Democrat Kerry Reaches Out to Black Press

[Sticky]

WASHINGTON - John Kerry (news - web sites) celebrated his status as the leader of the Democratic Party on Thursday with shows of unity from former rivals, former presidents and others who are putting aside their differences to help him cast President Bush (news - web sites) out of the White House


Kerry and Democratic National Committee (news - web sites) chairman Terry McAuliffe said the party, with $25 million and no debt, was better prepared than ever before to challenge the GOP and its incumbent president.

McAuliffe promised the publishers that the DNC would buy advertising in the black press, and Kerry said he embraced the commitment to advertise in black newspapers.
"I am determined that in this election, in this race, during the course of our campaign, we're going to reach out in an unprecedented fashion," Kerry said. "We are asking you to engage in an unprecedented way. We need to build the greatest grass-roots movement in the history of this country

"The tools are in place," McAuliffe told the National Newspaper Publishers Association, leaders of black newspapers around the country. "Now we need to make sure to use these tools to make sure that John Kerry is elected president


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&ncid=716&e=1&u=/ap/20040325/ap_on_el_pr/kerry

[Bandit]

1. Wouldn't this just shut up all the talking heads?

"We need to build the greatest grass-roots movement in the history of this country"

If this were to become a reality it would demonstrate beyond a shadow of a doubt that America does not wish to become a Fascist country.

[mikey_1962]

2. Why? We get 96% of the Black vote already...

Swing voters Kerry... That's who you need to reach out to...

[southpaw72]

3. gotv

True, but we need to get out the vote among all communities who traditionally support the Democratic Party.

Way to go Kerry. Stay positive, and let the Bushies hang themselves with their own rope!

--sp72

[MonicaR]

4. It's About Respect

Correction Mikey,
In the 2000 election Al Gore only got 91% of the African-American vote. (the other 9% went to Bush) In my home state of Texas, Gore got 95% of the Black vote.

I have been a loyal Democrat since my first election in 1980. Many people in my community are upset about the perceived lack of support from Whites for Black candidates when they run for office as opposed to us supporting White Democrats, or feeling that we're taken for granted once we help elect Dems to office.

While we have some legitimate beefs, they are on hold to focus on the greater prize: Sending Dummy back to Crawford, TX.

Black Conservatives and the GOP are starting to make inroads with younger Blacks with the 'get off the Democratic plantation line'. They point out that the party has yet to nominate an African-American VP candidate and bring up the fact that once upon a time Strom Thurmond was a Democrat. They are trying to use the gay marriage issue as a wedge in my community to split off votes, using their cadre of sellout Black ministers to spread their message that gays are piggybacking on 'our' civil rights movement.

It's a smart move the Kerry team is making. They must have massive African-American support to win. African-American population is heavily concentrated in the South, Midwest, and Northeast and in many states in the South have high enough population concentrations to keep the Dems competitive in many of these Southern states and even possibly tip the balance in our favor in Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Florida.

If it weren't for the turnout of African-American voters in Florida despite the dirty tricks (they cast 30% of the ballots in the 2000 election) Florida wouldn't have been close enough to force a recount.

Just like you want competiton for your vote, we want to feel appreciated and wanted. The Kerry team made an important step in ensuring that their African-American base stays home. That's why they're spending some money in Black media to get their message across.

[jamesinca]

6. In Nov just before the recall

The S.F. Chronicle did a whole week long series of articles about the different groups of voters. They went with people from different race, ethnicity, socioeconomic groups etc.... A few of those people interviewed stated that they don't like politicians because they felt they were taken for granted. They felt that one party thinks of them as always there and does not go after their vote and the other party figures that they can not be swayed and has given up on them. The result is nobody ask for their vote and they have been left on the side of the road. The Dems need to come by with a big bus and give all a ride into town!!!! Do not let go of your base. I agree 100% with you on this issue.

[Barkley]

5. That's 96% of the Blacks THAT vote

I think 'reaching out' is preferred to the perception of being ignored and/ or taken for granted.

It remains to be seen how Kerry actually 'reaches out'.

I'm optimistic.