by Gabrielle Russon
If the Democratic presidential primaries are like an enormous feast, black voters are choosing between filet mignon and lobster tails as they decide between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, one expert said today.
According to a new survey released today, African-Americans slightly favor Clinton over Obama, but both are viewed in a favorable light.
“It’s not a choice between filet mignon and bologna,” said David Bositis, a senior policy analyst at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. “It’s not like it’s a bad choice.”
Clinton was seen favorably by 83 percent of black voters, compared to Obama’s 74 percent. About 10 percent of those surveyed rated saw Clinton and Obama unfavorably.
The national survey, conducted between Oct. 5 and Nov. 2 by the Joint Center, asked 750 African-Americans who were likely to vote in primaries or caucuses about the presidential candidates and various issues.
One reason for Clinton’s edge may come from her household name, Bositis said, pointing to the publicity she has received as first lady and a New York senator during the last 15 years. Another might be the economic success African-Americans experienced during her husband’s time in the White House.
Or, Clinton’s high ratings are because of electability issues; some people may doubt an African-American can win the presidency.
“There are many blacks in the South who really as of yet do not believe an African-American is going to be elected president,” Bositis said. “They’re basing this thought and this feeling on their own experience. If you’re from South Carolina, you can’t point to any black candidate who was ever elected to statewide office.”
But the upcoming Iowa Caucuses, almost six weeks away, could start a “real race” between the two leading Democratic contenders, he said.
“If Obama wins the Iowa caucuses, I think there will be a lot of people who will reconsider Obama as a candidate,” Bositis said