BBN Members and Supporters selected Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and Republicans John McCain and Mike Huckabee (they tied) to endorse for the 2008 Presidential nomination.
BlackandBrownNews.com editors tossed the decision to endorse a Democrat and Republican candidate to the members and supporters who drive BBN. We believe it is the people - not our editorial board - that matters most in the 2008 race for President of the United States of America.
Our cross section of registered voters represent Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Latinos, Blacks, Whites, Asians, men and women from various age groups, income levels, education and voting patterns. Caucuses were held between January 19th and 28th.
We thank our member delegates for accepting the responsibility to gather and deliver this valuable information. We also thank the respondents for their voice and insight in endorsing a Democrat and Republican candidate in this most important election year. We are grateful.
(BBN Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on February 4, 2008)
A Snapshot of What Voters Are Thinking
• In Barack Obama we have a mind that appears once in a generation - possibly once in a century. In him, we have an inherent global perspective; a grandmother in a Kenyan village, and a grandfather on a Midwest-America farm. Shame on us if we don’t take advantage of this moment to benefit from his unique global perspective. A self-described senior voter from Maryland who is Latina
• Any person who can get the U.S. troops in Iraq out of harms way will get a lot of voter loyalty. A moral high ground is a good first step. Barack Obama opposed the war at the outset. That goes a long way in how I choose to vote. JB, Ohio, Retired U.S. Navy.
• “Brown people don’t know who you are, Barack. Get out and tell us.” Hillary supporter from Ohio
• I like McCain’s education and healthcare plan. But I like Barack Obama as well. Florida Republican voter.
• I agree with Hillary’s beliefs. Florida voter who chose John Edwards as Clinton’s running mate.
• I wrote a letter to Hillary Clinton because I was disappointed in the lie she said about Barack Obama. I did my own research and discovered what Hillary was saying was a lie. A former Clinton supporter in New York after watching the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina CNN debate.
• A Republican Florida voter says she likes Mike Huckabee’s conservative morals and values. But she really likes Barack Obama as well, and is undecided on who to vote for, but she is leaning more toward Huckabee.
• My mother never thought she would live to see the day that a Black man would be president. She voted early so that nothing could stop her from voting for Barack Obama. Georgia woman whose mother is over 65.
• A white voter in central Florida chose Mike Huckabee because he is conservative. Her husband, who is Latino, also likes Huckabee and believes he is about change regarding the War in Iraq and the economy.
• Mike Huckabee has good moral standing. Florida voter
• Senator McCain has done a good job in his current position. Florida voter
• A delegate contacted BBN after her results were turned in. She said, “I received a call from a respondent who is Latino and chose Hillary, but after watching the CNN debate on Thursday, January 31st he said he will give Obama a chance.”
• I want to see a person who is not a member of the Clinton or Bush family in office. In my adult life all the presidents have been Clinton or Bush. I definitely feel it is time for a political change in this country. BBN Florida Delegate
• On the street I hear Black people talking more about Barack Obama. BBN Delegate, South Central, Los Angeles
• A Black-Brown ticket with Barack Obama-Bill Richardson! Change and experience. New Jersey Voter
• An undecided voter who is white and lives in south Florida said she is leaning toward Barack Obama.
• If Barack Obama wins the presidency, I want Clinton to be his Vice President. South Florida who is voting for Hillary Clinton
• When I hear what Obama has to say, I believe him. I don’t trust what Hillary says. CB, Public School Teacher in Atlanta
• I’m voting for Obama because he’s what can happen if you stay out of trouble, and work hard. NB, Public School Teacher in NYC
• I want the candidates to focus on the economy. The United States has lost the respect of the global economy. Ohio voter who selected Barack Obama
• Barack Obama is an inspiration, and is prepared to lead the country. He is also able to bridge the divide between black and white, Republicans and Democrats, and bring us closer together as a country. I believe he will help relieve our dependency on foreign oil, which is the root of all of our problems as a nation. National security and the economy will be fixed if the energy crisis is fixed and we get people back to work. That is what I want for my family and especially my three children. S. Mitchell, stay at home mother in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Barack Obama tries to be as honest as possible and that’s needed. Change. Asian male in Florida
• I like Barack Obama’s views on the war and the deficit. Other candidates are too cut and dry and the world is not black and white. He’s an ‘inclusionist’ and more honest and real. White male in Florida
Caucus Findings
• Younger Latinos, in particular those in New York and Florida, favor Barack Obama; yet Latinos over the age of 50 lean toward Hillary Clinton.
• California and Ohio Latinos are firmly Hillary Clinton supporters.
• Black women in age categories 18 to 25, 26 to 35 and 36 to 50 and over support Barack Obama, however, Hillary Clinton continues to attract Black women – particularly those over 50 years old.
• Senator John Edwards is by far the top choice for a running mate on the Democratic side. Other names floated for Democratic vice president are Senator Joe Biden, Governor Bill Richardson, Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Barack Obama and former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn.
• Condoleezza Rice was chosen as a possible running mate for Hillary Clinton.
• The choice for a running mate on the Republican side is unclear. Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul are the primary names floated.
• Independents remain unclear as to a clear choice for a running mate.
• Undecided Independents (Republicans also) – particularly males – are willing to switch party lines to vote for Barack Obama. But firm Independents still favor Ralph Nader, Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul.
• Most undecided voters surfaced in New York and Florida.
• Republican Latinos in Georgia, Florida and California chose Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Rudy Guiliani and Mitt Romney.
• Florida voters were the most vocal with their comments in the BBN Caucus.
copyright BlackandBrownNews.com 2008