and proof that people were punch-drunk with spin and fear: :(
Black Voters Remain Skeptical of Kerry but want Bush Out
Date: Monday, September 20, 2004
By: Michael H. Cottman, Special to BlackAmericaWeb.com
CLEVELAND – Inside Cuyahoga Community College, where black congressional leaders voiced their enthusiasm for Sen. John F. Kerry, Bilal A. al-Amin walked slowly to the front of the room, leaned into the microphone and told a small audience that he plans vote for Kerry – reluctantly.
"John Kerry does not connect with me," said al-Amin, 66, a frail, soft-spoken grandfather who said he's seen many presidents come and go, but felt compelled to attend the evening rally and speak out. "Kerry doesn't reach me. He came here and quoted all white folks in his speech. We need John Kerry to connect with us. He won't win if he doesn't talk to us."
The straightforward comments from al-Amin are consistent with what many black voters across the country have articulated about Kerry. Some view Kerry as a New England elitist who they say lacks the charisma, willingness and civil rights perspective to galvanize black voters around his candidacy.
Some black voters who were interviewed this weekend said they will vote for Kerry, but are not excited about it, while others said their vote for Kerry is more about their opposition to President George W. Bush. Still, there were many voters who were excited about Kerry's presidential candidacy.
Alfre Woodard said she also understands that some black Americans still compare Kerry to former President Bill Clinton.
"I know people want Kerry to walk with a swagger and they want flavor in his speech, but we have to take people for who they are and listen to their words," Woodard said..
The actress paused for a moment to glance out the window. "We can't wait for someone to come along and rock our souls," she said. "This is a vote for our future."
http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/cottman2919CBC Flies Around to Fire Up Black Voters
Date: Monday, September 20, 2004
By: Michael H. Cottman
SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN – Six weeks before Election Day, black congressional leaders concerned about voter apathy dashed from rally to rally this weekend in four battleground states to meet black Americans face-to-face and urge them to support Sen. John F. Kerry's campaign for the White House.
Black leaders heard comments from a range of black voters on the trail, many of whom saying they intend to support Kerry in November. Others, however, and many who did not want to be identified, said they are clearly disenchanted with Kerry's aloof persona and feel no connection to his campaign.
Several Kerry campaign volunteers this weekend said that outreach to black Americans in battleground states has been inconsistent. Said one campaign worker from Philadelphia who was reminded of a poignant quotation: "I'm not part of an organized political party," she said, "I'm a Democrat."
Ron Walters, professor of political science at the University of Maryland, told BlackAmericaWeb that sending black congressional surrogates around the country to stump for Kerry is an interesting campaign strategy that may invigorate black Americans who "are not feeling Kerry."
Walters added that black voters have to look beyond Kerry and focus more on voting for issues that will empower their communities, put money in their pockets and safeguard the future of their children.
Caucus members also acknowledged that some black voters are comparing Kerry to former President Bill Clinton, whose close relationship with black Americans is legendary.
"There's nothing we can do about that," Elijah Cummings, chairman of the black caucus, said in an interview. "Very few whites can connect to black people like Clinton. We just have to get out here and give people a reason to vote. We have to remind people how important this election is for our communities."
http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/cbc919The first interview on Tom Joyner (Nice interview. :)):
Snip:
John Kerry Talks With the Tom Joyner Morning Show
Date: Friday, September 10, 2004
By: BlackAmericaWeb.com
Tom: Okay. Now, let’s get right down to it. Bush and Chaney, sir, are constantly beating up on you and it just doesn’t seem like you’re fighting back.
JK: Well, we are, we’re going right at ‘em . . . and I’m not gonna allow. Believe me, I said it yesterday. What they are saying is outrageous, it’s shameful and I’m not going to let a guy who got five deferments turn around and define security for me. I defended our country when I was a young man and I’ll defend it as the president of the United States. These guys have completely failed four years. The reasons they are attacking is they don’t have anything positive to say, America. But what they’ve done, they’ve lost 1.6 million jobs. They are outsourcing jobs overseas. The jobs they are replacing are paying less by nine thousand dollars than the jobs that are going overseas.
And I tell ya. . . people in the African American community oughta be furious. We need people to come out and vote in record numbers. This year, we have a legal team in place . . that’s not only going to make sure people can vote . . . but their votes are going to be counted. And people have to come out. I mean the unemployment rate for African Americans has increased almost 10 percent since 2000.
Tom: How’s your wife . . . how’s your African American wife doing?
JK: Awe, she’s doing great.
Tom: I heard she got sick.
JK: Oh, she’s feeling better. She’s been out on the trail all week. I’m very proud of her.
She just came right back and out she went.
Tom: Alright, Senator, alright.
Sybil: Thank you for your time.
http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/johnkerry99I know I may get flamed (or slammed) for pointing out the negatives, but this is what Kerry was up against. It was all about NOT being Bill Clinton, which I am glad he isn't, but it is very unfortunate that these folks never got to know the good side of him and Momma T.