[BushisTheMan]

I think there's a new Reverend in town!

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.

[Dems_R_Losers]

We should hope this is a signal that the black churches will not be part of the Democrat vote-stealing operation in Cleveland and elsewhere this year. If they aren't, we win.

I do hope people here recognize what Ed Gillespie is doing with these visits. While Kweasy Mofome whines about Bush snubbing the NAACP convention, Gillespie is quietly making huge inroads to real black leaders in cities across the country. It will pay off.

[Tall_Texan]

I'm waiting for proof.

[Bahbah]

" I haven't seen a great deal of faith-based activity. . . . Who in Cleveland has received some?"

The question should be who in Cleveland has done some.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

I work with a black woman, well-educated, who, though a Democrat, belongs to a church and is, by my estimation, considerably devout. About a week ago I sat and listened as she delivered a blistering tirade against the immorality of homosexuality and gay marriage. When she was finished, I said, "And after all that, you persist in voting for a party whose adherents fight tooth and nail against your beliefs, and actively support the people you oppose." She had no answer to this, but I think I shook her.

[KevinDavis]

I still contend the first minority president will be a GOP. Reagan started to make some inroads I believe and Bush I did. Clinton just talked about it, Bush II has done a lot more. Case in point, look at his cabinet.

[Bob]

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.

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?

[Badeye]

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.

[sawmill trash]

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.

[kevkrom]

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...

[Mark in the Old South]

I hope it is true this time. I thought the black community would start to move toward the GOP back when daddy Bush was around. Anyone else but me remember the revolt of local NAACP chapters from the national charter over Gulf War I. The Thomas hearings didn't sit well with some also. I think welfare reform has helped the black community as well. Maybe some are seeing it that way as well?

We can hope. Apathy and prejudice or not the GOP has their interest at heart even if it doesn't seem that way at times. I say welcome aboard, but leave the liberal luggage behind.

[sweetliberty]

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.

[hardhead]

Many blacks don't seem to equate queers with their struggle - but the dimwits are trying to spin it in that direction.

[colorado tanker]

There is no way the Two Johns rich white guys ticket can duplicate Bubba's numbers with African-Americans.

[My2Cents]

Black Americans finally breaking out of the political plantation mentality. This is great news.

[mattdono]

I bet the demoRATs feel like Scooby Doo

Raggy! RUT RO!

[foreverfree]

bump

[Flightdeck]

To plagiarize John Leguizamo:

Blacks voting for Democrats is like roaches voting for Raid. It's suicide.

[mabelkitty]

You have to give credit to Jim Trakas, RNC chair.
He's self-deprecating sense of humor over the power grip the Democrats have on Cuyahoga County and his recent Regional Government proposal is making people take another look at Republicans. Even the alternative rags are taking another look at it/him.

Jane Campbell was the best thing to happen to Republicans in Cuyahoga County. She's a mess, and during the black out, she was on a trip to Texas that she never made public and refused to explain.

I always suspected she was there on dirty 527 tricks since that's where so many started up.

[CalRepublican]

I hope this is true and that the support holds. I've heard that Cleveland is a city that has had a good experience with vouchers, so maybe there's something to it.

But this line in the story bothers me: "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."

That's the line of someone who's trying to send a message to Democrats; it's not the line of someone who thinks that the kind of conservatism Republicans have to offer is what they want. The squeeky wheel gets the grease. If you're starting to feel politically marginalized, the best way to get your seat back at the table is by threatening to throw your support elsewhere.