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But former Republican Sen. Edward Brooke, the first Black elected to the U. S. Senate in the 20th century, is unimpressed.

“I saw some hope in Ed Gillespie as the new chairman of the Republican Party, that he would recognize the need to make the Republican Party inclusive and open up its doors to Black voters and organizations,” Brooke says. “But in order to achieve that goal, they’ve got to, from the very beginning, make it known to Black voters that they stand for issues, that they support issues that affect the lives of Black people. The Republican Party should be far more representative of the entire population. And it doesn’t have that.”

Let's get the notion straight -- Brooke is more liberal than conservative, regardless of party affiliation. What Brooke does not realize is that the GOP doesn't have to change itself, it only needs to address those needs and values (i.e, family values, hint! hint!) that much of middle class black America already embraces. The Democratic party pays lip service to those values, and does so from the pulpit, which keeps the middle class in black America quiet and placated...for now.

The GOP needs to point out that the Dems only provide lip service. The GOP needs to get into those same pulpits and community forums. The outreach needs to be there -- but contrary to Brooke's bleatings, the Republican party need not change it's core values to do that; only it's method of outreach and communication.

“The Republicans, it’s 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 - it’s laughable,” says Democratic Chairman Terry McAuliffe.

Well, yeah. I have a major problem with Don King being one of the standard bearers for the GOP in black America. There are far too many other black Republicans and conservatives who have achieved far more than Don King's sideshow. Having him as a spokesperson is a huge mistake, and I've communicated that feeling to the GOP leadership.

It's an uphill battle, but one that with time, can yield some significant gains. The gains won't be instant (no, there won't be a massive change in the number of blacks voting for Bush in November). But nothing worth having ever is.

If we can go from 95% of blacks voting Dem this year to 92 or 90%, I'll be pleased. That will be, IMO, a significant change. Some people (as evidenced by some of the nay-sayers on FR) won't be satisfied with that, and insist that the black vote be completely written off as a result.

You've got to crawl before you can walk. The liberals are scared to death of people like me. They'll never admit it, but they are running scared. Because I'm their worst nightmare -- a black man who dares to question their "authority;" a black man who dares to say that there is a better way. And one who can get voters to listen for a moment, and think for a moment.

If I can do that, they'll stop their lemming-like lock-step long enough to realize that there is a way to break out and move on.

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Well, yeah. I have a major problem with Don King being one of the standard bearers for the GOP in black America. There are far too many other black Republicans and conservatives who have achieved far more than Don King's sideshow. Having him as a spokesperson is a huge mistake, and I've communicated that feeling to the GOP leadership.

Agreed. What's wrong with Herman Cain? Walter Williams? JC Watts? Michael King?

It's an uphill battle, but one that with time, can yield some significant gains. The gains won't be instant (no, there won't be a massive change in the number of blacks voting for Bush in November). But nothing worth having ever is.

Exactly.

Fantastic Post!

I am one of those who believes that in ten years we can cut the # of blacks voting Dem down to 70% or so. What needs to happen is the funding of soldiers of conservatism in the inner city. Send them to Oakland, send them to LA, send them to New York, send them to Philadelphia, send them to Chicago, send them to Washington DC. If someone had the money, a George Soros type on the right, they should fund, say 10 activists going out amongst the people and spreading the word of conservatism.

It is important that blacks in the inner cities are reminded that the problem with their schools comes from the fact that they keep on voting for Democrats to sit on their school boards and oppose their getting school vouchers. Someone needs to remind them that gun control that keeps guns out of the hands of the law abiding citizens is championed by leftists. Someone needs to remind them that the patron saint of abortion, Margaret Sanger, started Planned Parenthood in a effort to hold down the birth rate of blacks. Someone needs to remind them that the welfare system, as it is presently configured, tends to encourage out-of-wedlock teen pregnancy leading to an extending of the cycle of poverty. Someone needs to remind them that the police are only their enemy if they break the law and that all law abiding blacks should welcome more and more of them.

We are always told about the legions of rich white Republicans. If they really exist, I would hope there is one or two out there willing to pich into a fund consisting of about $1 Million per large city in an effort to move the black vote from 10% to 30% within ten years. There are many blacks who will respond to logic when forced to face it. Let's get out there and force them to face it!

Excellent post Mr. King.

We, Republicans, freed the slaves, these people should get off the plantation.

Disagree about Don King - I'd take anyone who wants to help out.

Not every Republican/conservative is of the straight-arrow image - some might be called rouges or mavericks, if you will. The guys who do South Park lean more to our side than they do to the Left. If they wanted to campaign for President Bush and other Republicans, would you dismiss them as clowns - or even yet, DECLINE their offer because other folks might not like them? On the one hand, us folks on the right complaint hat all the celebrities seem to back Rats. Then when a Britney Spears or a Don King DOES come out and backs Republicans and/or conservative positions on something, they're trashed.

The GOP would be foolish to decline sincere offers of assistance from anyone who might get people's attention. That includes Don King.

The liberals are scared to death of people like me.

You just need to know your place, Mike. They'll be cool with you, then.

: )

You know I think Don King gets a bad rap. Here is a man that was convicted and paid his debt to society. He espouses conservatism now as far as I know a boxer is not under duress when he signs with Don King despite his reputation. I know this when he promotes fights in Las Vegas he gives free tickets to the troops over at Nellis Air Force Base. He also fully grasps the concepts of America and conservatism.

As a black American myself I have talked to many blacks about why they vote democrat. A spoke to a minister friend of mine and asked him how can a man of God support a man that is double minded and is for infanticide? His response "I am not voting for Bush he is a warmonger." I was stunned here is a man that debates the bible but is a political babe in the woods.

I am tired of blacks giving away their votes for nothing in return and for not embracing the American dream. My father had to fight in Korea so that me and my brothers could have a better life. I never had to go though growing up in the South during the 1930's and 1940's he did. Liberalism = ignorance.