Barack Obama and the "Bradley Effect"

Photo from source, AOL News

I've heard a lot about "The Bradley Effect" lately. According to one political theory, an African-American will poll high, due to "white guilt," but will get fewer votes than the polls show due to racism. Supposedly, voters will say they're going to vote for the black guy, and then renege when the time comes to cast their ballot.

I'm not sure that theory holds any water. First of all, Tom Bradley's race was in 1982, a full 26 years ago. Secondly, Barack Obama is probably the least "radical" African-American to run for major office, despite the scary picture that conservatives are trying to paint.

I'm convinced that if anything, there might be a reverse Bradley Effect at work in the current polls. People who are ordinarily staunch conservatives may be saying they'd vote for John McCain, but lament the current state of the GOP, and cast their ballots for Obama secretly. Just a personal feeling.

[Excerpt]

Could the 'Bradley Effect' Hurt Obama?

Sen. Barack Obama has a sizable lead over Sen. John McCain, polls show, but those numbers could be deceiving if the "Bradley effect" comes into play.

The Bradley effect is named after former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, an African-American who ran for California governor in 1982. . .

Read more at: AOL News