Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., takes the stage with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., at a campaign event in Unity, N.H., June 27, their first joint public appearance since the divisive Democratic primary race ended. Photo: AP Wide World Photos ‘Mr. Obama definitely has to deal with the issues of the inner city, he definitely has to come up with an urban agenda that will address the problems of poverty and inner city schools and education otherwise he may not energize Black voters to the extent that they need to be energized.’ —Prof. Robert T. Starks Political Science, Northeastern Illinois Univ.

   —News Analysis—  

A June 27 CNN poll showed Sen. Barack Obama leading Sen. John McCain among likely voters by a margin of 45 to 40. On that same day in Unity, N.H., Sen. Obama stood side by side with vanquished primary opponent Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, as she publicly pledged her support to make Sen. Obama the next president of the United States.

According to the most recent NBC/Wall Street Journal poll women favor Sen. Obama over Sen. McCain 52 percent to 33 percent, and among voters who supported Sen. Clinton in the Democratic primaries the margin is even larger—with 61 percent supporting Sen. Obama to 19 percent for Sen. McCain.

Despite the string of endorsements and positive poll numbers, some major challenges still await Sen. Obama’s campaign. Among White men, who make up 36 percent of the American electorate, Sen. Obama trails McCain 55 percent to 35 percent. The 20 point pro-McCain margin among White males has kept the presidential race competitive. Recent criticisms directed at Sen. Obama accused him of becoming more “centrist” since becoming the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. His Republican opponent has accused him of being a conventional politician, attempting to label him a “flip-flopper” on major issues.

Sen. Obama is also looking ahead to expected media attacks coming from the GOP’s right wing. In a June 30 email to supporters, Sen. Obama took aim squarely at his likely opponent in the upcoming election.

“I need your help to take on John McCain, the Republican National Committee, and the shady so-called 527 groups that are dedicated to attacking this campaign using millions of dollars in unregulated contributions,” Sen. Obama wrote. “Our staff and the Obama Organizing Fellows are getting to work right now to build on grassroots energy in all 50 states. And—unlike John McCain—we’re going to do it without contributions from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs that have held too much power for far too long in this country.”

Mr. Obama’s 50 state strategy includes an attempt to turn some traditionally Republican states—especially in the south—into victories.

Prof. Robert T. Starks, a political scientist at Northeastern Illinois University, said, there is a realistic chance for Sen. Obama to compete and possibly even win states that have traditionally been written off by the Democrats. Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Mississippi and Alabama could be won, but success rests on the Obama campaign’s ability to register hundreds of thousands of unregistered Black voters and get them out to vote, he said.

“He has to have one of the most aggressive ‘get out the vote’ campaigns possible,” Prof. Starks told The Final Call. “That Black turnout has to be pushed up real high especially in places like Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama because you have those (Whites) who have already said that they are not going to vote for Obama so you have to get the Black vote up in order to overcome those Whites who are going over to the McCain side,” he added.

Prof. Starks said there are an estimated 5.5 million unregistered Blacks nationwide and close to 5 million unregistered Latinos and Asians, many under the age of 35, which has been a strong demographic for the Obama campaign.

Sen. Obama could also be aided by the candidacy of former Republican Bob Barr who is running as the Libertarian Party’s presidential candidate. Mr. Barr could take voters away from Sen. McCain in southern states such as Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi which would help Sen. Obama.

Prof. Starks said though Sen. Obama already enjoys unquestionably high support within the Black community, the establishment of an “urban agenda” would further energize the community and millions of unregistered Blacks, placing the Obama campaign in a very strong position come November elections.

“Mr. Obama definitely has to deal with the issues of the inner city, he definitely has to come up with an urban agenda that will address the problems of poverty and inner city schools and education otherwise he may not energize Black voters to the extent that they need to be energized,” said Prof. Starks.

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FCN Editorial - Is America’s attitude changing? (FCN, 01-14-2008)