Comments on: Exit polls: Clinton losing African-American support

By: Jim from CA

Jim from CA — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:31:25 +0000

As an african american, I am ashamed of all these people who vote for Obama, simply because he looks like them. This is pure racism and very unamerican. May be they should start their own party, the black liberation party or something like that. It is a sad day in America, a land where many of us have the greatest opportunity to be what ever we want, even aspire to be a president. However, Obama has strategically injected race into this campaign as long as it benefits him. To accuse the Clintons of racism is so wrong that I really get mad.

By: tell the truth

tell the truth — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:31:05 +0000

Should be a 100% balck and 100% white.

Go Obama

By: Cathy V.

Cathy V. — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:31:00 +0000

Wow, what a surprise!

As my dear black friend P. Clark says: "We are taught from a young age ... we are black FIRST."

By: ejc

ejc — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:30:44 +0000

And I am sure that is NOT because of race....

By: ek

ek — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:30:30 +0000

Well, about 95% of African American also said "OJ" was innocent. Brilliant, GENIUSES!!!!!!!

By: Lucy

Lucy — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:30:10 +0000

The blacks have been voting for white folks all their lives.
stop with the race nonsense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: b black

b black — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:29:52 +0000

MAYBE US BLACKS ARE JUST SMARTER! OBAMA 08!

By: zina

zina — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:29:11 +0000

The reason why is simple. It's not because we, people of color, are racists. It's because we finally woke up and realized that the Clintons have been using us for YEARS. Being from Mississippi, I understand the stump speech on the back of the pick up truck that says "I'm like you, and he's not" argument.

We have been voting for caucasion candidates for years, and no one complained, but because we happen to support a black candidate, we are racists? Give me a break!

Many of us are college educated and can make a selection based on policy, and not race!

O8ama

By: bob in L.A.

bob in L.A. — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:29:10 +0000

Without sounding like a racist- did anyone really think that once Sen Obama started to show signs that he could win, that he would not get the African American vote? These two canddiates admit to almost the exact same platform and ideas. So that being said, it would seem natural for a given group to support the person they closest related with.
If a person in this same positon, with t e same credentials and platform were up against Hillary and happened to be Hispanic, with the same chance of winning, these number would be the same among that canddiates Hispanic voters

By: Mimi

Mimi — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:28:55 +0000

Not surprising. Oddly enough, Obama claims this is not about race. Then why are we measuring polls by race? Why is it that so much of his vote is African-American? I tell you why..because racism is a big part of this country and blacks themselves cannot let go of the past. They teach their kids to focus on their history instead of focusing on living color blind. HIstory is supposed to be just that...History..in the past. Now it's their time to shine. Who cares whether or not he's really capable or not.

By: b black

b black — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:27:02 +0000

GOOD! SHE DOSENT DESERVE THE OTHER 8%.
OBAMA 08.

By: SPH

SPH — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:26:36 +0000

Hillary may win the nomination, but without black support and young voters (who will certainly not vote for her), she cannot win the White House. Hillary Clinton will be remembered as the woman who handed the presidency to John McCain. Her behavior is nothing short of disgusting! It took the Bush presidency for me to forget just how awful the Clintons really are! Yuck!

By: Avis, Richton Park, IL

Avis, Richton Park, IL — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:26:12 +0000

I wonder, where was this outcry for the A/A vote before Barack . Now the African Americans are being called racist for voting primarily for a black & white man. Where's the outcry for the catholics who vote primarily for Clinton, or the white people that vote primarily for Clinton. Barack is questioned about "closing the deal" with the white blue collar workers. Why not question Hillary why can't she "close the deal" with African Americans. The democratic party has taken for granted the African American vote for over 60 years. Maybe we should stop criticizing them and think that just maybe they like Barack better. After all Hillary has been linked to so many lies it's ridiculous!

By: rich

rich — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:25:07 +0000

There is a qualitative difference between voting FOR something vs voting AGAINST. This is also why republicans voting against Obama is so saddening.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:24:38 +0000

I am a woman..was happy for Hillary when she threw in her name for the Presidency..but have lost faith in her...SO ready for change!

By: Dusacre

Dusacre — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:24:35 +0000

I am not an African American but I have to say this: Clinton has Rev. Wright, a gift that keeps on giving. It is only fair that the rest of African-Americans support Obama.

By: Doug in Ontario Canada

Doug in Ontario Canada — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:23:22 +0000

Don't you voters worry , the democratic party will do what ever it takes i.e. letting Michigan and Florida in on the action , changing rules, whatever, to make sure Bill is running , oops I mean Hillary is nominated . Hillary talks about getting a rid of Wright if he was her pastor, well there is a lot of women that would of dumped Bill if he was their husband.

By: Venus

Venus — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:23:22 +0000

You got that right!

Go Obama!

By: Say its not so!!

Say its not so!! — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:22:54 +0000

Gee what a shocker – Hillary is losing the African American vote. Obama from the very beginning has been getting the black vote. And they call white people racist, what a joke.

I would say Geradline Ferro might have hit on something with her comment hey. Oh but excuse me, she was also called a racist, and then so was Bill Clinton. By golly we white, poor folks are just plain all racists.

By: Cherokee

Cherokee — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:22:45 +0000

Forgive me for reminding all, Obama is both black and whte. I do know where the true racism lie. Oh, by the way, "It's a Fairy Tail," Jessie Jackson won South Carolina.

I, too, am Cherokee.

By: Kerry

Kerry — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:22:38 +0000

I think the media is cranking this up more than it needs, as usual.
I look at Obama and the people that come to see him talk are white, black and everything in between. Exit polls can be rigged to make it look like an issue just by the way the questions are asked.

If you vote for Obama because he is black, that's wrong.
If you vote for Hillary because she is white or a woman, that is wrong, too.
If you vote for McCain, you need your head examined.

By: Alana (African-American and Mescalero Apache)

Alana (African-American and Mescalero Apache) — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:22:23 +0000

This has nothing to do with Obama's race. It happens that he is Black and he is a better choice than Hillary for democrats. The last time I voted in a local election for a woman no one said it was because I was female. Why does his race matter so much to you people? It doesn't matter what racial makeup he is. It is his message that is important. Obama is half black. He is Black, but he is so much more than just his race. Too many Americans are showing their fear through bull____ excuses. It is just too much to take in. It is over tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: After further review,Texas

After further review,Texas — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:22:23 +0000

Thanks to the polls and other measures we now know what you bought today,where you went,who you talked to,what you said,who you voted for,the color of your underwear etc.Is there anything we left out?Well keep giving us the info for our data base and we will tell you tomorrow.Thank you your Government in action.

By: E. loz Miami

E. loz Miami — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:22:14 +0000

dUH!!!!

By: Jack in ND

Jack in ND — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:21:58 +0000

""Well, Duh. Did Clinton ever have strong support among African-Americans?""

Yes.

Before Bubba opened his mouth, Hillary had overwhelming support from Blacks.

By: SF Bay Area

SF Bay Area — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:21:48 +0000

No news here... .we already knew this.

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:20:50 +0000

So, you guys at CNN realize that exit polls have margins of error, right? And when you try to breakdown the poll numbers into subgroups (like young voters, black people, Catholics and so on), the margin of error grows. So the difference between 8 and 13% when the margin or error is +-5-6% is really not that much.

By: Lola

Lola — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:20:43 +0000

And how do we know this before the polls have closed?

By: Jim Richmond

Jim Richmond — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:20:37 +0000

Blacks will vote no matter what. Race card wasn't even played. If Rev. Wright case hit the street long ago, it would have been black against white. Guess what? Whites outnumber blacks believe or not. Obama is another McGovern and Democrats could only blame themselves. Kerry, Pelosi, Kennedy and all of your socialists be happy that we got another 4 years of Bush to deal with. Obama's black power is not that significant in the general election. I wonder if Democrats understand math. I would never contribute money nor vote Democrat if Hillary loses.

By: Hildegarde Schildgen

Hildegarde Schildgen — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:20:24 +0000

well that is not a surprise. she knew who she was courting all along.
It was the white uneducated voter, who believed what she had to say, and also the rednecks.

African Americans can play that game too, but it's more costly to her.

By: David

David — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:20:12 +0000

This is great. I can vote for McCain in the general election because I am a white male.

By: Interested Reader

Interested Reader — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:20:06 +0000

Yes she is losing African-American votes... because most A-A vote in this order: 1) A-A Democrat, 2) Democrat, 3) no one.

By: Independent

Independent — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:19:34 +0000

I am a white over 50 female, and will vote for Obama. She has lost their support because of her pandering and lying to all A ericans!

By: HRC supporter

HRC supporter — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:19:32 +0000

The Clintons have done alot for the black community.

By: Warren

Warren — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:19:29 +0000

What a surprise...they vote on skin color alone and nothing more! I think most Af-Ams are still thinking "us- vs- them" and its really getting pathetic. Anytime something don't go in their favor its becuase of race. If Sen. Obama doesn't win I'm sure millions of people will blame it on race and "The Man" keeping him down

By: Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:19:17 +0000

Time to change pant-suits

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:18:52 +0000

"Go Hillary!!!!"? As in, "Get out of here"?

By: Andrea KC

Andrea KC — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:18:47 +0000

It's ironic that we seem to have a despareate need to place people in boxes in this country. Obama the black candidate with his ties to Rev. Wright. Have we all forgotten about Obama's white grandparents and late white mother.

By: Politically Speaking

Politically Speaking — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:18:37 +0000

Bill – Florida May 6th, 2008 6:16 pm ET

Everyone talks of "racism" when Hillary wins upwards of 60% of the white vote. Why doesn't anyone use the word "racism" when 92% of African Americans vote for Obama?

Because Idiot, when this race started, she had the majority of the Black vote.

By: Tim from South Bend, IN

Tim from South Bend, IN — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:18:36 +0000

All of these exit polls just prove that Barack will be the nominee for the Democratic Party and Clinton should give up. The Clintons made it about race. Go Obama!

By: Democrats 2008

Democrats 2008 — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:18:32 +0000

Of course the media played the race card even though Hillary and Barack have been trying to avoid making this primary about race. Obviously the media keeps pushing the notion. It's like the media can't get past the idea and have been shoveling it down our throats. If there is a race clash after this primary we can blame the media for it.

By: Aimey Mays

Aimey Mays — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:18:30 +0000

Did she not win only 8% in PA? Going down from 10% to 8% – Wow! huge deal! I am just curious to find out how people would have responded if the white had voted 92-8 for Clinton or the female had voted 92-8 for Hillary.

By: Donna

Donna — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:18:27 +0000

Good grief...... blacks are sticking with the 92% vote for Obama regardless!! Kind of sad when you know that Hillary has done and will do so much more for all of us. The economy really effects a large amount of black communities and still, they vote for the guy who can not truly empathize with them .......

By: Kristin, WI

Kristin, WI — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:18:25 +0000

Big surprise. If a white candidate were getting +90% of the white vote, all the white people would be called racist. Funny how that works

By: David D Kollie

David D Kollie — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:18:18 +0000

This is the time for both HRC and BO supporters to unite. Whatever the result of today's primaries may be. Let the people of America know that the primaries and general election is not about Obama or Hillary. The affairs of this country is at stake. Americans have to decide weather this country should continue to go in the wrong direction or not. Stop the fighting and bickering. Let's reason together.

By: park more

park more — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:18:17 +0000

It is a race election. He played softly.....You can see it but it is a taboo in a free country, why?

By: Cowboy Jack

Cowboy Jack — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:18:11 +0000

Surprise surprise....

Obama is losing white support to Hillary and Hillary is losing black support to Obama...

this is what happens when you have non-white males in the race

By: Rob in Ohio

Rob in Ohio — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:18:02 +0000

If anyone played the race card, it was Obama. This exit poll does not come as a surprise. Most (note I say most, not all) African-Americans feel obligated to vote for Obama because he is a black man which unfortunately is a huge mistake. Being an african american, I voted for Hillary in the Ohio Primary because she is the best candidate. Would I love to see an african american in the WH? of course! But I am not going to sell out my party for the lesser candidate just to achieve that.

HILLARY IS THE BEST CHOICE!!!!!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:17:57 +0000

I think it's unsettling that this election has become so polarized on black-white racial lines, from both sides.

By: Sher

Sher — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:17:54 +0000

Shock, a black man is winning the black vote. I guess it's up to the women to make a difference. She never played the race card and neither did Bill. By the way, we are talking about a black man running. Why is it he can talk about race but white people aren't allowed to talk about race.