A Shift Toward Obama Is Seen Among Blacks

[jefferson_dem]

A Shift Toward Obama Is Seen Among Blacks
Some Older Voters, However, Remain Loyal to Clintons

By Krissah Williams
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, January 21, 2008; A08

CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 20 -- Three months ago, beauty shop owner Shanaya Hammond was a somewhat reluctant supporter of Sen. Barack Obama. A campaign aide persuaded her to put two Obama posters in the window of her Passion Slice salon and she planned to vote for him, but, she allowed, "I won't be mad if Hillary wins."

No more. She is all in for Obama now, having been convinced after the senator from Illinois won the Iowa Democratic caucuses that America is ready to vote for a black man for president. "I was like, okay, it's happening for us," said Hammond, 32, a single mother of three. "At first, you're wishing, you're hoping and praying, and now it's like, okay, we have a chance. Other people are willing to vote for him."

Hammond sits at the crossroads of Saturday's Democratic primary here. She's a woman, and therefore critical to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's hopes of winning, and she's African American, and thus crucial to Obama's chances.

The firming of her feelings for Obama reflects a shift in support that started with his victory in Iowa on Jan. 3. Three months ago, when The Washington Post first interviewed Hammond and several other African American women in this state, Clinton (N.Y.) had the support of 54 percent of black women nationally, compared with 35 percent for Obama. But Obama is now winning 60 percent of the black vote, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/20/AR2008012002389.html

[MH1]

1. Not a surprise.

Clinton will no longer be seen as "the first black President", I think.

[Tellurian]

3. Thats temporary..Wait until they find out how the Reagan years affected their forebears..

I figure they will run Obama out on a rail.. with a one way ticket to Chicago!

[Cha]

2. Things change..and people

become enlightened and encouraged. I wasn't always for Obama..I came to it gradually. It does feel good to have someone like Obama this go-around who you can get behind with all your support.