Empty Threats: A History
Republican George H.W. Bush—11 percent of the black vote
ELECTION 1996
..Once again, civil rights leaders say they have no real choice but to help the Democrats retain control of Congress."This is not the first time we've had to save the captain from sinking the ship, especially when we are on the ship - and in the hull of it at that," said Jesse Jackson, who is campaigning for the Democratic National Committee to get out the black, urban and labor vote.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 30, 1994.
Bernard Shaw, host: "[D]o the Democrats realize there's a firebell in the night, that blacks are beginning to look at the Republican Party very seriously and that there are viable candidates running?"
Source: CNN, Inside Politics, November 1, 1994
Final 1996 tally:
Democrat Bill Clinton—84 percent of the black vote (election winner)
Republican Bob Dole—12 percent of the black vote
ELECTION 2000
The apparent ability of some Republican candidates to attract a significant minority of black voters can now work to the political advantage of African Americans. Facing new competition from the GOP, Democrats will no longer be able to take the black vote for granted. Increasingly, they will be forced to pay attention to black voter concerns in order to solidify their electoral base.
Source: Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, October 31, 1999
[NAACP president] Kweisi Mfume said that for too long, black America has been caught between the policies of Republicans who eschew minority issues and of Democrats who take the black vote for granted...That type of folly must end," Mfume said.
Source: The Associated Press, July 8, 2000
Final 2000 tally:
Democrat Al Gore: 90 percent of the black vote
Republican George W. Bush: 9 percent of the black vote
ELECTION 2004
"There are some clear warning signs that the Democrats should heed, and not assume rampant support from African-Americans in November based simply on traditional voting patterns," said Pamela Gentry, BET Nightly News Washington bureau chief and senior producer.
Source: HoustonChronicle, July 23, 2004
U.S. Rep. John Conyers of Detroit said Kerry is smart to not take black votes for granted. "Frequently we come to the black community too little and too late," said Conyers, who is black. "The biggest vote, by far, is in the African-American community where only half the people are voting, but those who vote vote 90 percent Democratic."
Source: Associated Press, July 15, 2004
Final 2004 tally:
Democrat John Kerry—88 percent of the black vote
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Empty Threats: A History
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View All Comments »EarthTone at 06/10/2008 9:22:27 AM
Comment:
[1] I am serially amused by the refrain from Republicans/conservatives that "we mustn't forget it was Republican Abraham Lincoln who freed them from slavery." It is hilarious that they need to look back to events that occurred over a hundred years ago to justify why we should vote for Republicans today. I guess a bad argument is better than no argument at all.
[2] The NAACP does have some value. Every 4 years, they produce the Presidential Candidates Civil Rights Questionnaire, which highlights the presidential candidates??? positions on civil rights and black advancement issues.
It's here: http://www.naacp.org/news/press/2008-02-01/index.htm
NOTE: Clinton and Obama responded to the Questionnaire; McCain dd not.
[3] The sad truth is this: the Republican Party has a Southern Strategy which uses racial polarization to get the votes of the white majority in the southern states. This was an explicit policy in the 60s and 70s, and it is an implicit policy now.
As long as the GOP is willing to use racial division to get white votes, I see no reason to vote for them, period.
I disagree with the thesis that Democrats take the black vote for granted. But at least, the Democratic Party wants my vote. Meanwhile, the GOP has cruelly calculated how to use fear of blacks to get white votes.
That makes this AA's voting decision quite easy to make.
EarthTone at 06/10/2008 9:20:55 AM
Comment:
[1] I am serially amused by the refrain from Republicans/conservatives that "we mustn't forget it was Republican Abraham Lincoln who freed them from slavery." It is hilarious that they need to look back to events that occurred over a hundred years ago to justify why we should vote for Republicans today. I guess a bad argument is better than no argument at all.
[2] The NAACP does have some value. Every 4 years, they produce the Presidential Candidates Civil Rights Questionnaire, which highlights the presidential candidates??? positions on civil rights and black advancement issues.
It's here: http://www.naacp.org/news/press/2008-02-01/index.htm
NOTE: Clinton and Obama responded to the Questionnaire; McCain dd not.
[3] The sad truth is this: the Republican Party has a Southern Strategy which uses racial polarization to get the votes of the white majority in the southern states. This was an explicit policy in the 60s and 70s, and it is an implicit policy now.
As long as the GOP is willing to use racial division to get white votes, I see no reason to vote for them, period.
I disagree with the thesis that Democrats take the black vote for granted. But at least, the Democratic Party wants my vote. Meanwhile, the GOP has cruelly calculated how to use fear of blacks to get white votes.
That makes this AA's voting decision quite easy to make.
Samantha T at 05/15/2008 11:51:43 AM
Comment:
Melissa - I'm not attacking people for being Obama supporters, I'm attacking people who would stay home rather than vote for Clinton were she the nominee (unlikely at this stage). It would be irresponsible and short-sighted given the state this country is in. I am not an Obama supporter presently and am disappointed that Clinton won't be the nominee, but I will vote for Obama come November because I recognize that it is imperative to get the Republicans out.