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You are here: DiversityInc | Election 2008 - F | Affirmative Action: . . .

Affirmative Action: How Obama and McCain Stack Up on the Issue

By Daryl C Hannah

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print | post comments | NEWS LETTER

July 23, 2008

Keywords: Affirmative action, Barack Obama, John McCain, 2008, presidential election, first Black president, race, candidates' policy differences, president, quotas

What will happen to affirmative action if Sen. Barack Obama or Sen. John McCain is elected president? Why is affirmative action still a key issue in this presidential election?

"When we look at issues of full participation in our workforce, colleges and universities and governmental contracting, you see the representation of African Americans, other ethnic groups and women far under parity," says Hilary Shelton, director to the NAACP's Washington Bureau.

The civil-rights organization also rates congressional members according to their voting history. In 2006, the latest year for which data is available, Obama received a 100 percent rating by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. McCain received a 7 percent rating, indicating an anti-affirmative-action stance.

"Equal opportunity programs are necessary to help guide companies, corporations and governments to make sure they don't discriminate as they provide services," says Shelton.

Affirmative action has suffered as state legislation has limited the use of race, religion, sex and national origin to admit students to colleges and universities. It has been under attack by California businessman Ward Connerly for a decade. He is now using the success of Obama as his defense that affirmative action is no longer necessary.

"The primary rationale for affirmative action is that America is institutionally racist and institutionally sexist," said Connerly. "That rationale is undercut in a major way when you look at the success of Senator Clinton and Senator Obama."

Connerly, who is Black and a former Obama supporter, has waged a campaign against affirmative action in five states, successfully getting an initiative to ban it on the November ballot in three: Colorado, Arizona and Nebraska. The initiative failed to get enough signatures to qualify for the ballot in Missouri and Oklahoma. McCain, despite being the senator from Arizona, has remained mum about his state's ballot initiative.

"What had been a national policy is being dismantled, state by state," University of Washington President Mark A. Emmert wrote in the Christian Science Monitor last year. Emmert also says his campus has "ensure[d] diversity and access to higher education particularly by taking socio-economic factors into account."

So exactly how do Obama and McCain stack up on affirmative action? The answer is in their voting histories.

McCain believes affirmative action is OK for specific programs but does not support federal affirmative-action programs. He voted yes on banning affirmative-action hiring with federal funds.

"It also means rejecting affirmative-action plans and quotas that give weight to one group of Americans at the expense of another," said Tucker Bounds, a spokesperson for the McCain campaign, to The Associated Press, explaining McCain's position on affirmative action. "Plans that result in quotas, where such plans have not been judicially created to remedy a specific, proven act of discrimination, only result in more discrimination."

Obama, on the other hand, fully supports affirmative action and feels that it should be extended to include poor, white college applicants.

"I still believe in affirmative action as a means of overcoming both historic and potentially current discrimination," Obama said during an April debate. "But I think that it can't be a quota system and it can't be something that is simply applied without looking at the whole person, whether that person is Black, white, Hispanic, male or female."

McCain has supported some aspects of affirmative action. He voted no on ending special funding for minority- and women-owned businesses. Obama also voted no on ending special funding for minority and women businesses and pushed for legislation to better enforce women's pay equality via the Equal Pay Act. McCain did not vote on the Equal Pay Act.

Obama voted in support of affirmative action in colleges and government and also supported the 2003 Supreme Court decision on University of Michigan, which upheld the right of universities to consider race in their admissions processes to achieve a diverse student body.

"Affirmative action is an important tool, although a limited tool," Obama said on National Public Radio last year. "I say limited simply because a large portion of our young people right now never even benefit from affirmative action because they are not graduating from high school," he said. "And unless we do a better job with early childhood education, fixing crumbling schools, investing to make sure that we've got an excellent teacher in front of every classroom, and then making college affordable, we're not even going to reach the point where our children can benefit from affirmative action."

The Supreme Court has for years walked a fine line on the issue of affirmative action. Its decision on affirmative action at the University of Michigan was split; while it upheld the admissions method used by the university's law school which considered race, the court struck down a point system used by undergraduate programs, putting a limit on how much of a factor race can play in the decision process.

A victory by Obama is expected to keep the high court balanced, as a number of the liberals will likely retire soon. A win for McCain could mean an overwhelmingly conservative court with more conservative rulings on affirmative action.

While the ultimate fate of affirmative action may depend on who is elected president in November, advocates like Shelton say the need for equal opportunity programs is still vital. To him and many other civil-rights watchdogs, "When you look at the access to education and jobs, not much has changed since 2000. We hope the next president will fix that."

Readers' Comments

Posted: Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008
Affirmative Action: How Obama and McCain Stack Up on the Issue

I will vote for Obama because I feel like that he will do alot for the United States. I will vote for him all the way. Alot of people here in Missouri is going to vote for Obama, because I have talked to alot of people so Obama you have basically Missouri's supporte.

Jennifer Knight

Posted: Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008
Affirmative Action: How Obama and McCain Stack Up on the Issue

In college, the same scholarship awarded more money for a lower grade point average for minority students. I also had to pay for my tuition and books up front and be reimbursed. Minority students simply showed a "scholarship" letter to the registrar and bookstore.

When seeking my first teaching job, the recorded message on the "job hotline" in Hillsborough County, Florida said "some positions are held open for black applicants only". If this is not discrimination - what is? I would not be considered for the job, even if I was the better candidate, because of the color of my skin!

And - heaven forbid if I ever have a house fire and need to be rescued. I want the big strapping male fireman who can carry me out - not the minority female hire, that passed the "accommodated" test, and drags me out bouncing my head down the stairs as she goes!!

I just want fair hiring practices for all - if you can do the job as is - you are hired - no special quotas or practices to even the playing field.

Rene Brewster

Posted: Sunday, Aug 03, 2008
Affirmative Action: How Obama and McCain Stack Up on the Issue

Affirmative Action is a loser!! Ya got the brains ya got the job...this is still "One Nation Under God"

John Stack

Posted: Friday, Aug 01, 2008
Affirmative Action: How Obama and McCain Stack Up on the Issue

Affirmative action was at one time a necessary evil in the work place and was needed to level the playing field so that minorities and the generally disadvantaged could take advantages of opportunities afforded to them by this great country, but today it does little more than belittle their hard work and success. In a time when my generation has been raised to be tolerant of all people from all walks of life, I'm offended that affirmative action is an institution that is still in use by those in power. The most qualified person should get the job, scholarship, etc...

Jared Jones

Posted: Thursday, Jul 31, 2008
Affirmative Action: How Obama and McCain Stack Up on the Issue

It's amazing how you liberals rally against "racism" unless it benefits a group you support. Then, racism is perfectly okay!

Your logic pertaining to the racism of affirmative action is not consitant, therefore, it is not logical. If you want to stop racism, then you need to stop the racism YOU support!

Response from Luke Visconti, Partner and Cofounder of DiversityInc

Following your logic, you'll have no problem if I say "we need to stop the violence right now" after kicking you in the ass.

Guy E

Posted: Thursday, Jul 31, 2008
Affirmative Action: How Obama and McCain Stack Up on the Issue

Can somebody help our follow citizen Opal Markiewicz with his July 31 comment on Affirmative Action(A/A). First let me educate our fellow citizen on what A/A is all about. The laws of this courty state A/A will only happen when there is not Equal Opportunity. If there is somewere in your world that has Equal Opportunity then there can be no A/A. Secondly, please let us know who those "successful Blacks" that A/A is a insult to. Cause they don't live in my world. I gladly offer you the opportunity to visit my world, as a Civil Rights Practicer. Once there, I'm positive, that you would agree with me that A/A is not only needed but needs to be more aggressive about its implementation and enforcement. Please come visit my world! It won't take me long to convince yea. Proably 30 minutes or so.

troy salley

Posted: Thursday, Jul 31, 2008
Affirmative Action: How Obama and McCain Stack Up on the Issue

Affirmative action, with race as consideration, has had it's time, and is no longer needed. It's an insult to successful Blacks, and unfair to those who deserve considertion because they have proven themselves in areas of study and by living disciplined lives. It will divide the Nation as nothing else could do!

Opal Markiewicz

Posted: Thursday, Jul 24, 2008
Affirmative Action: How Obama and McCain Stack Up on the Issue

Both candidates are for all intensive purposes children of Affirmative Action and shouldn't even have to discuss the topic. However, it should be known that Affirmative Action should not be hampered by a clock or when do we stop doing it. Our Lord and savior teached love over 2000 years ago and many Americans today haven't gotten that message. So Affirmative Action is here for the duration.

James Cummings

Posted: Thursday, Jul 24, 2008
Affirmative Action: How Obama and McCain Stack Up on the Issue

McCain's low score on Affirmative Action and Civil Rights in general is not surprising, although I wouldn't contribute it to a hardened heart. Unlike Ford, Bush II, and even Nixon, McCain has not had close African-American advisors who have provided him with wise council. Republicans in the 1970's had the benefit of counting the Godfather of Affirmative Action, Arthur Fletcher, as a devoted party loyalist. McCain, meanwhile, appears to be closer to Reagan, who famously once forgot the name of his lone Black cabinet official, Sam Pierce. Speaking at the NAACP convention is one thing. Reaching out to Michael Steele or J.C. Watts would be more impressive.

Carl McGowan

Posted: Thursday, Jul 24, 2008
Affirmative Action: How Obama and McCain Stack Up on the Issue

Affirmative Action is STILL NECESSARY. Look around you. Who dominates corporations? Take a strong look at the (un)diverse workforce in your work environment. Look at the classism all around you. Yes, we do need Affirmative Action because numerous people don't play well with others!

bernadette abeyta

Posted: Thursday, Jul 24, 2008
Affirmative Action: How Obama and McCain Stack Up on the Issue

babies do it, children do it and grown ups do it. it is called politics. those that proudly describe themselves above politics are fools and imbeciles. in particular in this pseudo-democracy where only %30 vote. it is an oligarchy with anarchy for the rich and powerful. lieing corruption and profiteering are part of all societies. it is part of human nature.

adam rosenblatt