By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer

Posted Jan. 23, 2008 – A group of Black folks gathered in an upscale restaurant in the nation’s capital Monday night to watch the Democratic presidential debate.  This group of urban professions, ranging in age from 20-something to 30-something, are contributors to the Legacy Political Action Committee (PAC),  a group of young politico’s who put their money on their politics.

Issac Sordjour and Chaka Burgess, co-founders of the Legacy PAC and hosts of the debate-watch party, want to see Black folks make informed and educated choices when considering their presidential pick. To do so requires education on the issues, learning about the candidates and contributing cash to the political process.  

“My personal favorite may be different from his,” Sordjour says.  “It doesn’t really matter; our endorsement is an endorsement for the process.”

The 2008 presidential race has broken fundraising records, and while small donations via the Internet are increasing, money raised in PACs like this one contribute to the large amounts of cash being injected into the presidential campaigns. 

The Democrats and Republicans combined will make this race for the White House the most expensive in the nation’s history.  It’s been estimated that more than $100 million will be raised and spent by November.  

Debate watcher Joshua Humbert, 28, thinks it’s significant that young Blacks are coming together to weigh the issues. He also stresses the importance of knowing about the folks running.  “I think I would love to see Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) do a little bit more on her own, and I do think a big part [of her campaign] is Bill Clinton.”  Humbert said he’s still undecided.  

“I wouldn’t mind seeing Barack Obama (D-Ill.), do his thing too,” he added.

The bickering between the two candidates drew mixed reviews.  In the group of 50, women outnumbered the men two-to-one, and Charlotte Newman, 27, found the spats distracting.  “I think we’re all tiring of the back and forth between Clinton and Obama.  I think there is a little too much sparring.  I would like to see them take a higher road.”
 
But Chaz Gates, 24, didn’t agree, “I’m glad they actually took the gloves off this time, and debated the issues, and debated their agendas.”

Burgess noted a lot of young people attending the watch party are still undecided.  “They are trying to figure out who their candidate or candidates are going to be. So this is an important dialogue that’s taking place to help people make that determination,” he said.

The Legacy PAC was formed in 2004 to co-opt young Black folks into the fold of political activism.  

Engel Burnes, attending his first debate party, summed it up best: “I think it’s an outstanding idea, and it’s very important to the growth of our community because regardless of who we support, I think the exchange of ideas between the candidates, and the exchange of ideas within this room, are going to help all of us grow and understand each other.”

Have you ever contributed money to support a candidate?