[Rummyfan]

But Obama is a real threat. People still think that poverty is caused by racism, not the breakdown of the family, and voting for Obama will be a way to make them feel good about themselves.

That didn't help Steele in MD, Swann in PA, or the other man in Ohio. Deval Patrick did get elected though (MA is a case all its own).

[Jibaholic]

That didn't help Steele in MD, Swann in PA, or the other man in Ohio. Deval Patrick did get elected though (MA is a case all its own). I disagree, I think it helped Steele (although he ran a great campaign on its own merit), but the voters in blue states were not sympathetic to Republicans. He would have won in 2004. More generally, being black is good for a percentage point or three. But it will not win you races if you are a lousy candidate, and it may not be enough even if you are a good candidate. But it is still a help.