Democrats need to know: 2010 matters (JESSE JAGMO GOES ON A RACIAL TEAR ...)

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | October 19, 2010 | JESSE JACKSON

[Chi-townChief]

'In 2008, we changed the guard," says the Rev. Joseph Lowery in a radio ad for the Democratic National Committee. "This year we must guard the change."

There's no question that if mobilized, the base of the Democratic Party -- blacks, Latinos, single women, the young who constituted more than half of the electorate in 2010 -- could help save many Democratic seats and Democratic majorities in the House and Senate.

While the media have been fixated on the Tea Party, a case can be made that African Americans hold the keys to the 2010 elections. A determined black vote can be the margin of victory in critical states and districts. Recent studies bear this out.

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a premier African-American research institute, just published an opinion poll suggesting that African-American interest in this election may be sufficient to close the traditional gap between white and black turnout in off-year elections.

The center's David Bositis argues that African Americans turn out when they believe they can make a difference -- and argues that protecting the presidency of Barack Obama is good cause for doing so. Bositis notes that African Americans have turned out in large numbers before -- in 1986 after millions engaged in my 1984 campaign for the presidency, and in 1998 to defend Bill Clinton from the threat of impeachment.

He suggests that Republican attacks on Obama may rouse African Americans to vote in large numbers again. A poll by the Henry Kaiser Family Foundation Harvard University finds that 80 percent of African-American voters are as interested or more interested in this election than they were in 2010. Bositis shows that a high black turnout could make the difference in 20 or more congressional districts and several Senate and gubernatorial races, including tight races in Illinois.

But of course, the president isn't on the ballot this year. And the economic downturn has been brutal for African Americans.

In some states, early voting opens the door for larger turnout. Like all working Americans, African Americans with full-time jobs find it difficult to vote on Tuesday. But with early voting, and polls open for several days, it is possible in some states for entire congregations to go en masse to cast their ballots.

There is no question that a large turnout by African Americans, Latinos, single women and the young is vital to their interests. The GOP leadership is committed to repealing what is left of the recovery spending and cutting $100 billion from the domestic budget next year. Those cuts will come from programs for the most vulnerable. Latinos will find their hopes for immigration reform scorned. To protect their interests, the Democratic Party base should turn out in force.

But citizens get interested in elections from hope, not from a calculus of interest. Is there hope things can change? Can their votes make a difference?

Here the belated appeal of Democrats to their base voters can have effect. The threat posed by a hostile Republican Party and big money is clear. And the hope is real, too. If African Americans, Latinos and the base of the Democratic Party shock the pundits, ignore the flood of ads paid for by the big money and turn out to "protect the change," they will provide a mandate for moving forward on jobs and reform. The message is compelling. It will take real lifting from leaders and activists, from DJs and artists, from bloggers and ministers, organizers and students to make certain that it is heard.

Now is the time to guard the change.

jjackson@rainbowpush.org

[Chi-townChief]

As always, for 'rats like Brother Jesse, it all comes down to lefty jingoism and sloganeering.

[Psycho_Bunny]

But not too long ago, Jesse wanted to cut Obama’s nuts off.

[sheik yerbouty]

The deposed king of race racketeering is still, nevertheless, the king of run on sentences..

[righttackle44]

Be interesting to see if Ole Jess can put together a sentence that is based on clear thinking and intelligence rather than rhymes and lies.

[scory]

If we are going to play race games here then it should be pointed out that without a significant percentage of white voters going with the rats they would never win anything beyond some local elections and 50 or 60 house seats (at most).

I am sure sick of identity politics. It will be with us forever, apparently, but it is surely one of the lowest forms of politics to pit groups against one another to gain political advantage.

[Paradox]

One of the most racist things you will read... I am so tired of the concept of Race.

[reefdiver]

This is that jerkoffs work for today, most real Americans are at work, hoping to keep most of their paycheck, this ass wipe along with zer0 want to take it and your kids future.

Roll back the Marxists Save America. Defeat Liberals

[subterfuge]

Hey Jesse, you still afraid of a black man on the street?

How is your love child and is your mistress enjoying the house your Rainbow coalition members bought for her?

Hey Jesse, spit in any unsuspecting white peoples’ food lately like you did back in the day?

He is such a fraud and I can’t read any of the garbage he writes. Thanks anyway Chi-town.

[subterfuge]

Almost forgot.

Hey Jesse, been to “hymie-town” lately?

[Major Matt Mason]

I highly doubt that the black vote can save many Dem candidates. They are mostly tightly packed (by their own doing) into certain districts where the Dem is a lock to win. Outside those districts, they have alomost no clout to speak of, again by their own doing. They can make a difference in a presidential election or a Senate seat race, but not in the House races.

[Major Matt Mason]

Like all working Americans, African Americans with full-time jobs find it difficult to vote on Tuesday.

Excuses, excuses. I've never personally heard anyone non-white complain about voting on Tuesdays, at least when it comes to time constraints. It is just another excuse in the quiver for Jesse and his Gang.