Black Votes- No GOP Fantasy

[RUexperienced]

Black Votes -- No GOP Fantasy

By Jonetta Rose Barras
Sunday, January 4, 2004; Page B07

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50818-2004Jan2.html

Consider: There has been a measurable rightward shift in the black electorate. In 2002 the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a liberal think tank, asked black respondents in its national survey to identify themselves as either Democrats, independents or Republicans. Although 63 percent claimed to be Democrats, the number was down from 74 percent in 2000. The decrease occurred in nearly every age group, including among respondents 65 and older (where the drop was from 82 percent to 75 percent). There was a significant increase in those calling themselves independents, especially between the ages of 26 and 35. Respondents identifying themselves as Republicans also increased: Between ages 26 and 35, the share tripled, going from 5 percent in 2000 to 15 percent in 2002.

None of this is coincidental. More African Americans now have college degrees, ushering them into the middle class, shifting their values and priorities while prompting them to abandon the "blacks-as-victims" theology. Many low-income blacks have gained an appreciation for the opportunities provided by the free enterprise system and are rejecting the notion of government as savior.

Some African Americans have accused the Democratic Party of practicing "plantation politics." They say that although blacks repeatedly are depended on to keep the party in elected office, African Americans often are overlooked for key leadership posts.

/snip


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I personally don't believe it could ever happen.

[StClone]

1. Big piece missing

Independents are not more anti-Democrats, nor more pro-Publican. I think any African-American claiming to be Publican is very small educated electorates vote more LIBERAL by the way.

[The Zanti Regent]

6. Please, consider the source!

Once again this is another lie from the WHORESHINGTON POST.
THe Post is a GOP organ. Period. Ignore this shit from them!

[GRClarkesq]

2. I am not sure dissatisfaction with the Democratic party will

transfer into more Republican voters, but it will hurt Democratic chances if more African Americans stay home on election day.

[Muddleoftheroad]

3. Religion and morals

Religion and morals can be VERY conservative in our community. In that area, African-Americans can and do find more common ground with the GOP. Gay marriage could be a huge wedge issue if they handle it well.

[billbuckhead]

4. Dean's bumbling statements about race&AA certainly open the door to

many people of all races not voting Dem. I doubt that we will have a woman let alone an African American or Hispanic American on this years ticket. A Dean nomination forces a white Southern male on the ticket. Being a Southern military hero, Clark would be free to chose almost anyone. Charlie Rangel wouldn't be a bad choice.

[billbuckhead]

5. Actually Harold Ford would be a great choice but he might too young

Legally too young.

[saltpoint]

8. I agree with you on --

-- Harold Ford. He's my first choice for VP, even though he is what , a year or so too young to meet the constitutional requirements. He's just terrific.

So's Charlie Rangel. I'd like to trade my far-right Republican U.S. Representative in for either Ford or Rangel.

[cliss]

7. Let's look at the numbers:

Blacks in 2000 identified themselves as the following:

63% Democrats
15% Republicans
22% Independent or other

The reasons given are that blacks have increased affluence, and they may identify themselves with Repubicans. I wonder about that, since Stan Goff has written on Counterpunch that the Republican Party is now the party of the 'White Supremacists'. His words, not mine. He feels that is the only unifying force in that party. So why would blacks ally themselves with that?

Based on the numbers, I'm seeing a different trend. Notice that the Democrats lost 11% of their vote (went down from 74% to 63%). But notice the 'Independent & other' is at 22% and Republican is 15%. So they're not all defecting to the RW.

I sense a disillusionment with the Democratic Party. They're not necessarily leaving the Dem. party to go over to the RW. They're leaving the Dem. to Independent.

[demgrrrll]

9. I agree with the poster who wrote about Gay unions being a wedge

issue. Clark is handling this very well, note his transcript
on Hardball, Matthews keeps repeating the phrase "gay marriage"
and Clark keeps answering " equal rights under the law, let the churches decide about marriage. Perfect.

[DemonFighterLives]

10. I'm not surprised that some members of the democrats

Are disillusioned with the current crop of bendovers that we have.
We had all better get on the same page though to beat this bunch who are destroying our country. I really enjoy seeing Carol Braun and Al Sharpton in the running. They have brought more to race than most of the others.
How can one say this? It will be great when this country will allow an honorable Woman or Minority to help run the country. Just so happens that the glass ceiling is still holding. :grouphug:

[beanball]

11. Black Republicans

there are some blacks that register as republican but vote democrat.You ask how do I know that?well I am a registered repug but I have never voted for a republican since they joined forces with the dixicrats.

[bluestateguy]

12. We hear this every year

A few anonymous quotes in the newspaper about how blacks are becoming more Republican and conservative. A few quotes from Republican operatives about how this year is really going to be the year that blacks vote Republican. And when the actual votes are counted in November nothing ever changes.

[readmylips]

13. Actually, my son who is part Hispanic and a Lawyer...

was told to register as a Republican so that when his company's background check was made, his political affiliation was in line with the head of the law firm. My son was originally registered Independent but voted Democrat. He's now a registered Republican and still votes Democrat.

When it comes to jobs and professions, minorities need do what they must do for their bread and butter. Minorities as victims is a reality and white elitists are trying to coverup the facts.

From the orinal post: "More African Americans (minorities in general) now have college degrees, ushering them into the middle class, shifting their values and priorities while prompting them to abandon the "blacks-as-victims" theology. Many low-income blacks have gained an appreciation for the opportunities(???) provided by the free enterprise system(???) and are rejecting the notion of government as savior(same racist welfare line).

The 'free enterprise system' is still keeping minorities in slavery. Government laws helped brake some of the 'free enterprise' slavery pratices. Elitists now say 'government bad.'

[Moderator]

14. This is not LBN news.....it is opinion....

Please re-post in an appropriate forum.

Thanks!

DU Moderator