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For Area Blacks, a House Divided
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That unfolding narrative has not been lost on black Clinton supporters.
"I felt the same euphoria" when the Rev. Jesse Jackson ran for president in the 1980s, said Curry, who is unwavering in his support for Clinton. And he has a message for his friends who support Obama: "I've been where you think you are going, son."
Obama doesn't have the substance or the experience that Clinton has, Curry said. He points to her extensive career in public service as the catalyst that drew him into her group of supporters. He said he first met Clinton in the early 1990s when Bill Clinton was president and was impressed with her commitment to issues "that are important to African Americans, such as education and health care."
Spruill knows he's standing virtually alone among his black peers in the Virginia House of Delegates. Among the 16 members of the state Black Legislative Caucus, which mainly consists of lawmakers from Richmond and Hampton Roads, only Spruill and Del. Jennifer L. McClellan (Richmond) support Clinton.
"What I see is that Hillary Clinton is the most qualified candidate and gives us the best chance to win," Spruill continued. "I want to win in November. She won't only win the battle, she'll win the war."
Debra Carter, former assistant secretary of transportation for Maryland, is also a Clinton supporter. "This is a moment in history where it is going to take courage to make a decision to do what is the best interest for this country at this point in time, and the best decision for me right now is Hillary Clinton," said Carter, who is organizing an African American rally for Clinton at Prince George's Community College tonight.
So far, only about 200 people have said they would attend. Her efforts have been met with some polite apologies. "They say, 'I'm sorry. We're going with Obama,' and then it's followed with a lot of love. At the end of the day, perhaps a dream ticket would be Clinton and Obama."
Staff writers Hamil R. Harris, Chris L. Jenkins, Anita Kumar, Jacqueline L. Salmon and David Nakamura contributed to this report.
