[pageonetoo]

Explain to me how this is racial pandering. It might be exaggeration for effect - maybe -...

This is " pat the n..... on the head" stuff. I have nothing but the greatest respect for these guys, but having had many personal discussions with a certain black Supreme Court Justice, I can say that HE is head and shoulders above both!

Too many people seek role models, but find them lacking in one area or another. If you want the best model, pick the best person.

These guys are role models, but not just for the black community. They are role models for all up and coming conservatives! To constantly point to their black-ness, is not descriptive, it is bigotry, and places them on a separate scale...

Ben Stein is a Jew. They are often reviled more than blacks, but you never hear him named as that Jew, Ben Stein!

[SittinYonder]

To constantly point to their black-ness, is not descriptive, it is bigotry, and places them on a separate scale...

So far, you're the only one to mention their race. I brought up their intelligence.

This is " pat the n..... on the head" stuff

Who exactly are you talking to?

[rdb3]

This is " pat the n..... on the head" stuff.

Noted.

[Rytwyng]

These guys are role models, but not just for the black community. They are role models for all up and coming conservatives! To constantly point to their black-ness, is not descriptive, it is bigotry, and places them on a separate scale.

Very true: If my (white) kids can grow up to match the achievements of any of these guys I'll be very, very proud. Hence calling them "black" role models is limiting because it can be taken to mean that they are suitable role models ONLY for blacks, which is madness.

However: Leftist identity politics has so successfully sold the idea that being sucessful, self-disciplined, and/or conservative is somehow "unblack", that at times it's necessary to emphasize the blackness of these high achievers -- Williams, Sowell, Thomas, Rice, et al -- if only to show the liberal position to be wrong. Hopefully someday that will no longer be necessary.

[Randjuke]

This is " pat the n..... on the head" stuff.

Well, OK, how about these are two smart guys, not so smart as to be accused of pandering, but pretty darn smart, which isn't to say they are any smarter or less smart than any two other really smart guys (or gals) with equivalent intelligence without respect to race, creed or color.