David Brooks - How will race affect Barack Obama's candidacy?

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David Brooks Race will negatively affect Barack Obama's candidacy. Why isn’t Barack Obama doing better? race [has something to do with it]

Evidence approved (8/5/2008 10:48:23 PM)

Why isn’t Barack Obama doing better? race [has something to do with it]

nytimes

 

Where’s the Landslide?

 

Why isn’t Barack Obama doing better? Why, after all that has happened, does he have only a slim two- or three-point lead over John McCain, according to an average of the recent polls? Why is he basically tied with his opponent when his party is so far ahead?

 

His age probably has something to do with it. So does his race. But the polls and focus groups suggest that people aren’t dismissive of Obama or hostile to him. Instead, they’re wary and uncertain.