The Power Of The African-American Vote In America

[ExiledInIllinois]

As a voting group, historically have we seen what kind of power that it wields? We always here about other groups... The Evangelicals, woman, retirees, etc...

 

What I am really debating and asking is that on election day what will this election show if this voting block comes out in force?

 

This isn't about just one of the person's running... What will the numbers look like if more people actually exercised their right to vote.

 

I am not sure I know.

[finknottle]

As a voting group, historically have we seen what kind of power that it wields? We always here about other groups... The Evangelicals, woman, retirees, etc...

 

What I am really debating and asking is that on election day what will this election show if this voting block comes out in force?

 

This isn't about just one of the person's running... What will the numbers look like if more people actually exercised their right to vote.

 

I am not sure I know.

 

Surprisingly, not as big as one might think. African-Americans only make up 13% of the population (one person in seven), and the voting trends mirror those of other groups (offset in participation rates). In presidential elections, support for the democrtic candidate has already been in the 80-90% range, so by 'coming out in force' you are looking less at unifying behind one side (already done, historically) and more at upping the participation rate.

 

Census figures say 68.7% of eligible african-americans were registered, of which 60% voted. This contrasted with 73.6/65.4 for whites, 51.8/44.1 for asians, and 57.9/47.2 for hispanics. Upping registration to 90% and turnout to 70% (a herculean task) would add less than .5% of the total vote to a candidate in a presidential election. Given the fact that the population is not evenly distributed across the country, this would not have a huge impact on national elections unless there were critical swing states with large african-american populations where an overall bump of 2-3% was decisive.

 

Here is a readable fact sheet on African-American voting:

http://www.nwaforchange.org/nwa/priority_h...sheets_AfAm.htm

 

Here are the census results on the past bunch of elections (from which I derived the voter registration/participation estimates):

http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/voting.html

[molson_golden2002]

There might be fewer red necks saying sh-- like this

 

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/westmo...2008-09-04.html

[finknottle]

Other Democrats have charged that the Republican campaign to paint the Illinois senator as an “elitist” is racially charged, and accused them of using code words for “uppity” without using the word itself.

 

In August, Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) told reporters, “When I hear the word ‘elitist’ linked with Barack Obama, to me, that is a code word for 'uppity.' I find it extremely offensive and John McCain should know better.”

 

I remember both Bush's being painted as elitist - I didn't realize the family was black.

[KD in CA]

I remember both Bush's being painted as elitist - I didn't realize the family was black.

 

 

'rats playing the race card at any opportunity in an attempt to spare the Messiah from criticism. Shocking.

[ExiledInIllinois]

'rats playing the race card at any opportunity in an attempt to spare the Messiah from criticism. Shocking.

 

Seems everyone is playing some kind of card today... What's the big deal?

[molson_golden2002]

I remember both Bush's being painted as elitist - I didn't realize the family was black.

But was Bush called uppity?*

 

 

*Uppity is a damn funny word! [up-Ah-Tea]

[KD in CA]

Seems everyone is playing some kind of card today... What's the big deal?

 

Who said it was a big deal? Some ignorant c_nt inventing phony racism is par for the course in our PC obsessed country.

[finknottle]

But was Bush called uppity?*

 

Elitist is code for uppity, according to the article.

 

Bush I was also attacked as having been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. That's code for having enjoyed a fairy tale life, and we all know what *that* really means!