Combs gets seat on panel (RNC African-American Advisory Committee)

Jackson Citizen Patriot ^ | 6-6-05 | Brian Wheeler

[Dan from Michigan]

Combs gets seat on panel
Monday, June 06, 2005
By Brian Wheeler

A prominent Jackson Republican has landed a seat on an advisory group to the national party.

A Republican National Committee spokesperson said the Rev. Ira Combs will sit on the new RNC African-American Advisory Committee.

As the name indicates, the group of more than 50 people from around the country will offer counsel on how to build support among minority voters. Members are not compensated.

"For a guy from Jackson that is involved in politics, this would be a pretty good opportunity to get involved in a committee from the start," said Matt Marsden, chief of staff to U.S. Rep. John "Joe" Schwarz. His office lobbied for Combs' appointment.

Combs, pastor of Greater Bible Way Temple, has been active in politics for years. He helped lead President Bush's re-election effort in Jackson County last year, and he said he would meet the president at a White House event today.

Combs called the nod a "power appointment" and said he looked forward to shaping the party's national platform.

[Dan from Michigan]

Just the election results there show that this was a good pick.

Rev. Combs has helped marginally GOP Jackson County stay Republican in the 2004 elections. Bush improved his total from 52% to 56% there. He also might have saved two state rep open seats stay GOP there in extremely close races.

[Sonny M]

bump

[AzaleaCity5691]

If African-Americans could be convinced to vote Republican, we could restore the Solid South, but this time for the GOP.

One good way to do this is to run against teachers unions. Just run against teachers unions. Most blacks support public school choice, vouchers, etc, things which teachers unions opposes.

And African-Americans in general, don't trust their kids teachers, or their school boards. It's a strategy that could pay great dividends.

Also, the racism inherent in gun control deserves to be pointed out, and using cultural issues, like gay marriage, is always good

I believe it is fully possible to have 25% of Southern blacks voting GOP, especially if it becomes apparent that the Democrats can't win a state election, I'd expect blacks to shift GOP in droves just so their votes would matter.