How then would Star explain that Obama received over 90% of the black vote?

The most obvious explanation is that many of the blacks that voted for Obama have no idea what his policies and political philosophy entail.

It appears that many blacks simply voted as instructed by the democrats and because of the race of Obama did so with great enthusiasm.

Another obvious explanation is couched in the attitude that "blacks simply voted as instructed by the democrats". I hear this expressed in many forms, like on talk radio where blacks are regularly accused of still being "down on the plantation" serving the Dems. The truth is that no one instructs them how to vote. The Dems have worked to get them into the party while the Reps have either been openly hostile or treated them with the famously labeled "benign neglect". The Party doesn't instruct them how to vote, they are a huge part of the Party not some kind of separate entity waiting to be instructed.

Another corollary to this is the theme that the R's are for the individualists while the D's represent the groups. While there is some truth in that position, it works to the R's disadvantage in that they deny that sometimes it's the group identity that drives some voters. So far they've managed to give us the blacks, college educated, union workers, northern elite and the west Coasters. Soon, Obama will come up with an immigration plan and the right, led by talk radio, will begin to vehemently denounce Hispanics again and they won't understand why individual Hispanics will take offense and flock to the D's party where they will be welcomed with open arms and a few years from now the right will be explaining it by saying that they just vote as the Democrats instruct them to.

That "big tent" has caused me, and Independent, to shy away from most votes for republican candidates in recent years.
The tent had a balcony in it! And a back of the bus!

Maybe they weren't sure what Obama was for but they surely knew what Bush and McCain were for!!

I don't think there is any age group or race that has a lock on "voting without a clue"--in addition to showing a picture id, voters should have to pass a minimum 10 question quiz on major issues and current office holders. Current? Yep, that would mean they've been tuned in for longer than one week!

Every citizen has the right to vote.

I know some very productive people who couldn't tell you where Iraq is! They could care less who the bums are that are PTC Mayor and council.

As to "tuning in", that is a preference--not a requirement.

Anyway, you still wouldn't want them to vote unless they saw things as you do.

We had a whole race or two in this country once who weren't allowed to vote!!! Or even learn to read and write.

..But no one in this country has the right to vote. Go back and read your constitution. It's not in there. Voting is a granted privelege, and it's not even guaranteed. Hey,this could be one of the questions on the quiz!!

AUDENTES FORTUNA JUVAT

No constitutional right to vote?

This is the Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Remember to check those amendments the next time you read it. Like the first.

It is not that cut and dried. The Constitution and its amendments do lay out guidelines for voter eligibility. The states have some ability to adjust voting requirements as long as they do not run against the dictated language of the constitution. For example, in some states, if you have been deemed by a court to be mentally challenged, you can be denied the right to vote. Likewise, as the 26th amendment allows persons of 18 years of age to vote, a state can allow its citizens that are younger than 18 to vote if they pass legislation to do so. A state can tailor its voting regulations as they see fit as long as they do not violate the various amendments like the 15th, 19th and 26th.

Also, check the 10th amendment-"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people"

Wedge, you are right-it is not that cut & dried. In fact, a fundamental finding in the 2000 Bush V. Gore verdict by the SCOTUS, states in Part IIB "The individual citizen has no federsl constitutional right to vote for electors for the President of the US." Again, up to the states to make certain decisions and they're different. For example, there are 4 states where you are barred from voting for life if you're a convicted felon. There are 2 states where you can vote even if incarcerated in jail at the time.

I knew that--tell it to Bonkers--that's where the comment came from.