Some blacks say top Democrats take them for granted

AP | 10/08/02 | JOHN P. McALPIN

[kattracks]

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Democrats long used to getting heavy support from New Jersey's black voters are shutting blacks out from top political decisions and ignoring their concerns, activists charged.

Black church and community leaders said Democrats should not expect blacks to vote lockstep with party leaders, especially after the shake-up in the Senate race.

They said community leaders felt shut out of the party decision to replace Sen. Robert Torricelli, who resigned as a candidate after months of talk about his personal ethics.

Leaders also said they were troubled by McGreevey's demand that Amiri Baraka, who is black, resign as state poet laureate after some claimed a Sept. 11 memorial poem was offensive and anti-Semetic.

McGreevey and legislators have promised swift action on bills that would allow the governor to fire Baraka and cut him from his two-year, $10,000 appointment.

Sen. Ronald L. Rice, D-Essex, was one of several legislators who said he was disappointed that more black party leaders were not consulted about the legislation, or about the selection of a new U.S. Senate candidate last week.

"We don't want to be a bunch of placeholders," Rice said. "I'm a good Democrat but I also believe I've earned the right to disagree."

The Rev. Reginald Jackson, executive director of the Black Ministers Council, said party leaders want blacks to vote, but offer them no reasons to support them after the election ends.

"It's insulting, it's demeaning and believe it or not younger African Americans are not toeing that line," he said. "And I think those who are going to expect us to be there in the future are in for a rude awakening."

Gov. James E. McGreevey, a Democrat, refused to discuss issues involving the senate selection process and concerns raised by black voters on Tuesday.

Walter Fields, a Democratic political consultant, said blacks are being shut out because Democrats have determined they risk losing no political support in the black community if they exclude blacks from decisions.

Blacks now have no leverage as a voting group because they consistently support Democrats and give no sign of changing, Fields said.

That allows mostly white power brokers to assume support from black voters without offering anything, or helping blacks into positions where they can become statewide candidates, he said.

"You not only don't have a guy on the short list, you're not even in the room when the decision is going to be made," Fields said. "Then you're told to vote for this person just because you're a Democrat."

Dissent between black voters and Democrats in New Jersey mirrors similar disputes in other states that have been going on for decades, political scientists and analysts said.

"Is one of those underlying issues that often affect race relations in general," said David Bositis, a senior analyst at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies in Washington. "There are people and issues and decisions that involve African Americans and their leaders and there's often a white political leadership that doesn't take into consideration and consult with and listen to African Americans."

Roger Wilkins, a professor at George Mason University, said blacks who weren't consulted have a major complaint if the party is depending on black voters to save the Senate seat.

But black voters must realize what party leaders faced trying to replace Torricelli, who quit with five weeks to go, Wilkins said.

"They didn't want it to be ragged, they wanted to get Torricelli behind them and they wanted a name and a face that was credible," he said.

Not all black leaders are worried.

"I think it's at least a non-issue. It's an issue to divide the Democratic party and to bring some doubt among our black leadership," said the Rev. Stanley Justice, another member of the Black Ministers Council.

Copyright 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[RLK]

They're trying for a little blackmail here. They're trying to get the Democrats to bid higher for their votes.

[Lockbox]

Roger Wilkins, a professor at George Mason University, said blacks who weren't consulted have a major complaint if the party is depending on black voters to save the Senate seat.

Guess the Libs could not find a qualified Black candidate in all of NJ to run for the Senate. Maybe next time......maybe next time.

Oh, by the way, keep that 95% voting for Libs record going. Would not want to slip to maybe 94% and cause the Libs to think that blacks were not voting in lockstep with party leaders.

[goldstategop]

Life on the Liberal Plantation isn't balmy? The blacks made their own bed and they'll simply have to lie in it and their plight's nothing for conservatives to shed any tears over.

[BADROTOFINGER]

"We don't want to be a bunch of placeholders," Rice said. "I'm a good Democrat but I also believe I've earned the right to disagree."

Note that in the Dim party, one has to earn the right to disagree. Very telling...JFK

[Joe Boucher]

Hard to believe that the American black hasn't figured out yet that they have been used for decades by the dims and then are thrown a bone occationally to just keep them down on the farm.

[rdb3]

Walter Fields, a Democratic political consultant, said blacks are being shut out because Democrats have determined they risk losing no political support in the black community if they exclude blacks from decisions.

Blacks now have no leverage as a voting group because they consistently support Democrats and give no sign of changing, Fields said.

Is anyone paying attention here? Yes, Mr. Fields, the pressure cooker is about to explode! Either get out of the way, or get knocked the hell out.

Ten to twenty percent. That's all I seek. Ten to twenty percent. I have no desire to try to convince all American blacks at one time. It's unnecessary. Ten to twenty percent of the black vote for the Pubs and the RATS can kiss power goodbye forever.

If we can convince this ten to twenty percent, more will follow later. In order for the RATS to become competitive again (and here's the most beautiful part), they will have to move to the right.

Ahh... I love the smell of vaporizing RATS in the morning!

[rdb3]

The blacks made their own bed and they'll simply have to lie in it and their plight's nothing for conservatives to shed any tears over.

We're not asking for your tears, you see? Conservative blacks such as mhking and myself are seeking 10-20% more of the American black vote into the conservative column. When this occurs, the RATS are doomed.

Now, the prospect of this should make conservatives everywhere salivate. So, I would hope that you would lend your support to our efforts. If not, no biggie, just don't depress the move. In other words (and by all means no offense), you can help by leading, following, or simply getting out of the way. That's all we ask.

[rdb3]

They're trying for a little blackmail here. They're trying to get the Democrats to bid higher for their votes.

Did we read the same article? I see no evidence in this column to support your claim.

[RLK]

Walter Fields, a Democratic political consultant, said blacks are being shut out because Democrats have determined they risk losing no political support in the black community if they exclude blacks from decisions. Blacks now have no leverage as a voting group because they consistently support Democrats and give no sign of changing, Fields said.

------------------------------

They want more power and control over the party or they're hinting at picking up their marbles and going home. Isn't that quite clear?

[RightWinger]

...blacks say top Democrats take them for granted

Duhhh!
90% of you vote for Democraps, regardless of how they treat you.
They can count on your votes and have to do nothing in return, why would they give you anything?

[rdb3]

They want more power and control over the party or they're hinting at picking up their marbles and going home. Isn't that quite clear?

No, it's not.

Could it maybe, just maybe, be the fact that blacks are waking up to the fact that they are being used and are now saying it publicly?

It's amazing how we look at the same two sentences and come out with two completely different interpretations.

[Judith Anne]

Nice going. God bless!

[section9]

You're right, they're not trying direct blackmail, as it were. They are trying to make their influence felt within the Party.

Only now, when it is too late, do black Democrats realize that nobody at the top of the New Jersey Democratic Party cares what they think.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[Judith Anne]

Another comment--it bothers me that you aren't getting a lot of support here--I suspect many Freepers are like me, heartened by your efforts, and cheered at the prospect of a conservative trend for blacks. I applaud anyone who is working toward that.

[section9]

You're right, they're not trying direct blackmail, as it were. They are trying to make their influence felt within the Party.

Only now, when it is too late, do black Democrats realize that nobody at the top of the New Jersey Democratic Party cares what they think.

When you conciously tie your fortunes to that of one party, this is what happens.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[rdb3]

I appreciate that. But allow me to be very candid here.

Lately, I've been left with stunned looks on my face as I've read certain threads about voting for conservatives from non-white segments of society. It's been noted, and correctly so, that younger Jews trend towards the conservatives. Asians have gotten nods on this, and believe it or not, some Hispanics are given credence as well.

What's missing here? You decide.

But I'll just keep on keepin' on.

[rdb3]

Only now, when it is too late, do black Democrats realize that nobody at the top of the New Jersey Democratic Party cares what they think.

Correct. Now it stands to reason that the Pubs would take advantage of this, right? The piously principled would never admit it, but, all is fair in war and politics. When your enemy has an exposed weakness, you take advantage. But it doesn't look like it will be.

All I can now ask is, "Why not?" I'm talking about regular conservatives here. Fringe Right? Fuhgedaboudit. But why won't the GOP move on this?

[Judith Anne]

I'm wondering. But after years and years of insults to white from black "leaders" I'm guessing some posters are just burnt out on any interest in black voters...

I remember what a shock it was to me during the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings to see a genuine black conservative, and since then, I've enjoyed listening to, reading and watching conservative black politicians, commentators, and cabinet members....

I don't expect them to make up for all the legislation and entitlement programs passed in the name of blacks, but maybe that is the feeling of some folks, that there has been too much ill-will to cheer on black conservatives, whom they may not expect to last...

And some people may have been, as some people in my family directly were, financially and professionally injured by affirmative action...

But hey! I'm still glad to see you working so hard--and I commend you. If you don't get any other support, remember me....

[ncweaver]

Until the majority of blacks realize that big gov't is not what's best for the country OR for them in the long run, they'll stick with the big gov't, power hungry dems.

What's so ironic is that the GOP is now almost as big gov't as the dems. The differences are few and far between. We lose more of our conservative base with every give away bill passed.

I cringe everytime I hear President Bush and almost all of the Republican candidates say we need a prescription drug benefit added to Medicare.