Ellington

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting: "African-Americans often agree with Republicans on social issues: abortion, prayer in schools and --- most significant in this year's presidential race --- same-sex unions. But they vote for Democrats. Ninety percent of black voters supported Democrat Al Gore over George W. Bush four years ago. Those issues don't determine how blacks vote, said University of Maryland political scientist Ron Walters.

"'If you look at black people's lives, there are a lot of real problems,' he said. 'Gay marriage is not one of them. I can just see a black father coming home unemployed saying, 'I voted to stop gay marriage. . . . Sorry you don't have any food.' "

"But political analysts say African-Americans' enthusiasm --- and turnout --- for the Democratic candidate could suffer. That's bad news for Democrats."