February 27, 2007

"African American Women and the 2008 Presidential Election"

Washington, DC (PoliticalJones.com) - As the political hardball between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama reaches an almost frantic pace, media pundits and others are dissecting every tiny piece of the cause and the effect of each move. Each group of voters seems to have been analyzed and sized up. The general consensus seems to be the surprise reaction that Sen. Obama is receiving in the African American community. There is absolute amazement over the outcry about his true ethnic background and makeup.

Digging deeper within the African American community, which most of the majority media usually tries to do, no one is talking about the true key to the Democratic nomination, which will be the vote of the African American women or what I refer to as SAAW, "Strong African American Women". My mother, Mayo Louise Jones, may God bless her soul, was the first "SAAW" that I ever knew. She was the rock that held our family together, including an extended family of relatives. She had great political instincts, and a very strong BS detector. She was part of this group of women who refused to be ignored or limited by the ignorance of others.

Traditionally, these women are ignored and pushed to the side yet are always in the middle of the fight for the advancement of their families and communities. "SAAW" vote in large numbers and are heavily involved both in the churches and other traditional organizations with strong ties in their communities. These Great-Grandmothers, Grandmothers, Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Aunts, Cousins, Girlfriends, and friends are the heart and soul that continues to push our community forward.

In the past, the men were out front while the women held supportive roles. Those days have passed and now these "SAAW" are in positions of power and leadership in both the business and political arena. They organize and vote. Their contributions are usually lumped into the community at large. It has always been easy to do so because of the lack of any real concern to understand the political dynamic that shapes the African American community. In a Democratic Primary that features both a female and an African American candidate, the twin issues of gender and race will play a role in who gains the majority of the support in the African American Community. Both Senators Clinton and Obama have "SAAW" working on their staffs in positions of power and influence. So it would seem that they understand the need to tap into that source of talent to help them win the nomination.

Clearly Sen. Clinton is not a stranger in the community with her life long efforts on women, children, and health care issues. She will be a formidable force and her efforts to win this important bloc of voters will be intense. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this campaign will be the role of Sen. Obama's wife, Michelle. As a member of the "SAAW", she is protective and supportive of her husband, and has intimate knowledge of the fears and aspirations of the voting bloc. In 2008, if Senators Clinton or Obama, or any of the other candidates chose to ignore or underestimate the power of this unique and diverse voting bloc, the decision could cost you the Democratic Party nomination.