Concerned with Race, Religion, and Ethnicity

Is there a Bradley Effect in recent polls showing Barack Obama’s lead of as much as 11%?  I do not know.  For those not familiar with the theory it is that participants in polls will lie about their willingness to vote a Black man.  Tom Bradley, was the Black mayor of Los Angeles.  He ran for governor of California in 1982.  Although many polls showed him significantly leading, he lost the election.

I fear that the theory has merit.  The reason is that there have been too many other Black candidates who narrowly won or lost after polling data showed a significant lead.  Douglas Wilder, former Virginia governor, is an outstanding example of someone who had polls showing a 9% lead but won by less than 1%.  Others include Harold Washington’s four-point victory in the 1983 Chicago mayoral race despite a double-digit lead in polls, and David Dinkins’ two-point victory over Rudy Giuliani in 1989 to be New York‘s mayor despite a 14-point margin in late polls.

I personally believe that voting polls are trend indicators at best.  It’s not just people not telling the truth but many people not wanting to participate in any poll.  I question the validity of polling when so many people consider poll taker questions an invasion of privacy.

Sadly, too many Americans are more concerned with race, religion, and ethnicity than their own well being.  This example from a John McCain rally is a most telling indicator.  It is so bad in this country that people were opposed to Mitt  Romney as the Republican nominee because his religion is Mormon.  I always thought Mormon is a religious sect just like Lutherans, Baptists, or Catholics.  What do we Jews know? 

God gave man the right to choose.  He chose to eat the apple.  I conclude that Americans have the right to choose John McCain.  Well, the selection of president may be a flawed process but the U.S.A. is still the best place in the world.  I many not be happy but I will accept the results.  Will those bigots accept the results if Barack Obama is elected?