Exit Polls Highlight Racial Divide in Democratic Primaries
WASHINGTON — Add this to the divisive debate over race in the presidential campaign: Whites who said race was important in picking their candidate have been about twice as likely to back Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton as Sen. Barack Obama.
Exit polls of voters in Democratic primaries also show that whites who considered the contender’s race — Clinton is white, Obama is black — were three times likelier to say they would only be satisfied with Clinton as the nominee than if Obama were chosen.
The figures shed some light on race’s effect on a competition that moves to the April 22 primary in Pennsylvania, which has a slightly greater proportion of whites than average. The numbers also underscore the challenge Obama could face in the general election, when whites will comprise a larger share of voters and tend to be more conservative than those participating in the Democratic primaries.
Whites who said race influenced their decision were outnumbered more than six to one by those saying it was insignificant. Whites who say they discounted race also leaned toward Clinton, though by more modest margins.
In the exit polls, whites saying they considered the candidate’s race were likelier to be from the South and rural areas, less educated, lower earning and older. That’s consistent with voting so far, in which Obama has done better among whites with more education and higher incomes, especially men.
I don’t know who does your polling, but the real issue with white voters(Clinton vs Obama) is qualifications, not race. The bottom line is Obama has none and Clinton little if any. That’s why white voters will vote for McCain.
You don’t need a lot of education (white or black) to ascertain the similarities between the two democratic canidates. Both have no real political expertise.
Rick Mongello
St Leonard Maryland
So they interviewed Whites, and of course that makes them racist because they would vote for Clinton. I wonder if they will ask Blacks the same questions. Would they be racist because they want Obama. Oh no of course not! Well I don’t want either one. But a McCain-Rice ticket would suit me!!!!!!
race and gender influence everything, you are naive if you don’t see it. this presidential race is affirmative action at it’s best
If you are a member of a church that preaches hate against Whites, Jews, and America you’re probably not going to pull very many of those votes, it don’t matter what color you are.
Another biased report brought to you by the AP. To provide a balanced report it would have been appropriate to also report:
* what blacks’ responses were to the question about the importance of race in their selection. * what percentage of all black respondents actually said race was important - was it the same 1:6 ratio as whites?
Finally, is it not newsworthy that the Democratic party still has a reportable portion of individuals that first look at a person’s race when making a decision about them?
Not a democrat.
Wonder just how many are first time voters and how many of them are black. Statistics regarding white voters are always first and formost in the picture. Let’s put it upfront which race is more apt to support a different race when same race opions are available. We had someone, in my opinion, that would have made a great President - although I don’t think he even wanted the job - that being Colin Powell - sorry if not spelled right. No matter who wins this year I believe we are all in for a ride……………
I’ve already e-mailed you once regarding this issue but believe it bears repeating. I am a white female, 52 yrs.old, high school education, unemployed, married, and not committed to a particular party. I would like to know where you are conducting your polls. I’m tired of getting lumped into categories! My only concern about a presidential candidate is the job I believe they can do in the white house. After John Edwards dropped out I did extensive research on the remaining candidates (even the ones I didn’t like personally)because this election is too important to not to get involved in. We cannot be complacent anymore. There is too much at stake. I grew up in the sixties when racial bias was common. But my Christian mother taught me that we are all considered equal in God’s eyes. After my research I decided to back Barack Obama, who happens to be as white as he is black, but the media insists on making this whole democratic contest about race and gender. Please do not insult my intelligence. For anyone to suggest that I might be part of the Hillary camp because of my race or gender is a slap in the face. She has shown that she is not credible, compassionate, nor would she understand what it is like to be financially destitute, which is what a lot of people here are dealing with. I could go on and on but my point is that I have my own voice, not what the media dictates.
And by the way, being from Michigan where there IS a recession going on, I do not think there should be a new count of our votes because I would have voted for Edwards. I am sure others would have voted differently as well and cannot see where there would be an accurate account of the political climate at the time the democratic party decided not to count our delegates. Please stop with the race baiting. It’s time for our country to pull together and let past hurts heal.
This is what Senator Obama always hoped for. He carefully orchestrated his speeches for this purpose sop if he comes off second best in Denver he can scream RACE. His followers are preparing to do exactly that. Watch this space. The man is a snake.