Polling data are unreliable because few voters would admit to a total stranger--in this case, a poll interviewer--that they harbor what might be considered racist sentiments. Chicago-based Democratic pollster Mike McKeon says his survey work shows that voters are well aware of the "stigmatism of racism," but the effects of that stigmatism are hard to gauge. It could mean that some whites really do have trouble voting for a black candidate and won't admit it. Or it could have the opposite result: Some whites end up feeling they have to vote for a black candidate to convince themselves they don't harbor racist sentiments.The real question is whether the fear of race will win over a possibly equal concern, the collective race-based guilt of white people. Look at France; they recently polled" target="_blank">click here at 93% for Obama despite having even close to adequate black representation in government;
French Obamania is also in blatant contradiction with the almost non-existent representation of blacks in French politics. Politis magazine speculates that, by supporting Obama, the French have found a no-cost, no-risk way to assuage their guilt.Will America's better qualities win out, or will the Bradley" target="_blank">click here Effect show how far our country still has to go? One way or the other we'll find out November 4th.
