The Republicans, its all a photo op. If they think going out with Don King is somehow going to get young African-Americans out to vote for - Don King - its laughable, says Democratic Chairman Terry McAuliffe.
The Dems are the ones pursuing the photo op. Their 20.1% was reached by mandatory quota. It's also the reason their convention organization is in shambles. Quota types got put in charge rather than the competent folks with experience (remember Oliphant down in Florida?)
What is the Republican Party supposed to do? They're already compromising on one conservative principle after another. Expecting them to beat the drum for affirmative action and "desegregation programs" (which the US Supreme Court has largely found unconstitutional anyway) is stupid. Turning the GOP into a clone of the Democratic Party is not worth it - they've gone far enough as it is under President Bush, with his pandering to the Hispanic vote.
Maybe the problem for conservatives/Republicans is that they really do consider all peoples to be of equal weight and ability, so there isn't a special outreach because we figure they are equal and just need the same handshake of welcome as others and that is it.
All people are equal and maybe if you really reflect that in your attitude and behavior, some see that as unwelcoming and that is just a **mess** of a interpretation of intent.
If I remember correctly, Brooke was a RINO.
As far as securing Black Votes, the Republicans should try to get them, but by selling Republicanism to blacks, not by absorbing Democratic political philosophies which have already failed in the black community - like affirmative discrimination.