"Race is an Important Factor"- 20% of Blacks v 8% of Whites

[Zyklon B]

Among white voters surveyed, 8% said race is the most important factor, up from 5% a month ago. Among African-Americans, who overwhelmingly support Sen. Obama, 20% said race is the top factor.

Comment?

[odie1kanobe]

Lets see "1 in 12 Racist Whites won't vote for Obama".

[myk]

Black people are excited about prospect of first black president.
Whites not too worked up about prospect of 43rd white president...

[Zyklon B]

"20% of Blacks voting for Obama because he is Black"

[Hamm]

"20% of Blacks voting for Obama because he is Black"

No surprise there, the media are making such a big deal on the "1st black president". I'd guess that most people do vote based on stupid reasons like this or because he has "charisma", instead of the important issues.

[stewiegriffin]

Given the history of the country its not surprising that blacks are voting on race lines . Its not much different from when many Irish voted for Mary Mcaleese or Mary Robinson because they were women .A bit shallow but fair enough given historic imbalances .

[Adonis]

I wonder if the black voters in America are voting for Obama purely on a racial basis? Would Jay Z get the same support? I'd certainly hope not, voting for someone because they are black or because they are white is narrow-minded, tribalistic and borderline racist. Personally I think Obama would be great for America and their standing in the world.

[seabhcan]

This kind of thing always puzzelled me - His mum is white. He's just as white as he is black. How come in the US, it doesn't matter if your 90% white, if you're great grandfather was black, your black.

Colin Powell, for example, is clearly not very black at all - but he is the "first African American" to get his job.

[westair]

I wonder if the black voters in America are voting for Obama purely on a racial basis? Would Jay Z get the same support? I'd certainly hope not, voting for someone because they are black or because they are white is narrow-minded, tribalistic and borderline racist. Personally I think Obama would be great for America and their standing in the world.

You just contradicted yourself - did you not? Why would Obama "be great for America and their standing in the world" - because he is black? Is the whole world "narrow-minded, tribalistic and borderline racist"?

[LAAlex]

This kind of thing always puzzelled me - His mum is white. He's just as white as he is black. How come in the US, it doesn't matter if your 90% white, if you're great grandfather was black, your black.

I’m not sure the one-drop rule is in play anymore in the U.S.—this isn’t Show Boat. Obama has chosen to identify himself as black—a political (in the broad sense of the word) decision that people make based on personal life experiences, upbringing, cultural affiliation, and family background. He’s made a concerted effort to draw upon his white background during the primary season and to make race a non-issue, but of course that was never going to work for long. It's the defining issue in American life and has been from the beginning.