Poll: Racial views steer some white Dems away from Obama

[kaydee457 13]

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Deep-seated racial misgivings could cost Barack Obama the White House if the election is close, according to an AP-Yahoo News poll that found one-third of white Democrats harbor negative views toward blacks — many calling them "lazy," "violent," responsible for their own troubles.

The poll, conducted with Stanford University, suggests that the percentage of voters who may turn away from Obama because of his race could easily be larger than the final difference between the candidates in 2004 — about two and one-half percentage points.

Certainly, Republican John McCain has his own obstacles: He's an ally of an unpopular president and would be the nation's oldest first-term president. But Obama faces this: 40 percent of all white Americans hold at least a partly negative view toward blacks, and that includes many Democrats and independents.

More than a third of all white Democrats and independents — voters Obama can't win the White House without — agreed with at least one negative adjective about blacks, according to the survey, and they are significantly less likely to vote for Obama than those who don't have such views.

Such numbers are a harsh dose of reality in a campaign for the history books. Obama, the first black candidate with a serious shot at the presidency, accepted the Democratic nomination on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, a seminal moment for a nation that enshrined slavery in its Constitution.

"There are a lot fewer bigots than there were 50 years ago, but that doesn't mean there's only a few bigots," said Stanford political scientist Paul Sniderman who helped analyze the exhaustive survey.

The pollsters set out to determine why Obama is locked in a close race with McCain even as the political landscape seems to favor Democrats. President Bush's unpopularity, the Iraq war and a national sense of economic hard times cut against GOP candidates, as does that fact that Democratic voters outnumber Republicans.

The findings suggest that Obama's problem is close to home — among his fellow Democrats, particularly non-Hispanic white voters. Just seven in 10 people who call themselves Democrats support Obama, compared to the 85 percent of self-identified Republicans who back McCain.

The survey also focused on the racial attitudes of independent voters because they are likely to decide the election.

Lots of Republicans harbor prejudices, too, but the survey found they weren't voting against Obama because of his race. Most Republicans wouldn't vote for any Democrat for president — white, black or brown.

Not all whites are prejudiced. Indeed, more whites say good things about blacks than say bad things, the poll shows. And many whites who see blacks in a negative light are still willing or even eager to vote for Obama.

On the other side of the racial question, the Illinois Democrat is drawing almost unanimous support from blacks, the poll shows, though that probably wouldn't be enough to counter the negative effect of some whites' views.

Race is not the biggest factor driving Democrats and independents away from Obama. Doubts about his competency loom even larger, the poll indicates. More than a quarter of all Democrats expressed doubt that Obama can bring about the change they want, and they are likely to vote against him because of that.

Three in 10 of those Democrats who don't trust Obama's change-making credentials say they plan to vote for McCain.

Still, the effects of whites' racial views are apparent in the polling.

Statistical models derived from the poll suggest that Obama's support would be as much as 6 percentage points higher if there were no white racial prejudice.

But in an election without precedent, it's hard to know if such models take into account all the possible factors at play.

The AP-Yahoo News poll used the unique methodology of Knowledge Networks, a Menlo Park, Calif., firm that interviews people online after randomly selecting and screening them over telephone. Numerous studies have shown that people are more likely to report embarrassing behavior and unpopular opinions when answering questions on a computer rather than talking to a stranger.

Other techniques used in the poll included recording people's responses to black or white faces flashed on a computer screen, asking participants to rate how well certain adjectives apply to blacks, measuring whether people believe blacks' troubles are their own fault, and simply asking people how much they like or dislike blacks.

"We still don't like black people," said John Clouse, 57, reflecting the sentiments of his pals gathered at a coffee shop in Somerset, Ohio.

Given a choice of several positive and negative adjectives that might describe blacks, 20 percent of all whites said the word "violent" strongly applied. Among other words, 22 percent agreed with "boastful," 29 percent "complaining," 13 percent "lazy" and 11 percent "irresponsible." When asked about positive adjectives, whites were more likely to stay on the fence than give a strongly positive assessment.

Among white Democrats, one third cited a negative adjective and, of those, 58 percent said they planned to back Obama.

The poll sought to measure latent prejudices among whites by asking about factors contributing to the state of black America. One finding: More than a quarter of white Democrats agree that "if blacks would only try harder, they could be just as well off as whites."

Those who agreed with that statement were much less likely to back Obama than those who didn't.

Among white independents, racial stereotyping is not uncommon. For example, while about 20 percent of independent voters called blacks "intelligent" or "smart," more than one third latched on the adjective "complaining" and 24 percent said blacks were "violent."

Nearly four in 10 white independents agreed that blacks would be better off if they "try harder."

The survey broke ground by incorporating images of black and white faces to measure implicit racial attitudes, or prejudices that are so deeply rooted that people may not realize they have them. That test suggested the incidence of racial prejudice is even higher, with more than half of whites revealing more negative feelings toward blacks than whites.

Researchers used mathematical modeling to sort out the relative impact of a huge swath of variables that might have an impact on people's votes — including race, ideology, party identification, the hunger for change and the sentiments of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's backers.

Just 59 percent of her white Democratic supporters said they wanted Obama to be president. Nearly 17 percent of Clinton's white backers plan to vote for McCain.

Among white Democrats, Clinton supporters were nearly twice as likely as Obama backers to say at least one negative adjective described blacks well, a finding that suggests many of her supporters in the primaries — particularly whites with high school education or less — were motivated in part by racial attitudes.

The survey of 2,227 adults was conducted Aug. 27 to Sept. 5. It has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.1 percentage points.

[akdiver 3]

You don't say? Well boy - I am shocked, SHOCKED to hear this. Who could have imagined????

Next thing you know, they'll be telling us that social views steer some gay Republicans away from McCain.

[PlatyPius 5]

Wait. What? There are racist dumb-f##ks in America??? I can't believe it. Kinda like that crazy story I heard a couple of days ago about there being a TON of fundamentalist, judgemental, overly-pious, inbred, stupid, fanatical christians in this country. Cuz - I mean really - I just hadn't noticed....

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Good for them! We need White bigots to counter the effect of White guilt and Black entitlement among liberals that's driving Obama's popularity. Without those, the man with the thin resume wouldn't have a chance to win if he weren't Black. He hasn't earned the presidency, but if you have the tenacity to hold to that view, you must be a racist.

Where's the poll re how pro-Black racial bigotry has Helped Obama?

Racial bigotry in favor of Obama has gotten him farther than it would in a truly color-blind society. Being (half) Black has given Obama a great advantage among the left and the majority of the media who cry racism at every criticism and bend over backwards to show they're not bigoted. Their obsession with protecting Obama's record from critical examination in the media, and their inability to be objective and honest between Obama and McCain proves just how bigoted they are.

I'm not white and I still won't vote for Obama beause he's not qualified to be president, no matter what race he is.

Edited September 20, 2008 by Virtual wife

[Kevin and 10]

Good for them! We need White bigots to counter the effect of White guilt and Black entitlement among liberals that's driving Obama's popularity. Without those, the man with the thin resume wouldn't have a chance to win if he weren't Black. He hasn't earned the presidency, but if you have the tenacity to hold to that view, you must be a racist.

Where's the poll re how pro-Black racial bigotry has Helped Obama?

Racial bigotry in favor of Obama has gotten him farther than it would in a truly color-blind society. Being (half) Black has given Obama a great advantage among the left and the majority of the media who cry racism at every criticism and bend over backwards to show they're not bigoted. Their obsession with protecting Obama's record from critical examination in the media, and their inability to be objective and honest between Obama and McCain proves just how bigoted they are.

I'm not white and I still won't vote for Obama beause he's not qualified to be president, no matter what race he is.

[rebeccajo 14]

Good for them! We need White bigots to counter the effect of White guilt and Black entitlement among liberals that's driving Obama's popularity. Without those, the man with the thin resume wouldn't have a chance to win if he weren't Black. He hasn't earned the presidency, but if you have the tenacity to hold to that view, you must be a racist.

Where's the poll re how pro-Black racial bigotry has Helped Obama?

Racial bigotry in favor of Obama has gotten him farther than it would in a truly color-blind society. Being (half) Black has given Obama a great advantage among the left and the majority of the media who cry racism at every criticism and bend over backwards to show they're not bigoted. Their obsession with protecting Obama's record from critical examination in the media, and their inability to be objective and honest between Obama and McCain proves just how bigoted they are.

I'm not white and I still won't vote for Obama beause he's not qualified to be president, no matter what race he is.

And you call yourself educated?

The only thing in your post that remotely makes any sense (beyond the inflammatory language) is (according to your logic) that one group of dumb-a$$ voters will counter the votes of the other dumb-a$$e$.

Edited September 20, 2008 by rebeccajo

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Good for them! We need White bigots to counter the effect of White guilt and Black entitlement among liberals that's driving Obama's popularity. Without those, the man with the thin resume wouldn't have a chance to win if he weren't Black. He hasn't earned the presidency, but if you have the tenacity to hold to that view, you must be a racist.

Where's the poll re how pro-Black racial bigotry has Helped Obama?

Racial bigotry in favor of Obama has gotten him farther than it would in a truly color-blind society. Being (half) Black has given Obama a great advantage among the left and the majority of the media who cry racism at every criticism and bend over backwards to show they're not bigoted. Their obsession with protecting Obama's record from critical examination in the media, and their inability to be objective and honest between Obama and McCain proves just how bigoted they are.

I'm not white and I still won't vote for Obama beause he's not qualified to be president, no matter what race he is.

Funniest post I've read in a long time. Definitely Boo-yahesque.

You wouldn't vote for the Democratic ticket if it were John Kerry, or Al Gore, or Howard Dean, or Hillary Clinton. You won't vote Democrat because the policies they espouse don't jive with you...period.

Edited September 20, 2008 by Jabberwocky

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Good for them! We need White bigots to counter the effect of White guilt and Black entitlement among liberals that's driving Obama's popularity. Without those, the man with the thin resume wouldn't have a chance to win if he weren't Black. He hasn't earned the presidency, but if you have the tenacity to hold to that view, you must be a racist.

Where's the poll re how pro-Black racial bigotry has Helped Obama?

Racial bigotry in favor of Obama has gotten him farther than it would in a truly color-blind society. Being (half) Black has given Obama a great advantage among the left and the majority of the media who cry racism at every criticism and bend over backwards to show they're not bigoted. Their obsession with protecting Obama's record from critical examination in the media, and their inability to be objective and honest between Obama and McCain proves just how bigoted they are.

I'm not white and I still won't vote for Obama beause he's not qualified to be president, no matter what race he is.

And you call yourself educated?

I have to agree with you to call myself educated?

The only thing in your post that remotely makes any sense (beyond the inflammatory language) is (according to your logic) that one group of dumb-a$$ voters will counter the votes of the other dumb-a$$e$.

I deal in reality, rj. There are bigots on EITHER side of the contest - those that support Obama because he is Black, and those who don't support him because he is Black. We may as well find the best use for both; in my opinion, that is to counter each other. Your response denies this reality. In addition, your subjectively hostile and ad hominem approach to my post precludes your ability to judge anyone's education level since it is exhibits a lack of education and is in no way logic driven, even as you cite logic. If my language is "inflamatory", what is calling people dumb-a$$es? Non-inflamatory? You undermine your own statement by engaging in the act you are critical of.

If you have a view about the OP, it would serve you better to address the ideas there than to try to goud me into either changing my view or waste time bickering with you. You have failed to persuade me either way.

[PlatyPius 5]

Edited September 20, 2008 by PlatyPius

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Good for them! We need White bigots to counter the effect of White guilt and Black entitlement among liberals that's driving Obama's popularity. Without those, the man with the thin resume wouldn't have a chance to win if he weren't Black. He hasn't earned the presidency, but if you have the tenacity to hold to that view, you must be a racist.

Where's the poll re how pro-Black racial bigotry has Helped Obama?

Racial bigotry in favor of Obama has gotten him farther than it would in a truly color-blind society. Being (half) Black has given Obama a great advantage among the left and the majority of the media who cry racism at every criticism and bend over backwards to show they're not bigoted. Their obsession with protecting Obama's record from critical examination in the media, and their inability to be objective and honest between Obama and McCain proves just how bigoted they are.

I'm not white and I still won't vote for Obama beause he's not qualified to be president, no matter what race he is.

Funniest post I've read in long time. Definitely Boo-yahesque.

You wouldn't vote for the Democratic ticket if it were John Kerry, or Al Gore, or Howard Dean, or Hillary Clinton. You won't Democrat because the policies they espouse don't jive with you...period.

As it has been said by others before me, I didn't leave the Democrat party, it left me. I am in good company.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

ha ha nice. Something to counter white guilt.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Good for them! We need White bigots to counter the effect of White guilt and Black entitlement among liberals that's driving Obama's popularity. Without those, the man with the thin resume wouldn't have a chance to win if he weren't Black. He hasn't earned the presidency, but if you have the tenacity to hold to that view, you must be a racist.

Where's the poll re how pro-Black racial bigotry has Helped Obama?

Racial bigotry in favor of Obama has gotten him farther than it would in a truly color-blind society. Being (half) Black has given Obama a great advantage among the left and the majority of the media who cry racism at every criticism and bend over backwards to show they're not bigoted. Their obsession with protecting Obama's record from critical examination in the media, and their inability to be objective and honest between Obama and McCain proves just how bigoted they are.

I'm not white and I still won't vote for Obama beause he's not qualified to be president, no matter what race he is.

Funniest post I've read in long time. Definitely Boo-yahesque.

You wouldn't vote for the Democratic ticket if it were John Kerry, or Al Gore, or Howard Dean, or Hillary Clinton. You won't Democrat because the policies they espouse don't jive with you...period.

As it has been said by others before me, I didn't leave the Democrat party, it left me. I am in good company.

I call bullsh!t. You and I have expressed our political views here in OT way too long for you to pull that #######. You are a dye-in-the-wool Republican and have expressed that many times here. It just so happens that the GOP that you support is out of touch with the American people, particularly at this point in history. This election is about which party is more in step with what Americans want...a robust and sustainable economy, jobs, healthcare, the environment, getting out of Iraq. But the Republican Party does like to focus on the issues because they know they're on the losing side of the argument, on every single issue that Americans are most concerned about for this election.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Good for them! We need White bigots to counter the effect of White guilt and Black entitlement among liberals that's driving Obama's popularity. Without those, the man with the thin resume wouldn't have a chance to win if he weren't Black. He hasn't earned the presidency, but if you have the tenacity to hold to that view, you must be a racist.

Where's the poll re how pro-Black racial bigotry has Helped Obama?

Racial bigotry in favor of Obama has gotten him farther than it would in a truly color-blind society. Being (half) Black has given Obama a great advantage among the left and the majority of the media who cry racism at every criticism and bend over backwards to show they're not bigoted. Their obsession with protecting Obama's record from critical examination in the media, and their inability to be objective and honest between Obama and McCain proves just how bigoted they are.

I'm not white and I still won't vote for Obama beause he's not qualified to be president, no matter what race he is.

Funniest post I've read in long time. Definitely Boo-yahesque.

You wouldn't vote for the Democratic ticket if it were John Kerry, or Al Gore, or Howard Dean, or Hillary Clinton. You won't Democrat because the policies they espouse don't jive with you...period.

As it has been said by others before me, I didn't leave the Democrat party, it left me. I am in good company.

I call bullsh!t. You and I have expressed our political views here in OT way too long for you to pull that #######. You are a dye-in-the-wool Republican and have expressed that many times here. It just so happens that the GOP that you support is out of touch with the American people, particularly at this point in history. This election is about which party is more in step with what Americans want...a robust and sustainable economy, jobs, healthcare, the environment, getting out of Iraq. But the Republican Party does like to focus on the issues because they know they're on the losing side of the argument, on every single issue that Americans are most concerned about for this election.

You are the one wading in bullsh!t. My voting record and past party affiliations are unknown to you, so for you to call me a dyed in the wool Republican is flattering, but inaccurate. I voted twice for Bill Clinton, and many other Democrats before him from Carter on, a regret I will have to live with . After that, I wised up. To turn around your own words, you wouldn't vote for a Republican, no matter who it was. There is more than one choice on the ballot, and each individual is allowed a vote. Since I'm part of "the people" and I will not be voting Democrat, it seems that there are some voters whom the Democrat party is out of step with. That they have a voice and will exercise that voice is what galls Dems, and for that, I am very grateful.

Edited September 20, 2008 by Virtual wife

[PlatyPius 5]

You are the one wading in bullsh!t. My voting record and past party affiliations are unknown to you, so for you to call me a dyed in the wool Republican is flattering, but inaccurate. I voted twice for Bill Clinton, and many other Democrats before him from Carter on, a regret I will have to live with . After that, I wised up. To turn around your own words, you wouldn't vote for a Republican, no matter who it was. There is more than one choice on the ballot, and each individual is allowed a vote. Since I'm part of "the people" and I will not be voting Democrat, it seems that there are some voters whom the Democrat party is out of step with. That they have a voice and will exercise that voice is what galls Dems, and for that, I am very grateful.

Well, those sorts are typically institutionalized, so they can't really vote - thankfully.

I mean..... it's obvious that you'd have to be some kind of idiot to vote for McCain/Palin. At least, it's obvious to slightly more than half of the country. The rest, I guess, are religious fanatics.

Edited September 20, 2008 by PlatyPius

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Good for them! We need White bigots to counter the effect of White guilt and Black entitlement among liberals that's driving Obama's popularity. Without those, the man with the thin resume wouldn't have a chance to win if he weren't Black. He hasn't earned the presidency, but if you have the tenacity to hold to that view, you must be a racist.

Where's the poll re how pro-Black racial bigotry has Helped Obama?

Racial bigotry in favor of Obama has gotten him farther than it would in a truly color-blind society. Being (half) Black has given Obama a great advantage among the left and the majority of the media who cry racism at every criticism and bend over backwards to show they're not bigoted. Their obsession with protecting Obama's record from critical examination in the media, and their inability to be objective and honest between Obama and McCain proves just how bigoted they are.

I'm not white and I still won't vote for Obama beause he's not qualified to be president, no matter what race he is.

Funniest post I've read in long time. Definitely Boo-yahesque.

You wouldn't vote for the Democratic ticket if it were John Kerry, or Al Gore, or Howard Dean, or Hillary Clinton. You won't Democrat because the policies they espouse don't jive with you...period.

As it has been said by others before me, I didn't leave the Democrat party, it left me. I am in good company.

I call bullsh!t. You and I have expressed our political views here in OT way too long for you to pull that #######. You are a dye-in-the-wool Republican and have expressed that many times here. It just so happens that the GOP that you support is out of touch with the American people, particularly at this point in history. This election is about which party is more in step with what Americans want...a robust and sustainable economy, jobs, healthcare, the environment, getting out of Iraq. But the Republican Party does like to focus on the issues because they know they're on the losing side of the argument, on every single issue that Americans are most concerned about for this election.

You are the one wading in bullsh!t. My voting record and past party affiliations are unknown to you, so for you to call me a dyed in the wool Republican is flattering, but inaccurate. I voted twice for Bill Clinton, and many other Democrats before him from Carter on, a regret I will have to live with . After that, I wised up. To turn around your own words, you wouldn't vote for a Republican, no matter who it was. There is more than one choice on the ballot, and each individual is allowed a vote. Since I'm part of "the people" and I will not be voting Democrat, it seems that there are some voters whom the Democrat party is out of step with. That they have a voice and will exercise that voice is what galls Dems, and for that, I am very grateful.

Ok, so what policies that the Democratic Party espouse to going into this election are in support of? I"m calling bullsh!t on you for basically stating that Obama hasn't been inside Washington long enough for you to support him as the Democratic nominee and that's the main reason why you won't vote for him. I don't believe that line of bull and I'm sure most here who know you from you posts don't either.

Edited September 20, 2008 by Jabberwocky