Black Democratic leaders protest minority layoffs at party headquarters

The Associated Press ^ | 5/28/03 | Nedra Pickler

[LdSentinal]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Leading black Democrats in Congress and the national party are protesting the layoffs of 10 minority staffers at the party's headquarters.

The Democratic National Committee notified some committee members and lawmakers Wednesday that they were cutting the positions to save money and streamline operations in preparation for next year's presidential election.

"I'm just outraged," said Donna Brazile, who served as Al Gore's campaign manager in the last presidential election and is also the chairwoman of the DNC's Voting Rights Institute. "They started reading me the names and I said 'Oh, oh -- they're all black. I went through the roof."'

Brazile said the DNC is making the cuts as part of its goal to raise $10 million to $15 million to support the party's presidential nominee.

She proposed that the party cut payroll instead of laying off competent staffers.

DNC communications strategist Jim Mulhall said the committee has hired at least nine new minority staffers in the past month. The committee has more than 100 employees but did not have a count of the number of minority staffers Wednesday night.

"We are hiring professionals who have the experience to carry the battle against George Bush," Mulhall said. "It's about making the DNC the most effective political organization we can."

Several black Democratic leaders were trying to arrange a meeting with DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe to discuss the layoffs.

"I helped get Terry McAuliffe elected so I have a vested interest in making sure this party is whole and reflective of America," said DNC executive committee member Minyon Moore. "I must tell you that I'm a little bit stunned."

The news quickly spread to members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

"It's a time we need sensitivity because it's time to get ready for the next election," said Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas.

Staff changes have been creating tension at the DNC as the party prepares to take on a popular incumbent president and nine candidates are battling for the Democratic nomination.

[LdSentinal]

They should see it as a blessing. Otherwise, Senator Robert Byrd (D-KKK) would have eventually led them to a tree carrying some rope

[E. Pluribus Unum]

She (Donna Brazile) proposed that the party cut payroll instead of laying off competent staffers.

That's a recipe for losing the competent staffers and retaining the incompetent ones.

[goldstategop]

Blacks getting laid off at the Liberal Plantation? Oh gee, what a shock! ;-)

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" "I'm just outraged," said Donna Brazile.... "They started reading me the names and I said 'Oh, oh -- they're all black. I went through the roof."'

Maybe Donna might be getting the hint that Clinton and McAuliffe don't really care about blacks-they just use them,when it's convenient.

[jocko12]

DEM-WITS SHOOT THEMSELFS IN THE FOOT AGAIN!!!!

[Political Junkie Too]

"I'm just outraged," said Donna Brazile...

You shouldn't be. The rest of us have seen the writing on the wall for years. But in the end, even this won't be enough to shake loose the lock that the Democrats have on the African-American vote.

-PJ

[noutopia]

I hope no whites got laid off. Humpty

[MadMoo]

The DNC must remember that Field Liberals ain't no Headquarters liberals.

[sd-joe]

"It's a time we need sensitivity because it's time to get ready for the next election,"

There it all is. Need to show sensitivity BECAUSE an election is coming up, NOT because that is the way people should be treated.

Bunch of flaming hypocrites.

[goldstategop]

You mean Bubba's rednecks? Gee the irony is if this happened at GOP headquarters we'd never heard the end of the outrage. Heck, where's Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton when you REALLY need 'em?? :)

[farmfriend]

Loony left alert.

[kristinn]

This wouldn't have happened under Chairman Maynard Jackson.

[noutopia]

Poor Jesse and Al are out to lunch so far on this.

[Dan from Michigan]

They aren't needed anymore. So the DNC's kicking them to the curve.

Guess they don't care about black Americans.

[Dan from Michigan]

Where the blue hell are they?

[noutopia]

WE be needs them fo sure.

[RJayneJ]

How insensitive! Screw the elections. Put those folks back on the payroll. They're not going to win anyway. Straighten Terry out, Donna!

Quote of the Day by Lizavetta

[Kuksool]

Of course come November 2004, the RATS will simply blame the Pubbies for the layoffs at the democRATic party HQ.

[winner3000]

Why shouldn't the DNC do this? After all, no matter what they do, no matter how many black children they imprisoned in America's public schools, blacks have overwhelmingly voted Democrat. Why shouldn't they be taken for granted? Hat's off to black conservatives. It takes a lot of courage and conviction to buck that huge peer pressure in order to face the truth.