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.
Good post AM. I agree that it's more important to show voters what a given politician is FOR and not just AGAINST. It seems to me that on a variety of issues the RATS cannot articulate actual legislative policy they are for - including racial issues.
Think about it. Blacks have supported the RATS by over 90% for years. Can you name 5 definitive pieces of SIGNED LEGISLATION championed by the RATS aimed at improving the black community (let alone showing "a man a little respect)?
My view is that showing a man a little respect is mouse-nuts compared to TAKING ACTION and not just pandering to a voting block.
Finally, speaking of respect I almost forgot the props to Aretha Franklin...