Michael Fauntroy throws some perspective on Barack Obama's win

There's an interesting article from Michael Fauntroy, assistant professor of public policy at George Mason University and author of the just released Republicans and the Black vote.

Michael smacks down the mainstream media for fawning over Obama and the audacity of interpreting his Iowa win as "proof that White voters have overcome their aversion to Black presidential candidates". Oh how do I agree with that one! What the hell is wrong with people when they assume that Barack Obama has ended racism in one fell swoop. Seriously.

Yet, here is the money quote :

... it should never be a surprise to anyone when a Black Democrat wins a presidential primary. Democratic voters around the country have been voting for Black presidential candidates for years. After all, the hated Jesse Jackson won seven primaries and four caucuses 20 years ago. He scored wins in, among other places, the White-as-Iowa Vermont (95 percent White) and disproportionately White Delaware (70 percent White). Indeed, the real surprise will be when a Black candidate wins a Republican primary.

Obama won the support of 38 percent of Iowa caucus-goers in his victory. That means, of course, that 62 percent of caucus-goers did not want him to be their party’s nominee. This is all the more significant given the incredible turnout much of which has been attributed to Obama’s campaign of hope.

Go read the whole thing.

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