As is evident, if you have read this blog over the last several weeks, I cannot stand some of the racial rhetoric and, at times, flat-out racism displayed by some when it comes to Barack Obama. However, even with that being said, he has yet to get my vote. There are some things I agree with him on (his stance against the war and his push for a timeline to end our involvement in Iraq) but, there are things about him with which I disagree, as well (his vote on the bankruptcy bill in favor of credit card companies, his amenability to increasing the Pentagon’s budget).

In the end, I plan on voting on the person who embodies most what I want in a President, regardless of race or gender. Don’t get me wrong, if it is between him and an equally-qualified candidate, Obama will get my vote. But, if there are more minuses than pluses, I’ll support someone else.

In other words, as a black voter, I want candidates to work for my vote.

This is why I was so struck by the comments made by Dr. Cornell West at the recent annual “State of the Black Union” gathering. Dr. West offered his views on the Obama candidacy and what it takes for him, as a black person, to support a candidate. I found his words poignant and very representative of what I and many others I’ve spoken to have expressed in regards to not just Obama’s candidacy but, also, the candidacy of any candidate seeking our support.

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