Why South Carolina's Black Vote is Hillary Clinton's to Lose

[bravenak]

think a lot of the things that President Obama started will be better-served by Hillary Clinton as the next president. Not just for things important to African-Americans but to everybody because, basically, they’re the same,” she says.

“A level of consciousness has been raised because of the problems with a lot of different things: police brutality, guns, voter registration is being suppressed. All of those different things, I think, South Carolina will be one of the first states [people] will look at in South with a big African-American population,” she adds. “And I think we’re going to come through for” Clinton.

Others are complimentary of Sanders, too. Ms. Breedlove, the 2008 Obama delegate, says “I think Bernie Sanders was an excellent candidate. I shouldn’t say was. He is. I like the way they’ve handled themselves – there’s not been the bickering, the back and forth. It shows the Democratic Party is very strong. We can eventually unite.”

As the first primary in the South – and the first primary in a diverse state – South Carolina is an important test for candidates. More than half of the Democratic voters in South Carolina are African Americans.

“You go to Iowa, you go to New Hampshire” – the first two nomination contests for candidates in both parties – “and you don’t see demographics like that,” says Scott Huffmon, a political scientist at Winthrop and director of the school’s statewide political polls. “South Carolina is the litmus test of African Americans.”

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2015/1113/Why-South-Carolina-s-black-vote-is-Hillary-Clinton-s-to-lose

[berni_mccoy]

1. While not a source I generally trust, the article is fair and factual

Clinton is leading in SC and among African American voters, but it's good to hear she can't expect to win without earning it. It leaves open the chance for Sanders to show what he's made. Thanks for posting.

[bravenak]

2. All votes are up for grabs. People can be moved.

He is trying.

[TekGryphon]

3. I see this in my company, it's inspiring.

I run about a dozen mental health programs in Delaware, a state with a significant African American presence with 2/3 of the counties rural (one of them the lowest population density county east of the Mississippi). It's got a lot of common with more southern states in that regard.

Most of our employees are black (mostly African descent here in Delaware, our Maryland offices seem to be largely Caribbean descent), and we're pretty open about discussing politics.

Hillary Clinton has huge name recognition and favor, but they do know Bernie Sanders and like what he has to say.

I have a high degree of confidence that whichever way the Democratic Primary goes, these folks will be out there pushing for the Democratic candidate in the General Election. That's inspiring to me.

All of the poison, hyperbole, vitriol, and "I want my pony" syndrome that's inundated DU hasn't surfaced, even once, in any of the discussions I've seen. The black communities aren't going to help put a Republican in office, and you can count on that.

[bravenak]

5. Exactly.

We do not take our ball and go home, we vote if we can. For democrats.

[1StrongBlackMan]

10. +1 ...

The black communities aren't going to help put a Republican in office, and you can count on that.

[guillaumeb]

4. Two things:

First:

He’s worried that Republicans want to rein in Social Security and make Medicare more expensive. But “Hillary’s a person you can’t intimidate,” he says. “Republicans tried that … in that hearing [about Benghazi]. If anyone ever stood their ground against the Republican Party, she stood her ground. That’s what I’m looking for, somebody not afraid to take the heat."

The Benghazi Farce was indeed a gift from Trey Gowdy to HRC. Her intelligence and composure was obvious, in huge contrast to the pathetic crop of GOP candidates.

Second:

“I’m looking for someone to provide some leadership on issues that are critical to the African-American community, starting with income equity, jobs,” he says. “I remember all too well what happened in 2007 when this economy crashed, in large part due to the fact that Glass-Steagall was gutted in 1999. That allowed the banks and Wall Street to do what they did. I’m looking for someone to restore Glass-Steagall and put some controls on Wall Street and on banking in this country. I’m looking for someone to expand health care. I would love to have single-payer Medicare for everybody.”
On Clinton, he says, “She’s a very nice lady. I don’t have a candidate at the moment. I don’t want any more rhetoric. Show me what you’re going to do."

That phrase, "Show me what you are going to do", should be the standard. And on name recognition and perception Clinton has a clear advantage.

[bravenak]

6. Basically. I agree.

[Cha]

7. "Results released Tuesday by Public Policy Polling show Clinton leading Senator Sanders 72 to 18

percent among all voters surveyed in South Carolina, but 86 to 11 percent among African-Americans in the state. Mr. O'Malley trailed, with 5 percent of all voters and 1 percent of black voters."

Another snip// from your link..

"Deborah Breedlove, a financial adviser from Columbia, S.C., who was a 2008 delegate for Obama, says Clinton is the logical choice.

“I think a lot of the things that President Obama started will be better-served by Hillary Clinton as the next president. Not just for things important to African-Americans but to everybody because, basically, they’re the same,” she says.

end snip//

Yes! And, President Obama is going to be working just as hard towards preserving his legacy next year.. he didn't work to accomplish so much for us all those years to have it all thrown away.

Mahalo brave~

[bravenak]

8. Hey!!

I think this thing might be over sooner than we think.

[Cha]

9. That.. would be a mini miracle~