Posted on 04/18/2013 6:11:15 PM PDT by Steelfish
Cain: 'Don't Call Me A Republican'
Shannon Travis Washington (CNN) As the Republican Party struggles with ways to attract more African-Americans to its party, one of their own former, African-American presidential candidates could throw a wrench in their plan.
Herman Cain insisted Monday he does not want to be called Republican for fear of being saddled with the "dumb things" Republicans have said in the past. Cain also said the black conservative movement is "different from the Republican brand."
To be sure, Cain is not straying from his conservative stances. Instead, he hopes to entice even more African-Americans to join the black conservative movement.
Yet Cain insisted that'll happen by black conservatives pushing a collaborative message and by separating black conservatism from the GOP.
The recruitment effort will work "by separating the two brands," Cain said. "The ABC or the [black] conservative movement is different from the Republican brand. So I'm not here to defend the Republican brand."
Cain's comments came after a small coming together of about a dozen other black conservatives in Washington over Sunday night and Monday morning. The group, Cain said, labeled itself, ABC or, "American Black Conservatives." Their goal: plot ways to convince more African-Americans to join the conservative movement.
Cain explained the inspiration behind the "American Black Conservatives" moniker.
"I put that on the table because I use that on my radio show," Cain said. "When people call me, they want to call me, 'You Republicans.' Stop right there. Don't label me. Or they want to call me other ugly names. I say, I'll label myself."
"We do not want to be labeled Democrats. We do not want to be labeled Republicans. This is about conservative values. That we all share."
(Excerpt) Read more at politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com ...
I’ve supported this man from the beginning and would proudly support him again.
Cain/Carson 2016
Ok, RINO.
WTF?
Any conservative is smart not to identify with the republicans. It makes much more sense to be “black conservatives” as a caucus available to listen to the GOP.
Christians would be wise to do the same thing.
I want our version of Biden for VP. Carson is too smart. /s
i am christian first, conservative immediately next, and republican,last.
which is easiest to give up if necessary?
As someone who has never belonged to any party, I think that encouraging blacks to see themselves as conservative independents, is just fine.
Cain’s right, NO MORE RINOS ! let’s get back to our conservative princibles.
“Ok, RINO.”
Even Rush doesn’t consider himself a “Republican” as they are defined today. If he were, he’d sound a LOT MORE like Michael Medved, pushing McCain, Romney, and Amnesty.
The Republicans are a small bunch of rich politicians that take their money, in big bill-folds, from rich political interests. CONSERVATIVES, on the other hand, are rank-and-file people, trying to live out their lives and raise their families with minimal government interference - they are the Tea Party (something the Republican Establishment cannot understand if it slammed them in the face).
So Cain has a point...I just wish he had been more prepared for 2012, I LOVED HIM.
I agree with Cain.
Me too Herman...
Mitt Romney? Oh, wait, he's our version of Obama.
So is he going to tell people to vote for the conservative as well ? If there isn’t one and he’s setting in motion a prejudice against Republicans blacks are probably going to go back to the Democrats.
LOL, I was thinking Ron Paul. He says crazy stuff, and will only get worse with age. Maybe Alex Jones, he’s bonkers and entertaining.
Go back?
When people ask me what party I affiliate with I answer Conservative. I won’t tie myself blindly to Republican, I vote Issues and people, not Party.
Black Libertarian?
Now THAT would be the ultimate in ironies... To have the Republic saved in spite of the Republicans by those they freed...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.