Why do politicians steer clear of talking about race?

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Podcasts Take Two

Nov 4, 2014

Listen • 6:19

Why do politicians steer clear of talking about race?

For more on why race has become such a difficult issue to talk about in politics, Mark Sawyer, director of UCLA's Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity and Politics, joins Take Two.

President Barack Obama stands with Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy in Bridgeport on Sunday. Malloy is in a tough re-election battle with Republican Tom Foley. The president spent the weekend trying to energize the Democratic base to get out and vote in Tuesday's middterm elections.

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For more on why race has become such a difficult issue to talk about in politics, Mark Sawyer, director of UCLA's Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity and Politics, joins Take Two.

There are plenty of issues politicians like to talk about to no end: The economy. Immigration. Health care.

But there is one issue most candidates try to steer clear of these days - race.

For more on why race has become such a difficult issue to talk about in politics, Mark Sawyer, director of UCLA's Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity and Politics, joins Take Two.