Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Racist Tea Party? GOP Welcomes Diverse Cast of Newcomers
Townhall.com ^ | November 3, 2010 | Guy Benson

Posted on 11/03/2010 8:24:15 AM PDT by Kaslin

After the 2006 midterm elections, many in the chattering class declared the GOP had been reduced to a “regional party” – white, male, and Southern. Since President Obama’s election in 2008, the Leftist mainstream media has worked diligently to paint much of the opposition to his policies as the bigoted and deranged spasms of a marginalized, racist conservative base. The tea party movement represented “racism, straight up” according to political philosopher Janeane Garofalo. Maureen Dowd, Frank Rich, Eugene Robinson, and Bob Herbert practically took turns writing weekly columns slandering conservatives using flagrant race baiting, including an embarrassing election-day screed from Robinson. Chris Matthews complained that the political Right was “monochromatic” for his taste. And the Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wondered aloud how anyone of Hispanic descent could possibly be a Republican. Then came the 2010 elections.

The midterm election not only busted the myth that the GOP is a regional party – seeing Republican gains in the Northeast, Midwest and West – it also puts to rest the notion that Republicans are a lily white party whose base won’t embrace a diverse slate of candidates. In eight prominent contests, Republicans nominated and elected excellent candidates and fine conservatives who also happen to be people of color:

Nevada Governor – In a deliciously ironic twist, a Hispanic Republican – Brian Sandoval – defeated Rory Reid, son of the very man who suggested that people like Sandoval don’t, or shouldn’t, exist. It wasn’t close: Sandoval dominated Rory Reid and secured a double-digit victory.

New Mexico Governor – Suzanna Martinez became the first female Hispanic Governor of a US State in history – from either party. She ran a disciplined campaign, torched her opponent with one of the most devastating attack ads of the entire cycle, and won by a substantial 8-point margin.

South Carolina Governor – Overcoming nasty rumors about her religion and alleged marital infidelity, Nikki Haley became America’s second Indian-American Governor. (The other, of course, is Louisiana’s Bobby Jindal, also a Republican).

SC-01 – After JC Watts retired from Congress in 2002, the House Republican caucus lost its lone African-American member. Until last night. Republican Tim Scott, a strong conservative, won the open seat in South Carolina’s first Congressional District. He pulled off this feat in the deep south, and did so in a romp – winning by approximately 35 percentage points.

FL-22 – Another black Republican was elected to the House last night: Conservative superstar Col. Allen West. The Iraq War hero handily unseated Rep. Ron Klein, who threw the kitchen sink at West, but to no avail. When this race was called, supposedly “racist” tea partiers and grassroots conservatives rejoiced across the country.

WA-03 – Jaime Herrera chose not to highlight her Hispanic origins in her battle against Democrat Denny Heck for the open seat in Washington’s third Congressional District. She ran a very strong, issues-based campaign, and won comfortably.

ID-01 – Raul Labrador, a Puerto Rico-born attorney, pulled an upset victory over incumbent Democrat Walt Minnick in Idaho’s first Congressional District. Minnick tried to boost his bleeding poll numbers by airing a dishonest, racially charged ad during the final week of the race. The tactic seems to have backfired, resulting in Congressman Raul Labrador.

Florida Senate – Two words: Marco Rubio. The most celebrated rising star in the Republican Party after last night is freshly-minted Senator-elect Rubio, a dynamic Cuban-American conservative.

Close Calls: Hat tips are also in order for two outstanding House candidates who didn’t quite pull through this year: Ryan Frazier in CO-7, and Van Tran in CA-47.

In an ideal world, this sort of identity politics scorecard would be utterly unnecessary. Most Americans hope the 2010 elections, including the examples laid out above, will neutralize the “Right-wing racism” meme the Left has so eagerly cultivated. Perhaps the day has finally come when our politics can ignore skin color and focus on what really matters: Values, ideas, and character.


TOPICS: Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2010midterms; blackrepublicans; diversity; hispanicrepublicans; inclusive; realdiversity; teaparty
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-33 next last

1 posted on 11/03/2010 8:24:17 AM PDT by Kaslin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
True.. The T-P Caucus is ONLY for colored people..

i.e. white, black, red, yellow, tanned, brown, albinos, pink, even tatooed people..

ALL OTHERS CAN POUND SAND...

2 posted on 11/03/2010 8:28:08 AM PDT by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited to include some fully orbed hyperbole....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
Excellent post!
3 posted on 11/03/2010 8:28:38 AM PDT by loveliberty2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Weren’t there some in TX too?


4 posted on 11/03/2010 8:30:17 AM PDT by Hattie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Adam West is very, VERY, impressive.

For those who think that conservatives won’t vote for a black man, watch what happens when you run the RIGHT one.


5 posted on 11/03/2010 8:30:43 AM PDT by 13Sisters76 ("It is amazing how many people mistake a certain hip snideness for sophistication. " Thos. Sowell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

I want to give a shout out to Charles Lollar R (md5)! (Yes, I contributed with much hope!)


6 posted on 11/03/2010 8:31:07 AM PDT by griswold3 (Nov 2 is not just an election, it's a restraining order)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
The author forgot the firing of this ass clown was send packing


7 posted on 11/03/2010 8:32:45 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Van Tran was defeated by the execrably racist Hispanic vote. Go figure.


8 posted on 11/03/2010 8:33:35 AM PDT by pabianice
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 13Sisters76

Adam West is Batman, you mean Allen West


9 posted on 11/03/2010 8:34:43 AM PDT by PMAS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: 13Sisters76

Adam West is very, VERY, impressive.

Damn right - just ask “The Joker”!


10 posted on 11/03/2010 8:35:49 AM PDT by bigbob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: 13Sisters76

Good to know Gotham city went red last night.


11 posted on 11/03/2010 8:39:26 AM PDT by agere_contra (...what if we won't eat the dog food?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: 13Sisters76

Unfortunately Ryan Frazier of CO fell short but we have Tim Scott of SC also.


12 posted on 11/03/2010 8:44:16 AM PDT by TNCMAXQ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
Perhaps the day has finally come when our politics can ignore skin color and focus on what really matters: Values, ideas, and character.

Uh, yeah... sure thing.

13 posted on 11/03/2010 8:44:36 AM PDT by ARepublicanForAllReasons (Borders, laws and language are what define us (USA) as a country. Let's guard them well.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

“– Another black Republican was elected to the House last night: Conservative superstar Col. Allen West”

YAY!!!!


14 posted on 11/03/2010 8:45:16 AM PDT by AuntB (Illegal immigration is simply more "share the wealth" socialism and a CRIME not a race!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 13Sisters76
We need to send Adam West to DC.

DC comics that is.

Ok, I'm out.

15 posted on 11/03/2010 8:45:49 AM PDT by agere_contra (...what if we won't eat the dog food?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: ARepublicanForAllReasons

That day will come when no advantage can be gained either way from recognizing “color” or “race”.


16 posted on 11/03/2010 8:47:16 AM PDT by MrB (The difference between a (de)humanist and a Satanist is that the latter knows who he's working for.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: agere_contra

sorry sorry sorry....ALLEN West. For all of you who jumped- feel better?


17 posted on 11/03/2010 8:47:53 AM PDT by 13Sisters76 ("It is amazing how many people mistake a certain hip snideness for sophistication. " Thos. Sowell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: 13Sisters76

We do, thanks for enlivening the thread :0)


18 posted on 11/03/2010 8:51:55 AM PDT by agere_contra (...what if we won't eat the dog food?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: agere_contra

ROTFLMAO - without the almighty race card, what will the dims and their whores in the media have to play? Welcome aboard - brothers all. I look forward to working with you as fellow “unhyphenated” Americans. Gosh, I feel good, today.


19 posted on 11/03/2010 8:59:36 AM PDT by jivin gene (Breakin' up is hard to do)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Hattie

“Weren’t there some in TX too?”
yes
Bill Flores defeated 18 year incumbent Chet Edwards
and really impressive
Kiko Canseco a true conservative won in a district around el Paso, an historic win

there may be more. those are the ones I know about


20 posted on 11/03/2010 9:05:09 AM PDT by RWGinger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-33 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson