Posted on 07/09/2004 10:17:41 AM PDT by BushisTheMan
The long-standing alliance between Ohio's black community and the Democratic party is falling apart in this key battleground state.
More black voters are allying themselves with the Republican party, polls are showing. Clergymen at prominent black churches in Cleveland told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that they are determined that Democrats no longer take their support for granted. "We can't be bound to any party," Rev. C. Jay Matthews of Mount Sinai Baptist Church, president of United Pastors in Mission told the Plain Dealer. GOP national chairman Ed Gillespie told a luncheon at the Cleveland's Urban League that there are signs that more black Americans are open to the GOP, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Gillespie cited studies that have shown that 35 percent of blacks ages 18 to 25 identify themselves as independent, and that from 2000 to 2002, the percentage of blacks describing themselves as Democrats dropped 11 percent, while the GOP gained 6 percent. Moreover, the paper reported that their statewide poll in May found 15 percent of blacks supported Bush, 73 percent support Kerry and 3 percent support Ralph Nader. Nine percent of black voters surveyed said they were undecided.
Exit polls showed Bush received 9 percent of the black vote in Ohio in 2000. Several clergymen told the newspaper that issues such as Bush's support of faith-based initiatives that give religious groups money to provide social services and his opposition to same-sex marriages are attracting black voters. The Rev. Darrell Scott of New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights told the Plain Dealer that a younger generation of blacks who do not have the same emotional ties with the Kennedy-Johnson era of progress on civil rights no longer will automatically vote Democratic. "We're able to make our own decision," he said. "We'll go either way." Scott told the newspaper that he admires the President for standing firm on abortion and same-sex marriages, even if it costs him votes. But the pastor emphasized that he is just as wary of Republican political promises as those of Democrats. "During the last election, a lot of black clergy became persuaded by the Republican Party because there was a great deal of talk about faith-based initiatives. In the four years since, I haven't seen a great deal of faith-based activity. . . . Who in Cleveland has received some?" Scott asked. "Election-speak is one thing. Reality is another," Scott said. "It's election time again." Noting Gillespie's visit to a black Baptist church in Cleveland's Mount Pleasant neighborhood on Thursday the Rev. Marvin McMickle told the Plain Dealer "I'm paying attention to the folks who are paying attention to me. It is going to be much more of a two-party environment as long as the Republican Party gives us some issues we can consider in good conscience." Boxing promoter Don King, whose hometown is Cleveland, accompanied Gillespie on his visit.
The Plain Dealer reported that King said that while Republicans in the past have alienated the black community with apathy and prejudice, Bush is different.
It is particularly significant that the president has placed highly qualified black men and women in positions of power, such as secretary of state and national security adviser. If the poll showing 15 percent of Ohio's black voters support Bush is on target, that could tip the scales come November.
Experts told the Plain Dealer that even a small increase over the 8 or 9 percent who voted for Bush in 2000 could be critical in battleground states such as Ohio.
Not language I'd use, but I do share that exact sentiment.
$710.96... The price of freedom.
He must be thinking of all those Republicans who filibustered civil rights bills during the '60s. Ooops, sorry, those were democRATS doing that.
Maybe he's thinking of that evil Republican George Wallace blocking school integration. Ooops again, he was a democRAT too.
Maybe he's thinking about the only ex-Klansman in the U.S. Senate. Darn, missed on that one too.
Is there a pattern here?
I have to admit, your logic is, well, undeniable.
I'm certainly not saying ALL blacks are liberals or vote Democrats. I've known some that weren't. But time after time, the exit-polling numbers don't move.
Move those numbers and I'll accept that as proof.
All I'm asking for is exit-poll proof that blacks are tired of living on the Democrat plantation. That's what I'm waiting to see.
Fair enough. My apologies for any offense.
Far too many on this site like to urinate on the very thought of either blacks voting GOP, or, the GOP actively campaigning to black people. Notice I said campaigning, not pandering. To these types, anything the GOP does towards black people automatically means they are pandering.
Well, posting these things to a site where I donate money will guarantee a fight from me every time.
Again, my apologies if any offense was taken. But to those who think that black=pandering, let's get it on.
$710.96... The price of freedom.
I think this is a direct result of the President's ongoing, under reported "outreach" to African Americans not associated with the NAACP. I also think school vouchers, which blacks support in huge numbers is a factor.
But most of all, I think the Democrats have indicated in the past six months that gays are far more important to the party than African Americans.
I noticed that when gay rights/ marriage bs was being compared to Civil Rights Movement of the 50's and 60's,the black community did something curious.....they went silent.
The President received 1 out of every 10 black votes in 2000. If he does in fact get 3% this time around, it will be a blow out election ala 1984. The math is simple enough.
I never have understood why mainstream blacks are so ready to vote democrat when the party has nothing for them.
I understand why the welfare pimps and such would pull for the dems but the hard working, family oriented folks ought to take a look at what they are backing.
One of these days, black Americans will realize that simply by not being beholden to a single party, they will have the ability to turn elections...
If the math is so simple, why don't I understand this statement of yours? If GWB got about 1 out of 10 in 2000 and he gets 3 out of 100 this time around, he's losing ground fast.
Yep, there are some blacks I would NEVER welcome to the Republican party. Most are currently in the Black Caucas now.
If true, it could be the best news we've had in awhile. Decent black folks have to be getting fed up with the party of immorality. I know some of the ones I have talked to really are upset by the homosexual "marriage" issue.
FYI Ping
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think there have been a lot more black Republicans in office than Democrats in the Senate and House."
Your VERY wrong. There have only been a few black Republicans in the house, and none ever in the Senate to my knowledge. Wait, maybe their was one...can't remember for sure.
But we have a realistic shot at one in Georgia:
http://www.cainforussenate.org/
If he wins the primary, he's heavily favored to win.
"The President received 1 out of every 10 black votes in 2000. If he does in fact get 3% this time around, it will be a blow out election ala 1984. The math is simple enough."
"If the math is so simple, why don't I understand this statement of yours? If GWB got about 1 out of 10 in 2000 and he gets 3 out of 100 this time around, he's losing ground fast."
(insert red face here) I typed to fast......LOL!
If he got 1 out of ten in 2000, but looks to get 3 out of ten (10!) this will be a blowout.
Nice catch, I have a habit of typing while I'm talking on the phone or to the staff here, now and then it causes the error you pointed out.
Thanks.
and abortion as well but too many are more afraid of white people and the end of big government. They rather take democrat house scraps. I have a new tactic of discussion and that is whenever someone starts talking about white people when I discuss ISSUES I immediately cut them off and tell them to stick to the issue. Usually works too.
However, if you take out the urban districts, the numbers probably change.
I'm with you... Just look at our President and you see
a man who is passionate and loves this country...trash like
Michael Moore and Larry Flynt appeal to their base...a
bunch of ignorant people who will believe any crap..Jake
there was senator Brooke (Mass), a black republican US senator some time ago.
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