What have we done for minorities in our party lately

[LittleClarkie]

when have we put them in places of power within our national campaigns?

Help me refute a Conservative friend who says that the Repubs are doing more for minorities than Dems. He cites as proof the housing market for minorities in the last 5 years (up, apparently), and that Repubs have repeatedly nominated minorities while Dems, even a Southerner like Clinton, have not.

He was trying to make the point that we're racist. Evidence to the contrary please.

[Maddy McCall]

1. Ask Wes Clark.

His top strategy guy in the Southeast is a brilliant man who just happens to be black. Wes will soon be unveiling a new southern strategy, which was developed the the man of whom I speak.

What do Republicans do for minorities? Well, to begin with, the only minorities in the top tier of their party are tokens, even despised by other minorities for betraying them. Talk to some black Mississippi Democrats and see what they think about Condi or Colin.

Just because Bush puts a minority in a position of power within that administration does not mean that Bush is allowing that person to act with that power. Blacks, women, whomever...if they don't toe the line in the Bush cult of personality, they're out. Ask Colin Powell.

[ReaderSushi]

2. hmmm....

I don't know the exact numbers but I'd say that while Republicans have more minorities in appointed positions, Democrats have more in elected positions. Most of the gains in minority housing happened during the boom of the Clinton 90's whereas Bush's tenure has seen a sharp increase in bankruptcies.
And remind me again which political party is where one-third of the senators will not sponsor an anti-lynching bill?

[cap]

3. lots...

housing foreclosures hit minorities more than whites. Layoffs hit minorities more than whites. Affirmative action which ensured promotion has not been enforced by this administration. Republicans have hired only a few minorities in visible positions whereas Clinton had both visibility and depth within his appointments. Many more minorities were hired in 2nd and 3rd tier positions that lead to first tier jobs under Clinton. Clinton never snubbed the leading black group; Bush has never talked to them. Bush has cut help to poor minorities ie food stamps, medicaid, medicare. Bush has done nothing about redlining done by banks in terms of lending for houses. Bush has cut loans to black farmers and businessmen. You name it, Bush has cut it.