Attempts to fire up Broward County’s black voters apparently failed last month with turnout sinking to its lowest of the past three primary elections in key minority precincts, according to a South Florida Sun-Sentinel analysis.The study showed a 33 percent decline in 10 of the county’s largest black precincts when comparing the Aug. 31 turnout with the 2002 late-summer primary. The turnout was off by 15 percent this year compared with the 2000 primary, also a presidential election year, according to the analysis.
The sharp decline has alarmed some who watch voting patterns in the black community, particularly in the Democratic Party where minority participation can decide an election — also a potential issue for party officials in the Nov. 2 presidential and state elections.
Maybe Jim Crow told them to stay away from the polls or else.
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Primaries are meaningless. It’s the same people running basically unopposed. Especially in black neighborhoods that are 85% or more democratic.
I think it is something of a bigger trend brewing. The black voting bloc is starting to fracture. The recent string of comments by Cosby and the general atmosphere of politics in the black demographic are just more indicators that you’re going to see more blacks voting Republican.
I live in an overwhelmingly “minority” community (no one has explained that one yet–my white Irish keister is an exception on my block, not the rule, but the local fishwrap keeps telling me I’m the bomb) and almost everyone says they are going to vote for Bush because, “Who is this other guy? This Kerry? I have no idea who the hell he is.”
Saw Juan Williams this morning on Black Forum still trying to raise the spectre of massive disenfranchisement in Nov. Blame whitey, blame Rowe, blame VRWC.
Stop the world, I wanna get off!!!
Errm, on 2nd thot, this should be interesting, if 15 – 20% of the black vote went to Bush, I think I would get dizzy watching the DNC/black leadership chase their tails on this.
Maybe the 15% reduction in Florida indicates more blacks plan to vote for Bush on issues of security and ownership. Of course, for the black leadership — since they know within their hearts that they have the black vote firmly in their hip pocket — it would only be proof that Jim Crow is alive and well.
Nope. I’m doing voter registration, although not in Florida. What it may mean is that folks feel like their vote doesn’t count and may not turn out (while I’ve never seen black folks in my state so engaged about an election, there are a few who cite the Florida shenanigans as a reason why they choose not to vote). Or they don’t like either candidate. That’s problematic for all Americans, as a democracy. Regardless of ideology, I believe folks should vote.
What it may mean is that folks feel like their vote doesn’t count and may not turn out
That’s the reason why politicans in my area are worried. They have internal polling to support that theory.
After working for Uncle Sam in various 3 letter agencies, I jus twish the balck population could see past skin color and into the character of the people for whom they vote. Dr King converted a lot of white people – look at how puny and insignificant the KKK has become. But the black population has become what it once hated: cliquish, close-minded and fearful of (and blaming) anyone of a different color.
If you want to blame whitey – look no further than the DNC and those who take the black vote for granted every election.
Maybe it’s because voters in Florida, be they black, white, or whatever, are too busy cleaning up from three hurricanes to go to the polls?
DS/Molotov
Polling being what it is, I wonder about the ongoing internal polling. Who is conducting it? What are the questions phrased? And how–ie using gangstas to rock the vote?
What if a significant portion of blacks really are concerned about winning the WOT, respect the fact that Bush has strong uniquely qualified blacks in his administration (as opposed to tokens like Elders & Guinier, et al), and want a piece of the proposed ownership society?
What to do? What to say to the black leadership with their polls? Do they dare say what is in their hearts? That they don’t like the fact that gay activists have hijacked the MLK legacy with the DNC’s tacit approval. That activist judges are steadily chipping away at the bedrock of this republic. That sKerry is a flip-flopper. [That his herky-jerky jigs get on their nerves
]
They’ve heard Cosby say his piece, agree with the message, yet have seen the “internal” recriminations, and the corresponding increase in blame-whitey rhetoric from the NAACP leadership.
Do these so-called “apathetic” or “disenfranchised” voters really want to endure accusations of “Uncle Toms/Aunt Jemima” simply for thinking that perhaps the GOP has compelling reasons for leaving the plantation? That Goldwater notithstanding, they feel that under Bush, the GOP is making a return to the party of Lincoln in spirit and deed.
So in response to pollsters, they figure it is easier to claim to sit it out, rather than getting dissed for acting white.
Could it be that the black leadership “hear” the concern that one’s vote doesn’t count, and naturally assume that its about Florida/2000? Have they even adequately condsidered the possiblity that the summer of discontent is actually a blowback at the BL?
You very well could be right about your assessment, but consider this. In a deadheat, this is a net 30% loss, if 15% of voters, rather than sitting it out actually voted for the opposition. Even if only 5% defected, that’s still a net loss of 10% to the traditional base.
How else to explain the following;
—————————-
John Kerry’s lead in New York is down to single digits. The Empire State, among the bluest of the Blue States from Election 2000, is still in the Kerry column for our Electoral College projections, but the raw numbers are stunning.
Confirming findings found in other recent polls, Rasmussen Reports shows John Kerry leading George Bush by merely five percentage points, 49% to 44%. Four years ago, Al Gore defeated Bush to carry New York by a 25 point margin. Our last New York survey found Kerry up by 19 points.
Rassmussen has the race even closer than the Quinnipiac or Marist College polls of last week. Almost a quarter of the Empire State’s Democrats now plan to vote Republican, at least for president.
———————————-
I mean, even cHillary has got to be scared w/ those kind of numbers.
Like I said, it will be interesting, hysterical even, to watch the DNC/BL chase their tails over the significance of the coming election results. Of course, the 1st response will be to hurl accusations of voter intimidation.
IMO, a handful of denied voters, whether thru incompetence or honest mistakes do not a conspiracy make. Especially when one considers that the Florida hotspots were predominatly run by the democrats.
In any case, the blogoshere is sure to be ablaze come 3 Nov 04.
I voted. I live in Broward. What’s them other black people’s major malfunction? I think they all need Jesus.
Oh, I know……..still waiting to vote who’s gonna give the most Gubmet handouts. “Y’all givin out AIDS!!?? I want my aid!!!” (Okay, I stole it from BET Comicview.)
Well, they can stay home on November 2nd if they want……..fools. I hear that equals 2 votes – TWO, BABY!! – for my man, i.e., 1 less for the Dork, 1 more for Bushy by default. Did I explain that right? Whatever.
Stay out the Bushessssssss!! Not.
BEAU!!! Yo, bro, I wuz prayin for you. I trust you survived Ivan more or less intact.
Andy, interesting rhetoric.
It’s the same reason why most Americans, who are able to vote, still do not vote: they don’t believe it makes a difference.
But if the other verbage makes you feel better, so be it.
I just read a poll from maryland..Bush is getting 21% of black vote right now….as an ex-Dem I have one thing to say
to the Dem party………people are unto your ways and your tricks..GO BUSH
Hey Andy,
‘Preciate the luv, Bro…..all’s well here at The Bottom. Unfortunately with these hurricanes, my luck was someone else’s misfortune, as the weekend was just one long day. Had me thinking thought the RNC was 1-2 weeks prior when it was actually the same week.
Everything was closed, but friends were entertaining, didn’t rain much in my parts, nor did the power go off. The usual – prepare as best you can, and hope that if you lose anything it’s not life, limb or any bodily function, no pun intended. Some things can be replaced, ya know?
Be cool, homie. Stay outta trouble.
***
And if I could add to some insight what Darkstar said, as I am currently listening to the enemy – a liberal radio talkshow with an intellectual slave black liberal included so that I can truly know them (like I don’t already), here goes:
After hearing his rather moderate white (Neil Helton) co-worker saying the choices are both bad, but he’s still voting (he’s undecided), homeboy goes: “Why vote JUST BECAUSE it’s your right if you don’t like either candidate?” Further stating his justification as “the majority of Americans don’t vote”. Brilliant mindset for sheep……..just-a-FOLLOWIN along!!! Idiota.
That is the truly asinine black liberal mentality. And just who needs to suppress the black vote when we can screw it up so well on our own. Just listen to the Tom Joyner Morning show for the daily spreading of that & similar crap.
Kinda like, who needs to destroy blacks if we can destroy their families, give welfare to make them lazy/relatively unmotivated, subsequently dependent on Govt, which will lead to a host of social ills……..and they’ll eventually destroy themselves.
What great strategists Democrats Lyndon B. Johnson and Robert KKK. Byrd were in the 60s, don’t you all think?? And Al Gore Sr., too, daddy of American’s 2nd black president – OOPS!! He lost…….uh, his own state of Tennessee, hence the whole election. Keep dreamin, Loser Boy Al.
Take care, Bloggies.
(DISCLAIMER: Byrd & I share the same birth, right along with Joe Biden………and the similarities end there. GRRRR!!!)
Beau,
I have no problem with black liberals not voting. Or any liberals, for that matter!
What I do want is conversion… to the conservative view. And since converts are often the most zealous (I can look to my former democrat self as an example), voting will come with conversion…
What’s Goin On Wuzzy,
Hey, can’t argue with that……they can stay home on election day from now to Kingdom Come as far as I’m concerned, though I think you might mean REvert, as opposed to CONvert.
You know how it’s been well chronicled that in the 100 years post-slavery we took full responsibility for our SOCIAL welfare as we continued to protest what was left of overt discrimination, i.e., Jim Crow in the South.
Worked out butts off, were largely conservative – kinda like regular Americans – and actually maintained high morals…..imagine that?? Most blacks maintaining a strong moral fiber/good character? I think I’m gonna faint…….but on 2nd thought, that’s what my parents passed on to me.
Not to mention, black contributions in 1940s World War II largely paved the way for demanding nationwide equality in the 50s.
Now, though I’ve always been conservative – whether I knew it or not – I can relate to the converts being more zealous. President Reagan, my mentor, was a convert, too, which explains where I got my nasty attitude when phony people get to muckety-muckin around with me.
Inherently Angry Black Man + Reagan Conservatism? Don’t look good for the deceptive & manipulative of this world……I digress.
Anyway, the thought that my loud-mouthed black “elders” did not know Jack about what they were saying, with some knowingly lying to me – it totally incenses me to this day. And we aint talkin bout burnin Skrawberry incense with that wacky tobaccy, either. That would actually mellow me out……..so I hear.
No wonder you pay me the big bucks to spread the SCSI Wuzzy Doctrine in Da Hood. Smart man.
Ciao, brother.
“Why vote JUST BECAUSE it’s your right if you don’t like either candidate?”
It’s asinine to say that this happens with only liberals.
Further stating his justification as “the majority of Americans don’t vote”. Brilliant mindset for sheep……..just-a-FOLLOWIN along!!! Idiota.
It happens to be a fact. If you can’t deal with it, so be it. But there is a reason that the majority of Americans, who are eligible to vote, don’t vote. Some people don’t care, some people do care. I do wonder why they don’t vote.
DS,
I want to win, dang it!
I didn’t think anyone had said it was limited only to liberals…
Though I did say I don’t mind when it happens to liberals
I think it is a duty to participate in the process. I think anyone who knows a non-voters should find a way to try to motivate them into voting.
At work and at the bar, whenever I hear someone whine about what some politician has done now, I always ask “Did you vote in the last election?” If they answer ‘no’, I promptly tell them their opinion doesn’t matter, and won’t matter, until they do vote.
Don’t like either canidate? Write one in. Or leave it blank. But vote for you local contests, and state contests…
****
Beau, as always, the check is in the mail. After the gummint takes its share to support the welfare state…
DS, all your negative vibes is gettin me down man…
Tell ya what, come 3 Nov, if it turns out you were right, then you can toot your infinite cynicism. And I’ll just work extra harder to help stir up the non-voting crowd for ‘08. Get ‘em to rise up and throw off their neo-Jim Crow shackles. Show ‘em that the DNC is NOT their escape route and what it means to be free, free at last, of the “what’s the point of fighting whitey” meme.
OTOH, if my “unlikely” wonderings come to pass, I’ll fisk the soured grapes attitude with more verbiage til kingdom come
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