Bernie Sanders - March 11, 2020. CNN
Four years ago, black voters definitively voted more for Hillary Clinton to crush Senator Bernie Sanders' quest for the Democratic nomination. In the intervening years, Senator Sanders made a concerted effort to increase his share of the black vote in key primary states like South Carolina. Yet, he failed.
The media and various observers floated four explanations for this failure. First, they argued that Bernie was too radical for South Carolina's pragmatic black voters. Second, they accused Bernie of downplaying the importance of race relative to relative to economics in his messaging. Third, they suggested that Bernie was not beloved by black voters as much as former Vice-President, Joe Biden. Fourth, the media did not think that the South Carolina black community believed Bernie was as electable as Biden.
These explanations assume that the black community is unanimous in its policy preferences. The black community exhibits diverse policy preferences. For example, many policies advocated by Senator Sanders, like Medicare for All and a 15 dollar an hour minimum wage, would benefit the black community. Sanders' primary emphasis on economics rather than race may not sit well with the "woke" generation. But for older blacks, the focus on economics is consistent with the politics of the post-civil rights period. And, of course, some older blacks have long been attracted to the prosperity gospel movement. Thus, the backdrop against which many blacks must view Sanders' emphasis on economics is understandable.
Some pundits have stressed former Vice-President Joe Biden's loyalty and close relationship to Barack Obama as the reason black voters will not support Sanders. They cite House Whip James Clyburn's endorsement of Biden as a signal to South Carolina's black voters that Biden had earned their trust. Biden South Carolina victory resulted in a string of landslides victories for Biden on Super Tuesday. These victories are propelling Biden to the Democratic nomination.
Besides, pundits and Democratic moderates argue that Biden is the most likely candidate to defeat Donald Trump in November. They claim that Sanders' self-description as a social Democrat has set him up for such an onslaught of Republican attacks, he is unelectable as President. Bernie may or may not be less electable than Biden. And black voters certainly are united in their determination to defeat Trump.
Nonetheless, after a four-year effort to woo the black community, Sanders was unable to increase his margin of the black vote. Indeed, his margin dropped from 26 percent in 2016 to less than 20 percent in 2020. Another explanation for Sanders' poor performance with black voters is his tendency to rely on impersonal and indirect relationships. Relationships based on formal values and beliefs guided by economic self-interests may not be valued. Instead, black voters may value relationships centered on emotional ties, sentiments, and a sense of moral obligation to others. Sanders has not established an emotional bond with the black community in the four years he has been trying.
If this explanation is correct, it explains why Bernie could not increase his share of the black vote. Also, it acts as a warning to Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar. If they intend to run for the Democratic nomination again, they should plan on spending a lot of time in South Carolina.
These explanations assume that the black community is unanimous in its policy preferences. The black community exhibits diverse policy preferences. For example, many policies advocated by Senator Sanders, like Medicare for All and a 15 dollar an hour minimum wage, would benefit the black community. Sanders' primary emphasis on economics rather than race may not sit well with the "woke" generation. But for older blacks, the focus on economics is consistent with the politics of the post-civil rights period. And, of course, some older blacks have long been attracted to the prosperity gospel movement. Thus, the backdrop against which many blacks must view Sanders' emphasis on economics is understandable.
Some pundits have stressed former Vice-President Joe Biden's loyalty and close relationship to Barack Obama as the reason black voters will not support Sanders. They cite House Whip James Clyburn's endorsement of Biden as a signal to South Carolina's black voters that Biden had earned their trust. Biden South Carolina victory resulted in a string of landslides victories for Biden on Super Tuesday. These victories are propelling Biden to the Democratic nomination.
Besides, pundits and Democratic moderates argue that Biden is the most likely candidate to defeat Donald Trump in November. They claim that Sanders' self-description as a social Democrat has set him up for such an onslaught of Republican attacks, he is unelectable as President. Bernie may or may not be less electable than Biden. And black voters certainly are united in their determination to defeat Trump.
Nonetheless, after a four-year effort to woo the black community, Sanders was unable to increase his margin of the black vote. Indeed, his margin dropped from 26 percent in 2016 to less than 20 percent in 2020. Another explanation for Sanders' poor performance with black voters is his tendency to rely on impersonal and indirect relationships. Relationships based on formal values and beliefs guided by economic self-interests may not be valued. Instead, black voters may value relationships centered on emotional ties, sentiments, and a sense of moral obligation to others. Sanders has not established an emotional bond with the black community in the four years he has been trying.
If this explanation is correct, it explains why Bernie could not increase his share of the black vote. Also, it acts as a warning to Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar. If they intend to run for the Democratic nomination again, they should plan on spending a lot of time in South Carolina.