Supporting evidence for the existence of the race gap still exists in election results today. According to CNN exit polls for the 2008 election, Sen. John McCain won the majority (55%) of white votes in the electorate (in which whites make up 74%). Sen. Barack Obama carried every other race listed on the exit poll. This includes: African Americans (95%), Latinos (67%), Asians (62%), and Others (66%), although these groups make up a substantially smaller portion of the electorate, 13%, 9%, 2%, and 3% respectively.
Looking back on the previous presidential election in 2004, we see that the race gap was an important factor too. In Laura R. Olson and John C Green’s article, “Introduction- ‘Gapology’ and the Presidential Vote,” they create a list of the largest “gaps” in the 2004 election. And not surprisingly, the race gap is at the top of the list. Bush won 58.7% of the white vote, and Kerry won 72.4% of the non white vote.
After analyzing the data from the past two presidential elections, it is clear that the race gap is still an important factor in presidential elections. Republican presidential nominees will most likely win the majority of the white votes and Democratic presidential nominees have a good chance of winning the majority of the non white votes.
*Side note: this week I learned that when analyzing exit polls, demographics are commonly used. These are things such as age, race, income, and religion or religious commitment (how many times per week Americans attend church). When looking at the data it is important to remember that these demographics don’t always work solo. In fact, many times two or more can work together.
I had a feeling when analyzing the race gap, that something else could be causing the gap, such as income. CNN’s exit polls do a good job of combining demographics. After looking at the table “Vote by Income and Race” it is clear that a race gap still exists, regardless of income.
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Race is a topic that I would like to think is largely irrelevant, but here come the numbers that point to it still being there. At least one result of this election, that I think all Americans should take justifiable pride in, is that there is now absolute proof that the race of a Presidential candidate is not the deal-breaker it was considered in the past. Related to Obama's election is something I remember hearing after the election but that I cannot cite specifically right now. That is a comment that the difference of 3.7% in white votes for Bush in 2004 versus white votes for McCain in 2008 was partially a result of Republicans who were unsatisfied with McCain sitting out the vote in November. If race really was the primary concern, I think more whites would have made it a point to vote for McCain based on his race alone, despite their personal distaste for him.
ReplyDeleteThe race gap was interesting to me as well, I also noted that Republicans get majority of the white vote and Democrats receive the minority votes. However, CNN's exit polls did an age and race breakdown as well, and I was not surprised that whites between the ages of 18-24 was the only "whites" category Obama won. It was interesting to check out these exit polls no doubt. Good post.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a very good observation, and one that has taken place throughout history. I just always wonder why it is that African Americans and people that are not white in general always vote democrat. I really cannot answer that question myself but have always wondered why. I do not understand because if you look at some prominent people in the republican party you see many African Americans. But also in the past it was Republicans who fought for civil rights. That is until Lyndon Johnson pushed the Civil Rights Act and the Republican candidate running against him, Barry Goldwater, was opposed to it. It has always been an intriguing question why it is that those people that are not white often vote democratic, but I don't know if it really has an answer.
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