Race and American Politics Richard M Skinner Race

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Race and American Politics Richard M. Skinner

Race and American Politics Richard M. Skinner

Race and American Politics • About 1 in 8 American voters is black. •

Race and American Politics • About 1 in 8 American voters is black. • African-Americans are the single most distinctive group in American politics: regularly vote 80 -90% Democratic. • No other group votes as overwhelmingly for one party as black citizens do. • In 2008, 85% of African-Americans identified as Democrats, only 6% identified as Republicans. (National Election Studies)

Blacks Vote • Before the Civil War, few African-Americans, even in the North, were

Blacks Vote • Before the Civil War, few African-Americans, even in the North, were able to vote. • The 15 th Amendment (1870) forbade states from denying the right to vote because of race. • During Reconstruction, Army troops enforced the ability of blacks to vote in the South.

Or Can They? • After Reconstruction ended in 1877, blacks were widely denied the

Or Can They? • After Reconstruction ended in 1877, blacks were widely denied the ability to vote in the South. • When African-Americans were able to vote, they overwhelmingly supported Republicans. • But since most blacks lived in the South, they did not bulk large in American politics.

“The Great Migration” • During the early 20 th century, both political parties ignored

“The Great Migration” • During the early 20 th century, both political parties ignored black voters and accepted the racial status quo. • But as African-Americans left the South for Northern cities (beginning around World War I), white politicians increasingly had to pay attention to their concerns.

“The Great Migration” • • • In 1910, only about a million African-Americans lived

“The Great Migration” • • • In 1910, only about a million African-Americans lived outside the South. By 1940, about three million did. By 1970, about 10 million did. In 1910, just 11% black Americans lived outside the South. By 1940, 23% did. By 1970, almost 1/2 did. New York City’s black population grew from 92, 000 in 1910 to a half million in 1940 to 1. 7 million in 1970. Chicago saw its black population rise from 44, 000 in 1910 to 278, 000 in 1940 to over 1 million in 1970. Similar changes occurred in other large Northern cities including Los Angeles, Detroit, and Philadelphia.

Still the Party of Lincoln? • African-Americans had received little for their allegiance to

Still the Party of Lincoln? • African-Americans had received little for their allegiance to the Republican Party. • Not only were blacks still overwhelmingly poor, they were disproportionately hurt by the Great Depression. • But blacks still mostly voted to re-elect Herbert Hoover in 1932.

The New Deal • Franklin D. Roosevelt led a Democratic Party whose base of

The New Deal • Franklin D. Roosevelt led a Democratic Party whose base of support lay in the South and had a long history of support for “white supremacy. ” He himself had little interest in the issue of civil rights.

The New Deal • But FDR had an unusual opportunity to win votes from

The New Deal • But FDR had an unusual opportunity to win votes from African-Americans. • While his “New Deal” programs still sometimes discriminated against blacks, they provided essential aid to the poor and unemployed. • FDR also appointed blacks to some, mostly symbolic, government positions. • Perhaps for the first time since Reconstruction, black citizens felt they had a friend in the White House.

“Miss Eleanor” • FDR especially used his wife, Eleanor, as an emissary to the

“Miss Eleanor” • FDR especially used his wife, Eleanor, as an emissary to the black community.

“Mr. Roosevelt, You’re My Man!” • In 1936, black voters broke with decades of

“Mr. Roosevelt, You’re My Man!” • In 1936, black voters broke with decades of Republican loyalty to back FDR. • For example, FDR’s vote in black neighborhoods of Cleveland jumped from about 18% in ’ 32 to about 60%. • In the next few elections, about 70% of blacks voted Democratic.

Harry Truman • Harry Truman continued to court black voters, ending segregation in the

Harry Truman • Harry Truman continued to court black voters, ending segregation in the military and the federal civil service, and fended off Republican attempts to win back African. Americans.

Party Competition • But Southern Democrats continued to block civil rights legislation in Congress,

Party Competition • But Southern Democrats continued to block civil rights legislation in Congress, though congressional Republicans often showed little interest in the issue as well. • Some blacks (such as Jackie Robinson) saw Republicans as a better bet on civil rights.

“Ike and Dick” Crack the Black Vote • Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon took

“Ike and Dick” Crack the Black Vote • Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon took advantage of Democratic divisions to win between 20 and 40 percent of African. Americans in 1952 -60.

JFK and LBJ • But the support that John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson

JFK and LBJ • But the support that John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson gave to civil rights reestablished black loyalty to the Democratic Party.

“We Shall Overcome” • In 1964, LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act. • A

“We Shall Overcome” • In 1964, LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act. • A year later, he signed the Voting Rights Act, which struck down most barriers to black voting. Within 20 years, whites and blacks were voting at about the same rate in the South.

“In Your Heart, You Know He’s Right” • While most Republicans supported the Civil

“In Your Heart, You Know He’s Right” • While most Republicans supported the Civil Rights Act, the party nominated Sen. Barry Goldwater for president in 1964. Goldwater had opposed that legislation. He also called the Brown decision unconstitutional. • Goldwater attracted the support of many conservative Southerners.

A Realigning Election • For the first time, a presidential election offered a clear

A Realigning Election • For the first time, a presidential election offered a clear contrast on civil rights. • As a result, black support for the Republican Party fell to almost nothing, and has never recovered.

A Realigning Election

A Realigning Election

A Cornerstone of the Democratic Party • African-Americans have since become the Democrats’ most

A Cornerstone of the Democratic Party • African-Americans have since become the Democrats’ most loyal constituency. They provide about 1 in 6 votes for Democratic presidential candidates. Southern Democrats usually depend on black voters for 1/3 or more of their support. • Black Democratic officeholders now include one governor and 41 members of the House of Representatives. There are two black Republicans in the House of Representatives, both from predominately white districts. • Many African-Americans have felt that Republican politicians such as Ronald Reagan have used white fears of black progress to win votes.

African-Americans • African-Americans are concentrated in the South and industrial Northern states.

African-Americans • African-Americans are concentrated in the South and industrial Northern states.

The First Black President • In his 2008 bid for president Barack Obama won

The First Black President • In his 2008 bid for president Barack Obama won 95% of black voters in the general election – the highest percentage ever measured for a presidential candidate. • This fits with a pattern of black voters overwhelmingly supporting black candidates, especially if they would be the first African. Americans to hold the office at stake. • About one-quarter of voters were members of racial minority groups; Obama received 80% of their votes. Only 43% of non-Hispanic whites supported him.

The Racial Gap • African-Americans are much more likely than whites to support government

The Racial Gap • African-Americans are much more likely than whites to support government efforts to combat racial inequality. • They are also more likely to see racial discrimination as an ongoing problem. • Whites have generally abandoned blatantly racist views, but a large gap remains on many issues. • White Americans tend to support equal opportunity, but are more skeptical of government action to further racial equality, perhaps because of declining political trust.

The Racial Gap

The Racial Gap

The Racial Gap

The Racial Gap

The Racial Gap: Hurricane Katrina

The Racial Gap: Hurricane Katrina

The Economic Gap • African-Americans are also much more likely to support government action

The Economic Gap • African-Americans are also much more likely to support government action against economic inequality, and to see themselves as being in need of assistance. • There is some evidence that white skepticism about programs to help the poor is tied to stereotypes about blacks being lazy.

“Law and Order” • While members of all races support tough action against crime,

“Law and Order” • While members of all races support tough action against crime, African-Americans are more likely to be skeptical of law enforcement, and to oppose the death penalty. • In the 1960 s, 1970 s, and 1980 s, conservative politicians such as George Wallace and Ronald Reagan often used racially charged language to appeal to white voters’ fear of crime.

“Law and Order”

“Law and Order”

Other Issues • African-Americans are significantly less likely to support the use of American

Other Issues • African-Americans are significantly less likely to support the use of American troops overseas. • There is little difference between whites and blacks on “moral issues” such as abortion and gay rights. • When factors such as education are controlled, there is little difference in voter turnout between whites and blacks.

Hispanics • Hispanics have surpassed African-Americans to become the nation’s largest minority. • But

Hispanics • Hispanics have surpassed African-Americans to become the nation’s largest minority. • But they continue to vote in relatively low numbers. • According to the Census, only 32% of resident Hispanics reported voting in the 2008 election; 50% of Hispanic citizens did. By contrast, 66% of non-Hispanic whites and 65% of blacks reported voting.

Hispanics • Two factors especially contribute to lower Hispanic voter turnout. • 40% of

Hispanics • Two factors especially contribute to lower Hispanic voter turnout. • 40% of Hispanics are not citizens, and are therefore ineligible to vote. • The Hispanic population is unusually young: 48% are under 25, compared to 36% for all, 32% for non-Hispanic whites. • 14% of American adults are Hispanic, but only 9% of voters in 2008 were.

Hispanics • Hispanic Americans are a diverse group. • Mexican-Americans: Southwest, Chicago area. •

Hispanics • Hispanic Americans are a diverse group. • Mexican-Americans: Southwest, Chicago area. • Puerto Ricans: NYC area, Florida. • Cubans: South Florida. • Dominicans: NYC area, South Florida. • Salvadorans: Southern California, DC area.

Hispanics • The Hispanic population is concentrated in the Southwest, Florida, Illinois, New York

Hispanics • The Hispanic population is concentrated in the Southwest, Florida, Illinois, New York and New Jersey.

Hispanics • Hispanics mostly vote Democratic. • In the 2008 presidential election, 67% of

Hispanics • Hispanics mostly vote Democratic. • In the 2008 presidential election, 67% of Hispanics voted Democratic for president – a fairly typical figure. • Two major exceptions: • Cuban-Americans, who see the Republicans as more reliably anti-Communist. • The growing numbers of Hispanic evangelicals, who share the GOP’s moral conservatism.

Hispanics • Hispanics generally hold liberal views on economic issues, and oppose punitive approaches

Hispanics • Hispanics generally hold liberal views on economic issues, and oppose punitive approaches to illegal immigration. • But they often have much more conservative opinions on social issues such as abortion and gay rights. • George W. Bush and other Republicans have sought Hispanic votes on the basis of “family values. ”

Hispanics • Cuban-Americans were critical to John Mc. Cain’s victory in the 2008 Florida

Hispanics • Cuban-Americans were critical to John Mc. Cain’s victory in the 2008 Florida Republican primary. • Exit polls found Mc. Cain winning 54% of Cuban-American voters, far ahead of any other candidate. • He ran even with Mitt Romney among Anglo whites, with each candidate winning 33%. Mc. Cain visiting Miami’s Little Havana on the eve of the primary.

Asian-Americans • Like Hispanics, Asians vote at a lower rate than other Americans. Only

Asian-Americans • Like Hispanics, Asians vote at a lower rate than other Americans. Only 32% of Asians reported voting in 2008; 48% of Asian citizens did. • 5% of American adults are Asian, but only 2% of voters in 2008 were. • 6% of California voters were Asian. California has elected Asian-Americans to many offices, including a Japanese-American senator. • Asians do seem to vote Democratic: 62% did so in 2008.

Asian-Americans • There appear to be substantial differences among different groups of Asian. Americans.

Asian-Americans • There appear to be substantial differences among different groups of Asian. Americans. • Koreans and Vietnamese favor Republicans, perhaps because of anti. Communism. • Other Asian groups (Chinese, South Asians, Filipinos, Japanese) are more likely to vote Democratic.

Asian-Americans • The Asian population is concentrated in the Far West and the Northeast.

Asian-Americans • The Asian population is concentrated in the Far West and the Northeast.

Asian-Americans • Elected in 1962, Daniel Inouye (D-HI), a Japanese-American, is the longest serving

Asian-Americans • Elected in 1962, Daniel Inouye (D-HI), a Japanese-American, is the longest serving member of the Senate. • Inouye lost his right arm in World War II, and has served in Congress since Hawaii became a state in 1959. • Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) are both Indian-American governors of states with relatively few Asian-Americans. • Gary Locke, a Chinese-American, served as governor of Washington State, and is now Secretary of Commerce.

Native Americans • Data is scarce on Native American political behavior. • About 1.

Native Americans • Data is scarce on Native American political behavior. • About 1. 5% of Americans claim Native ancestry; about one-half of them also claim another racial identity. • Natives comprise a higher percentage of the population in some Western states: 15% in Alaska, 10% in New Mexico, 8. 5% in South Dakota, 8% in Wyoming. • Natives do seem to lean Democratic: one study found that 49% of American Indians identified as Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents, while 39% identified as Republicans or Republican-leaning independents.