CNN Commentary: Why is the GOP scared of black voters?

[DeepModem Mom]

Commentary: Why is the GOP scared of black voters?
By Roland S. Martin
CNN Contributor

(CNN) -- That's right, I said it. And I mean it.

The GOP as a whole is completely scared of black voters, and the actions by the front-runners for the party's 2008 nomination show they are continuing the same silly political games the party has played for years....

***

Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson and Sen. John McCain have all cited "scheduling conflicts" as the reason for their lack of attendance to debate at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, even though Smiley personnel tell me they began discussions with then-RNC head Mehlman in February 2006. When the debate was announced earlier this year, along with a Democratic forum held in June at Howard University, the RNC promised their candidates would speak.

But those of us who follow politics knew that wasn't going to happen.

This summer, all of the Republican candidates, save Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo, skipped the NAACP and the National Urban League conventions. OK, I get the former, but the Urban League? President Bush has spoken there several times as president!

The GOP keeps blowing a big opportunity by ignoring blacks. And what about the debate sponsored by Spanish language TV station Univision? Only McCain accepted the invite....

***

Will speaking at one debate turn around decades of black support for the Democrats? Nope. But not speaking will just mean business as usual, and the GOP needs less of that.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/25/roland.martin.gop/index.html

[sam sarrha]

1. didnt a rethug speak up at a Black resturaunt.. bill'O wasnt it and stated the party stand on Blacks

i thought it was quite revealing....

[AnneD]

2. Because.....

they overheard them talking at the country club?:sarcasm:

[lurky]

3. Ever since Nixon, the entire GOP strategy has been

to vilify blacks and to appeal to the most prejudiced instincts in white voters. (Not always overtly, but they have never been especially subtle, either.)

[Connie_Corleone]

4. We can smell bullshit a mile away and we let them know it.

[kwolf68]

5. I see a slight shift

Who knows, in time many blacks may go to a more Conservative paradigm. Blacks are certainly Liberal on the social safety net and black specific issues (affirmative action), but are generally quite conservative (gay rights, school choice) on many issues or indifferent altogehter (choice and environment).

[youthere]

6. Because the GOP saw two of them walking together in a "white" neighborhood?

:sarcasm:

[OHdem10]

7. Not intended to flame, but the GOP made a decision when

they enacted their Southern Strategy and then
Regan brought in what is called the Regan Demorats.
(Blue Collar Workers in North). No one ever dare
mention this but it was racially motivated.

Now the GOP has to be careful not to offend. Yes,
they have lost some of the Blue Collar Democrats in
the North as these voters have seen the light.

Why do you think the GOP have gotten away with
situations like Katrina. After the initial shock
there has been no national outcry.