GOP to Reach Out to Blacks on Urban Radio

WINS News ^ | 12/13/03

[areafiftyone]

NEW YORK (AP) -- In an effort to break the Democratic Party's grip on the black vote, several leading black Republicans have accepted an offer from one of the nation's largest urban radio networks to deliver a weekly address targeting African Americans.

Alphonso Jackson, whom President Bush chose to be secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, will present the first address on Saturday at 1:06 p.m., said Jerry Lopes, president of program operations and affiliations at Pittsburgh-based American Urban Radio Networks.

"We welcome the opportunity to speak directly to the African American community throughout our nation," Ed Gillespie, chairman of Republican National Committee, said in a statement.

Other scheduled speakers include prominent black Republicans such as Bush's Education Secretary, Rod Paige, Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele and Hempstead, N.Y., Mayor James Garner.

Lopes said he proposed the idea of having Republicans deliver a weekly address after meeting with black conservatives during a reception in Washington, D.C., this summer.

When he approached the GOP with the idea, they "jumped on the opportunity to have their representatives bring a message to blacks," Lopes said.

Gillespie said the weekly addresses will help the GOP better promote its agenda among blacks, particularly the president's position on funding for religious-based initiatives and school vouchers, two issues with strong support in the black community.

President Bush got just 9 percent support from blacks who voted in the last presidential election, but is looking to improve his performance next year.

[trebb]

Uh oh - how loud will the Dims scream and how hard will they try to shut down conservative radio if more of their base starts hearing the truth? There's nothing so damaging to the left wing as the pure, unadulterated truth.

Should be fun to monitor.

[Lazamataz]

EXCELLENT!!!!!

mh, will you do the honors?

[katykelly]

Good news.

[jocon307]

"Hempstead, N.Y., Mayor James Garner."

I didn't know Hempstead had a pubbie mayor. Good job, all!

[Theodore R.]

Good news, but it won't sway 2 percent of the black vote. That vote is committed, as they used to say before it became politically incorrect, "lock, stock and barrel," to the Democrats.

[gcruse]

Gillespie said the weekly addresses will help the GOP better promote its agenda among blacks...

As if.

Well, it won't cost nearly as much as steel tariffs, but
you gotta wonder if Afri-Urbana is even registered to vote.

[Akira]

It will take a concerted effort from white Republicans who aren't afraid to be called racists (there aren't many, this is a Dem trump card that always works) and black Republicans who aren't afraid to be called uncle Toms, but it is definitely worth it. We've simply given up on the black vote, when I believe that MANY more than 9% appreciate conservative principles.

[Drango]

I see JC Watts is now giving "commentary" on NPR's Tavis Smiley Show. I'm of two minds on this. First it's good to get the message out...but on the other hand it is sleeping with the enemy.

[DrewsDad]

We should present biographies of black republican office holders that had to overcome attacks from the democrats(ku klux klan) during reconstruction.

[TontoKowalski]

OK, so it might sway 2% of the vote. Another effort gets another 2%, another gets 3%...

Geez, we have got to get off this negativity concerning minority outreach programs.

I think what we need to do is not look at this as "vote-swaying" but as "truth-telling."

As in: "Regardless of who you vote for, make your vote an informed one. You should know the truth about school vouchers and faith-based initiatives."

[Huck]

here ya go

[Jimbaugh]

Don't waste the time and effort.

[jwalsh07]

Good news, but it won't sway 2 percent of the black vote. That vote is committed, as they used to say before it became politically incorrect, "lock, stock and barrel," to the Democrats

Not so. The times, as they say, are a changing. My parents were committed democrats. I am a committed conservative. If you don't reach out you don't touch anyone. If we don't put out a welcome mat, nobody will cross the threshhold.

[Da Mav]

Excellent move. There are many talented black conservatives who need a platform built so that they can unplug the race card the Dems are so fond of playing.

We need to make a concerted effort as Republicans to ensure that the Dems are not allowed to discriminate against black folk who speak out for the conservative agenda. One look at the hatred and villification directed at such people as Clarence Thomas, Condy Rice, and Thomas Sowell has to be discouraging to any black person seeking an alternative to the Jackson/Sharpton Professional Victim Train sponsored by the Dems.

[Smogger]

OK, so it might sway 2% of the vote. Another effort gets another 2%, another gets 3%..

The Democrats can't afford to lose even 2% or 3% of the African-American vote. They just don't have that kind of margin for error.

[TexanAmerican]

I think the idea is fine as long as the GOP stays on their conservative message. If they move left to appeal to the "masses", then it's bad all the way around.

[rdb3]

Well it's about time.

[Smogger]

Don't waste the time and effort

What is this? Hey look boys it's a message from the DNC.