Could Thad Cochran's "outreach" to black voters carry over into the GE?

[Matty]

It'll be interesting to see if some African Americans who went to vote for him yesterday will do the same against Childers.

[moderatevoter]

From what I've read, Cochran seems to have a fairly good relationship with the African American community in Mississippi for a while now. This was not an sudden thing, and I'm sure McDaniel's toxic nature didn't hurt. I'm unsure how he generally performs with African American voters in General Elections, but I imagine it's above how a Generic R in Misssissippi would.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

He certainly has done better with them then most Republicans have.

[ElectionsGuy]

He might get 15-20% but nothing beyond that. In 2008 when Cochran got 61.4%, Fleming (the D) still got 81-83% in heavily black Jefferson and Claiborne counties.

[7,052,770]

Not really. 10% would be fantastic for Cochran in Mississippi.

Remember, many of the black leaders Cochran had getting out the vote openly said to reporters that they would be for Childers in November regardless of the outcome in June.

[Del Tachi]

LOL, what if Cochran uses his probable last term to start voting like Susan Collins or Mark Kirk?

I'd bet he'd get really high approval numbers from Black Dems.

[Fuzzy Bear]

LOL, what if Cochran uses his probable last term to start voting like Susan Collins or Mark Kirk?

I'd bet he'd get really high approval numbers from Black Dems.

A lot depends as to whether or not McDaniel and his minions choose to refuse to endorse Cochran, mount a write-in campaign, or go so far as to endorse Democrat Childers.

Childers chances went down the toilet with McDaniel's loss.  There are many black local officials in MS who are willing to work with Cochran in exchange for (A) the MS GOP moderating some of its stances that they see as specifically anti-black (but not necessarily at odds with doctrinaire conservatism) and (B) funnel pork specifically to poor black counties and municipalities for special projects.  It would be beneficial for some of these black officials to be seen backing Cochran, and Cochran might actually gain credibility for the GOP by actually having a successful "reach out" to minority voters. 

What this could mean, long-term, is an alliance between Mississippi's establishment GOP (Haley Barbour and friends) and SOME of Mississippi's black elected officials.  It would offer some of Mississippi's black politicians a chance for new alliances that lead to REAL influence at the state level, the kind of influence they enjoyed when MS was Democratic at the state level.  It would mean isolating the Tea Party as the new minority.  Could it happen in Mississippi?  If that's what it takes for the GOP establishment to hold on to power, yes it could.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

LOL, what if Cochran uses his probable last term to start voting like Susan Collins or Mark Kirk?

I'd bet he'd get really high approval numbers from Black Dems.

It'd be funny, but it would give further ammunition to TP's wanting to attack the Cochran-supporting Mississipi GOP establishment in the next statewide races.

[SUSAN CRUSHBONE]

...does it matter?

[GMantis]

...does it matter?

Considering that Cochran could easily win with 0% of the black vote, not really, unless McDaniel decides to start an independent campaign.

[dmmidmi]

...does it matter?

Considering that Cochran could easily win with 0% of the black vote, not really, unless McDaniel decides to start an independent campaign.

How hilarious would that be--Cochran and McDaniel essentially split the white vote, while Childers wins the black vote.

Childers: 40%, Cochran: 32%, McDaniel: 28%

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

There is no way Cochran is losing the general election. Stop dreaming.

[Del Tachi]

...does it matter?

Considering that Cochran could easily win with 0% of the black vote, not really, unless McDaniel decides to start an independent campaign.

How hilarious would that be--Cochran and McDaniel essentially split the white vote, while Childers wins the black vote.

Childers: 40%, Cochran: 32%, McDaniel: 28%

Poetic justice, as a split among Democrats back in 1978 allowed Cochran to get to the Senate in the first place. 

[IceSpear]

McDaniel can't run as either an independent or write-in due to state law.