Kerry makes push to get black vote - "a task that Kerry has not had to perform in Massachusetts."

Boston Globe ^ | September 11, 2004 | Susan Milligan

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Jackson himself uttered a veiled criticism of Kerry this week, telling CNN that ''Mr. Kerry is reaching out, but he needs more than a shake-up. A shake-up cannot just be a vanilla shake. It has to be a bonding of the base."

In 1988, Jackson overcame initial doubts about Massachusetts Governor Michael S. Dukakis, and the Dukakis campaign provided Jackson with his own plane to travel the country and help motivate black voters. This year, said Lynch of the Kerry campaign, Jackson ''will have his own plan, he will not have his own plane," but acknowledged that logistics of Jackson's campaign operation were still under discussion.

Jackson did not respond to messages left at his Rainbow Coalition headquarters.

The Kerry campaign believes black turnout can be the key to victory in several swing states, Lynch said. If Democrats can turn out the African-American and Orlando-area Puerto Rican vote this November, Kerry would take Florida, Lynch said. The Kerry campaign is also holding 261 organizing conventions around the country to mobilize black Democrats.

.........''Kerry's never had to develop strong relationships with black politicians because the black vote is so small in Massachusetts, but it's critical in states he needs," said Merle Black, an Emory University professor whose specialty is Southern politics. But he noted that Kerry won the Georgia primary in part because of his support among local African-American politicians.

Members of the 39-member black caucus will be campaigning for Kerry in the coming weeks in Ohio, Missouri, Arizona, Iowa, and Michigan, and Meeks will be on Kerry's campaign plane with the candidate in the days before the Nov. 2 election.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Blacks for Bush have won my respect***"I was raised in a Democratic household," actor Joseph C. Williams told me. Williams, who appeared on the "Cosby Show," "General Hospital" and "The District," was the co-chairman of the "African Americans for Bush" steering committee. "The Republican values are the same values that are in most African-American homes. This party reflects those values much more than the opposition."

During the week, I met black people from all professions and all economic classes who proudly touted their decision to support Bush despite the fact polls predict about 90 percent of their counterparts will vote for the Democratic nominee, John Kerry. ***

[clee1]

Yeah RIGHT!!!!

Like John (Effin Flip-flopin', Forgin') Kerry has any understanding of Black society.

Well, they say Klintoon was "the first Black President", so I guess you never know....

[Cincinatus' Wife]

U.S. Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry (L) steps off his plane with Rev. Jesse Jackson in New Orleans, Louisiana, September 9, 2004. Kerry will speak at the 124th Annual Session of the National Baptist Convention. REUTERS/Jim Young US ELECTION

[amordei]

Knock and Drag is back.

[beaversmom]

It's just your jive talkin', you're telling me lies, yeah
Jive talkin', you wear a disguise
Jive talkin', so misunderstood, yeah
Jive talkin' , You really no good

[Jeff Chandler]

Can't you just imagine that stiff trying to talk hip?

[clee1]

My comment would apply equally to The Rev-rend Jack-sin.

[claudiustg]

---A shake-up cannot just be a vanilla shake. It has to be a bonding of the base.---

I think Jesse's proposing!

[jmaroneps37]

The Wopo ABC poll that has W + 7 pointedly skipped tells us the internals about Black support for frenchie. I suspect that this was because it is rather slow.
I heard one poll showing it was at 80%. If it stays that way, W will be called as winner 9:01PM EST Nov 2.

[austingirl]

Kerry chillin' with the brothers - does not compute.

[Coleus]

[Mike Bates]

Michael M. Bates: My Side of the Swamp

[austingirl]

I hope that blacks realize where their ultimate best interests lie (with Bush) and vote accordingly.