Blanche Lincoln prevailed among African Americans, thanks to Obama's endorsement (Washington Post)

[Wandawilkerson]

In the first election (the one prior to the run-off), Ms. Blanche Lincoln won the African American vote against Halter by a comfortable 58% to 42%, despite being a centrist opposing a progressive. There are no statistics yet on the run-off, but there's no reason to think these numbers changed significantly, as Lincoln won again by a somewhat similar margin.

The Washington Post today has a telling account of the motivation behind this vote:

For all the millions that both sides spent on the bruising Arkansas Senate Democratic primary race, Yvonne Thomas admits she went to the polls not having much of a sense about the candidates.

What she did know, and what turned out to be the only thing that mattered in her decision to cast her ballot for the embattled incumbent Blanche Lincoln, was this: "Obama wanted us to vote for her," said Thomas, who is African American.

Call me weird, but I base my vote on the research I make into whose issues are more compatible with my views; not based on an order from a person whom I identify with.

http://help.washingtonpost.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=15080&task=knowledge&questionID=302?nav=globebot

[Jennicut]

1. Some people are like that and have no clue.

If they are that lazy, they get what they deserve. I like Pres. Obama but I also will vote for who I want to. Endorsements do not make me decide my vote.

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. Lots of voters make their decisions on things that you may consider silly

Race, ethnicity, and religion are some examples.

[HughMoran]

3. So many memes, so little time

"Every candidate Obama endorses loses" BULLSHIT!

"a centrist opposing a progressive" BULLSHIT! Halter was no progressive.

"The anti-incumbent fever" ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS? 82 of 84 incumbents won.

Anybody who listens to the media and believes it is a fucking moron.

[Lost4words]

4. Line # 4 is spot on!

Anybody who listens to the media and believes it is a fucking moron.

[daleanime]

5. Link is to FAQ's not the article....

Do they brother mentioning voter suppression?

[uponit7771]

6. shit...

[KharmaTrain]

7. Voters Are Very Tribal...

Ethnicity is a big factor as is religion or economic status...when you fall into a group or identity its very easy to be influenced by the key issues and spokespeople of that faction. Dare I say we see it here on DU with those who strongly support a certain Ohio Congressman. It's natural to trust those who you've looked to as a leader and not dig below the surface.

The Arkansas primary showed the power of the "Clennis"...Bill Clinton's endorsement had a lot more influence than that of the Unions...especially in a right to work state. I don't think it's an order as much as a strong suggestion from a trusted friend. It's the essence of campaigning.

[emulatorloo]

14. "Tribalism"

Not liking where this is going.

[KharmaTrain]

15. How It's Always Been

I grew up in Chicago...tribalism...or ethnic identity was and still is very strong. The Congressional districts were laid out to cater to one "tribe" or voting bloc/ethnic group or another. Add to this patronage and you see how machines can be very potent forces.

Tribalism also means diversity as its forced the Democratic party to be open and sensitive to a wide assortment of groups...as opposed to rushpublicans who use their tribalism to exclude.

[treestar]

8. AA support of Obama is not weird

Why wouldn't every AA in the country other than Michael Steele want Obama to succeed?

[LuvNewcastle]

9. It's pretty common for people to

ask someone they respect who he's voting for and then vote the same way. I think it works out about the same. Either they go to the polls uninformed or they go to the polls guided by someone else's opinion. I think the results would be about the same.

[SocialistLez]

19. A lot of my friends ask me who to vote for.

They say they trust my opinion and that I am very informed.

[socialist_n_TN]

10. And AA support will be a factor

if Obama is challenged by a more leftist candidate in the primaries in '12.

Black folk are like everybody else. There's a few informed people active in politics all the time, but most of the time they are just living their day to day lives without paying much attention until it's election time. Just like most of the population of the country.

I'd love to see a challenge to Obama in the primaries, but only to move him to the left. If the challenger won, it would be VERY difficult to patch together the coalition that elects Dems. Most AAs would be turned off by the fact that somebody challenged and beat Obama in the primary and would probably sit the general election out.

[burnsei sensei]

11. In the 19th century clear up to the mid 20th,

the Irish voted in a similar pattern.
They saw one of their own and always supported him uncritically.
Often the case in American politics.

[Peacetrain]

12. I thought it was Bill Clintons endorsement?.. has the meme changed already?

I can't keep up with it..

[emulatorloo]

13. Yeah, this one sounds borderline racist to me. So maybe we can skip this one. n/t

[KittyWampus]

17. some DU'ers will love this if they can sense it works as yet another way to attack Obama.

[Poll_Blind]

16. This is the same brand of crap used to smear blacks with Prop 8's passing in California.

Not productive.

PB

[SocialistLez]

18. ....not this African-American

I hate Clinton and I'm not a big fan of Obama either.

[KittyWampus]

20. Wow, you're certainly at home at DEMOCRATIC Underground.

[Jester Messiah]

21. Sad part is... yeah, he pretty much is. [nt]

[daleanime]

22. Sad part is....

what passes for a Democrat now a days.:argh:

[Carolina]

23. ditto, not this black woman, either

I have come to loathe Clinton and am totally disgusted with Obama, but many of my kindred still fawn over both and yes, would vote accordingly. The Post is not it's former Watergate investigating self; in fact it's editorial page is to the right now, but this article is correct.