I'm thinking that the only way we can get over the top is via the black vote

[CatWoman]

I live in Georgia, and the racists here are loud, proud and arrogant in their racism.

I must confess that, in my opinion, these attitudes are not confined to Georgia.

There I've said it.

[melody]

1. In California, most of the people at Obama rallies are white

We'll do well combining the female vote, the black vote, the Latino vote, the gay vote and all the other minorities who are picked on by the GOP and must huddle under the big Democratic tent.

[Left Is Write]

2. I really don't get racism.

I really cannot - literally cannot - grasp the mindset that causes people to be racists.

The fact that race is even an ISSUE is a pretty damned sad commentary, and I wish there were an easy answer to the problem.

[nc4bo]

6. This sounds horrid but the old ones will die off - I worry about the younger ones

the most because the way this global world is going, no man will be an island unto his/herself for much longer. They face a very miserable future.

[guruoo]

8. Why? One word...

Ignorance.

[Left Is Write]

20. I guess that kind of ignorance just astounds me.

I can't wrap my head around it.

[guruoo]

21. I've always wanted to ask Robert Bird about this....

What changed his mind?

[Barack_America]

3. That's been the case for nearly every Democratic victory for decades.

Both for the black Democratic support and the racism.

[Plaid Adder]

4. I always figured that was a given. n/t

[vaberella]

5. Too tell you the truth. Don't depend entirely on the Black vote.

We only make up 10% of the population of the nation on average. Even if he had all of it, it would not be anywhere near enough for him to win the election.

[Bubbha Jo]

10. We simply need the young American vote to offset the

older ones around before the civil rights movements.

I've been working on my mom. I can still remember the night MLK Jr. was shot. She said she hoped he would die..... That's how they were raised back then though.

So ensure all your acquaintances 18 - 40ish are going to vote!

[Spider Jerusalem]

12. 14%, concentrated heavily in urban areas

Large African-American voter turnout in urban areas could make all the difference in some states. In Detroit, for instance, and Gary, it might make the difference between whether Michigan and Indiana go for McCain or Obama. Urban voters can decide the outcome of elections on a statewide level, and this is about electoral votes, remember.

[vaberella]

13. self-delete

[Juche]

15. You never know

The black vote, latino vote and youth vote could really make a difference.

I believe in 2004 Kerry won the black vote by 89%. If Obama gets the black vote by 95% this time that could move states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida more strongly into the dem column.

Seeing how black people make up about 12-15% of the electorate, In close states that could make a big difference. Stronger support and higher turnout among black voters can push Michigan more strongly into the dem category while giving the dems a better shot at Ohio or Florida.

Personally I think the youth vote will push Obama over the top.

In 2004 young people (under 30) made up about 16% of the electorate, and preferred Kerry by about 14 pt margins. In 2008 we'll probably make up 20% and prefer Obama by 20 point margins.

Besides, suppressing the black vote (kicking 50k black voters off the rolls in FLorida in 2000, Blackwell's tricks in 2004 to suppress turnout, registration and voting) are reasons why Bush won in 2000 and 2004. Had every black person who wanted to vote in 2000 in Florida or Ohio in 2004 been allowed to, Gore and Kerry would've won.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

22. African Americans are 20% of the Dem electorate.

Kerry would have lost by 17% without those votes and Gore by 15%. You are right that the black vote alone won't win the election but we don't have a chance without it.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

7. And isn't that the greatest irony? We black people are pilloried for supporting Obama

when the Democratic party has always relied on the black vote to take them over the top. Now, because of racists, the Democrats have to rely--ONCE AGAIN--on blacks to help them over the top. The Democratic primary demonstrated to many of us that racism is alive and well WITHIN the Democratic party. And now, this same party will look to us--AND BLAME US IF OBAMA LOSES--to determine Obama's fate.

This party has really opened my eyes.

[kid a]

9. i was in atlanta (well actually covington/conyers) last week for a few days

saw lots and lots of McCain signs.

There were businesses, hair salons and local diners, with HUGE (like 5'x 5') McCain signs in their windows.
I finally made it to Ansley park and Virginia highlands for some local music and saw some Obama signs.

How do the Obama folks at the local hqs stay motivated??

[sandnsea]

11. Just PA I think

If we take the Kerry states, where I don't think racism will be a problem, and add IA, NM, and CO, then we win. I think that only leaves PA where racism might play, and where the black vote will win it.

[Imagevision]

14. As in Ohio, watch the black voting precincts be shorted on voting machines just like

in the 2004 election where there actually many-many extra voting machines that were never put in place for the blacks to vote. But the whites didn't have any shortage of voting machines. Must be more vigilant, there's too much to lose!

[kid a]

16. Obama has a big presence in Ohio. Hopefully the ground teams will prepare their precinct

[Imagevision]

17. Agreed, however equally important is keeping a lid on the voter fraud BS.

[faithfulcitizen]

18. I understand, I really do. But in Indiana, I am seeing something wonderful happen here.

People are fed up, and for whatever reason, are hitching their wagon to the skinny (Black) guy with a funny name. I am seriously SHOCKED and joyful. I feel like we may actually we witnessing "The Dream" of judging someone based on the content of their character, and not the color of skin.

Of course, we still need the AA community to come out in droves! ;)

[Drunken Irishman]

19. Doubt it. The states where racism is a huge issue, outside of PA, aren't in play anyway.

[quakerboy]

23. Whereas I am thinking

that a vote is a vote, and the only way we can get over the top is with Votes. And whoever is willing to shoulder the responsibility, fill out a ballot and vote is someone I have more respect for than their counterparts who do not. We(Americans) should all be voting. Registration should be at 90+ % of those eligible, Turnout should be at 90+% of those registered.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

24. Didn't Dukakis get like 90% of the black vote?

That was a while ago. I would guess there are a lot more black voters now. I think it's going to take a huge turnout of new young voters regardless of race.

David