[Posted Dec. 19, 2007]

Obama Or Clinton?
Local Black Women

Split Support 

By Leonard E. Colvin
Chief Reporter
New Journal & Guide
 
          Most polls measuring the contest between Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, say that black women, who are registered Democrats,  are among her strongest supporters.
       The support African American women are giving Clinton  is attributed  to her longstanding, but now slowly shrinking lead over Obama and other challengers for the Democratic Party’s nomination.
       Electability and her stand on various issues important to women, such as health care and employment equity, are two factors contributing to Clinton’s support in general among women.  Plus, the continued endearment that many black men and women hold for her husband runs deep and is passed on to her.
       Last week an informal survey of members of the Legislative Black Caucus  indicated that for now, most of them are interested in supporting the presidential candidacy of Obama.
       Three weeks before the caucuses take place in Iowa and primaries in New Hampshire,  this edition of the New Journal and Guide contains the  results of  an informal poll of black women locally, to define which of the two candidates they supported.
       African American women are registered and turn out at a higher rate than African American male voters, according to the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies in Washington, D.C. a national black political think-tank. They also have a higher, 86 percent, regard for Senator Clinton than Senator Obama.

   Recent national polls showed that Clinton’s support among black women and voters in general was slipping, as Obama’s numbers seem to be rising. To beat back the Obama charge, a Clinton campaign operative, who has since resigned criticized Obama for his use of marijuana as a youth.  Many political observers say this was a sign of desperation  in the Clinton political camp and may be affecting her support among registered Democrats, especially African Americans.

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     As tradition dictates, journalist Barbara Ciara is not one to wear her political affiliations overtly. She looks at  the political tug of war between Clinton and Obama from a professional and an historical perspective.
       “It is interesting that we are talking about the electability and the viability of an African American man and a woman  for the presidency,” said Ms. Ciara. managing editor of WTKR News Ch. 3.  ”Recall during the early 1990s when there was talk of Colin Powell running.  I think both candidates have appealing qualities that will allow us to move beyond where we are politically to find common ground to find solutions to some of  the problems facing the world.”
       Michelle Ellis Young, 31-years-old, teaches college and is a wife with three children, all girls  5 to 15 years of age.  She said that she had not decided on who she cast her vote for next February.  She said  that  her decision will not be based on persona or skin color, but who can best address issues critical to her and her family.
     

       “As an African American  and woman, I am truly honored to have both of them seek  the White House,” she said. “But I wonder which one would best resolve issue of providing health care for the underserved and working poor  in this country. Economics and  healthcare are two very critical issues facing most Americans today.  Who has the better plan will get my vote.
       Cynthia Rogers is Program Director of  the International Black Women’s Congress (IBWC), based in Norfolk.   She said that she is enthused by Obama’s image as the candidate of “change. She fears that the “political baggage” being carried by Mrs. Clinton from her husband’s days in the White House may  hurt her chances.
Rogers said that in recent days a lot of Black voters have voiced resentment of the Clinton campaign operation’s attacking Obama because of his youthful use of marijuana.
       “That really turned me off from Hillary. I thought she  was the candidate who wanted to get away from that old way of campaigning,” said Rogers. “She also talks about experience and Obama not having any. But I think he will surround himself with some very good advisors to help him with decisions and policy. I am leaning toward Obama now, not because he is black but because he represents a chance for change.”
       “If he (Obama) were more experienced I think he would be the one I’d support,” said Dr. Evelyn Sears Peevey, a social columnist for the New Journal and Guide.  “I would not want him to be in the White House, with all of the world’s turbulence and he would be blamed for not resolving it. I think it is her—Hillary’s – a woman’s chance—to be in the White House.”
       Mellanease Hutchison was a long time Democratic Party activist until her health went south.  She says the nation’s political and social baggage may deter  the historic stars from lining up correctly for Obama in 2008.   
       “History is not on our side in terms of an Obama presidency. I do not care how many white people say they support his candidacy,” said Hutchison.  “The odds are against him. I recall what happened to Doug Wilder in 1989. As gender may hurt Hillary, race will hurt Obama even more.  So I am for Clinton. The Democrats can reclaim the White House.   I think she has a greater chance at this  time of making history.”
       Deborah Culver is an executive with the Norfolk Young Women Christian’s Association (YWCA). She says that history is a factor but now negative.  She looks back at 1968 when “the nation was a political crossroads.”
       “We lost so much with the death of  Dr. King and Sen. Robert Kennedy. The election of 1968 was the most important in a long time,” she said. “And we lost when Richard Nixon was elected. Here we are again. We have a chance to gain so much if either Clinton Or Obama wins.  If they lose, we could lose so much so far as moving forward on so many critical issues facing this nation. Is this a coincidence of history?
“It would be wonderful if both could run on the same ticket.  As a black woman I have to support that black man, so I am going with Obama. White woean have had their chance before and they can have one again. I think history, this time is on our side.”
       Jennifer Williams is the coordinator of Resource Mothers, a program that supports pregnant teen women on the peninsula.
       “At this point I am undecided. But I am leaning toward her (Clinton) more,” said Williams.  “I think Obama is a political novice at this point.  But I do not like the negativity of the Clinton campaign toward Obama.  I think both of them are far above anything the Republican party has to offer.  I will just wait and see and make my mind up objectively.”
       Vivian Paige is the editor of the online blog VivianPaige.com. She ran a failed candidacy for the Norfolk City Treasurer two years ago.
       “I support Hillary because of the issue of electability; that is the bottomline,” Paige said.  ”I am not thinking about the primary race of February 2008; I am thinking about the general election in November 2008. It is not about race. It is about who can best win against the GOP.”

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