Home Editorials Black female Democrats
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Sunday, 11 May 2008 |
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According to a new nationwide survey commissioned by LEADS at Spelman
College, African-American female Democrats across the country say
leadership abilities, not race or gender, is the primary motivator for
their selection of Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama as the Democratic
presidential nominee.
The first survey conducted to explore the political interests and
mindsets of minority female Democrats reveals that few African-American
female Democrats admit race (3.9 percent) or gender (5.6 percent) are
the primary motivators for selecting the next presidential candidate.
Nine out of 10, say they will choose the Democratic nominee based on
leadership abilities.
“Contrary to sensational headlines, this survey shows that
African-American women are looking beyond the surface of race and
gender,” said Jane E. Smith, Ed. D., executive director of LEADS at
Spelman College, a leadership development center for women.
“When facing critical issues such as healthcare, the economy and the
war in Iraq, leadership demands integrity, which is represented not
only by words, but by thoughts and actions.”
However, the study confirms other national polls stating that
African-American women are more likely to vote for Barack Obama, while
Hispanics and other minority women prefer Hillary Clinton.
When asked to state which leadership abilities they most desire in a
presidential candidate, the study of 305 African-American females (of
905 total minority participants) cite integrity (19.7 percent), ability
to make changes (19 percent) and inclusiveness (17.7 percent) as their
top three characteristics. The ability to build bridges with other
nations and unite people complete the top five at 14.4 percent and 11.5
percent, respectively.
Seventy-eight percent of African-American females believe Barack Obama
best represents their ideal candidate over 27.7 percent who select
Hillary Clinton.
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