OBAMA TAKES SOUTH CAROLINA; WAS CLINTON REALLY THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT?

Sen. Barack Obama took South Carolina, in the Democratic presidential race, by a landslide of "more than twice the vote that rival Sen. Hillary Clinton did, 55 percent to 27 percent, unofficial returns showed." (See: "Obama claims big win in South Carolina"). The Black voters of South Carolina, which constituted 55 percent of the voters in Saturday's contest and 78 percent of their votes went to Obama, certainly propelled Obama over the top. (See: "Strong black vote gives Obama win").

In Obama's coming in with more than twice the amount of votes that Sen. Hillary Clinton received, the Black voters of South Carolina must have forgotten that former Pres. Bill Clinton was honored by the Congressional Black Caucus, in 2991, as being the first Black president. (See: "Clinton Honored As 'First Black President' at Black Caucus Dinner").

But to have a chance at his Party's nomination, Obama will have to broaden his base from that of just Black voters. According to Census figures for the year 2005, Blacks constituted only 13.4 percent of the total U.S. population. (See: " Facts for Features & Special Editions"). However, Latinos made up 15 percent of the nation’s total population." (See: " Facts for Features & Special Editions" Hispanics). Thus far, especially among young voters, he does seem to be broadening that base.