Reaching the Black Vote
Independent Women's Forum President Michelle Bernard has some valuable ideas on how Republicans can -- and should -- be reaching out for the African American vote.
It's understandable, though regrettable, that many Republicans simply take black support for the Democrats for granted. But it's important -- and right -- for Republicans to make an effort to show blacks that their party does, indeed, have a place and an agenda for them.
Too often, of course, Republicans interpret this as a mandate to talk about how many government benefits they'll give away and how much they support affirmative action. This view is unfortunate -- insulting to blacks and a betrayal of core conservative principles. Instead, as Bernard points out, there are ways to demonstrate where and how the priorities of African Americans are aligned with the beliefs of Republicans.
Those who dismiss all this as unimportant given that it's unlikely to result in any seismic shift in black support for the GOP would do well to remember that moderates and swing voters are turned off if the party creates the perception that it's profoundly uninterested in America's minority voters.
It's understandable, though regrettable, that many Republicans simply take black support for the Democrats for granted. But it's important -- and right -- for Republicans to make an effort to show blacks that their party does, indeed, have a place and an agenda for them.
Too often, of course, Republicans interpret this as a mandate to talk about how many government benefits they'll give away and how much they support affirmative action. This view is unfortunate -- insulting to blacks and a betrayal of core conservative principles. Instead, as Bernard points out, there are ways to demonstrate where and how the priorities of African Americans are aligned with the beliefs of Republicans.
Those who dismiss all this as unimportant given that it's unlikely to result in any seismic shift in black support for the GOP would do well to remember that moderates and swing voters are turned off if the party creates the perception that it's profoundly uninterested in America's minority voters.
posted by LadybugUSA at 12:48 PM
2 Comments:
Which group in America was not a minority in the past? All should be equal. Why do some still seek special treatment. In 1963 we heard "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
Can you imagine the screams that would be heard if people were to demand special treatment to gain the "white vote"? This continued focus on being black is a perpetuation of the claim to victimhood and all the rights and privileges pertaining thereunto. It is the justification for continued failure to achieve even though there have been at least 40 years of special advantages given to them. Enough of this foolishness!!
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