Affected by the ‘Bradley effect’

Re “2008’s ‘Bradley effect,’ ” Opinion, Oct. 2

I fear Patt Morrison has fallen prey to the myth of the “Bradley effect.”

In Mayor Tom Bradley’s gubernatorial runs, other effects negatively affected the outcome. Among them was lowered voter turnout in African American communities because of disenchantment with what was perceived as the mayor’s close affiliation with the Democratic machine on the Westside of Los Angeles and in Sacramento.

In any event, it is specious to suggest that racism or an inability of whites to vote for an African American were the culprits. Bradley had strong support across demographic categories.

Those of us living in Los Angeles during his remarkable career know this.

Richard Newton

Meyer

Los Angeles

If anyone still seriously believes that Obama has any chance of being elected, he or she had better read, and reread, Morrison’s excellent Op-Ed article.

If Bradley could not overcome the underlying anti-black sentiment in a liberal state like California, what chance does Obama have in the many red states of America? McCain is a sure thing!

Sam Councilman

Long Beach

It would be foolish to argue that racial discrimination no longer exists in the United States. But Morrison conveniently fails to address a reverse bias that will take place come the November presidential election.

According to the polls I have seen, over 90% of African Americans will be casting their votes for Obama. Surely not all African Americans are voting for him because of his preparedness to lead this country. Obama hasn’t even completed a single term as a U.S. senator.

Is that not a form of discrimination? If over 90% of whites voted for Sen. John McCain, not only would the race be no contest but the U.S. would be seen worldwide as one of the most racist countries in the world.

Sam Chaidez

Mission Hills