« Makhdoom Amin Fahim: Pakistan’s Emerging Hope?
Pakistan’s Kidnapped Ambassador: Is he safe? No One Is Bothered… »
(Updated) A Secret GOP Program & Open Sore
Today’s Republican Party (as opposed to the Big Tent GOP of the Goldwater-Rockefeller era) has welcomed blacks with open arms — as long as they use the back door on their way to the kitchen or maid’s quarters — and has been only somewhat less unfriendly to women.
So the possibility that John McCain will be facing an African-American or a woman in the November election is scaring the bejeebers out of party bigs, who have launched a secret operation to try to determine how far they can go in attacking either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton.
Before I go any further, please note that this is not a satire like my Saga of the Cedars. And pause to consider the extraordinary fact that one of the two major political parties in America has become so extreme that it has to take steps to try to immunize itself against what it sees as inevitable charges of racism or sexism.
And marvel that the secret operation is not meant to sensitize the party faithful, let alone draw in black and woman voters, but to gauge how to best attack Obama or Clinton.
Jack Kemp, the 1996 Republican vice presidential nominee, is one of the few prominent Republicans to speak out about the GOP’s raving intolerance.
Kemp tells The Politico that:
“You can’t run against Barack Obama the way you could run against Bill Clinton, Al Gore or John Kerry.
“Being an African American at the top of the ticket, if he makes it, is such a great statement about the country. Obviously you have to be sensitive to issues that affect urban America. . . . You have to be careful.”
More here. And here for a sneak peek at what the Republican attacks might be like if it’s Obama.
I’ll be discussing this post with Jazz Shaw and the Lady Logician on Midstream Radio this afternoon from 1:30-2 p.m. Eastern Time. Click here to listen and participate.
opinions powered by SendLove.to
36 Responses to “(Updated) A Secret GOP Program & Open Sore”
The real question is can conservatives (instead of Republicans) ever appeal to blacks. I believe the answer is no. Blacks are probably the most monolithic demographic group in the U.S. The party that does not favor quotas, set asides, separate and unequal treatment will always lose the black vote.
And yes, the current rules of public behavior make it almost impossible for Repubicans to run against a black candidate. An example would be that an opponent cannot describe a black candidate as an empty suit no matter how dumb the candidate is or how many public gaffes that they make. It is also impossible to make up derisive nicknames (like Bushie, Chimpy McBush, etc for any black candidate). The main stream media could not even bring itself to call Cynthia McKinney intolerant or will not call Maxine Waters or Barbara Lee for their intolerance.
The inability of the Republicnas to be consistent on conservatives positions and the incompetence of the Bush Administration had destroyed the Republican party.
If you want to see what the future of politics looks like, we should look at how Mayors cases are held in big cities. The real election is the Democratic primary and the general election is an afterthought that the media does not even bother to cover.
Every party conducts oppositional research before elections. Racism can be manufactured where there is no overt intent, with a resulting backlash, that aids the black candidate. The GOP is unused to having to show racist or gender-based sensitivity in national elections, so the burden of it will prove a considerable handicap to their party's chances of success.
Other problems they face:
McCain- will be seen as an insider in a change election.
It is difficult for the same party to stay in power after 8 years of an unpopular administration.
Conservatives still haven't coalesced around McCain. It is difficult to judge the damage done by Rush, Sean, Ann etc, not to mention the lack of ringing endorsements from social conservatives.
McCain, while a genuine American hero lacks the personal charisma of Obama. Also given all of his years in the Senate, there is much more of a record to attack in campaign ads.
Obama has dwarfed McCain in fundraising prowess. More importantly, he has raised most in small donations, indicating greater grass roots support.
I didn't include Hillary in most of my points because, imo, her campaign is dying out, and is now in its final throes before she concedes after the Texas and Ohio primaries. When she was the front-runner she was able to ignore her opposition. Now she is desperately going after Obama with all she's got, hoping for a miracle. In other years, she would have had the nomination sewn up. This time around, she could not compete with a gifted, younger black phenom.
I meant to add that McCain posesses the additional baggage of a history of unpopular positions on immigration, campaign finance and the Iraq War that will limit his appeal to voters from both sides.
SD:
Your talking points are tired.
Conservatives CAN appeal to blacks, but not the hard-core bunch that hijacked the Republican party.
And blacks are NOT monolithic. In fact, there probably has been more movement in the black demographic in the last 30 years than among any other group.
Shaun,
If Hillary Clinton cannot appeal to blacks, what makes you think that an conservative candidate can do it. The Republicans could come out for reparations tomorrow and not get one more black vote.
How could any conservative appeal to blacks? Please describe with policy idea instead of saying to stop being racist.
Obama's middle name is Hussein.
The idea that Republicans will be fastidious is a joke.
SD:
Hillary Clinton, in part because of Bill Clinton, DID appeal to blacks early on and I fully expected a goodly number of them to support her through the primary season. This included some of my black friends, while my best source deep inside the Obama campaign had assumed from the outset that many blacks would not vote for his man. Then came a bump in the road called South Carolina.
At the core of the contemporary conservative message is that entitlements are bad and by extension any program — health, housing, education, etc. — that gives someone a leg up because they lack the advantages of others is to be opposed vehemently. The S-CHIP expansion is a good example and one that cuts across racial lines.
The conservative message that government should be smaller and less intrusive should appeal to blacks. Hell, it appeals to me in the abstract. But when it is subsumed by party leaders who have supported a spendthrift president who had intruded on American lives to an extraordinary extent and who with the rare exception of the Kemps and Roves go out of their way to NOT reach out to blacks, the inevitable result is charges of racism. That is a loaded and overused word, but it fits pretty damned well.
SD- If the GOP doesn't appeal to blacks its their own doing. Years of black voter suppression, caging and scare tactics about black criminals or black candidates have come back to haunt them.
In addition their candidates have noticably snubbed events and debates at black organizations. There is also a long history of Republicans using the southern strategy (since Nixon).
A quick look at the 10 candidates who made up the Republican presidential field—all middle-aged white male Christians tells you why there is a limited appeal to minorities. When they do back a black candidate, its often someone who's absolutely out of touch with their communities like Alan Keyes.
shaun,
I disagree with you that blacks should want smaller government. Look at the percentage of African-Americans who work in the public sector (20%). Look at the out of wedlock birthrate. Look at the lower admission standards from magnet high schools, to colleges, to universities. Look at the 8A minority set aside contracting program. There is not one aspect of black life where the Republicans can make a good policy claim except maybe immigration and the black community just not see immigration as a big concern.
I believe that blacks started voting for Obama not because of South Carolina but because he started looking like the winner. Look at those black politicians who have jumped between the two candidates. If Hillary Clinton cannot appeal to blacks and has to walk a mine field to keep from alienating them, then the Republicans have no chance.
The same goes for Hispanics. Karl Rove thought that pandering to Hispanics would improve Hispanic support for the Republicans. All it really did was alienate the core Republican voters and severely damage President Bush and Senator McCain.
Since you use anectodal story, I will too. I have several black co-workers who every March complain about their taxes. It is all I can do not to laugh in their face since every one is a hard core Democrat and would never vote for a Republican. The upper middle class blacks do not want lower taxes. They just want whites to be the ones paying them. Thus the support for reparations in the black community.
shaun,
I disagree with you that blacks should want smaller government. Look at the percentage of African-Americans who work in the public sector (20%). Look at the out of wedlock birthrate. Look at the lower admission standards from magnet high schools, to colleges, to universities. Look at the 8A minority set aside contracting program. There is not one aspect of black life where the Republicans can make a good policy claim except maybe immigration and the black community just not see immigration as a big concern.
I believe that blacks started voting for Obama not because of South Carolina but because he started looking like the winner. Look at those black politicians who have jumped between the two candidates. If Hillary Clinton cannot appeal to blacks and has to walk a mine field to keep from alienating them, then the Republicans have no chance.
The same goes for Hispanics. Karl Rove thought that pandering to Hispanics would improve Hispanic support for the Republicans. All it really did was alienate the core Republican voters and severely damage President Bush and Senator McCain.
Since you use anectodal story, I will too. I have several black co-workers who every March complain about their taxes. It is all I can do not to laugh in their face since every one is a hard core Democrat and would never vote for a Republican. The upper middle class blacks do not want lower taxes. They just want whites to be the ones paying them. Thus the support for reparations in the black community.
SD- Karl Rove realized that the GOP will die out if it doesn't expand its base, as you so often predict on this site. He felt that Bush had a great shot at appealing to Hispanics due to his close contact with many of them as Texas governor. It was far-reaching, but what he didn't count on was the backlash. How would you suggest enlarging the base of the GOP, now that 7 years of Bush policies have shrunk it?
SD- Karl Rove realized that the GOP will die out if it doesn't expand its base, as you so often predict on this site. He felt that Bush had a great shot at appealing to Hispanics due to his close contact with many of them as Texas governor. It was far-reaching, but what he didn't count on was the backlash. How would you suggest enlarging the base of the GOP, now that 7 years of Bush policies have shrunk it?
kritt11,
I have come to believe that there is no way that a conservative party can exist in the U.S. The demographic groups that would ever vote for a conservative are shrinking. The Republicans hit their high water mark in 2000 when the white baby boomers hit the correct age to turn out to vote but before the black and Hispanic demographic groups get old enough to really start voting. Of course, the incompetent Bush Administration decide to throw away any advantage the Republicans had. When the Republicans supported expanding government, deficit spending, and earmarks, they threw away their credibility.
In the future, Social and fiscal conservatives would probably have more impact on policy if they just start voting in the Democratic primary. They could function as a huge counterbalance for the most liberal Democrats.
kritt11,
I have come to believe that there is no way that a conservative party can exist in the U.S. The demographic groups that would ever vote for a conservative are shrinking. The Republicans hit their high water mark in 2000 when the white baby boomers hit the correct age to turn out to vote but before the black and Hispanic demographic groups get old enough to really start voting. Of course, the incompetent Bush Administration decide to throw away any advantage the Republicans had. When the Republicans supported expanding government, deficit spending, and earmarks, they threw away their credibility.
In the future, Social and fiscal conservatives would probably have more impact on policy if they just start voting in the Democratic primary. They could function as a huge counterbalance for the most liberal Democrats.
This says more about “core Republican voters” than anything else.
This says more about “core Republican voters” than anything else.
Chris,
the core Republican voters realize that a conservative political party cannot survive with open border and unlimited immigration of poor people from the third world. President Bush, Karl Rove, and Senator McCain are either too stupid to realize it or just do not care. Either way, they were wrong on the immigration issue.
Besides what is wrong with middle class conservative voters wanting to leave their grandchildren a country that does not look like El Paso Texas?
Chris,
the core Republican voters realize that a conservative political party cannot survive with open border and unlimited immigration of poor people from the third world. President Bush, Karl Rove, and Senator McCain are either too stupid to realize it or just do not care. Either way, they were wrong on the immigration issue.
Besides what is wrong with middle class conservative voters wanting to leave their grandchildren a country that does not look like El Paso Texas?
I don't honestly believe that Republican voters are thinking about party survival when they talk about deporting 20 million people.
I don't honestly believe that Republican voters are thinking about party survival when they talk about deporting 20 million people.
“Blacks are probably the most monolithic demographic group in the U.S.”
Blacks make up 10% of the population and are just as divided on issues as anyone else. White chrisitan is the most monolithic demographic in the US and its going to stay that way for the forseeable future.
The reason conservatives don't appeal to minorities is summed up quite nicely by your own viewpoints SD. You're terrified of them. Terrified they are going to outbreed, out immigrate, and someday outvote white people. From your posts it seems you barely consider them americans at all, and in fact consider them a mindless reactionary force against all your cherished “conservative” values which as far as I can tell mean nothing more than keeping things just as they are. Minorities who are traditionally screwed have less of an interest in keeping things as they are, and many of their grievances are legit.
Maybe if the conservatives would quit treating minorities like enemies, and you guys do, more would see the benefit of conservatism. But then again you'd have to realize that life isn't equal all around and actually participate in making changes, which would mean you're no longer conservatives.
“Blacks are probably the most monolithic demographic group in the U.S.”
Blacks make up 10% of the population and are just as divided on issues as anyone else. White chrisitan is the most monolithic demographic in the US and its going to stay that way for the forseeable future.
The reason conservatives don't appeal to minorities is summed up quite nicely by your own viewpoints SD. You're terrified of them. Terrified they are going to outbreed, out immigrate, and someday outvote white people. From your posts it seems you barely consider them americans at all, and in fact consider them a mindless reactionary force against all your cherished “conservative” values which as far as I can tell mean nothing more than keeping things just as they are. Minorities who are traditionally screwed have less of an interest in keeping things as they are, and many of their grievances are legit.
Maybe if the conservatives would quit treating minorities like enemies, and you guys do, more would see the benefit of conservatism. But then again you'd have to realize that life isn't equal all around and actually participate in making changes, which would mean you're no longer conservatives.
Shaun: Jack Kemp was the type of Conservative one could respect. Had he been at the top of the 96 ticket Bill Clinton may have been in trouble.
The reality is, however, that most Right Wing whites know few black people, much less have ever showered w them, like Kemp.
Shaun: Jack Kemp was the type of Conservative one could respect. Had he been at the top of the 96 ticket Bill Clinton may have been in trouble.
The reality is, however, that most Right Wing whites know few black people, much less have ever showered w them, like Kemp.
Slamfu,
If you want to see the future of the one party Democratic party. Just look at Baltimore. Even thought the city is majority black, the city council is majority black, the three of the last four mayors are black, Baltimore still has a minority set aside contractor program. What middle class American has seen first hand (much more than elite liberal whites) is that black America is always want to be treated in a separate and unequal manner that is to their advantage. Look at how the government refuses to study the education of white children in majority black or majority Hispanic schools. Look at how the government refuses to study the workplace when blacks are in the majority. The academics are so afraid of what they will find, they refuse to study it.
As long as minorities want special privileges,their is no appeal that conservatives can make that will be successful. As long as they play the victim card, their is no appeal conservatives can make to them. I agree that life is unequal; however, the Supreme Court has agreed that the government is currently discriminating against whites, not blacks. Just ask Jennifer Gratz.
Slamfu,
If you want to see the future of the one party Democratic party. Just look at Baltimore. Even thought the city is majority black, the city council is majority black, the three of the last four mayors are black, Baltimore still has a minority set aside contractor program. What middle class American has seen first hand (much more than elite liberal whites) is that black America is always want to be treated in a separate and unequal manner that is to their advantage. Look at how the government refuses to study the education of white children in majority black or majority Hispanic schools. Look at how the government refuses to study the workplace when blacks are in the majority. The academics are so afraid of what they will find, they refuse to study it.
As long as minorities want special privileges,their is no appeal that conservatives can make that will be successful. As long as they play the victim card, their is no appeal conservatives can make to them. I agree that life is unequal; however, the Supreme Court has agreed that the government is currently discriminating against whites, not blacks. Just ask Jennifer Gratz.
Everyone wants special priviledges, blacks are no different. What do you think the billion dollar lobbying industry is all about? You take extra offense when minority opportunists try to milk the system and pass over the white guys are doing the exact same thing. I am middle class America, and I've been around the block a few times and I took notes. You wanna know the real difference with minorities?
They are poor. Poor people have more kids, more crime, crappier education and a harder climb to the next wrung on the social ladder than those richer than them. Aside from that, they are just like everyone else with more money. They have their evil, they have their good. Again with this sad little commentary the GOP keeps spinning that is totally delusional. Basically white christian america is disappearing and will be replaced with social welfare minorities and its just sickening. I'm not kidding, its right out of a Klan rally and the GOP has been pushing that BS for awhile now. And you want to know why minorities are not going with the GOP. Big friggin surprise.
Until the republicans start pullnig their heads out and looking at whats really going on you guys are screwed. I give your part 2 election cycles to get their act together. Mark my words, you'll be back by then. Unless Obama does as well as he says he can, then your hosed for awhile longer.
Everyone wants special priviledges, blacks are no different. What do you think the billion dollar lobbying industry is all about? You take extra offense when minority opportunists try to milk the system and pass over the white guys are doing the exact same thing. I am middle class America, and I've been around the block a few times and I took notes. You wanna know the real difference with minorities?
They are poor. Poor people have more kids, more crime, crappier education and a harder climb to the next wrung on the social ladder than those richer than them. Aside from that, they are just like everyone else with more money. They have their evil, they have their good. Again with this sad little commentary the GOP keeps spinning that is totally delusional. Basically white christian america is disappearing and will be replaced with social welfare minorities and its just sickening. I'm not kidding, its right out of a Klan rally and the GOP has been pushing that BS for awhile now. And you want to know why minorities are not going with the GOP. Big friggin surprise.
Until the republicans start pullnig their heads out and looking at whats really going on you guys are screwed. I give your part 2 election cycles to get their act together. Mark my words, you'll be back by then. Unless Obama does as well as he says he can, then your hosed for awhile longer.
I think there are many issues the the republicans could be using to reach out to the Black community and I also disagree that there is some “back door only” policy or environment. The front door is open but as any business person will tell you that doesn't guarantee anything. You have to do something to get the people in. Some of the big points that can be worked? Religion, most blacks are much more religious and church going than the democratic base and govt. funded church outreach is a democratic evil that would mightily appeal to the black community. Immigration, being that per capita blacks are lower income and the uncontrolled influx on the border has a greater impact to the overall black community than the average dem voter. School vouchers, if you go into black neighborhoods here you see private school (k-5) everywhere. They know that the current school system is failing. Giving parents who care the opportunity to pick where their kids go to school could be a major plus, and with the #1 political contributor in the nation being the teachers unions (99% to dems) that is nothing that the dems will ever support.
My feeling is that without people pushing racism that the core values would be closer to the conservitives than leberals.
I think there are many issues the the republicans could be using to reach out to the Black community and I also disagree that there is some “back door only” policy or environment. The front door is open but as any business person will tell you that doesn't guarantee anything. You have to do something to get the people in. Some of the big points that can be worked? Religion, most blacks are much more religious and church going than the democratic base and govt. funded church outreach is a democratic evil that would mightily appeal to the black community. Immigration, being that per capita blacks are lower income and the uncontrolled influx on the border has a greater impact to the overall black community than the average dem voter. School vouchers, if you go into black neighborhoods here you see private school (k-5) everywhere. They know that the current school system is failing. Giving parents who care the opportunity to pick where their kids go to school could be a major plus, and with the #1 political contributor in the nation being the teachers unions (99% to dems) that is nothing that the dems will ever support.
My feeling is that without people pushing racism that the core values would be closer to the conservitives than leberals.
EEllis,
Your argument is exactly the failed policy that Karl Rove has pitched in the past. Yes, blacks go to church but they generally go to black churches that function more like social clubs that evangelical churches. If you attended a white Baptist church one Sunday and a black Baptist church the next Sunday, you would realize that they are very different places and that black protestants have a very different world view than white protestants.
Black Americans have realized that unlimited immigration will create huge new government programs and create a large number of government jobs. They believe that they will get most of those jobs. they believe that they can take advantage of those government programs. Immigration is an ineffective issue with blacks. Blacks have 95% for a presidential candidate who support open borders and unlimited immigration. What makes you think that immigration will get them to change.
Blacks see schools not as places of academic learning but as government, social welfare institutions. Vouchers just will not appeal to blacks no matter how many times Karl Rove says it will. Blacks are overrepresented in the teachers unions. Blacks are not going to throw away the jobs program that the public schools are for them just to get some marginal educational benefit for their children.
slamfu, I do not expect the Republican party to recover. I expect it to go away faster than most others predictions. The real question is what will the U.S. be like as a one party state. While blacks gain power or will they lose power when middle class white America starts voting overwhelmingly in the Democratic Primary. Also, how will racial gerrymandering work in the coming one party state.
EEllis,
Your argument is exactly the failed policy that Karl Rove has pitched in the past. Yes, blacks go to church but they generally go to black churches that function more like social clubs that evangelical churches. If you attended a white Baptist church one Sunday and a black Baptist church the next Sunday, you would realize that they are very different places and that black protestants have a very different world view than white protestants.
Black Americans have realized that unlimited immigration will create huge new government programs and create a large number of government jobs. They believe that they will get most of those jobs. they believe that they can take advantage of those government programs. Immigration is an ineffective issue with blacks. Blacks have 95% for a presidential candidate who support open borders and unlimited immigration. What makes you think that immigration will get them to change.
Blacks see schools not as places of academic learning but as government, social welfare institutions. Vouchers just will not appeal to blacks no matter how many times Karl Rove says it will. Blacks are overrepresented in the teachers unions. Blacks are not going to throw away the jobs program that the public schools are for them just to get some marginal educational benefit for their children.
slamfu, I do not expect the Republican party to recover. I expect it to go away faster than most others predictions. The real question is what will the U.S. be like as a one party state. While blacks gain power or will they lose power when middle class white America starts voting overwhelmingly in the Democratic Primary. Also, how will racial gerrymandering work in the coming one party state.
EE: 'My feeling is that without people pushing racism that the core values would be closer to the conservitives than leberals.'
Except that history shows that liberal values have always triumphe din the end in American history. As I said on another thread:
Go back in 25 year increments, and ask yourself, is 2008 better than 1983 better than 1958 all the way back to 1608 and the founding of this nation. Unquestionably, all that progress has been 'liberal'. Now, even cons like you would not support slavery, but conservatives did. Cons like you are against child labor, but in the day they did not. Cons like you are against Jim Crow, but not back when. Cons like you get sick when hearing of experimentation by the government on blacks and forced sterilization of the mentally ill years ago, but conservatives supported it then. Consevratives opposed Suffrage. Do you?
In 25 years Cons will be defending gay marriage and Healthcare as a right, and conveniently forgetting that people like you ever existed and dared to call themselves cons.
Now think of Santayana and those doomed to relive history.
EE: 'My feeling is that without people pushing racism that the core values would be closer to the conservitives than leberals.'
Except that history shows that liberal values have always triumphe din the end in American history. As I said on another thread:
Go back in 25 year increments, and ask yourself, is 2008 better than 1983 better than 1958 all the way back to 1608 and the founding of this nation. Unquestionably, all that progress has been 'liberal'. Now, even cons like you would not support slavery, but conservatives did. Cons like you are against child labor, but in the day they did not. Cons like you are against Jim Crow, but not back when. Cons like you get sick when hearing of experimentation by the government on blacks and forced sterilization of the mentally ill years ago, but conservatives supported it then. Consevratives opposed Suffrage. Do you?
In 25 years Cons will be defending gay marriage and Healthcare as a right, and conveniently forgetting that people like you ever existed and dared to call themselves cons.
Now think of Santayana and those doomed to relive history.
SD, Cos- you're both flipping loony.
Cons like me? Well here's a shock you don't know me so trying to say crap like that is absurd and you seemed to get my stances wrong as well as what I would of stood for. Not to mention that you ignored everything the post was about and every point I made to go on you're tinfoil hat rant.
SD, Cos- you're both flipping loony.
Cons like me? Well here's a shock you don't know me so trying to say crap like that is absurd and you seemed to get my stances wrong as well as what I would of stood for. Not to mention that you ignored everything the post was about and every point I made to go on you're tinfoil hat rant.