This guide discusses the range of participation by African Americans in the Democratic Party, the geographic and partisan dimensions of the black vote in recent years, and black voters' attitudes toward many issues that may be significant in the fall campaign. Detailed statistical tables and a discussion of the 2008 Democratic National Convention's black delegates and alternates make this guide a must-have resource for reporters, convention participants and scholars alike.

Click these links to access the insert Comparing the Candidates: Improving the Health of a Diverse America and the Roster of Black Democratic Convention Delegates.

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Publication date: August 2008

This guide discusses the range of participation by African Americans in the Republican Party, the geographic and partisan dimensions of the black vote in recent years, and black voters' attitudes toward many issues that may be significant in the fall campaign. Detailed statistical tables and a discussion of the 2008 Republican National Convention's black delegates and alternates make this guide a must-have resource for reporters, convention participants and scholars alike.

Click these links to access the insert Comparing the Candidates: Improving the Health of a Diverse America and the Roster of Black Republican Convention Delegates.

Available in PDF Format Only.

To download this publication, click the file icon below.

Publication date: August 2008

While African Americans do not believe global warming is one of the most pressing national problems the U.S. confronts, there is a widespread recognition of the problem of global warming among them, and a strong belief that the federal government should take steps to deal with it. There is also a fairly widespread understanding that there will be costs associated with dealing with global warming, but also a belief that the economics of dealing with global warming will present new opportunities for many, and that the country will be much better off if the government forthrightly begins the long process of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, African Americans, when queried about their willingness — as individuals — to incur additional costs to deal with global warming, are reluctant to agree to even modest increases in their monthly outlays

The following is a brief review of some of the available evidence of what transpired on November 7, 2006, when the Democrats gained control of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The black vote played a critical role in the outcome of a number of closely contested elections, especially for the U.S. Senate. In particular, this review focuses on the behavior and significance of African American voters in the 2006 midterm elections and on the changing number and profile of black candidates for federal and statewide offices, as well as their performance at the polls.

With the presidential primary season now in full swing, the significance of the African American vote, particularly in choosing the Democratic nominee, has become increasingly clear. While not particularly significant in the two states that traditionally go first in the process, Iowa and New Hampshire, the black vote will be critical in the primaries in Michigan (Jan. 15), South Carolina (Jan. 26), and Florida (Jan. 29). And on Feb. 5, when voters in states from New York to California cast their ballots, African American voters could determine the victors in several of the races.

This analysis is a brief review of some available evidence regarding the November 4, 2008 election. In particular, this review focuses on the election of President-elect Barack Obama, the behavior and significance of African American voters in the 2008 elections and the profiles of black candidates for federal office.

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Publication date: December 2008

Melanie Campbell, CEO and Executive Director of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP), reflects on NCBCP's accomplishments and looks forward to the organization's efforts to increase black turnout in the 2008 elections.

Dr. Andre Brimmer looks back at how this economic crisis began and how it will challenge the Obama administration.

Dr. Fredrick Harris of Columbia University analyzes how the election of Barack Obama has affected the social identities of African Americans and what this means for the next four years.

On the day following such a historic election, FOCUS Magazine interviewed Rep. James E. Clyburn for his reactions and perceptions of the challenges that lie ahead.