Black Americans Back Biden – But Why?

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Former Vice President Joe Biden remains the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for the 2020 presidential race – and, according to a recent poll, he’s destroying his competition when it comes to earning the support of black Americans. It also revealed, however, that while most blacks might be Democrats, they aren’t far-left progressives.

Biden: Black America’s Favorite Candidate

According to the Washington Post/Ipsos poll, 48% of black Democrats are supporting the former vice president. He leads his nearest competitor, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), by 28 points. In third place is Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) with a weak 9%.

Sanders does lead Biden among black Americans under the age of 35, getting 42% to the former vice president’s 30%. But this isn’t a surprise given the growing support for socialism among younger voters in general.

The study shows that black Democrats in the south cited Biden’s connection to former President Barack Obama and his electability as the main reasons for supporting him. Eula Woodberry, a Dallas resident, explained that Biden “is the candidate that can try to get this country back on track, because we are way out of control.” She continued: “He’s levelheaded. I think he’s experienced, and I think he will look at the big picture…he’s the type of person who can serve as the nucleus to bring people back together.”

Why are Blacks Choosing Biden?

The individuals who participated in the poll indicated that Biden’s association with Obama and his electability inspired their support – but there is another underlying reality in this equation. Both Obama and Biden are moderates compared to the rest of the field of candidates, who have espoused many of the far-left socialist policies that are being touted by the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

Certainly there are many Black Americans who also agree with the socialist promises of “free everything.” But the majority still subscribe to conservative values – and the ones who lean left are still more moderate than the rest of the party. It is for this reason that they shy away from the more radical policies of Sanders and Warren.

This poll is yet another indicator that black voters might be willing to consider the Republican Party if it can finally break through the perception that it is rife with bigotry. Indeed, many blacks would consider themselves conservatives, but will not embrace the GOP because they believe they are not welcome in the party. When the party returns to its roots as the Party of Lincoln, it may find a flock of black voters ready to make the move.

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Read more from Jeff Charles.