The schedule for the Democratic primaries and caucuses were specifically designed to give influence to the minorities. This goes in particular for the Latino community. Both groups of voters have been energized.
The Black voters have been energized by the early successes of Senator Barack Obama of Illinois. Latinos have been energized by the intense debate over immigration that could be xenophobic at times. However, there is no clear picture at the moment how those influences will play out.
Nevada’s Democratic caucuses set for January 19 will give a gauge of Hispanic voting. But the true impact of the Latino vote probably will not be felt until the general election such in states like Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada according to observers. These were places were George W. Bush’s victory margin was thin as a razor in 2004.
While Obama’s victory in Iowa showed he could win white votes, it could be a different story in South Carolina. The question is this: Could Obama give energy to the black voters, where their numbers could help him win in the November elections?
The issue of race in American politics has always been there since there have been both Democrats and Republicans.
The Pew Research Center conducted a study which reveals that Latinos are twice as likely to identify themselves as Democrat instead of Republican. For Blacks, they are ten and a half times more likely to identify themselves as Democrat.
However, both minority groups lag behind whites in terms of voter registration.
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