In an attempt to choose between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, voters who cannot see a clear difference in their policies may resort to a more obvious, basic one: race.

“When people talk about race or gender, it’s a very simple way of looking at things and people are not simple,” said Boston University social anthropology professor Charles Lindholm. He said race only has an effect on politics if the electorate thinks it does.

During the South Carolina primary, Obama captured 78 percent of the black vote and 25 percent of the white vote. He also won in Iowa, a state with a predominantly white population, with 38 percent of all caucus goers.

“I believe [Obama] is treated differently in this country,” said National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Washington bureau Director Hillary Shelton. “He certainly has to deal with race as he is running for president.”

He said the primaries will gauge whether voters are informed on the issues or if physical appearance will be a deciding factor in their vote. Black voters comprise about 20 percent of the Democratic base, Shelton said.

“I think race plays a role, but I think most Americans are more sophisticated than that and look for candidates that represent their perspectives and concerns,” he said. “Of course, every issue is tainted with race.”

According to CNN polls last week, 58 percent of black women in South Carolina said they are ready for a black president and 50 percent of them also said they are ready for a boost of estrogen in the Oval Office.

Shelton said Clinton’s and Obama’s platforms are nearly identical except for their differing views on health care, so gender and race may be the deciding factor for some voters.

“Being sensitive to racial concerns is probably a bigger issue for Democrats because they can’t alienate minority voters,” said BU political science professor Douglas Kriner.

“Primary voters seem to be a little bit more informed and engaged, but it’s certainly about which candidate resonates more with them, especially on the Democratic side,” he said. “We’re talking nuance that usually the general electorate doesn’t get involved in.”

BU for Barack president Steph Gottsch said Bill Clinton’s controversial remark comparing Obama’s win in South Carolina to the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s win in the state’s 1984 primary was seen as racist despite his intention.

“Do I think Bill Clinton wants to play the race card? No,” she said.

Gottsch said though the comment could affect Hillary Clinton’s campaign, she thinks Americans yearn for a voice of change “regardless of the gender or race of that voice.”