Mar 18, 2008 6:33 pm US/Central
White Men React To Obama's Speech On Race
Working Class White Males Are An Unexpected Swing Vote In 2008 Primaries
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Mike Martin, a Berwyn resident, says he will continue to support presidential candidate Barack Obama, despite the recent controversy over inflammatory comments made by Obama's longtime, but now retired, pastor.
CBS
One crucial voting bloc that has handed Sen. Barack Obama victories in the past is white men. But some of that support has been called into question because of the controversy over Obama's former pastor the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's inflammatory remarks about race.
As CBS 2's Vince Gerasole reports, white males are an unexpected swing vote. According to exit polls their support has been key for Obama victories in at least 10 primary states. It's support he needs to hold onto if he hopes to secure the Democratic nomination and win in November.
Mike Martin's support for Barack Obama has remained solid throughout the Rev. Wright controversy.
"It's really not him because it's somebody that's a friend of his from his past," Martin, a Berwyn resident, said.
Dave Wingier's paid little attention to the matter; he's voting for John McCain.
"He cares more about the troops than either of the other two," Hillside resident Wingier said.
Critics say Obama's eloquent explanation and call to unity today was aimed in part at white male voters, who may tip the balance of power on the road to the White House. But the debate for Obama may not go away.
"Will it help? Yes. Will it solve it? No, there's going to be a lot more going on and he's going to be under tremendous pressure," said political commentator Paul Green.
The publicity surrounding Rev. Wright's words have financial worker Britt Jensen, an Indiana voter, still making up his mind.
"I worry about someone around that sort of thinking," Jensen said. "You wonder does that sink into a person or is he objectively thinking."
"I thought that was going to be the dagger that was going to send him down," said Tom Gockel of Orland Park.
Gockel, an Obama supporter and Democrat, made a point of reading the full text of Obama's speech.
"Now I think it seems he can bring everyone together like he was going before," he said.
"I am willing to accept him at face vale if he says it isn't something he agrees to," Jensen added.
The support of working class white males has been especially volatile this campaign season. Obama picked up their majorities in Wisconsin and Virginia. But a few weeks later he lost their majorities to Hillary Clinton in Texas and Ohio.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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