Race/Age divide: Senior citizens and Barack Obama question?

There has been a major generational split among democrats so far in the primaries. What is the biggest reason senior citizens are less likely to support Barack Obama? Is it due to racial issues (senior citizens still doubt the ability of an african-american to get elected over a Republican--ie, don't think the country is ready) or experience issues? We were having this discussion at Seniorocity (the online community for baby boomers and seniors: http://www.seniorocity.com ) and I was wondering what the people here think. Re Obama and religion, there's a false email going around that says he's a muslim and doesn't like America: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp

Public Comments

1. at first i wanted to say no but....these people were raised during segregation...that could very well be...
2. I would vote for a Republican before I would vote for Barack Obama and that's quite a strong statement coming from this old Democrat. According to what I've seen on the campaign trail and from what I've read about his career as a Senator in his home state of Illinois the man is not ready to lead our country. Obama seems like a nice guy but this isn't a popularity contest. Race doesn't have anything to do with it.
3. I don't care if a man or woman is black , white, green, or purple...I just want to see the best decision maker in that chair, basically the opposite of Bush !
4. I haven't made any decisions on either party's offerings yet -- my personal drawbacks to Obama would be in the area of whether The US needs come first and foremost. (The same question that I have for several of the candidates).
5. As one of "these people" I can honestly say that I am not in the least bit at issue with his race. The age and experience is an issue as is the issue with others and their voting records. We are at war and in a recession and have many issues that I continue to look at the candidates to address and discuss. He has more of my respect as time goes on but it is the experience issue I am struggling with. I have made no decision and will continue to observe till I go to the polls.
6. I'm just glad Bush is not going to be there anymore.
7. If Barack had a little more time and experience, I could support him regardless of race. We need to remember that this office is not just a CEO position, it requires the ability to get both sides to agree, tackle important issues and defend our nation. I do fear that this election will result in voters deciding on race, gender, age and religion. All of which play no part in determining a candidate. It should be who can take charge, have the political support and ability to get it done!!!
8. for me it is not about race, but more about religion.........he is young and he still has time to try for it again later in life after he has had some more political experience...........
9. I find it interesting that people bring up his lack of experience, when for his 'tender age' he has a lot of experience. AND it seems not to have mattered in past Presidential Elections [such as Truman [a former haberdasher]; and Reagan [a former actor]. NOTE: 'it is more about religion' ??? paraphrased comment of one....Barack Obama is a CHRISTIAN...and regardless, religion should have no part in this election. Intelligence; analytical ability; knowledge AND the ability to learn quickly; decisiveness; and a strong penchant for rallying various 'forces' are more important to me. Yes, I am a supporter of Obama, and not solely because he is Black. I would vote for no one based on their race, religion, contacts, 'pull' etc. I find him much less manipulative than Hillary Clinton and at this point I am sick and tired of the politico types. Interesting enough when one looks at the demographics of polls taken re: Obama and the age and Black vote...he is VERY accepted and supported by many Blacks...just not the died in the wool '60's era so-called 'leaders'...and in age, in my area, the older AND younger voters like him. He is a formidable opponent, to be certain...even admitted to be so, by Ms. Clinton. It remains to be seen and is not a 'shoe in' for either candidate.
10. I really don't believe senior citizens have a issue over the race of a candidate. That may come into play only if one is a racist. Being the age of 66, I am pleased to say I was one of those in school when integration came about. We had no problems with it in South Texas. I have nothing against Obama. I am still making my decisions...haven't completely decided yet. I just don't believe the biggest reason why senior citizens are less likely to support Obama has anything to do with race. I personally was not aware of a poll suggesting this, so other than the comments I made above, I cannot respond any better than I have. My choice will be the best person to run our country, not based on color, sex, or even party. I have learned my lesson about that.
11. It's not a racial thing with me. It's an experience thing. I know Hillary can do better. But who I'd love is Huckabee, but of course, he's Republican. And I was in no way affected by segregation, I'm from the north, and everyone did everything together. I don't recall any segregation growing up.
12. Difficult one for me to answer, but I will try. I am 80 and I am 100% in support of Obama. We had our time and lets be honest, we messed it up. Continuing to put the same old tired people in office with the same old tired thinking, regardless of their age, does nothing for the future. The future belongs to the young and they need a young leader with a young new way of thinking and Obama is that person. It is my considered opinion we should help them achieve that end, now that such a person is in the forefront.
13. Maybe I'm a shout in the wind, but at 60 myself, I still detest racism with the same fervor from girlhood that it's nonsense, still hoping his elegant intelligence will prevail, and gonna back that hope with my vote.
14. I don't care about skin color but I do care about experience and maturity. Experience and maturity are the only things that can hone a person's decision making ability. You cannot learn it from a book, or from your friends or from your family. It must be learned by experience. We have an excellent example in the White House now of a person who never learned to make good, sound decisions and the country has suffered greatly because of it. The office of president of the U. S. is not a 'training or learn on the job' position. Obama does not have a proven record. We only know that he can do two, just two things well. He can give a good speech and he can win a seat in the senate. We don't know if he can actually DO the job of a senator because immediately upon winning a seat, he began running for president. He never had time to gain experience or to prove himself. He might make a good candidate in four years if he does his homework but now ...........no way.
15. i am over the hill and i am voting for obama on super Tuesday!!!
16. Being a senior I don't see any of them doing anything for us. Race is not a issue except those with closed minds and you can't change them. We need leaders not professional politicians running our government, remember this when you vote for congress and senators. Your job is to vote with mind open,
17. I haven't been following the "national beauty pageant" too much since I'm a non-partisan voter and have yet to see any party put forth their slate of candidates for the upcoming general election in November. However, I have not heard any candidate seeking the candidacy of the Democratic Party express any familiarity with the job description of President as set forth in Article II of the U.S. Constitution. I have heard a lot of talk which defines all of them as seeking the job of Federal Wizard King, offering solutions to every national problem except pattern baldness and liver spots. The same malady seems to exist on the GOP side of the ledger with one or two exceptions.
18. I don't open websites since my last virus, but I'll give you my opinion. I'm 52, disabled, & white, & I voted for him. We have early voting in FL. I think he's a breath of fresh air. My parents are both diseased, but I know my father wouldn't have voted for him (nor Hillary), but my mother might have. I wish the media would stop all of the "black hype" about him, though. It's bound to turn some white voters against him.
19. To me this is definitely not a religious thing. And race or gender does not come into the picture. Let's just say that this non-black Caucasion person is voting for Obama!!! Done, said, Period. No further comments to be made, I don't believe in discussing politics, it's kind of like religion, no one will agree and it gets you no where.
20. He's a liberal, same rhetoric as Hillary. I'm voting Republican (I'm an Independent) no matter who runs as a Republican. If you want taxes raised and the country to fall into a depression, vote for him. Color & religion have nothing to do with it.
21. At 66 I pretty much know what I want. I would vote for Obama, but my vote would not have anything to do with the color of his skin! I like what he has to say (and trust that he will follow thru if elected Prez), and I believe him to be a hard worker. I am not a Democrat - I vote independently. I would not vote for Hillary - she leaves me with a cold feeling and I do not think that she is sincere. I have seen that Snopes report about Obama possibly being a Muslim - so what if he is. Not all Muslims are bad people. I am a Jewess and I know that not all Germans were Nazi's during WW2! Let's get our priorities straight! As for his experience - Rudi G. was only a Mayor, and Ron Reagan was an actor! It takes a great deal of common sense to be the top guy at the White House! CJ
22. Most seniors make their decisions the same way any other mature, participating voter does; research the candidates, listen carefully to what they say, see what they've done in the past, what kind of experience does he/she have. For most, it has nothing to do with race or gender...... It is based on who's best qualified to hold the highest office in our country.
23. I just saw on TV that Obama wants to call Bill Clinton's hand on some statement he didn't like!!! Go Slick Willie!!!!!!!
24. Well the only thing I can think of is his having training under Islamic/Muslim education? I wouldn't want him to surprise us from the Presidency that he was going to let in 2 million muslims with no questions asked.....just like Bush has been doing with the Mexicans. Other than that I will vote for him because He is black (I'm white) just so he will hopefully pass more bills for the minorities meaning black America and us poor folk.
25. hillary will do a good job!!!!!!!!!
26. I think Barack Obama is a wonderful man. He is a senator of my state. I won't vote for him because he's too liberal for me. The main reason is amnesty for illegals and other things he's just too liberal on. I have written numerous letters to him and he always responds in detail.....no typical form letters. If we saw eye to eye on something I'd vote for him in a heartbeat because I believe his heart is in the right place and has the personality to really help motivate people. His race has nothing to do with why I won't be voting for him. I believe his wife would be a wonderful first lady......it's a shame we are just so far apart on some important issues to me.
27. I would not vote for him because he would not say the the Pledge Of Allegiance at a political rally. All the other politicians were standing with there hand across there heart or a salute and he stood with there with his hands in his pockets.
28. I really think you are out of touch with reality. You are expressing your own ideas and not ours. I have been working very hard to get Sen. Obama elected. Why would you think that Seniors as a whole dislike blacks? that's incredible. You are living in the 50s, this is the 21 century. give us a little credit for intelligence. Why would any of us want to vote Republican? We have seen very clearly what the last 8 years has done to our country, and how many of the Republicans were out and out crooks. You can hope and you can dream, but you are out of touch with the real world. Barack Obama is NOT A MUSLIM!!!!
29. in support of Obama
30. IF YOU GUYS WERE SMART, YOU'D REALIZE THAT HE'S NOT BLACK or WHITE....HE'S BOTH! His dad is from Kenya and his mom, Ann Dunham, grew up in small-town Kansas...and she's WHITE. duh!
31. I received the email you are talking about and it bothered me. Isn't his father muslim? With all the information flying, how do we pick true from false? If he's for real, I believe I would vote for him. But, that's a lot of responsibility for a young husband/father to carry and still maintain a happy home.