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Obama at West Point: Afghanistan and Agriculture

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , on December 2, 2009| Leave a Comment »

When President Obama was selecting his cabinet, Georgia had a golden opportunity to have my southwest Georgia congressman as Secretary Agriculture. We are talking ag, the most important industry in our state, and everyone slept on the chance. Everyone except me because I was jumping up and down with my fingers crossed. Oh, I forgot. I have no juice and no one listens to me (juice, an important southern ag product.)

Last night, the leader of the free world gave his blueprint for our efforts in Afghanistan and our attempts to stabilizing that dangerous region and he mentioned agriculture.  I told you so; I told you so.  Ag is vital to our new soft power approach around the world—we still can blow some things up with fire power from the peach state.  We are talking giving a man a fish and teaching him to fish, or better, giving him a seed and bring his family into the legal farming global economy.  Poppy, heroin and cocaine are cash crops in that region and the money funds terrorist operations.  So the U.S. Agriculture Secretary helps sow the seeds of love, beat swords into plows or whatever.  Ag research universities in Athens, Fort Valley, Tuskegee, Tifton and Greensboro could design crop varieties and farm equipment that could indirectly help bring our troops home and create new markets for our agri-business interests.

My father left the farm in Gordon, Georgia, to study ag in Greensboro at North Carolina A&T.  His beloved A&T was the school where 911 terrorist Khalid Sheikh Mohammed studied mechanical engineering.  KSM is the same age as Sarah Palin and me so if I went to my father’s alma mater we would have been in the class of 1986 together.  I could have vibed that something was up with dude and we could have avoided the trouble he later masterminded with one good behind-kicking behind the dorm.  Before people trip on A&T because KSM went there, they should know that Jesse Jackson, Sr. and Jesse Jackson, Jr. are graduates as well as Astronaut Ronald McNair, who died the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986.

Before you trip on who went to college where, you should watch the movie Santa Fe Trail.  The film reminds us that Robert E. Lee commanded the troops who captured John Brown and that Lee was superintendent at West Point when cadets included JEB Stuart, George Pickett, James Longstreet, Philip Sheridan and George Armstrong Custer.  So, Ronald Reagan played Custer in the movie and I don’t think any of the West Point men portrayed in the film could have imagined a Black Commander in Chief speaking at the Point.

How many member of Obama’s cabinet were governors?  Being governor is bigger than being a U.S. House member if you are not in leadership or a committee chair.  If our state has the opportunity to have a Georgian as ag secretary in the future, Democrats and Republicans must jump quickly.  I should also mention the renewable energy provisions and initiatives in the Farm Bill; efforts that reduce our involvement in the Middle East by developing fuel and power in America.  Ag Sec is one important job because the way to global peace might start with a piece of bread.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WNrvCKQVW0

Santa Fe Trail

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GOP Purity Test

Posted in politics, tagged , , on November 30, 2009| 2 Comments »

I recently wrote about actress Dorothy Dandridge starring in the film Carmen Jones.  Hallie Berry played Dandridge in a cable T.V. biopic and we all shook our heads during the infamous Las Vegas pool scene.  Dandridge was performing at a Vegas hotel and decided to good for a swim.  After putting only her toe in the water, she was informed that she could not swim there.  It gets worst; the hotel management promptly drained the pool. 

On a related issue, some members of GOP are pushing a purity test to determine which candidates deserve their party’s support; talk about your playing with fire. If they don’t wanted candidates who can pass their test, they obliviously don’t want moderate Democrats voters who vote for GOP candidates since any Democrats would be left of the GOP moderates they are targeting. 

Okay, how many Democrats voted for Georgia’s current GOP governor, two GOP U.S. senators, GOP congressmen and countless members of the state legislature.  “Watch out how” with your purity test or a bunch of voters will be saying, “I failed the GOP purity test and all I got was this Blue Dog T-shirt.”

In my circle of friends, we talk about the “Deal-Breaker” list on dating and marriage.  It always starts at a party or cookout with some woman listing the items that will take a man off her list with a quickness: former drug use, baby mommas drama, Down Low, bad teeth, bad credit, no car, no house, did serious jail time, bad grammar, short, heavy drinker, didn’t vote for Obama or McCain, no library card, doesn’t know where the library is, wears baseball hat pointed to the side, has no class and doesn’t listen to jazz, doesn’t know the channel for HGTV or CNN, and dated her friend in junior high. 

Come to think about it, we all have test and list on some level.  Here’s my list: she knows about Kanye West and Taylor Swift but never heard of Dorothy Dandridge and Lizz Wright; she has bootleg copies of every Madea movies but rarely watches Spike Lee films; and she didn’t know there are different types of lettuce.  “That looks like grass to me…don’t get me salad dressing, pass me some Roundup.”  Sweetheart is fine but she’s got to go…purity test and all.    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdnWZWlD3Tc

Introducing Dororthy Danridge: 0:40 mark: pool  scene

Purity Test 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Republican National Committee identifies ten (10) key public policy positions for the 2010 election cycle, which the Republican National Committee expects its public officials and candidates to support: (1) We support smaller government, smaller national debt, lower deficits and lower taxes by opposing bills like Obama’s “stimulus” bill;

 (2) We support market-based health care reform and oppose Obama-style government run healthcare;

 (3) We support market-based energy reforms by opposing cap and trade legislation;

 (4) We support workers’ right to secret ballot by opposing card check;

 (5) We support legal immigration and assimilation into American society by opposing amnesty for illegal immigrants;

 (6) We support victory in Iraq and Afghanistan by supporting military-recommended troop surges;

 (7) We support containment of Iran and North Korea, particularly effective action to eliminate their nuclear weapons threat;

 (8) We support retention of the Defense of Marriage Act;

 (9) We support protecting the lives of vulnerable persons by opposing health care rationing and denial of health care and government funding of abortion; and

 (10) We support the right to keep and bear arms by opposing government restrictions on gun ownership; and be further

 RESOLVED, that a candidate who disagrees with three or more of the above stated public policy position of the Republican National Committee, as identified by the voting record, public statements and/or signed questionnaire of the candidate, shall not be eligible for financial support and endorsement by the Republican National Committee; and be further

 

RESOLVED, that upon the approval of this resolution the Republican National Committee shall deliver a copy of this resolution to each of Republican members of Congress, all Republican candidates for Congress, as they become known, and to each Republican state and territorial party office.

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Tiger Woods and Arthur Ashe

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , on November 30, 2009| 16 Comments »

Arthur Ashe, Jackie Robinson and Magic Johnson can credit part of their success to marrying well; they chose partners who smoothly insisted or assisted their drive to the top.  Tiger Woods has made me so proud as an American and African American. Yes, my friends and I were wrong to say he is Black when he wins and Asian on the Sundays that he doesn’t win…we are wishy washy like that.  Obama policies worked well “that’s my brother”…economy down next year “what up with the Hawaiian Kansan.”

On Ken Burns long documentary about Baseball, we learned that Mr. Jackie Robinson was a “race man” or a person who constantly concerned himself with uplifting his people.  Before someone gets his BVDs in a bunch, that doesn’t mean that race men wanted to pull down other races; just assist in our raise out of our previous condition.  Of course, Robinson found himself at odds with radicals during the civil rights era and would be so disappointed with our community today.

Cookie Johnson stood by her man when some thought that she would kill him for insulting her and putting her at risk.  How is Magic doing these days?  Cookie wins and the same can be said for the widow of Arthur Ashe.  Jeanne and Arthur’s relationship was the standard by which we measured couples in my college crew—okay the Huxtables also but that was T.V.  People talk about what would Dr. King think about this and that but I wonder about Ashe’s views. 

When Ashe wanted to enlighten prominent Black Americans about the South African situation, he would coolly have a private function and broach the subject. 

If I currently serving in the Senate, I would have an outdoors weekend on my southwest Georgia spread to nudge the young cats toward who I think they should be approaching.  The only thing sweeter than Georgia peaches is the fruit that bosomed on the African vine.  Unlike the White House, security would be in full force to keep out golddiggers and video vixens.

Guest List

Tiger Woods

Kobe Bryant

Lamar Odom

Reggie Bush

Alex Rodriguez

Usher Raymond

Brian Urlacher

Ray J

Esperanza Spalding

Lizz Wright

Alicia Keys

Kelly Rowland and any former members of Destiny’s Child

Kandi Burruss (No, Kim Zolicak can’t be Plus One)

Huma Abedin, Hilllary Clinton’s assistant

Jill Scott

Melody Barnes, Obama Domestic Policy advisor

Tamron Hall, MSNBC

Venus Williams

India Arie

Let the matchmaking being:

Tiger and Esperanza

Lamar and Kandi

Kobe and A Keys or Huma

Ray J and Kandi or one of the former D.C. singers

Brian and Tamron

Alex and Melody or Esperanza 

The Senator and Tamron or Lizz 

Okay, Who told the D.J. to play Sir Mix-A-Lot:

To the beanpole dames in the magazines: You ain’t it, Miss Thing!
Give me a sister, I can’t resist her.
Red beans and rice didn’t miss her!

(Yes, I have way too much free time on my hands and half these people never dated anyone who looked like them.)

All kidding aside, Tiger and his family are going to be just fine.  After all of the things he has done right, the guy can have a little drama—he is human off the course and after last year he is human on the course also.  He knows who he likes and I wish them well.

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Thanksgiving

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , on November 25, 2009| 1 Comment »

The health care debate dances around the idea that people are obese and unhealthy from lack of exercise and poor eating habits.  The public policy question is how much money should be spent saving someone from themselves.  There was a pastor down here who said when he was in “the world” he knew he was in the world. I appreciate that honest self-analysis and I personally know that if I eat too much of the wrong things I cooked my own goose.  (And drink Grey Goose in moderation.)

The Congress is considering legislation to paid spouses of war veterans with serious brain injuries to assist with their care.  What a great idea since to can’t imagine to debt this nation owes those families.

I wonder if engaged couples are really thinking that this person will be a solid and interesting companion with whom to grow old for the next half century.  As we prepare for Thanksgiving, give thanks for the smooth old couples who demonstrated how it should be done—with style, grace, commitment and responsibility. They don’t make marriages like they use to because they don’t make people like they once did; find yourself in a wheelchair and Boomquesia is out of here like last year.

Happy Thanksgiving and I give thanks that I did not marry Boomquesia.

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Dating, Marriage and Carmen Jones

Posted in African Americans, Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , on November 20, 2009| 2 Comments »

The film Carmen Jones, featuring Dorothy Danridge, Harry Belafonte, Brock Peters, Pearl Bailey and lovely Diahann Carroll, is one of favorite movies.  Seeing a romantic tragedy is rough when logical decision-making could have avoid all of the drama.  This adaptation of George Bizet’s opera is a must-see classic.  I can believe I can watch the whole movie online.

On a politics/public policy blog, dating and romance seem out of place.  But, my friends and I have determined that the root causes of many community concerns center on non-governmental matters.  Obviously, we know about moral decay, weak value systems and slack church participation—not cool.  But, today I want to rant about dating and marriage.

Many young women spend more time dreaming about being a bride on their big day (queen for a day) while not thinking about being a wife and then a mother in the long term.   Cohabitating with another adult can be difficult because people don’t want to compromise in the era of “I want it all and I want it now.”  Many guys have no idea what being a husband and then a father is because they have not been around health relationships.  The holiday season is a perfect time for the upright walking men in families to bond with the young men and plant that seed of positive living that doesn’t involve constantly dodging the authorities or having the government tell you to care for your children; not having children early is a good way to keep the “man” off your back. 

A kid says “I am going to have a baby” and my head drops. First of all, you are a baby yourself.  Next, you are going to have a person—an infant, a toddler, a teenager and eventually a young adult.  It’s a long involved, expensive and complicated process so my next question is “she got pregnant for/with what genius?”  Life is a series of phases and one can’t determine what type person someone will be during the late teens and early twenties phase—in my opinion. 

In the barber shop during my youth, the retire military guys would teach us that some of the nicest women in the world are right here in south Georgia but a fellow should consider seeing the world in the armed forces or the range of sisters on the college campus before making life-altering decisions.    

Old folks have always said that what you did to “court” or hook that person must continue “until death do you part” –none of that bait and switch stuff.  Carmen Jones says “bait your hook for fish you can fry.” Dating is just like a job search process and anyone can say anything during an interview but you need to check those references.  Dr. King said no lie lives forever so these people who want to “act” all nice and sweet will show their real colors in time.  Long courtships are essential.  Belafonte’s character in Carmen Jones would have been better off if he stuck with the sweet country girl.  

Regarding money, the pastors who require pre-marital counseling have it 100% right because a person could be styling and profiling during the courtship while running up astronomical credit card debt.  What’s in your wallet?  I will tell a sister in a minute that I have one child and her name is Sallie Mae so check that student loan also.   

My friends and I think that problems occur when people don’t seek the right information and ask the right questions.  The Destiny’s Child question comes up when I am playing tennis with the young brothers.  “If someone from Destiny’s Child step to you, what would you do—be faithful or put your sweetheart in the wind.”  When I was a young man, Anita Baker was the standard by which loveliness was measure.  Forget about video girls and supermodels; we are talking about the sweetest fruit from the African tree and Baker married a regular guy rather than some ball player or high profile dude. 

Beyonce is okay and Michelle’s faith is great but Kelley Rowland has Anita Baker type smoothness (she can’t sing like Anita.)  If you listen to the D.C. song “Cater To You” it outlines the many things a man and woman should do for each other to keep a relationship strong and if that stuff sounds like to much for you, stay single.  Relationships are hard work and some folks are lazy and inconsistent.  Like D.C. sings in this song “I know whatever I am not fulfilling, another woman is willing.”

Finally, stop talking about wanting what the Obamas have if you are no Michelle and he is no Barrack.  Newsflash: the Obamas mostly made the right moves in their personal, educational and professional histories then worked at that their relationship and family.  It was not easy but what worthwhile is.        

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqHVnBjRRLA&feature=fvw

Destiny’s Child–Cater To You

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Jesse Jackson, Rep. Artur Davis and the Black Police

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , on November 19, 2009| 5 Comments »

Rep. Artur Davis

At a recent reception, Rev. Jesse Jackson said you can’t vote against health care reform and call yourself a Black man; clearly referring to Alabama Congressman and governor candidate Artur Davis, Harvard Law grad and one of the leaders of the new school.  The deans of the new school are the Congressional Black Caucus members from the South who have supported agriculture, the military and veterans for over a decade.  

Rep. Davis, like President Obama, is an optimistic glass half-full kind of guy who hopes for the best America possible.  Dude, those people in Alabama will elect you governor when I am able to write a check for one of those M-Class Benz SUVs I see heading from the Alabama MB plant in route to the Port of Savannah.  They wouldn’t even give Turner Gill the football coaching job at Auburn.  But, Davis should voted the will of his constituents who happen to be for more conservative/moderate than urban Black leaders can understand. 

The health care reform efforts in congress will require some serious adjustments and any member who has concerns should vote his heart.  Rev. Jackson’s contributions to America will always be appreciated but Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, former Rep. Harold Ford, Jr., Rep. Artur Davis and legions of Obama Administration appointees are leaders of the next phase; a phase that will be centered on honest analysis and logical solutions more so than government intervention.  The old school got us so far but these new cats will take the torch and use it to burn down crack houses.  If you wanted change, you are about to get it.  I don’t have a crystal ball but our community is about to get a serious dressing down from those weary of the victim mentality and the head dresser-downer is sitting in the Oval Office.    

In my community, we have always talked about the Black Police, that mythical enforcement team that determines who is Black enough and what we should be doing culturally, politically and socially. Since Black America is vast and diverse, we have a zillion different mindsets.   In the 80s, Rev. Jackson was the chief of the Black Police to my college buddies and me but during that same period Rev. Jackson said that the Democrat Party should not assume they have all Black support because we are not sheep and don’t need a shepherd.   I guess the same applies to him now.

How could a Black man vote against health care reform?  He should if he was concerned with how it is funded and if it creates too many new governmental agencies.  Personally, I would have voted yes with hope for changes in the conference report.   New School, go on with your bad self and if you need us, hollar.

Black men can opposite our brother in the White House and therefore help him; and Black men ski.

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Loyalty, Teachers And Our Failing Education System

Posted in African Americans, Georgia, politics, tagged , , on November 17, 2009| 3 Comments »

Loyalty is a word with many different dimensions.  On Capitol Hill, a former supervisor gave our staff the following poem during an uncertain period.

Pledge of Loyalty
By: Sir Elbert Kim Hubbard

If you work for a man,
in heaven’s name,
work for him,
speak well of him,
and stand by the institution
that he represents.

Remember,
an ounce of loyalty
is worth a pound of cleverness.

If you must grawl,
condemn and eternally find fault,
why?
resign your position!

And when you are in the outside,
damn to your heart’s contents!

But as long as you are a part of the institution,
do not condemn it.

For if you do,
the first high wind that comes along
will blow you away.

And probably,
you’ll never know why.

The essence of the poem hit home with me because I have always believed in being loyal to those who were beneficial to me—that includes staying basically “down with the team” long after working somewhere.  But, loyalty is a two-way street that requires commitment from bottom to top and top to bottom.  For example, Sarah Palin should remember that Senator John McCain “put her on” and Joe Lieberman should do the way with Al Gore.  

From the following list, how would you prioritize your loyalty?

Country

Faith

Race

State

Family

Political Party

College Football Team

  

While the last one might seem humorous, some folks would have it very high up on their list.  I saw Speaker Newt Gingrich, Rev. Al Sharpton and Education Secretary Arne Duncan on the Meet the Press discussing their efforts to reform education in America.  While I wasn’t invited, my comments would have centered on loyalty in education.  It’s no secret that I feel Black students owe a debt of gratuity to those who broke down barriers and that they debt is paid by working hard, being focus, and capitalizing on educational opportunities.

 

At the same time, teachers who are loyal to the field should remove themselves if they realize they aren’t reaching the students; getting money for not doing the job could be considered stealing on some level.  Of course, weak teachers have bills and other financial obligations that sometimes keep them in the classroom—skating by.

 

Some teachers will tell you that half-raised kids with poor attention spans burnt them out with a quickness and that parents aren’t doing their parts.  The finger of blame can point some of everywhere but we must fix this broken system before we have a generation of Americans ill-prepared to function in the global economy.

 

If you let me tell it, I think the bells and whistles of video games, computers, and T.V. creates kids who only want to focus when things are flashy and visually stimulating.   Loyalty to local school system makes citizens reluctant to admit that “needs improvement” is an understatement.  If Secretary Duncan asked me to create a charter school as a model, you can best believe it would be the old school three Rs with a high-tech twist and little Johnny would understand that his loyalties must compelled performance and achievement.  Who am I fooling; the young cats in my community are unbelievably selfish.  If you asked them what they believe, they would likely say, “I believe you better get out of my face.”

 

 

Meet The Press

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032608/#33948109

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Georgia: Justice, Wisdom, Moderation

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , on November 10, 2009| 6 Comments »

seal black

While attending an event at my Black college, the seal of the state of Georgia struck me because the words “Justice, Wisdom, Moderation” were right there on the lectern.  My undergrad buddies often joked that we shouldn’t pay our student loans because we did not learn moderation on campus but our state would seriously be a better place if all Georgians lived my that motto.

Justice

The classic joke in my community was that the government has justice in the penal system because the prisons were filled with “just us.”  When you listen to the fellows who have done time, they are often the first to admit that prisons and jails are needed because they were doing some really bad things and those guys actually want their families protected from the type people they were.  Without opening a dictionary, justice to me is the fair execution of law.  Those to blatantly ignore law are injustice or criminal; that would include Georgians who continued to mistreat African Americans after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that we had certain “unalienable rights.”  As Chuck D rapped in the 1980s, “we can’t wait for the state to decided the fate.”  The best way to avoid wrongful treatment in the justice system is to avoid being involved with the justice system.  In a strange twist of fate, crimes perpetrated in my community are done to us by people who look like us.  If these kids think we are going to be imprisoned in our homes (fortified in private dwellings), they have another thought coming. 

Wisdom

For me, wisdom is knowledge that comes from years of experience.  I have always admired the deference and respect youth in Asian cultures generally give their elders.  Those elders in turn share their wisdom and cultural history to illuminate the path toward success and better living.  (See where I am going with this.)  In my southern Black community, we listened to the old school guys at the barbershops and in the church parking lots. While we were adventurous on some level, we would have been dead or locked up without the teachings of those wise men—okay, a lot of parental praying too.  Where are those wise cats today while many of our youth run around wild and aimlessly?  Oh, that would be us…we are the cool old cats but these kids today walk by while I do yard work without speaking. 

On campus yesterday, the number of students who sincerely greeted me amazed me—did they think I was a professor who would eventually grade their papers or are they the good kids we should mention more often.  We have fine young people in the military and on campus and if give the opportunity I would sharing my wisdom with them. “Beer before liquor…you will get sicker quicker…beer before wine, you will be fine.”  Seriously, American is in a global economic battle and the rest of the world is hungry for opportunities and driven toward success; China holds now much of our debt.   Wise people dance around the face that some of our worst youth were born to parents who were ill prepared to raise responsible Americans.  Yeah, I said it.  The social dilemma becomes how do we encourage people to become parents when/if they are fully prepared for that daunting tasking.  Liberals won’t say it out loud but in the backs of their minds they are hoping that a stupid couple will not bring more stupid people on this earth…to rob them. It is a matter of ethics and a quiet component in the abortion debate.  I am not wise enough to call it so I defer to others and hope they are right.

Moderation

Moderation is such a beautiful word because we must take it slowly and easy in most parts of life.  Of course, my politics is based on avoiding the extremes or coming to reasonable decisions that reflect the views of all involved parties. In the South, we are the descendents of slaves and slave owners.  Whites who did not owe slaves were saving up to get some–people on layaway.  It must be difficult making public policy for diverse groups in the same geographic location.  “Too much of anything can be risky” is obviously true about food, alcohol, tobacco, sex and partying.  But, the same can be said to a lesser degree about charity, assistance, and maybe religion.  I did not say faith and love of the Lord but religion, the earthly institution.  Hear me out. 

Men administer churches and men are human.  In the zeal to have a successful church, men sometimes get caught up in competition with other churches.  Of course, they will refer to passages in the scriptures that command actions against those to seek to subjugate “our” church.  When we were kids, we could not understand if that mindset was directly from God or put there by those who translated the teachings into English.  “Why is this the King James Version…let’s find the original…there is no telling what was put in or conveniently left out like “don’t enslave folks.”  We were some inquisitive little Methodists.

How many times have you seen people get so enthusiastic about their faith or culture that they are moved to do anything to promote it or do anything to those they thought are against it.  Moderation is taught in every major religion and the teachings tell the righteous what to do when faced with the opposition and evil.  “Forgiven them father for they know not what they do..”  The horrible actions at Fort Hood last week could be the deeds of a sick mind or someone whose weak mind was overcome by his zeal for his faith.  It is hard to “lighten up” when you are convinced that you are 100% correct but people can’t just “go off” or “set it off.”  If anyone had reasons to go off it was the Blacks being enslaved in America, the Blacks who suffered de facto oppression in America until recently, the Jews who were murdered at the hands of the Nazis or the Native Americans who had two continents stolen from them. 

Take it easy, relax, and be moderate in your actions were often to words from the wise because overreacting to wrongdoings can go against the laws of the state; and the holy scriptures command respect for those laws.  That’s why I am so surprised by the revolutionary posture of the Tea Party movement.  While I understand their concerns with the size, spending and taxes of the federal government, flirting with overthrowing America is too much.  For years, other groups inside America patiently worked within the system to get rights they should have enjoyed in 1776 (women, Latinos, Blacks, Native Americans, non-landowning Whites.)  But, elected a Congress and President that some don’t like (elect with the majority of the voters mind you) and some people lose their minds.  Don’t sleep, if some people don’t get their way, they will split this nation.  Remember Fort Sumter.

Justice, Wisdom, Moderation    

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Happy Holidays and Politics

Posted in African Americans, politics, tagged , , , on November 6, 2009| Leave a Comment »

happy-holidays

I want to be the first to say Happy Holidays but how happy can the season be with the constant political bickering and endless campaigning.  Do you mean the 2010 elections and the 2012 presidential race have already started.  Give me a break…literally.  Barring something huge, my blogging for the rest of year will focus on what we can do as a community to mend ourselves with less government spending and involvement—the regular stuff is debated and discussed too much elsewhere on the web and T.V.  It’s covered. 

We are thinking about Obama and Congress every wake hour because the national agenda (jobs, security, job security) is very important but do we think about Sweet Jesus this much?  (I know I don’t and yes, momma, if lightning struck me down, I would bust hell wide open.) 

I just googled “hell wide open” and someone wrote that people should read Luke 6:37: And judge not and ye shall not be judged: and condemn not and ye shall not be condemned.  Wow, that is timely because my moderate friends did not ride Bush 41 or Bush 43 like Clinton was ridden and Obama needs a saddle on his back.  But, the hatred for Hillary Clinton when she was first lady was inexplicable.  Some of those same people realized last year that Hillary was always a quality person but they were too busy hating to see that in the 90s.  In contrast, my friends think Laura Bush is one of the most reasonable people on the right; heaven only knows what drama the last White House would have gotten the nation into without her private counsel.   

I am patiently waiting for President Obama to drop his “community heal thou self” effort.  People who know how to listen heard him say that from the second he stepped on the national stage.  That call can only come from the Obamas, Colin Powell, Dr. Condi Rice, Oprah, Bill Cosby, Spike Lee, and posthumously Arthur Ashe.  Wait a minute, most Black families had that message back in the day and many still do. If those discussions (which are nothing new) started to hit home, they become our own version of conservatism/moderation.  On a lighter note, my buddy told his son that no White man was going to fly all over the world in cold weather to bring him free gifts.  Dude said, “I bought you that stuff with the money I made at work.” 

During Thanksgiving, we broke folks are tempted to say, “why should I be thankful.” A quick ride to the other side of town can quickly put things into perspective or rewatching Roots, Saving Private Ryan, or Schindler’s List.  The new movie Precious might be one for that list also.  When you see people staving in the developing world or watch a person who can’t move below his chest, you should get it.  But, we spend some much money helping those who poison themselves with drugs or who’s health situation is a result of overeating.  I have been to some places in the world where they could not image having enough food to get sick from obesity. When I walk down the street there, people say, “Hello American” as if to say I know you are an American because you have a belly…. congratulations on having some much food.    

For the rest of the year, my blog post might seem more social commentary or community dreaming than political views and insight.  However, the new line of discussions is at the root of my concerns more than what the government can, will or should do.  What was J.F.K.’s most important quote again?

Happy Holidays

Keep it logical

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Anthony Foxx Wins Mayor’s Office in Charlotte, North Carolina

Posted in politics, tagged , , on November 6, 2009| Leave a Comment »

http://www.wsoctv.com/politics/21528474/detail.html

With all the attention focused on other contests, we missed the election of Anthony Foxx as the youngest mayor in Charlotte, North Carolina history.  He seems like a very positive guy and could be the next step in moving the nation forward city by city…neighborhood by neighborhood.  Some old heads complaint that Obama is not surrounded by as many Black faces as Bill Clinton had and Hillary would have had if she won.  But, the Obama team responds that they look for the right people (that post-racial thing) rather than what could be considered quotas on some level. 

Congressman Sanford Bishop was the only Congressional Black Caucus member seriously considered for the Obama cabinet because his crossover approach to governing in the Georgia General Assembly and later in Congress must have served as a model for the next wave of Black governmental leadership (Obama, Harold Ford Jr., Artur Davis, Devel Patrick.)  The people (Black, White, Red and Brown) currently with and near Obama will be senators and governors in ten years but more importantly they will be corporate and academic leaders with better vision than the “give us” crew of old. Come to think about it, Obama has more Republicans in his cabinet than CBC members. 

Best Wishes to Mayor Foxx of the Queen City.  Charlotte was actually named for a Black woman.  Queen Charlotte was married to George III of England when he lost the American colonies.  The NoDa section of Charlotte is a former warehouse district with cool music spots, art galleries, lofts and a funky vibe; they have a Dog Bar where people chill with their pets.  I wouldn’t walk in that place wearing a Michael Vick jersey.  

231px-Charlotte1761close-up

Queen Charlotte of England

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_of_Mecklenburg-Strelitz

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President Barrack Obama Won Tuesday’s Elections

Posted in African Americans, Conservative, politics, tagged , , on November 5, 2009| 3 Comments »

Election night this and early analysis that is fine but my opinion of Tuesday’s results are deliberate, measured, and after deep contemplation. (Okay, my dinosaur of a computer was having hard drive issues.)

And the winner is: President Barrack Obama.  (Somebody up there really loves him.)

If the Democrats did well in the elections, the party base would push harder for more of the costly change “we can believe in” but can’t afford—financially or politically.   They would push for more traditional liberal candidates for the midterm elections next year and force actions matters that would embolden the far-right.  However, the governors races in New Jersey and Virginia confirmed that the alliance that put the president in office is big but frail, constructed of people who are new to the glacier pace of public policy and based in large part on Obama himself being one great guy (not the party but Obama—glacier-cool rock star.)  We are talking Rat Pack cool, Hemingway smooth, Sidney Poitier with a Havard Law degree.

The brain trust in Obama’s corner wants a reason to pull White House policies to the center but needed it done before the midterm election nightmare President Bill Clinton experienced—like a little nightmare during a cat nap. “We want to drive the good liberal agenda but we would lose the congress next year and the White House in 2012…to Palin.”

And the first runners-up are: Those Blue Dog Democrats. (Somebody up there really loves Obama and knows he needs them.)

As a result of the elections and the protest movement, the Blue Dogs get policies that makes better fiscal sense and they get to be the models for swing districts despite the far-left illusion that they are running America.  Democrats need to sit down and learn from Al Gore.  Clinton/Gore and the congressional Democrats broke their necks attempting to help regular folks but regular folks must turn into regular votes.  The key to the elections next year will be success from Obama White House policies and some long coattails.  They say young and minority voters don’t go to the polls for mid-term elections; those voters have never been asked by a young minority rock star.

Possible losers from Tuesday night: Michael Steele and the crew that fields GOP congressional candidates next year. 

If Steele followed the blueprint he outlined while running for chairman, he would be searching for cooler, less bitter conservatives (Red Dogs.)  But, Rush, Glenn and Fox News will pick some real firebrands who are perfect for the far-right but scary the daylights out of the moderates needed to win in certain areas.  If they listen to Newt and Steele, they would be much better off.

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Flow on the Mic: Hip Hop and Congressional Politics

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , on October 30, 2009| 5 Comments »

My friends and I talk about political candidates who can “flow.” We have adopted the term from the early days of hip hop…”Can the M.C. flow on the mic.” Many a well-intended candidate can’t flow in the sense that the they can’t present issues and solutions in a manner that compels the electorate to action. “Can the person move the crowd.”? MC Lyte, Queen Latifah and YoYo didn’t play on the mic back in the day and YoYo (Yolanda Whittaker) is currently a community activist eyeing a congressional run.

Keith on Peanut Politics blog posted a video of Senate candidate RJ Hadley speaking in middle Georgia and I must say he can flow and is clearly an intelligent guy.  During his speech he mentioned the people that think he should run for something else first.  I am included among those numbers because I could see this guy really connecting with people in the right contest. 

(Video: U.S. Senate Candidate R.J. Hadley) 

http://peanutpolitics-keith.blogspot.com/2009/10/rj-hadley-ga-democratic-candidate-for.html

Hadley is Ivy Leaguer like former Congresswoman Denise Majette.  The congresswoman gave up her seat to run for Senate against Hadley’s opponent Johnny Isakson.  Hadley can flow as well as Majette, who while intellectually brilliant had a thing about speaking on the mic.  Let’s see, Isakson beat the engaging businessman Herman Cain and self-made millionaire and former congressman Mac Collins before winning over Majette, but this newcomer wants to beat the senator in this red state.  

Relatively speaking, Isakson is much better than the average conservative in congress and Georgia could do much worst.  The Senator’s years in Atlanta when the Democrats ran Georgia government prepared him to better deal with the two party system that most GOPers.  To my centrists friends, the best argument for Isakson is the fact that the ultra-conservatives fuss at him for negotiating with all senators.  That’s what senators do. 

This senate race will serve as nice showcase for Hadley’s political and policy skills and the beginning of a bright political future.  I just wish he were running to remove one of the bitter members of the loyal opposition.

If you are a candidate who can’t flow on the issues and the details of government, why run when a Sarah Palin, Katie Couric situation awaits you.  Also, do your homework first because there are some smooth talkers who have zero substance on the mic. If you want “to be down,” step to the mic with something to say.

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Weddings and Marriage

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , on October 28, 2009| 1 Comment »

(Ignore Bradgelina…hear Mrs. Patti Labelle)

From watching Bridezilla (since I don’t have a life) and noticing weddings for four decades, I have concluded that some people want the pageantry of a wedding without thinking about the long-term commitment of being bonded “until death do you part.”  Some women think about being lovely brides (queen for a day) without thinking about being a wife with all the ups and downs of cohabitation.  Too many fellows ignore the “forsaking all others” part of the vows; “thick and thin” could refer to the times or waistlines. I know guys who got married before they start making money and now complain that women are checking them out since they have $40K cars. 

There are some women who actually seek to “date” married men for reasons that escape me.  If you met him creeping, he is a creeper, genius.  Since birds of a feather often flock together, keep us single guys out of your mess—don’t start with that “if you see my wife at the store, you and I have been hanging out more lately” stuff to cover where you have actually been.  Oh no, my name is Paul and that mess is between you’ all.

Speaking of Paul, the local newspaper has a Bible verse everyday and today it was Titus 2:1 “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.” Since I didn’t half pay attention in Sunday School as a kid, I just learned today that the Book of Titus is Paul’s letters to Titus who was on Crete. The rest of Chapter 2 was good information for couples.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Tts&c=2&t=NKJV#

Titus 2:9 is controversial in some Black circles because it is one of the “servants obey your masters” selections that was used to justify American slavery.  Hey, Titus 2:5 deals with women being in subjugation to their husbands and the sistas I know don’t and shouldn’t play that.  I better leave that alone.

This topic appears on a political blog because my friends and I are talking about a new brand of moderate/conservative thinking that grows from the particular needs of our community and functions without validation, approval or authorization from the current political establishment.  At some point, you get tried of waiting and realize “we are who we have been waiting for.”  Some things need to be said by those with constructive intend.  Since government should play a limited role in the lives of Americans, we need more leaders who will say that, give examples of life planning that reflects that and help young people learn the possible consequences of poor planning.  Policy needs teeth because reasonable people are weary of taking care of others’ poor decision-making. 

If you are not ready to be a spouse or parent, skip the process. The problem is that many who aren’t ready don’t realize it.  Contrary to popular believe, single folks are very happy to see positive families.  Single people like me respect the institution of marriage so much that we would never think about entering into it lightly and the same can be said about parenthood. 

A couple that is truly ready should consider the Patti Labelle song from the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack “My Love, Sweet Love” for a first dance at their wedding. (You know Patti is from Albany, Georgia.)  If the jam “No Diggity” fits your situation, wait awhile…you have some growing to do.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN84sixVRGM

blackstreet – No Diggity (Das Diggity Radio – Greatest Remix

At 3:00 in this song, the DJ put in the best remix feature ever.  A Native American is chanting so smoothly.  

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Newt Gingrich’s “Adequately Conservative” Litmus Test: Scozzafava v. Hoffman in New York

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on October 27, 2009| 10 Comments »

At this point, we all know that the Dede Scozzafava v. Doug Hoffman race in New York’s 23rd congressional district is a battle that might clear the way for Democrat candidate Bill Owens to take that seat.  The Obama White House picked Republican Congressman John McHugh to be Secretary of the Army and open the opportunity to have a Democrat win the seat—another smooth move from WH Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel no doubt.

This move actually could have far reaching ramification because it sparked a civil war on the Right between the GOP establishment that wants to win elections and possibly take the House back, and the conservative movement that wants all candidates with them on most issues.  Here’s the thing about hanging with revolutionaries: they want action and they want it now. Tea Partiers are no joke on the right and the progressives that voted for change are no joke on the left. 

I saw Newt Gingrich on T.V. warning that far-right litmus test for candidates will lead the Right to becoming a very passionate 20% of the electorate and you can win nationally with those numbers.  Then I saw the video on Speaker Gingrich “breaking it down” that Scozzafava is “adequately conservative” in an upstate New York district and that she would vote for Minority Leader John Boeher to be speaker.  Period.  The End.  Jeb Bush tried to tell them; Colin Powell did the same. 

A political party that gets beatdown decides to seek candidates relative to the situation in their particular districts.  That the method Democrats employed when they came to understand that south Georgia is not south central L.A.; give the Blue Dogs some slack because Dems in the south are moderate if not somewhat conservative.  Scozzafava would be the GOP version of this formula and folks on right are flipping out. 

Centrists have called for less bitter GOP candidates in Blue Dog districts if the Red Team has any hope of taking the congress back soon (a Black GOP candidate would be the real answer but that would be to much like right.)  Speaker Tom Foley once said any jackass can kick down a barn but it takes a carpenter to build one.  Building consensus is key to governing a diverse nation.   Without flexibility on who is “adequately conservative,” Obama will be president when the next Black Republican serves in congress from the South….President Sasha Obama.

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Cadillac Records and Politics: Marketing the Blues

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , , on October 25, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Howlin' Wolf Arrives Proudly at Chess Records

Howlin' Wolf Arrives Proudly at Chess Records

The cable channel Starz is playing the movie Cadillac Records and I watched it while thinking about politics past and present.  The film, based on Chess Records, chronicles the musical careers of Leonard Chess, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry, Etta James and Little Walter.

Chess decided to start a blues label to get paid from the emerging sound of “race” records.  Of course, gospel produced blues and blues produced R&B, and Rock and Roll is really blue-eyed R&B.  You can’t blame Chess for making money in the Black community—the same can be said for the White corner stores from our childhood and the Asian corner stores in our communities today.  Most of the artists in the film were happy if they had liquor, women and flashy cars but Howlin’ Wolf was different.  In real life, Howlin’ Wolf, Chester Arthur Burnett, drove himself to Chicago from the Mississippi Delta with $4,000 in his pocket. 

Though functionally illiterate into his 40s, Wolf returned to school, earned a GED and later took accounting and business courses.  He married an educated woman who managed is professional finances so well that he paid his band members decent salaries and provided health insurance.  To see Muddy Waters go to Chess repeatedly for money struck a nerve with me.  I remember hearing in college that Minnesota Fats was Etta James’ father but seeming someone look for validation from someone who is not interesting in them got on my last nerve. 

The same can be said about the relationships between the Black community and the two major political parties.  In Georgia politics, Blacks are the consistent base of the Democrat Party but Black candidates for high office will usually find someone jumping in the primary race who the establishment deem more electable.  I just realized that candidate for governor of Georgia Thurbert Baker has been state attorney general since 1997.  But, some in the Democrat establishment thinks former Governor Roy Barnes is the guy to take back the governor’s mansion.  We know that the next governor will likely be GOP in this red state so let’s hope their nominee is familiar with our community on some level.

The GOP in this state can’t produce a Black congressional candidate if left to their own devices because they don’t understand the moderate to conservative nature southern Blacks.  Leonard Chess was smart enough to let the artists do their things and Michael Steele should do the same thing with Black GOP candidates or White candidates who need Black support to win.  Of course, they don’t think they need Black or moderate support.  Did Chess and later Barry Gordy at Motown follow established norms or did they put it out there and let the people decide—sounds like Obama over the Clintons.

A conservative, self-determination movement is brewing the Black community and the Democrats are poised to be the beneficiaries while the GOP battles internally with their worst elements.  You Black Republicans need to stop asking if this candidate or that candidate is acceptable to the GOP establishment and just do it like Howlin’ Wolf—without advances or approval from the boss man- just give the boss man his cut and he will smile all the way to Suntrust Bank.

A conservative, self-determination movement is brewing the Black community and the Democrats are poised to be the beneficiaries while the GOP battles internally with their worst elements.  You Black Republicans need to stop asking if this candidate or that candidate is acceptable to the GOP establishment and just do it like Howlin’ Wolf—without advances or approval from the boss man- just give the boss man his cut and he will smile all the way to Suntrust Bank.

(Cue Etta James or Beyonce crooning “At Last.”)

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Black GOP All-Star lineup on Radio Talk Show

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on October 23, 2009| 1 Comment »

I look forward to hearing the Raynard Jackson Show via the internet at 7:00p.m. this Saturday.  The call-in guests include Michael Murphy and Dr. Deborah Honeycutt.  That is going to be good—it would need to be for me to listen during the Florida v. Miss. State football game.

This situation is no game: if the GOP can’t tap into the wealth of African American talent in Georgia to find a conservative congressional winner, I personally don’t think that party is comfortable with us.  (“Us” being moderates.)  They would actually prefer running a far-right candidates in Blue Dog districts who will lose to running a less-bitter Black who can compete in our community and win.  I can tell you that Murphy and Honeycutt are pleasant, intelligent people—like Barrack Obama and Sanford Bishop.  As we say down here in the piney woods, drafting Murphy, Honeycutt or a similar person in the 12th congressional district would be “to much like right.”

http://my.ustalknetwork.com/group/raynardjackson

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Louisiana Marriage, Ugly Betty, and Ugly America

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , on October 17, 2009| 2 Comments »

Yaya Decosta

Yaya DaCosta

I don’t know about this drama with the couple in Louisiana and the justice of the peace.  But, Yaya DaCosta from “America’s Next Top Model” played Vanessa Williams’ character’s daughter on Ugly Betty last night.  If someone tried to stop me from marrying Yaya if we were in the same age range or if someone tried to block me from marrying Jenny on the Jefferson (Berlinda Tolbert) back in the day, we would have had some real problems. 

What’s the deal with people saying, “I can’t believe this is still happening?”  Newsflash: many Americans are often clueless about people of other cultures or regions.  To be honest, I love the American president but I think he doesn’t know how ugly some places can.  I read second book and wow, sometimes he could not get a cab.  When I was a kid, we were not allow to checkout books from the public library and forget about using the restroom between southwest Georgia and Savannah.  Orange juice bottle.

Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and I are better authorities racism—the dirty south is not Kansas and it dam sure isn’t Hawaii.  President Obama positive vibe is encouraging but I will be dead for decades before attitudes truly change in this nation.  Actually, a new question is how long will certain segments of the Black community tolerate certain other segments.  I will leave that alone—you don’t talk family business in public.

At church, the pastor says it is better to marry than burn.  Well, I would have been burning hot behind the collar if someone kept me from Yaya or Berlinda.

Berlina Tolbert

Berlina Tolbert

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Black Republicans and The Fox News Article: The Plot Thickens

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , , on October 15, 2009| 6 Comments »

After the interesting Fox News article about Black GOP candidates, conservative political consultant Raynard Jackson wrote a column that goes into details regarding his concerns.   

Black Republicans Running >From Race

Raynard Jackson 

Black Republicans running for various offices this election cycle seem to be running from race while running their race.  This is one of the most asinine things I have every seen, but not unexpected.  This is why Black Republicans have no credibility within their own community. 

Just wondering because I know they all claim to be candidates of great principles and I know they would stand up for right because they are the voice of the people, right? 

Finally, can you tell me if you have any Blacks on your paid campaign staffs with hiring or decision making authority?  Are you spending any campaign money with Black vendors (office supplies, computer services, restaurants, caterers, etc)?  Are there any Black banks in your area that you are utilizing?

I would be stunned if any of the campaigns could answer yes to these questions.  But, this is my offer to them.  I am offering 30 minutes of air time on my radios how (www.ustalknetwork.com) to each candidate to address these issues and talk about their campaigns.

So, while you are running your race, please don’t continue to forget your race!

Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-based political consulting/government affairs firm.   You can listen to his radio show every Saturday evening from 7-9:00 p.m.  Go to www.ustalknetwork.com to register and then click on host, and then click on his photo to join his group. 

Last week I was interviewed by Kelley Beaucar Vlahos of  FOXNews.com.  The story was published this past Monday (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/12/carter-obama-allen-west-race-card/).   

I was appalled at the comments of these Black office seekers and their obvious lack of understanding of how their words would be interpreted by those in the Black community.  Allen West, a retired Army colonel running against Democratic Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22nd), said, “Since (Democrats) have thrown out the race card, it has made me more appealing….because it shows the contrast of our principles—how different we are even though we both have permanent tans (referring to President Obama).”  West continued, “A lot of people who don’t want to be part of Obama’s policies are being called racist….Then they say, Hey, this guy, Colonel West—he’s Black and I support him…. It has nothing to do with race…People don’t care about your color, they care about your character.”   

But, Colonel West, WAIT!  You said it was not about race, then you say you’re Black, therefore people in your district are supporting you (because you are Black).  Which is it?  So, let me make sure I understand you.  White people are supporting you because you are Black so that you can speak out against the Black president, so the white people won’t have to (because they can’t call you a racist since you are Black).  Oh, I get it now.  You know we have a term for people like that and it begins with the word UNCLE!

Ryan Frazier is a 31 year old city councilman in Colorado and is running for the U.S. Senate in the Republican primary.  Frazier said that being Black is an asset.  So when he opposes the president’s policies, no one can call him a racist.  According to Frazier, “I don’t think they will be able to use that argument against me or engage in those tactics against me.”  So, let me interpret this.  Because of the skin color that you say doesn’t matter, you are able to criticize the president because of the very skin color that you say doesn’t matter?  Ok, now I understand. 

Michael Williams has served several terms as Texas Railroad Commissioner and is currently running for the U.S. Senate seat that current senator Kay Hutchinson is vacating to run for governor.  He states that his Blackness will be an asset.  According to the article, “one of the things it allows me to do….it allows me to speak very, very frankly about what I believe, and what I feel, and nobody is going to call me a racist.”  Again, I am confused.  His Blackness is only an asset when it comes to denigrating a Black president and his policies.  According to Williams, other than giving him cover in criticizing the president, his race doesn’t exist.  Wow, either he is color blind or just blind to people of color. 

Do these guys hear themselves and how ridiculous they sound?  Have you ever heard of a Jewish candidate denying or distancing themselves from their own heritage?  Or a Latino or Asian?  These groups use their ethnicity to endear themselves to voters from their group while at the same time building coalitions to expand their base of support

Can you be against the president’s policies and not be a racist?  Without question.  But, I challenge these candidates to answer a few questions for me.   

What does describing Obama as a Nazi have to do with healthcare?  What does calling him a liar during a joint session of Congress have to do with healthcare?  How does calling him a socialist, fascist, or communist, further the healthcare debate?  So, you would think that if this debate was about healthcare, the signs at town hall meetings and rallies would read, “how will you pay for your plan, Mr. President, how will it be implemented, or what if I don’t want your plan?”  Those would be legitimate questions.   

Another question for the candidates, are there any public statements by them speaking out against the actions of Congressman Joe Wilson during the president’s speech before a joint session of Congress? 

Are there any public statements by them chastising individuals and party officials for some of the incendiary rhetoric coming from Republicans (Barak the Magic Negro, calling Michelle Obama a monkey, or the celebration by many conservatives that Chicago was eliminated from Olympic consideration)?   

Just wondering because I know they all claim to be candidates of great principles and I know they would stand up for right because they are the voice of the people, right? 

Finally, can you tell me if you have any Blacks on your paid campaign staffs with hiring or decision making authority?  Are you spending any campaign money with Black vendors (office supplies, computer services, restaurants, caterers, etc)?  Are there any Black banks in your area that you are utilizing?

I would be stunned if any of the campaigns could answer yes to these questions.  But, this is my offer to them.  I am offering 30 minutes of air time on my radios how (www.ustalknetwork.com) to each candidate to address these issues and talk about their campaigns.

So, while you are running your race, please don’t continue to forget your race!

Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-based political consulting/government affairs firm.   You can listen to his radio show every Saturday evening from 7-9:00 p.m.  Go to www.ustalknetwork.com to register and then click on host, and then click on his photo to join his group.

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Black Republicans candidates and the Fox News Article: Jacked-up Planning…Again

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on October 13, 2009| 5 Comments »

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/12/carter-obama-allen-west-race-card/

The political part of the web is buzzing about the Fox News article on Black GOP candidates for congress.  This article highlights what is fundamentally wrong with the approach of Black elephant candidates: push the color blindness.  Of course, all issues before congress concern all Americans but when will the Black community birth a Black conservative candidate rather than the conservative community selecting someone they find suitable or innocuous.  

I am talking about a community-oriented person who speaks passionately about the limited role of government, personal responsibility and self-determination like Dr. Bill Cosby—speaking out of love for the community and the nation rather than hate for Obama.  The dilemma is finding a candidate who appeals to the right and our community also.  In classic GOP form, it rarely crosses the GOP establishments’ mind to find candidates that will be acceptable to Black centrists.  Here is a little trick: get some non-GOP Blacks’ opinions on the candidates first. 

Raynard Jackson, a Black political consultant mention in the article, should be the GOP pointman on Black candidates and the worst nightmare of the Dem Team—in think he knows how to pick and position them.  You grow candidates in the “farm system” like Major League Baseball so go find a list of Black congressional and administration staffers from the 90s and you will find some proven quality candidates who will likely have community, civic and college connections that can net them 20% of the Black vote walking in the door without compromising their core conservatives principles and spending a ton of money.  What these candidates should do is speak against the crazy talk of the most extreme elements of the far right—stay on the issues.  Newsflash:  that move will get them even more Black votes.        

I noticed that the Fox News article attributed the Democrats lock on Black votes to LBJ’s social programs without mentioning the GOP’s Southern Strategy.  That makes me appreciate CNN so much.  Anyone who only watches Fox News or MSNBC doesn’t know what they are missing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Strategy

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Georgia Congressional Game Changer

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on October 11, 2009| 1 Comment »

The race in Georgia’s 8th congressional district won’t be a race at all without a game-changer element; a Republican candidate who can benefit from Rep. Marshall’s icy attitude toward President Obama.  The same Jim Marshall who was wild about mentioning President Bush in his past campaign ads.

 State Senator Ross Tolleson would be next viable candidate because he has the bio and credentials of a member of congress—UGA, banker, farmer, KA, family guy.  When I was a staffer, a KA ring was the ticket for Georgia power or Georgia Power. The question becomes: Is Tolleson that much different from Rep. Marshall in the eyes of the average voter?  Notice I said “the average voter” rather than pundits, bloggers, or strong party members.  While this is a mid-term election, Marshall’s townhall meeting sounded like a two-hour lovefest from the center and right.  To win a traditional GOP candidate must secure new voters on the far right because Marshall is already center right. 

 To me, this situation for the GOP is similar to Obama and Hillary.  It was Hillary’s turn and she would have made an excellent president—old girl is tough as nails.  But, the conservatives detest Bill and Hillary enough to rally around McCain and they might have won the White House.  It was not fair but life is not fair.  Hillary took one for the team. 

 I don’t see a traditional GOP candidate beating Marshall so if anyone asked me (no one ask me) I would say think outside the box, take advantage of the icy Obama situation and get a quality African American candidate.  Since the heaviest Black GOPer in the district would be the gentleman who ran for mayor of Macon and came up short, they should look just outside the district—which would bring suburban Atlanta into play.

 The Right really doesn’t understand Black voters.  I would take Dr. Deborah Honeycutt or Michael Murphy from suburban Atlanta and split the Black vote like a Georgia peach.  What a fascinating dilemma: incumbent congressman who is a former mayor with strong ties in every community who ices down the young president and blows off healthcare reform.  On the other hand, a GOP African American candidate who is conservative but smooth with it; keeping the vibe constructive and positive—a tea partier with a little honey mixed in. (That’s clever—“honey cut” into the tea from the bitterness of the protest).  Michael Murphy remains me of sage Donald Sutherland; he would be well received in professional Black circles and among those concerned with personal responsibility.  

 You know certain conservative principles would be more effective coming from certain voices. That’s your game changer.  Would Blacks vote for someone we like but only recently met?   Yes we can.

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