Hillary Clinton beat the odds and Barack Obama on Tuesday in New Hampshire.
Her victory places even greater importance on black participation in the Missouri Primary on Feb. 5.
Regardless if a black voter backs Clinton, Obama, John Edwards, another Democratic candidate or the Republican Party, the Missouri outcome on Super Tuesday will be closely scrutinized nationwide.
This is especially true in the city of St. Louis.
Black voters in the city have a chance to demonstrate their true power to presidential candidates, and just as importantly, to Mayor Francis Slay and his supporters.
A sizeable turnout by the city’s African-American population could easily send Obama to a resounding victory.
Following her New Hampshire win, Clinton snagged momentum from Obama. But Mayor Slay is Missouri co-chair of the Clinton campaign and black voters could send a message to the mayor by shunning Clinton and siding with Obama or another candidate.
The Feb. 5 primary ballot could also include a proposed sales tax increase for the city’s Public Safety Department.
Community Concerned Clergy for the Betterment of St. Louis and other African- American political and community leaders have vowed to defeat any effort to increase the city’s sales tax. A large black turnout could mean doom for that measure and a sizeable embarrassment for the Slay administration.
Increased black participation in the voting booth could also set the stage for a Democratic presidential victory in November.
Both the GOP and Democratic Party are aware that Democratic voters have far outnumbered their Republican counterparts in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Black voters in St. Louis could help continue this trend, one that will be essential for a Democrat to prevail in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Both political parties are now prepared for lengthy battles for respective presidential nominations. As a result, Missouri’s Super Tuesday primary has suddenly become a “must win” for candidates and this area’s black voters find themselves in the unique position of being the deciding factor in a close election.
But this will only be true if there is a shift from voting apathy to enthusiasm and there is a major black presence at the polls on Feb. 5.