Is it because he is an elitist? Is it because he is black? Or is it both?

He didn't win WV because it is made up primarily of ignorant white racists, plain and simple, and Hillary exploited their racism by continuing to talk about Obama's "electability" problem, which is simply code language for "he's too black." Despicable. I'm delighted that the superdelegates are flocking to Obama and that this Democratic primary is nearly over.

Vote for their kind.

Why is it when Senator Obama gets 90+ Percent of the Black Vote, it is viewed as a matter of Racial Pride, and then when Senator Clinton gets 60 or even 70 + Percent of the White Vote it then becomes Racists?

In the absence of big policy differences, people will probably vote for the candidate they best identify with. Or to use the five dollar term, yes, it's identity politics at work here.

Let me hasten to add that I see nothing wrong with that. Charges and counter-charges of racism or sexism are simply not helpful. Indeed, I think that exit polls serve no useful function and are actually harmful. They violate the spirit of the secret ballot.

Obama 08!

Obama never used race to win the black vote. As a matter of fact, as recently as October 07, the blacks preferred Clinton to Obama. Over the months however, Clinton so mismanaged her campaign that she lost not only the black vote, but also the white votes that really matter.

Clinton on the other hand had to appeal to the baser instincts of the people in Appalachia and elsewhere to garner votes.

And, contrary to your argument, Clinton did NOT get 60-70% of the white votes generally. She only got 60-70% of the white votes belonging to certain socioeconomic status. Many whites have moved past race; their focus is on more substantive issues.

Also, Obama has not won a single state based on the black votes alone. If you were to eliminate the percentage of black votes from both candidates, Obama would still have won ALL the states he won.

And, lest we forget, Obama is actually half white, and there is no way to deny that. Not that this really matters anyway. Wait till November to see McSame's butt whipped at the polls, proving once again that race does not matter to most Americans.

OBAMA 08!

There is often a thin line between racism and identity politics. There is a difference, though, in voting for someone based on certain attributes and not voting for someone due to certain attributes.

Many individuals are voting for Clinton because she is a woman. This is not the same as refusing to vote for Clinton because you would never support a woman.

Many individuals voted for Joseph Lieberman because he was Jewish. This is not the same as refusing to vote for any Jew.

Of course, many individuals have voted for Obama because he is black. Surely, you realize this is not the same as saying that your are voting for Obama because you refuse to vote for a white person. Apparently, there are some people who have voted for Clinton because they refuse to vote for a black candidate.

When half of a state's voting populations answers "yes" to the exit poll question, "does the candidate's race matter", and an overwhelming number of them vote for Clinton, then it is a fair statement to say that half of the population is racist. It may not be pretty, but those are the facts.

Which one are you?

This should not supprise anyone. Race does matter where their is an overwhelming majority. Power sharing is never voluntary.

HellFire,

A couple of things:

First, Black voters have voted in similar numbers (80%-90%) for every Democratic candidate over the last twenty years. Al Gore earned 90% of the Black vote (look it up if you don't believe me). Were Blacks showing racial pride then too?

Second, I flagged your post as abusive and reported that to Slate. I encourage all readers who are sick of this kind of racist crap to do the same when they see abusive comments.

working class my ass. Those people kill their dinner for chrissakes. They are losers!

Vile epithets don't help communication.

The issue is: Negroid vs. Caucasian. These are racial identifiers, which don't really capture the schism that exists between these groups in 21st century America... We don't have a problem with race, we have a problem with color (black vs. white) and its symbolic value in our society.

Barack Hussein Obama is a proponent and devote'e of Black Liberation Theology, which he has studied in an Aristotelian manner at the feet of Jeremiah Wright, for 20 yrs. Having experienced myself, the combination of intense religion and hidden agenda for 17 yrs, trust me, this stuff is deep in Obama's gut!.

It's not only the preacher's fault, check the congregation, the bulletin, the archives. Google the topic and read back to the Sandinistas and the origin of Liberation Theology. Obama is part of the most radical group of negroes in America! Obama is a Modern Manchurian Candidate in sheep's clothing (appropriate mixed metaphor).

As a teacher, I frequently use graphic organizers to explain facts and their reaction to one another:

Why can't Obama be elected?

1. His race. He is a negro and many caucasians and latinos are reluctant to vote for this man. Pro-choice racial theory says he has the right to make that decision if there are extenuating circumstances.

2. His wife hates America.

3. He and she act as elitist prigs, when referring to "rural folk," the code for "Cracker."

4. He launched his political career/ candidacy at the home of a well known, unrepentant, domestic terrorist, period!

5. Rev. Jeremiah Wright. He and "Barry" are buds and bleed into each other's deep wounds of hatred for caucasian americans.

6. Latinos, Catholics, Blue Collar men, Jews and independents (in the national election) will not support BHO in the numbers needed.

7. He has NO business trying to get on the "President Ride" at the White House Theme Park, as he is not tall enough to ride that ride! Inexperience, regardless of how the DNC tries to cover that up, may be the literal death of this country!

8. Did someone say a gangster's wife bought the property next to the Obama's house, fenced as part of his estate, on the same day that Obama bought the house, as he was required to buy both.

These "few" little unresolved issues will make swift boating look like an American Idol version of "Deal or No Deal" or Survivor on this candidate. I say, "NO DEAL!" Therefore,

9. I would never consider voting for BHO and I am not that conservative, racist or anti-change!!!

And that is why Barrack Hussein Obama can never be elected President of the United STates of America.

Lastly, and don't forget it for a minute,

10. He is running against a Clinton...and they don't lose!!!

RickyDee55,

I feel sorry for your students if you are indeed some sort of teacher.

You've made a numer of claims, put forth no evidence to support them and then pass that off as if it were the truth. For example you said:

"Barack Hussein Obama is a proponent and devote'e of Black Liberation Theology, which he has studied in an Aristotelian manner at the feet of Jeremiah Wright, for 20 yrs. "

Is every person who attends a church a proponent and devotee of the church's theology? You haven't provided any statement from Obama supporting your claim. You assume that Obama is some kind of Rev. Wright cultist although the only evidence that you have to support your claim is that Obama went to Wright's church. I'll use another Christian sect to debunk your claim. Do you think all people who attend Catholic church are proponents and devotees of the idea that artificial contraception is a sin? Probabaly not, right? In fact, many people attend church for the community aspect (as I believe Obama has said of his church experience) or for their own personal connection with religion.

The rest of your rant is about the same.

mark14:

Is it because he is an elitist? Is it because he is black? Or is it both?

Obama comes off as an elitist. This demographic responds to arguments that relate to values-based solutions delivered by a person they believe has integrity. This person handles each situation with respect, the antithesis to any discriminator (or elitist).

Particularly they want to feel that Obama is the sort of man who if he lived in their town or neighborhood would be a person of integrity and an asset to their community (this expands into a lot of small town social expectations).

He needs to pick a single or closely related group of issues crucial to this group of voters and directly and firmly defend his position. Just hammer it home on how McCain is not really their man.

Once he negates the idea that McCain is their ideal candidate he could expand on the hands-on work he has done to help communities around him in the past. Link that work with the message of "it being important to Obama that he improve his environment (neighborhood/town/community).­"

Then these voters can more readily justify switching.

You Obama Types think you can run the World.... you can't even run this Thread.

Last I checked Senator Clinton is a Democrat, but, she is White..... you Racist.