not completely simple to answer but here are some to think about.  Consider what candidates talk about war, poverty, public aid for those in need, Job equality, fairness to speech, helping the needy.  it's not often the big questions but the small comments of lack of attention to what the minority and poor talk about.  what the democrats promised and actually followed through and put that to stark contrast to what republicans promise and follow through with.... again as it pertains to minorities needs.  we have an unfairness voting problem in kane county right now is it pertains to Hispanic voters and not given fair voting rights..  you can read up on it.  when lots of minorities (not all) think of republican, they think of White Christian evangelicals.  a vase majority of African American are very much conservative, but there understanding of social Justice is not so much different but more focused and louder then those of republican conservatives.  the so called tax cuts for the majority of big corps have not stimulated the job market despite the boom and fluctuation in the market and in retail sales.  the estamate projection given promised by goverment for new jobs created where not happening. there was no boom.  jobs where as they have always been on the raise and fall as it is every year.  it's interesting how my perspective has changed upon going to visit family and friends back in Chicago and Indiana.  countless amounts of unfairness and in justice that go unreported and yet not too many candidates touch on the social issues that people care about... so what do you do.... attach yourself to the group that has the bigger track record on helping the little guy whether is it or not true. 
I now that some people do not like our president but I never thought it was as bad as I have heard these past few months.  The lack of care for the rest of the worlds opinions have been a tremendous impact to how the world views us now.
  but it's only starting to show itself now.  check out Chicago Public radio for a bit.  I stumbled upon it a few months ago and found the programing very interesting.
plus you'll get an great world view of American minorities to what foreigners think... it's not all political but it is inspiring and I enjoy the programing.