Post #8 - The 2008 Presidential Election: Race, Gender, and Politics

Issue Summary
The 2008 presidential election was a very contentious race both in the primaries and in the general election. It differed from past elections because of the unprecedented minute-by-minute coverage of twenty-four hour news networks. CNN, in particular, provided multiple levels of analysis that enhanced its viewers understanding of the political process. Two of these levels of analysis were race and gender. But, with regard to these levels of analysis, CNN went too far.

Before the South Carolina Democratic Primary, it ran a segment that reduced Black women’s voting decisions to a so-called dilemma over whether they should vote for a woman (Hilary Clinton) or a Black man (Barack Obama). This story was a part of a consistent current of stories that projected that Obama would win the state of South Carolina because there were many Black voters. This coverage was so controversial that it made one of the hot topics on ABC’s hit show The View.

My Take
The Assumptions
It disturbed me because it represented a brand of hyper-racialized politics that are an insult to African American voters across the country. To make electoral projections based on identity politics is ridiculous. This line of thinking is based on three fault premises. First, it assumes that African Americans are a simple, monolithic, community. Secondly, it assumes that there is no variation in their interests. Lastly, it presupposes that Blacks will put their race before their economic and social interests. This is dangerous and inaccurate reporting.

The fact that Michael Steele leads the Republican National Committee indicates that Blacks are not nearly as monolithic as CNN might think. I am aware of numerous instances in which Black voters voted against Black candidates in favor of White candidates. I can think of three recent examples in which this is the case. First, early in the presidential primaries, Blacks overwhelmingly supported Hilary Clinton over Barack Obama. While Obama would end up garnering over 90% of the Black vote, like other candidates, he had to earn it. Another recent example is the Tennessee Congressional election of Steve Cohen. Cohen (a White Jewish man) defeated Nikki Tinker (a Black woman) in a congressional district that was more than 60 percent Black. Moreover, before Michael Steele became the chair of the Republican National Committee, he ran for Senate in Maryland where he lost to Benjamin L, Cardin (a White candidate). In this race, Blacks overwhelmingly voted for Cardin.

Concluding Thoughts
So, to reduce Black voting patterns to race and gender is irresponsible and inaccurate. No group would vote against their own interests simply to elect someone with whom they share an identity. CNN should act more responsibly.