African American Conservatives Admit to Being Conflicted when it Comes to Barack Obama

Barack Obama's turn as a candidate of substance seems to be producing divided loyalties amongst many African American conservatives. In the past most have voted Republican without any compunction but now admit that the upcoming election has left them in a quandary. Even profoundly conservative talk show host, Armstrong Williams can not say that he won't vote for Obama come November. "I don't necessarily like his policies; I don't like much that he advocates, but for the first time in my life, history thrusts me to really seriously think about it," Williams said. "I can honestly say I have no idea who I'm going to pull that lever for in November. And to me, that's incredible." Williams' 82-year old mother has no such qualms when it comes to casting her vote. Though she has never voted for a Democratic presidential candidate before, she has already made up her mind.

"She is so proud of Senator Barack Obama, and she has made it clear to all of us that she's voting for him in November," Williams offers. "That is historic. Every time I call her, she asks, 'How's Obama doing?' They feel as if they are a part of this. Because she said, given the history of this country, she never thought she'd ever live to see this moment."

Williams is not alone is his vacillation. He admits that other African American conservatives have voiced their confusion on the issue. "They tell me privately, it would be very hard to vote against him in November." Even J.C.Watts, who has in the past been staunchly Republican and part of the GOP leadership in the house, says that he is thinking of voting for Obama. Watts maintains that he is still Republican; he does criticize the GOP for their inattention to the needs of the African American community. Watts added the startling concession that even though Black Republicans might not agree with Democrats, that at least the party [Democratic] reaches out to Blacks. Watts adds. "Obama highlights that even more." He also said that he expects Obama to take on issues of poverty and urban policy. Watts again concedes, "Republicans often seem indifferent to those things." Colin Powell who became the country's first African American Secretary of State under George Bush, has also said that he may not cast a Republican vote in November. In comments in reported in a Toronto newspaper, Powell is quoted as saying, "I will vote for the individual I think that brings the best set of tools to the problems of 21st-century America and the 21st-century world regardless of party, regardless of anything else other than the most qualified candidate,"

Actor and more recently writer and political activist Joseph Phillips, has deemed himself and "Obamacan" meaning and Obama Republican. Many may remember Phillips from his time playing Denise Hustable's husband on the Cosby show. In recent years, Phillips has taken a more active role in politics. While he admits that he is thinking about voting for Obama, even though he recognizes the irony in voting for a candidate based on race to overcome race.

Edward Brooke, the trailblazing African American senator from Massachusetts, said he is "extremely proud and confident and joyful" to see Obama ascend. "This is the most important election in our history," Brooke said. "And with the world in the condition that it is, I think we've got to get the best person we can get."

Not all African Americans have thrown their lot in with Obama, Michael Steele, the Republican former lieutenant governor of Maryland admits that, though he is proud of Obama for what he's accomplished as a Black man, "come November, I will do everything in my power to defeat him." He added, "Electing Obama would not automatically solve the woes of the black community. I think people who try to put this sort of messianic mantle on Barack's nomination are a little bit misguided."

Still others find themselves done in by the enormity of this moment in history. "This is a watershed moment," said John McWhorter. McWhorter is a columnist for the New York Sun and a fellow at the conservative Manhattan Institute. "Obama is probably more to the left than I would prefer on a lot of issues," he adds. "But this issue of getting past race for real is such a wedge issue for me. And he is so intelligent, and I think he would be a perfectly competent president, that I'm for him. I want him to get in because, in a way, it will put me out of a job."