July 17, 2008 12:28 PM
A new report tries to answer the question "Will Latinos vote for a Black president?". The question arose during the primaries when Latinos voted 6 to 4 for Hillary Clinton. Analysis was split on whether this was a pro-Clinton vote or an indication of resistance to an African American candidate. New polling indicates that support for Obama since Clinton dropped out has risen to 59% v. 29% for McCain.
Although McCain is generally seen as sympathetic to immigrants, the Republican brand was badly damaged during the last year of often hostile debates on immigration. The gap between Latinos identifying themselves as Democrats v. Republicans grew by 13% over the last eighteen months, an unprecedented move of Latino voters away from the Republicans.
There never was any evidence that Latinos wouldn't vote for an African American for president. Latinos in Illinois voted for Obama because they know and trust him, and Latinos in California, New York and elsewhere voted for Clinton because they know her well and trust her.
The only "analysis" suggesting that the pro-Clinton Latino vote was racially motivated came from Clinton campaign operatives, a handful of Latino racists and radio/cable wingnuts trying to cause divisions among Democrats.
Of course, ignored was the overwhelming evidence of Latinos voting for African Americans in large percentages in local and state contests (Bradley in LA, Dinkins in New York, Washington in Chicago, Patrick in Massachusetts, etc).
Now that Latinos know Obama better--and they like what they're see, they're flocking to him.
(What's laughable is that Sergio Bendixon, Hillary's Latino pollster--and the man credited with the observation that "Latinos don't have a history of voting for the black candidates"--is now disputing the findings in all national polls that significant Latino support for Obama.)
If Latinos continue migrating to Obama, watch the wingnuts reverse themselves and begin accusing the minorities--African Americans and Latinos--of ganging in order to take down the White man. And they'll find a handful of nutty "minorities" to claim a grand racial scheme.
By Gerry July 17, 2008 08:51 PM
Thanks for posting this Gerry. I agree, mostly because just about every Latino I spoke with was either undecided, said they would vote for whoever won the dem primary or Obama. A small handful said Clinton.
BUT none have said McCain.
The Latino vote just like the Native American, African American, Asian, etc....are incredibly important to our democracy. I think why we're hearing so much this year is honestly the damn 24-hour news networks! I mean I'm addicted just like everyone else....but how many stories can you run about the same topic?!
By Lisa Votino-Tarrant July 18, 2008 02:09 PM