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Wednesday, May 10, 2006

The Year of the Black Republican

The Washington Post has titled this election year the "year of the black Republican." May it be so, although the three blacks running for state office, Michael Steele for senator from Maryland, Lynn Swann for governor of Pennsylvania, and Ken Blackwell for governor of Ohio all start out as underdogs. However, they will receive a lot of attention and both parties will be pouring money into these campaigns. If African Americans are astute voters, they will realize that it is in their benefit to let the Democrats know that they are not a guaranteed constituency for the Democratic Party and thus, attention should be paid.
Republicans such as Mehlman say it will take more than one political cycle to change the habits of African American voters, and some Democrats say it will take more than a few attractive black Republican candidates to overcome GOP positions -- on affirmative action and other issues -- that many blacks view as anathema to their interests.

Still, some Democrats say the GOP's investment in high-profile black candidates represents a strategy that cannot be dismissed lightly. "It cuts into the Democratic base," said Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman. "It gives choices. And what that does is say to the Democratic Party, 'Put your money where your mouth is.' "
Of course it is not clear that African American vote primarily on affirmative action; often polls show a notable minority of African Americans who don't support affirmative action. They are often most interested in economic or social issues that affect them. These campaigns will get ugly as the Democratic Party fights to keep the black vote in their corner. Watch for the message that a black Republican is not a true black man.

posted by Betsy Newmark permalink 6:23 AM

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HOME Betsy neither necessarily uses, nor endorses, the products advertised on this site. Comments from an AP history and government teacher in Raleigh, NC. e-mail betsynewmark AT gmail.com Site Feed Wikio Your Market Research Here		Wednesday, May 10, 2006 The Year of the Black Republican The Washington Post has titled this election year the "year of the black Republican." May it be so, although the three blacks running for state office, Michael Steele for senator from Maryland, Lynn Swann for governor of Pennsylvania, and Ken Blackwell for governor of Ohio all start out as underdogs. However, they will receive a lot of attention and both parties will be pouring money into these campaigns. If African Americans are astute voters, they will realize that it is in their benefit to let the Democrats know that they are not a guaranteed constituency for the Democratic Party and thus, attention should be paid. Republicans such as Mehlman say it will take more than one political cycle to change the habits of African American voters, and some Democrats say it will take more than a few attractive black Republican candidates to overcome GOP positions -- on affirmative action and other issues -- that many blacks view as anathema to their interests. Still, some Democrats say the GOP's investment in high-profile black candidates represents a strategy that cannot be dismissed lightly. "It cuts into the Democratic base," said Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman. "It gives choices. And what that does is say to the Democratic Party, 'Put your money where your mouth is.' " Of course it is not clear that African American vote primarily on affirmative action; often polls show a notable minority of African Americans who don't support affirmative action. They are often most interested in economic or social issues that affect them. These campaigns will get ugly as the Democratic Party fights to keep the black vote in their corner. Watch for the message that a black Republican is not a true black man. posted by Betsy Newmark permalink 6:23 AM \|

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Wednesday, May 10, 2006

The Year of the Black Republican