Recently Obama obliterated both Clinton and Edwards in the South Carolina primary with 55% of the overall vote and 78% of the black vote, Forbes.com notes that his win in South Carolina is even more impressive due to the fact that he hasn't been very successful in building "close relations with established leaders of the civil rights movement, and many traditional black leaders have been lukewarm toward his candidacy." His lack of success, Forbes claims, is due in part to the generational divide amongst blacks. They note how vets of the civil rights movement aren't too excited about new black leaders who are trying to go beyond ethnic politics. Probably because that's been their bread and butter, keeping them in comfortable houses and luxury cars and on soapboxes. Yet upcoming black leaders like DC Mayor Fenty (Howard Law Grad!!!), Massachusetts Governor Patrick and Newark Mayor Booker are amongst Obama's biggest supporters.
This is my humble opinion, but is it possible that our older leaders, these civil rights vets, while fighting the good fight on behalf of African Americans and minorities in general have also been building very valuable ties to those within the power structure they were trying to change and are now scared that all their networking and back scratching will go to waste if Obama wins? Cynical I know, but who hasn't had their share of questions about Uncle Al and Brother Jesse for instance.
On the flip side, as many Americans have very established opinions of older leaders both black and white isn't it better for a candidate like Obama, who's goal is to usher in change and "new" politics to not get too close to the elders...at least until he wins - something, be it the Demo nomination or Presidency.
I don't think having the older black leaders on the other side of the fence hurts Obama that much, in fact it might help him. Be honest...if Uncle Al speaks at one of Clinton's New York campaign stops do you think that'll help her black vote or hurt it? Just a question.
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