I don't think this was ever true. It was just a lot of people feeling obligated to say, "Black guy? Oh, I love him! Best ever! Really great guy. Really. I mean ... he's black, right? What's not to love? I'm no racist!"
No question about it. The PC police have done their job well. People are in fact intimidated and many will not speak to their true feelings fearing they will be thought to be racist.
I also believe when they step into the voting booth and draw the curtain they in fact will vote their mind and heart.
We shall see.