Republicans Blow Another Opportunity to Reach Black America

Republicans have long attributed their electoral position in Black America to an unfortunate confluence of misunderstandings, liberal media bias, and Black civil rights leaders that "control" the thought processes of Black voters and instruct them to be supplicants to the Democratic Party.  If only Republicans could speak directly to Black voters without the media filter, they contend, Black voters would see that the GOP has a platform that speaks to Black empowerment.  Indeed, the argument goes, once Black voters hear the Republicans speak to them unfiltered, then it is only a matter of time before the GOP begins to win substantial Black support.  There's only one problem with that argument as it relates to the 2008 Republican presidential nomination fight: Republican candidates are willfully missing an unfiltered, unedited opportunity to speak directly to African Americans.  Their snubbing of minority groups is more evidence that it is not serious about winning Black and Brown votes.

The Public Broadcasting Service announced on February 8, 2007 that it would broadcast two live presidential candidate forums to be moderated by Tavis Smiley, the host of a talk show on the network.  According to the February announcement, the forums were conceived in the wake of the release of Smiley's book the Covenant with Black America, which speaks to 10 of the most significant issues facing Black America.  Upon the book's publication, the national committees of both major parties pledged that their respective presidential candidates would address the issues raised in the book.

While every Democratic presidential candidate found their way to D.C. for the June forum, it appears that the Republican candidates can't get their GPS to direct them to Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland for the GOP candidate's forum scheduled for September 27.  It appears that none of the "top tier" candidates will participate.  Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Senator John McCain, and former Senator Fred Thompson  have declined invitations to participate.

There is an awful lot of time between early February and late September, so it's implausible that the Republican candidates were booked when the forum was announced.  The GOP absences from a forum that targets voters they claim to covet can only be seen as proof that their talk and deeds on winning Black votes are moving in opposite directions.

Sadly, this is standard operating procedure for the Republicans and outreach to minority constituencies.  Most major GOP candidates have declined invitations to address the NAACP and the Urban League, as well as appear at a forum televised by Univision.  Univision canceled its forum because of the abysmal Republican response (only Senator John McCain accepted the invitation)  This strategy is insane when you consider that many of the issues that are raised at these events would also be raised in "majority" settings as well.  It's also arrogant, as it suggests that some voters are unworthy of addressing. 

Yes, the Republicans are in trouble with Black Americans and struggling with Hispanic Americans.  However, thumbing your nose so publicly at these constituencies is politically stupid and represents yet another in the long list of examples that show the GOP is not serious about winning minority voters.  Demographic trends suggest that position will hurt the party in the long run.

Michael K. Fauntroy is an assistant professor of public policy at George Mason University and author of the recently published book Republicans and the Black Vote.  He blogs at www.MichaelFauntroy.com.

Comments

[frank67]

The party of Lincoln has become the party of the segregationists.
The party of the segregationists has become the party that champions minority rights.
Go figure.

[libertyanne]

Minorities voting for republicans is like chickens voting for Colonol Sanders.
If you want small goverment and low taxes vote Libertarian. If your're against abortion, vote Libertarian. There will still be abortions but your tax dollars will not supptort them. Your guns would be secure in your possession. Your children could go to your choice of shcools. Hemp would be the cash crop it once was. You would be free to worship how you wish OR NOT and be left alone. These two parties will not leave you alone.
What happened to our desire to be left alone?

[speakingout]

what ALL you Republicans AND Democrats need to realize is that the republican candidates, except for Ron Paul (the only one worth voting for if you vote republican), don't give a s**t about any of you because they believe their corporate doners will get them elected. That's who they answer to and over the years it's gotten worse and worse!! The whole election process is a sham for citizens as the electoral college is the one that really gets them elected and it needs to be abolished so the election process can be "honest" for once. This was the problem when Bush stole the election the first time. The popular vote which is the voice of the people, should be what gets them elected. Our government is so corrupt thanks to the republicans, I can't stand it anymore. We need to impeach Bush & Cheney now, we can't afford to wait another year or we'll be in another war and more of our freedoms will be tossed aside. Wake up America! I'm an ex-republican, and I see the writing on the wall!!

[The Thinker]

It seems today, It only becomes "racist" when your white.

[CarmanK]

Actions speak louder than words. The Republicans benefit from insulting Democrats, liberals, blacks, poor whites, hispanics. They disorient and divide constituencies.It makes the Republican party look committed and straight talking. They are the party of "big business" and special interests. And they play voters like a violin. Fewer forums, fewer opportunities for the press and the people to challenge their positions and reveal their lies and weaknesses. Iraq and Katrina are Republican failures. The Republicans want to avoid such unpleasant reminders of their failed governance as much as possible.

They stay on message. The Repugs have successfully convinced the American people that the Democrats are weak on defense, cater to trouble making rabble and waste tax money on welfare cheats. They don't want to distract the voters with such things as truth and knowledge. Truth is dangerous to the Republican power structure.

[rmrd]

The tone of the posts by GOP Conservatives speaks volumes to me about whether to consider a Republican candidate. The answer a resounding No. First, most African-Americans who vote work, pay their bills and feed their families. They are offended by GOP characterizations regarding looking for "handouts". Like every other voter they look for someone who appears to be addressing issues they care about. Which candidate seems to actually possess a brain. African-American voters will respond when spoken to in a civil manner. They will also turn a deaf ear when they are marinalized or demeaned (see aforementioned posts). The GOP is getting it's just desserts from African-American voters.
The GOP has squandered what it had gained in the Black community following Eisenhower and the Little Rock 9 with the Southern strategy. At the present time I consider the GOP about as often as the GOP considers me, virtually never. My portfolio and family have prospered by my hard work and avoidance of the GOP. I see no reason to change a profitable relationship.

[barryearle]

Dear Michael,

Why should Republican candidates show up at a forum when the current Republican president is supporting programs at local neighborhood churches? After all, if the ministers of these churches do not encourage their parishoners to vote Republican, all that faith-based money might disappear. It's exactly how Yasar Arafat would bind the public to him; he would distribute small amounts of money to help people with specific problems. And in this way he maintained, in part, his supporters loyalty (and his own wealth, I might add). The Republicans under Bush are doing exactly the same thing except they are using taxpayers dollars to do so. Therefore, there is no need to show up at a forum when they can wave a carrot and a stick at black religious "leaders."

[wallygator]

you had me at Republicans Blow

[OckhamsElectricRazor]

Ah Republicans: 'The White Stuff'

[Wildboar]

There is one man running on the Republican ticket that all Americans can get behind and support: Ron Paul.

Listen to Ron Paul during the upcoming debate. You will find that he will talk about our constitution, liberty and how these things unify us. There will be no promises that the government will save us. There will, however, be promises that if we come together in the name of Liberty that we can save ourselves from the government.

[shaggles]

Ron Paul is an arch-conservative in the old sense. Abolish the IRS, DEA, etc. I can't get behind that but he's the only Republican I have an ounce of respect for.

[KarenZipdrive]

The GOP is scared of Tavis Smiley- how much clearer can that be?
He's their worst nightmare and they are not about to jump on the Honkytown bus to go see him.

[Robster]

...and when blacks gain wealth they vote Republican.

[darker]

GOP Republicans think "Black America" is a ridiculous joke. They don't associate with anything but LOTS OF MONEY-- from the USTreasury.

There is lots $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ to be made by GOP Republican loyalists and pals to get out of the Bush-Cheney profiteer "war" games.

Bush-Cheney took advantage of "evangelical church country" of REDNECK RIGHTWING TERRORIST CHRISTIANS as a "voter block" and Supreme Court rightwingers to install themselves and start "terrorism" to replace "communism" as an excuse to constantly SHOVEL TAXPAYER DOLLARS out of USTreasury into pockets of war profiteering corporate welfare queen pals,
Big Oil, Katrina profiteers, Blackwater private for-profit army, liars, cheaters, killers -- a GOP Republican "enrichment program"MONEY GRAB.

Good luck, turning around this "Queen Mary" ship on a dime, Americans. Now you're really stuck with the ROBBERY & KILLING of the middle class.

[elleng]

As unAmerican as this sounds, THEY DON'T CARE. And they don't care that their attitude appears to be unAmerican to white Americans like me.

As we can see from the way 'they' have mishandled the nation's business lately, they don't UNDERSTAND what America means to much of the world, and if some of them do understand, THEY DON'T CARE.

Their attitude is risking the demolition of this nation, in my opinion. We 'others' have a lot of work to do to save it.

[scottymac11]

Recognition of black concerns would cost them the Strom / Lott vote. If that happened they'd be left with only the rapture voters to hoodwink.