McCain Shouldn’t Diss the Black Vote
By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer
July 9, 2008 – A group of high-profile Black Republicans want Sen. John McCain to woo Black voters. While admitting that running against Sen. Barack Obama will make it tough to win over Blacks, they’re encouraging him to go for it.
On Tuesday, NBC/The National Journal reported African-American Republicans met with McCain in his northern Virginia campaign headquarters and told the Arizona senator not to abandon the notion of courting Black voters.
The meeting of high-powered Black conservatives included former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams, former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, former Oklahoma Rep. J.C. Watts, and via conference call, Lynn Swann, the former pro football star who ran for governor of Pennsylvania in 2006.
According to NBC, the group delivered a message that McCain and the Republican Party should reach out to Black folks through “conversation and engagement” on issues they care about, like economic policy and health care.
“It’s important, especially with an African American running on the Democratic side, that the party reawaken its relationship (with Black voters), no matter how tattered and torn it has been over the years,” Steele told NBC.
The McCain campaign seems convinced they can’t get the Black vote so why bother, but in a close race, no candidate should ignore a registered voter.
A friend send me this I hope someone will take time and read this.This is a good read; whether you support Obama or not. Enjoy!
Greetings All,
This is truly a profound and insightful message from a 78 year old African-American woman! Please read and pass it along.
Subject: An elder responds to statements about Michelle Obama and Jeremiah Wright
To my friends and family, I rec’d this letter via one of the Obama grassroots groups and I think it should be circulated to answer some of the silliness that’s going on about Michelle Obama’s statements and Obama’s connection with Jeremiah Wright. Pass it on! (or sit idly and watch it all happen and then complain about the outcome).
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To The Editor:
As a 78 year old American of African descent, I feel compelled to respond to all this ‘much ado about nothing’ when it comes to the statement that Michelle Obama made about the fact that this is the first time in her adult life that she has been proud to be an American.
The country needs to hear this from the Black perspective.
Long before I was born, my grandfather Joseph Burleson, owned a considerable amount of land in oil rich Texas. Because during that era, Blacks could not vote, nor could they contest anything in the courts of the United States, my grandfather’s land was STOLEN by his White neighbor. My grandfather, who was literate and better educated than my grandmother, drove to town. Seeing my grandfather leave, the covetous neighbor asked my grandmother to show him the deed to the property. He snatched it. She could not insist that he give it back, nor could she have reported this THEFT to the sheriff because of the fact that Blacks had no rights in the 1800’s. The prevailing law at that time was he who held the deed owned the land. Do you think that is something that I am PROUD OF? Right now I should be living off the oil and gas royalties.
In 1934 when my dad drove us to Texas to meet his family, when he stopped to purchase gasoline, his daughters and wife were not allowed to use the washroom. As a man it was easier for his to relieve himself in the bushes, but not for the females. We were, however, reduced to having to go in the bushes, also. Do you think I am PROUD OF THAT?
In 1938 when my oldest sister went to enroll in Hyde Park High School, she was told by the counselor that she did not want to take college preparatory courses, she wanted to study domestic science. Do you think I’m PROUD OF THAT? Of course, when Beatrice Lillian Hurley-Burleson went to school the next day, that was the last time anyone thought that the Burleson girls wanted to study domestic science.
When in 1943 my parents attempted to buy the 2 flat at 5338 South Kenwood, where we had lived since 1933, in Hyde Park, Chicago, IL we were told that we could not buy it because there was a restrictive covenant that said that the property was never to be sold to ‘Negroes.’ Do you think I am PROUD OF THAT?
In 1950 when I graduated from college, I was unable to get a job because I was considered ‘overqualified.’ the code word for they would not hire me because of my race. All of the want ads called for Japanese Americans or Neisis (the word given to Japanese Americans at that time). Do you think that was something that I should have been PROUD OF?
I understood that America was trying to make up for the interring of innocent and patriotic Americans who were our enemy by association.
My cousin’s barbershop was bombed in Mississippi in the 50’s because he was encouraging Black people to register to vote. His wife who had earned a Masters Degree from Northwestern University lost her position as the principal of the local school because of the voter registration activities. Is that something I should be PROUD OF?
Why shouldn’t McCain dis the black vote, if only 8% of blacks voted for Clinton, what makes you think that they will vote McCain? he will be lucky to get 5% of the black vote
I am begining to realize that the commom names of Smith and Jones has been replaced the name of Tom’s (uncle that is) of course this is nothing new, they have always been on the plantation, trying their damdest to imitate the slave master! Just don’t look back brothers and sisters “THERE WILL BE A RECESS IN HEAVEN….AND JUDGEMENT TT”!
For a country that is only 20% black, if even that, the idea that a black person is the heavy favorite to become president means that racism is no longer a major issue in white America. In black America, however, racial preferences are very visible.
A significant percentage of black people in America are going to vote for Barack Obama solely because he is black. To be fair, blacks overwhelmingly vote Democratic anyway so the difference in the voting percentages won’t really change much. The black turnout numbers, however, will increase. Unfortunately for Democrats, a larger black turnout won’t really help much because the black population in the South is concentrated in areas of Republican domination. The only way the increase in black turnout can swing a Southern state is if there is a concurrent apathy by Republicans in the South.
Interestingly, the only black people who oppose Obama these days are the race hustlers; Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson being the most widely known. If Obama wins, what do they complain about? If Obama loses, they will find some “racial injustice” at the voting booth. They don’t care about black people. They just need a racial issue to exploit.
On the other hand, white America is split down the middle on John McCain. Yes, there are segments of the population who will vote for McCain because he is white and because they can’t stand the idea of a black president. But these are fanatics on the fringe of society and they make up an insignificant percentage of the population, whereas, Obama supporters who dream of a black president are very mainstream. How many times have we heard from a black American that they are voting for Obama because they want to see a black president? Consider the reaction in the media if there was similar commentary that people were going to be voting for McCain because they want to see a white president. The former is okay in our society. The latter is racist. Neither one makes any sense, but a lot of people are ignorant.
The sad reality is that many Republican ideas would be beneficial for those in the black community, and America as a whole, but since blacks never even consider Republican candidates, why would McCain waste time courting the vote? Republicans keep winning the South at the same time that 90% of blacks are voting Democrat in the elections. All this black power voting isn’t going to cost McCain anywhere, so why bother?
Personally, I think it’s time for black people to get off the Democratic plantation. All Democrats do is exploit race issues without actually helping anyone. Democrats treat black people as idiotic children. I don’t specifically advise voting Republican, but I do suggest considering the issues, rather than blindly following faulty leaders, the media, and celebrities.
If you are going to vote, become an informed voter. Don’t just vote for Obama because Puff said so. Examine an issue. If you decide to vote for Obama, so be it. That is our process.
Just do it for the right reasons. Good night everyone.
Eddie…………..shut the fuk up! Punk azz!
Eddie,
You have got it all wrong.The blacks are not going to vote for Obama because he is black. They are going to vote for him because, there has never been a black president in this country before and if this country is supposed to be a melt pot as you hear people saying all the time, then I think the blacks and the other minorities in this country are voting for Obama because for the first time, a person from the minority group is going to become a President.
I think you should join us to make history this year. It has nothing to do with race, it has to do with us Americans showing to the world of what this great country is made of. A rainbow country. That is what it is all about. Who knows how transforming each and every American is going to be after January 20 2009 when Obama takes the oath of office.
Eddie:
While I agree with some of your posting, I must admit you have it completely wrong. Not all African-Americans who are not supporting Obama are “race hustlers” as you put it. I am an educated undecided voter who has voted for over 20 years. This is a critical election to me and many others; however, I don’t feel Barack is the best choice for the county and I’m Black. I’m chosing my candiate of choice based soley on the issues, not because he shares my skin tone like many other African-Americans are doing.
Justin,
Please….dude, who are fooling? Black and educated…i think not. An educated voter knows Barack is the best choice.
I am a supporter of Obama and have every intention to vote for him come november. I say more power to you Mrs Obama,and I am not voting for Obama because he is African-americans, but for the same reason many of my white brothers and sister are voting for Him, that is because He is well qualified to be the president of the united states. God bless you mrs Obama
Jamal….you obviously are young and uneducated, and with a name like Jamal you are most likely ghetto as well. Obama is the best choice for you young man, not for everyone else.
Justin…Did you really just call another black person ghetto because of his name? WOW, I didn’t know they still made you?
Justin
How do you determine if a person is uneducated and ghetto by their name.The fact you make such a silly link makes you sound like a racist white boy.
Justin…
How dare you insult someone’s name because of their choice for president….Now you sound very uneducated and ignorant!!!! And you sound real stupid…Why do people come on these posts and say, I’m voting for the candidate based on the issues, ok, you know the issues and where these TWO candidates stand on the issues, so go ahead and say that you are voting for McCain, because if you are not voting for Obama, then guess what, !!!
I’m voting for McCain because I’m not a socialist
i read some interesting point of views here , how ever Justin , you did sound a little educated at first , but after that remark about Jamals name, , im not to sure you are as educated and intelegant as u claim you are .
How do decide if a man is ghetto by his name ?
I guess thats what u learn when you go to which ever school educated you. go get yourself re-educated
Unfortunately, because of the obvious strong support for Obama in the black community, McCain would waste funds and resources. The best he might get is 5% of the black vote.
The McCain campaign has to be wise with their limited resources and money.
Addressing the NAACP was stretching it. He did won a significant vote by attending.
McCain has to focus on the swing voters and reward his own dedicated supporters.
Unfortunately, in an exhaustive and close election like this 2008 election, McCain has no time for symbolic gestures.
Patrick
Who are Sen.McCain’s dedicated supporters ? As I understand it Rush Limbaugh,Ann Coultier,Sean Hannity and various other ultra-consevatives don’t care much for Sen.McCain.
As far as swing voters they will probably vote for Sen.Obama because voting for Sen. McCain is nothing less than voting for more of what we have been thru for the past seven years.
mccain is dead in the water … and who gives a flying f.k.k. about thsat ann caultier.. the bit.ach..!!lol!!
Jibreel Riley:
do you even know what socialist means?
Patrick:
Of course McCain speaking to the NAACP was purely a symbolic gesture because we all know that McCain/McBuch really doesn’t need or care about the black voters. Oh that’s right black people don’t vote anyway. Such a waste of valuable resources huh?
Patrick,
You are exactly right, he does not need to waste time by feeding black folks a bunch of political rhetoric, by attending a NAACP convention, just to win votes, and he probably would not even attend IF he got elected, IF he got elected, I must reiterate that!!!!! lol!!! McCain does not care about blacks, that was proven when he voted against the Katrina funding, that was proven when he voted no against the MLK Holiday, any black person in their right mind would not vote for this hypocrite!!!!
White folks have been voting in hypocrites and liars for years (just because of the color of their skin) so if Obama turns out to be a hypocrite too then it he will be the first black presidential hypocrite then won’t he! He can’t do any worst than the Bush klan has done to America. Interesting debate.
Aurita Myra Enriquez…
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