Poll: How big a factor is race in Presidential politics?

BLaCKPoWeR

Anyone who follows politics even in the slightest knows that the Republican Party has not been kind to President Obama. Of course the fact they are on opposite sides of the political spectrum would be a reason. But how big a role does racism play? How many of the President's detractors do you think dislike him simply because he is Black or because they cannot deal with the reality of a Black President? Has racism been holding the President back from making as much progress as he would like to?

(When I say Republican Party, I mean the politicians *and* the citizens.)

Dickard

I'm not trying to sound racist.

But some people automatically align with Obama and his policies simply because he is black; they do not care nor do they really further investigate what his intentions may be.

Remember racism goes both ways. It isn't abhorring someone because they are a particular color; it's also sharing an affinity because they are a certain race.

GaGaFan

I really, really don't think it's about his race. I mean, sure in the deep south there would be some racist prudes. But for the most part that's not the way it is. People tend to take those extraneous examples and try to apply them across the board...it doesn't work.

DvnR

Before the '08 elections, there was a report of about 1/6 of Americans not being able to vote for Obama due to his race/ethnic background. That's not all the hate, but that's a lot of it. Of course, there are people that blindly follow Obama cause he's black (whether they're also black or they're scared of seeing seen as racist).

Rated R

Quote:

Originally posted by Dickard

I'm not trying to sound racist.

But some people automatically align with Obama and his policies simply because he is black; they do not care nor do they really further investigate what his intentions may be.

Remember racism goes both ways. It isn't abhorring someone because they are a particular color; it's also sharing an affinity because they are a certain race.

That's exactly how I feel. There are very publicized stories of certain people (Tyler Perry for example) voting for the first time SOLELY because Obama was running. There are (or were...don't know if they are still around) videos of African Americans who were "tricked" by others asking if they Democrats and then asking if they support Obama's policies (which they substituted with very right policies)...and they said they would support these policies even though they were very conservative in nature.

There are also people who voted for McCain though because he was white, but I think that was a far less number.

CoffyAddynCiggy

There's definitiely a lot to hate about Obama, just from a political standpoint, but he definitely gets a lot of hate because of his race. I think most of the people (at least I hope) that oppose him, just don't like his policies.

Scuba_Dive

It's a huge factor.
On both sides.

Evun

Being black probably benefits Obama more than it hurts him.

Anyone who wouldn't vote for him because he is black would never have voted for him anyway because he is a Democrat.

MP2K

oop at my vote.

Jabril

I think it's separated. But if you think about it most people don't pay attention to politics and just vote from appearance

Sláy

Considering they're still harping on about his 'papers' and trying to expose him as some kinda fraud....there's your answer. The man has been blocked at every turn, he can do literally nothing.

Tropez

I think most people vote for him because of his skin color. And if he loses his next election people will say it was because of his color.

Harmonic Dreamer

I think so to an extent.
As someone stated in the thread, most African-Americans only voted because Obama was African-American.
I think it's more important to look at their instances and what they stand for rather than look at the candidates race. I personally don't give a damn about politics but if I'm going to vote, then I'd rather look at the policies they support and what they wish to change or whatever. I ended up voting independent because I didn't like Obama or McCain.

Kitt

Quote:

Originally posted by Dickard

I'm not trying to sound racist.

But some people automatically align with Obama and his policies simply because he is black; they do not care nor do they really further investigate what his intentions may be.

Remember racism goes both ways. It isn't abhorring someone because they are a particular color; it's also sharing an affinity because they are a certain race.

That is not racism. It's not that simple. Racism isn't because you happen to take an affinity to your own race as opposed to others. Racism deals with biased standpoints with the intent of hate and vitiation involved for any other/or another race but their own.

Yes there were citizens who voted for Obama solely because of his race, but I'm sure a lot of it wasn't in spite of 'white people'. Considering this was the first black man to run for president, the most likely intent was for Obama to win (despite his political beliefs and standpoints and/or their ignorance surrounding politics in general) as a sign of success and accomplishment for "their own" - which is something that not only does the black community hold in high regards, but all minorities in circumstances like this. I'm not saying that the people who did so aren't racists or had racist intents, but I believe that when it comes to issues like this, this is the initial, and at core, intent for minorities. Racial Morale ≠ racism until hate is involved.

Guernica

Like others have said, I actually think more people voted for Obama mainly because of his race over people not voting for him because of his race. I actually think he would be substantially less popular, especially with the youth, if he were "just another white guy".

NE.

I'm going to say it's evenly split. Republicans are Democrats are always throwing daggers at each other of course, but undoubtedly there were tons of angry White Americans who were upset since Obama's election, many of whom were NOT afraid to make it loud and clear on the news (n*gger, "Magic Negro" and all

).

There are even racist websites that have dedicated whole forum sections just to bash Obama for his race. It's just crazy, really.

RastaMentality

It's obvious some Republicans would never vote for Obama since he's black. Hence the "Don't Re-Nig in '12" stickers, but it's not everybody. Some people here in Texas would probably not even vote if a black person managed to run as a Republican, somehow.

foxaylove

It shouldn't have that big of a outcome on the election, I mean Senator Romney pushed for the same type of medi-care views on a state level in Massachusetts not too long ago. He literally is a Democrat in disguise and he doesn't even know it, that or fails to acknowledge it for whatever reason. He is completely running against everything he believes in or supported because his agenda never meshed with his party's.

I really find it hilarious and the debates will be a riot. All the hypocrisy that will ooze from that campaign will live in infamy.

Edit: My bad, I misread the thread. I thought this had to do with the Obamacare that was recently passed.

foxaylove

Quote:

Originally posted by kitten****

That is not racism. It's not that simple. Racism isn't because you happen to take an affinity to your own race as opposed to others. Racism deals with biased standpoints with the intent of hate and vitiation involved for any other/or another race but their own.

Yes there were citizens who voted for Obama solely because of his race, but I'm sure a lot of it wasn't in spite of 'white people'. Considering this was the first black man to run for president, the most likely intent was for Obama to win (despite his political beliefs and standpoints and/or their ignorance surrounding politics in general) as a sign of success and accomplishment for "their own" - which is something that not only does the black community hold in high regards, but all minorities in circumstances like this. I'm not saying that the people who did so aren't racists or had racist intents, but I believe that when it comes to issues like this, this is the initial, and at core, intent for minorities. Racial Morale ≠ racism until hate is involved.

Well said!