The Debate at Morgan State: GOP at a Crossroads with Blacks and Hispanics

The GOP debate in Baltimore at Morgan State University, led and moderated by Tavis Smiley, and currently being snubbed by the leading candidates, is a pivotal moment in this election. It is a litmus test for a Republican Party that, in the past, has run away from black voters and only selectively interacted with Hispanic citizens.

At this moment in American history, it is clear that either the Republican Party wisely embraces people of color, or it chooses to be a losing political party in the future. The courage and vision of Tavis Smiley, and his often overlooked but historic Covenant movement, has put the limelight on this dilemma of the Republican Party.

We shall see which choice the Republican Party makes in regard to people of color in particular, but most importantly to their future as a party in the American democratic experiment.

Comments

[burrousgentry]

The Democratic Party was, up until the issue of civil rigth gained prominance, home to many frankly racist politicians as a kind of legacy of the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the role the party of Lincoln played in both events. Most of these throwbacks bolted the party for the GOP when the Voting Rights act won, and took their similarly flawed constituencies with them. Ever since the 1968 election, it has been increasingly clear that the GOP offers to these 'civil rights dissidents' the hope of a repeal of the court decisions and legislation which asserted not only the rights of blacks, but those of women in our society. Dispute it if you will, I insist that the divisive policies of the GOP are aimed at that result--repeal--in all the fronts where human rights have been protected, and that economic(c­lass)privi­lege is all that the GOP will suffer to exist, if they get their way. The GOP's appeal to Blacks on socially/morally divisive issues is abetted by their cynical willingness to PAY for influence through so-called faith-based initiatives. And many supposed community leaders have lined up fro their checks, as expected. I wonder how MLK would view these sell-outs.

[fazzy1960]

it's called influence peddling..­..remember that??

[PeteBogs]

Republicants also skipped a Spanish-language debate in Miami... not to mention a chance to be questioned by some gay public figures at another debate... those debates didn't scare away Hillary or Obama...

xenophobia is an unwritten tenet of the Republicant party... they don't want to associate with "those people"

[Danny]

Barbara Bush: "It's working out very well for them".

[oafishcad]

Now we know where George got his sense of logic and fairness.

[nowaterboardUSA]

Eisenhower was the last decent Republican President. He even warned against the rise of The Military-Industrial Complex. Too bad neither party heeded him. Because of the MIC, war is just way to profitable for too many people and too many towns depend on it for economic survival. Thus, these protracted wars - with the exception of Desert Storm - over the past 45 years.

[suzannenyc]

It's incredible that the Republican party has written off blacks and hispanics allowing their candidates to ignore this significant constituency in their national campaign. Do they think they can be elected by white people only?? Are they insane?? Clearly this isn't only an individual decision. The question is why? What are they so afraid of? The answer is clear. They are afraid of reality.

[oafishcad]

Especially since most of the white folks I know aren't going to vote Republican this coming election. Just who are these mystery GOP supporters? Or are they just Diebold electronic magic voting people?

[MAC2]

You have half the answer the other half is the same one that got Shrub man in the first time. He (Shrub man) has added to the court over the last 6 years. There is no way the Neo-Cons are going to drop this election. We will have to have another civil war if we are to gain our country back......

[Nommo]

I am long past concerning myself or pondering the absurdity of the republican party. As the dems morph into repub lite, I wonder what Black folk are going to do at all---in response to disenfranchisement, to fooling themselves like those poor souls in Ohio, or just having to ask for one senator to stand up and be a senator.
All of that type have never ever addressed any matter concerning Black folk. Nothing whatsoever.
I wonder what they have addressed for their natural constituents and if such is at odds for Black folks. As MV Peebles once asked, "this can't be America?

[HildebrandGlossop]

R - acist
E - vil
P - ontificating
U - npleasant
B - igoted
L - ying
I - gnorant
C - heap
A - vericious
N - egative

They ALL secretky love the idea of long white robes and hoods....ask trent lott, bob barker, george allen and company.....

[fazzy1960]

i like that one, now think up of one for the dems too, hillary concerns me, she's too centrist, with slight tilt to the right, like her sax-man, wild bill.

[IRIE]

I think black people should stop wholehearted supporting the Democratic party. You saw how quickly they were ready to thrown you guys under the bus over illegal immigration.

[oafishcad]

True, the Republican Party just throws anyone not of the financial elite under the bus.

[SamuelBerry08]

I'm a Republican candidate who would like to participate in the debate at Morgan State, but I doubt I would rate any higher in importance for that debate than for any of the other Republican debates.

[SONWABO MDA]

The Republican Party has suffered an erosion of moral rectitude over the years, and its warped prerogatives renders it incapable of understanding the dynamics of human condition as it actually obtains rather than the way it wishes to interprete it to be. The Republicans refuse to acknowledge the social inequities in our society because a system controlled by its major constituency is largely responsible for the transgressions that have given rise to those inequities. So it is only matter convenience for them to convince themselves that the underprivilege in society don'nt exist. That is partly why the Republican presidential candidates refuse to address Black or Latino constituencies for the simple reason that these groups do not exist and if they do they should be maginalized.

[Changeizgood]

Boy are they gonna be shocked in 08" when the African American vote jumps over 30%. And that's just because the other third is locked up and a felon. Racist Penitentury Electorial College System, used to suppress or take away non-violent felons to suppress.

[enoughalready]

Cornel, as always you are so right.

I think all Americans have got to realize that the Bush administration and the GOP have left most Americans behind. I say most, because the wealthy Republican American has made out like bandits while the rest of us lose ground daily on both economic and constitutional grounds.

When you see political candidates speaking to only crowds of their base support and the blatant subverting of our votes in Ohio in 2004, when will Americans stand up and realize we are all in the same boat. We are being ignored, some for our skin color but most for our political beliefs. If we dare to be different we should not be included but rather excluded. That's not my America and it's got to change. The only way it changes is if the people begin to reject these elitist candidates.

Always enjoy your posts.

[Jane22]

Enoughalready, this is the only way it will change! Plus election reform as in publicly funded, free complimentary equal press to all comers of an ETHICAL approach! I do dream too much, I guess.

[Changeizgood]

No Child Left behind in this War?

[Qbear]

color me disappointed

I was SO looking forward to John McCain answering why he remained in the GOP, and cozied up to Bush after that SOB thru Karl Rove and "CHRISTIAN" phone trees used the filthy racism tactic in South Carolina of a rumored illegitemate Black Baby,,,his adopted Bangaladesh DAUGHTER?

Maybe the others would comment on "Call Me, Harold" commercial?

[oafishcad]

Ever since McCain cozied up to Bush after that primary battle I lost all respect I ever had for him.

[Monette Monet]

Cornel West and Tavis Smiley are both brilliant, articulate men; I never miss an opportunity to watch and listen to either of them. Not all the Republican cadidates can boast those credentials of brilliant and articulate. Bless their hearts.
I live in the South and was raised in the South, with an open mind and open heart. In the last 6 years, the issue of discrimination has seemed to be in reverse from where we were in 1964 and beyond. When you look at what happened with Katrina, and now the Jena 6, you have to shake your head in amazement and wonder, is this the America I know? Thank goodness for those like Cornel, Tavis and others who keep the message alive and try to bring a human litmus test to us all.

[Blutus]

Articulate.

Twice.

Indeed.......

[Blutus]

Is "articulate" the word of choice here?

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

I'll take "eloquent" for a hunert, Jack.

[gopindrag]

For a party that came to power by dividing the electorate, that juryrigged the barest of majorities by hysterically overplaying their trump card, fear, there is no we.

[zenhead]

I hope that the NAAC and various Hispanic caucuses and organizations lambaste the Republican candidates for not showing up at their specific "ethnic or orientation group sponsored" debates.
They've turned away from Hispanics and also, from Gay people.
The arrogance of the GOP has now emerged in it's most naked form: they think they can win any future elections (even primaries), without: Gays, including Gay Republicans; African-Americans and Hispanic Americans. If that's not arrogant, as well as incredibly stupid, I don't know what is.
But, c'est la vie!
If they want to write off entire segments of the American population, when they're already on the ropes, fine. I only hope that these organizations get out an enormous registration & "vote on election day"
drive. I hope and pray that all of these groups look at those among them who ARE Republican voters, and calmly and logically sit down and persuade them to end their connections with the GOP.

[oafishcad]

They don't need the votes. They have Diebold.

[Changeizgood]

That's what I mean, you said it, even when they are on the ropes they won't give it up.

These fools have our soldiers in Iraq, and they won't admit they are headed off a cliff.

Our troops are under the Commander and Chimp and you know what they say?
Monkey see, Monkey do.

Impeach Bush and Cheney now, or Iran the fourth agenda of King spiled George,(world war?)will be next.

America better watch him like a Eagle, not Hawk.

Justice and Equality, Power to the People!!!

[Overd0g]

Presumably you mean other than employing the most diverse cabinet in human history (Dem administrations included).

[oafishcad]

They are united in their greed and selfishness and the idea that the many should work to benefit the elite.

[Jane22]

Yes, Yes, Yes.