A lot, according to the national media. From Jon Stewart’s Daily Show to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the story angle has been how a larger percentage of West Virginians considered race a factor in their vote. What else could one assume when Obama wins lily-white states like Iowa and North Dakota, but gets beaten so soundly in West Virginia? 

From the New York Times:

The number of white Democratic voters who said that race influenced their choice on Tuesday was among the highest recorded in voter surveys in the Clinton-Obama nomination fight. Two in 10 white West Virginia voters said that race was an important factor in their vote, and more than 8 in 10 of them backed Mrs. Clinton, according to surveys of voters leaving the polls.

Not surprisingly, it has sparked a lot of angst and debate from West Virginians on the message boards and letters to the editor.

The 1 in 5 West Virginians (by the way, probably higher since some would be embarrassed to admit as much) who viewed race as a primary decision factor is tremendously troubling. However, would Obama have won North Dakota and Iowa if the Rev. Wright factor had been in play at that time? Many think probably not, but who knows.

The concern is not for those voted for Clinton for valid reasons (qualifications, relationship with the state, etc.). The concern is for the 20% who let color color their vote so strongly and were brazen enough to admit it. One thing for sure, we have a long way to go in our state before candidates are assessed equally. On top of the horrendous PR generated around the nation from the RichRod and Garrison/Bresch controversies, this is continued salt on our perception wounds.

Let’s use this for more motivation to get focused on this issue and create much-needed change.