Walking the IE streets, checking political pulse
We are working on a big weekend story about the 2008 presidential campaign, the unconventional faces it features (Sarah Palin, first Republican woman on ticket; Barack Obama, first black presidential nominee), and whether the issues and people are really engaging Inland residents who aren't typically interested in national politics.
I visited a Starbucks near UC Riverside and a barber shop in San Bernardino today for some preliminary reporting.
I'm a little heavy on the Obama supporters now, but I'll get more McCain backers in my print story.
Click below to see some of the people I talked to and read what they had to say ...
Annette Maison is an 18-year-old college student and immigrant from Ghana (a West African nation).
She said she was undecided, but that she relished her first opportunity to vote in November. To her, the fact that an African American was on the ticket was not quite as monumental as it was for other African Americans. She said that being an immigrant from Ghana meant that she didn't have the same deep memory that American blacks had of the injustices of the nation's past.
"I'm looking for who is going to help this country the most," she said. "I need to hear more about their plans. But it is great to see so many people so into what's happening in the election."
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Tony Evens, 20, said he didn't have much time to think about politics, nor much faith in the system. Evens is homeless, and argued with a security guard who told him to stop panhandling outside a Riverside Starbucks.
But Evens did say he liked the idea of a black president, and the concept of change.
"Everything's changing, everyone wants to see change," he said.
But Evens was skeptical.
"Sometimes I think it may happen for Obama, but then I think it won't happen," he said. "Nobody's going to let a black man be president."
Evens admitted that he probably wouldn't vote.
"I don't vote, I vote in my head," he said.
Evens said he was braced for tragedy.
"I think it's all a setup," he said. "Obama would be too big of a step."
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Vy Do is a 22-year-old college student. Her parents immigrated from Vietnam. She didn't know on Thursday afternoon that Sarah Palin was the Republican vice presidential nominee.
"I'm really not interested," she said, making clear she'd rather read her book outside the coffee shop than answer a reporter's questions.
"I really don't care about politics; the political thing gives me a headache."
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Richard Han is a 26-year-old graduate student in mathematics. He was eating lunch outside Starbucks.
"I don't follow the news at all," he said. "It's not a concern for me."
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Patricia Allen, 52, is energized. She loves the Palin pick, and pointed out to me that women have made tremendous strides since Shirley Chisolm's run for the White House in 1972.
"I'm really excited that both parties are embracing new faces," she said.
But Palin has her heart, Allen said.
"She was an excellent choice," Allen said. "I wasn't even aware McCain was considering her, but what a great strategy."
She talked about a female friend who was on the fence, but is now in the Republican camp because of Palin's inclusion.
"I've always wanted a woman Republican on the ticket," she said.
Allen defended the Alaskan governor's light resume.
"Clinton and Reagan were governors with no foreign policy experience too," she pointed out.
Allen also addressed Palin's large family, which some have suggested might suffer if she is working in the White House come March.
"Women often aren't able to move forward with their careers in politics because they are raising families," she said. "Palin is showing that a woman can do both."
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At Luv'd Ones Barber Shop in San Bernardino, the love was all for Obama/Biden.
Maurice Griffin, a 37-year-old barber, broke from chatting in the shop to talk poltics.
"I'm voting for Obama," he said. "I have never cared as much about politics as this year, I'm following all the news on it this time."
Griffin said the barber shop's lively conversations were colored with lots of political talk this year.
"People come in, and we talk about Obama all the time," Griffin said. "Some of the women still talk about Hillary too."
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Dorian English, 34, is the barber shop's manager.
He said he can't stand George Bush, and he loves Obama. But he said two things bother him: The "racial stuff" he said the Republicans and others are slyly slinging at Obama, and the deep fear that it all could be dashed.
"I hate the mudslinging and all the racial stuff," English said. "If Obama wins, they are going to blame everything going wrong on him."
English voiced another concern, one that has a reverberates like a tragic thread through many African Americans' outlook on the race. Assassination.
"I worry about assassination," he said. "If they want you dead, you are going to be dead," he said. "Look at Kennedy, and Martin Luther King."
But this time, he said, the world will be watching more closely.
"A lot of conspiracies have worked in history," he said. "But our eyes are wide-open on this one."
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Deshawn Deyampert, 25, is a barber at Luv'd Ones. He said he'll vote Democrat for the first time in November, because of the Obama campaign. In 2004, he voted for Bush.
"I don't know what I was thinking," he said. "I guess I thought he wouldn't turn out like this."
Deyampert doesn't like to focus on race.
"It's a big deal that we might have a black president, sure, but that's not what's most important here," he said. "The economy is most important, because it's in bad shape, and this war has got to go."
Deyampert said he doesn't know anyone who is voting for McCain, but did concede that Palin's pick is intriguing.
"I think Palin is going to get some extra votes from women, a lot of women were really into Hillary Clinton's campaign."
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"Newz" is a 35-year-old barber. He said he had his name changed to the one word, "Newz."
"Man, there's a lot of dirty politics, a lot of low blows by the Republicans," he said.
Newz is very cynical.
"I know politics, and I don't think Obama can win," he said. "The system is rigged."
Newz is not moved by the Palin pick.
"That was just about getting votes that were going to go to Hillary Clinton," he said.
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J-Dee Williams, 28, was a customer at the barber shop. He said he voted for John Kerry in 2004, and will vote Democratic again.
"When Bush took office, that's when I started voting," he said.
But Williams is enthused about the Obama campaign.
"This is history in the making," he said. "He's so brave, I hope he gets it, this is a historical election for me."
Williams said "I was touched by that speech," about Obama's treatise on race in response to criticism of his church pastor.
"Change, it's about time for change," he said.
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Jaie Wills, 28, is a barber. He'll vote for Obama.
"He's a good man, and he says what I want to hear," he said while clipping a boy's hair.
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Erik Lujan, 23, is a barber. More than the others, Lujan ticked off some major issues.
"Obama is promising us what people have been asking for," he said. "Increase the minimum wage, come up with a new energy policy, free health care, get the country going again."
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Gina Buckner, 40, brought her daughter to the barber shop.
She said some attacks on Obama were racially motivated.
"What was up with people judging him for what his pastor said?" she asked. "And the thing is, a lot of what the pastor said was true, but people don't want to hear it, what about free speech?"
But Buckner said she was ambivalent about the election.
"I don't care who wins, as long as Bush is gone," she said.
*******
Just to give some historical perspective, here is a glimpse at what will be featured as a graphic element in our weekend story:
Fresh faces: Before Sarah Palin became the first woman on a
Republican ticket and Barack Obama the first African American to earn
a party nomination, these modern American campaigns shifted
landscapes, blazed trails and energized previously dormant swaths of
the electorate.
Candidate: Robert F. Kennedy
Year: 1968
Impact: RFK's outreach to the poor and minorities, including African
Americans, California Latinos and Appalachia whites, was
unprecedented and had him riding an impassioned wave through the
Democratic primaries before his assassination.
Candidate: Geraldine Ferraro
Year: 1984
Impact: As the first woman named as a vice presidential nominee on a
major party ticket, Ferraro used a brash and outspoken style in
breaking a nearly 200 year old barrier and inpsire legions of
politically ambitious women.
Candidate: Jesse Jackson
Year: 1984, 1988
Impact: With apologies to Shirley Chisholm's 1972 quest, Jackson was
the first African American to mount a nationwide presidential
campaign. Jackson briefly enjoyed front-runner status in 1988, and
his far-left platform and "Rainbow Coalition" of supporters drove
minority turnout.
Candidate: Hillary Clinton
Year: 2008
Impact: Came within a hair of becoming the first woman presidential
candidate nominated to a major party ticket, and drew nearly 18
million votes and droves of die-hard supporters with her tough
demeanor and resilient campaign.
this must not be in sb unless it's hospitality lane
Unfortunatley we aren't left with much of a choice on either side - Obama or McCain. Of the VP picks Palin is the only choice. Biden has loose lips - that man couldn't keep a secret if his life (or ours) depended on it.
I think that either Biden or Palin could be President within the next four years - McCain is old, can he make it through the stress of the Presidency? And neither are supremely popular - there is always the risk of assassination.
In my opinion we need to pick the Presidency on who is the VP that could become President....
People need to educate themselves and not vote because a person is Black or a Woman. There are a not of ignorant comments here, people aren't searching out facts, they are just grousing and whining. I don't care who votes for who (tho I have my pick), but for gosh sakes people, make your own decision and don't vote just because you want a black president or a white woman VP. Study what it means to be a Republican or a Democrat. Learn what they stand for. How many people know that the REPUBLICAN party was against slavery and the DEMOCRATIC party fought them? Yes, the south was DEMOCRATIC. It's appalling how many blacks don't know that fact. Yes, fortunately things have changed, but voting when you are ignorant of the facts is a slap in the face to our democracy.
But it isn't only about the party - it's about the candidate.....
You are partially right, it is about the cadidate to a point, but his party and where his party stands is also an important part of how he will make his decisions. HE will be elected to lead the party he is a part of. If you think it's only about the candidate, then you don't know American politics.
Republicans want smaller government and Democrats want larger government. That is the facts. Which do you want, reguardless of who the candidate is? The good thing about McCain is that is sort of a liberal Republican, which is unusual. He wants smaller governament, lower taxes and is willing to work with the Democracts to find a way to comprimise and make things happen. I'm just saying it's wrong to be for a black man because he's black. You have to decide if you are a democrat or not? IF you are not a democrat and vote for him anyway, then it's a racially motivated vote, is that right? The same is true of Palin or even Hillary, to vote for her just because she is a women is being prejudiced and unjust. You have to vote for their principles and not their color, race or gender to be fair. Blacks wouldn't want whites to vote white just because they are white, we all know intellectually that's wrong. It goes both ways.
McCain is seeking to remove his appearance of being one of the "Good ol' boys" from the GOP now that he has gotten the nomination.....
it's more about the candidate, not the party.
The selection of the President of these United States should NOT be a choice of race, gender, religion or the support of special interests. This most important choice should be based on qualifications and experience across many parameters. Prior accomplishments should also be factored into the decision.
Yes, the media would love to make this choice a matter of race, or gender and totally disregard experience. The media does NOT have to live with the results or the outcome. We the voters must live with our choice and hold this choice accountable.
Additionally the voters must never lose sight of the fact that one person does not run or rule our country. We have a House of Representatives and a Senate who each and every one play a key part in shaping our country and its direction, short and long term.
I trust the American voters fully understand the importance of their vote and play little attention to the biased reporting that is so commonplace in all the media today. If you listen to the media and do not investigate both candidates, you are allowing this decision to be made for you and that is just wrong.
We all must vote, we all must understand why we vote as we do and the importance of our vote.
Someone's support of special interest groups IS important.
Robert,
I'm just wondering how many places in San Bernardino did you actually visit to "check the political pulse of the city?"
In your post, it seems like you only interviewed a few people outside of a Starbucks and then went to the barber shop, the same one from an earlier story.
I understand you were looking for Obama/Biden supporters. But of the 13 people you interviewed in the story, 9 appear to be black and most of them are young men all of whom work in the same place, the barber shop. Based on what I read, you also interviewed one white woman, one Latino man, two Asians and two black women.
Why are there no young upwardly mobile black professionals featured in this story? Why are there no black attorneys or physicians or educators pictured? You have one black business owner, fine. But there are plenty of black people in San Bernardino who work in the medical field, in education, office buildings, restaurants, real estate, law firms, banks, brokerages, etc. Did you go looking for a varied mix of people at all? It looks like you were looking for pro-Obama supporters and figured you'd find that quickly at the barber shop.
And why is there only one white person and only one Latino pictured? I'm sure there is more than one white person living in San Bernardino and I'm also sure a few even support Obama. I understand if you want the voice of those who may be have not been represented in the past but there are other people living in San Bernardino too. Do not forget them. Did you even talk to anyone living in the north end of the city, did you knock on any doors there? What I see here is not an accurate cross-representation of residents living in San Bernardino. I have lived in poor places in the city as well as middle- and upper-class areas of the city. I have also worked the polls in various areas of the city so I know it well and who lives where.
There are places where you will find a good fair mix of people of all ages, races and ethnicities to interview. Hospitality Lane restaurants at lunchtime or St. Bernadine's Medical Center cafeteria. Movie theaters or the mall. You could have spoken to students at Cal State. The Inland Empire Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce, the Black Student Union at Cal State would have been happy to help you I'm sure.
I don't think you represented the "political pulse of the city" accurately at all. I hope when you interview McCain supporters, you won't just go to the Arrowhead Country Club looking for old white men, either, and consider your job done.
There are plenty of Latinos and white people who support Obama. Just as there are indeed Black people who support McCain. Next time, I hope you are more well-rounded and accurate in your reporting.
I understand your concern, but I think you are being a bit unfair considering that I said this was a "preliminary" piece of the work I'm doing.
Anyway, if you check today's story in the paper you'll see a better, if small, cross-section.
As for your assertion that I was "looking" for Obama/Biden supporters, that is not true.
As for finding more "professionals," I'm not really concerned with that for this story. Upper middle class sensibilities are already over-represented in the media, in my estimation.
It's the people on the margins - the young, the poor - whose voices are heard too few times. I'm going to get their voices.
Thank you for your constructive criticism. I have read it and will do my best to put it to use in my work.
Robert Rogers
Robert,
I am neither young nor poor but I am a homeowner in San Bernardino. Should I take it that your response means that anyone in an upper middle-class tax bracket doesn't deserve to be heard in The Sun, that their opinions regarding their own community should count for nothing?
I don't understand why you view professional success as something that makes one undeserving of an opinion in your newspaper. I am also concerned that you would openly admit to excluding certain people from a story you are writing based solely on their socio-economic status, especially when the story is supposed to be about the views of the people in that community. What is this if not reverse discrimination?
I've always believed the newspaper was intended to serve the community as a whole, meaning everyone - not just certain groups.
"Upper middle class sensibilities are already over-represented in the media, in my estimation.
It's the people on the margins - the young, the poor - whose voices are heard too few times. I'm going to get their voices."
You need to represent all the people of SB from the uneducated (that you interviewed in this piece) to the highly educated and those in between. The people you interviewed had no idea what the Candidates or their politics were. Just vague general comments. Ok we heard their views, but how about a story with some real information that people can educate themselves by reading it? Aren't you suppose to be providing a service to the people you serve? Just quoting statements that have very little thought or facts behind them does not do that. HOw about some thoughtful quotes from people that can back up what they say with facts and knowledge? They can be poor, black or hispanic, but geez, shouldn't they have something to say that means something if you want the rest of us to read it?
For both the above commenters:
I am not speaking for The Sun, only for my one humble report.
I said I sought young and poor people. I didn't exclude anyone, as you can see the stuff up there.
Bottom line, Jenara, is that you misconstrued everything I said.
As for the other commenter, I do not need to represent "all" of the city in one piece. That's ridiculous. If you don't like these people's opinions, or you don't think they are intelligent, that's your perogative.
Thanks for reading and writing,
Robert Rogers
Robert,
As far as I understand, I misconstrued nothing. I merely based my comments on your response: "As for finding more "professionals," I'm not really concerned with that for this story. Upper middle class sensibilities are already over-represented in the media, in my estimation."
I would sincerely hope that when writing an important story like this regarding who will lead our country for the next four years, that you would seek the opinions of a wide range of people with an unbiased eye including the rich and the poor, the old and young. As I said earlier, the newspaper is intended to serve the community as a whole, not just the groups that you deem, in your humble reports, fit to be served. So far, you've said nothing to lay my concerns to rest.
And as long as you write for the Sun and your articles appear in it, you are an ambassador for your newspaper and your actions reflect upon it.
Robert,
In fairness, Robert, I do thank you for taking the time to respond to my concerns, and in a timely manner. In my experience, not all reporters would have responded so quickly or at all to a reader's questions or concerns, especially when they are not always agreeable ones.
From the looks of things you are a busy man and I imagine your job is not an easy one so I do honestly thank you for your response.
Jenara,
I always appreciate feedback from readers.
Any journalist worth his/her salt knows that criticism broadens perspective and nourishes understanding.
Thanks again,
Robert
Who would have thought that so many in our Country have become so unpatriotic in showing disrespect and disdain for John McCain. This wounded warrior, a tortured POW, and a remarkable Senator with a distinguished record on the side of the people has been smeared by a Barack Hussein Obama on many fronts of this political campaign.
One of the latest mud raking attacks has been on McCain’s inability to use his hands to use a keyboard to send an e-mail. This image being sent by the Democratic campaign does not recognize the tremendous training and ability involved in flying a war plane that McCain flew into battle countless times in the defense of our Country at war. It also does not recognize McCain’s true record of the computer savvy statesman that he is. It also attacks him for his age.
Obama does not acknowledge that McCains limbs were broken and twisted for the many years he was a POW and that prevents him from using a keyboard.
The Hollywood trash that continue to bash a Champion of the real people of this Country look down their noses at our core values and the possibility of two honorable and honest servants to our Country. This trash looks down on the aged, the women who represent the real honest to goodness values, and anyone who believes in God. The saddest commentary is that so many wide eyed politically ignorant first time voters listen to the rock stars and the disgusting promoters of a no-values-no morals in venues that continue the hysteria.
The fact that the public in general condones these cheap shots is unbelievable. These coming from a Democratic candidate who has never faced an enemy in time of war and whose closest encounter with a terrorist is William Ayars, a good friend of his. This bomb throwing poor excuse for an American is shameful. Another terrorist espousing hate for America via the “God Damn America” sermons is Obama’s preacher. These are but two of many shameful associations this mud raker has. Yet, where is the outrage for these attacks on a wounded war hero. Where are our veterans’ voices?
Joe Ortiz San Bernardino,Ca
All these Lemmings going over the cliffs for Obama are pushing much of our society over as well. So very many cannot envision how the evil threats from so many cultures in the world will be met by Obama. They follow blindly like zombies on a quest of destruction, theirs, and ours. They cannot look far enough ahead to see that the true security of America must be in the hands of someone like John McCain, a war hero that has been tested to the very maximum and survived to be able to lead our economy and our security into the strongest recovery ever and still keep our values, morals, and trust in God. He has been wise in choosing Sarah Palin. This goes to the adage that if you want something done right, the best man for the job is a woman.
It is much easier to be a Chicken Little Obama type that detests any and every success about our wonderful country. Every time he yells “fire”, all his supporters repeat “fire” in great multitudes, no matter what the collateral damage may be. He has all these multitudes and their financial support in the major TV news coverage, the so called late night comedians, the rock stars, the TV and movie stars(blockheads). He raised $10,000,000 Tuesday night from these types who hate everything American in our Middle Class society. As of August, he has acquired a $400,000,000 campaign war chest. Due to the fact that he chose to take private donations and contributions ($10,000,000 Tuesday from Hollywood) instead of sticking to the legal contributions standards that the McCain campaign has stuck with, Obama has double the money to buy everything and everyone that he needs to attempt to get his doom and gloom message across our nation. He follows the message by stating that with his one year resume in the Senate, he will save us all with his numerous spending agenda. That war chest can buy a lot of votes, legally or otherwise. Look up his Acorn organization association in recruiting ballots from his “community organizer” experience.
All this is to state that we, the ones who also advocate Country First, must not be weak in our resolve.
We also need to remember the October registration deadline.
The countries in the world that would like to see America fail in its economy and the ability to win the war on terror are in the absolute majority. This is followed in their hue and cry for the United States to elect Obama, not just as our president, but as the president of the world.
It is not just Europe, but just about every Asian country and all Islamic parts of the globe. Japan is one of the exceptions because those leaders know of the hurtful ripple effect that the Democratic policies espoused by this candidate would create everywhere, not just in our nation..
Why do these countries have so many of our own citizens as allies in our own United States that have reverted to the September 10th mentality before the day Osama reared his ugly and evil head? Could it be that the uninformed and unpatriotic Obamaniacs believe that evil no longer exists? Could it be that they follow the Pied Piper’s very well delivered and rehearsed teleprompter rethoric? Have they all been blinded into believing the San Francisco, Hollywood, and European talking heads. These are the same types that believe America’s core beliefs, family values, and belief in one’s God must be dismantled and destroyed. In their minds, are they going along with the elitists who despise the Middle Class of America? Have the uninformed followers of The One forgotten the impact of sanctuary cities mentality effect on our hospitals, our schools, our safety not only on us, but the lives of out children and grandchildren in the future?
All this is to state that we, the ones who also advocate Country First, must not be weak in our resolve. We must resist the go along to get along mentality. You know who these people are. They are the ones who listen to a racist, sexist, or religious joke and laugh along with the crowd. We must defend our candidates to the best of our ability. If you do not feel confident in answering back to a slur, then do the best you can. Your answer to many of the outrageous lies and deceptive implications can be just to say. “THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU JUST SAID, AND REMEMBER THAT YOUR KIDS FUTURE AND EXISTENCE DEPENDS ON THE RIGHT CHOICE.” You don’t need rocket science answers, just make them think about what their grandparents would want for this great country.