1. Rudy Giuliani
2. Mitt Romney
3. John McCain
have ALL sent their ' regrets' about Tavis' All-American Presidential Forum. I wrote a post on Sunday about the GOP snubbing Univision, and McCain was still in. Now, he's dropped out too.
This is not an isolated incident. In forum upon forum, the GOP has come up missing when it comes to speaking and presenting in front of Black audiences. ONLY TOM TANCREDO has bothered to present himself to a Black Audience, where he was received well.
Tavis did a 'Shout out' to his fellow Black Republicans, asking them why they were so silent on this matter. They keep on yapping that the GOP is a valid alternative for Black America, yet, when a nationally televised forum is put together so that GOP Candidates can present what they believe are GOP answers to concerns of the Black community, three of their Major Candidates don't even bother to respect Black Americans with their presence.
Why aren't these Black Republicans CHALLENGING their own frontrunners to appear in front of a Black audience?
I will give Maryland Senatorial Candidate Michael Steele credit. In an interview this week, Steele said that the GOP should be at Tavis' forum, and that they need to either ' put up or shut up' about being serious about presenting a platform to the Black community.
But, I haven't heard from any more prominent Black Republicans or Conservative Bloggers...their silence is deafening. And, until they speak up and out about this, they should just keep quiet about the GOP actually being a ' choice' for Black folk. But, as with so much else with the GOP, Black Republicans will find some sort of mental gymnastics to excuse this away.
Related Article:
GOP Candidates Snub Univision
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15 comments:
Rikyrah, Are we truly surprised at the Republican Party hopefuls, or for that matter the Republican party or Black folks within the party. All of the above have kept their months shit about Katrina victims, Jena 6, the rape of a black woman by 6 whites in W Virginia, black on black crime. and all so many other issues impacting the black and Latino communities. Are we truly surprised... NO. But they should be called out. Thank you for posting on this and other isues impacting America.
I agree with aapp, we really shouldnt be surprised but they do need to be called out; put their ish on front street. They can never say that Black people were just not accepting or open to their platforms because we tried to get them in to address us but they shut us down...hard.
AAPP,
No, I'm not surprised. BUT, I get tired of Black Republicans saying in one breath that Black folk are stupid for not being Republicans, and in the next breath, not one mumbling word from them when an obvious DISS like this occurs.
I was shocked by Steele, but pleased.
Where are all the Black Conservative Bloggers?
Tavis didn't even take questions for this one, which was a gift to the GOP. It's a NATIONALLY TELEVISED Forum, and they can't bother to show up, but want to blather platitudes about ' wanting diversity in their party'?
Nope..not when you pull stuff like this.
I know the Democrats aren't perfect - far from it.
But, there's a difference between being not perfect, and outright hostility.
You all are being silly. There's nobody in America who doesn't know what the leading candidates positions are. All you need to do is turn on the TV. There is no specific agenda that Smiley stands for other than as a proxy for race, and 'race' in Smiley's case means the Contract for Black America.
When the NAACP actually invited GW Bush, he actually showed up. The NAACP is ostensibly for Civil Rights. So is the GOP.
Look at AAPP's laundry list. That's not the GOP agenda, obviously. So what do you expect?
Cobb,
If they can show up for one media event why not Smiley's?
I think many black Republicans want to stand in some Ivory Tower of principle, while ignoring the racism that has usurped the party and have failed to realize the tremendous influence Dixiecrats had when they moved from the Democratic party. If they don't cosign the black bashing done by conservative blacks, they sure remain silent.
I would think now if they were to court black people, it would be at a university: but I don't think it is their agenda for black people to become Republican anyway.
Cobb,
Tavis' event is based upon the Covenent with Black America. That's the basis of it.
Why is that the GOP can't present a platform that addresses the concerns in The Covenent.
The GOP not going because of AAPP's laundry list; they don't even know who he is.
The Covenent has been out at least 2 years, and the GOP hasn't bothered to address it. And, if these ARE NOT the concerns of Black America, then where is the BLACK Republican equivalent, so that their GOP colleagues can at least address THAT.
Where's Shay on this? (Booker Rising)
::sounds of crickets chirping::
Cobb, hold up my good brother, now who is being silly?
Cobb: "There's nobody in America who doesn't know what the leading candidates positions are."
AAPP: I don't know what the positions of any of the Republican are on issues of importance to most Americans let alone African American communities.
Cobb: All you need to do is turn on the TV.
AAPP: That's the point Cobb, Come on, stop pul;ing our chain, We would like to turn on the TV and find out what the positions are of the Republican candidates related the our communities.
Cobb: There is no specific agenda that Smiley stands for other than as a proxy for race, and 'race' in Smiley's case means the Contract for Black America.
AAPP: This is a PBS event, if I'm not mistaken. Tavis is the host, he is using the Contract for Black America, like Gingrich used the Contract with (white) oops... America.
Cobb: When the NAACP actually invited GW Bush, he actually showed up. The NAACP is ostensibly for Civil Rights. So is the GOP.
AAPP: Apples and oranges
Cobb: Look at AAPP's laundry list.
AAPP: Damn, I didnot know I had power over the GOP! But what laundry list are you talking about?
Cobb: That's not the GOP agenda,
obviously. So what do you expect?
AAPP: Respect! Opportunity for conversation. But that's not the GOP and that's not the Black GOP agenda.
At this point I just assume that if it isn't a FOX certified event - the Republican party is not interested. None of these candidates are actively trying to address our issues or any other groups issues that don't coincide with their bases interests. So I'm not surprised, but I am disappointed in our "conservative" black brothers and sisters lack of outrage at this blatant snub. Maybe Bill O'Reilly or Chris Matthews will have Ron Christie deliver the republican apology tonight.
withintheblackcommunity.blogspot.com/2007/09/sorry-tavis-your-debate-forum-is-not.html
Is Tavis Smiley a neutral moderator - NO
Was there any chance that Tavis Smiley wound NOT be an advocate for the Democrats all next year with his bit on the Tom Joyner Morning show after having hosted the Republicans - NO
After years of attacks on the Tom Joyner Morning show - Tavis now decides to put on his "Red Cross" uniform and play the independent role for one night.
Where was Tavis on the actions by the Democrats against Fox News & The Congressional Black Caucus? Why didn't he tell the masses of Black Leftwing Activists (that you be you all) that what you put out you might just get back?
PLEASE STOP FUSING "OUR RACE" with an specific IDEOLOGY. "The Convenant" was a POSITION PAPER telling Black folks what we should support rather along the lines of a given METHODOLOGY. The more insightful challenge to Mr Smiley (and you all) is to ask - with 90% of Black voting Democrat AND with 99% of elected officials representing majority Black (or significantly Black) districts YET we still have massive problem with economic development, educational attainment, public safety and healthy lifestyles - why is there DEMOCRATIC GROWTH but few SOLUTIONS to the problems?
Might it be that Black people live vicariously through Democratic electoral success but this has not translated to INTERNAL benefit?
[quote]We would like to turn on the TV and find out what the positions are of the Republican candidates related the our communities. [/quote]
Angry - I am VERY interested in what the EXISTING ELECTED DEMOCRATS think about THE KEY ISSUES within the Black communities that they ALREADY REPRESENT!!!
The promised benefit as described by Bayard Ruskin by having Blacks being elected as Democrats has NOT been more universally recognized. Instead all there is is HOPE.
HOPE that in assign the Democrats to win even MORE elections - that some magical corner will be turned in the future.
Name me another organization in which one specific faction has increasing monopoly power over the entity yet as problems persist they have the rank and file convinced that FURTHER SUPPORT and "trying harder next time" to fight the OUTWARD FIGHT is going to lead to better days.
Rather than ask Republicans "Why should Blacks vote for you all" it is clear that the real question should be.....with 99% of the elected position held in the Black community WHY IN THE WORLD should we continue doing as we are doing? (Please note - this is not just a BINARY decision between Democrat or Republican. Maybe there are APOLITICAL solutions that are getting masked over as we live vicariously through Democratic electoral success? The HARD AND PAINFUL facts - say I'm correct about this one).
CF: Is Tavis Smiley a neutral moderator - NO
AAPP: No moderator is neutral!
CF: Was there any chance that Tavis Smiley wound NOT be an advocate for the Democrats all next year with his bit on the Tom Joyner Morning show after having hosted the Republicans - NO
AAPP: OK, and...
CF: After years of attacks on the Tom Joyner Morning show - Tavis now decides to put on his "Red Cross" uniform and play the independent role for one night.
AAPP: Like many of his white journalist counterparts. Let's be fair.
CF: Where was Tavis on the actions by the Democrats against Fox News & The Congressional Black Caucus? Why didn't he tell the masses of Black Leftwing Activists (that you be you all) that what you put out you might just get back?
AAPP: Good Question
CF: PLEASE STOP FUSING "OUR RACE" with an specific IDEOLOGY. "The Convenant" was a POSITION PAPER telling Black folks what we should support rather along the lines of a given METHODOLOGY.
AAPP: I agree, it was a good money maker for Tavis, Still is. But hey, at least he put something out there.
CF: The more insightful challenge to Mr Smiley (and you all) is to ask - with 90% of Black voting Democrat AND with 99% of elected officials representing majority Black (or significantly Black) districts YET we still have massive problem with economic development, educational attainment, public safety and healthy lifestyles - why is there DEMOCRATIC GROWTH but few SOLUTIONS to the problems?
AAPP: Don't agree with your data, or the construct of your argument, but, generally, a very easy answer. No systems of accountability. No checks and balances.
CF: Might it be that Black people live vicariously through Democratic electoral success but this has not translated to INTERNAL benefit?
AAPP: See my response above.
CF: Name me another organization in which one specific faction has increasing monopoly power over the entity yet as problems persist they have the rank and file convinced that FURTHER SUPPORT and "trying harder next time" to fight the OUTWARD FIGHT is going to lead to better days.
AAPP: Easy Republican Party, and it's leader George W. Bush. Majority of Americans donot agree with the positions he has taken on the Economy and the War. Give me a easy one CF.
CF: Rather than ask Republicans "Why should Blacks vote for you all" it is clear that the real question should be.....with 99% of the elected position held in the Black community WHY IN THE WORLD should we continue doing as we are doing? (Please note - this is not just a BINARY decision between Democrat or Republican. Maybe there are APOLITICAL solutions that are getting masked over as we live vicariously through Democratic electoral success? The HARD AND PAINFUL facts - say I'm correct about this one).
AAPP: Can't say you right, won't say your wrong. Your in that grey area of disdain for the Democrats (like I am) and no real love for the Republicans. You wonder like I do, when blacks will begin to hold democrats accountable. I wonder as well. But, the Republicans are not an answer.
AAPP: Can't say "your" right, won't say your wrong.
Constructive,
You referred to me above...but I was not a part of this discussion.
I have been away from the blog for the past 2-3 days.
You seem to forget that I have co-bloggers.
I will not weigh in on this one, I have commented on the subject in other postings. But I will say that being an independent, I don't disagree that much with your position. I don't see the Democrats as the answer that the Country needs. Which is why I have never voted for one. And I have also never voted for a Republican for that matter.
However, between the two parties, (since this is the only "viable" choice voters have)... I would say that the Democrats are the lesser of two evils.
We are living with a political system that gives us a choice between "The Demon and The Devil" (that's the actual title of a chapter from a manuscript that I never got around to finishing, where I wrote about the screwed up 2 Party system).
But yes, I agree with many of your comments about the Democrats....and I will leave it at that.
My bad - I did not note that AAPP is not "Angry Independent".
*************
[quote]
AAPP: Easy Republican Party, and it's leader George W. Bush. Majority of Americans donot agree with the positions he has taken on the Economy and the War. Give me a easy one CF.
[/quote]
EXCUSE ME.
You are comparing a POLITICAL PARTY with a RACE OF PEOPLE? I think not!!!
This is central to the problem.
I am a BLACK MAN.
I am NOT A DEMOCRAT! (Nor Republican)
I REFUSE to have my race tied with a PARTY, or an IDEOLOGY that is supposed to be "Authentically Black".
I am "attacking" the force that has my people beholden the most with limited results WITHIN.
You all need to look at the HOLE you are digging and turn course before it is too late. I REPEAT - up to 90% of Blacks who vote vote for the Democrats. Based on my own research in which I took census data which listed the cities with the greatest percentage of Black people and which met a certain population minimum - the HIGHER the percentage of Blacks the more the chances that a Democratic mayor and city council there was.
WHERE DO YOU GO FROM HERE? There is a near saturation rate of DEMOCRATS in these districts among Blacks to base a movement for expansion upon. Instead of winning black converts from the GOP all that is leftis getting the unregistered and/or banned (ie: felons) to vote to insure more black voters which is a proxy for DEMOCRAT VOTES as it stands today.
How does one fail to see that in Philadelphia, an 80% Democratic city, for example, the grand utopia as a result of this domination has not been delivered? Will the entire nation be any different?
At what point is there a choice to STEP BACK and realize that some problems are APOLITICAL in nature.
Ratcheting up the troops for the next election is GOOD FOR THE DEMOCRATS. I am not so sure that it has proven to be demonstrably good for the BLACK COMMUNITY WITHIN.
This debate with Tavis Smiley is about the REALITIES of the partisan divide. Don't tell me that on the one hand you cheer the canceled Fox News debate as some type of VICTORY for organized Black groups but when Republicans cancel Tavis' debate it is proof of their RACISM. Once again the attempt is to link my RACE with an ideology. From my perspective Tavis' debate has no more credibility with regards to Black people in total than if Armstrong Williams got the Democrats to agree to a debate and they canceled. An IDEOLOGICAL SLIGHT yes - a RACIAL one? I don't think so. You all use the notion of POPULARITY of an ideology within the community means that the exceptional Blacks are Uncle Toms and rejects. IN TRUTH you should look at the presence of a POPULAR IDEOLOGY and measure it against its ability to SOLVE CRITICAL PROBLEMS that Black people have.
Despite being at an all time high with respect to Democratic elected official - the solutions are not forthcoming. Are you fighting for your GOALS or your IDEOLOGY must be the central question?
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