I’ve long scratched my head as to why it is that blacks flock to the Democratic Party. From a historical perspective it makes abolutley no sense whatsoever.
LaShawn Barber (who’s black and…gasp…Conservative) has a theory:
Earlier this year, I reviewed a book called Wrong on Race, by Bruce Bartlett. He correctly pointed out that most of the raging racists you’ve read about in history books were Democrats and that Republicans were the anti-slavery party. In fact, the GOP was founded on the principle. Republicans supported major civil rights legislation right up through the 1960s, while Democrats filibustered the bills and spoke out against equal rights for all. Republicans still support equal rights for all.
And therein lies the problem.
Knowing history is important, obviously, and all this makes for good reading. But I need to break it you: blacks who vote for Democrats do not care about this history. The only bit of history they care about is the one that provides excuses and finger-pointing opportunities: ancestors in bondage, great-grandparents and grandparents struggling to gain first class citizenship in this country, etc. They don’t care who did what to or for whom in the past. All they care about is who’s offering them the most goodies today.
She also points us to this great article in today’s Wall Street Journal (also from Bruce Bartlett), “The GOP Party IS the Party of Civil Rights.”
Which is dead on accurate. Because we are. Still. And the Donk’s aren’t. And never were.
An excerpt:
“While Harry Truman deserves great credit for ending racial segregation in the military and the civil service, his efforts to pass civil-rights legislation also died from Southern Democratic opposition despite strong support from Republicans, who controlled Congress in 1947 and 1948. This makes Dwight Eisenhower’s success in passing civil rights bills in 1957 and 1960 all the more remarkable, since Democrats then controlled both Houses of Congress.
“Lyndon Johnson consistently opposed civil-rights legislation while he was in Congress, but as president worked hard to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Neither would have passed without the strong support of congressional Republicans, who provided the margin of victory.
“Richard Nixon is said to have developed a ‘Southern strategy’ of using racial code words like ‘law and order’ to gain votes in the South. Yet he did more to desegregate southern schools than any president in history. Nixon also created affirmative action to help break the power of racist labor unions, and minority set-asides for government contracts to aid black entrepreneurs.
“Historically speaking, the Republican Party has a far better record on race than the Democrats.”
This is tripe. The anti-civil rights wing of the Democrat Party (Dixiecrats) partnered with Nixon’s “Silent Majority” and became “Reagan Democrats,” who comfortably switched affiliations and ushered in 30 years of GOP political heterodoxy. This wing bolted the Democratic Party as soon as brown and black people began getting elected to high public office as Democrats.
Name one piece of civil rights legislation initiated by Republicans since 1964.
It’s a good thing some of us can still report true history of the 1960s instead of relying on clearly biased sources pursuing ulterior motives.
Given it’s conveiently patronizing caricature of the black American voter, a demographic you clearly despise, it’s no wonder you’d cling to such an intellectually dishonest theory.
Pat…i did a 10 second search and found this…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1991
not sure who initiated the legislation, but it was signed by Bush who probably could have executed a veto.
So let me get this straight, just so I have it all laid out on the table…and Im hoping you will expand a bit…could you answer this for me?
If a politician does not constantly put legislation up for review concerning civil rights, does that deem a particular politician, or their party, racist?
Aw c’mon, you can do better than that!
BTW, Jack Brooks (D-California) authored that bill.
Pat,
I see you like wikipedia. Thats something we have in common. But you have to admit that your comments contain a bit of finger pointing in the direction of the Republicans for not sponsoring civil rights legislation. If you were not leaning in the direction of racism, perhaps you were leaning in the direction of indifference. Which, in some progressive circles, is essentially racism.
Plus, there is no dishonesty in the facts that Robbie presented. So dont let the facts get in the way of your perception.
HeavyGabe, I could hear the sound of you getting bitchslapped all the way over here.
how terribly misleading. the platforms of dems and reps of today cannot be compared to those of even 60 years ago.
So the historical roots of racism in the donk party no longer apply?
Why is that?
Anyway, what about more recent examples of racism from the falsely labeled party of civil rights, such as donks making racial slurs to black Republican officials. They threw Oreos at Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, and made a crude cartoon of Condoleeza Rice. Personally, I don’t much care for wikipedia, so here is an article, including the images made by racist donks, and additional info. As the author so accurately states, to support LaShawn Barbers’ piece:
And John, did you just call Pat a bitch, in a backhanded way?
Republicans Promote Prosperity-Democrats Promote Dependency.
N2l: Uh, no. I said that Pat slapped Gabe like a bitch. Hence, bitchslap.
Like a bitch, but not a bitch.
Gotcha!
To all: Pat is too big of a wuss to slap anybody!
John,
If I can’t take a “virtual bitchslapping” every now and then, then I shouldn’t even have a laptop. A physical beat down, now thats a different story. I’m 2-8 in my adult confrontations. Painful record I know. But in those 2…i was golden
To volley back into Pat’s court, and John’s if they are playing Doubles:
So, the only civil rights legislation passed since 64 was the Brooks Civil Rights Act of 91, signed by Bush. Is this correct? That would mean that the Democrats have been able to get 1 bill pushed thru during all this time? What’s it been, 44 years? If this is true, then Robbies original premise has merit based on numbers alone.
So what have the Democrats done for the black community? I’m sure someone here can find something substantial to present in their defense. I would love to hear it, politely or bitchy.
HeavyGabe,
Silence is golden.
Perhaps rephrasing the question to what have the Democrats done to the black community, will prompt more responses.
One of the reasons Blacks don’t vote GOPer? Condescending tripe like LaShawn Barber’s article, which is then “harumph harumph”-ed by the bow tie wearing National Review types.
First, let’s make some distinctions: Blacks voted GOP until conservatives took over the party in the late 60’s and early 70s. It is not the GOP that Blacks reject; it is conservatives!
The GOP was instrumental in passing the Civil Rights Acts; but those were liberal and moderate GOPers. Conservative Dems and conservatives GOPers all voted against them. You can’t call out Al Gore’s dad without noting that George H.W. Bush, too, voted nay!
Another thing: the mindless fixation on affirmative action. Has anyone ever stopped to think that, “Hmm, with Black unemployment double White unemployment, there can’t be too many ‘less qualified Blacks’ getting jobs.” If there were, wouldn’t the Black unemployment rate be LOWER that Whites? Isn’t that how quotas are supposed to work — ensuring an excess where none would other wise be? The Black middle class looked at the GOP fixation on affimative action as an effort to turn back the little bit of economic progress that SOME OF THEM had benefited from. Why shoud someone back a party that tacitly approves of resubjugation?
Lastly, Jesse Helms, David Duke, and the assortment of cross-burners who found comfort in the GOP. How can you write a column about why Blacks don’t vote GOPer without mentioning the Southern Partisan wing of the party? The GOP just ran a guy for Congress in Mississippi who voluteered to move a Nathan Bedford Forrest statue into his town square. Why would any self respecting Black person want to associate with people who opposed the end of Jim Crow? Is it any wonder they voted for the Dem, who had done no such thing?
Obama is the Dem nominee. Do you think 15 million White GOPers would vote for a Black GOP presidential candidate? You think a Black man would win the GOP primary in Virginia, North Carolina, Idaho, or Missouri? Well, its already been done on the Dem side.
This place amounts to just another smug conservative superiority session. Have you checked the headlines lately, people? You have ruined your party and it is going down the tube. I just told you all why no self respecting Black person champions the GOP; now let’s see if you make some changes to solve the problem. I doubt you will.
It’s been fascinating watching this meme develop over the past 5 or 10 years. I guess it’s better than the active propagation of “White Hands” or “Willie Horton”
Come out and say it: black people are too stupid to realize that the GOP is teh awesome on race relations.
(Sort of a self-defeating argument, no?)
Come out and say it:
black people arePreston is too stupid to realize that the GOP is teh awesome on race relations.There — fixed it for you.
B-Rob, how convenient you didn’t mention Senator “Sheets” Byrd in your tiresome comment.
Why didn’t algore, as Senator of Tennessee, ever once say or do anything about his home state having a Nathan Bedford Forrest Day?
Why did Bill “Horny Hick” Clinton as Governor of Arkansas, allow the state to have a Confederate Flag Day?
The answer was found in LaShawn Barbers article, and in other links. The donk party, historically and currently, is a party based on racism of, and pandering to, Black Americans.
Preston thinks it’s because they are stupid. Not true, they have been misinformed, as have most Americans.
Preston thinks it’s because they are stupid. Not true, they have been misinformed, as have most Americans.
If your reading comprehension of my comment is any indication it’s no surprise why you can’t discern the motivations of African Americans in the voting booth.
I read you loud and clear, as you were trying to project your own malicious thoughts onto someone else. You are the only person I’ve seen use the word stupid, as it pertains to Black Americans.
Your words reveal you, and thus the point of liberals/donks being the true racists is proved.
Your words reveal you,
Uh, yeah. I think these are your words:
they have been misinformed, as have most Americans.
Apparently, you think that African Americans are “misinformed” when they see ads like “White Hands” or “Willie Horton” and conclude that they are produced by people who- at best- are willing to be racially provocative and -at worst- may be racist themselves.
Sure Rush thinks this is a great argument but does any thinking person really believe that African Americans should choose their President in 2008 based on the fact that McKinley may or may not have had a better platform on race relations than William Jennings Bryan? Especially when in 2008 the GOP has chosen a nominee who saw no value in our nation commemorating the Civil Rights movement and Martin Luther King Jr.
Your apparent attempt to project your thoughts into mine have failed.
The historical value of the racist donks is valid, as I stated Black Americans and most Americans are misinformed about the racist attitudes, policies, and practices of the donk party, and believe the donks have always been the champions of civil rights. Not only has that deceit been proven, there is clear evidence that those attitudes are still evident today.
You want to cling to your links as the only proof available, but I will remind you to go back and view the links I have offered that dispute you.
I don’t care what McCain has or has not done, I don’t support him, and never have, but at least he isn’t a proven racist/black separatist, married to a proven racist/black separatist/America hater, like the NOBAMAs.
An interesting article from a Brit newspaper.
believe the donks have always been the champions of civil rights.
Well, that’s obviously a mistaken impression but it is irrelevant to the issue of which party today is committed to ensuring that American prosperity is available to all of its residents.
It was the point of the entire thread.
If you don’t learn from history….
I haven’t seen any evidence that the donks are interested in prosperity for our nation at large, much less the black community.
I would agree that the donks are interested in the prosperity of big government, though.
Besides that, continuing to focus on various groups with specific political policies, but mostly rhetoric, does nothing but promote racial divisiveness. If the race baiters in society and politics would drop the BS, and refer to all citizens as Americans, these discussions wouldn’t even be necessary.
We could start with abolishing the divisive group known as the Congressional Black Caucus.
We could start with abolishing the divisive group known as the Congressional Black Caucus.
I really don’t need to make any points to win this debate- just let you keep talking.
Henh…you lost the debate by showing up.
Henh…you lost the debate by showing up.
Your open-mindedness is a marvel.
A pot and kettle moment for Preston.
From a former Obama supporter.
I went to Barber’s website to bookmark it, but I couldn’t get her home page to appear or her “about me” page.
Both came up empty.
SB Smith,
I just went and it was up just fine. Maybe a reboot is in order, or it could have been one of those temporary glitches in the innernut.
I don’t know if that video is intended to incorrectly suggest that I’ve called you a racist but it (further) reinforces the reasons why 90% of African Americans do not feel comfortable voting for conservatives.
Do you think that blacks would welcome your labeling as racist attempts of an oppressed minority to form racially based support systems such as Congressional Black Caucus or Liberation Theology?
[Editor --- Who exactly is still "oppressing" blacks in America? I don't buy that at all. There is racism in many forms still in this country. Just look at the Rev. Al Sharpton. That guy hates white people as much as Robert Byrd
hatesused to hate black people.Components of modern black culture are doing more to oppress black attitudes than any form of real institutional racism or discrimination in America.
And yes, the Congressional Black Caucus is segregationist and therefore not a good thing.]
Who exactly is still “oppressing” blacks in America?
And here we see again why black people don’t vote for Republicans. You may or may not be correct in your opinion but African Americans don’t agree with you:
Nearly 60 percent of black respondents said that race relations are generally bad, compared with 34 percent of whites. Four in 10 blacks say that there has been no progress in recent years in eliminating racial discrimination; fewer than 2 in 10 whites say the same thing. And about one-quarter of white respondents said they thought that too much had been made of racial barriers facing black people, while one-half of black respondents said not enough had been made of racial impediments faced by black people.
…
Nearly 70 percent of blacks said they had encountered a specific instance of discrimination based on their race, compared with 62 percent in 2000; 26 percent of whites said they had been the victim of racial discrimination. (More than 50 percent of Hispanic respondents said they had been the victim of racial discrimination.)
And when asked whether blacks or whites had a better chance of getting ahead in today’s society, 64 percent of black respondents said that whites did. That figure was slightly higher even than the 57 percent of blacks who said so in a 2000 poll by The Times. And the number of black respondents who described racial conditions as generally bad in this survey was almost identical to poll responses in 2000 and 1990.
You don’t need to look for explanations that African Americans are “misinformed” or ignorant of history to understand why they don’t vote for conservatives: they simply don’t believe in your ideas.
[Editor --- So what you're saying is that the majority of blacks do believe in entitlements, handouts, and larger government programs and control?
Because that is what the Democratic party offers, promotes, and believes in.
That's a pretty sad thing to be "for."]
What oppression?
You describe the CBC and Marxist Liberation Theology as support systems? I know why you would believe this, it’s because you are a close-minded, liberal ideologue. Not all Black Americans are liberals or donks, yet all the members of the CBC are, and only cater to a liberal agenda. So by their reasoning, and yours, Black Americans are a monolith, therefore any that claim to be anything other than a part of that object, are non entities.
Marxist Liberation Theology is a purely collectivist and separatist ideology.
They are both devoted to their own agendas, and neither one cares for, or provides for, cohesion and unity of all Americans.
Just like LaShawn Barber, whom this thread began about, refuses the label of African-American, I refuse to observe that hyphen. If those Representatives, and one Senator, in the CBC are only focused on the issue of Black Americans, that means they don’t respect or serve their constituents, of many races, back home.
I know how important every little liberal special interest group is to the donk’s pursuit of power, so you can wail and complain all you wish, because I am not of your ilk. I believe in America for Americans, and unlike the tradition’s of the donks in this country, skin color is not what concerns me, it is behavior.
It’s not a surprise that you’re against the Congressional Black Caucus, Liberation Theology, those who identify as an African American, or any number of government programs. I didn’t post on this thread specifically to defend any of those things- just to point out that, as it happens, many black people disagree with your opinions and that’s why they don’t vote for Republicans.
I guess we now know that the whole point of a post called Why Do Blacks Vote (Overwhelmingly) Democrat? was a little bit disingenuous after all.
I don’t think the post title is disingenuous at all, but an excellent question.
Unlike the donks, most Republicans wish to treat all people of America as citizens, and not as some special interest group to be courted for their votes, in exchange for empty rhetoric.
I oppose the CBC and Marxist Liberation Theology for the same reasons, they don’t serve the interest of America, as they are exclusionary, and divisive*. But then that’s how they split votes off for their purposes, by fanning the flames of racism and separatism, promising to address those issues, in exchange for money and votes.
An excellent column by LaShawn Barber, from several years ago.
Why Courting The Black Vote Won’t Work.
With this wonderful conclusion, of which I totally agree:
How and why people chose to vote is for each individual to decide. Being force fed lies and distortions about our citizens, in order to split off groups for their votes, is a disgusting practice, one I chose not to participate in. It’s one of the many reasons I left the donk party so many years ago.
In the south we were only allowed to vote for the candidate of the former master’s choice. And since the Republicans was the party of Lincoln no self respecting neo-slaver would join the GOP. When they moved north they still remained ignorant and democratic.
BS. Blacks voted for republicans when republicans opposed slavery. Now the republicans are the only proponents of racism and bigotry black vote against them. The dividing line was the 1960, the southern strategy and when the southern democrats became the republican leaders.
BS.
You don’t pay attention.
In the 2008 election, 95% of blacks voted for Obama. Only 4% voted for McCain.
Let me say that again:
Obama-95%
McCain-4%
Or put another way:
Democrat-95%
Republican-4%
Get the picture?
No, I still don’t think you wascally wepublicans get it. Remember the girl’s basketball team that got beat 100-0?
If this was a boxing match, they’d have stopped it in the first 30 seconds.
And it’s not just blacks. Look at some other Obama supporters. Jews 78% for Obama. Hispanics 66%. Asians 63%. Catholics 54%.
Catholics 54%?!
You mean 54% of anti-abortion Catholics voted for Obama?
How can the Republicans convince the blacks that they are the anti-racist party when they can’t even convince the Catholics that they are the party of Christian morality?
The Republicans seem hell-bent on political self-destruction. It will be fascinating to watch this train wreck unfold.
Actually, with the voting percentages presented, it appears that those who voted in that manner are more hell bent on destruction.
As for the 95% of blacks who voted for B-HO, it is clearly racism, as they voted for his skin color, not on his poor character.
As for the Republicans convincing any minority group of anything, I can’t answer, I’m a conservative, and the GOP doesn’t much listen to me either. However, if you look at the overall characteristics of most minority groups, they tend to be conservative in many aspects of their lives, but vote for liberals. It makes absolutely no sense, whatever.
It doesn’t matter whether or not it makes sense. What matters is whether or not people vote for you. It’s politics. It’s a game.
I am a bleeding-heart Democrat who wants a strong and viable Republican opposition. But what I see right now scares me. The Democrats control the White House, both houses of Congress, and have a filibuster-proof Senate majority to boot. Talk about a hat trick.
This is how badly the GOP got thumped in ‘08. I’ve been reading through the posts, and that’s what we keep trying to tell you. Ideology is fine. But it’s also about perception.
Bring back the party of Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon (whom I admire, aside from his inexplicable mistake). George Herbert and Junior won’t cut it. McCain may have made a fine President, but he lost on Bush’s coattails more than anything.
But wait! McCain wasn’t conservative enough! Some Republicans think that’s why he lost, but that’s ludicrous. McCain hung with Obama for a long time. The bad timing on the recession did him in.
And don’t think for a minute that Sarah Palin can win anything.
Political parties are like individuals–they fight to survive. They fight over votes. And the numbers I displayed in my previous post should frighten any Republican into trying to find out what these people want. But what I see instead are conservatives preaching to the choir, while everybody else is not only outside the church but several blocks away.
You are not even connecting with huge swaths of the population. Your best chance of near-term success would be if Obamacare blows up all over the Dems (which it might). But what if it doesn’t?
Politics is fickle and can change fairly quickly. I may be eating my words someday–I get that. But I’m afraid that, for the Republicans, the failure to face the political reality of a changing demographic may be too much for ideology alone to overcome.
All that is fine and well.
I also remember RWR. He never compromised his principles, and he never moved left, the left moved toward him.
I’m seeing the same thing happen now as I did in 1966 and 1994. The overreaching of the democrats in control of D.C., and the reaction of the voters.
We will see.
As for Palin, I have never seen a person that supposedly has no chance, create as much fear in her political opponents, as she.
Dude–
I so hope Palin gets nominated in 2012.
Bring it ON!
What you mistake for fear is actually ridicule.
I don’t care if she runs in 2012 or not, but that she is now able to attack liberalism with major support from conservatives.
As for being mistaken, actually I believe it is you and the left. The fear they reveal in their vehement attacks is palpable.
How old are you? You and your ilk act like this is not only the first election you ever voted in but the first election you ever heard of.
If you would have cracked open a history book when you were in high school, you would know that voters swing from one political party to the other every 4-12 years. And it won’t be long before the donks are out of power and the gop back in. Get use to it.