Why do black voters tend to vote for the Democrats?

Question

For the last 50 years at least, they've sided with the Democrats overwhelmingly. For example, in 2004, over 88% of black voters voted for Kerry. What do you think are some specific reasons for this?

Answer 1

I think "they" like most everybody in any situation (not just politics) will do what is perceived as either better, or less worse, for themselves.

And the Patrician, errr -- Republican Party is not trusted by many (even by, and to the delight of, their own) to do anything that doesn't in one way or another promote and protect multinational corporation interests. And "they" (black voters) are not as heavily vested in multinational corporation interests as those that hold sway with Republican Party mechanics and media manipulation.

And the Democraps, while they work to protect their own interests, at least remember to throw the plebes a bone once in a while.

Answer 2

The core reason is simple: during the civil rights movemet, it was the Democrats who supported black civil rights. Up until that time, the Repblicans had most of the black vote--in the South at least, because the Soutern wing of the Democratic party was openly racist.

However, over the period from about 1960-1970 a major shift took place. Under pressure from mainstream Democrats, the southerner Democrats shifted to support of civil rights. The Republican party became a haven for the racists that were no longer welcome in the Democratic ranks. So black Americans shifted to the Democrats.

Today, that configuration remains the same. Most Republicans are not particularly racist. However, the overwhelming majority of white racist elements are within the Republican fold. And--for the sake of political expediency, they've been tolerated (much as the Democrats tolerated the southern Democrats up to 1960). But--that also affects policy and political platforms. The GOP platform and legislative agendas, while not openly racist, tend to work against minority interests generally--including those of the black community.

As long as thisremains the case, the Republicans are going to get very little support from minorities, African-American or otherwise.

Answer 3

There is a large portion of the White American population that is completely obsessed with Black people in every way. They don't care if Blacks voted Democrat for decades now, they just want to talk about us for any reason they can.

Answer 4

A majority of black people see the Republicans as not having their best interests at heart, or even caring about their interests or their problems.

Not quite fifty years ago, the South exploded over desegregation. The Southern Democrats had fits because the party refused to back up their demand that segregation was theirs to dole out to whoever they wished. After they were put in their place, most of them switched to the Republican Party, still angry that the Democrats refused to back up their racism. What sort of signal did that send to not just our Southern black population but that population all over the U.S.? That caused a huge shift in the voting blocks. Who did the black population look up to that was white? JFK and Bobby, both Democrats.

In the years since the Republicans have done nothing to change that image. In fact, within the last two months, the top tier candidates for the Republicans refused to attend two different African-American based Presidential debates. It just wasn't worth their time you see. When you slap someone in the face with such disregard and blatant contempt they tend to remember it. Add in the perception that the Republicans dropped the ball on Katrina, and continue to refuse to pick it up. That's just another reason the Democrats will likely see an even bigger slice of that population voting for them in '08. Long memories, long memories.

Answer 5

Dr. Martin Luther King
Malcom X
Jimmy Hendrix
James Brown
Sammy Davis Jr

Answer 6

The Democrats tend to advocate for a strong domestic policy that provides supports for the disadvantaged. Any population that is over-represented in the disadvantaged category will gravitate toward the party that supports their interests.

Ther Republications tend to advocate for status quo and for individual responsibility. Those who are disadvantaged know that individual responsibility is fine for those with the means to make a life for themselves. They know the playing field is not level and there is not equal access to the resources and rewards of society.

Answer 7

Last week the Republicans showed once again just how anti-black their party really is. The GOP has spent the last 40 years insulting, disenfranchising and otherwise stomping on the interests of black Americans. Last week, the residents of Washington, D.C., with its majority black population, came remarkably close to getting a voting member of Congress to represent them, something they have wanted for a long time.

A majority in Congress favored the move, and the House had already approved it. But the Republican minority in the Senate — with the enthusiastic support of President Bush — rose up on Tuesday and said: “No way, baby.” The bill died.

At the same time that the Republicans were killing Congressional representation for D.C. residents, the major GOP candidates for president were offering a collective slap in the face to black voters nationally by refusing to participate in a long-scheduled, nationally televised debate focusing on issues important to minorities. The Democratic debate was held in June, and all the major candidates participated. The major Republican candidates won’t be at this one, though. They can’t be bothered debating issues that might be of interest to black Americans. After all, they’re Republicans.
This is the party of the "Southern strategy," as it's called (Google it).

In 1981, during the first year of Mr. Reagan’s presidency, the late Lee Atwater--the theoretical father to Karl Rove--gave an interview to a political science professor at Case Western Reserve University, explaining the evolution of the Southern strategy: “You start out in 1954 by saying, ‘N*****, n*****, n*****,’ ” said Atwater. “By 1968, you can’t say ‘n*****’ — that hurts you and it backfires. So you say stuff like forced busing, states’ rights, and code words like that."

Republicans improperly threw black voters off the rolls in Florida in the contested presidential election of 2000, and sent Florida state troopers into the homes of black voters to intimidate them in 2004.

I could go on...

Answer 8

They are misinformed, they actually think that democrats are for them, they don't realize that democrats just use them. Too bad Martin Luther King wasn't alive today, he wouldn't like any blacks voting Democrat.

http://www.nbra.info/

Answer 9

Because the Democrats and their willing accomplices in the main stream media have to use the race card to push their liberal agenda. Do you know that the voting right act could not have been passed withour Republican support? Do you know that Senator Byrd is the only member of the Senate who was a leader in the KKK? There are good and bad people who call themselves Democrats and Republicans, but which party promotes individual responsibility, respect for the law, smaller government, and individual Liberty. All of these things are opposed by the main stream media and the leadership of the democrat party.

Answer 10

Blacks know that the Democrats will help them in their fight against racism.

VOTE for your choice as US President on my 360 degrees blog and know who will likely win.