40 % of white voters say they 'll vote for President Obama -- the election threshold he needs to win . For at least a decade , Democrats have had lower support with white voters in presidential elections . Political scientists attribute lower white support to party political trends , ideology , social policy , race . The nation 's first black president could be in danger of becoming a `` one-termer '' if he ca n't convince enough white voters that he deserves another four years in the Oval Office . Obama must hold the line with white voters ; get high minority turnout to win .
40 % of white voters say they 'll vote for President Obama -- the election threshold he needs to win . For at least a decade , Democrats have had lower support with white voters in presidential elections . Political scientists attribute lower white support to party political trends , ideology , social policy , race . Obama must hold the line with white voters ; get high minority turnout to win .