[Posted Dec. 12, 2007]

Obama, Clinton Loyalties
Run Thick In Virginia

By Leonard E. Colvin
Chief Reporter
New Journal & Guide
 
          Regardless of the winner,  Senators Barack Obama and Hillary R. Clinton would make history by being elected as the 44th president of the United States.
       She would be the first woman, 87 years after women got the right to vote, and he would be the first African American elected to the nation’s highest political office, three generations after his forefathers were emancipated  from the bonds of slavery.
       But first, the two and others seeking the White House must gain the party’s nomination.
       That process begins less than a month from now,  as the first primaries and caucuses take place in Iowa and then New Hampshire.  Currently, Obama is ahead of Senator Clinton in Iowa, after trailing her since last spring.
      The Democratic winner will need the support of Virginia’s black political leaders to drum up support for their candidacy during  next year’s race, if they hope to capture Virginia.  So how are some of Virginia’s black political leaders viewing the race between the two?
All of the members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus are Democrats. During interviews with most of the caucus members, the Guide has discovered that many of  them voiced strong support for Obama. However, for some, that support was hedged with reservation, about the Illinois Senator’s chances of winning a general election, because of his race.
However, if Barack Obama should falter,  the Black pols say they will support the party’s eventual nominee; this includes the man who is polling third, former Sen. John Edwards.

    Edwards ran with Senator John Kerry in 2004 and has talked about the growing economic disparities in the country and the need for reforming  the nation’s health care system to endear himself to many Blacks who see him as  their third choice in case the top two should stumble.
       Senator Louise Lucas of Portsmouth has been traveling about the state talking to  fellow Democrats  who  have not decided on which of the two candidates they would support during the upcoming primaries and caucus season.
       “I think a lot of people are sizing up both,” she said. “They are trying to see how the initial primary races will look.  That is what I am doing. I think I will eventually support one of the candidates. Hillary has the experience and  is well versed on the issues. But a lot of people are saying give Senator Obama a chance. Let’s look at what he has to say. We need a new and fresh start in this country politically.”
        Senator Lucas said that while Senator Clinton is bolstered in national polls because of her support from women and African Americans, both groups have their reservations.
       “There are some women who will not vote for her for any reason at all. Their views mirror their husbands’. A lot of men are still uncomfortable with the idea of a woman being in power or striving for it. I think a lot of men, especially, are more afraid of her than Obama and that’s why he gets a lot of support from them.”
One who is decided on his endorsement is House Delegate Lionell Spruill, minority caucus vice chair, who is touted as one of the most popular and effective caucus members.
        He is throwing his support behind Senator Clinton.
       “If you are talk about experience and electability, I think she is the person,” said Del. Spruill, who represents parts of Chesapeake and Portsmouth. “Unfortunately, I do not think this country is ready to elect Senator Obama—just because of his name and  because he lacks the experience.  

   “Plus, I am tired of feeling good about candidates.  Jesse made me feel good, Sharpton made us feel good. I am tired of feeling good; I want to see victory. I think we must think about   who can seriously compete and  help us change the direction of this country.”  

     Equally decisive is Norfolk Del. Kenneth Alexander, who supports Senator Obama because he is the ‘unClinton’.
       “I think he represents the change in the direction we need in this country on so many issues related to domestic and foreign policy. I think people are tired of business as usual,” said Alexander. 
“We  have a democracy not a dynasty, so why are we reaching back and electing a Clinton? We made a mistake with electing another Bush, instead of moving forward. President Bush appointed people from the Nixon, Ford and Reagan administrations to run things and look at the mess he created. I’d think she’d do the same. It is time to select a new day.”
  Del. Kenneth Melvin of Portsmouth agrees with Alexander. “If he has the nerve and the strength to run for president of the United States, the least I can do  is support the brother,” said Melvin about Obama.
“I think he effectively and emotionally connects with voters, especially the young people who say he is honest. If Obama falters, then I will support Edwards. If Clinton wins, she will energize the Republican Right against her efforts to do anything effective with the problems we face in this country now.”
       Melvin says that the poll numbers of both Clinton and Obama may not reflect the true sentiment of  voters.  Whites may say they will vote for Obama to avoid appearing to be racist if they say they would not.  He calls it the “Wilder factor”.
       “Remember when Wilder ran for Governor and led by 10 points in the pre-election polls,” said Melvin. “In the end he won by less than a percentage point.” 
       Richmond Del. Dwight Jones chairs the Black Caucus.  He says that in the past his support of black presidential candidates,  Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, was largely symbolic.
       “This time, I think  we have gone beyond symbolism,” he said. “Obama is a U.S. Senator. This is the real deal. His rise at this point indicates that people of all races and incomes are listening to his message of change. I think they feel that Obama can lead us...can talk to anyone. I think he can lead us in a new direction because the current political thinking in Washington does not  reflect the reality of  global  politics relative to our position in the world.”
       Sen. Mamie Locke of Hampton has been watching the  Democratic Party debates and has attended events where Senator Obama was present in  Hampton Roads.  From her observations, Senator Clinton or Obama will emerge as the Democratic Party’s nominee.
       “It would be great if Hillary could break that historic ceiling and become the nation’s first female president,” said  Sen. Locke. “But why not give Obama a chance? He has excited a lot of 18-to-30-year-old people who are often absent from the political process. If he can do all that, then I know he would be the candidate of change on critical domestic issues such as the economic disparities, healthcare and do something about Social Security because I am not sure people of my age  will benefit from it.”
Del. Mamye E. Bacote represents parts of Hampton and Newport News.  She said that she is weighing support for both candidates and will not make her mind up until  the primary election in mid-February.
       “I think both of them are very fine candidates who articulate positions on the issues that  have a lot of merit,” said. Del. Bacote. “Both are electable, I think.  I am hoping that one of  them will be able to articulate a foreign policy that  will allow the United States, a leader in the world affairs to be effective. I am especially interested in a more serious policy toward Africa.  We should treat that part of the world with importance.”
Chesapeake Councilwoman Ella Ward is not a member of the Legislative Black Caucus, but she is a respected Democratic Party activist in the region.  She says she, too, is awaiting how the voters will respond to the candidates in the primaries leading up to Virginia’s presidential primary on February 12.
       “I am undecided.  I think both would be powerful at the top of the ticket. They would make a powerful team in the general election,” said Councilperson Ward.  “Obama represents a new generation of leadership with a strong commitment to change. That's why I like him. I pledge to work for whoever wins the nomination.  I think either could win  the general election, including the state of Virginia.”

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