Spring Break
Red, white and blue jay: political science professors talk 2008 election
Associate Professor Lester Spence
Issue date: 10/16/08
News-Letter (N-L): What are your thoughts on the historical significance of this election and your predictions for its outcome based on your own findings in the political science department?
Associate Professor Lester Spence (LS): Race is a critical component in this election - there are a number of African-American and white voters who did not think they'd live to see a day in which there'd be an African-American candidate.
Also, I do not think that it's a coincidence that this opportunity occurs when the economy is doing so poorly.
The economy is the single reason why Obama's going to win. America has to go through a really hard time before thinking about electing a black president.
Because the economy is so horrible due to policies that the Republican party has promoted over the last 30 years, it's easier for people to think that even if we don't want to elect a black person, anything has got to be better than what we've had previously.
If we weren't having such problems, I think we'd be heading toward a McCain presidency.
[Also], I think that there will be a number of whites who will not be comfortable voting for Obama solely based on his race.
However, that number will be dwarfed by the number of people looking for a new way of governing [that Obama can offer]. I don't think that the race will even be close.
N-L: Is there any specific issue that you are focusing on in this election?
LS: For those interested in black politics, the central question will be to what degree black progressives will be able to critique President Obama without being condemned by other African-Americans.
N-L: What are your own hopes for the election and its outcome?
LS: I hope the election will create a new wave of sentiment that points us toward government-centered solutions rather than away from government-centered solutions.
Associate Professor Lester Spence (LS): Race is a critical component in this election - there are a number of African-American and white voters who did not think they'd live to see a day in which there'd be an African-American candidate.
Also, I do not think that it's a coincidence that this opportunity occurs when the economy is doing so poorly.
The economy is the single reason why Obama's going to win. America has to go through a really hard time before thinking about electing a black president.
Because the economy is so horrible due to policies that the Republican party has promoted over the last 30 years, it's easier for people to think that even if we don't want to elect a black person, anything has got to be better than what we've had previously.
If we weren't having such problems, I think we'd be heading toward a McCain presidency.
[Also], I think that there will be a number of whites who will not be comfortable voting for Obama solely based on his race.
However, that number will be dwarfed by the number of people looking for a new way of governing [that Obama can offer]. I don't think that the race will even be close.
N-L: Is there any specific issue that you are focusing on in this election?
LS: For those interested in black politics, the central question will be to what degree black progressives will be able to critique President Obama without being condemned by other African-Americans.
N-L: What are your own hopes for the election and its outcome?
LS: I hope the election will create a new wave of sentiment that points us toward government-centered solutions rather than away from government-centered solutions.
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