'Race' a factor for some Tennessee voters
'Race' a factor for some Tennessee voters Save Email Print
Posted: 1:43 AM Nov 6, 2008
 Last Updated: 1:43 AM Nov 6, 2008
 Reporter: DUNCAN MANSFIELD
33 comments
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Race was on the minds of many Tennesseans when they went to the polls and voted overwhelmingly for Republican John McCain over Democrat Barack Obama, the nation's first black president-elect.

According to exit polls, about a quarter of Tennessee voters said the candidate's race was a factor in how they voted -- 16 percent calling it important and 6 percent saying it was their single most important factor.

Those numbers are all higher than the nation as a whole.

But this can be a good thing or a bad thing; an indication of racial pride or fear.

It doesn't explain why Tennesseans, particularly white independents, voted in such large numbers for McCain over Obama. Most said they sided with McCain on fixing the economy and felt he shared their values.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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Posted by: Wes Location: Knoxville on Nov 12, 2008 at 01:05 PM
The poeple who voted for Obama are just plain idiots. There is no other word I can think of to describe them. I wonder why it is ok for a black person to vote for a person because of the color of his skin but when a white person votes for the opposite for not other reason but he likes the other candidate better we are racist. I am so sick of the reverse racism in this country and noone seems to give a crap. I guess we deserve it though since out great great great grandfathers were so mean. Get over it, get a job and try to make a difference instead of hoping the government will take care of all of your woes. Time to step up and be productive citizens. For all you white liberals...you will be the downfall of all this country was founded on and all that we stand for. I fear that my daughter will live in a world where nothing is sacred and noone stands for anything.
Posted by: Jenn Location: knoxville on Nov 10, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Moving here from a more liberal and race tolerant state I have noticed far too much racism here in East Tennessee. It really opened my eyes to the fact that there are still plenty of racist--raising their kids to be racist as well. When will this stupidity end?
Posted by: Dawn Walters Location: knoxville on Nov 10, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Congratulations everyone they have just elected the anti-christ!
Posted by: Brandi Location: Crossville, TN on Nov 10, 2008 at 10:39 AM
I voted Republican, nothing to do with race, but like it or not Obama will be our new president and we will have to accept it and make the best of it. As for the people who believe that TN is racist, have you walked our streets? We are not all white communities. I have no problem with that but if we are gonna make the best of the life situations that the world is in then we need to start working together.
Posted by: Bubba Location: Haslam on Nov 9, 2008 at 09:51 PM
What did Berlusconi mean by "tanned"?
Posted by: Home Location: Home on Nov 8, 2008 at 07:40 PM
I posted a comment last night that is not shown. This news media us nothing but Republican.
Posted by: Color Blind Location: Yeah, right on Nov 7, 2008 at 11:53 PM
look at the chart in the news sentinel today..........lonsdale and E. Knoxville voted hussein, but it wasn't about race
Posted by: Informed Voter Pt. 11 Location: Knoxville on Nov 7, 2008 at 10:59 PM
[1] http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400629 [2] http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400629 [3] (Peter Wallsten, "Allies Of Palestinians See A Friend In Obama," Los Angeles Times, 4/10/08) http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/RNC-ObamaKhalidi-Relationship-Rundown/story.aspx?guid={C69B25D7-DBB7-4582-91A5-A19B741B0115} [4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestine_Liberation_Organization [5] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Ayers
Posted by: Informed Voter Pt. 10 Location: Knoxville on Nov 7, 2008 at 10:58 PM
So good luck to President elect Obama because God knows that he is going to need it. What lies before him is a daunting task and one that will probably not be accomplished (the largest post Election Day loss on Wall Street ever which is a testament to investor confidence). I would like to believe that we Tennesseans voted for John McCain because he was the best candidate for the job based on our research and due diligence and that we did not vote for a magic show, a facade of a man, that we hardly know with questionable background and associations based on repetitious babbling by the press who were clearly pushing their favorite candidate down our throats. You who live in glass houses should not throw stones! Sincerely, Informed Voter
Posted by: Informed Voter Pt. 9 Location: Knoxville on Nov 7, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Do we even have to get into inflation and the $700 billion dollars that we the people borrowed from the Federal Reserve which by the way is not a federal agency as you probably think. The Federal Reserve is a conglomerate of private banks that we allowed to steal the real wealth of America (the Gold) way back in 1913 (the Federal Reserve Act of 1913) and move us away from the gold standard to the money is worth nothing standard. Not to mention that we the people (the Government) used to be able to print the money our selves but now we borrow the money and pay interest on the debt. Sorry I got off track! The $700 billion will hit the economy like a ton of bricks in about 18 to 24 months because that is how long it takes the money that we print to have an effect on the economy and the inflationary rate.
Posted by: Informed Voter Pt.8 Location: Knoxville on Nov 7, 2008 at 10:55 PM
So when you stopped paying your mortgage and bob down the street stopped paying his mortgage (because people gambled on adjustable rate, interest only loans on houses they could not afford. The gamble did not work, the loan came due, they could not flip the property because the market is flooded, and then came the default) then the mortgage companies have a shortfall due to their speculation and gambling and poof the entire ball of yarn falls apart. Then the mortgage insurance companies who require and sell (PMI) Primary Mortgage Insurance collapsed because they had never planned for a housing crash like this one and now you can buy a share of AIG for around $2.11 when 52 weeks ago it was worth over $62.00 per share. Now we are talking about the destruction of retirement accounts.
Posted by: Informed Voter Pt.7 Location: Knoxville on Nov 7, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Then there is the issue of gas prices. Can he fix that problem too? I highly doubt it with the President of Iran screaming in OPECS ear about gas prices being to low (I would call that economic terrorism) but Obama has said that he wants to try and negotiate with Iran who is hell bent on developing nuclear weapons and has said that they would destroy Israel with their nukes. Well, well, well financial crisis. We would have never been in this situation if it were not for predatory lending and a plethora of other complex and speculative investing strategies, where the mortgage companies used your mortgages as collateral to acquire even larger loans to fund even more business ventures.
Posted by: Informed Voter Pt.2 Location: Knoxville on Nov 7, 2008 at 10:49 PM
1. He does not have the experience to be president. • He has a college degree, he meets minimum age requirements and has served 4 years in the U.S. Senate this is the whole of his experience. • In his 4 years of Senate experience Barack Obama missed 314 (24%) of 1299 votes since Jan 6, 2005. [1] • Barack Obama has sponsored 121 bills since Jan 24, 2005, of which 115 haven't made it out of committee and only 3 were successfully enacted. Obama has co-sponsored 504 bills during the same time period. [2] 2. He has ultra radical ties. • (Rev. Jeremiah Wright) He has been mentored and molded for 20 years and has personally stated that “he would not be the man that he is today if it was not for the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.” Do your self a favor and before you call the South and the Heart Land a bunch of racist’s (for voting Republican) do your own research like I am doing it for you now and go to (like I don’t know) UTube and watch the videos of the extremist Reverend Wright for yourse
Posted by: Informed Voter Pt.1 Location: Knoxville on Nov 7, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Congratulations to the Majority. First things first! The race card can never be played again. Because a Black/White/Arabic man has reached the highest and most powerful office of the entire world. So anything is possible just get up off of your couch, quite crying over yourself, get a job, stop counting on the charity of others to survive and change your life! Our new President Elect was elected in a very sophisticated and tactical manner and because the masses are fodder for the media. Repetition was the key. The more that you hear something the higher the chances are that you are going to believe it. For Gods sake he even bought his very own cable channel on dish network and labeled it Obama TV so on Election Day you people did the zombie walk into the voting booth and pulled the trigger to elect our country’s first radical/extremist president.You people have ignored key facts that go eons beyond race or religion and should have weighed heavily upon your decision in this matter.
Posted by: vincent Location: clinton on Nov 7, 2008 at 08:38 PM
at least well know where his preacher and him go after this life
Posted by: Lace Location: Sev on Nov 7, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Yeah but think about all the black people in America that went out and registered to vote, just so they could say they voted for a black president. The majority of them have no clue what Obama stands for, they just voted because he's black the same way some voted for McCain because he's white. It's like reverse-racism! I swear, sometimes WVLT prints the most pointless, horribly-written articles.
Posted by: Liz Location: Knox on Nov 6, 2008 at 10:28 PM
In response to Marshall.I am a hard working mother of three.I am in no way wealthy,but I could never vote for someone so against my morals as Barack Obama.His color had absolutely NOTHING to do with it.Call us bigots,racists,whatever-we have the right to vote for whom we choose.
Posted by: Bobby Location: Not revealed on Nov 6, 2008 at 09:14 PM
I voted for Obama, and PROUDLY so. This country has had enough of the screwups of the last 8 years, and I want to see a change! We've been misled into a war, we've had high gas prices, and the worst financial crisis in recent history. It's time for a CHANGE. And for those of you who attack Obama's associations: What about Sarah Palin's ties to an Alaskan party that wants secession from the USA? No one seems to mention that, do they? I think it's just the fact that this region of the country has always supported Republicans for as long as I can remember, and people hear slanders like Obama being muslim, and hating america, and they just swallow it and believe it without checking facts. There may be some racial bigotry involved, but for the most part it is misinformation. GO OBAMA.
Posted by: Statistics Location: Republican TN on Nov 6, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Out of the last eleven Presidential elections, Tennessee went for the Republican eight times. I believe the state was 57% for the Republican this election and the last one in 2004, too. Seems like it is the same to me.
Posted by: More Truth Location: Conservative South on Nov 6, 2008 at 07:50 PM
Republicans are extremely hard-working. You've got it backwards. TN has been Republican for a long time. This country has more to worry about than the guy's skin. It's his entire life that is so worrysome. I like how everyone says it's racist if you don't worship the most liberal Senator in America! The racism I have seen personally is from the other side. They even ADMIT it!
Posted by: marshall Location: knoxville on Nov 6, 2008 at 06:56 PM
Race is always the issue for the ignorant who cannot see beyond the outward appearance. Sadly bigots can make many excuses in order to remain in their small-minded world of denial. It is interesting that the former blue state of TN is now red. We are hardworking people, not the eliteist Rebublican type.
Posted by: He is Location: Not Qualified on Nov 6, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Frankly, he is not qualified to be President. The Democrats are HIDING some basic facts from the public. They think we are very dumb. People voted without thinking about the most important things. Don't fault TN for thinking before voting.
Posted by: Liz Location: Knox on Nov 6, 2008 at 05:25 PM
I think race was important to a lot of blacks who voted,it was not the reason I voted against Obama-his liberal leanings and shady past are reason enough for me.
Posted by: Tennessee Location: Voter on Nov 6, 2008 at 04:53 PM
I think a lot of African American voters did vote for Obama just because he was black. Race was a factor on both sides.
Posted by: Concerned For US Location: Knoxville on Nov 6, 2008 at 03:43 PM
I feel RACE was not the issue. Has anyone done their research? Obama is directly involved with people like his preacher of 20 yrs Rev. Jeremiah Wright. People really need to look at what this Rev. said about America and you tell me we should not be worried…..Also what about Louis Farrakhan who is also one of Obama’s friends. Now tell me who the RACIST is!
Posted by: Wistful Location: Pilgrim Ancestors on Nov 6, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Don't try to insult Tennessee by implying there is NO REASON not to vote for Obama. There were many, and I'm afraid that this country will find out in a very hard way. Socialism is not acceptable. There are many scary things about him which will come to light eventually. Why fight your birth certificate all the way to the Supreme Court? Very, very suspicious. It's never talked about in the media, of course. Anyway, Tennessee has voted Republican the last many, many elections. Remember Al Gore? He did not win his home state.
Posted by: Honest Location: In the Know on Nov 6, 2008 at 11:53 AM
You answered your own question. Most people said they felt John McCain shared their values and opinions on the economy. Why try to turn this into something else? Obama is the MOST LIBERAL senator in the United States. Why question people voting with their brains? People at Obama's rally were told to vote with their EMOTIONS and DON'T THINK! Scary.
Posted by: Reality Location: Real World on Nov 6, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Tennessee has always been a conservative and Republican state, especially for the Presidential race. I don't like what you are implying in this article. It makes COMPLETE sense that John McCain would have won. It would NOT make sense if he did not.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Founding Fathers on Nov 6, 2008 at 11:42 AM
First of all, Obama is Arabic more than black. His entire name shows his Arabic background, but he would prefer to tell people that his name is just "funny." That is the truth. He, however, ran on being black. It is disgusting that black people OPENLY admit voting purely on his "black" race ONLY. Where is the reporting on that? They don't know another thing about him! Don't try the tired argument of his that if you don't like him, you are racist. Someone in an official position acting like that is extremely frightening. After all, he is the number one most liberal senator in America, already. Why would America vote for him? None of it makes sense. By your own article, I see that "racial pride" is a good thing if you are black, implying that it is not if you are white. That is what is wrong with this country. Everyone but whites are to be proud???? Try being an American with common sense.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Tpa on Nov 6, 2008 at 11:18 AM
I lived in tn for a while.it is beautiful and the seasons were great.but the people there do not like colored skin.i moved because of it.
Posted by: Ellen Location: Lenoir City on Nov 6, 2008 at 10:09 AM
I don't understand why race is always the issue when it comes to white people not voting for Obama. Why is more attention not paid to the fact that most blacks voted for Obama only because he was black. Racism works both ways.
Posted by: Pat Location: Tennessee on Nov 6, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Puh-leeze! Don't you just love the way the media reports issues???? Why is it that it is a race issue when whites vote for a white presidential candidate but not a race issue when the blacks, hispanics, and other races that have never ever even registered to vote before does so this time so they can vote for a "black" president. Don't you think it would be more honest to state things just as they are? I think the biggest issue of all in this election and any elections whether for president or for your local offices we should pay more attention to the moral and christian values and the Bible tells us that all the other issues will take care of themselves because when people have their heart right and set our affections on things above then all these other things are added to us. Even if you don't believe in God and reading the Bible how about using just good ole common sense?
Posted by: Angel Location: Knox on Nov 6, 2008 at 09:30 AM
I do not agree with allowing Race to rule your decisions. In ALL races there are people who give that "race" a bad name... Although when you stop and think about it we are ALL ONE race and that is "HUMAN".
Posted by: John Adams Location: Knoxville on Nov 6, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Obama is not a black man. He is 50% white and 7.5% Black and 42.5% Arabic. What School did your reporters go to? Yes, his skin is dark, but that does not make one a balck person, by law, one must be 15%black to be a legal black person.
Posted by: E.Phillips Location: Knoxville, TN on Nov 6, 2008 at 08:32 AM
Why isn't the news correcting people who call Obama a muslin, McCain corrected a woman who called Obama a muslin, so why can't you?
Posted by: Race Location: knoxville on Nov 6, 2008 at 08:07 AM
is one or the other. Many people think this is a historical moment and we should be proud, but at the same time- other people believe this is the end of the world, thi is time to panic, hide under a rock, take your money and hide it, fight those who voted for an African American and fear for our country and keep our tails between our legs. OMG he's black! for those who fear I just have one thing to say HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! LOL get over it!
Posted by: joan on Nov 6, 2008 at 06:47 AM
Too bad color of skin was the issue. It should be the heart, soul, and issues. Racism should be in a bygone time zone. TN still living a century ago? Shame.
Posted by: lynnie Location: knox on Nov 6, 2008 at 06:44 AM
As a white female, I voted for Obama. This article somewhat supports what I thought. This being the bible belt, I have never heard as much hatered being spread. Evidenced by closed minded people thinking Obama is a Muslim/terrorist/baby killer/etc...without doing anything to really look at the facts these things are not true. My belief- they "hid" behind the above false statements so they wouldn't be showing their true prejudice was he was black. I am surprised the percentages above are not higher-and I'm glad there are open-minded people in other states that made their choice based on the looking at the person and his platform, not his color. GO OBAMA!
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