think anyone against Shillary is RW? Ruppert Murdock gave her a fund raiser

for God's sake. I think that if HRC is nominated the GOP wins either way.

WE don't need no more damn triangulation.

[DURHAM D]

22. No, I don't think everyone who is against Hillary is right wing.

I was responding to the fact that the Dems who repeat the "Repubs best chance" crap have not stopped to realize that it is a right wing generated talking point designed to confuse politically naive voters. Its working.

[Vincardog]

24. Those Repubs are good, I thought I thought of that

[treestar]

10. Are there that many people making these decisions on shallow

considerations alone? I hope not.

I'm a white woman. Gee, if Obama wins the nom, I'm going to vote repuke if he doesn't pick Hillary as his Veep. :sarcasm:

[Zensea]

14. No, but there are plenty of shallow people trying to create division

based on such things.

[Karenina]

17. I sure do wish that at SOME POINT IN TIME

"African-Americans'" DIVERSITY will be be recognized and no longer considered a MONOLITH. It's just. so. paternalistic.

[ronnykmarshall]

19. Will gays bolt if she doesn't pick Barney Frank?

[ecstatic]

26. It depends on how much support Obama picks up between now and then

Currently I and my boyfriend are the only blacks I know (personally) who support Obama. I am a marginal supporter, meaning I have doubts but I'm willing to believe in his ability to win because of the faith displayed by people I respect, like Oprah. If Hillary does not choose Obama, I won't hold that against her, but my boyfriend will.

I had a conversation with a bunch of people yesterday (all black, 25 and under crowd) and I was shocked when none of them said they were supporting Obama. Among the reasons: He lacks experience (he should try in 8 years), he'd be assasinated, and this country is too racist (and they brought up the Mike Vick situation as proof).

Now the situation you bring up is totally different: Maryland has a huge black population (about 30% vs. 12% nationwide) and Townsend couldn't justify picking the Republican at the last minute. Really it boils down to expectations of what is possible and what is not.

[Forkboy]

28. Bolt to where?

She has large support from the African-American community.While there will surely be the odd person here and there who would be pissed I suspect the number would be extremely negligible.I think many would be happy with either one.

[Ethelk2044]

30. How do you know that African Americans are torn?

Have you personally talked to any African Americans or did you get your insight from some poll op ed piece? Did you discuss it with anyone? Please reply. :shrug:

[robcon]

31. Where would they bolt? Republicans???

Silly thought, IMO.

[zulchzulu]

32. I've met African-Americans that cry when getting an Obama bumpersticker

I've seen it firsthand several times. I wouldn't put the African-American vote in Clinton's corner quite yet.

[robcon]

33. I'm not saying that African-Americans (except NY) will vote in droves for Clinton

but I think that the idea that they will "bolt" to some other candidate is silly in the extreme.

Clinton will probably get as much as a typical Democrat will get among African-Americans (85%) - no more than that.