Aint I A Voter?

The Clinton campaign says
The voters who will determine this election come November are
Salt of the earth,
“Regular”
Folks.

People who aren’t energized caucus-goers,
People who aren’t young,
People who don’t live comfortably in our nation’s cities,
People who aren’t “urban.”

People who are working class,
And White.

But ain’t I a voter?

I entered the booth with my mom at my side
And cast my ballot for the candidate I believe
Can repair this country.
For the candidate who speaks to me,
With honesty and candor
And makes me proud
To be an American.

I voted for the candidate who has openly and vocally
Embraced the differences that make all Americans unique,
And celebrated the similarities that unite us as countrymen and women.

But of equal importance,
I voted for the candidate whose campaign has not worked craftily
To marginalize
People like me.

My skin,
As my dad used to tell me,
Is the color of coffee with a drop of cream.

And ain’t I a voter?

My age,
Reflects my birth year
Of 1983.
But that doesn’t mean I don't have strong reasons to support my voting decisions,
Or that I’m voting on a fairy tale.

So ain’t I a voter?
Don’t I matter?

My hometown
Is Philadelphia.
A city with a large African-American population.
A city filled with college students
And upper-class whites.
A city that went for Obama 65% - 35%.

Why doesn’t this count?

On February 12, many of my family members voted
In the Potomac Primaries,
Where Obama received about 89% of the African-American vote.

On April 22, I voted
In Pennsylvania,
A state where Clinton only won 9% of the African-American vote.

9%.

But no one’s talking about that.

Instead,
Everyone’s focused on Obama’s “problem” with working class Whites.
How can he win come November without them?

Well here’s another question, of equal importance:
How can Clinton win without the Black vote?
Which she has shrewdly
And handily
Lost.

The answer?
She can’t.

Well now that there
Is an “electability” problem
If I ever saw one.

So let’s talk about that
Too
Because our votes
Matter.

______________________________________

Inspired by the words of Sojourner Truth,
a champion for African-American and women's rights,
and a true feminist.

Washington Post: Party Fears Racial Divide
Daily Kos: White Men? How About African Americans? 
The New York Times: The Low Road to Victory
Michael Moore: My Vote for Obama (if I could vote)
CNN: Prominent Black lawmaker scolds Bill Clinton
Politico: The Flip Side of the Exit Polls
Huffington Post: Obama Backer: Irreparable breach between Clinton and Blacks is foreseeable

Keith Olbermann condemns Clinton's race-baiting

Comments

[Paul McEnany]

Thank you, thank you. Very well said. She'll be on her way out soon enough. Bring on Indiana and North Carolina!

[Ron]

I am sure that we are ready for a black president. one thing we should remember is that the older population will loose more voters as we progress, and the younger population will increase it's voter base. Also I think that a younger Washington would be better for the country. Someone that has the energy to stay awake, or read memo's on important issues like invading Iraq.Ex- president Clinton has seriously damaged his reputation and character. It is sad that his true feelings about blacks in America have come out so late in history. What a shame to utters the African Americans don’t have the critical mass to elect Sen. Obama. However that was that population that put him in office.

[jpastor]

I dunno, I'm just not that convinced. I understand your point, but I also understand that it's politics, and it all depends on how you look at it.

I don't think Hillary has an electability problem based on the fact that African Americans are not voting for her per se--it only makes sense (to me at least, maybe I'm being myopic) that the first time there is a strong and charismatic candidate in the running who just happens to be black, most African Americans would gravitate towards him (for whatever reasons--historical, social, personal, ideological, etc).

My point is, I don't feel it's so much Hillary's inability to woo black voters as it is more about Barack's strong appeal to this particular demographic. It could be Hillary or any other white opponent--they would still be up against the same problem.

That said, while I admire and support Barack's career and politics, I am not supporting him for president. And, as a first-generation American of Latin American descent, I am seriously thinking of voting for McCain over Barack. I think it's the best option for America AND for the world. I've voted Democratic in all previous elections, and it's the first time I've ever thought of voting across party lines.

[CNKeach]

Lovely post, Ryan, thoughtfully and craftily written.
I've voted in just about every presidential election since I was old enough. I remember the 1968 campaign when all hell broke lose in Chicago, when we young people were fired up and thought that we could "change the world" by putting someone in office who would end the disastrous war in Vietnam. Now we're again in another disastrous war. And it looks like we have a chance at putting someone in office who would start the process of unwinding our involvement in Iraq, to say nothing of unwinding the disastrous foreign policies of Bush's administration, as well as the Clinton/Bush Sr. Nafta fiasco, to say nothing of the other abuses visited on us working stiffs by the current administration.
It amazes me to see how H. Clinton has mishandled her primary. Early on, there was the possibility of holding real debates. AT that time I would have gladly voted for any of the candidates. But now that the campaign has winnowed down to the Black man and the White woman, it has become vile and vicious, due solely to the Clintons, in my opinion. I can't see myself voting for McCain, the Republican, under any circumstance. And if Hillary Clinton manages to become the Democratic nominee, I may stay home or vote for Nader or write in Obama. From what I've seen of Hillary over the past two months, I can't in good conscience cast my vote for someone as unprincipled as she has shown herself to be. I don't want to be embarrassed by another myopic, vacuous hack purporting to represent me and my country. I care too much about its principles. It's about time for the country to live up to them.

Nikki

[RyanB]

Juan! You’re breaking my heart, my friend.

If you agree with Clinton’s policies (which are very similar to Obama’s), why – besides a personal affront - would you feel compelled to switch parties and vote for McCain over Obama? As a Latin American, how in the world does McCain appeal to you more than any Dem?

Also, if you watch Olbermann’s Special Comment (embedded) and read some of the supporting links (especially the Washington Post article) you can see where I’m coming from when it comes to the Clinton campaign’s negativity, and in particular its race baiting. Which has turned OFF Black voters just as much as the Obama campaign has inspired them.

Know what I mean?

[jpastor]

I do know what you mean.I just don't trust Obama. Not his character or integrity--that I believe in whole-heartedly; it's his ability to deliver on his policy platform that I don't buy. I just don't believe he can do it.

I don't think he's ready, and won't be for a long time. I know you're probably sick of hearing this, but I really think he's too green.

Hillary, for me, has what I want in a President: resilience, sway, a willingness to do what it takes, strength, an ability to pull herself up no matter the circumstances. I admire that. She's manipulative, in a good way. I think that's what you need to be Commander in Chief. Politics is dirty, for better or worse, and Obama is a nice, dapper young gentleman.

McCain is not your regular Republican, from what I can see. I've found him appealing for a while now. I want a President who knows how to get things done, and I think Hillary is the right choice. Now, I don't know yet if I'd vote McCain over Obama for sure, I need to pay more attention and do more research, but I am thinking about it.

[Marge]

I hear a lot of people saying Hillary can get things done...but what is that declaration based on?
What has she done that would demonstrate her ability to lead? If you look at the job she has done managing her campaign,you would have to agree she is lacking.
Do Hillary supporters really want BILL? That's it! a 3rd term for Bill Clinton is what these folks are voting for. Even Hillary's supporters aren't really supporting Hillary....they are supporting a time long past when Bill Clinton was in the WH.

[Acanthus]

"McCain is not your regular Republican, from what I can see."

Then you're not looking closely enough. He takes all these contrarian stands for show...to put this false image as a "maverick" out there, only to end up with his toe firmly on the party line in the end. I can't blame you for thinking he's "different", though. Considering the way the media cover for him, you really have to be paying attention to see that he's no different at all.

[RyanB]

Juan –

McCain is a man who was vehemently opposed to torture, but now supports waterboarding. McCain is a man who favors the Bush tax cuts. McCain is man who wants to keep our troops in Iraq simply because he doesn’t want to “lose” the war. McCain is a man who voted against making MLK Jr. Day a holiday in Arizona.

McCain is not a “maverick” – he is a sellout who will align himself with the Bush administration in an attempt to woo weary conservatives. Mark my words; he won’t be a social liberal for long.

You say you want someone in the office who can “get things done,” but do you really want someone who will get all the wrong things done? So depressing that you’re actually considering voting for him over the Dem nominee.

*Props to Acanthus, and so true that the media has portrayed him as some kind of Dem-friendly Republican.

[Sean Howard]

I meant to comment on this the other day. My apologies for the delay, Ryan.

This is an AMAZING post. Powerful. Eloquent. A truly inspiring and moving read.

I wish that we lived in a world without discrimination or prejudice. At times I wonder if such a world can ever exist.

[Manny Stevens]

Bravo!!!!

[Zoe]

i resent false quotes.
but, regardless, the issue of electability based on the black vote is questionable. hillary has proven herself to be a strong contender who is highly electable by winning the primaries in all major states. that is unquestionable. not to mention that each candidate has his/her own key demographics. obama has the young and the blacks. hillary has the older whites and the hispanics. one is not more important than the other.
also, the point that obama's and hillary's political issues are the same is false. not to mention that the issues are the most important and key factors when choosing a president. though obama and hillary have similar political views, they are extremely different candidates. the differences with their healthcare, economics and the war in iraq are what define them as individuals in the race for the democratic nominee - and for president. universal healthcare is not only realistic (see her specific plans and the multiple countries who have successful universal healthcare plans) but also bold. obama's 'plan' is not specific and fails to take the issues which he obviously believes in through the course. every person deserves to have healthcare. denying people who may not be able to apply or who do not have the means to understand the importance of healthcare is very undemocratic, particularly since it contradicts the reasoning obama uses in defending his healthcare plans - making healthcare available to all.
and, in response to marge, hillary has proven herself as a candidate with substance and experience - during her time in the white house and as senator of new york, not as a presidential hopeful campaigning through america. .. seriously??
im baffled by a world where obama can skip around issues and avoid answering direct questions and be able to charm thousands of people with his inspiring rhetoric.