Democratic race challenges loyalties of black women voters

Black women voters are being tested by
the race between presidential hopefuls Sens.
Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton, said Donna
Brazile, the first black woman to manage a
major presidential campaign, this past week
at the University Student Commons.

Brazile, author of “Cooking with Grease:
Stirring the Pots in American Politics,” has
worked with the Democratic campaigns of
former President Jimmy Carter in 1976 and
1980, as well as with presidential candidate
Jesse Jackson in 1984. The biggest campaign
Brazile managed was that of former Vice
President Al Gore in 2000.

As a friend to both current Democratic candidates, Brazile repeatedly told a packed audience she is
neutral in the race. Depending on who wins the Democratic
Party’s nomination, Obama could become the first black
president or Clinton could become the first female president
of the United States.

“Both Hillary and Obama are qualified and viable
candidates,” Brazile said.

According to Virginia primary results, 85 percent of
black female voters sided with Obama. But the end results
might not be that clear cut.

“It’s a very difficult choice for African-American
women to make,” said Sara Duke, president and
founder of the VCU Women’s Leadership Forum.
“Many African-American women have said they
have voted for Hillary Clinton, and it’s time for a
woman in office.”

Some voters might be unsure of which
Democratic candidate to nominate to run for
the presidency in the general election, but others
are confident that issues will outweigh race or
gender.

“People are going to vote off the platform,”
said Isaac Holloway, a 20-year-old black VCU
student. “Either way, it’s about change; it’ll never
be the same.”

VCU student Jennifer Taylor said she feels good
being a black woman during this election.

“It will divide our vote at first, but once the nominee
is chosen – whoever it may be – we’ll come together and
make it work,” Taylor said.

Krystal Cofer, a VCU sophomore who doesn’t claim a
preference for either Democratic candidate, said in general,
minorities together make up the majority.

“White is fading away, and I’m OK with that-we’re not
the majority anymore. The focus should be on getting a
Democrat in office-not which one,” Cofer said.

Cofer’s and Holloway’s views are similar to Brazile’s.

“Regardless of who wins, Hillary or Obama, American
politics is ready for a change, and this season will never be
the same,” Brazile said. “This is history.”