http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/05/us/politics/05blacks.html?hp
This is an article from the New York Times about black republicans running to be house representatives. I think it is interesting that the article focuses on black republicans because African Americans more commonly vote democratic. The article states that those running feel empowered by Obama’s election and have gained confidence even though they are across party lines. It seems to me that the republicans are realizing the importance in gaining voters of various races in order to compete. One of the republicans running stated that last year he could not gain state support even though he had raised a significant amount of money. This statement makes me wonder, is it absolutely essential to have party and state support in order to win elections? Could this be a partial explanation for the prevailing white majority in government? These queries lead me to question the influence in society that those in power possess.
I took GO111 last year, so I know a little about this issue but I'm also definitely not an expert. However, from what I understand, if one of the two major parties won't support a candidate, in most cases he or she stands a very small chance of being elected. People don't want to give their money and support to a candidate who they don't think is going to win, because they view it as a waste of resources.
ReplyDeleteIt is a tragedy and a disappointment (so shocking in American politics huh?) that the Republican party seems to shun African American candidates. Hopefully, with dialogues such as the one that took place in our class, this will soon change.
Clare is correct, the major parties are almost a kind of branding. You typically buy products you have heard of. But your question on elections raises another subject, which is how political campaigns target races, classes, and cultures in various ways. What types of policies are built specifically to attract a certain demographic. Are these policies racist or merely democratic?
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