Speaking from the perspective of a white guy, I suspect many blacks are reluctant to identify themself as conservative or republican to avoid backlash from within their own community. Consider the abuse that Clarence Thomas receives from many RATS who pretend to represent tolerance in matters involving race.
Second, if many blacks "share conservative political values" but continue to support the RATS as the article suggests, it follows that a vote based on the color of one's political party and not the content of the candidates character goes against the values of the civil rights movement.
Unless these black leaders step-up to the plate and put their support where their values are, American blacks will continue to see their community underperform educationally, economically, and socially.
What a shame.
I think I know what you mean.
I'm reluctant to identify myself as even a "non-liberal" among my relatives. The liberals in my family feel they have a monopoly on "insight" and "compassion," and I have to "diplomatically" choose the moments when I present even a little of the other side of an issue.
I can't blame them, because I was like them once. They are like the inhabitants of Flatland, who don't realize the world can have three dimensions.
I think Republicans need to ask themselves, what exactly does it mean to "share conservative political values"?
Does it mean supporting lower taxes and a strong defense?
Does it mean supporting limits on legal immigration?
Does it mean supporting the war on drugs or does it mean legalizing marijuana?
It can mean so many things... and some things are important to some than they are to others. For example, let's take immigration. I may believe in the importance of lower taxes, I may be pro-life and what-not but if the GOP ties all that with a strident anti-immigrant program (remember California, not too long ago?), then it will lose my vote. I am not an immigrant, but my parents are, and any party that comes to power using anti-immigration rhetoric won't have my support.
That was just an example. My point is this - that no matter what black conservatives feel on the tax issue and abortion issue, if they feel disrespected and/or looked down upon by rank and file Republicans, if they feel like the GOP is making a scapegoat out of black people on the issue of, say, crime (just an example), they will lose the black vote. Issues are nice, but you gotta show a man some respect if you want his vote.