NPR: Black Voters to Stay Home if Hillary Wins Nomination?

Black Voters to Stay Home if Hillary Wins Nomination?

Hillary Clinton is greeted by supporters at the Zion Missionary Baptist Church in the African-American neighborhood of Compton, California in January 2008.

Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images

As the Democratic race for the White House whittles down to the whims of superdelegates, some black voters are telling those in power: if Barack Obama is denied the nomination via "back-room" dealings, there will be political hell to pay.

Color of Change -- the black netroots organization, which organized mass responses to Hurricane Katrina and Jena 6 case -- has launched a petition effort aimed at members of the Congressional Black Caucus. It reads:

As "superdelegates" in a close race for the Democratic nomination, members of the Congressional Black Caucus have the ability to vote for whoever they like and could undermine the will of the voting public and the voters they represent.

Though voters in most CBC districts overwhelmingly supported Barack Obama, some CBC members are threatening to vote against their constituents, and perhaps against the will of the American people, by casting their superdelegate vote for Senator Clinton. We can prevent this from happening by letting Black leadership know we're watching.

It will take courage and conviction for CBC members to break with back-room politics and stand up for democracy. But we must demand it. Call on members of the Congressional Black Caucus to cast their superdelegate vote in support of the will of voters.

What do you think of this effort? And for those of you who are Democrats, what will you do if your favored candidate doesn't get the nomination?

UPDATE: Thanks to Color of Change communications director Mervyn Marcano for the following insight: the petition the group launched today is targeted to all superdelegates; the CBC petition referenced above is now closed.

Past Coverage:
Reporters' Roundtable: Jena 6 Protests

Geoffrey Bennett

Tags: Barack Obama | Elections 2008 | Hillary Clinton

12:26 PM ET | 05- 2-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I will not vote for the president if Hillary Clinton is the nominee. I will choose to leave that position blank.

I am not voting for someone who will bring back all of the scandals and lies that she and her husband are notorious for.

Sent by Mona M. Rock | 2:48 PM ET | 05-02-2008

I don't think Blacks will stay home if Obama loses. The people that Barack has inspired will follow his lead. If Obama says 'Vote for Hillary' then it's as good as done.

Sent by Bill M | 4:21 PM ET | 05-02-2008

Staying at home isn't going to do anybody any good, WHITE or BLACK. Asian, Hispanic or otherwise. Besides the Presidential race, there are going to be other races going on that are going to need voting on and also state issues. Who says that when you step up to the voting booth you HAVE to vote for either Presidential candidate? You can skip it that category altogether or you can vote for the Libertarian candidate or Ralph Nader. Nothing says None of the Above like a vote for Ralph Nader.

Sent by Thomas B | 6:42 PM ET | 05-02-2008

I do not think African-americans are that stupid and self-destructive. If Clinton is the nominee, and if Mr. Obama asks us to support her, we will. There is no way John McCain is going to help our country or our community.

Sent by Martha A. Crunkleton | 8:53 PM ET | 05-02-2008

Like a cold day in hell they will.
Like most good sheep they will come out and consume whatever 'the party' puts on the table.

Sent by Sem0l1na | 6:25 AM ET | 05-03-2008

NPR and other media outlets have started enforcing a media gag order on news about Hillary Clinton.

Sent by Sem0l1na | 6:27 AM ET | 05-03-2008

right now, there are now mechanisms that govern the expression of views in the 5th estate.

it is a free market, producing views in the self-interest of whoever has the resources to control the netwaves. until we understand how to connect the netroots to real community issues, they should be seen with the same critical eye we use to understand the failings of an unaccountable press.

take for instance the last statement, that the superdelegates should be expressing the will of the voters. in every scenario in which you make an effort to count every vote - clinton is ahead.

do facts matter?

Sent by rhesa | 8:16 AM ET | 05-03-2008

I will stay home if Hilary steals the nomination through a back room approach. Barack has won more delegates, more state, more popular votes, how then can you explain to me that he has not earned the nomination?

Sent by Julie | 10:22 AM ET | 05-03-2008

Bill M?...

I really wouldn't be so sure about that.

Seriously.

Sent by PaigeinPhilly | 1:41 PM ET | 05-03-2008

Maybe the question should be "Women to stay home if Obama is the nominee?"

This woman will. The DNC has made their bias known and if they think all women will just fall in line and support their male choice they aren't living in reality. Who runs the polls? Who does the vast majority of the phone calls? Who does the vast majority of putting out fliers? Hey, as far as I'm concerned I've done my last bit for the Democratic Party if Obama is the nominee....let them make their own damn coffee.

Sent by R. Peters | 5:16 PM ET | 05-03-2008

I won't stay home, my vote will be counted and recorded. I'll write in the candidate that should be on the ballot, regardless of the Clintons' machinations and worse. I'll write in Obama so that at least the Cems will know that that is my choice.

I refuse to be pandered to by the Dems anymore, after years of having to either hold my nose or close my eyes I want my chance to vote for a real, live, decent human being.

Hillary's had yeeeears, 35, 60, whatever to "clean up Washington" and all she's done is become Queen of Pork and Empress of Shill.

Sent by Lolo | 9:59 PM ET | 05-03-2008

I will NEVER stay home during an election. If you stay home you do a disservice to ALL those who fought for & risked their lives by going to the polls.

I'm voting for Obama no matter who's on the ballot. I will WRITE IN OBAMA.

Sent by Jon J | 5:17 PM ET | 05-06-2008

To rhesa which mode of mathematics are you using that calculates Clinton is ahead? And please don't retort with that "If Michigan and Flordia counted" garbage.

Sent by jack | 10:10 AM ET | 05-08-2008

Not voting is not an option. If Senator Clinton wins the nomination Blacks will vote for her. No way would they vote for McCain or stay home and let McCain win by default.

Sent by Karol | 11:02 PM ET | 05-12-2008

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