Police departments in cities across the country are beefing up their ranks for Election Day, preparing for possible civil unrest and riots after the historic presidential contest.
Public safety officials said in interviews with The Hill that the election, which will end with either the nation’s first black president or its first female vice president, demanded a stronger police presence.
Some worry that if Barack Obama loses and there is suspicion of foul play in the election, violence could ensue in cities with large black populations. Others based the need for enhanced patrols on past riots in urban areas (following professional sports events) and also on Internet rumors.
Democratic strategists and advocates for black voters say they understand officers wanting to keep the peace, but caution that excessive police presence could intimidate voters.
Sen. Obama (Ill.), the Democratic nominee for president, has seen his lead over rival Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) grow in recent weeks, prompting speculation that there could be a violent backlash if he loses unexpectedly.
Obama, who is half white, is marketed as a black. Blacks are energized. Conservative Colin Powell is an Obama supporter. The race issue is rampant... among Democrats. So the perceived entitlement has been rising in black areas that are somewhat used to entitlements to assuage their perceived victimhood.
Police are not expected to patrol "red" neighborhoods in anticipation of firebombing and looting if McCain loses, I suspect. Could the difference be any more clear?
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