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| 'People are going to be just as excited': Clinton courts Obama's black southern stronghold | 'People are going to be just as excited': Clinton courts Obama's black southern stronghold |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Bryan Burns could not make up his mind. Here was this African-American voter in khaki shorts, a v-neck T-shirt and black-rimmed eyeglasses, browsing shops at the Crabtree Valley Mall, on a swelteringly hot Friday in the not-yet summer of the American south. | Bryan Burns could not make up his mind. Here was this African-American voter in khaki shorts, a v-neck T-shirt and black-rimmed eyeglasses, browsing shops at the Crabtree Valley Mall, on a swelteringly hot Friday in the not-yet summer of the American south. |
| And there was Hillary Clinton, who needs to win the minds of exactly this kind of voter, a 30-year-old Virginia native who has spent the last decade living in North Carolina, a state that all but ended Clinton’s 2008 presidential run against Barack Obama. Although he follows politics closely, Burns is not yet fully engaged in the next contest for the American presidency, despite around-the-clock election coverage by the media, and despite Clinton already courting people like him around the country. | And there was Hillary Clinton, who needs to win the minds of exactly this kind of voter, a 30-year-old Virginia native who has spent the last decade living in North Carolina, a state that all but ended Clinton’s 2008 presidential run against Barack Obama. Although he follows politics closely, Burns is not yet fully engaged in the next contest for the American presidency, despite around-the-clock election coverage by the media, and despite Clinton already courting people like him around the country. |
| Related: Hillary Clinton lambasts Republican obstruction on equal pay for women | Related: Hillary Clinton lambasts Republican obstruction on equal pay for women |
| As he juggled several shopping bags on his way toward another department store, Burns was unsure but knew this: The image Clinton projects – that of a strong woman – should resonate with the crucial black vote in the Carolinas, potentially helping her to secure enough early momentum in the critical primary state of South Carolina to make the old battleground of North Carolina competitive again. | As he juggled several shopping bags on his way toward another department store, Burns was unsure but knew this: The image Clinton projects – that of a strong woman – should resonate with the crucial black vote in the Carolinas, potentially helping her to secure enough early momentum in the critical primary state of South Carolina to make the old battleground of North Carolina competitive again. |
| Not that Republicans are poised to win over people like Bryan Burns to begin with. | Not that Republicans are poised to win over people like Bryan Burns to begin with. |
| “She has a history of advocating on behalf of what she believes in and, from a pure historic standpoint, it’d be great if she won,” Burns told the Guardian of Clinton, insisting that Republicans had made few inroads with black voters since Obama took office. “I still see them as catering to their base. Some of the candidates that have come out – Ben Carson, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio – they can branch out into those demographics that [Republicans] haven’t tried to before, but I don’t know if it’ll stick.” | “She has a history of advocating on behalf of what she believes in and, from a pure historic standpoint, it’d be great if she won,” Burns told the Guardian of Clinton, insisting that Republicans had made few inroads with black voters since Obama took office. “I still see them as catering to their base. Some of the candidates that have come out – Ben Carson, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio – they can branch out into those demographics that [Republicans] haven’t tried to before, but I don’t know if it’ll stick.” |
| On a swing back to South Carolina on Wednesday, Clinton set out to recapture the support of black voters – a key bloc of the coalition that twice helped propel Obama to the White House – by sticking to her message with a touch of Southern drawl. Eight years ago, Clinton developed a thorny relationship with African-American leaders here amid a grueling and bitterly contested primary with Obama that was roiled by racial tensions. This time around, the Clinton camp is acting aggressively to make sure things turn out differently. | On a swing back to South Carolina on Wednesday, Clinton set out to recapture the support of black voters – a key bloc of the coalition that twice helped propel Obama to the White House – by sticking to her message with a touch of Southern drawl. Eight years ago, Clinton developed a thorny relationship with African-American leaders here amid a grueling and bitterly contested primary with Obama that was roiled by racial tensions. This time around, the Clinton camp is acting aggressively to make sure things turn out differently. |
| What she did was not framed against some sort of wall of disapproval by African Americans. It just doesn’t exist | What she did was not framed against some sort of wall of disapproval by African Americans. It just doesn’t exist |
| From the moment Clinton declared her second presidential bid last month, the question of whether black voters would re-embrace her has loomed well beyond her small campaign gatherings with mostly white and Hispanic business leaders. But her activities in South Carolina, in many ways, served as a microcosm for how Clinton plans to woo African Americans – especially those who are women. | From the moment Clinton declared her second presidential bid last month, the question of whether black voters would re-embrace her has loomed well beyond her small campaign gatherings with mostly white and Hispanic business leaders. But her activities in South Carolina, in many ways, served as a microcosm for how Clinton plans to woo African Americans – especially those who are women. |
| Before opening up her campaign as the Democratic frontrunner next month with rallies in New York and policy speeches across more swing states, Clinton continued her around-the-table “listening tour” with minority women small-business owners and a keynote speech before a group of roughly 200 Democrats, most of them African-American women, in which she spotlighted women’s economic issues such as equal pay for equal work and pay transparency. | Before opening up her campaign as the Democratic frontrunner next month with rallies in New York and policy speeches across more swing states, Clinton continued her around-the-table “listening tour” with minority women small-business owners and a keynote speech before a group of roughly 200 Democrats, most of them African-American women, in which she spotlighted women’s economic issues such as equal pay for equal work and pay transparency. |
| Later, at a local bakery, the former secretary of state stumbled upon a pastor, Frederick Donnie Hunt, who was reviewing Corinthians 13 for Bible study. Clinton, a devout Methodist, talked scripture. She spoke of a preacher friend who sends mini-sermons almost daily, leaving Hunt impressed. “You have my vote,” he told Clinton as she got up to leave, after a conversation that lasted just a couple of minutes. | Later, at a local bakery, the former secretary of state stumbled upon a pastor, Frederick Donnie Hunt, who was reviewing Corinthians 13 for Bible study. Clinton, a devout Methodist, talked scripture. She spoke of a preacher friend who sends mini-sermons almost daily, leaving Hunt impressed. “You have my vote,” he told Clinton as she got up to leave, after a conversation that lasted just a couple of minutes. |
| Hillary Clinton chats with a pastor who was preparing for Bible study at Main Street Bakery in Columbia, SC. pic.twitter.com/PATnCOl3ar | Hillary Clinton chats with a pastor who was preparing for Bible study at Main Street Bakery in Columbia, SC. pic.twitter.com/PATnCOl3ar |
| Black voters make up more than 50% of primary voters in South Carolina, the last of four critical early voting states that Clinton has visited in phase one of her campaign. And while this time she is the clear frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, Clinton’s return to the state – and emphasis on her southern roots – offered a clear sense that this time, she is taking nothing for granted. | Black voters make up more than 50% of primary voters in South Carolina, the last of four critical early voting states that Clinton has visited in phase one of her campaign. And while this time she is the clear frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, Clinton’s return to the state – and emphasis on her southern roots – offered a clear sense that this time, she is taking nothing for granted. |
| In interviews in parallel with the highly orchestrated campaign on a road trip through parts of the south – from strip malls and shopping centers along Interstate-85 to a famed chicken-and-waffle joint visited by Clinton herself – dozens more black voters told the Guardian that while they may still be making up their minds about converting from Obama to Clinton, one thing was for sure: African Americans do not see their priorities reflected in the platform of her conservative rivals. | In interviews in parallel with the highly orchestrated campaign on a road trip through parts of the south – from strip malls and shopping centers along Interstate-85 to a famed chicken-and-waffle joint visited by Clinton herself – dozens more black voters told the Guardian that while they may still be making up their minds about converting from Obama to Clinton, one thing was for sure: African Americans do not see their priorities reflected in the platform of her conservative rivals. |
| A Republican image problem, from low-income workers to the gender gap | A Republican image problem, from low-income workers to the gender gap |
| Clinton already has a built-in edge with black voters due in no insignificant part to the lingering problems Republicans face with minorities. | Clinton already has a built-in edge with black voters due in no insignificant part to the lingering problems Republicans face with minorities. |
| There are now eight declared Republican presidential candidates and counting – the number could very well double in the coming month – yet few have made early moves to reach out to a demographic that has no favorite. | There are now eight declared Republican presidential candidates and counting – the number could very well double in the coming month – yet few have made early moves to reach out to a demographic that has no favorite. |
| Kentucky senator Rand Paul is the only candidate who has made criminal justice reform a key tenet of his campaign, telling Republican primary voters during his own swing through South Carolina on Friday that the party needed to do a better job of standing up for minorities. Others have spoken more broadly about the need to reduce income inequality, but at the same time have continued to scorn anti-poverty programs such as food stamps and Medicaid. | Kentucky senator Rand Paul is the only candidate who has made criminal justice reform a key tenet of his campaign, telling Republican primary voters during his own swing through South Carolina on Friday that the party needed to do a better job of standing up for minorities. Others have spoken more broadly about the need to reduce income inequality, but at the same time have continued to scorn anti-poverty programs such as food stamps and Medicaid. |
| “They’re not reaching out. They’re not showing they want to do something for the everyday American,” said Eugene Phillips, 68, a meat cutter at the discount grocery store Save-A-Lot in Columbia. “There’s people out there who are making $13,000 or $14,000 a year – they’re struggling, and they’re on food stamps. Republicans don’t want to give those people a break. They want to cut everything. They want to take money away from the weakest people.” | “They’re not reaching out. They’re not showing they want to do something for the everyday American,” said Eugene Phillips, 68, a meat cutter at the discount grocery store Save-A-Lot in Columbia. “There’s people out there who are making $13,000 or $14,000 a year – they’re struggling, and they’re on food stamps. Republicans don’t want to give those people a break. They want to cut everything. They want to take money away from the weakest people.” |
| Sean S, a 25-year-old truck driver, had a similar view of the GOP. Sitting at the food court inside Columbiana Center, a shopping mall about 10 minutes from where Clinton held her events on Wednesday, the father of two said it was too early for him to decide how he would vote next year. | Sean S, a 25-year-old truck driver, had a similar view of the GOP. Sitting at the food court inside Columbiana Center, a shopping mall about 10 minutes from where Clinton held her events on Wednesday, the father of two said it was too early for him to decide how he would vote next year. |
| Most Republicans believe: ‘I make my money so I should keep my money’ | Most Republicans believe: ‘I make my money so I should keep my money’ |
| “I’m concerned about health care and trying to help the person that doesn’t have the opportunity to help themselves. But I know that most Republicans believe: ‘I make my money so I should keep my money,’” Sean said. “The Democrats, they do a better job being about helping people.” | “I’m concerned about health care and trying to help the person that doesn’t have the opportunity to help themselves. But I know that most Republicans believe: ‘I make my money so I should keep my money,’” Sean said. “The Democrats, they do a better job being about helping people.” |
| Jonita I, a sales associate at a clothing boutique seated a few tables away, invoked recent riots in Baltimore over the police killing of Freddie Gray, an unarmed black man, and said the demonstrations had just as much to do with inner-city poverty. | |
| “People are mad, especially minorities and people on welfare that may not have the opportunities that more wealthy individuals do,” said Jonita, 24, who voted for Obama and is leaning toward supporting Clinton. “Republicans should put emphasis on their needs ... The rich or even the middle class are not struggling the same way or wondering where their next meal is going to come from.” | “People are mad, especially minorities and people on welfare that may not have the opportunities that more wealthy individuals do,” said Jonita, 24, who voted for Obama and is leaning toward supporting Clinton. “Republicans should put emphasis on their needs ... The rich or even the middle class are not struggling the same way or wondering where their next meal is going to come from.” |
| Such comments pose a sobering reality for Republicans in 2016, even two years after a scathing autopsy of the 2012 election commissioned by the Republican National Committee called for greater inclusion of minorities. Among the recommendations in the 97-page report was for Republicans to establish a presence in African-American communities, historically black colleges and universities, and at black organizations such as the NAACP. | |
| “We are never going to win over voters who are not asked for their support. Too many African-American voters have gotten in the habit of supporting Democrats without hearing anyone in their community making a case to the contrary,” the report said. | “We are never going to win over voters who are not asked for their support. Too many African-American voters have gotten in the habit of supporting Democrats without hearing anyone in their community making a case to the contrary,” the report said. |
| Despite gains in the 2014 midterm elections that helped Republicans retake control of Congress, roughly 90% of African Americans voted Democratic last November. And there is little evidence thus far that the population will be within the GOP’s reach in 2016 – a handicap that could haunt the party even in their southern stronghold. | |
| In North Carolina, the left-leaning Center for American Progress projected that the black population will move from 22% to 22.7% of the vote. If racial and ethnic groups turn out at the same levels they did in 2012, the odds are once again stacked against Republicans. | In North Carolina, the left-leaning Center for American Progress projected that the black population will move from 22% to 22.7% of the vote. If racial and ethnic groups turn out at the same levels they did in 2012, the odds are once again stacked against Republicans. |
| There’s a lot of racism that people don’t believe is going on – it’s been going on, but now you can see it | There’s a lot of racism that people don’t believe is going on – it’s been going on, but now you can see it |
| It will be at least a year before states like North Carolina come into play, as candidates invest both their time and resources on the early voting states that will decide the primaries. But prospective black voters in the Durham-Raleigh area – many of whom voted for Obama twice – are already warming up to the idea of supporting Clinton. | It will be at least a year before states like North Carolina come into play, as candidates invest both their time and resources on the early voting states that will decide the primaries. But prospective black voters in the Durham-Raleigh area – many of whom voted for Obama twice – are already warming up to the idea of supporting Clinton. |
| Anthony Jefferson, a 29-year-old from a neighboring suburb who works at an electronics kiosk in the Crabtree Valley Mall, said conversations with his peers have led him to believe that voters remain enthusiastic about Clinton’s candidacy. | Anthony Jefferson, a 29-year-old from a neighboring suburb who works at an electronics kiosk in the Crabtree Valley Mall, said conversations with his peers have led him to believe that voters remain enthusiastic about Clinton’s candidacy. |
| “I feel like people are probably going to be just as excited, because it’s a big step for women,” Jefferson said. | “I feel like people are probably going to be just as excited, because it’s a big step for women,” Jefferson said. |
| While he ranked the economy as a top priority, Jefferson added that it would be imperative for any major candidate to address issues such as criminal justice and police brutality. | While he ranked the economy as a top priority, Jefferson added that it would be imperative for any major candidate to address issues such as criminal justice and police brutality. |
| “There’s a lot of racism that people don’t believe is going on – it’s been going on, but now you can see it on social media,” he said. “It’s definitely a problem.” | “There’s a lot of racism that people don’t believe is going on – it’s been going on, but now you can see it on social media,” he said. “It’s definitely a problem.” |
| An early Clinton play, from Freddie Gray to healing old wounds | An early Clinton play, from Freddie Gray to healing old wounds |
| Even though Clinton’s reputation among black voters appears to be on solid ground, her campaign has moved quickly to lock in early support within the African-American community. | Even though Clinton’s reputation among black voters appears to be on solid ground, her campaign has moved quickly to lock in early support within the African-American community. |
| The campaign on Thursday tapped a former executive director to the influential Congressional Black Caucus to lead its African American outreach. And just last month, Clinton focused the first major speech of her campaign, at Columbia University in New York, on criminal justice reform amid the riots in Baltimore. | The campaign on Thursday tapped a former executive director to the influential Congressional Black Caucus to lead its African American outreach. And just last month, Clinton focused the first major speech of her campaign, at Columbia University in New York, on criminal justice reform amid the riots in Baltimore. |
| Related: Hillary Clinton: America must confront 'hard truths about race and justice' | Related: Hillary Clinton: America must confront 'hard truths about race and justice' |
| The moment could have proved awkward for Clinton, given former president Bill Clinton’s enactment of tough-on-crime policies that saw the black prison population grow by more than 50 percent on his watch. While she did not specifically mention her husband in the address, Clinton said it was time to end “the era of mass incarceration”, drew a direct link between prison sentencing reform and reducing income inequality, called for body cameras for police, and pledged federal funds that would enable state and local law enforcement to adopt better practices. | The moment could have proved awkward for Clinton, given former president Bill Clinton’s enactment of tough-on-crime policies that saw the black prison population grow by more than 50 percent on his watch. While she did not specifically mention her husband in the address, Clinton said it was time to end “the era of mass incarceration”, drew a direct link between prison sentencing reform and reducing income inequality, called for body cameras for police, and pledged federal funds that would enable state and local law enforcement to adopt better practices. |
| She even alluded to the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager killed by a neighborhood watch volunteer whose acquittal the following year sparked nationwide protests. | She even alluded to the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager killed by a neighborhood watch volunteer whose acquittal the following year sparked nationwide protests. |
| “You don’t have to look too far from this magnificent hall to find children still living in poverty or trapped in failing schools,” Clinton said, before referencing the fateful night when Martin went out to buy candy and an iced tea. “Mothers and fathers who fear for their sons’ safety when they go off to school – or just to go buy a pack of Skittles.” | “You don’t have to look too far from this magnificent hall to find children still living in poverty or trapped in failing schools,” Clinton said, before referencing the fateful night when Martin went out to buy candy and an iced tea. “Mothers and fathers who fear for their sons’ safety when they go off to school – or just to go buy a pack of Skittles.” |
| Clinton spokesman Tyrone Gayle said outreach to black voters will continue to be an integral part of her campaign. | Clinton spokesman Tyrone Gayle said outreach to black voters will continue to be an integral part of her campaign. |
| “Hillary Clinton is committed to issues important to African American voters and earning the support of the African American community,” Gayle told the Guardian. “That’s why the first major speech of her campaign laid out a broader vision for criminal justice reform, why she’s appointed African Americans to senior leadership positions in her campaign, and why she’ll continue outlining proposals that strengthen their families and communities.” | “Hillary Clinton is committed to issues important to African American voters and earning the support of the African American community,” Gayle told the Guardian. “That’s why the first major speech of her campaign laid out a broader vision for criminal justice reform, why she’s appointed African Americans to senior leadership positions in her campaign, and why she’ll continue outlining proposals that strengthen their families and communities.” |
| Speaking behind a podium again on the trail in South Carolina, Clinton did not emphasize race – even though last month, another outcry surfaced when Walter Scott, another unarmed black man, was shot in the back and killed by a police officer less than two hours away in North Charleston. | |
| Instead, her pitch was decidedly focused on economic issues such as equal pay, paid family leave and raising the minimum wage, although Clinton pointed out such matters disproportionately affected minority women. The speech was well-received by the majority African American crowd. | Instead, her pitch was decidedly focused on economic issues such as equal pay, paid family leave and raising the minimum wage, although Clinton pointed out such matters disproportionately affected minority women. The speech was well-received by the majority African American crowd. |
| Tameika Isaac Devine, a city councilwoman representing Columbia, said Wednesday’s address resonated with people like herself who are faced with a large number of constituents living in poverty. | Tameika Isaac Devine, a city councilwoman representing Columbia, said Wednesday’s address resonated with people like herself who are faced with a large number of constituents living in poverty. |
| “There are a lot of people who just can’t seem to make ends meet,” said Devine, who supported Obama in 2008 but said there are “no hard feelings” for Clinton at this stage. | “There are a lot of people who just can’t seem to make ends meet,” said Devine, who supported Obama in 2008 but said there are “no hard feelings” for Clinton at this stage. |
| “Honestly, to me, it was just politics. Nothing that happened in ’08 would keep me from supporting her now,” Devine said. | “Honestly, to me, it was just politics. Nothing that happened in ’08 would keep me from supporting her now,” Devine said. |
| Even so, Clinton used her speech this week – ahead of a more openly public schedule beginning in June, with her husband in tow – to highlight the relationship she developed with Obama after their contentious primary eight years ago. | Even so, Clinton used her speech this week – ahead of a more openly public schedule beginning in June, with her husband in tow – to highlight the relationship she developed with Obama after their contentious primary eight years ago. |
| The Clintons had always shared a positive relationship with African Americans, to the extent that Bill Clinton was even referred to as “the first black president”. But he came under fire while campaigning for his wife in 2008 for appearing dismissive of Obama’s candidacy. | The Clintons had always shared a positive relationship with African Americans, to the extent that Bill Clinton was even referred to as “the first black president”. But he came under fire while campaigning for his wife in 2008 for appearing dismissive of Obama’s candidacy. |
| “Give me a break. This whole thing’s the biggest fairy tale I’ve ever seen,” Bill Clinton said at the time, angering leaders in the African American community even as he insisted the remark had only to do with Obama’s stance on the Iraq war. | “Give me a break. This whole thing’s the biggest fairy tale I’ve ever seen,” Bill Clinton said at the time, angering leaders in the African American community even as he insisted the remark had only to do with Obama’s stance on the Iraq war. |
| On Wednesday, Clinton raised the issue indirectly herself – with a laugh. | On Wednesday, Clinton raised the issue indirectly herself – with a laugh. |
| “Some of you may remember we had a pretty vigorous campaign in 2008,” Clinton said, before recounting the story of how she initially declined Obama’s offer to serve as his secretary of state. | “Some of you may remember we had a pretty vigorous campaign in 2008,” Clinton said, before recounting the story of how she initially declined Obama’s offer to serve as his secretary of state. |
| “I say to my husband: ‘Can you believe this? I mean, the president-elect has asked me to be secretary of state. I told him no twice, and he said he’s not going to give up until I say yes’,” Clinton said. “And Bill said: ‘Well, as I remember, I asked you to marry me twice.’” | “I say to my husband: ‘Can you believe this? I mean, the president-elect has asked me to be secretary of state. I told him no twice, and he said he’s not going to give up until I say yes’,” Clinton said. “And Bill said: ‘Well, as I remember, I asked you to marry me twice.’” |
| She brought the house down with the punchline. | |
| Related: Martin O'Malley intends to win even if the odds are stacked against him | Related: Martin O'Malley intends to win even if the odds are stacked against him |
| Don Fowler, a former Democratic National Committee chairman who is close to the Clintons, said the crowd’s response to the Obama anecdote was a clear indication that any battle scars of the past have since healed. He said Clinton’s attentiveness toward African Americans during her South Carolina swing was nothing short of rational, since their votes are mostly up for grabs in the primary. In the general election, black voters remain likely to overwhelmingly swing for the Democratic nominee, who is widely assumed to be Clinton – unless someone like Martin O’Malley, declaring his candidacy on Saturday, gets in the way. | Don Fowler, a former Democratic National Committee chairman who is close to the Clintons, said the crowd’s response to the Obama anecdote was a clear indication that any battle scars of the past have since healed. He said Clinton’s attentiveness toward African Americans during her South Carolina swing was nothing short of rational, since their votes are mostly up for grabs in the primary. In the general election, black voters remain likely to overwhelmingly swing for the Democratic nominee, who is widely assumed to be Clinton – unless someone like Martin O’Malley, declaring his candidacy on Saturday, gets in the way. |
| “What she did was not, in my judgement, framed against some sort of wall of disapproval by African Americans,” Fowler told the Guardian in a phone interview. “It just doesn’t exist. She is very popular among African American people.” | “What she did was not, in my judgement, framed against some sort of wall of disapproval by African Americans,” Fowler told the Guardian in a phone interview. “It just doesn’t exist. She is very popular among African American people.” |
| Phillips, the meat-cutter, agreed, pointing out that he, his wife, and “everyone they know” plans to vote for Clinton. | Phillips, the meat-cutter, agreed, pointing out that he, his wife, and “everyone they know” plans to vote for Clinton. |
| “A lot of people liked Hillary and Obama – it wasn’t good that we had to choose between them,” he said. “Most people went for Obama, but this time he’s not running. Hillary is.” | “A lot of people liked Hillary and Obama – it wasn’t good that we had to choose between them,” he said. “Most people went for Obama, but this time he’s not running. Hillary is.” |