(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many adults in the United States believe the election of Barack Obama will help race relations in the country, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 70 per cent of respondents expect the situation to get a lot or a little better.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many adults in the United States believe the election of Barack Obama will help race relations in the country, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 70 per cent of respondents expect the situation to get a lot or a little better.
In American elections, candidates require 270 votes in the Electoral College to win the White House. On Nov. 4, Democratic nominee Obama secured a majority of electoral votes, defeating Republican candidate John McCain. Obama will become the first African American president in U.S. history when he takes over from George W. Bush—who served two four-year terms—on Jan. 20, 2009.
Earlier this month, political strategist Jamal Simmons discussed the effect of Obama’s victory on race relations, saying, "I think nobody really loves America more than black Americans, because black Americans loved America when America didn’t love us back. The relationship has been getting better for a long time. (…) But on election day, it was as if the object our long-term affection turned around and finally acknowledged that, though we have had our disagreements, like an old couple we are in this together. And finally, she embraced us back."
Polling Data
As a result of Barack Obama’s election, do you think race relations in this country will get a lot better, get a little better, not change, get a little worse, or get a lot worse?
|
Get a lot better |
28% |
|
Get a little better |
42% |
|
No change |
17% |
|
Get a little worse |
7% |
|
Get a lot worse |
3% |
Source: Gallup / USA Today
Methololody: Telephone interviews with 1,036 American adults, conducted on Nov. 5, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
