In Atlanta, Democrats make urgent bid to court black voters

[brooklynite]

Politico

ATLANTA — Cory Booker was roaring through metaphors Thursday, quoting scripture and Langston Hughes to a chorus of “amen” and “preach” in a room full of African American ministers, when a door opened a few feet away.

A staffer ushered in South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who hunched over to sneak past Booker, trying not to interrupt or offend. He took a seat next to the Rev. Al Sharpton, then stood and clapped politely as the audience rose to its feet in raucous applause for Booker’s stemwinder.

Toward the back of the room, an attendee observed the entrance of Buttigieg, who was set to follow Booker onstage. “Pete’s like, ‘What the hell am I going to do now?!’ ” he mused to a friend, and the two dissolved in laughter.

Buttigieg and Booker were just two of the Democratic candidates fanning out across Atlanta and the South on Thursday, following Wednesday’s contentious debate in that city, in an increasingly urgent effort to court black voters. The multiple events highlighted a puzzle central to the Democratic primary: Can anyone chip away at black voters’ support for former vice president Joe Biden — and if not, what does it mean for the Democrats’ chances?

[Gothmog]

1. Biden has 154 endorsements from current or former black or Hispanic elected officials.

Link to tweet

[BlueWI]

4. Inching toward 50% black support, but not there.

If Biden wins the presidency, policies that measurably address racial inequality need to follow. And he would need help from Senators Harris, Booker, Warren, and Sanders to pass legislation. Meanwhile, black voters are still diverse in who they support. Not surprised at all that Obama's Vice president would lead.

We'll see whose real with supporting bold and effective change when the electioneering stops.

[MichMan]

2. Does your vote hinge on candidate getting endorsements from others ?

Mine doesn't

[pfeiffer]

3. No one's vote hinges on endorsements...

...it's simply one way of gauging support for a candidate.

[loyalsister]

5. Whether or not a candidate appeals to specific demographics matters to me

nt

[Gothmog]

6. This is interesting

Link to tweet