Posted on 04/20/2012 9:42:14 AM PDT by YourAdHere
Black Republicans for the most part have been conspicuously absent so far during the 2012 Presidential Primary Sweepstakes.
But, in fairness Black members of the GOP in general have perhaps been more scarce than usual in 2012 for the same reason the party’s conservative base has dragged its collective feet in embracing Willard Romney the presumptive nominee; they’re just not that into him.
But, regardless of their reticence, there is an election this November and Romney and the GOP clearly need all hands on deck if they want to take back the White House. So, where are the Black Republicans?
Well, two who have seized the spotlight most prominently during the GOP primary season from the end of 2011 into 2012 have displayed dubious political acumen and downright buffoonery at times.
Former pizza king Herman Cain – “Mr. 9-9-9” – compiled what more resembled a comedy reel than a presidential campaign (never mind the series of sexual harassment charges leveled against him which, of course is no laughing matter).
Who could forget Cain’s encounter with the editorial board of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last November when he badly bungled a question about President Obama’s policy on Libya during the uprising?
“Okay, Libya. (Cain paused for several seconds and cast his eyes skyward presumably looking for help). President Obama called for the removal of Gaddafi. I just wanted to make sure we’re talking about the same thing before I say,
`Yes, I agree’ or No I didn’t agree.’ I do not agree with the way he handled it for the following reason – nope, that’s a different one.” After that rambling non- answer Cain paused for several more seconds, shifted uncomfortably in his chair crossing and uncrossing his legs before he just flat gave up.
“I got all this stuff twirling around in my head. Specifically, what are you asking me that I agree or not agree with Obama?”
Then there was his moment during a Republican debate last August when Big Daddy Cain tossed out a little inspiration for his followers.
“A poet once said, `Life can be a challenge, life can seem impossible, but it’s never easy when there’s so much on the line.’”
The fact is the “poet” Cain quoted was a songwriter who penned an obscure tune, “The Power of One,” for disco legend Donna Summer who recorded it for Pokemon: The Movie 2000.
Then after he got busted on the source of the quote Cain inexplicably trotted it back out during his speech to formally announce his withdrawal from the presidential race. But, at least that time he name checked Pokemon.
That’s just a couple from Herman’s hit parade, but like most great comedians Cain had a million of them; he is nothing if not entertaining.
But, when he withdrew from the race last December not only did he take with him a mountain of fodder for the late night comedy show hosts, but he left a big void as the most high profile voice of the Black GOP.
Of course there’s Michael Steele; former Maryland Lt. Governor and former chair of the Republican National Committee. But, his reasonable rhetoric and affable demeanor seem incongruent with the wild-eyed fringe that has found so much favor within the Grand Old Party therefore relegating him most often to the progressive cable network MSNBC.
I’ve heard virtually nothing from veteran Black conservative Armstrong Williams. Former television judge Larry Elder – the so-called “Sage from South Central” – made a brief appearance to ambush “Hardball’s” Chris Matthews during a radio interview a couple of weeks ago. And I haven’t seen former Oklahoma Rep. J.C. Watts since he reared his head for just a minute, a couple of months ago to throw his support behind the now defunct candidacy of Rick Santorum.
But, just when you thought the Barbary Coast was clear, here comes the new king of the Black GOP fringe Florida Rep. Allen West, who perhaps delivered the most bizarre and psychotic political quip of 2012.
“About 78 to 81 members of the Democratic Party that are members of the Communist Party,” said the Tea Party favorite last week during a town hall meeting in Palm City, Fla.
The men and women West is talking about are his colleagues – whether he likes it or not – in the United States House of Representatives. West attempted to illuminate his comment a bit.
“No, they actually don’t hide it. It’s called the Congressional Progressive Caucus,” West said.
Forget the fact last December, West likened the Democratic spin machine to the work of Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels.
With statements like these it seems West is determined to drop the “Black” from his title, king of the Black GOP fringe; he just wants to be the unquestioned king of the GOP fringe with no regard to race.
Now, that’s what I call post-racial America.
A ton of bovine excrement. Real conservatives don’t embrace Romney because he is...A LIBERAL!
And if we don’t embrace black conservatives, how does the author explain the support of Herman Cain. Or Col. West, even though he’s not running for President?
This author is an idiot.
This dude is high on drugs or too much Kool-Aid. Nothing here, move on. Just another one of “Obama” idiots remaining adift at sea. Sad!!! Life on the “Obama” economic slave plantation must be pretty good under slave master Obama. How blind to reality, and....stupid that they are being had by the Obama shyster can these people be?
They are already making excuses for Obama losing in November and trying to convince young Blacks that it is their duty to vote for this clown a second time.
90% of Black people vote for Democrats, and this person asks, “Where are the Black Republicans?”
Well right back at you sir, where are they indeed?
The Republican party has traditionally stood for strong family values and equal rights for all.
Evidently this wasn’t appealing to Blacks.
Forget the fact last December, West likened the Democratic spin machine to the work of Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels.
The author appears to be implying there's a contradiction here somewhere.
I'd ask him to explain if I actually gave a damn about his opinion.
The usual Obama sycophant drivel that falsely characterizes Republicans as idiots but assumes that Democrats are all brilliant - yet they give gaffe-prone Joe Biden a pass. Black Republicans are definitely in the minority but this piece tries to pretend they are non-existent. A lie, but then, the piece is from an Obama robot so consider the source.
When he was in Congress, I was a huge fan of J. C. Watts. He didn’t always get it right, but coming from a mid-western state, his outlook was better than most. He was a stand up guy.
I liked Herman Cain too. Colonel West is another good guy.
The color of someone’s skin plays no role whatsoever in my determination to back them or not. NONE!
Well right back at you sir, where are they indeed?
I didn't see any black candidates in the Democratic presidential primaries. Were they in the very back of the Democratic bus? Or segregated in the Democratic peanut gallery?
Black republicans had better ramp UP their rhetoric to a level that cannot be ignored..
You know with HYPERBOLE.. ONLY hyperbole can dare express the current situation..
BECAUSE the situation is “HYPERBOLIC”... any less is disinformation.. agitprop..
Ahem!...(Obama)
Oh! You meant ALL black!
Good point. Exactly right...
I guess talking up Jackson, Sharpton, and the NAACP is supposed to cover them.
Actually the Progressives have history with both the Communist and the Nazi’s.
Throughout the 1930’s the Progressives were very pro- Nazi but following the bombing of Pear Harbor and subsequent declaration of war by Germany against the United States it was necessary to rewrite history and for the Progressives to change their allegiance from the Nazi’s to the Communist. I take a little license here as most Progressives were never anti-Communist but had more in common with the Nazi’s than they did the Communist.
Progressives had these things in common with the Nazi’s (and still do).
Eugenics – The Progressives will deny this but just ask them if they believe in abortion for the purpose of preventing the birth of a congenitally damaged fetus.
Race purity – They will also deny this today and in some ways they are correct. But look at their alliances. Part of their coalition is the Council of La Raza which literally mean “The Race”. Also much of their political strategy centers on racial divides and racial identity. Consider that the Progressive saint FDR resegregated the US military.
Single Payer Health Care – Nazi Germany was one of the first countries to socialize health care. Now the US Progressives are a heart beat away from imposing this on the US.
Mandatory programs to promote youth health – The Nazi’s had mandatory summer camps for youth that promoted physical fitness for youths. The Progressives in this country are heading in that direction with the imposition of healthy lunch programs.
Political Indoctrination of youth – If any of you has not seen this being pushed through the US Dept. of Education and the teacher’s unions come out from under your rock.
Sterilization of the mentally handicapped – This product of the Progressive mind was instituted in this country before it was in Nazi Germany and was still being carried out in the US long after the Nazis fell.
Euthanasia – The ending of the life of those “unworthy of life” was mandatory in Nazi as a way to limit the burden on the state of those no longer productive. This is now being promoted by the progressives as a “Humane” end to the suffering of those with chronic pain or those who are brain dead to end the suffering of their survivors.
These are just the parallels that immediately come to mind but I am sure that others can describe more.
Why the Progressives are permitted to attribute the Nazis to the Political Right I will never understand. Any student of history knows that the Nazi Party was a socialist party which placed the state at the center of the political universe while the Right puts the individual at the center.
The article is just an excuse to belittle and demean black conservatives.
Disgusting!
The author of this article is a misinformed idiot. J.C. Watts endorsed Newt Gingrich in December, and hasn't withdrawn or changed his endorsement.
I disagree with your assessment. This isn’t an article. : )
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