Why Most Black Voters Still Aren’t Feeling Bernie Sanders

[Cali_Democrat]

Let many a progressive pundit and New Hampshire poll tell it, and Bernie Sanders is catching fire. Raking in a cool $2 million postdebate, the Vermont senator is the hottest thing since his one-hit-wonder state compatriot, the former Gov. Howard Dean, in 2004. Look at other polls and he’s either catching up or “neck and neck” with Democratic-primary front-runner Hillary Clinton.

But notice, that’s mostly Granite State hype, a place whose population is barely 1.5 percent black. The liberal bonfire fades into crackling embers once you throw a cold bucket of black votes on it. That’s one big reason a Washington Post-ABC News poll dropped today shows him stalled right where he was last month. Even after reversing himself on the significance of #BlackLivesMatter, the curmudgeon personification of progressive causes sweats uncomfortably once the Democratic primary puts virtually all-white Iowa and New Hampshire in its rearview and heads south for states electorally dominated by African Americans.

It’s the thing that’s stumping Sanders’ strategists and perhaps keeping the senator up at night: “The black people just aren’t that into me.” It’s not as if he’s not saying all the right things: Taking battering rams to institutional racism. Calling voter-ID pushers “cowards.” Poking big regulatory pitchforks at the Man on Wall Street. Freeing the underserved from incarceration. He’s even got a few prominent black thought leaders, like Karen Hunter, “feeling the Bern.”

Still, there’s something in the way he’s doing it that’s not clicking with most African-American voters. This isn’t an argument against Sanders. It’s genuine fascination with his dilemma, because no candidate can win the Democratic nomination without the black vote. Despite memorable debate lines and cover for an email-embattled Clinton, Sanders didn’t really budge all that much with black voters. Here are three main reasons that’s the case ... and why it probably stays that way:

Read more:

http://www.theroot.com/articles/politics/2015/10/bernie_sanders_why_black_voters_still_aren_t_feeling_him.html

[SunSeeker]

1. Good analysis. nt

[mcar]

2. Excellent read

Very good analysis. Thanks.

[bravenak]

3. This part:

3. It’s generational. Sanders, undoubtedly, draws enormous political and fundraising energy from the voting bloc every candidate wants: under-30 millennials. And yet, from what we’ve established, it’s been mostly young white progressives giving him that Bern boost, crowds of whom pack Sanders rallies or actively troll social media to thrash detractors. Some have observed that this is problematic.

Apparently, this is one of a few tactical reasons behind Team Sanders’ frantic embrace of BLM. It’s also recognition that maybe the optics of too many aggressive white millennials’ public bashing of “disagreeable” black activists is not the best look once you hit heavily black Democratic stronghold states like South Carolina and Georgia. The current logic follows that with black activists now talking to—rather than crashing through—the Sanders campaign, black millennials should be just as ginned up about Sanders as white millennials, a notion fueled by a general perception that all black voters must be down with the cause.

[Cali_Democrat]

4. Yup!

its all about LISTENING.

A concept many of his supporters have failed to grasp.

It's evident right here on DU.

[workinclasszero]

9. Well we have been lectured over and over again on DU

That no thoughtful people would ever vote for Hillary. Only tools of the man/power structure/oligarchy.

I think that that really offends people for some reason

[Cali_Democrat]

10. Remember ....

according to some on DU, blacks who support Hillary are apparently suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.

[workinclasszero]

11. Oh right

I'm sure that kind of thinking really draws in the undecided to Bernies side.

[Vattel]

5. I suspect one reason is that he doesn't have the sort of long term relationship with black voters

that Clinton has. And then there's the constant stream of lies and various idiotic narratives about his record and views on race. The article in the OP is an example, claiming that he somehow reversed himself on the significance of #blacklivesmatter, and then adding an imaginary quote: "The black people just aren't that into me."

[kelliekat44]

6. And this: my post earlier

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251718388

[Cali_Democrat]

7. Thanks. nt

[leveymg]

8. I will never feel up Hillary. I promise.

And unlike the racist meme still being played by the HRC campaign, this one is straight from the heart. She just isn't my type.

[Tipperary]

12. I am hoping you typed that wrong.

Because it is wrong.

[leveymg]

13. This whole thread is wrong.

That's the point.

[Cali_Democrat]

17. Ya...I'm like....da fuq?

LOL.

[zappaman]

14. Why are you calling Bernie Sanders a racist?

Hate to break the news to you, but Cornell West supports him.
So there.

[RobertEarl]

15. I hate seeing the race card played on DU

Put it back up your sleeves, please. It makes DU suck.

[romanic]

16. You can post as many threads/polls/articles as you want

You still won't convince me or any other minority Sanders supporter that he's some big bad ol'racist.

[Stellar]

18. Just not feeling Bernie, I guess. NT.