Black Voters in Virginia Refuse to Be Blamed for a Major Democratic Defeat

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Democrats across Virginia expressed profound disappointment Wednesday after Republicans romped to an unlikely victory in the governor’s race, an ominous sign for the Democratic Party before next year’s midterm elections.

But one group refused to be blamed for the party’s poor showing: Black voters and elected officials.

Fears about Black turnout and a lack of enthusiasm did not materialize in Tuesday’s results as former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, ran close to expected totals in the state’s majority-Black areas. Instead, Black state leaders and voters who backed McAuliffe said the results were a sign that the party could not rely on minority voters to cover its cratering totals in more white areas of the state, particularly in rural communities that voted heavily for Glenn Youngkin, the Republican businessman who won the governor’s race.

“I believe that Black voters are easily the first target for when things don’t go for how they want it to go,” said Marcia Price, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates who won reelection.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/black-voters-virginia-refuse-blamed-181107177.html

[ananda]

1. It was always clear to me that white privilege was the primary motivator there.

nt

[jimfields33]

10. The LT Governor and Attorney General are now POC

I wonder how much of the minority vote they received

[PortTack]

2. No they shouldn't be blamed anymore or less than any other group

[Aepps22]

3. No Lies Detected

Don't blame us on this one.

[Hortensis]

4. Well, I'm sure those who are proud of doing their part, and

are unhappy or angry that others did not, far outnumber those who are just resentful that someone somewhere might blame them. Resentment is not a healthy attitude.

All who voted did their parts.

[FBaggins]

5. How about Black non-voters?

According to CNN's current exit poll summary. Blacks made up 18% of the electorate (quite close to their proportion of the overall population). In 2020 and gave Biden 89% support. This year they made up 16% of the electorate and gave McAuliffe 86% support.

Together that's just a tad short of enough to have won the race. Other factors were larger.

[Me.]

6. Nor Should They Be

[LakeArenal]

7. I blame our messaging. Our lack of balls for lack of another word.

No one supported Biden more than I.

But I’m getting tired of hearing Biden could change this with a stroke of the pen. Or Biden could get rid of filibuster.

Okay let’s do it. There is no high road anymore.

If Pelosi and Biden and Dems have a plan then snap to it.

[Moebym]

12. I think too many of us believe Biden has more power than he actually does n/t

[LakeArenal]

17. Well trump seemed to have it. Can we govern on the edge for awhile?

If something could be solved with a swipe of his pen and it’s not illegal are even subject to interpretation then do it.

[LonePirate]

8. I thought it was clear that a significant number of white voters flipped from D to R.

[Chille]

16. I think you are

right. I’ve heard a few folks say they were a democrat who voted for Biden but now support fill in the blank

[MFM008]

9. It isnt the

Sole responsibility of voters of color to carry the day
When dumb ass white women swung 15 points back to the maggot party.
When white men especially stupid ones vote gop in such high numbers.
And im white and in my 60s by the way.

[Chille]

18. I always found that strange

when I hear things like “I’m white and I hate white people”

[MFM008]

22. Thats not it

Its a fact.
White women swung 13 to 15 points to the gop.
Non college whites vote gop
As a white college graduate woman and senior citizen homeowner they are stupid, I am white. These are facts.

[Chille]

25. Ok it would

be an act of futility for me to argue with you. When I voted I missed being asked my level of education so go figure. Enjoy your evening

[MFM008]

26. you dont need to be asked

if you vote republican your stupid.
easy.

[qazplm135]

11. Black voters aren't to blame

failure to motivate higher black turnout certainly didn't help.

[multigraincracker]

14. Bingo...

You are correct.

[eppur_se_muova]

15. And damned right too. McCaullife lost the Karent vote, because he wouldn't play to their fears. nt

[hay rick]

19. The divided Democrats narrative continues.

After the election, the media goes to black voters and elected officials and asks if they accept blame for the defeat, and if not, who should be blamed instead. Do you want to accept blame or point a finger?

Seems to be an agenda here.

[we can do it]

20. Good.

FFS

[djacq]

21. 86 Percent African Americans voted.

According to CNN Exit Poll.

This Black Gentleman and Family voted.

Best look at the ignorant old rural and suburban individuals that worship Trump and still cling to their White Privilege.

Glenn Youngkin is no Larry Hogan... He will put forth policies that'll favor Trump's base.

[spooky3]

23. Finally--an analysis that uses facts. Thanks for posting. Nt

[peggysue2]

24. No, and they shouldn't be

Black voters and officials should neither be blamed for the loss nor expected to 'save' an election. Though we're approaching a demographic shift in the country, white voters are still the majority.

Put the blame where blame belongs on white Dems who didn't show up and/or Indies (49% who lean Republican in VA anyway) and/or the 34-36% Dem leaning Indies who may have sat out or crossed over. There's only a small percentage who are truly independent swing voters.

Instead of blaming individuals or groups of voters, we need to seriously sit down, figure out what mistakes were made and the strategies/messaging that didn't work.

That work needs to be done now, in the moment, in order to reshape what we're doing in the 2022 races.

Otherwise?

We can expect similar results.