I came across an article Friday morning which asked, “Will black voters stay home if Obama loses nomination?”
Following his recent endorsements from two former DNC Chairs, Paul Kirk and Joe Andrew, who withdrew support from Sen. Hillary Clinton and endorsed Sen. Barack Obama, Obama is gaining ground in superdelegates, trailing Clinton by 20.
According to the article, though, black voters are concerned that Obama will be denied the Democratic presidential nomination, and if that happens, a lot of them may stay home in November: “If Obama isn’t the nominee, ‘there would be a significant number of African-Americans who would stay home. They’re not voting for (presumptive Republican nominee) John McCain,’” predicted David Bositis, a senior analyst at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, which researches black voting trends.
What about Hillary? In the article, Todd Shaw, a University of South Carolina political science professor, cited a broad disenchantment in the black community with both Bill and Hillary, following Bill’s performance during the South Carolina primary and Clinton supporter James Carville’s description of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as “Judas” for endorsing Obama.
“The comment plays very badly with African-Americans and Latinos,” Shaw said. “They remind them of ‘Look what we’ve done for you; you should stay in line.’ That doesn’t sit well with voters of color. They view it as Northern machine politics or Old South boss politics.”
James Mondesire, president of the Philadelphia NAACP said it’s foolish for any Democrat to refuse to vote if their candidate isn’t the nominee:
“It’s a stupid way for Obama supporters to think and a stupid way for Hillary Clinton supporters to think,” said Mondesire, a pledged Clinton delegate. “It’s a selfish and destructive way to think. I can’t think of what the Supreme Court would look like if McCain were elected. Roe v. Wade could be diminished, and Brown v. Board of Education could be impacted.”
I think the question is absolutely ridiculous; is there a poll or survey floating around asking if white voters will stay home if Hillary loses the nomination? I digress…
Having won more states, Obama may be on his way to securing the presidency, and one organization wants to make sure that the superdelegates’ votes match those of the people.
Late last week, Color of Change launched an online petition to ensure superdelegates must not overrule the choice of voters. In just two days, nearly 25,000 people have signed it. According to one petitioner: “Black folks are pissed about the possibility of Clinton snatching the nomination, and folks are starting to take notice.”
no, i will still go out and vote
THEN I WOULD VOTE FOR CLINTON
Ugh, this question is so annoying. Are people asking: Will women stay home if Hillary doesn’t get the nomination! No, they aren’t!
Very good picture of Obama…I think a lot of people will not vote. However, it is our right to vote and I hope everyone does. Go NORTH CAROLINA!!! Tommorrow I WILL Be at the Polls bright and EARLY!
I’m sorry babes.. If Barack gets this election stolen from him, I will surely stay home.
I will not stand for Hillary stealing this election. She won’t win against McCain anyway. They won’t do anything but roll out the attacks on each other and play tit for tat.
Hillary doesn’t care about the Democratic Party, Hillary and Bill care about Billary. If Obama were in her position, they’d have asked him to drop out a long time ago. Why the double standard?
Sorry, I will be staying home if he’s not the nominee. Who the hell cares if it’s a “dumb idea?” It would be a DUMB idea to steal the nomination away from Barack
Pretty painful to think about, but a very realistic thing to think about. However, the swing vote is not going to come from black people. Blacks have always voted in high numbers. These numbers have increased since this presidential nomination; however, the “Sandra Day O’Connor” rule, (the swing vote), is going to come from moderate, independents. The ones that are watching this race with neutrality, and are looking to see which person is going to be the overall good fit.
I already did early voting in North Carolina on Saturday. Good turn outs from all across the board. I talked to some old people that said they haven’t voted since JFK was in office. NO LIE!! I was out there dying, because most of them were cracking jokes all day. Oh and those lines are no joke, but it was worth it.
As for this post. If I don’t have a candidate that I agree with on the presidential ballot, I MAY NOT vote. & That’s not because I’m black either. I personally would NEVER vote for Clinton, but that’s just me.
I guess I will go and Vote for Hillary is he loses… Pissed but I would go.
NC vote Obama, he will get my vote tomorrow. I really hope he wins this, he makes more sense to me then the rest of them.
I haven’t decided what I’ll do come November. One of my white co-workers(an Obama supporter) has said that he will not vote if Obama doesn’t get the nomination. I don’t know. I have this forboding feeling that we will have a Republican in the WH for another 4 years.
I WILL NOT vote for Clinton regardless of the outcome.
I will not be voting for Clinton or McCain and that is my right also.
I to have pondered to myself the same thing…being from Chicago, the people of our city are riding on Barack, I too. Yet with so much controversy surrounding him and Pastor Wright only time will tell. I’m riding Democratic all the damn way. We need a change the Republicans are out for dolo those who continue to wait for change will find themselves living in the GREAT GREAT DEPRESSION of the millieum… WHEN ITS TIME TO CHANGE, WE GOT TO REARRANGE!!!!!
I am sorry…but if he loses i will not be voting…because Hillary is the FEMALE version of Bush and McCain forget it! He is like Bush twin brother..(wait he seem to be very quiet these days ummmm)….Yes i am aware that it is stupid for myself not to vote in November…..But i can not stand that bitch Hillary.
Tough decision…but I would rather see Hillary in office than another 4 years of McCain/Bush.
It’s up to INDIANA and NORTH CAROLINA!!! I will be voting tomorrow in Indiana!!!
Voting lines are going to be long in Indiana and North Carolina. Please be PATIENT and ALLOW YOURSELF TIME TO VOTE!!! EVERY VOTE COUNTS!!!
I feel like Obama will not lose BUT if he did I would still vote.
OBAMA ALL THE WAY! IF HE LOST WE WOULD STILL HAVE TO REPRESENT. NOT HAPPY WITH THE SHADY CLINTONS, BUT I WOULD GIVE HER MY VOTE. NC STAND UP, INDIANA STAND UP! WE NEED THIS….
Will white women stay home if Obama is the nominee?????????????? Will working class whites vote republican if Obama is the nominee? the superdelegate need to give it to the strongest candidate and we need to win in november a republican should not get in office in november!!!!!
If you aren’t part of the solution then you are part of the problem. Get out an vote no matter what! But, please don’t be part of allowing McCain in office!!!
I hope Obama gets the nomination if not, I’m still gonna vote
If Clinton gets the nom..I’m rollin with her anything better than McCain old ass
I’mvoting 4 hillary clinton anyway, if these ignorant black people dont vote because obama dont get the nomination are sorry
Maria i agree with you.
Hillary is a bitch.
f her.
I will stay home if they OVERTURN this and give it to her despite barack being ahead.
IF she wins it fair and square I will vote for her.
How could ANYONE vote for Hillary if they steal this Obama?
HOW COULD YOU?
I actually like both candidates. If I did not like Hilary then I would not vote her. I like Barack more so I voted for him. It is silly to lose sight of the bigger picture. However I am not worried. I think Barack will win fair and square. If he does not I will make a reasonable decision at the time with no bitterness in tow.
Whats any diffrent about African Americans staying home in Nov ? Most of us do not vote anyway.. Yea we man act like we support a canidate and talk him/her up in water cooler conversations. But black people do not vote in any significant numbers.
The ones that DO vote will not by any stretch of the imagination note vote for Hill IF Obama does not get the nomination. They may not like her or her husband (which is funny because the Clintons were all but worshiped by black America prior to a viable black canidate) but most will still vote for her over Mcaine anyday. Here’s the thing though if FL and Michigan were counted and both canidates names were on the ballot..we would not be having this conversation as Clinton would be in the lead. She plays better with White voters as shown in PA and OH. I just hope he can beat Mcaine..he does not have the fighter mentality as shown with the Wright controversy. The Repulicans will eat him alive.
I’m so opposed to Hillary Clinton, that I probably wouldn’t vote for anyone if Obama loses the nomination.
so basically people are saying they’d rather let another republican in the white
house than to vote for hillary if obama loses. think about what you’re saying.
ANYTHING has gotta be better than what we have now people. think long and
hard about what you’re saying!
I had a buddy at the gym tell me the other day, “I won’t vote for Hilary Clinton.” I sad to him, “Well, then you are voting for McCain by default.” He felt my point, and is now like me: Vote for the Democrat.
It’s a beautiful thing that this brother is the first serious candidate, and I hope he can win it, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that we are only between 7-12 of the general population, so we can’t elect a dogcatcher on our own, there has to be a coalition of people.
Keep in mind the following: black women are contracting AIDS faster than anyone, a 50% dropout amongst “our” youths, the foreclosures are affecting us more than any other group, fewer people have health insurance than ever, wages are sinking, gangs are out of control, we are 37% of the prison population, we’ll be in Iraq for many more years, we’ll probably attack Iran, need I go on.
Under a Democrat, at least some of the wealth will be shared, under a Republican the pattern will continue: the top 1% controls more wealth than the bottom 50% combined. Don’t be foolish and allow Bush’s bullshit continue, by helping McCain to win. McCain voted against the King holiday and in the 2000 primary in So. Carolina he didn’t address the cofederate flag issue, even though the Bushies accused him of fathering a baby with a black prostitute.
Pleased don’t be stupid an
I have to agree w/ #19. I DREAD the thought of having McCain in office. There will be no change from what we’ve endured for the last 8 years. He doesn’t know a damn thing and will piggyback off the Bush Administration on 95% of the policies. Talk about a recession, HALF-TRILLION dollar pointless ass war, high threat of terrorism, high gasoline, and food rationing. Americans are going in blindsided as hell with McCain as the leader. Do like Lawrence did in School Daze, “WAKE UP!”
If Obama loses, I am definitely staying home in November. I’m not voting for HIlary’s conniving, scheming, lying, mudslinging ass. Hilary can’t win without the black vote, which means McCain will the next president if Obama loses the nomination. Another republican in the white house….let’s jump for joy!!!
SORRY GUYS…i WOULD STAY HOME,.. I REFUSE TO VOTE FOR HILARY OR MCCAIN.. OBAMA SHOULD WIN NOMINATION ..IF HE DOESN’T IT WOULD BE A DISGRACE THAT I WOULD NOT SUPPORT
I think I would feel guilty if I didnt go out and vote for someone. Because so many of my people have died to give me the right to vote. I just would feel bad if I stayed home.
And that “Vote for the Democrat” stuff is nonsense…I’d say vote for the person who is honest and trustworthy.
And dont kid yourself, Clinton can win without the black vote.
@ Angel & Bill
I’m glad you all said that. Voting just to be voiting (when you dont really agree with either of the candidates) is something that I have been battling with internally for a while now. And it’s not just about Obama…it’s period.
Im so glad you brought this up because I asked the same question to close friends and they said PLAINLY that they wouldn’t be voting because they would feel like Hilary stole it, just like Bush did. I do, however, want to know where they’re getting all that information from … Its like theyre speaking for the entire black population and I know that’s not the case.
For me, I have to vote … Its my right, it counts and anything is better than a Republican. We don’t need another 4 years of a republican screwing up the economy for EVERYONE. Then again, just like number 33 said, Clinton can win without the black vote. Why? OLD PEOPLE! lol. Gotta love em.
Obama brought a lot of excitement to this election. For a long time many of us have felt the system is rigged. He’s the first “regular person”, not groomed from birth to be president, not buying the presidency with deep pockets, that we’ve seen since the beginning of American politics. Im a mother and I work with children, if Obama becomes president it will be the first time that I can look in a child’s eyes and honestly say “Yes you can” when a kid says they want to be president when they grow up. The Democratic race has to appear to end fairly if they want Obama people to vote for Hillary, and I don’t believe that’s possible. I no longer have any respect for the Clintons. Their behavior during this race has been deplorable. I will not vote for her if she wins the democratic nomination. I will not reward her bad behavior with my vote. I dont trust her, I dont like her, and I dont belive a word that comes out of her mouth. I will also not reward the democratic party with my loyalty or my vote. The democratic party has taken the Black community for granted for a number of years. A presidential election with the only choices being McCain and Clinton is a sad day in America. I wouldn’t discourage people from voting, but i can certainly understand the difficulty that people would have trying to choose between those to. I myself will more than likely vote for McCain or not at all. I absolutely refuse to vote for Clinton.
it dosen’t matter to me im mccain hands down. the democrats are to foolish to run this country let alone there own neighborhoods. go mccain. you have my vote all the way.
I am sorry but I cannot vote for Clinton. She said she would DESTROY IRAN. We’re trying to get out of a war and she’s trying to start a new one. I don’t know if I want to vote for McCain either. He just seems like a puppet. I honestly don’t know what do people.
I will still vote. Vote for Hillary? Now that is another question… Vote for McCain, I will definitely not do! But, I will vote for all who came before me, that couldn’t vote, lynched trying to vote, turned away from being able to vote, locked-up , etc. I will VOTE for my ancestors!
Hilary and Co. LEFT A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH MONTHS AGO…HER MUD SLINGING AND BILL CLINTON SHADY ASS JUST TURNED ME OFF!!
ITS NOT ABOUT BLACK OR WHITE FOR ME BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE SUPPORTED SEN EDWARDS IF THAT WAS THE CASE…THE CLINTONS ARE JUST GETTING ON MY DAMN NERVES HONESTLY!
I voted for Obama in February but if Clinton some how gets the nomination . I won’t vote in the Fall. They can told all they want about the supreme court appointee and Rode vs Wade. Should have thought about all that while the so called blue collar worker/white people were once again voting for the wrong candidate. Perhaps America still isn’t as ready and progressive as I had hoped. I know too many people Black and otherwise who wouldn’t vote in November. I had really hoped that before I left this world, it was possible for a black person could become President of the U.S.
“I’m a mother and I work with children, if Obama becomes president it will be the first time that I can look in a child’s eyes and honestly say “Yes you can” when a kid says they want to be president when they grow up.”
I understand you sentiment, #36, but with all honesty, you should look you children in the eye everyday and tell them “Yes, You CAN” because children need to be empowered. Politics in this country is dirty and that will never change. This is just the first time an African-American has the position with in reach. There will be others.
Grab a copy of the new Black Enterprise for your kids. It has an excellent cover stories on Black doctors. These are great role models who are advancing us a race.
I think, the superdelegates must realize to cheat Obama would be cheating all people, not just blacks of their right to vote for the candidate of choice, to override the will of the people would be a negating their votes which would be wrong!! N.CAROLINA & INDIANA STAND UP!!! He has won Guam and you must keep the momentum going so it would be an out and out victory for Senator Obama!!
because of rev.wright and fox nooze channel , white folks have circled the wagons. rev wright put on a display that the white folks [most of them]. have found barack GUILTY by assoication and will show black folks on may 6 that you don’t F—– w/ their mother nature, and will send that message may 6, i hope i’am wrong . hillary knew that rev. wright was her ace in the hole. now i wander how all you Q’S feel w/ the shining examples of your frat bro,s rev wright and the mayor of detroit wow i really look up to these shining examples of this kind of leaders. also on youtube have anyone seen the spot on the city counsel meeting where it shows the inability of a people to even get along and handle the bussiness of detroit shining examples of black leadership. go to any city in the continenal U.S. RUN BY AFRICAN AMERICANS AND YOU WILL FIND UTTER CHOAS. hell…………ooo tavis smiley. take that inventory while ya celebrate cinyo de mayo celebrate tjms cause them lateeno’s are gain’n on you . do you hear me…………….. C.C. i,am sorry other than were all having a seat at GOD”S tablehood of man i see little what i have in common w/ a race that see’s little in common w/ me. have you read the papers on seen the news keep looking for the lateeno support and its all you gonna get is a look. lateeno’s have said [usa today] they would support mccain before they would support a black. see is it fair to say, ask the lateeno’s do; and if PEOPLE TEND TO OBEY —– the one’s who support them is this right tjms its just a ??????????. i love you like a fat kid love cake. sometimes you take your funny to the edge where sometimes you have to cringe . but i love you . i have even been critical of condi rice who is an perfect example of african america history who you look at . i love her dirty draws but i don’t agree w/ her constant explanations and excuse making for bush and his band of theives but i love her also to like a fat kid love cake. but black folks keep on keep’n on you’ll get it one day.
I understand your point Chaka. I empower my kids and others everyday, by giving them perspective. I show them the world outside of our neighborhood, city, state, and country. I have never told a child what they can’t do. As a matter of fact when a kid tells me what they want to do when they grow up, my response is always “and what else”. I teach kids to put commas in those answers not a period. But I think you missed my point. The key word in the sentence you quoted was “honestly”. As adults we know the BS of the presidential politics. Before Obama it didn’t seem possible for anyone with out deep pockets, and long-standing family political connections could get a fair shot. If Obama wins it opens a door for everyone. The game will be played differently and the average person, no matter what their backgroud, or childhood can run for President. And when a kid says they want to be President we can all HONESTLY say “Yes you can”.
I have a question for those who said they wouldnt vote if Obama didnt get the nomination. Would you vote for Clinton if Obama were her vice president? Or vice versa, would you still vote for Obama if he named Clinton as his vice president?
Just curious…..
I have been asking myself this question for a while. I have voted in every election since I was able to vote 10 years ago. My parents are 70 years old and grew up during the era when voting was not an option. I recognize the sacrifices our people have endured and I am still on the fence on what I will do if Barack doesn’t get elected. As crazy as it sounds…I may not exercise my right to vote. I am almost to the point where I would rather see another Republican in the office than I am to assist Hillary on her quest. My cousin cast her own name in the primary because she didn’t like any of the candidates. Hilarious.
I wonder if Hilary loses will Barack choose her as his running mate and vice versa. I personally don’t think Barack would run as a VP to Hilary. I also don’t think he should…because then he would not represent fresh new ideas once he is able to run again…he would be tainted because he would have been her VP. It would also be odd to run with someone that you just fought tooth and nail with in a nasty election for over 12 months.
@34
THERE WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN A BILL CLINTON AS PRESIDENT WITHOUT THE BLACK VOTE…
DON’T KID YOURSELF SWEETIE.
That’s a good question #47. I agree with 50 Cent when he said that they might try to kill Obama if he gets elected. With all that’s going on these days, it’s highly likely. Hilary sucks so bad that I don’t want her as a vice president either.
This is the first time in my adult life that I’m considering staying at home in November if Obama doesn’t win the nomination. Originally, I remained neutral on both candidates and considered where they stood on the issues. Both have similar ideals on education, health care, the economy, and carefully withdrawing our troops.
However, my opinion changed on Hillary and Bill when they started using Rovian tactics against Obama. The kitchen sink politics of attacking a party member in this manner became offensive to me. It didn’t help matters that Bill Clinton had the nerve to scold African Americans for not supporting his wife. I wonder does he think the black vote is a birth right?
The way they have systematically gone about tearing their own party member down has revealed a power hungry coupling and that has left me flabbergasted. I can no longer support Hilary Clinton and this type of campaigning. I’m just really turned off by the divisiveness the Clinton’s have caused amongst party members.
So, I’m 50/50 at this point. I’m not sure Hilary will get my support if she does indeed win the nomination.
I will not vote for Hillary if she goes on to win the nomination for one because her personality. She acts like she is doing us a favor and mocks the african american race. This race is not about the Democratic Party. It’s about who has the heart, mind and ability to do as they are promising. I think Hillary is selling America a sack of lies. Obama has the passion that is driven. Hillary is unconvincing that her love for the black community is genuine. I will not vote for her-yeah it’s sad but I cannot allow myself to vote for someone who is a faker.
WELL GUYS, SINCE EVERYONE IS SET IN THEIR WAYS, LET’S SAY HELLO TO YOUR NEW PRESIDENT MCCAIN! WE WILL BE FUCKED EVEN HARDER FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
no complaints when that happens, just say Hey I refused to vote because my candidate of choice didn’t make the cut! You’ll feel better. Promise…
This turn out will be VERY interesting…and scary…
It’s like Malcom X said in his speech “The Ballot of the Bullet”…the Black vote is always the deciding factor…YT knows this…they are always split down the middle and when we show up in large numbers and vote the same way we are the tie breakers….that’s it…and the Democrats CAN NOT WIN the white house without the Black vote…but as my Nana used to say, “Baby you have to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything” and if Slimy Hillary and Tricky Bill figure, and that spineless Howard Dean, figure out a way to CHEAT Obama out of this nomination that he has worked so hard far….then it wil be time for Black people to take our stand….we can not let the Democratic Party bascially shit on us, by denying Obama and if McCain gets in there so be it….because in actuality a McCain presidency would be a lame one anyway…because the Dems are holding the majority in Congress and they could make his tenure a living hell….
So I am not worried about it anymore…I AM WITH OBAMA ALL THE WAY….I WILL MAKE MY STAND IF NECESSARY… and go into that voting booth and write his name in on the ballot regardless and I hope that there are more Black folks like me because we as a people can not continue to allow any party to take our vote for granted!
……………I think you all will find this post interesting. I found it on the link to the Indiana newspaper that was discussing the superdelate endorsment by former DNC chair. Hllary really has a lot of baggage and I cannot honestly say that I feel comfortable having someone like this represent our country. I highly doubt that if she is elected president our country will move in a positive direction.
OUR FAMILY FOUND OUT THAT HILLARY AND BILL CLINTON ARE INVOLVED IN A CIVIL “FRAUD” LAWSUIT! THE PLAINTIFF IS PETER F. PAUL, AND THE CALIFORNIA SUPERIOR COURT (LOS ANGELES) JUDGE (AURELIO MUNOZ) HAS GIVEN THE GO AHEAD TO MR. PAULS’ LAWYERS TO TAKE DEPOSITIONS. HILLARY (DEFENDANT), WILL NOT BE DEPOSED UNTIL “AFTER” NOVEMBER, DUE TO THE ELECTIONS. BILL CLINTON (DEFENDANT), WILL BE DEPOSED REAL SOON, AS WELL AS, OTHER PARTIES INVOLVED. MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THIS LAWSUIT, INCLUDING THE MEDIA!! THE MEDIA WON’T REPORT IT, AND EVERYONE IS TRYING TO KEEP IT QUIET!! YOU CAN VIEW IT FOR YOURSELF AT: http://www.lasuperiorcour...summary.asp?Referer=index
The Civil Case Number is: BC304174
WE FOUND OUT THAT HILLARY HAS ALREADY BEEN FINED $30K+, BY THE FEC (FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION), BECAUSE SHE LIED/MIS-REPORTED HER CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM MR. PAUL. PLEASE, DO YOUR RESEARCH!! OUR COUNTRY CANNOT AFFORD TO GO FROM BUSH’S FAILED WAR TO WATERGATE PART 2 !!
I will still vote, but I will do a write-in for the presidential slot. I have no faith in Sen. McCain or Sen. Clinton. I will not pick the lesser of two evils.
——–I don’t understand why Obama losing would be an issue if everything and
——–everyone is nonbiased. He will lose, by the way because he was never meant
——–to be a viable candidate which is what I’ve been saying from the start. I don’t
——–see the powers that be putting him in the White House due to the fact that
——–Hillary has been selected for a good period of time. Jeremiah Wright is Boule
——–and he’s being used as the pawn and the reason for Obama’s presidential bid
——–collapse. It was perfect because it allows whites to still mock the entire black
——–race for their inability to “unite” behind their “best chance for the White House.”.
——–Now, in my opinion, if you are a negro that subsribes to the voting process the
——–answer to what you must do if Obama loses the Democratic ticket is easy. You
——–must vote for either Hitlary or McCain or you are a massive hypocrite.
Obama has my vote tomorrow (Indiana primary) and if for some impossible reason he doesn’t secure the nomination, then I’ll vote Hillary *with a serious mean mug on my face* but no way am I not voting!
We need to give some real serious thought when it comes to not voting b/c your candidate is not the nominee. My right to exercise my vote means more and I will select the lesser to two evils (McCain and Hillary).
Despite how we may personally feel about Hillary and her irresponsible campaign tactics, she still has many of the same views as Obama. In my opinion right now it’s more important to make sure you can see a doctor when you are sick and poor than to die because all of the government funding has went to IRAQ.
I am an avid Obama supporter, but please to not loose sight of the BIGGER PICTURE. If Barack is not the nominee, then I will vote for Hillary (that statement made my skin crawl).
#57, I agree with every bit of what you said. I may not agree with the way Clinton is going about becoming president, but she has a lot of the same views and plans as Obama. Being that my older cousin is in Iraq, I just cant see me voting for McCain. He wants the war to continue for however long.