Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and the Black Vote

BALTIMORE, June 16, 2007 — -- At the House of Masters barbershop in Baltimore, they're talking politics -- presidential politics. Bring up who they are going to vote for in the Democratic primary, and you'll start a spirited debate.

"So you're voting for him just because he's black."

"No."

"But, but, but you are."

"The reason I'm voting for him is because I believe he has good morals."

For these black voters, the choice already boils down to just two -- Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., or Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

"I would vote for Hillary Clinton."

"Barack Obama. I mean the brother is worth being in office."

"I would go with Hillary, with experience of her husband being in there."

One of Hillary Clinton's biggest advantages is her husband, former President Bill Clinton. He remains enormously popular among African-Americans.

Former Baltimore mayor Kurt Schmoke was a supporter of the former president and believes there is still a strong connection.

"I think there is a lot of goodwill for her in the black community because of Bill Clinton," Schmoke said. "And if he weren't involved in the campaign, I am less confident that she would have that strong support."

And part of it is that many -- maybe most -- black voters are not flocking to Obama just because he's black.

It's much more complex than that says the activist Rev. Al Sharpton.

"You've got to remember, we've had two black secretaries of state," Sharpton said. "We've had black mayors, some of which have been disappointing. We've had blacks in high positions. ... The novelty of just saying, 'I'm black,' going for a big position is not what it was."

Sharpton flexed his own political muscle recently by sponsoring a candidates forum -- facetiously dubbed the "Sharpton Primary." Clinton and Obama, and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina all attended.

And what about African-American women? Will they be torn between loyalty to gender -- or loyalty to race?