Trying to Understand the Election Process

I’ve got to admit, this whole election process has me completely confused.  And I really think that the confusion really turns people away from being a part of the process.  When you don’t understand something, the easiest thing to do is to avoid it.

However, in this case, I will not take the easy road.  I need somebody to help me (and the rest of us confused individuals) to understand the election process for Presidential candidates.

Here’s what I think I understand:  The purpose of the primaries and caucuses (which are going on right now) is to choose which candidate will be chosen by the delegates of that state to be the party’s choice during their national convention.  In other words, if Clinton wins New York, the delegates from New York will choose for her to be the Presidential candidate at the Democratic Convention.  Is that correct?

Here’s where I’m a little confused: During the primaries, the “winner” is selected by a popular vote–meaning the person with the most votes wins.  So, mistake me if I’m wrong, but here’s where an individual’s vote DOES COUNT because the person with the most votes wins! At this point in the process, we’re not constrained by the limitations of the electoral college.  Am I accurate?

Can somebody help me understand this part of the process?

Black Enough?

At a recent debate, Senator Barack Obama was asked if he was “authentically Black enough”.

Without any introductory comments, let me ask…

What does it mean to be Black? And how “Black” do you have to be to be “Black enough”?