The latest numbers from the Democratic horse race to the White House are very good for Hillary Clinton. The New York senator doubles her lead over Barack Obama. CBS News conducted the poll after Thursday's Democratic debate: "Forty-eight percent of Democratic primary voters say they'd like to
see Clinton as the party's nominee, followed by 24 percent for Obama
and 11 percent for Edwards." Even better news for Clinton—and obviously an even bigger problem for Obama—focus groups and polls show more black voters gravitating toward her campaign.
Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell echoed our previous observations on the debate at the historically black Howard University: "While it should have been Obama's night, Clinton [offered] a
boldness that frankly was missing from Obama's responses. 'If HIV/AIDS was the leading cause of death of white women between
the ages of 24 and 34, there would be an outrage in this country,'' [Clinton]
said. What black woman hasn't uttered those same words at one time or another?"
The major critique of Clintonism is its non-ideological, centrist "triangulation." That may be true on some positions—vis a vis Iraq pre-late 2006—but Bill and Hillary Clinton know better than to equivocate with black voters, their core constituency, on race relations. On the other hand, a racial balancing act has consistently been Obama's problem with black voters. Mitchell takes Obama to task for pointing out "the unfairness African Americans face in their daily lives but also [criticizing] the negative behaviors often found among the impoverished."
Philadelphia Mayor John F.Street—who has a few problems of his own lately—becomes the latest high-profile black to endorse Hillary Clinton. Expect more of these, along with voters. Barack Obama cannot take the black vote for granted. He has to show gravitas. In the hood, it's what we call street cred.
Obama: Fading to Black [Sun-Times]
Poll: Thompson Running Second [CBS News]
Source: Street Will Endorse Clinton [Philly Inquirer]
Minority Groups Says Clinton Stands Out [Rochester Dem]
Democrats Debate Homopohobia, Racism,HIV [R20]
SCOTUS Rejects School Diversity [R20]
Obama Warns of Black "Quiet Riot [R20]
Newspaper Headlines Michelle Obama as "Sassy" [R20]
Clinton and Obama Targeted by Death Threats [R20]
Deval Patrick to Introduce Candidates at Debate [R20]
Clinton Names Prominent Gay Supporters [R20]
Obama Campaign Names Gay Supporters [R20]
Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [Advocate]
The Advocate: Clinton vs Obama [R20]
Memo to Mr. Geffen: Get Over It [R20]
Hillary Big Brother "Ad" [R20]
Obama Strategist Behind Hillary Big Brother Ad [R20]
I'm not the biggest Hillary fan, but you're right, she nailed it with that one soundbite.
Posted by: Alan T | 30 June 2007 at 23:52