Black Vote Moves To Center Stage

With nomination contests in Iowa and New Hampshire settled, Black voting power now moves into the spotlight.

Historical realities suggest that Blacks won't play much of a role in determining the Rublican Party presidential nominee. But this year's Democratic primary and caucus schedule will find all the leading candidates, Senators Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John Edwards, actively seeking Black voters. According to the Pew Research Center, Blacks are 10 1/2 times as likely to identify themselves as Democrat than Republican.

When South Carolina Democrats hold their primary on January 26 -- the state Republican contest is January 19 -- the choices of substantial numbers of Black voters will be tallied for the first time in this election.

Blacks make up about half of the Democratic electorate in South Carolina. A political science professor at Furman University in Greenville, S. C. thinks turnout in the party primary there will be 4-to-1 Black.

Senator Obama's stunning victory over second place finisher former Senator Edwards and Senator Clinton's third in the Iowa caucuses combined with his strong second in New Hampshire's primary showed he could win White votes. And he continues to gain major endorsements daily.