Hollywood Actor Samuel L. Jackson has admitted to something that appears to be the news of the century. He admitted he voted for then Senator Barack Obama because he was black.
In an interview with the New York Post on race in politics Jackson said,
“I voted for Barack because he was black. Cause that’s why other folks vote for other people — because they look like them.”
He was asked whether it was a little cynical to vote for a candidate based on his race and not based on the issues. He responded that he didn’t feel any guilt for that because Obama is a politician and it doesn’t matter what any politician says, as they all will say anything to get elected.
He said,
“That’s American politics, pure and simple. [Obama’s] message didn’t mean [anything] to me. In the end, he’s a politician. I just hoped he would do some of what he said he was gonna do. I know politicians … lie cause they want to get elected,”
The African-American vote was huge for President Obama in the 2008 election. Statisticians say that for any Democrat to win the White House they need to pull at least 80% of the black vote. In 2004, John Kerry pulled in 88% and in 2012 Obama pulled in 95% of the black vote.
President Obama faces a bit of a problem with Black voters this time around as black leaders, who were somewhat skeptical of Obama in the first place, are not thrilled with the President’s results for the black community.
If the black community votes like Samuel L. Jackson does it may be a huge difference in 2012?
Do you think it is right for people like Samuel L. Jackson to vote based on skin color and not on the issues?