Va. gov. candidates woo black voters

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By Sarah Abruzzese

RICHMOND | Virginia's gubernatorial candidates are working overtime to appeal to black voters, an influential voting bloc who helped win Barack Obama the presidency but are shown in polls as not being excited to vote this year.

The two gubernatorial candidates came to address the NAACP's 74th annual state convention in Richmond on Friday night after a gospel choir performance. But only a few more than 100 people stayed to hear Democrat R. Creigh Deeds and Republican Robert F. McDonnell speak, a lack of interest that has been repeatedly documented in polls.

The majority of black voters identify themselves as Democrats, which means overcoming that kind of apathy is particularly important for Mr. Deeds.

The latest poll, released Oct. 21 by the nonpartisan Public Policy Polling of Raleigh, N.C., showed that only 68 percent of blacks support Mr. Deeds and only 41 percent were "very excited" about the upcoming election.

In a poll by the same company taken between Oct. 21-23 last year, Mr. Obama had 88 percent of blacks supporting him. The question of excitement about the election wasn't asked.

At that time, blacks, who make up about 20 percent of the state's population, represented 30 percent of newly registered voters.

A lack of excitement in the polls isn't the entire story. Those queried by pollsters tend to be likely voters, which translates into people with a history of voting in multiple elections. It won't be known until Election Day how many of last year's first-time voters will turn out this year.

In Richmond, those convention attendees who spoke to The Washington Times said they are motivated voters, who mostly identified themselves as Democrats.

Ruth K. Thierry, 73, who lives in Richmond, said, "I wouldn't dare let the time go by and not vote."

The president of her residents' association, Ms. Thierry said she helps educate her neighbors about the election, but as a member of the Democratic Party she said it's rather obvious for whom she will cast her vote.