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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?

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....

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?

There is a simple reason. Most white, conservative to moderate Republicans don't believe that black voters will give them half a chance.

Republicans have ample reason to believe this. George W. Bush was a reasonably moderate, center-right Republican. He went to the NAACP Convention. He appealed to the black voters to give him half a chance. He ran on education and tax relief, two issues that are important in the black community. His reward was a commercial that implicated him in the dragging death of a black citizen of his state and eight percent of the black vote.

The recent debate held in Massachussetts between KKT and the Unknown Republican is another case in point. All KKT had to do was throw in a little Black Preacher and she had her audience going. The Republican could hardly get a word in edgewise.

It is extremely hard for Republicans to get a hearing in the black community these days. I remember listening to a black co-worker refer to Colin Powell as a "traitor" during the 2000 campaign. It gets to the point where Republicans have to decide if they want to "reach out" or if it's all just a terrible waste of time and gosh, at least those Hispanics seem receptive.

The smart thing Bush has done is to bypass the Gatekeepers (such as Bond, Mfume, and Jackson) and to go directly at the black church. This will pay small dividends in 2004, as Bush tends to wear well on people of all kinds. It could pay stronger dividends down the line, however.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

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?

A partial answer here, maybe. In 1992, Bush was invited to the NAACP convention and declined. He got (faulty memory here) about 12-15% of the black vote. In 1996, Dole was invited to the NAACP convention and declined. He got about the same 12-15% of the black vote. In 2000, W was invited to the NAACP convention, went, gave a fairly good speech and was not well received. As a result, the NAACP ran that vicious attack ad and he got 8% of the black vote.

The bottom line is that the Republicans have been burned whenever they try to go after the black vote - possibly because the liberal black leadership goes bonkers if they see any inroads made on their plantation. As a result, the GOP tends to back off and cede the Demoncrats 80-90% of the black vote - because it is easier, not from evil intent.

That said, you are absolutely right - the GOP needs to begin actively seeking black votes. Not by pandering to the blacks (like the Demoncrats), but by including them in all their normal vote gettting activities. This type of approach will not help much in 2004, but might in 2014. The GOP needs to look beyond the next election. But they need to start NOW.

By the way, they need to do this with ALL minority groups - preach the gospel of conservatism and eventually many of the thinking members of these minorities will realize that the message is what is needed for this country.

...But why won't the GOP move on this?....

Speaking as a FReeper not a functionary,

Patience, patience...... many concluded exactly as you that 10-20 % split off from the block would make a difference.

We have an opportunity here on Free Republic to listen to your thoughts and to lend support to your efforts.

Your message must be filtered out, amplified and transmitted. I think that the message will be delivered and appreciated.

Did you read Ann Coulter's book SLANDER? She said something in there that was new to me. She said that the northeast Republicans only call themselves Republicans because to call themselves a Democrat would mean they not only have to grub down with the little people but support them also. Deep down, they are Dems. IMO, I think the RNC is full of these NE Pubbies. Also, Republicans seem to be damned if they do and damned if they don't when courting the black vote. If they do not court the black vote, then they are labeled as racist. If they make an effort to court the black vote, they they are labeled of putting on a show. What do you think?

Maybe they should send Colin Powell or Condi Rice to NJ to do some discreet campaigning. Or J.C. Watts. BTW, some of the most respected conservatives other than the above two are Thomas Sowell, Walter Williams, Ward Connerly, Larry Elder (Libertarian), Shelby Steele, and Joseph Perkins, all of whom I read regularly. They should be speaking to the NJ voters as well to show that black conservatives are simply some of the smartest people around, period. What are the chances, though, of them getting booed off the stage?