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.

[noutopia]

If you are series sir welcome.

[noutopia]

So you are black,poor and Jewish?

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

"Black," no. "Jewish," yes. "Poor" would depend upon your definition of same, I suppose. Why, if you don't mind my asking...? :)

[jagrmeister]

No member of the Congressional Black Caucus is willing to stand up to Klansman Byrd. He puts fear in their hearts, for good reason, but they have yet had the courage to walk away. The GOP should lobby young black voters and canvass the rest to stay home on the basis that the Democrats have nothing for them lately- it's like a De La Hoya flurry in the last few seconds to steal the round: Dems do nothing but then flurry a few months before the election proposing bills to aid blacks which they know won't pass but they can use for election purposes. It's a sad sight to watch.

[noutopia]

Hey I like them all don't you?This is a big house and all of us can get along here.I really don't care,if you are black,white green or purple as long as you are Conservative I have no problem with you or yours.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

We should get along famously, then. I'm a diehard Reagan conservative. I'm pro-tax cuts; anti-government spending; pro-Israel (obviously); pro-gun; anti-NEA; etc., etc. I firmly believe in the Reagan Doctrine, insofar as interaction with foreign governments goes. I want to have Michelle Malkin's love child. Good enough...? :)

[noutopia]

What you said.I cant type that fast and I'm not as articulat,but yes thats why I'm here to talk with people and that is all. the more conservative the better.

[Doctor Raoul]

If you are black, the liberals demand that you believe what they want you to believe. The part where you line up to be abused, well that's just a extra bennie.....

[Doctor Raoul]

Leading black Democrats in Congress

This should read "Leading Democrat blacks in Congress" because there are NO black people in leadership positions at the DNC.

DNC stands for "Deny Negros Control".

Maynard Jackson should be the DNC Chair. Somebody tell Donna that "The White Boys Won" (that's a riff on her racist remark). Clinton and Rendell were successful in putting McAuliffe in Maynard's Chair.

Howard Ford should be their leader in the House. The Democrats selected a white Gucci bag over a hard working black leader.

Carl McCall got the TRIPLE SCREW. Hillary waited till Mischief Night (days before the election) to hold a fundraiser for him PRIVATELY. The next morning, Hillary's at a photo op, a factory opening, bumping politic uglies with McCalls' opponent and saying nice things about him PUBLICALLY. Then Terry Terrific, the imposter in Maynard's chair, takes funds slated for McCall and sends it to two white guys in Florida, his father in law and the candidate his father in law works for. BTW, they both LOST.

And then there's the little known story of the DCCC position. William J. Jefferson is a good fundraiser, a hard worker and loyal Democrat who asked for the job. Well by now I don't have to tell you, he's black and the DNC screwed him too. He applied but didn't get the job. It went to a guy who wasn't even interested in the job.

What's a black person have to do to be allowed to sit in the front of the DNC bus?

[AbsoluteJustice]

It's a race thang you wouldn't understand LOL.

[OpusatFR]

The same person who said, "We can't let the white boys win!"

Donna Brazile.

I hope no one ever forgets her racist statement. The media sure glossed over that one.

[finnman69]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

The poverty pimps cry racism any time a hyphen American loses a job.

[BaBaStooey]

Use Me
Music and Lyrics by Bill Withers

My friends feel it's their appointed duty
They keep trying to tell me all you want to do is use me
But my answer yeah to all that use me stuff
Is I wanna spread the news that if it feels this good getting used
Oh you just keep on using me until you use me up
Until you use me up

My brother sit me right down and he talked to me
He told me that I ought not to let you just walk on me
And I'm sure he meant well yeah but when our talk was through
I said brother if you only knew you'd wish that you were in my shoes
You just keep on using me until you use me up
Until you use me up

Oh sometimes yeah it's true you really do abuse me
You get in a crowd of high class people and then you act real rude to me
But oh baby baby baby baby when you love me I can't get enough
I and I wanna spread the news that if it feels this good getting used
Oh you just keep on using me until you use me up
Until you use me up

Talking about you using me but it all depends on what you do
It ain't too bad the way you're using me
Cause I sure am using you to do the things you do
Ah ha to do the things you do

[Randjuke]

OK, they cut 10 minority employees yesterday to save money and streamline operations but have hired at least 9 new minority employees in the past month? Does this make sense to anyone?

[xrp]

Hah, Democrats can cut their staff to cut their budget but they can't cut the federal budget to let taxpayers keep more of their money? WTF

[AxelPaulsenJr]

You mean you don't care about minorities anymore?

[votelife]

That's not their only trouble with minorities.

"We urge every Senator to treat Miguel Estrada fairly and to vote to confirm." - Hispanic Bar Assn.

"We don't want to be treated as double standards." -Robert de Posada, Latino Coalition

"This is a very serious issue for our community and no politician should take this lightly. We urge the Senate to act responsibly and urge an up or down vote. " - Robert de Posada, Latino Coalition

"It's of grave concern to those of us with family in the military and overseas that Rome is burning while the Senate is fiddling." - Kay Daly, spokesperson for the "Coalition for a Fair Judiciary."

"We rarely have seen, if ever, a record of accomplishment (like) Miguel Estrada." - Juan Carlos Iturregui, Hispanic National Bar Assn.

"We urge Senate to vote on this confirmation NOW. Not next month..." -Juan Carlos Iturregui, Hispanic National Bar Assn.

"We also are concerned that some members of the Senate are trying to impose a higher standard of review that is unprecidented." - Juan Carlos Iturregui, Hispanic National Bar Assn.