I'm going to watch South Carolina closely

If there is no backlash against Obama on the Kerry's Endorsement over his ex, than I think Obama may have what it takes after all. And I would be wrong. So, it's all about South Carolina. Right now Obama is polling in the 40's and Edwards is in the low teens. If Edwards finishes above 20, Edwards is still alive and kicking.

if Obama's support comes from whites as well as blacks, then we know that the "race card" will not be as big a factor as many have thought.

I actually expect the south to be less racist than parts of the northeast and midwest, though. I know that is completely against conventional wisdom, but the whole racist game in the south was completely different from that in the north and they've made great strides in overcoming it.

Jim Crow in the south existed mostly to keep the power class from having to rub elbows as equals with their former property. Most people who were lower middle class experienced black folks as part time help around the house and don't have the mistrust you find in the socially enforced racism in the north and midwest.

I think both Obama and Edwards have a shot at doing well in SC and I think white folks and black folks will support them both.

Many don't understand that racial dynamics are different in the South than they are in the North. In many cases racism is more overt in the North.

After the way she and Bill slammed him, the way she slammed Dr. King, and "shuck and jive" comment by Andrew Cuomo. The problem is that White America will interpret the victory as revenge by the Black community and that may backlash on Obama on Super Tuesday.

surely seems critical. Important both for political developments and for underlying racial tensions, IMO.

If she denounces Cuomo strongly, that will salvage her somewhat with A/A voters in SC. But she may piss off Caucasian voters everywhere else by being seen as caving in to the "Al Sharpton brigade". Oddly, that might work in Obama's favor because he is often praised by whites as not being beholden to the black community.

I'm not saying any of this is right but that's how I see it.

I figure there will be a tremendous voter turnout this time, perhaps confusing the polls (and advance work) again. ??

Sorry---leaving for work now.

I read remarks w/reference to race. I have not seen anything that shows a definite division due to skin color.
I would no more align with Hillary because she is a woman, like me, than I would Obama who is both a mix of black & white skin.
I would not vote for a candidate because he/she is of my race. There's got to be something more substantial there for me to want that person leading the Nation.

I don't think skin color is a factor in this dem primary. Maybe I'm not reading things correctly, but that's how I'm seeing the big picture.

There was an LTTE in my paper just this morning by a man (I'm going to assume Caucasian) praising Obama for not pandering to African American leaders such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. Obama had earned this man's respect by not seeming "too black". That's not the writer's exact words, but the implication was very clear.

Ask people in your community about Obama and notice what comes out of their mouths. It should be very eye-opening.

Kerry for not choosing his ex-running mate, but he must have his reasons. And I'm a little more than peeved that he chose now to give his endorsement, just ahead of the S.C. primaries. But the one comfort in all this is, he didn't endorse HRC.