Originally Posted by bostonjc

In all elections, candidates try to address the needs of the voters. In all elections, particularly close elections, the ability to draw the votes from special interest groups have provided the winning candidate with the slight edge. In 1992, the angry white male voting block deserted the GOP party after blaming them on the recession and lost jobs. In 1996, suburban soccer moms and working women gave Bill Clinton the edge. In 2000, Bush emphasized his religious values to win the southern evangelical vote. In 2004, Kerry attempted to win sway the veteran vote, but failed to do so.

Since the end of segregation, Black Americans have sought for and won the chance to vote. Despite violence, threats, and death, many Blacks particularly in the South chose to express their hard fought American citizenship in the ballot booth. But since the 1960’s has any president been able to significantly help the Black community.

Blacks have traditionally sided with Democrats based on the loyalty of ending Jim Crow segregation. Since then, we have had 4 of the last 6 presidents as Republicans. If Republicans want to win Black voters, they need to point to how Nixon, Reagan, Bush, and Bush have helped their lives and their communities. In politics, old loyalties based on past performance are the norm.

To capture the votes of any large group, there needs to be a significant discussion of what can be gained or lost if that group does not vote. Maybe there never will be a perfect Black candidate. There are very few Black governors. Blacks very rarely are able to win in state-wide elections. Outside of sports and music, upward social mobility is rare.

That’s why the candidacy of Barack Obama is so unique. The media had been declaring Hillary the winner before January. Then a Black man actually won Iowa and a neglected group saw a dream of societal influence and status potentially fulfilled. The election of Obama for president will not just be about today or tomorrow, it will be about the legacy and hardship of the men who stood up to Jim Crow laws and the men who toiled in slavery and the men who built this nation with the work of their bare hands.