How Many Black Republicans Can You Fit in One Room

(Washington, DC) “I will give anyone in this room a thousand dollars if they will produce a list of Black Republican staffers who work on Capitol Hill,” says Raynard Jackson as he waves the cash before a standing room only luncheon at the National Press Club.

Jackson, a GOP Operative, sent out a call to the faithful to come to this luncheon. This is the inaugural event for the "Black Americans for a Better Future Super Pac." I’m talking about Black Republicans and those in the party who understand the demographics of the future. They aren’t in the closet. Some in this room have served in Republican presidential cabinets, state legislatures, and locally. Others have transitioned from the glare of the GOP spotlight to create businesses.  This wing of the political party has watched from the sidelines and they aren’t buying what the current crop of Presidential candidates are selling.

Raynard Jackson welcoming guest.

In a jovial but serious rant, Jackson went in full bore on what his “party” hasn’t done. They are “unprepared and unqualified…I’m disgusted.”  The columnist is provocative. I’ve heard his rants in private conversations. The party leaders and mover shakers sometimes get uncomfortable when he’s around. He’s heard the old adage “be quiet just to get along.”

Some of his most searing commentary was on the new generation of Black GOP members. He told the audience about an experience he had with a Congressman (he wouldn’t name him). According to Jackson, he asked him if he had any Black staffers. Embarrassed, the Representative would make a concerted effort to hire one (a 20 year old) for what the host described as “race insurance.” Jackson said he was used to these 20 year old staffers calling him on the phone asking for advice and direction. “I don’t want you to hire a 20 year old, and they call me on phone asking me what should I do?” He named and point to several seasoned veterans in the room who are card carrying Republicans. He reminds the audience, “You can be Republican and Black.” Somehow he says they don’t want to be seen through a race lens. “Duh, that’s how they see you.”

He didn’t leave Fox Network out from his criticism. He’s appeared on the channel. His assessment, there appears to single purpose for African-Americans to be on, “bash the President.” “Blacks on Fox are entertainers.” He gave an example of friend who had an expertise on an international issue but, a producer want to know could he talk about how bad the President is on the issue. The individual was not used on the air.

He’s heard it all before; “We can’t find any Black Republicans.” He wasn’t shock when he went to Milwaukee for the Republican Presidential Debate and asked most of the aspirants if they had any Black staffers. All but one (Ben Carson) had people of color working on their staffs. He heard the standard line but shot back, “Where do you find Biffy and Buffy?”

The invisibility of Black Republicans is evident with the luncheon’s special guest Maryland Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford. Rutherford joined Governor Larry Hogan in winning a state dominated by Democrats. Apparently, this message hasn’t been disseminated to party members across the county.

Rutherford has worked in Republican administrations in Maryland and for President George W. Bush. He didn’t leave his Black card at home. The host reminds the assembled Rutherford was born in Washington, DC. In fact, he tells the audience his birth certificate describes him and his parents as “colored.” He went to Howard University and graduated from the University of Southern California Law School.

“We are in an Uber World (a reference to car sharing service),” said the Lieutenant Governor in describing the current business climate in Maryland. It was music to ears of many business leaders in attendance. He’s only been in office for 10 months. An early challenge was the deployment of the National Guard to quell rioting in Baltimore. Adding to the challenges was the Governor being diagnosed with cancer (under Maryland Law the Lt.Gov. acts on his behalf when being treated). “I’m happy to say he announced he (Governor Hogan) was cancer free.

He laid out a vision to get more African-Americans to consider the GOP.  He says, “It’s okay to have our views,” He chided the Democratic Party who seem to make members of the GOP out to be the “boogeyman.” “Get past the side-show tactics” such as the often repeated claim “you’ll be going back to chains.” He points out that even in Black Democratic strongholds a number of voters are becoming independent voters.

Rev. Peter Bramble, Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford, and Joy Bramble

Jackson ask if he will go on the road and spread the gospel of GOP to an African-American audience around the country. Rutherford says he may be able to travel now without the medical challenges to the governor. The audience applauds as audience members rush to get selfies as he leaves.

The host is also surrounded by those from various parts of the country asking if he will come to their state and lay the ground work for creating a similar luncheon. He smiles with approval. I can hear the rap song in my head “can you hear me yo.”

These are the faithful/true believers of being Black and a member of the GOP. It’s a small audience and it’s not monolithic. This strand as I observed over the years has always been pro-business. In its early stages it was also pro-civil rights which it saw as opportunity. There are a lot of litmus test in being a Republican these days. What happen to pro-business, pro-black business? It was an entrée but, those litmus test seem to get in the way.

A Super-Pac? Hmm?

Charles Robinson 

Shellacked Again

Baltimore – There are nightmares and then there are re-occurring nightmares, but why do they come during the mid-term elections. I’m guessing this is being mumbled by President Obama on the day after the Republicans cleaned his clock in the House of Representatives, the Senate and in Governors seats. These mid-term elections have left the Democratic President with few options to push his agenda. The electorate has sent a clear message, “get something done.”

The members of the GOP aren’t crowing but, is there an opening? Here a few of the questions that will need to be answered. Will gridlock be the order of the day or will veto overrides settle the scores? Should we expect mischief with a lame duck session? Is it time to get even?

So what happened? Some predicted the outcome and some didn’t see this coming? First a history lesson, the president of the presiding party often looses seats in congress in a mid-term election. The President can help minimize these losses but, a number of candidates did not want the president nor did they want to be seen with him. WOW.

There has been narrative since the President’s initial election by the GOP to thwart his efforts. His political mandate was short lived. He became the Republican Party’s “boogie man.” It was illustrated in Tea Party rallies and mantra’s like “he wasn’t born in the United States; he’s a communist…ect.

The President has down played his “Blackness.” Sometimes to his advantage and some will say to his detriment. “I am not the Black President; I am the President of United States.” Black comics have mocked this sentiment (Key and Peele, and SNL).  Some suggest this is playing the “race card.” Leaders of the U.S. must walk a fine line.

In his post election address the President did not cower instead he reiterated a message he has said on several occasions, “The American people want us to get the job done.” He acknowledged his status a “lame duck.” He acknowledged the winners but, also noted “the 2/3’s of American who didn’t vote.” Claiming the “the bully pulpit” he up the ante for those looking for a conciliator in chief, “As President I have unique position.” He knows those in the GOP have a deep anger for his views, and more importantly his policies. There will be some give on ideas but, in the African-American community this is the price you pay when you can’t hold the reins of power in other branches of government. “We just got to keep at it.”

Fear and Loathing

Following a “bloodbath” like this there is a lot of “Monday Morning Quarterbacking.” The lack of an engaged electorate played out to perfection. The results show those participating in 2014 election were whiter and older. The Democratic Party has been hard press to connect with this group since Jimmy Carter. They have used Social Security to rally the group and scare tactics about Medicaid to mobilize. Guess what the Republicans have paid attention and co-opted these ideas.

Even though Obama was not on the ballot, the GOP used his name often. The President’s poll numbers don’t help and a series of activities

(VA screw-ups, Emergence of ISIL, and Ebola) created a perfect storm which reinforces this perception.

Activities on the ground in several states where efforts to create voter identification were successful sent a message to Black voters, “they don’t want us to participate.” It energized some Black voters but unlike in Presidential years Black votes for Obama top 90%. Add women, young, Latino, and college students they swamp an older electorate. The problem is when there isn't a Presidential race. You can use data tricks but, the ground game is where winners are made.

Once again the GOP is not playing catch up in this aspect as of electioneering. Lastly, the GOP has stayed on message. It has forced out extreme candidates and found the answers to positions which didn’t play well with the voters.  

Lastly, a number of so called “Blue Dog Democrats” in Southern states have seen their constituency flip to Republicans. Obama is the “boogie man” to them. A lot of them see a country that is changing and doesn’t see them as a credible participant in the process. This has “pissed them off.” Code words from politicians are signals which question the legitimacy, the mandate, and the veracity of this President. So what are these “Blue Dog Democrats” to do? Run against the President. Ads from this political groups talked more about how they voted against the President’s policies than trumpeting what the policies have done. Sorry, this is a recipe for disaster. Also isn’t it disingenuous to ask for the political funding but smack the hand of the person who is giving it to you. Holding on to this last rung in the South is Senator Mary Landrieu. She will have a run off in January of 2015 to determine if she returns or is vanquished. She admits this will be tough. She conceded the President isn’t popular in Louisiana and it has aracial tone (finally a piece of honesty). The GOP will likely continue to make this about Obama. How do you counter? I’ll leave that to professionals to work out.

What’s Next?

 From where I’m sitting, “What does this President have to lose?” Change and Hope was the mantra. In reality it came with Division and Confrontation. The National Review in an editorial suggested Republicans continue push confrontation and not work with the President. Another two years of nothing? In my Clint Eastwood voice, “go ahead and make my day.”

This changing landscape has possibilities, problems and course corrections. Let me start with possibilities. The Black electorate is not monolithic but it has been the solid rock of the President’s base. It will be up for grabs in the next Presidential cycle. This summer I invited Renice Prebius to National Association of Black Journalist Conference in Boston. He was adamant “Charles, we can’t be a White Southern Party…we must go to Black, Brown, and communities of color and make the argument for our candidates.”

Conversely, some of the power structure within the Democratic Party asks, “Where this constituency will go?” The lock of Democratic Party on Black voters may not fade anytime soon. There is a marriage of convenience for those at the top of the group to continue this winning strategy. However, where is a national view of peeling off the lock of the White Voters who see the GOP as their party.

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has three new GOP members including the first female GOP member Rep. Mia Love. “Many naysayers said Utah would not elect Black Republican LDS woman to Congress.”). Look the CBC must either recognize there are different strands of Black Politicians whose political viewpoints aren’t compatible.  Lastly, don’t be afraid to form new alliances, create dialogue when there isn’t any, and don’t be forced into a corner even if it’s the POTUS.

Like her counterpart in the Senate Tim Scott she has downplayed her race in the outcome of her election (So why did she say

The bench of the Black Democratics is weak. I have seen a lot of young people volunteering and getting jobs. What I am not seeing is a passing of the baton. You ask these newly minted folks for help. You asked them to help you to understand social media. You created to new task-forces for them to work on including their passions i.e. music, social interaction etc… Is now the time to get out of the way? I know failure at this level is big, but tell me anyone who made it to the top who hasn’t failed.

In two years a number of people will be talking about how they help elected the first Black President. After that time frame the question will be, Will there ever be another Black President?  

A Summer of Discontent

(Baltimore) I watched, tweeted, commented and followed the 2012 Republican Convention in Tampa. Now I’m ready to pack up my car and head to Charlotte, North Carolina to continue my annual four year sojourn to a national political convention. This ritual has allowed me to find that thing in journalism that makes me get up each morning. I love the possibilities when I arrive in the cities with so many opportunities to cover the latest and greatest thing in Black politics.

Former Congressman Artur Davis

Mia Love

While I was unable to be on the ground in Tampa, I am keeping a keen eye on the potential new trend setters. I was very interested in Mia Love from Utah, who is running for the House of Representatives (who happens to be a Black Mormon); the potential implosion of Rep. Allen West from Florida; and the GOP conversion of Arthur Davis (formerly of Alabama, now residing in Virginia).

Rep. Allan West

Yes, it has been fun to watch from the sidelines, but now I’m ready to get my hands dirty. Now for full disclosure, as if I didn’t need another Political Reporter gig, I have signed on to produce Washington Watch with Roland Martin. This now puts me in that unique vanguard, having worked as a Black Political Reporter/Producer for BET, MBC-The Black Family Channel, and TV One.  I am humbled and honored,  yet excited to be challenged in covering my favorite subjects.

Language

Frank Luntz

If social media was the new thing in 2008, it is language which is holding sway in 2012. My business is language, so when new entrepreneurs invade my landscape, I take notice. Frank Luntz, the portly pugnacious GOP spin guru, has made a living of finding ways of taking offending terms and reinventing them, (FYI, I recently learned of the Apple Blue Book and they have confirmed my worst fears about marketing executives).  

Mr. Luntz gets credit for creating the ubiquitous term, Job Creators, instead of "rich people" (“pardon me can you pass me the Grey Poupon?”). On the other side the term, Romneyhood (the reverse of Robin Hood, give to the rich and take from the poor),.

Black politicians are not "Johnny come lately to this area;" think the Man, Mr. Charley, Mr. Bobo etc… (a way to describe anyone who is oppressing you). Or the term Brother, used reference to those of a darker hue, but it can now bee applied to anyone.

My good friend, Dr. Lester Spence, a political scientist at Johns Hopkins University, once told me the most important word in the English language is the N-word. I was kind of shocked, but listened to his argument, “you can use the term to describe your worst enemy...or you can use the word to describe your dearest friend.” That was deep. Let me just say for the record, I wouldn’t suggest Mitt Romney or President Obama use the term.

If there is a place where language lives a life all its own, it would be in the twitter universe. A simple idea or an utterance can transform a subject or create a new subject. It is fascinating to watch a hastags take on a world.

Is Blackness a Liability?

Several weeks ago Senior Editor at the Atlantic, Ta-Nehisi Coates, penned an article entitled, Fear of a Black President. Coates makes an eloquent case for the President to de-emphasize his Blackness to reach a much larger audience. The President stepped out of that comfort zone when he said, “If I had a son, he would probably look like Trayvon Martin." However, can local politicians afford to follow the President’s lead in this area? I am guessing you won’t be leaving your “black card at home.” I’ll try and take a pulse of what a number of Black politicians have up their sleeves in Charlotte and what words of wisdom they passing on to next generation.

Is the Party over or are we just getting Started ?

Where do you go mining for the next generation of Black politicos? The grassroots, of course. They toil in the shadows from doing mailroom stuffings, to making phone calls to the party faithful, and hoping for their shot. I’ll try and get the low down dirt for a wanna be politician. (Are there still people who want to become the next thing?)

I’ll also poll some of my colleagues to let you in on their favorite sport, “who are they watching?”

I’m excited! Get ready for a fun week, where I’ll be using this area and several other social media apps and bring you what the Washington Post, the New York Times, Politico, and Huffington Post aren’t talking about. As always, tell me what you want to see and I’ll try and bring it you.

To follow me on twitter, C3newsman.

Hitting the road for Charles Black Politics Blog…tell your friends.