When I write a post my hope is to be pithy, or insightful, or at the very least to be able to take a sideways view of an otherwise warmed over topic.
This time the Republicans have got me beat.
I can think of no good, new, or clever way to dissect what is, frankly, a dumb move on the part of their top tier candidates -- former Senator Fred Thompson, Sen. John McCain, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. All are giving the go-bye to the Sept 27th All American Presidential Forum organized by Tavis Smiley at Morgan State University in Baltimore and airing on PBS.
This on top of all the Republican Presidential candidates -- save for McCain -- putting the dodge on the Univision debate. Univision being the most-watched Hispanic television network in the United States.
It's not as if the Republicans have so much political capital they can afford to throw anyone a cold shoulder. They certainly can't run on the war. And polls show the electorate trusts the Democrats with national security more than Republicans. Craig and Vitter have taken family values off the table, along with the Republican candidates themselves and their harems.
So why ignore voters of color? The Washington Post quotes one anonymous source as saying the candidates are afraid if they show up at Morgan State "they're probably going to get booed."
Two things here. Thing one: fear of a hostile reception: isn't that logic the same slam the conservatives -- and, uh, me from time to time - throw at the Dems for avoiding Fox News? If they can't stand a hot discussion how are they going to stand up to other world leaders/dictators/terrorists?
Thing number two: A debate at Morgan State ain't Showtime at the Apollo! Do the candidates really think black folks are going to sit there and boo their lily asses all night? Sandman's ghost isn't going to sweep them off stage. Strap on your meat, show up, and state your case. Speak intelligently, you might get groaned and guffawed. You will not get booed.
I remember going to the first Republican presidential debate this year held just days after the 15th anniversary of the Rodney King riots, in Simi Valley, California (where the jury acquitted the cops who beat King), held at the Reagan Library (Reagan who infamously launched his 1980 presidential bid in Philadelphia, Miss. where civil rights workers Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman were murdered in 1964). About the only two minorities in the joint were me, and -- as a stretch -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. I remember at the time, looking at all those old white guys lined up like a string of pearls. They might be well meaning, but those guys on that day in that location... I sure didn't get the feeling the party couldn't communicate with me less if they tried.
With this latest snub, they've proven me wrong.
One possibility, besides the increasing marginalisation of the Republican/Rove talking points, is that Republicans have realised that they are so unprepared to talk about substantive issues, that in a debate with meaningful questions, they would come across looking even more ridiculous than they already do.
They really have no clue.
Was Tancredo booed at The NAACP?
No.
And, so what if they WERE booed?
But, you and I know they won't be.
The republicans know they have been rumbled, so why bother.
Katrina anyone ?
Barbara Bush's comments on the superdome ?
Which is why Republican candidates for president are refusing a "Black" debate.
There is no more sure way for candidates in a Republican presidential primary race to lose Republican votes to other candidates then showing any concern, support or even sympathy toward Blacks.
I mean as Rudy G. proves the term "VALUES" among most Republican "VALUES VOTERS" is merely code for RACE. That poor White folk in can South have understood this code for the about 30 years and that affluent people of all races in the rest of America seem unable or unwilling to decipher really makes me wonder.
Neither of these schools have much of a reputation for embracing blacks or ethnic diversity. On the contrary, Bob Jones University was founded on principles which denigrated blacks and Catholics and openly professed anti-Semitism.
The Southern Poverty Law Center, an organization which studies and compiles hate groups such as homophobes, white supremacists, skinheads and neo-Nazi associations, calculates that there are about 15% of all American citizens who are fervently racist and bigoted.
Not surprisingly, most of these groups are drawn to the Republican Party and will turn out in droves to vote for wedge and racist issues like flying the Confederate flag over statehouses in the Deep South.
Also, much of the immigration debate is grounded in attacks against Hispanics in our country, much of it driven by the xenophobic Minutemen who wave the American flag in one hand while brandishing a shotgun or rifle in the other. That they share the same prejudice against blacks and other minorities is evident in their constant cacophony against almost anyone who isn't white. These groups have become a solid 15% of the Republican base.
It is the underlying reason why it is easy enough for the Republican candidates to do the simple math: Blacks comprise about 13% of the population in the United States whereas the racist base, mostly in states below the Mason-Dixon Line, make up at least 15% with the likelihood there are many more closet racists which up the odds for Republican candidates to get elected.
When all the votes are counted the 2% margin of victory may seem like a squeaker but a one run win is as good as winning by ten -- it's still a win and it is the main reason why Republican candidates can afford to snub black voters in America.
GOP - it IS still your grandpa's grumpy old party.
They wouldn't want to be questioned by voters of color for the same reason that they wouldn't want to be questioned by a bunch of Democrats. They want to concentrate on their issues, not our issues.