This is the split that, imho, most seriously threatens the modern Democrat party.
Democrats have ridden the wave of identity politics for the last 40 years. By dividing America into little camps of tribal loyalties, they have all but destroyed core American values and American identity.
But they are approaching a tipping point. Without the support of 80% or more of blacks, they cannot win a national election. Period. Punto.
But blacks are getting restless with the Democrat leadership. Why, if they are so crucial to the Democrats electoral hopes, has there not been a black Majority leader? Why no black Senators? Why no black Speaker of the House? Why no black Presidential or Vice Presidential nominee?
And now, there is a new plum constituency the Dems have their eyes on: Latinos. By the next election cycle, there may well be more Latinos than blacks in the electorate. Blacks resent this, and the Dem leadership is torn about how to handle it.
The opportunity for Republicans here is just tremendous.
All the blacks I know are decent people, more conservative on moral issues than many whites, but they still vote Democrat out of long habit and unexamined assumptions. I don't see how that can last forever. It may be that we will look back and see the 2000 election as the point where the Democrat lock on black voters reached its high-water mark.
Balkanizing America is the only way for Demonrats to maintain power, but it is a vicious cycle. They will not be able to contain enough "groups" to maintain power and loyalties will change with progression. The Balkans prove this out, either we end group warfare and rally around a common America or we war to our own demise.
You ask some pretty darn good questions. BUMP