Free Republic

One Black Woman's Personal Mission To Reelect Obama The president may need an even bigger African American turnout this time — and political dynamos like Gerri Hall to help him get it. Gerri Hall, a lifelong Democrat who grew up poor in Mississippi, has made it her personal goal to see that President Obama is reelected. This time around, Obama's chances may depend even more on a strong turnout by black voters. December 11, 2011 By Mark Z. Barabak December 11, 2011 Reporting from Flint, Mich.— Growing up poor and black in Mississippi, Gerri Hall learned there was a meanness...

I understand that the NAACP opposes voter-ID laws. Given the long history of fighting against uses of state law to deny blacks and other minorities the franchise until the Civil Rights Movement prevailed, their deep skepticism over proposed stricter enforcement of eligibility laws can’t help but recall echoes of voter suppression in their communities, even if the new laws are innocent of any racial animus. We still have plenty of mistrust that will take generations to undo, especially given that we still have those with living memories of having been denied the right to vote. Still, if the NAACP wants...