9. Political slates: anachronisms or useful tools?
In the time of new media and 24-hour news channels, we don’t need political parties telling us to vote for a block of candidates. While that dated process is easier (and unfortunately very effective) for the party, sharp voters can decide which candidates to support based on the candidate’s history, opinions and vibe. South Carolina U.S. Senate candidate Alvin Greene is a classic example of what happens when we don’t study candidates. If we aren’t careful, our community might completely back a slate of candidates while the other crew sweeps into power.
10. Should we examine candidates with relativity in mind?
The dictionary defines relativity as a state of dependence in which the existence or significance of one entity is solely dependent upon that of another. In politics, I consider candidates’ position and posture relative to their congressional districts or state. The Congressional Black Caucus learned over time that southern CBC members from rural areas are more moderate than the rest of the caucus because their areas are more moderate.
With relativity in mind, the Black Blue Dogs do a remarkable job of balancing conservative provincial interests with traditional Democrat views. If those members are the targets of the far right’s fury, the conservative movement should be ashamed because they are attacking the Democrats who have worked with them constructively in the past.
Congressional candidates in swing districts should be bridge-builders who are diplomatic. When we look at GOP challengers to Blue Dogs Democrats, the first question is “would this person ignore votes who supported the other side.” The next question is “ would be this person have a positive affect on other Republicans.”
6. Are Moderates and Minorities being overlooked by the Conservatives?
I must hand it to the GOP; they are serious about purifying their ranks. I wish we would do a little housekeeping on the Blue Team ourselves because anyone can put on a “D” jersey then slam President Obama all day long. With friends like you, we don’t need the other political side. On the national level and in Georgia, GOP moderates were forced to shape up or ship out. Quick: name a Georgia GOP moderate leader?
That situation is a shame because national parties should have a range of thoughts at the discussion table. If they keep that hardcore mentality, their suitability to lead a diverse superpower will be jeopardized. In other words, that angry cowboy mentality is not healthy.
Moderates and minorities are being pushed out as the Far Right elbows their way to the front. Will they hold their position inside the GOP, departed to become Blue Dogs or chill as Independents in the center? I am not saying you got to go home but…..
7. Are other nations receiving too much American time and resources while the homeland struggles?
We hear this question from regular folks in church parking lots and barber shops. As one of the only superpowers, the United States is involved in a range of activities around the world. At some point, citizens wonder why we are building infrastructure overseas as bridges, road and schools crumble here. Should they send HUD rather than DOD?
To be fair, President Obama ran on a soft power foreign affairs platform that focused on bread over bullets. I say teach a man to fish by exporting their agricultural knowledge. That idea creates new markets for our farm equipment, Ag chemicals and seeds while improving other parts of the world so people will stop trying to come here.
8. Can the political Center create a more functional form of moderation?
Centrists aren’t confused or wishy washy people in the political middle. Some people prefer public policy that includes good ideas from all sides. Black southerners who vote have always been moderate to conservative. Solutions for our community start in every individual home and center on personal decision making rather than governmental involvement. With public funding scarce, we must carry ourselves in a wiser manner–like the civil rights era folks did. We should think about what they could have done with the opportunities we squander.
3. Are some Blue Dogs sidestepping the political heat?
First, I have an original Blue Dog pin and will never sell it on Ebay. Blue Dogs are a unique breed of moderate to conservative Democrats, but they aren’t Republicans. If you think about it, the Democrat Party looks like America with diverse groups at the table debating issues. President Obama has a bold policy agenda and at some point the issues are too progressive for some Blue Dogs. I was working at the Congress on the day current gubernatorial candidate Nathan Deal switched to the GOP—we liked Nathan the day before and we liked him the next day. Deal’s departure seemed natural or organic for a person from his conservative district.
Congressmen walk a thin line between party loyalty and independence but when the GOP needs their members, those members are there. Why can’t President Obama have that same loyalty on historic votes? Loyal Democrats are catching “hot heat” for the healthcare reform vote while others are chilling in the shade. The same Blue Dogs who ran campaign ads featuring their support of a GOP president will be slamming Obama and congressional Democrats on the air this fall. These members are tossing fellow Blue Dogs under the bus.
4. Are some Republicans uncomfortable with non-GOP supporters?
Have you ever seen a candidate who doesn’t want public support? To be honest, some Black activists took a backseat during the Obama campaign so the effort did not seem like a Black v. White situation (which it wasn’t.) In a similar situation, some GOP candidates seem to downplay their supporters who are Democrats because their base might feel they are slipping to the left. Say What?
I think most candidates enjoy any sincere support, but the campaign staff often comes from the red meat selection of their party. When the campaign event comes on the local news, I want to see a crowd that looks like Georgia. We must highlight Georgia’s history of peaceful living as an economic development tool. Companies don’t want to bring jobs to a region if they think employees will be fight a mini Civil War in the break room. In the era of the angry mob, GOP candidates with a range of supporters deserve respect.
5. Are Fox News and MSNBC putting political agendas over journalism?
I love CNN because the reporting is balanced—literally. This Georgia based operation puts pundits from the left, right and center on the stage at the same time. Fox News and MSNBC seem to execute a political agenda that flexes the traditional rules of journalism. While I watch these channels for diversity reasons, I can’t help but think that the slant is blatantly obvious to some and not to others. Glenn Beck was correct when he said that his job is entertainment—not running the nation. I hope other Americans know that.
Political blogging has been interesting over the last few years, but now it’s time to get out and talk with real people about matters that are often missed. Since there is no need to discuss the same old same old, we have put together 10 questions than should be considered in 2010. We hope to discuss these questions as often as possible and in various settings across the state in an effort to give our community logical political information and options. While we don’t have all the answers, these questions serve as conversation starters.
1. Would reform of the ballot access laws improve the election process?
The process of getting on the ballot in Georgia is a monster. Was it designed to keep new political groups from participating? Of course, California and some other states have a process that allows almost anyone to get on the ballot. Would ballot access reform also change the primary process since improvements are needed there too?
The 2004 Georgia U.S. Senate race is a classic example. Johnny Isakson, Mac Collins, and Herman Cain were in the Republican primary while Denise Majette and Cliff Oxford were on the Democrat side and Allen Buckley was the Libertarian candidate. African American voters who generally take the Democratic ballot didn’t have the opportunity to vote for newcomer Cain or old friend Isakson. To be honest, the Democrat side was thin that year. Under some states’ systems, all candidates would have been on the ballot in the primary together and the top two would be in the general election (maybe, a runoff occurs if a certain percentage of the vote is not reached.) In 2004, Isakson and Cain would have likely been in the general election.
During this election year, businessman Ray Boyd ended his bid for governor of Georgia after he refused to take a GOP loyalty oath and he learned that getting on the ballot as an independent was a headache
Another problem with our current primary system is that party voters produce candidates they favor with secondary consideration for the public in general. In other words, this candidate is like me (the Party) rather than a candidate best positioned to represent everyone.
In the 2010 Florida U.S. Senate campaign, sitting Governor Charlie Crist faced the wrath of the GOP because he worked on some level with the Obama White House on economic recovery matters and dude-hugged the president. With a primary defeat looming, Crist decide to run as an independent. The general election field will be Rep. Kendrick Meek, Governor Crist and the bright GOPer Mario Rubio. Florida should be under a new system in which all candidates were in the primary and the top two vote getters faced off in the general election.
2. With 1994 in mind, can we leverage political strength to diversify our political portfolio?
In 1994, Newt Gingrich and the GOP took over the congress and the Black community wasn’t really involved. Rep. J.C. Watts is a great guy but some southern “us” would have been better. Since you don’t have to be Black or Democrat to serve our community, we should have fostered a functional relationship with every political party. Old school Blacks are often weary of the government anyway but there is no way that a major political party should ever run a branch of the federal government without our input. During this election season, we should meet all the candidates, if you can, and listen to them at the rallies. The Black middle class is about achievement and could be waiting for like-minded Black candidates, rather than the same old “how much can we get” crowd.
Elements of other political groups could improve or tweak policies. We must remember that Newt and the Contract With America pulled Bill Clinton toward the political center and improved his presidency.
Similar to failed romances, political parties take us for granted when they feel we have no other options. But, we do have options if we noticed that voters support candidacy for different reasons. As a pro-agriculture and pro-military person, I often support Republicans and Democrats from my region with the same interests. It is no secret that I put President Obama over the Democrat Party and Democrats that run from him are flirting with disaster. Actually, Rep. Jim Marshall use d the term “disastrous” to describe the health care law that he wants to repeal. Is he appealing to conservative voters while hemorrhaging progressives and minorities?
John Monds is the Libertarian candidate for Governor of Georgia. While I am not Libertarian or Vegetarian, both groups have certain elements that are healthier for my body and the body pf politics. Interestingly, Monds lives in Southwest Georgia and is active in the NAACP and a prominent Black fraternity. His wife works as a professor at my Black college so the Libertarian Party might be the recipient of Gubernatorial votes for various reasons—take the votes where you can get the votes. Monds might be the leverage needed to compel the Democrats to respect our community.
Henrietta Lacks’ contributions to medical research are amazing but were unknown to her when she died in Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1951. Taken without her permission, her cancer cells or HeLa cells have growth in lab settings better than any cell lines and are central to many medical breakthroughs while her family is uninsured.
“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” is part Black history book, part biology book and part spiritual book. Rebecca Skloot wrote a fine novel and I hope that money from the movie rights will fund Lacks’ grandchildren’s education. Henrietta gave in life and continues giving to this day. Can you imagine a biology student working with living cells that belong to his grandmother.
President Obama should listen to the jam band Cameo during his Martha’s Vineyard vacation. Of course, he must hit the Black Dog Tavern and cop a t-shirt and cap. An old friend sent me a Black Dog hat and people in south Georgia wonder if the “Black Dog” is an African-American sub-group inside the Blue Dog Coalition.
It should be because people can’t understand how some Democrats who benefited from President Clinton and President Obama conveniently sidestep the Dem team at times. Cameo is coming to Albany, Georgia, next month and I hope they do the slow jam “Don’t Be Lonely” in honor of President Obama since the lyrics summarize how some Dems are running from him or how the Democrat base might feel about some candidates—“Hey, long time no see.” “Don’t be lonely…you’re not the only one who feels the way you do.” “What would you do if you were in my shoes..you insist on trying to find a way back into my heart..I was never one to take two steps back and I will never start.” It sounds like Larry Blackmon was singing about slick candidates.
The dictionary’s definitions of “cameo” include “a brief but dramatic appearance of a prominent actor in a single scene.” In politics, the cameo appearance of candidates in our community will be central to swaying swing elections this fall—come correct.
At black college football games, Cameo’s “Talking Out the Side of Your Neck” is another standard. With important issues on the table, more voters are well-informed these days and candidates can’t say one thing to one group and something else to another. Conservative Georgians in both parties have concerns about the healthcare reform law while other Georgians will back those who supported President Obama’s historic efforts. Mr. President, you shouldn’t be lonely- enjoy your vacation and come back ready.
One day, I am going into the Black Dog Tavern and buy my own t-shirt. If you see a brother in ATL, MIA, NYC or DC with the Black Dog logo, it is a sign of success. I really shouldn’t rock that hat while my wealth is shorter than a midget on his knees (Ice Cube lyric.) At the same time, candidates shouldn’t rock “Democrat” on the ballot if they can stand up for the sitting President as GOPers stood up for President George W. Bush.
I am a moderate Democrat but a young conservative brother from Atlanta who works for a South Carolina GOP member of congress sent me the short documentary “Young, Black & Republican.” As a kid reading Black Enterprise magazine and watching Tony Brown’s Journal on PBS, I remember this pro-business, self-determination type African-American Republican. Hell, every striding Black family could be considered conservative because “if you wait for the government to do for you, you will be waiting awhile” was the mindset.
The 2010 election season will be wild and as twisted as a mile of bad road—brace yourself for some ugliness. The fellow in this video who loves his party’s positions but questions the tone had me saying amen to the computer. Since the best documentary series follow-up with the subjects later, we should hope that the “tone” of the Far Right doesn’t push these outstanding young people out of a major political party before Thanksgiving. (That would be similar to moderates bailing out on the Dem Team over government spending.)
Keith with Peanut Politics blog is a young conservative Democrat who thinks the Black exodus from the GOP started in the primary and that it will kick into overdrive from the campaign rhetoric this fall. They might take my Blue Dog pin for saying this but stand your ground in the red team—be logical and cool when presenting a healthier “tone” option.
The field for the general election is in place and our community needs to check and double-check every aspect of our situation relative to political realities. The candidates’ records, actions and potential must be checked along with their staffing histories and efforts regarding whole community representation.
When we watch the news reports, we always look to see if the crowd behind the candidate looks like Georgia—you know what I mean. Candidates were pulled or naturally gravitated to the far end of their parties during the primary but can they seriously think about winning without a functional relationship with the center or our community.
I am putting fresh batteries in my remote control next month so I can flip the channel during the coming onslaught to T.V. political ads with candidates wearing denim shirts, playing with children, sitting on tailgates and walking with dogs. That stuff is nice but some of that ad buy money could be checks for real events with real people so they can get a real ear full and create a real bond.
The political establishment smirked when two candidates I know personally went on walks to meet the people but those guys learned a lot from a range of Georgians. As a community, we should fairly give everyone a listen and ask tough questions because the future of his nation is on the table and it is no time for grandstanding or playing political fear factor. The Democrats are about to rollout the mother of all GOTV efforts and some folks are going to have a very merry Christmas from those fat checks but please ask the candidates and their supporters what’s the plan for creating jobs, fighting crime, improving education, and supporting our troops…oh yeah, and do it on budget.
The Republican candidate for Senate in Pennsylvania made a good point on T.V. yesterday. Pat Toomey said that the GOP “check” of the Clinton White House after the min-term elections actually helped Clinton’s presidency. But it must be serious Republicans with genuine policy experience rather than those who live off fear and ugliness. “Checkout” Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels as an example of Harry Truman-like leadership.
Sadly, we must check the laundry list of Black GOP candidates in Georgia who didn’t make it to the general election. It might be time to check into a more open election process so this Democrat could vote for Black conservatives with taking the GOP primary ballot. Is it time to check if they want you arround becasuse some quality candidates didn’t stand a chance.
We need to check with the White House about the Democrats who keep running from President Obama. In my neighborhood, we don’t play that while we are fighting to protect the seats of good Democrats. If you check, President Obama has more Republicans in his cabinet than Congressional Black Caucus members and the southwest Georgia congressman was the only CBC member seriously considered for a top spot. Obama might need to check under his tree in December to see if we groomed a sensible congressional GOP freshmen or two.
If this blog post seems like Czech to your campaign, write me a check or hit Palpay and I will help you understand. If I get enough checks, I can checkout my old friends in the Czech Republic after the election. Prague is lovely that time of year.
Cliff Claiborne on Cheers and Daymon Wayans’ character on In Living Color were the best conspiracy theorists in T.V. history. Daymon could have a field day on First Lady Michelle Obama’s trip to Spain.
“See, my brother..the plan was put in place hundreds of years ago. Ergo, we were brought to the shores in the hulls of ships..you see..but Kunta Kente never forgot his Islamic roots and held Kizzie up to the east at midnight…understand…because the Moors, who occupied Spain for years but it’s not in the (His)tory text books, prayed to the east as the descendants of Abraham’s other son.”
“But the Knights Templar didn’t decode the messages in the Moorish-Spanish tiles that HGTV recommends be added as an exotic touch to suburban kitchens. Unbeknownst to the untrained eye, a couple meets in Chicago and starts the reign of power planted as a seed years ago. So, what seems like a touristy jaunt to Espana for paella is actually fulfillment of the circle..hear me. As dynasties collide, the future leader of the free world goes to read and decipher those Moorish tiles and stymie the House of Bush’s alliance with the House of Saudi…Harvard v. Yale…and we are mere pawns in a globe chess match that has lasted ages…and stay mindful of recent new beginnings in the House of Little Rock. ”
That was a fun exercise while waiting for the runoff polls to close in Georgia. But, some nuts out there would actually believe this mambo jumbo. As we approach the midterm elections, common sense is the best guide to “decipher” the agendas of those in the political arena. At the end of the day, people should do what is right for them and arrive at logical conclusions with their regions and wallets in mind.
Black folks can read it in the First Lady’s eyes: she has had it with fake smiles, life in the fish bowl and people slamming her good man. The “Blame Bush” approach is not consistent with Obama natural style and his White House team needs some adjusting. I say let Mrs. Obama be herself on the trail this Fall because she has a low tolerance for ignorance and self-pity. Dr. Condi Rice is really a moderate and Mrs. Obama is really moderate to conservative from the “Do-for-self” school of thought. She is the best conservative in the White House but consevatives are too busy tripping to see it.
As a side note, ABC had a show called “Life on Mars” than I watched because Lisa Bonet had a small role. Brothers from the 80s still support the women from the Cosby Show and A Different World—as Ludadcris said, even Rudy Huxtable is all grownup and a Spelman Delta. If you didn’t grow up where and when I did, you couldn’t imagine the feelings of seeing a real Huxtable family in the White House. Then again, I can imagine what some friends think is the ultimate plans for a new world order.
On the finale of Life on Mars, it was revealed that the main character was dreaming during an Earth to Mars flight in 2035. Upon awakening, the astronauts were told that President Obama wanted to be in the control room but her father was ill so she and her sister went to Chicago. Moorish tiles? Who did she beat? Senator Prescott Bush or Mr. Clinton R. Mezvinsky.
Whew, the Democrats are so lucky that the Republicans aren’t listening to certain members of their team. Bob Inglis of South Carolina didn’t survive his primary so he is free to tell the truth. Glenn Beck bumped heads with Inglis but Beck also told the truth when he said that his job is a form of political entertainment; it’s not his job to run the nation.
In an interview with Chris Matthews, Inglis mentioned a list of GOPers whose brand of conservatism appeals to the center, independents and rural Democrats: Rep. Jack Kingston, Rep. Paul Ryan, and Sen. Lindsey Graham. Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King played well off each other—some say it was planned. The general idea was America could deal with one or the other. The above list and a few others seem reasonable compared to the Far Right crew that push Inglis from office.
When Rep. Ryan, a former congressional staffer, talks budgets and planning, smart Democrats know he should be on the top of their presidential watch list and know that he won’t be. As we say down here, that would be too much like right. Chuck D said in his lyrics, “This is the true tale..how the one who wins is the one who fails.” Winning based on hate and fear is like the days when we couldn’t play football in the SEC.
UPDATE: I finally caught an interview with Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. Again, for the last time, is this thing on, this guy is the type leader who gets down to it with out the junk and mess. If you’ll listened to him as much as you listened to some other folks, you would be much better off..we would all be much better off.
It’s bittersweet being part of a group or organization. From college fraternities to street gangs to labor unions to political parties, group membership requires that you act collectively at times. If you get a flat tire in the middle of the night, you can call a brother but sometimes you will be getting up at 3:00a.m. It’s part of the deal.
On his birthday, President Obama spoke with the AFL-CIO about sticking with Democrats during the mid-term elections. Without Big Labor’s money and members, the Democrats have little juice. But, labor rightfully expects loyalty and their money has supported some Democrats who have no problem picking and choosing when to be team players.
In the 90s, I was proud to be part of a party that looked like America. From sea to shining sea, the Democrat Caucus in Congress was a hodgepodge. Like any family or group, we had disagreements but understood that once the decisions were made membership for the most part should circle the wagons. As a congressional staffer, I enjoyed visiting friends in the office of Rep. Charlie Hayes of Illinois. Mr. Hayes had hands like the gloves soccer goalies wear and he had a gravely voice that made him the unofficial uncle to young Black staffers. “Whose office are you in…the Peanut guy from Georgia…good man…he’s alright.” Mr. Hayes had labor union coursing in his veins; he loved what unions did for his community in Chicago.
Rep. Charles Hayes
During this congress, most Democrats have made some tough votes while a few sidestepped the rough stuff. Let’s not be naïve: these carefully crafted actions were planned deep inside the DNC. While members and candidates from both parties will flex and bend on issues to win in swing districts, old school gentlemen like Mr. Hayes would never let members enjoy considerable union support and openly slam major Democrat policies. That would be too much.
When conservative to moderate Democrats stand with other Democrats, it confirms that the general body of the party is basically respectable. I am glad Mr. Hayes isn’t around to see what is happening now to a president from Chicago.
The AFL-CIO still has big shoulders and will only take so much; it’s not the AFL-CIO M-O-U-S-E. After budget and appropriations votes, the congress only makes a dozen or so major votes each year. The stats we hear about “this guys votes with his party 97% of the time” is window-dressing. The National Journal and Congressional Quarterly list the major votes in an unbiased way. A member who votes against his party on those issues could be on his or her own in November.
Members of fraternities, college sports team, Masonic groups, elite military teams or even street gangs don’t ask questions when they see a brother in a fight; they come in swinging. If you hit one Navy Seal, you hit them all. Actually, the political party situation is more complex with some thinking that conservative Democrats are voting the will of their districts while functioning “deep cover.”
In our community’s history, the original deep cover was house slaves and friendly Whites. Recently, I rewatched Roots on you tube and the White friend of Tom Harvey “masterfully” play his part in the exodus of the family. At one point, skeptical freedmen didn’t want him in the meetings and plans; he rightfully questioned his position also. I had forgotten O.J. Simpson acting in Roots.
I was glued to the T.V. when Juice broke the rushing record and disappointed when he broke ties with our community. Oh, but the second he gets in the ultimate drama, he comes home. Right. Watching Roots as an adult poses great questions about loyalty and group membership that reflects into the current political situation. Burl Ives played a former Senator who reassured his friends that a system could be created to protect their way of life.
To me, political power and positions will always be secondary to economic power and money—Booker T. Washington was right after all. We can have a million college degrees and thousands of political titles in our community but money determines power. An old coworker once said that at the end of the day and after the speeches, the powerful are those few at the table when the money is counted.
In Roots, the exodus plan was foiled when Lloyd Bridges’ character wisely had some guys with guns follow behind him. Chicken George thwarted their plan by coming behind the new guys with his guns. Old Chicken George one up them and stated that you must have a second plan or option if your first plan is not working. Our community needs to do the same thing politically and economically because times are changing and we must change also.
Union jobs, teaching positions, military service and government jobs moved many Black families into the middle class. Unions fought for better wages, benefits and safer workplaces. At some point, they pushed so hard that labor cost forced some industries out of business or overseas. A union lobbyist once told me that a third of the cost of a new car was the benefit package for the autoworker; there’s too much. A teamster can sometimes make more for driving crops to market than the farmer made for actually growing the produce for months. Teachers’ unions battle for better compensation but fight moves to tight salaries to student achievement. In their defense, many families are half-raising kids and these students aren’t prepared to sit down, be quiet and focus on learning. These teens need to watch Roots with their parents to better understand how lucky they are and on those shoulders they stand.
Yes, we can have a frank and honest discussion about improving our community and the role of government. But, we must also remember Mr. Charlie Hayes and others who taught that membership in a political party involves commitment and loyalty. President Obama said he was tough and he must have been to grow up as the only brother around during most of his childhood. As we prepare for the middle term election, he should let us know who is with him and who is about the “okey dokey” —to use his term; start naming names or let big labor do it.
Are things uncomfortable at home for African Americans in the South who are moderate to conservative? Booker Rising, the premiere conservative Black political blog, has a great quiz in their margin. The quiz would indicate that a surprising number of Black voters down here are actually moderate if not conservative. Then, what’s the problem?
The problem could be fitting these people neatly into the two existing major political parties. On the Left, national Democrats go a little too far with spending and the role of government—well intended but not fiscally sound. On the Right, the methods of the Far Right segment are too much for many in my community to stomach.
In Georgia, I can respect the efforts of Melvin Everson, Cory Ruth and Dr. Deborah Honeycutt as Black candidates in the GOP. If Honeycutt doesn’t win the runoff, a pattern seems to be appearing because she would be the candidate best positioned to attract members of our community from strong Rep. David Scott. Everson would have won the general election because his time at my alma mater Albany State University gave him a ready-made statewide network. I am even concerned that other GOP candidates downplay or don’t want our support because their base view most Blacks as liberal.
Democrat Senate candidate R.J. Hadley stomped all over Georgia—even Tea Party type events. He is a rising star in Georgia politics. Here’s a good question: who has more juice in the southern GOP, the Tea Party Movement or the African American community. On Booker Rising, I read the post from Black Tea Party people with an open-mind. But, this is Georgia and Atlanta is the best Black city on earth. I can’t call it but thanks to the conservatives who look like me for standing by your guns while moderates are purged. If the Blue Dogs spend time with conservatives in swing district, conservative candidate should do the same on some level…in swing districts.
I would strongly recommend that the Red team “show the flag” in every community. While votes might be few in certain circles, elected officials in our form of government represent everyone—not just the people who vote for them. What’s interesting is that many of the GOP candidates worked with and around various types of people in their professional backgrounds. They get to party meetings everyone is cookie cutter of each other and fearful of any others. Do like the Blue Dogs and insist on being the candidate you want to be. Like R.J. Hadley and Ray McKinney, candidates should talk talk talk with anyone who will listen.
You should take one for the team. That’s what a baseball player (like on the Bad News Bears) does when letting a pitch hit him. In the 90s, Chelsea Clinton’s new mother-in-law did just that to help pass Bill Clinton’s budget plan by one vote. As a congressional freshman, Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky knew the plan was good for America and that it was political suicide in her district—always try to do the right thing.
Texan J.J. Pickle voted for civil rights legislation after famously saying, “Lyndon, I can’t vote for that…that’s political suicide in Texas.” LBJ then listed all the appropriations projects he was going to pull from Pickle’s district. Pickle survived had a sweet suite in the Cannon House Office Building for years—his constituents could stand behind him while he sat at his desk and get a photo with the Capitol dome in the background in the window. All politics is local at the end of the day.
On a trip back to D.C. a few years ago, I met Georgia Rep. David Scott on the corner outside Pickle’s old office. He was nice to my friends and me. I hate that Dr. Deborah Honeycutt and Scott are in the same congressional district because I think she could add a Black woman’s calmness to the House Republican conference and heaven knows they need it. If given the opportunity to support less enraged Republicans, our community should take a good look.
I had to get around to Chairman Charlie Rangel. He was the epitome smoothness when I was a staffer. We said he sounds like a Black Ralph Karmden from the Honeymooners. “Norton….Norton…pal of mine.” Today, we wonder if Rangel has any pals on Hill. People who read his book “And I Haven’t Had A Bad Day Since” or who saw him promoting it on Cspan know he survived some of the bloodiest fighting in Korea and was hero for leading other troops out of a Chinese encirclement in freezing weather. He should cut a deal with the House to make this situation go away and then he should gracefully retire to the Dominican Republic. (I kicked it in Sosua, D.R. and had a fine time…muy bueno.)
Rep. Rangel should take one for the team because his minor infractions could tip the balance in November. He was a mentor to my southwest Georgia congressman and other members of the CBC. Let me say this in no uncertain terms: if Sanford Bishop doesn’t win in November, the CBC and the White House will gut farm programs like a fish. Rep. Mike Espy of Mississippi and later Bishop championed these programs inside the CBC and over time members learned that farms and agricultural operations are vital to rural America’s local tax base—farms fund schools. While the Tea Party Movement would love that seat, south Georgians should think hard before bouncing a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
I think Bishop’s opponent knows that redistricting is around the corner and a strong showing in 2010 might convince his former colleagues in the statehouse to put his county in a more consevative district. Of course, he wants to win now but the power and knowledge of SDB is important in this struggling region. When or if the Democrats hold the House, SDB could be an appropriations subcommittee chairman—we called them cardinals.
At church yesterday, I was thinking about Abraham, Isaac and sacrifice—you know, the Ram in the brush story. Like in a lifeboat at sea, the collective must decide who should be sacrificed so most can survive. I am a moderate who will admit that Isakson is the Republican in the Georgia delegation with the best relationship in the Black community and Bishop is similar in our party. Bishop has caught heat from city liberals and CBC members for supporting issues of importance to rural America. If someone must take one for the team, lean into the pitch or be the Ram in the brush, it should be the Democrat who is the least Democrat. That would be Rep. Jim Marshall of Macon. This White House and the DNC should protect loyal members like David Scott, Sanford Bishop and John Barrow first.
In 1993, a snowstorm caused the House of Representatives to have a half day and I went to the Union Station to see Schindler’s List. My goodness, I could tell by the support from family members that a few people in the crowd were actual Holocaust survivors. While that was one of the roughest movies of my life, one somewhat comic scene relates to this blog post. A ruthless German officer had prisoners lined up and he shoots a man while trying to discover who stole a chicken. A teenager step forward and reveals that he knows who the food taker is. The teen points down at the dead man and the German believes him.
The boy was wise enough to think that this poor fellow is already gone; let him be a sacrifice so that no one else dies over a chicken. The Democrats aren’t crafty enough to think that if a member of the Georgia delegation must be sacrificed, it should be the one who is political gone already.
Let me tell you what might happen: the GOP could be within a few seats of controlling the House and offer Marshall a chairmanship to switch parties. Of course, he will take it and Democrats will come across as schmucks. By the way: the second coolest Republican in Georgia behind Isakson is Jim Marshall’s opponent. Is Michael Steele reading this? Bro, this is the seat to get. Say you want them all. Right, and people in hell want ice water.
The NAACP Scholarship Banquet in Tifton, Georgia, “advanced” me profoundly last night but then again, they say the hardheaded never learned. In college, we were too radical to be involved with this organization. It was all about Public Enemy’s lyrics like “Mandela..cell dweller…Thatcher, you should tell her.” In retrospect, the grassroots chapters of the NAACP have brought us from a mighty long way.
Rodney King was at my table. Not that Rodney King but a 20-year-old fellow who won’t hesitate to tell you about the good works of his church. Both Rodney Kings spent a lot of time in the hospital but this R.K. is employed a Tift Regional Hospital. When I told him that my mother was there last year for several weeks and that he was luck because that camp is “full,” he looked at me as if too say “I am protected my check rather than being concerned with that stuff on the job.”
Young people from King’s church served the food at the banquet while other young people sang and praised dance. Two young students from the community received scholarships and words of wisdom from Georgia Supreme Court Justice Robert Benham. Justice Benham told the audience that they were in the wrong place if they wanted to hear negative information about the community because he would be speaking about positive experiences. While he spoke, a slide show of Black history flashed images from the March on Washington to Little Rock to Medgar Evers to Obama speaking to the NAACP. Justice Benham remained us that the NAACP has been fighting the good fight for years. In his official capacity, he has ruled for and against the organization’s positions but he appreciated their efforts.
Justice Benham was introduced by a long-time friend of his who isn’t Black and several of the honorees weren’t Black. I remembered that Whites have always been involved in the NAACP. I also remember that like any organization the NAACP has local chapters that are as different as leaves on a tree (that is what Helen Blocker Adams says about the Augusta Tea Party events.) President Rev. L. Chris Solomon and the Tifton NAACP chapter seems to emphasis community improvement and encouraging the youth.
Since I am often alone, I thought I mastered taking cellphone pictures of myself—I had to get one with the anti-lynching slide. When I when to take a photo with Justice Benham, who told me he married an Albany State University grad, a women asked me why would I take a picture of myself when she could have the professional photographer do it. Again, the hardheaded never learn that some things require the help of others; it’s called community.
One of the honorees was a county commissioner with a long history of cleaning up the community street by street. I met her a dozen years ago and told her husband and her congrats on their civil efforts. Morehouse student Ambrose King help organize a fine program. With old friends at NAACP events and the other contributor on this blog speaking at Tea Parties, community involvement is happening while I am sitting at his keyboard….blogging.
President Obama is coming to Georgia for a list of events that include speaking to the National Convention of the Disabled American Veterans. There is buzz down here about which politicians will be seen with the president as their elections approach.
My friends and I are watching them closely because those congressional candidates who benefited from the Obama wave in 2008 should (we feel) be respectful or else.
But not a veterans event….veterans….those who bore the battle. With all the military bases we have in Georgia and the veterans who settled here, they must make that speech. With troops in the field in two theaters of war, they could find their way into that arena. This addresss will contain major policy points on medical matters.
It might not be about who was pictured with the President; it could be “where is your picture from the DAV convention.” Rep. Bishop sits on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies so he is straight; but, I don’t see a Georgian on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Really?
We have all seen the Geico commercial where Charlie Daniels takes the violin from a strolling player in a fancy restaurant, rips some righteous fiddle licks and gives it back to the guy before saying, “That’s how you do it, son.” I enjoy everyone on the violin from Daniels to the brother in Dave Matthews Band to Israeli-born Miri Ben-Ari, who puts it down over hip hop beats, to Novi Novog, the lady who played stings for The Time and Prince in the 80s.
To me, there are different ways of doing things and it’s good to study other methods and approaches. New Jersey’ Governor Chris Christie is one to watch because the big fellow is one conservative who is going to tell it like he see it – right or wrong – and let the chips fall where they may. Baller style, that’s how you do it son. I think candidates Obama and McCain were planning the same thing. We remember the talk from both about reforming the system and walking away from the game on top like NFL great Jim Brown. Of course, elected officials often find that easier said than done.
Governor Christie is hell-bend on reigning in state spending and bumping heads with key groups in the process. The recent video clip of his confrontation with a teacher over pay and benefits was an instant classic. The teacher said she was not being paid for her education and experience and Christie basically told her to work somewhere else. Ouch.
Christie says NJ teachers are well-paid and have excellent benefits but they need to understand that average citizens have cut back in these rough economic times and governmental employees must do the same. My mouth dropped when the teacher made her point because we “assumed” in the 80s that we would at least make enough money to paid for our educations. Hell, I simply wanted to make my age and grow old. The price of everything has skyrocketed but salaries are stuck in 1990.
Can a person walk away from a job offer with a salary of the same amount as that person made 20 years ago? No. Our parents always said people with bills should take any income source they can until hard times pass. Guys with children should drop fries, wash windows or collect cans because those kids did not ask to be born. The guy Joseph in the Bible told pharaoh to store away in times of fat in preparation for times of lean.
The now defunct cable channel Fine Living produced a show called Radical Sabbatical about rich people who decided to cash out on Wall Street do things like starting kayak businesses on lovely western rivers. While that might be extreme, I admire my homeboys who made good money in production, the military or teaching and could retire to enjoy family by their early 50s or work less stress, giving back jobs. In actuality, people spend money like money will always come in and the result is sometimes similar to NBA veterans who are penniless by forty. That’s not how you do it, son.
If the budget hawks approach matters like Christie, the average America could see their point. Dave Matthews Band, Miri Ben-Ari and Novi Novog fused hop hip and rock with strings and the results introduced everyone to something new; Novog on Time’s Chili Sauce was brilliant. The same thing must happen in Washington with spending because something has to give.
People on the outside think something has got to give with the education system because teachers are making good money but Johnny can’t read. Of course, the teachers will tell you that we went to school reading back in the day and the family should do more to prepare little Johnny to sit his blank down in class and focus. I still like the programs that bring military veterans into teaching because some kids need a little guidance. That’s how you do it, son.
Prince was so moderate with his political lyrics back in the day.
America–Prince
Aristocrats on a mountain climb
Makin’ money, losin’ time
Communism is just a word
But if the government turn over
It’ll be the only word that’s heard
CHORUS:
America, America
God shed His grace on thee
America, America
Keep the children free
Little sister make minimum wage
Livin’ in a one-room jungle monkey cage
Can’t get over, she’s almost dead
She may not be in the black
But she happy she ain’t in the red
Freedom Love Joy Peace
Jimmy Nothing never went 2 school
They made him pledge allegiance
He said it wasn’t cool
Nothin’ made Jimmy proud
Now Jimmy live on a mushroom cloud
Freedom Love Joy Peace
Is the Obama White House too New England? To me, that’s is an interesting question but I do think the South is not “representing” in that camp as well as it should be. Columnist Maureen Dowd just broke it down and made some compelling points based on the comments of a Who’Who in Black politics. A flag should have gone up when the name “Sherrod” was first mentioned. I am proud to say I knew the name and would have known Foxman, Chavez, Evers, Long or even Duke (North Carolina or Louisiana.)
People running America should know America. My pastor recently mentioned the famous “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline and after church I pointed out that the telephone poll of voters only reached people who had phones. I lived long enough to see a president who looks like me (I would have voted for Powell or Rice also) but this gentleman is so unique in his background that he doesn’t know “the trouble I have seen.”
During the presidential campaign, many CBC members were initially for Hillary Clinton because they knew she knew “the history” from living in Arkansas and having friends like Marion Wright Edelman and Grant Hill’s mother Janet, a Clinton college roommate. For some, a Black president was enough but zero members of the CBC are in the cabinet was a concern. I knew our south Georgia congressman would have made a great Secretary of Agriculture. In an interesting twist, my congressman grew up as a member of the Black intellectual elite while Secretary Tom Vilsack’s life story is Sherrod-like and poignant.
My friends from the Clinton-era Official Washington (the administration, Congress) saw it coming: the new White House would be full of Ivy Leaguers and brainy wonks who while diverse still don’t understand regular folks. I don’t care; I still like Obama as much as Clinton and LBJ. Yes, I said LBJ. LBJ was no angel on race matters—none of us are- but he push legislation through congress and knew how to get tough when needed.
The most successful business people surround themselves with the right advisors and the same should be said for elected leaders. An urban senator should have some NRA member, pickup driving, America-feeding farm boys on his staff to provide a range of views on issues. To be honest, every member of the CBC has forgotten more about my community than I will ever know but my background was valuable in other congressional camps. Hey, that’s life.
President Obama and Herman Cain seem puzzled if someone mentions Black issues and I like that. They both seem to think that every issue is a Black, White, Brown and Yellow issue and they are right…in theory or in a perfect world.
Congressional offices, congressional campaigns and every White House should seek a certain amount of “range”. I love the word range because nothing is cooler than having the loyal opposition learn that you have been listening, can outline their arguments and respectfully disagree. Everyday, I learn a little something about people and as Don Henley sang, the more I know the less I understand.
I don’t care what anyone says; President Obama is exactly the president “candidate Obama” said he would be. The problem is people don’t know how to listen. He isn’t big on party politics because he didn’t spend that much time in the national arena before ascending to the top. That’s why he is constantly looking for Republicans with whom to work. He thinks that is natural and logical in D.C.
Of course, the GOP leadership dares their members to seriously dialog with the White House—let them fail so the Red Team can take the presidency in 2012. Can any good American really say “let them fail”? “I hope Hurricane Katrina kills thousands so the Democrats can win in ’08.” “I hope BP’s oil reaches Key West, turns and goes up the East Coast so we can get the White House back.” How sick can someone be to think those thoughts?
I don’t know the plans of the Democrats or Republicans but we Obamacrats still believe in changing the way Washington works. (Okay, this is just me thinking out loud.) First, we must remember that Obama is not Superman or the second coming. He is a very smart person and I think he is malleable. The president would come toward the center if it produces results and keeps decent conservatives from drifting into radical ranks on the far Right The center is mandatory to lead in America–belive that.
The situation with Mrs. Shirley Sherrod shows what I have always known: Obama is not familiar with the plight of southern Blacks because he thankfully has not been through our troubled past. I am glad the brother grew up around sweet people and it reflects in his considerate nature but is he mean enough to scrap like Clinton—Bill and/or Hillary. Mrs. Sherrod’s Baker County, Georgia, is similar to Hope, Arkansas so Bill knew how nasty things could get. Speaking of nasty, we should discuss the fact that thuggish youth of all colors are more of a domestic terror threat than the Klan and the Taliban put together. In the public policy arena, one must have a certain amount of nasty in them.
How can we help our community during this election season? We should support our traditional candidates but develop a line of communication/dialog with a select group of reasonable conservatives (wrestle them from the Far Right.) If a candidate is lock-step with the far Right’s approach of misinformation and hate-speak, they should be defeated for pitting Americans against each other and scaring folks for political gain (the same applies to the far-Left.)
In the 90s, our community overwhelmingly supported the Democrats. When Newt Gingrich and company took the Congress, we were toast. Conservatives vote when the only election on the ballot is a run-off for dogcatcher but our community is fickle about hitting the polls.
Obamacrats (Republicans, Democrats, and Independents) should dialog on understanding, policy and logic. Personally, I could trade a few anti-Obama Blue Dogs for conservatives who are about dialog with the whole community. Senator Johnny Isakson would be the best example of such a Member of Congress and moderates should have as much influence with him as the Far Right. Those conservatives would be essential for this White House over the next two years and the people will decide in 2012.
President Obama is one of the smartest people in American history but he can’t know everything. We remember governing without our community’s input and must work to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. The African American community is very diverse and our conservative brothers and sisters believe in a limited government than in many ways makes good common sense. They should talk with their other family about the questionable methods and techniques of the recent past because maybe we can make progress or at least peacefully function.
I still believe in the version or incarnation of Newt Gingrich that simply stated that the limited role of the federal government was to foster an opportunity for children to grow, learn and achieve if they focus, work hard patiently and keep it clean. If not, the life they get will be the life they made. I can live with that.
I can’t live with people who benefit from the Obamacrats but ignore us or worst slam the White House. Obama is a nice guy but the rest of us grew up with these scrappy Tea Party people. Scrapping and calling someone out is nothing new to us.
If Sarah Palin is Mamma Grizzly, I am naming Mrs. Shirley Sherrod the Brown Thrasher because since Palin and I were college students, Mrs. Sherrod has been fighting the good fight patiently. Notice how you can’t say “Shirley” or Sherrod anymore than you can say “Rosa Parks,” “Lena Horne” or “Nancy Wilson”—that’s how we do it in the real South. “Mrs.” and “Mr.” are signs of respect. The lady in the cafeteria is “Mrs.” and it is “yes madam” –a lesson one Capitol Hill intern learn the hard way from yours truly. It was a teachable moment.
The Thrasher is the state bird of Georgia but most people did not know that until Atlanta’s hockey team took the name. Mrs. Sherrod and Mr. Charles Sherrod have been encouraging Georgians to want more from themselves and aim higher for years–basically transition from the plantation mentality. Their efforts to keep Black farmland in family hands were noble but as soon as granddaddy’s body was cold, that land was sold and the greedy grands were heading to the BMW dealership. Land: they are not making any more of it.
Mrs. Sherrod taking that position with USDA was seen as the crowning event in a long career since she had been working for “rural development” her whole life. Why do people sleep on the USDA? Every person needs safe, affordable food; clean water and fresh air. While urban improvement generally falls under the Department of Housing and Urban Development, USDA covers the farmland and rural communities. If you want to slow the flight of rural people into the bulging cities like Atlanta, it starts with Mrs. Sherrod and others (like me) who haven’t given up on small town America. We can’t forget about the suburbs are which are blurring the line between city and country. If you travel north on I-75, Atlanta starts about 15 miles above Macon. There isn’t a wildcat in your backyard; you are in the wildcat’s backyard. Watching young professionals move to rural areas, tend their own gardens and telecommute with their laptops is too cool.
Mrs. Sherrod should think Sarah Palin, Herman Cain, Dr. Howard Dean, and Mike Huckabee then passing on that USDA job. These former candidates are doing bigger and better outside elected office or governmental employment. Book deal, T.V. show, and the lecture circuit—it’s her turn to have a victory lap and thanks to the tape-cutting blogger who made this all possible.
We shouldn’t forget that Mrs. Sherrod was speaking freely on the mic about race—a little too freely when you work for “the man” —even when “the man” looks like you. You want to have a national discussion about race relations in America. Let’s do it. Let’s put the NACCP in the room with the Tea Party and toss in the moderates. They will discover what wise people already know: we are all Americans with common interests who have plenty reasons to be mad. But, blowing a gasket will not help anything…so simmer down, have some Sweet Tea and let’s get a better understanding of each other.
Coming soon, The Sherrod Show on Fox News. It’s fair and balanced.
