Black, Republican and Lonely

[MHGinTN]

Perhaps I should say 'doesn't have to listen to or include them' in the calculations.

[rintense]

Some years ago, I had a wonderful conversation with a black guy I worked with. He was conservative in every way possible, but said he would always vote Democrat. So, I picked apart his reasoning, and asked him to identify his beliefs in relation to his faith. By the time our conversation was done, he realized the err of his ways (at least he said so), and would look more closely at Republicans.

But why did he vote for Democrats before then? Because he was convinced through stereotypes that Republicans were rich, racist white men. He admitted that.

[anniegetyourgun]

It's tough. I spoke with a few blacks in 2000 who actually believed the tripe they were hearing in their community about Bush repealing their voting rights.

I wish I could tell Riley that I appreciate her posting this because it's an important issue to explore. Otherwise we'll never get past these turnouts of 90% of blacks voting D.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

If you talk to blacks one on one, they have the same core beliefs that we have. Lower taxes, better education, and pro-life. But we can't take their votes for granted, we have to ASK for their vote.

Unfortunately we don't do enough asking and they vote for dems because that is what they have done their whole lives.

Did you catch the Detroit News this weekend?

[riley1992]

I sure did. The endorsements were the first thing I turned to. Congratulations, again. It's a great thing that you're doing. I only wish I were in your district so I could vote for you.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

They didn't even mention Hansen Clarke. I can only hope the voters take that endorsement paper and follow it.

[xJones]

I strongly disagree. I believe that the blacks must un-demonize themselves.

Maybe, just maybe, it will take an effort on both sides. The largely white Republicans and the taken-for-granted blacks on the other. No, Republicans can't lower our standards, but we somehow have to reach out and show black families that their best interests lie within the Republican party. Not welfare, work. Family, not fatherless homes. No victimization, united citizenry.

Okay, maybe that's all a dream, but it's the only dream we should strive for. If we can possibly make all races pull together without crying for special rights for any group, we have to. That's why we're different.

[cmsgop]

Yes absolutly! If there is one thing I want the GOP to do I want them to reach out to Black Republicans Nationwide...

[fieldmarshaldj]

"The Democratic gubernatorial candidate, H. Carl McCall -- the only black gubernatorial candidate in the country -- had to humiliate himself by publicly pleading with Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Terry McAuliffe for more campaign funds after McAuliffe had refused an earlier request because he doesn't think McCall can win."

He's actually partly wrong here with McCall being the only Black Dem running for Governor, and is missing an even more aggregious example. Nevada's Democrat gubernatorial candidate is State Sen. Joe Neal. Neal is African-American, and he is also utterly ignored by the DNC and even the state party saying "he can't win." Neal's biggest mistake in the eyes of the party ? Why he committed total apostasy by endorsing African-American REPUBLICAN candidate for Congress from NV-1, Lynette Boggs-McDonald ! The horror ! They ain't gonna stand for uppity "negroes" like Sen. Neal daring to exercise some independence and THINK for themselves ! Disgusting. The DNC is hoping to quietly see him buried on Election Day and that he will be forgotten about, and on the former part, he will be, but on examples of the latter part, this sort of treatment should NEVER be forgotten, and the GOP should use these examples when going into the Black Community to make their pitch. Sure, the Dems want their votes, and maybe giving them some legislative offices and perhaps even a token lower statewide office, but in most cases, they ain't gonna run one for the top slot -- uh, uh, -- don't wanna scare the "straights" (i.e. "the white folk"). Take a look at Georgia, for example, where the Dems (still really White-run) are trying to expand the number of Black Congressional members (up to 5) and who already have 2 in statewide office. What's going to happen when they rightfully make demands to run for the top job (or U.S. Senate ?), especially in what will be a close contest ? Yup, you guessed it. When Ron Kirk loses in TX on Tuesday, watch as the Dems gnash their teeth and privately vow not to run another Black as their candidate for a LONG time (and how it was a mistake to have run him -- shoulda gone with that Ken Bentsen fella). Another example of "we'll let you get close--but..." is here in my state of TN. State Rep. Lois DeBerry, the first Black female elected from Memphis, has been in the House for 30 years come January, and she has been in the leadership since almost day one. In fact, she has outlasted practically all of her fellow leadership colleagues from the time she was elected, and should've long ago ascended to the position of House Speaker, but, uh-uh, not gonna happen, she gets to play "Speaker Pro Tempore" for which she's held for an astonishing 16 years, and will likely hold until the Dems finally lose their majority which is built on a house of cards (profound gerrymandering -- the Dems now get a minority % of the vote to maintain a 57-42 edge). The White Dem powerbrokers wouldn't dare put DeBerry in the top slot, since they believe they'd end up in the minority by the next election. So much for their usefullness... With apologies to Malcolm X, Blacks didn't land in the Democrat party, the Democrat party landed on them, and as soon as they get out from under it, the better off they will be.

[Hot Tabasco]

Excellent article but fails to mention that the majority of the black/white public who vote socialist do so in the high pockets of union/church control. Example being, Detroit where the majority of people are black and attend churches, the churches with the aid of the U.A.W. bus the voters to their respective polls in mass and give them candidate specific literature on which to base their votes. This was most evident in the 2000 election

Such precincts are over-ripe for voter fraud to occur and there is no doubt in my mind that such fraud exists. The same can also be said about the other socialist bastions here in Michigan: Dearborn, Flint, Bay city and Saginaw.

These voters do not have the interest in politics to know what is right or wrong for them and come election time, only get out to vote because their church leaders or UAW representatives are willing to pick them up and drive them to the polls. These same folks do not watch the news, read the newspapers and only rely on their peers to help them make their decisions come election time.

While Michigan has a Republican governor, I think 2000 was the telling story about the socialist drive to stock our government with fellow socialists and this does not bode well for Tuesday's election of governor here in Michigan.....

[republicangel]

There is a mentality that must be pounded into their heads from a young age.

Ever since I overheard a co-worker tell another black (african-american) person at work, "You can't vote for a Republican, things will go back to the way they used to be."

I almost fell out of my desk chair

The saving grace was that the other person (a minister) laughed at her and said, " you don't really believe that, do you?"

[joesnuffy]

The author hasnt spent much time with the Hmong in central Wi....
I've seen a much different picture..than the one he paints...

[speekinout]

Look at the Republican candidate for governor here in Maryland, Bob Ehrlich. He picks a black as his Lt. Gov..

And, one of the few debates KKT agreed to was sponsored by the NAACP. The Blacks in attendance booed Ehrlich and pelted Steele with oreos.

One of the reasons I really want Ehrlich to win on Tue. is that if he does, he will likely serve two terms and then be followed by a Black Republican. What a grand 16 years, and a great "stick-in-your-eye" that will be!

[stevem]

The majority of blacks I've known do believe in and think those policies ought to be practiced and do practice them in their daily lives. I think the problem may lie more with people not seeing the larger scope of what their vote may actually bring about in the long run.

The blacks I have met working for the Republican Party are delightful. I have encountered truly marvelous senses of humor and a true sense of mission.

Unfortunately, they are in a minority of a mainority of a minority.

Is there a term for the disconnect you describe when it occurs year in and year out?

[redhead]

bumping...

[dalebert]

Bump!!!

[GOPJ]

bump

[mafree]

Excellent article but fails to mention that the majority of the black/white public who vote socialist do so in the high pockets of union/church control. Example being, Detroit where the majority of people are black and attend churches, the churches with the aid of the U.A.W. bus the voters to their respective polls in mass and give them candidate specific literature on which to base their votes. This was most evident in the 2000 election.

You make a good point here in that most of the "organized" Black political action happens through the unions and the churches. Both are essential to this happening. Why? Well, a proportionately high number of Blacks belong to unions and many who do not are favorable towards unions. The unions have money, organization, and numbers, not to mention the ability to scare their members around job-related issues. Mess with the J-O-B, you mess with the only thing standing between most folks and homelessness. Especially when they have little or nothing in wealth or savings.

What the unions do is go to Black churches where they will be able to mobilize blocs of Black voters. They will not go to every Black church, especially to those percieved as leaning Republican, but they will find a receptive home in most Black churches.

Can the GOP successfully use the unions and the churches to get more of the Black vote? That would seem to be almost impossible without compromising some GOP core values in order to promise all kinds of goodies and special protections to Blacks.

Yet, one way I could begin to see it happening is if Republican-leaning unions (yes, there are a few) and GOP-voting union members start organizing and start working with Black churches (and other organizations) that are at least willing to consider GOP issues and candidates.

Any other ideas?

[rdb3]

That's a pretty good idea.

No mercy.
Coming soon: Tha SYNDICATE.