East St. Louis Mayor Carl Officer Joins "Democrats for Bush"

market wire ^ | October 29, 2004

[Question Liberal Authority]

East St. Louis Mayor Carl Officer Joins "Democrats for Bush"

Offers to Speak Nationally to Black Americans on BET on Behalf of the President

EAST ST. LOUIS, IL -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 10/29/2004 -- Four-term Mayor Carl Officer of East St. Louis announced before local supporters today that he has accepted the position as head of the Illinois Steering Committee of "Democrats for Bush," founded earlier this year by Democratic Senator Zell Miller of Georgia. A life long Democrat, Officer is a third generation African-American entrepreneur and mayor of America's poorest city.

The mayor was welcomed into the organization by a personal congratulatory phone call from Brian Lunde, National Executive Director of "Democrats for Bush." After the call, Mayor Officer noted, "Director Lunde told me that polls are showing that the President's support among black voters is DOUBLE what it was in his first election. He went on to kindly say that with me joining the President's team, he will now expect the support to TRIPLE."

Questioners clamored to know why he had decided to support President Bush's re-election. The mayor responded:

"I watched the debates intently, especially to try to measure the strength of each man and compare how each would face the awesome responsibility of America's safety -- a President's #1 priority. As a relatively new father, I indulged my three year old daughter and let her stay up with me as I watched. When it was over, and I looked into her eyes, I knew I had to go with the proven product, and I believe on the issue of protecting Americans first, nearly everyone agrees George Bush is the leader by far."

In further discussion with his somewhat stunned local political supporters, the mayor noted that he has long had some serious differences with the Democratic Party on gay marriage and abortion. Officer, an ordained minister, admitted that he and other African American Christians were much closer to President Bush's views on these issues.

Final questions were about Black Entertainment Television's recent announcement that the Bush campaign was "passing up an opportunity [in] communicating the President's plan of action to address issues that African Americans find important," as BET CEO Robert L. Johnson put it. Mayor Officer responded, "Based on today's announcement, I have transmitted a letter to Mr. Johnson at BET. I have offered to accept the half hour time slot to appear before their national African American audience and explain the reasons why a life-long Democrat, black mayor, small businessman, ordained minister and concerned dad is voting for President Bush in this election."

[stayathomemom]

Wow!

[bushfamfan]

He's going to have the NAALCP after him. That's a brave soul. Great to see they don't all fall in line.

[raivyn]

Ping!

Well at least one person in East St. Louis will vote for Bush. I live south of St. Louis and it's big Union territory. Fortunately there are alot of them who think outside their "Union Box"

[Slings and Arrows]

Officer is a third generation African-American entrepreneur

If he's a third generation African-American, what were his great-grandparents?

[I'm Mr. Grammar Person, and I approved this post!]

[BallandPowder]

Powder..Patch..Ball FIRE!

Holy Smokes... A flying Pig just went past my window!!!!


This will start an earthquake in Illinois democratic circles.... My estimation of Mayor Officer just went up a ton.....

[Mr. Jeeves]

"Based on today's announcement, I have transmitted a letter to Mr. Johnson at BET. I have offered to accept the half hour time slot to appear before their national African American audience and explain the reasons why a life-long Democrat, black mayor, small businessman, ordained minister and concerned dad is voting for President Bush in this election."

HAH! He can expect that offer to be loftily ignored. ;)

[LADYAK]

we think outside the union box here in alaska also

[ClintonBeGone]

"Director Lunde told me that polls are showing that the President's support among black voters is DOUBLE what it was in his first election. He went on to kindly say that with me joining the President's team, he will now expect the support to TRIPLE."

That remark was a bit scarcastic.

[atomicpossum]

Holy mackerel! The corrupt and useless Dem flack Carl Officer is for BUSH?

[AuH2ORepublican]

That is an incredible development. Too bad Illinois isn't that close, or his endorsement could swing the state to Bush.

[MOgirl]

Hello,

I am in shock! Talk about an unexpected turn of events, WOW!!

Glad to be here, MOgirl

[reformedliberal]

I was born and raised in central IL.

This is huge: there will likely be much less Donk vote fraud in E StL!!!!!!!!!!!

FYI: Brian Lunde is a former Executive Director of the DNC.He is a K street consultant I have had the pleasure of working w/his daughter who is a paid staffer for BC04 and a bright, lovely young woman. She has told me that their entire Northern Virginia family which is obviously quite well connected inside the Beltway, is working actively for President Bush's reelection. Her opinion of Ken Mehlman and Karl Rove is: "Awesome!"

[GianniV]

East St. Louis is basically a suburb of St. Louis, so this will get media coverage in Missouri, not in most parts of Illinois. Illinois is a foregone conclusion; there's no way the dirty, democrat socialist machine of Illinois is going to allow a Bush victory.

[slyfoxvirden]

State Rep. Wyvetter Young is probably having a hissy fit.

[KevinDavis]

Wow...

[Nov3]

I have offered to accept the half hour time slot to appear before their national African American audience and explain the reasons why a life-long Democrat, black mayor, small businessman, ordained minister and concerned dad is voting for President Bush in this election."

Blacks are NOT liberals. They are not politically correct, they don't favor gay marriage, the bulk of blacks want to go kick the islamicists @$$. Now the Dems have a few hot button issues on their side that blacks have been bought off by hook line and sinker, but they are not liberal.

This endorsement is huge.

[Bigjimslade]

Concerned Moms and Dads may be the difference in this election. My wife recently got an e-mail from a hippie-type CA friend that she hadn't spoken to in years. My wife is the only conservative that she knows and she wrote to tell her that she was voting Republican for the 1st time in her life because she is worried about the safety of her children. Her husband is involved in the state dem party and she says he will literally divorce her if she tells him or any of their friends.

I think and hope that this scenario will be repeated all over the country and democratic moms who care more about their children's safety than some narrow political issue will make the difference.

The war is being won, the economy is growing, we have no reason to think that would change if we keep Bush. What will happen if we get Kerry and he changes direction ?