NPR: Does Race in Politics Still Matter After Obama?

Does Race in Politics Still Matter After Obama?

Conservative authors and scholars Abigail Thernstrom and Stephan Thernstrom look at this year's Democratic presidential contest and see something that they think is remarkable - the demolition of the long-held belief that whites simply won't vote for black candidates for higher office.

For instance, in a state like Texas, where Hispanic and African-Americans groups are expected to "cancel" each other out in the primary voting, many experts say it will be whites - particularly white males - who will decide the Democratic nominee. And increasingly this demographic is turning to Illinois Senator Barack Obama.

Writing in the Los Angeles Times, the Thernstroms offer as evidence recent statements from the black caucus in Congress and from other African-American legislators around the country who once said that it would be impossible for Obama to get enough support from whites to even make the race close, let alone possibly win it. But that has not been the case.

In a remarkable number of states, according to exit polls, Obama won more than 40% of the white male vote. Those states included Clinton's home state of New York (where Obama got 43%), Arizona (45%) and, most remarkably, the Deep South state of Georgia (46%). Indeed, in Connecticut, New Mexico, Illinois, California, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin, his support from white men was in the quite amazing range of 56% to 64%.
What's more, Obama would probably have won similar levels of support from white female voters -- if he hadn't ended up in a race against a woman. After all, there's no evidence to suggest that white women are less likely to vote for an African American candidate than white men are. If Clinton weren't running (and pulling away votes based on her gender), there's no reason why Obama's numbers among white women wouldn't be as high as his numbers among white men.

The Thernstroms, who have for years argued against affirmative action in everything from education to how districts are drawn up for Congress, do admit that this is a Democratic phenomena so far - they're not sure how Republican voters will respond to an African-American as a presidential nominee. But they says something has changed it America.

So you agree? Are we in a different place racially then we were before? Or like politics, is all racism local, so that while a black candidate can run on a national platform, it's hard for a black to run for Congress or Senate in a largely white state?

2:27 PM ET | 03- 3-2008 | permalink

Comments

It is stereotypical and racist to presume that only blacks are mired in the welfare state of mind.

But, of course, there are whites and hispanics and Asians and what not who are trapped within the welfare sysetm, and can't get themselves out.

Possibly one of the more glaring instances of the welfare system trap is presented in the Native American tribes who, on the whole, have made large financial tribal gains through the casino system.

The monies are distributed throughout the tribal community. Yet, alchoholism and other social ills are prevalent throughout the welfare tribal community.

Welfare is a trap not restricted to race or gender or religious preference.

For the most part, the welfare mindset is more represented by the Democratic Party than the Republican Party.

There is no doubt that there are Republicans who are likewise trapped within the welfare state of mind.

It is a pernicious and disabling psychological trap that breeds anger and hatred for one's country.

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 3:27 PM ET | 03-03-2008

While we may be in a different place in this primary season, the real test of whether we've transcended race will come from how effective Senator Obama, if elected, governs.

Andrew

Sent by Andrew W. Donoho | 3:33 PM ET | 03-03-2008

What the heck does welfare have to do with this article? Me thinks fred camorra call is a nut.

Sent by wsdirt | 4:17 PM ET | 03-03-2008

There will always be racially biased persons. I'm in my fifties and I think there are fewer whites biased against blacks in my generation than in my parents' generation. I also think there are fewer biased whites in my children's generation than mine. I hope and pray that my perception is correct and that the reduction in bias continues.

Sent by Mike Fleissner | 5:11 PM ET | 03-03-2008

Sent by wsdirt: What the heck does welfare have to do with this article? Me thinks fred camorra call is a nut.

Ah, I've confused yet another Michael Moore/Barack Obama Liberal Utopian. I can't seem not to put you friends of Joe Dirt into a tailspin.

Okay, in real simple language where you don't have to take your shoes off to count to understand economics: Barack Obama's economic stimulus program consists primarily of larger government programs.

You know, the Democratic Party's tax and spend policy that includes larger welfare programs.

Now, the Democratic voters are divided between Barack and Hillary because the Clinton economic plan does not carry with it the high expectations of more welfare that the Barack Obama plan carries.

See the picture? Not all Democrats are automatically enamored with vast government welfare programs. Unfortunately for the Clintons, it looks as though the welfare recipient voters will get Barack elected as their party's nominee. It'll be close. But the welfare expectations will win out in the Democratic Party nomination process.

And not all the welfare voters are in the Democratic Party are black. Welfare programs are not relegated to any one race or creed or religious belief. Whites and other races desirous of larger government welfare programs will vote for Barack Obama. Barack appeals to welfare recipients across the board, regardless of race.

If you are still confused, that probably means you are lost in the economic welfare shuffle yourself. That's the pernicious trap of welfare programs. A welfare victim oftens doesn't know where welfare begins from where welfare ends. It's kind of like being lost in a hall of mirrors.

If you are still confused, try focusing your mind on a simpler topic.

Loved that movie Joe Dirt, though.

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 5:16 PM ET | 03-03-2008

wsdirt has got it right.

Sent by Mike Fleissner | 5:54 PM ET | 03-03-2008

Fred,

Look at all the governmental programs in place now that more often than not help bail out corporations with little or no benefit to the economy at large or the quality of life in this country. When you talk about welfare voters are you speaking to these corporations as well? Or will you try and spin it to suggest that government should support businesses when circumstances merit and not support individuals when similar, although more personal circumstances may be at play?

Sent by KRH | 6:20 PM ET | 03-03-2008

As far as the topic of who whether race in politics matter, I think it remains to be seen. Even if Obama were to win the nomination, it's just that, the nomination. As we can already see, attacks by those who oppose Obama's candidacy plays on those fears and biased attitudes that stem from and are fueled by attitudes towards race.

The the truth of the matter is that we all have beliefs that our life experiences have influenced. Without imposing judgment on any individual's beliefs or their right to believe, a point can be made that we are all influenced by the world in which we live. The reality is that prejudice is alive and well and will continue to thrive for the foreseeable future. Will it ever again translate to blatant racist acts such as the case in Spain recently where banana peels are often thrown on the field to taunt dark skinned players or the contradiction that once was this country (that no one wants to talk about)? Only time will tell.

Sent by KRH | 6:38 PM ET | 03-03-2008

NPR has been overstating the role of race in politics through this entire presidential race. It's really pretty embarrassing.

In my experience, racial prejudice is all but non-existent among white people, but is quite strong among other ethnicities (to the point of militancy in the ghetto).

The concept of race, like culture, is a delusion that must be destroyed within an individual, before they can call themselves a human being.

Sent by Jody Sol | 7:54 PM ET | 03-03-2008

The preconceive idea of prejudice is still very much alive and part of our American society. Unfortunately, it is with ALL of us (of all stripes and what have you). And it will be part of us so long as we swallow the message from our media outlets (NPR included) and some our beloved politicians who reinforce in many cases our preconceived prejudices. As example, just look at the last few weeks (Hillary berated by pundits for crying in NH, Bill trivializing Barack's victory in SC, and some yokels viceral attacks on Obama's middle name). The more we talk about our differences the more our prejudices will thrive. Wouldn't it be nice if for once we talk about the things we have in common with each other (lets look beyond our stripes and what have you).

Sent by Roger | 10:45 AM ET | 03-04-2008

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