How Black Political Candidates Can Woo White Voters

In the 2008 presidential election, Barack Hussein Obama, the first successful "black" presidential candidate ever, had trouble with white voters. His trouble was attributed to the anti-American statements and insulting racial statements against white people made by his minister and spiritual advisor, rev. Jeremiah Wright. Obama also made some insulting statements about working class, lower income white people who are Christian and gun owners. As a result Obama began losing support of the white people who were insulted by the statements. He also lost primary elections in key states that have large populations of white people who were insulted. Although Obama attempted to apologize and explain himself, the shunning of him by white voters is increased, which appeared to hinder his presidential bid.

Black people who are interested in building a career in politics can learn a lesson from Obama's trouble with attracting white voters. They must be careful to consider the thoughts and beliefs of white voters.

Political Career Planning For Black Politicians
How Far Do You Want To Go?
Black people who are interested in a career in politics, must decide on how far they want to go in politics. Do they want to remain politics in their local black community or do they want to go on to hold statewide and national political offices? If they choose to remain in their local black communities, they can freely express radical political views held by such black leaders as Al Sharpton, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and Louis Farakhan, who criticize the government and white people and accuse them of being the cause of the many social and economical problem in America and the world. In fact being categorized in the league with such men can advance a black politician in the black community.

However, if a black politician plans to enter statewide or national politics, he or she should not express radical anti-American and racial statements against white Americans. White Americans make up around eighty percent of the American population and around the same percentage of the voter population. The population of black Americans is around fourteen percent and the black voter population is about the same and shrinking. Even though a black candidate may get nearly one hundred percent of the black vote, if she or he cannot appeal to white voters, his or her campaign is doomed. So to a black person seeking to hold a high political office he or she should consider ways to appeal to white voters and make them feel comfortable and safe in voting for them. Following are tips for a black politician to use to attract white voters.

Church Association
A black politician should be careful about what kind of church he or she attends. Avoid black churches that have adopted the new black liberation theology and embrace the Nation Of Islam, a black American Islamic group. Although the new black liberation theology and the Nation Of Islam teaches and encourages the creation of a prosperous and orderly black community, when they express their political view white people perceive their comments as being anti-American, anti-government, and racially demeaning to white people.

Black politicians should attend more mainstream churches such as the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church, or the American Baptist church. These Christian denominations are very rarely included in controversial issues. They also tend to have racially diverse memberships. Be cautious about attending an all black congregation of any of the denominations. The individual church may support the new black liberation theology and the Nation Of Islam. Before joining a black church, interview the minister about this matter. To be on the safe side, try joining a racially diverse congregation.

Avoid association with white left wing liberal preachers. Such clergymen often share the same belief about America and the government as is taught under the new black liberation theology. The theology of white, left wing clergyman which include supporting gay marriage, and abortions, is not accepted in the white conservative Christian community which is a large white voting block in the south, southeast, and Midwest, and Appalachian region.

White Liberal Elite
The white liberal elite, such as the ones who are in control of San Francisco, Harvard, and the state of Massachusetts, are not liked by conservative white Christians and many working class low income white people. In fact they feel white liberal elite are ruining the nation. So it would be best for a black politician to distance themselves from the white liberal elite and discourage them from offering public endorsements even though they may have some agreement with the black politician's views.

Poor White Trash
Low income, working class whites, also known as "poor white trash", who mainly live in rural America, are a very large, very silent group of people who traditionally have a low voter turn out. They are like a valuable untapped resource. Many of them tend to be religious, and they love their guns. This segment of white people are looked down upon by black people and the liberal white elite, which is why they are ignored and do not bother voting. Yet they have political concerns too. A black politician should give attention to "poor white trash" and address their concerns in sincerity.

Address The Issues
Often black politicians try to speak charismatically to make his or her listeners become overwhelm with emotion. The disadvantage to this style of campaigning is that important issues that should be addressed go ignored. For instance in Senators Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign he enchanted crowds of white people with his words of "change" and"hope". After a while many people began to question his "change" and "hope". He was not really explaining what his changes and hopes were. They also came to realize that he was not addressing the issues. His answers to important questions were not detailed nor straight forward. He appeared to not have any plans, which hurt him with white voters. So instead of trying to imitate an inspirational guru, a black politician should make himself or herself knowledgeable about issues and detail well cogitative plans to address them. He or she should know his or her plan so well to the extent her or she should be able to recite their solutions in understandable detail right off the top of their heads at a moments notice.

Patriotism
Showing and expressing patriotism is more important to white people than to black people, which is due to the difference in American Experience. Many white people want to see their elected officials show patriotism as a way of showing respect and love for America. They want their political leaders to speak positively and admiring of American history, wear, lapel pins of the American flags and eagles, and salute the flag. Black politicians should be sure to also show some kind of symbol of patriotism when campaigning in communities.

It is general knowledge and belief amongst whites is that black Americans are angry at America and distrust the American government. This opinion can cause white voters to show reservations in voting for a black politician. If a black politician shows patriotism, this can help soften white voters towards them.

When giving political speeches to white people , black politicians should include in their speeches stories about their family gatherings on patriotic holidays. Be should be sure to link the family enjoyment to the spirit of the holiday.

Many white people also link their Christian faith with their patriotism. So a black politician, when campaigning should discuss instances in history how Christian influence has made improvements in society for workers, women, minorities, and the poor. The black politician should search the Bible for a verse or story to support his praises.

There are not many black politicians who hold high political offices such a governor, senator, and president. In order for a black politician to get elected to such a position he or she must be able to attract and relate to white people who are a majority of the population. As long as a black politician is considerate to the concerns and aspects of white voters as well as black voters, he or she has a chance of advancing his or her career pass the boundaries of the black community.