Obama supporters fear race may bring candidate down

reuters.com ^ | October 15, 2008 | Matthew Bigg

[Berlin_Freeper]

For supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama it is a nightmare scenario -- his apparent lead in the battle for the White House suddenly evaporates on Election Day. The cause? Race.

As Republican rival John McCain celebrates victory, it emerges that a small but decisive percentage of white voters who had declared to opinion pollsters they supported Obama actually chose differently in the privacy of the ballot booth.

With opinion surveys making Obama the favorite over McCain less than three weeks before the November 4 election, attention has turned to the question of how many white Americans might be lying to pollsters about their willingness to vote for a black president.

The phenomenon is known as the "Bradley effect," after Tom Bradley, an African American who narrowly lost the 1982 California governor's election despite leading in polls.

His defeat surprised observers who concluded many white voters had not been honest about their intentions. Ever since, pollsters have tried to factor in the Bradley effect in elections featuring black candidates.

Those concerns weighed heavily on John Estep as he canvassed for Obama last week in the mainly white town of St. Bernard, Ohio, where he was once mayor.

"They will say in a poll, or say on the porch, 'I'll vote for Obama.' But I question how many will stick with a person of color when they pull that (voting booth) curtain," said Estep.

[MathDoc]

I think the American people will pick McCain in a landslide when all is said and done and we won’t even have to talk about the race issue. We will be talking about the rejection of fascism.

I see fascism as a form of national socialism that normally glorifies the state. I don't see any nationalism in Obama (just the opposite). I expect Obama to bring us some good old Soviet Socialism, or perhaps just a socialist veneer on traditional totalitarianism.

[acw011]

his apparent lead in the battle for the White House suddenly evaporates on Election Day. The cause?

BULLS**T POLLING!! Dangerous BS Polling.... When McCain wins, these pollsters and the media should be held liable for every bit of damage that ensues.

[keats5]

Agreed. We emptied our checking account and went to bat for Kenneth Blackwell, and would do likewise for other true conservatives, regardless of race.

I think racism is so prevalent in the Democratic party, as it always has been, that they can't believe that some people are color blind. I remember hearing a fellow once say “Come on, you know at home all the whites refer to black people by the “N” word". Honestly, I have not heard that word spoken aloud in the homes of whites for years. The only time I hear it is on the news or from black comedians.

[padre35]

I think it will be a bit higher, but I’m not certain that the demographic, Seniors in Battleground states, is there for it to have a overall effect.

For example, a 6% decrease in Utah means -0-, in VA or PA, it could end up being the difference, same in FL or NC.

The fact that mere hysteria is replacing any sort of searching for a statistical truth does speak volumes though.

[1035rep]

Oklahoma polls show McCain not only winning big but he has the support of 41% of the Democrats also. Bradley effect? or Commie effect?

Either way, it won’t be confined to Oklahoma.

[vetvetdoug]

You better believe I am a racist. I dislike Communists, Socialists, terrorists and liars. That makes me a real racist.

[Niuhuru]

"Do they mean Obama’s hatred of Jews is finally going to become an issue?" I sincerely wish the Jews would realize that each time a godless, fascist leader gets in charge they are always on the list. First, last, in the middle, they will always be on it. It would be great if they would get out there and vigorously campaign against Barack. Keeping their heads down and letting every other person get rounded out isn't and is never going to work. Genuine christians always know that they need the Jews and the Jews need the Christians. Sick stuff has happened, but that's in the past and it's time to band together and fight Islam and the tyrants who want to kill off both of us before moving on to other prey. Hitler and other genocidal dictators are in the end self destructive. The tragedy is when they take other people down with them. That's what made WWII occur. Instead of killing himself, he killed other people. In the end good will prevail, but I would prefer to avoid suffering first.

[rfreedom4u]

And which race would that be? His black half or his white half?

[Fresh Wind]

She said I was not voting for the DemonRATs because I was a racist.

Uh, oh. You're on The List.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“Face it folks, if Obama loses it will ONLY be because he’s black.”

And it will be the Democrats voting against him not the Republicans.

Maybe blacks will finally wake up and realize that the RATS have been exploiting them all these years.

[Niuhuru]

"My middle schoolers have already had black students talking about “Whitey needs killin’” when another student expressed support for McCain. I was appalled until I talked to several other students who were hearing the same stuff. This will make everyone insane. Frightening." I'm praying for you and your kids. I hope, that in the even Obama is elected, that you have a safe place to go.

[cowdog77]

She said I was not voting for the DemonRATs because I was a racist. I told her it had nothing to do with race, and that I had voted for Alan Keyes in the 2000 primary.”
_______________

EXCELLENT response!

[gotribe]

Hey, you can vote anyway you want for whatever reason. But you cannot foment race riots if you lose. O’Bomber better not take after his cousin odingbat if he loses.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“O-bama—O-dinga. The similarities abound.”

I still love the sign, “ the only difference between Obama and Osama is a littel BS”

[Caipirabob]

Has nothing to do with his Stalinist politics, of course.

[chris_bdba]

Gosh they really are obsessed with Obama’s race aren’t they? Here I’m more worried about his Marxist ideology which would bankrupt most American’s right anlogn witht he country and they are worried about white democrats who won’t support Obama because of race? Who knew? So far I nor my Dh have been called racists for not supporting him.

[NKStarr]

But understand: the 95 to 1 lead he enjoys among black voters - that’s NOT racist.

[1035rep]

Gergen said that survey after survey shows it will happen. I have no idea what survey he refers to but it sure got Carville worked up.

[keats5]

I’m not staying home after I vote. I was asked to greet voters at my church, which is a voting location. I signed up. I figure they need as many honest witnesses around as possible that day.

This will not be a day for good people to hide.

[kenth]

They brought out the racist label far too soon. It’s going to backfire on them.