Where is Barack Obama's Support Coming From?

The candidacy of Barack Obama for president is causing quite a stir. He is young- in political years, new, and provides an alternative to the same old Washington politics. Although he is new to the national political scene, he is attracting the attention of important voting blocks, white young adults, the white working class, and black Americans.

Barack Obama has made a big hit with white students. The ones who support him tend to be from middle and upper class households. They attend colleges and universities, and some are recent graduates. They have access to the internet and have few personal responsibilities, such as children and financial worries. They support him because he is young and new to the political scene. He offers a change in leadership. The primary reason for their support for Obama is his firm and consistent stance against the Iraq war.

In colleges and universities across the nation there are over 200 groups organized to support Barack Obama's campaign. In Iowa where the first primary will be held, a majority of Obama's rallies and meetings have been organized by students from colleges and universities. Students provide good fund-raising ideals, such as the one that was employed in Madison, Wisconsin. Students from the University of Wisconsin and other schools organized a rally at the Monona Torrance Convention Center. The general public and Obama supporters were invited to attend. The only requirement for attendants was to make a $30.00 or less contribution. Between 3,000 and 4,000 people attended the rally.

Barack Obama is getting support from Democratic white Americans who are of the working class. They also like him because of his strong stance against the Iraq war, and they like him because he is not a Washington insider. "Bush. Clinton. Bush. Clinton?! Is this really all we can serve up to represent the people of America? Just two high powered political families? Come on. It's time for a change. Fresh ideas and fresh blood are dearly needing in our country," complained Dennis Conner, a middle class white male who is an enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama.

At the beginning of Obama's presidential campaign, black Americans viewed him suspiciously. Many felt he was not "black enough" because he has a white mother and black father. Many felt he lacked true black American identity because his black father is African and he nor his father were apart of the civil rights struggle of black Americans during the civil rights era. They also thought it was odd for him to get so much support from white people. However, as he campaign more into the black community he has gained black support. His black support is growing mainly from professional black men, professional black women, and young black adults with internet access. "For the first time in history of country, a black man has a credible chance of becoming president of the United States," says Theodore Cross of The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. Black supporters of Barack Obama criticize Hillary Clinton because her platform does not specifically address the issues of black Americans, such as inner city community development programs, entrepreneurship in black communities, and affirmative action. "All of the standard campaign promises that a liberal Democrat typically offers to blacks are completely absent from her announced program," Theodore Cross criticized. However, because of the popularity of Bill Clinton in the black community, the gain of black support for Obama has been slower than the gain of white supporters.

Barack Obama is gaining confidence of voters. He is an new alternative to people who want change. This is proof enough in many national polls which place him in second place to Hillary Clinton. In all polls the margin between the two are narrowing. His main attractions are his stance against the Iraq War and that is not a Washington insider. Not much is known about his plans and thoughts on many important domestic issues. However, what is known people seem to like. As Obama's message is made know to more people and as he develops is platform, his support is expected to grow even more.