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Posts Tagged ‘GOP’

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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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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Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator John McCain: Republican Political Climate Controllers

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on October 2, 2009| 3 Comments »

The Blue Dogs are sitting pretty these days despite the heat from the summer protests because certain elements are pulling the Right too far right.  The success of the Tea Parties could produce a third party movement rather than new numbers for the GOP. We in the center would be more inclined to stick with the Blue Dog Democrats because a movement head by the right-wing talk machine would not be a comfortable place for us.

Senator Graham’s recent comments on the political climate and Senator McCain’s moderate candidates support is “right” on time.  That’s how genteel senators carry themselves when properly opposing a former colleague in the White House. To be honest, the same can be said about Georgia Senator Isakson but don’t let that get out—he is up for reelection and must secure the “pea-nutty” part of his Georgia base.   

The political plot thickens because there are a few African American women in Georgia who would make excellent GOP members of Congress in the right situation and political climate.  Will Graham and McCain commandeering the climate controls?  Time will tell but most on the Right like it hot.     

McCain article

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20091002/pl_politico/27832_2

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Christie Whitman’s Centrist Plea

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on August 4, 2009| 1 Comment »

HBA just emailed me the following article about Christine Todd Whitman and centrists.  I must admit Whitman’s book “It’s My Party Too” was a classic and she would be a great presidential candidate  if her party “dug” her vibe.  But again, that is not how they generally get down. 

http://www.riponsociety.org/forum309a.htm

Christie Whitman’s Centrist Plea

Former New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman offers her advice for Republicans to begin their rebuilding process.

Fifteen years ago, Christine Todd Whitman was widely touted as one of the bright young stars in the Republican party — having defeated Jim Florio (D) in the 1993 New Jersey gubernatorial election.

After spending two years as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency under President George W. Bush earlier this decade, however, Whitman was relegated to the sidelines of a party not particularly interested in hearing her centrist message.

With Republicans now at their lowest electoral ebb in decades, Whitman is lending her voice to the conversation about how the party should go about rebuilding in a new essay in the summer edition of the reform-minded Ripon Forum.

“This is still a center-right nation and I am sure the President views his declining popularity among that groups with great concern,” writes Whitman, highlighting the fact that in 2008 exit polls the largest ideological group in the country was, as it had been in 2004, moderates.

In order to capitalize on President Barack Obama‘s slipping poll numbers, Whitman recommends two things: a focus on ideas-oriented messaging and an avoidance of controversial social issues that serve to thin rather than grow the party.

Whitman criticizes her party for their recent debate over Obama’s
“cap and trade” energy policy, noting that the Republican attacks centered on dismissing the proposal as “cap and tax” rather than offering solutions of their own. “The irony here is that the cap-and-trade concept was first used almost 20 years ago, under a Republican president, to successfully reduce acid rain,” she writes.

She is also critical of the recent focus by Republicans on a concealed weapon amendment sponsored by Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) even as the health care reform debate was raging.

“Instead of issues that appeal to a minority of voters, we should focus on the core conservative principles of limited government that have served our party well and made our country great,” said Whitman.

Whitman has been making this sort of centrist argument for years without much impact as the party under Bush moved to the ideological right.

But, with moderates like Reps. Mark Kirk (Ill.) and Mike Castle (De.) as well as Gov. Charlie Crist (Fla.) leading the Republican Senate recruiting class, Whitman’s message may well find more fertile ground within the party over the coming months and years.

 

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Tennis and the Blue Dog Democrats

Posted in African Americans, Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , , , on August 4, 2009| Leave a Comment »

On the tennis court this morning, I faced the old “go left, go right” decision several times.  If I chose the wrong direction, my opponent could hit the ball in the opposite area and I would be burnt like toast.   A deeper consideration of that situation states that a player can accelerate in the current direction but changing direction is almost impossible.  In the 70s, we called that “the wrong foot” or “caught you leaning.” 

Politics mirrors sports at times and a person’s temperament on the field, court, or even playing chess tells you about his nature in business and elsewhere.  My opinion on “what’s next” in American politics was incorrect.  If I thought center, the South when right and I “got caught” leaning. 

When the conservative movement swept the nation, the Blue Dogs emerged as a moderate division of the Democrat Party, a home for those who felt the Right was too far right.  I naturally assumed that a similar moderate subdivision of the Republican Party would materialize after the election results of the last few years.  At this point, the situation is the opposite.  If you listen to conservative friends, you will learn that the commitment the Right has to their core principles is unwavering and inflexible.  If the general public wants to vote differently, those voters must be collectively mistaken about the best interests of our nation.

As I have written in the past, the GOP has a short bench of rising stars who could challenge the Democrats on issues, budget and logic; Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin comes to mind.  Unfortunately, others are more appealing to their base. We likely will not see a fresh crop of positive GOP candidates against the Blue Dogs in the South next year.  As General Colin Powell recently pointed out on Larry King, there are legitimate concerns with the speed and spending of the Democrats.  However, the GOP is opting for red meat candidates from the far right rather than those who could appeal to the center—great idea for the primary season but the general election is a different matter.  Of course, it is their party and they will live with the results of their strategies.    

The alarming part to me is that the leader of “what’s next” from the Right will not be Gingrich with his intellect or Romney with his command of the business world and financial markets.  You and I both know who is the next leader of the Right and what she will need to do and say to win; put on your seatbelt and prepare for a bumpy ride. 

I personally like Michael Steele and hope that our community will have an opportunity to better connect politically with our obvious conservative nature in the South.  However, going from a Blue Dog moderate to the far right is seriously wrong foot.  We will see how this situation plays itself out but don’t asked me because I often lean wrong. 

Bottomline: Will we see smoother GOP candidates or will others prevail?  If the GOP wants to push all moderates and centrists out, I am sure the Blue Dogs will take them. To finish the tennis parallel relative to politics, I tend to hang in the middle and go short distances left or right.  If you drift far left or far right, the other guy can pass you with ease.

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Liberals Targeting Democrats: Walking This Way

Posted in politics, tagged , , on July 15, 2009| Leave a Comment »

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/02/26/democrats-to-target-democrats-in-10/

So I was watching this documentary about the band Aerosmith and Steven Tyler said the band got their sound just right in the middle of the disco craze—rock band in the middle of dance music waiting for America to come back to it’s musical common sense.    Tyler said that every morning he would sit on the side of his bed with his palms on his forehead and say, “Lord almighty, bless my soul. I have the right key but the wrong keyhole.”

That is how some moderates feel when we try to tell the left or the right what is going to happen next.  The GOP takes over Washington in the 90s, then the Blue Dogs pull the Democrats toward the middle which helps them take Congress back and eventually the White House (that plus, Republicans moving away from the core beliefs in their fiscal actions.)

One would think that what’s next would be a sub-section of the GOP that was somewhat moderate to counterbalance the Blue Dogs—wrong; stay the course, stiff upper lip, carry on, full steam ahead.  But, the GOP need not worry because the liberal section of the Dem Team will find a way to snatch defeat from the hands of victory.

While feeling great about the success of the 2008 elections, the liberals (not synonymous with Democrats) have decided to target Democrats they don’t like in 2010.  Look here far-left and far-right, national parties must show a certain amount of flexibility and compromise.  So, some latte-sipping cats in San Fran or Amherst decide to purge the Dem Team of some Blue Dogs in a manner similar to the GOP cleansing process. 

Knowledge is key because the Dems never would have taken the House and Senate without the Blue Dogs and the GOP needs to allow Steele to grow a moderate subsection to compete against Blue Dogs.

Like Tyler waiting for the end of disco, the moderates will see who really wants to run this big nation in a diverse and represenative way and who wants to run their mouths. Those GOP senators from Maine who consider White House proposals before voting no get my respect as do the Blue Dogs who catch heat from the left and right.   Those Dogs will likely be safe because the GOP won’t produce less-rigid candidates against them.  Dream On or Walking This Way.

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Former Senator Sam Nunn on Results

Posted in African Americans, Georgia, tagged , , , , on June 23, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn made a lot of sense on NBC’s Meet the Press this weekend.  I have always considered him the standard for southern moderates who must balance the interests of vastly different groups inside the same political area. 

Regarding President Obama’s position on Iran, Senator Nunn said:

FMR. SEN. SAM NUNN (D-GA):  Well, he said that the regime has been unjust and he has condemned the repression, and he has basically expressed over and over again, including long before the election in the Cairo speech, that the people had the right to be heard and their voice should be heard.  And certainly, I don’t think there’s any mistake whatsoever in the Middle East or anywhere else that President Obama is basically supporting the right of the people to vote and to make their influence known and not to be repressed.

You know, Winston Churchill said a long time ago that no matter how beautiful the strategy, occasionally you have to look at the result.  The result here is that we are not the story.  We have been the great Satan over there for the last 30 years.  We’re not the story.  Freedom, liberty is the story, the repression of the regime is the story.  So I think we’re positioned about right. 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31463249/ns/meet_the_press/page/2/

I am feeling that Churchill quote about looking at the results because at the end of the day it is all about results.  The U.S. foreign policy cowboy mentality of telling most of the world what to do as if they are children was wrong and cloaking our corporate greed in foreign policy based on exploitation was also wrong.  Nunn has Obama’s ear and we are lucky for that because Nunn is going to call it like he see it with patience and deliberation.

Party politics was no big thing to Sam Nunn because his dedication was to the people of Georgia first.  The Black community in Georgia should look for the next Sam Nunn type.  Of course, we need to do it like we do it with our own version of conservatism that grows from churches and stable Black homes and businesses because the GOP establishment really doesn’t have a clue about the average Black person. 

Improving Black America starts with real talk about the decisions we make—what you put on your proverbial plate.   After years of having a sizeable Congressional Black Caucus avoid saying publicly that really needs to be said, our community should look into some conservative and moderate options that would get at what ails us.  It is about results and getting the results we voted for last November will require electing some Republicans who will fairly debate policy and spending with the White House. 

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Father’s Day with a Twist: Salute Intentional Childless Men

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on June 20, 2009| 2 Comments »

father day

This weekend we will hear everything that can be said fondly about America’s fathers.  I wanted to take this opportunity to salute an often forgotten group, intentional childless men.  Some men take parenthood so seriously that they wait for the optimal time and conditions to bring a child into this world. 

If those conditions never occur, some deliberate guys choose to enjoy their wives, extended family and/or the sweet single life.  My wise cousin who grew up in Philly tells me to go where you want and do what you want when you want because you have neither “chick nor child.”  That statement must be her way of saying thank heaven that your selfish behind realized your selfishness and skipped parenthood. 

Fatherhood in the Black community is the toughest job you will ever love.  But, it is a roll of the dice.  My deer hunting friends (code for White guys) put that little red and black Georgia Bulldog football in the crib with their sons and look forward to gameday at Sanford Stadium in twenty years.  Of course, their sons will likely be sitting in the stands next to them rather than on the field.  What about the brothers who think that their sons practicing basketball 6 hours a day will get them into the N.B.A.  If Junior would get his homework with that much determination he could be in the N.B.A., the National Bankers Association and own a basketball team.  Wait a second; non-parents have no rights to offer commentary on parenting.

If I had to work as hard as my daddy did—that man loved working- to provide for some kids who might turnout to be crappy people, I will pass and by the looks of things a considerable percentage of those who produced children should have passed also.  If the kids are here, it is time to step up because the human infant is likely more dependant than any other mammal.  “Did he just refer to my precious buddle of joy as a mammal?” 

In high school, I worked at a little radio station and next to the microphone the station owner placed a Winston Churchill quote.  Basically, the quote stated that it was not expected of you to do your best; it was expected of you to do what was expected of you. That statement has Father’s Day written all over it. 

In politics and policy, the officeholders from my community are reluctant in asking young people to refrain from starting families until they are prepared.  Of course, parenthood and marriage (not in that order) actually seasons and matures some fellows—who knows.  Successful guys my age can always get involved with Big Brothers, be good uncles or adopt a nice teenager. 

The public assistance and abortion debate should include targeting teens with real options and information so they will hopefully understand that parenthood is different from having a puppy and I have seen some folks with babies who I would not trust with a puppy. 

How in the world has the conservative movement failed to capitalize on the common sense mindset of reasonable African Americans?  I like President Obama as head of the executive branch of government and the residual benefit of a strong young family in the White House is priceless to Americans of any color.  If the Georgia GOP wants to pick up a congressional seat in say Macon, a genteel Black Republican with say a strong intellectual husband would appeal to our community like southern Obamas—giving Black fatherhood examples is better than still another grant.  

Girls with “daddy issues” might have messy relationships with men. Boys with absent fathers might ended being raised by the streets and fellow inmates.  The women who were mother and father to their children should enjoy their second holiday in two months.

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Joe Scarborough and the GOP: Start with Temperament

Posted in Conservative, politics, Republican, tagged , , on June 9, 2009| 2 Comments »

Former GOP congressman, turned author and T.V. guy Joe Scarborough has the formula for fixing his party and “hateorade” is not in the mix.  In his new book, The Last Best Hope outlines a technique for debating issues in a substantive matter without the bitter temperament that helped drive America into President Obama loving arms.  Is Obama the nicest person ever?

Scarborough always points out that President Reagan did not walk around with a heart full of hate like many leaders today.  My personal list of cool temperament politicians from Georgia would include Senator Sam Nunn, Senator Johnny Isakson, and Rep. Sanford Bishop.  The next group of Georgia GOP congressional leaders could include a woman or two with the same vibe if they were smart enough to look in the correct places.

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Michael Steele and Red Dogs

Posted in African Americans, Georgia, politics, Republican, tagged , , on May 19, 2009| 5 Comments »

While speaking at the Georgia GOP State Convention recently, RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s statements included:  

The chairman said he had inherited leadership of a party that was “stuck in a 1980s philosophy, using a 1990s strategy to win campaigns.”

The Republican demand for orthodoxy and purity, Steele said, risks making the party irrelevant to “the changing heartbeat of this nation.”

“We can no longer be afraid that to open up, to invite someone in, diminishes us. I don’t know how that works,” Steele said. “If you are true to your convictions, to your core, why are you so afraid to share that?” 

Before he when to Savannah, Steele should have swung by southwest Georgia so we could sit on the porch, sip some sweet tea, eat a few locally produced Nether’s Pork Skins (made by a guy from my church) and I could have hooked a brother up with what’s what. 

I would have explained to Steele that the South dominates his party now and those southerners are accustom to have things their way most of the time.  If we are talking about 10 political points, they want their ranks in line on 9 points and the missing point can’t be the pro-life issue.  The faith aspect makes abortion non-negotiable. 

The GOP doesn’t need to let anyone “in;” that is not necessary.  Steele needs to help them understand that elections are won with coalitions i.e. Reagan Democrats.  Those coalitions are built on situations and circumstances of mutual benefit. 

The GOP took power in Washington in the 90s because large numbers of faith-oriented, patriotic heartland Americans (Rs and Ds) supported them on faith issues, strong defense and what seemed like their commitment to fiscal restraint.  The Democrats seem sincerely committed to addressing the kitchen table issues that current families are handling—Rs and Ds.   

I would have told brother Steele that he could win some contested races in the congress next year if the grassroots of his party understood that sometimes non-Republicans support GOP candidates who are experts or advocates for the major issue in those voters’ lives.  It is that simple.

For example, Georgia farmers agree with most of the Georgia congressional delegation on agriculture issues and USDA programs.  In southwest Georgia, Republican farmers reluctantly vote for Rep. Sanford Bishop while southeast Georgia Democrat farmers support Republican Jack Kingston.  It is all about the wallet in Georgia on agriculture, military bases, veterans, and transportation spending.

While the Democrats welcome “outside” support, Georgia GOPers are don’t understand that outsiders are there for different yet important reasons.  Could the allied forces have won World War II without Stalin and the Russians? 

I would have told Steele that my friends and I were cheering for him when he ran for the Senate in Maryland and that he will always have a home in the community if his party decides he should be elsewhere.  That’s how we roll.  Finally, I would have said that like private schools and churches, some of the grassroots people in his party join with the understand that most of the people there were….well, you know.  Hey, is that the reason I when to a Black college?  That Kumbaya Obama stuff is a sweet concept but in the meantime, you get in where you fit in down here and some of his party members join….you know..and they know too.

If moderate and centrist Democrats can coexist in a big party with the San Fran crew, then Steele’s party can do likewise or send the centrists right over.  We can call them the Red Dogs.

“Red Rover, Red Rover, send Condi, Colin and Maine’s senators over.”

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Don’t call Me Tonight about Politics: Grey’s Anatomy, CSI, Survivor

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on May 14, 2009| 6 Comments »

To Whom It May Concern: don’t call me tonight while my shows are on T.V. and I shouldn’t need to tell you that.  Jim Croce should come back from the dead long enough to do a remix with Justin Timberlake that say, “you don’t spit into the wind, you don’t pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger, don’t call dude during primetime on Thursday night and never during Jeopardy.”   That’s hot; they could mix in “Our Loves is in Jeopardy, baby.”

When I was a kid and T.V. had nine channels, Dean Martin’s show was the thing because he was Rat Pack cool and had those “Goldn-ggers.”  Yes, I thought his sidekick sweethearts were called that rather than they real name “Dean Martin’s Golddiggers” and my older brother (the world biggest a–) would laugh before telling me my error years later.  “When get big, I am going to get me some Goldn-ggers.”  And my mother said, “When you get big, you should hope you can afford some Golddiggers.”  To this day, I can’t afford any but they don’t know that.  Modern-day Golddiggers are slipping and I am generally around the Essence Magazine reading, Get-her-own-cheddar women anyway. 

It’s funny how folks in my community connect all the characters an actor has played together.  Today, I will be watching Ugly Betty with smoking hot Vanessa Williams and America Ferrera, who I admire for standing up for Hillary last year.  I will tape Survivor, which includes Taj from the singing group SWV—she was the tallest one.  When former NFL running back Eddie George came to see her on the show last week, he made a brother proud.  George married her when she was one of the most desired women in Black America but she has put on some pounds while he is still cut. 

A weak-minded dude would have traded her in for a Golddigger by now but he is still in love with her and over the last few months, I can see why; she is still lovely.  If she doesn’t win, that is okay because the skinny Jewish guy is more than worthy and why do Black people always cheer for the Black person.  I stopped that some time ago—okay it was last week during the Amazing Race when the sisters who balled at Louisville were eliminated because one of the them stopped at a portable toilet just before reaching the checked-in point—and she was wearing an Asian robe.  That wouldn’t have been Taj from Survivor; old girl would have just let it go since a million dollars was on the table.   I am telling you that the problem with school system is that America is not building kids like we were built—suck it up and go.  As much as 25% of the next generation is weak; like Taj singing “Weak” with SWV back in the day.

I will be taping CSI with my man Larry (correction) Lawrence Fishburne.  He was the guitar player who said, “No, Miss. Sofia” on the Color Purple just before Oprah’s character got in that situation with White folks.  That was nothing compare to the beat down Jennifer Hudson took in The Secret Life of Bees, a movie from a book written by a Sylvester Georgia native I must proudly say.  I first saw Fishburne in “Cornbread, Earl, and Me” after the local theater was integrated.  We still sat in the balcony because we wanted to be with folks who looked like us and not folks under court-order to watch a movie with us.  And, the American President is Black today.

Obama did not change the nation; he is just the next step in a long journey for all Americans.  I am also proud of the sister Shonda Rhimes who created and produced the biggest prize for Thursday night since the Cosby Show and Magnum P.I.  Grey’s Anatomy is brilliant T.V. because the traumas have drama and the cast is a collection of compelling characters.  The strength of the Chief is similar to President Palmer on 24—the first Black president.  Izzy Stephens will likely die tonight and that thing is going to put a lump in my throat like Dr. Mark Greene dying in Hawaii on E.R.

 Please don’t let Kate die on Lost because I wanted to see those freckles during the final season in 2010.  Did that White guy and his Black wife move into the jungle alone; that must be love.  They set a good example for old school folks like me but what about the Latina and White lady doctors’ love affair back on Grey’s Anatomy.

Okay, the conservative movement is right (get it right) on some level: Hollywood has a diversity and tolerance agenda.  But, many south Georgians want their kids to be “like-minded” or them.  I will admit to being a hypocrite because two dudes dating I don’t see but those cute lady doctors falling in love is kind of hot.  The question comes up when my friends and I are solving the world problems at a cookout and sipping box wine (Cart-a-nay): would you prefer your female college age cousin being with a good woman or a bad man. 

 I had better leave that thing alone because too much leftwing T.V. is turning me into tolerant southerner.  Is that an oxymoron?  Two things that should not happen: don’t call me tonight when my shows are on T.V. and don’t ever invite me to two dudes wedding.  Those cats can be happy but I don’t want to see it.    

Recently, I wrote a blog post about gay marriage and I did not go into details about the Black community being so very conservative and the GOP having no idea.  The other contributors of this blog were blowing up my phones during the last 30 minutes of the two hour season finale of Lost—they were planning their weekends at the GOP State Convention.  When you Republicans want to know what is the matter, don’t listen to each other; listen to moderates like me.     

 Please don’t let Kate die on Lost because I wanted to see those freckles during the final season in 2010.  Did that White guy and his Black wife move into the jungle alone; that must be love.  They set a good example for old school folks like me but what about the Latina and White lady doctors’ love affair back on Grey’s Anatomy.

 

Okay, the conservative movement is right (get it right) on some level: Hollywood has a diversity and tolerance agenda.  But, many south Georgians want their kids to be “like-minded” or them.  I will admit to being a hypocrite because two dudes dating I don’t see but those cute lady doctors falling in love is kind of hot.  The question comes up when my friends and I are solving the world problems at a cookout and sipping box wine (Cart-a-nay): would you prefer your female college age cousin being with a good woman or a bad man. 

 

I had better leave that thing alone because too much leftwing T.V. is turning me into tolerant southerner.  Is that an oxymoron?  Two things that should not happen: don’t call me tonight when my shows are on T.V. and don’t ever invite me to two dudes wedding.  Those cats can be happy but I don’t want to see it.   

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Political Lip Service: Democrats and Republicans

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , on May 12, 2009| Leave a Comment »

But it sometimes turns out that national and state leaders in the same party came to realize that not all members of the other party are evil, wrong, and all together scum of the earth.  I am going to break my arm patting myself on the back for having friends and associates from all over the political spectrum.  While we get heated in discussions, all of us are well-intended Americans who want the nation to succeed.  The question becomes “how do we get there.”  

At times, the Democrats want to mother the people and kiss their boo boos while the Republicans want to be the tough discipline-oriented father types.  In the Georgia congressional delegation, they must be making secret pacts in the House and Senate cloakrooms that say, “colleague, I actually like you but you know we must mix it up in public to keep the party faithful pleased…you understand, right.” 

When the GOP ran the White House, both houses of Congress and Georgia state government, they had a swagger and attitude that would have made Caesar and Napoleon envious.  Their control over the federal government is gone for now but they still have that swagger.  To many of them, they weren’t wrong in policies and actions; the voters were charmed and mislead by the brilliance of Obama and his bottomless moneybag.  Huh? 

Watch the Republicans who honesty say, “my bad, we got off track.”  Those self-reflecting leaders are keepers and they are the one who know that party politics is secondary to fixing our economy and our place on the world stage.  These guys also realize what the hardhead can’t see or hear: President Obama is about America more than being about the Democrat Party—remember the diehard Democrats really wanted Hillary or Edwards before the masses (including non-party people and new voters) stood up and said “Obama..Obama.”  

That observation means Obama can take consult from conservatives and moderates who seek to rein in spending and debt after this orgy of stimulus/recovery spending. Those who pull Obama to the center will be credited with not waiting until the next election to take action and the center will acknowledge their prudent decisions. 

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Whom am I fooling with that fantasy talk?  And if the leaves of this magnolia tree outside my window turn into hundred dollar bills, I can take a LL Bean dufflebag full of money to SunTrust.  It is not going to happen because major party operatives benefit from the fighting and drama but read the actions of the Georgia Senators and congressmen.  When was the last time you saw then really working hard to get rid of a member from the other party—okay, Congresswoman McKinney.   

And if you want to go on the “Listening Tour,” you should also listen to the people who did not vote for you, understand why they did not and engage them in a healthy dialog.  That’s what the Blue Dog Democrats did; they listened to the center and some conservatives and secured enough support to be Blue in otherwise Red areas.  Can you say emulate?

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Matt Towery on GOP New Blood: Listen to Dude

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on May 1, 2009| 7 Comments »

Former Newt Gingrich staffer Matt Towery, who heads the political firm Insider Advantage, has the “right” idea about what’s next for the Republicans.  Notice I did not say “conservatives” because some mild conservatives might find a comfortable home inside the Democrat Party if the Blue Dogs continue to growth.  If the White House initiatives actually start to kick-in, the Blue Dog conservative Democrats numbers could counterbalance some of the liberal weight and produce a near center party.  That nightmare scenario could be real trouble for the GOP.

Why Fox or CNN hasn’t put a pile of money in front of Towery is a mystery because the guy makes good old common sense.  In a recent column, Towery wrote of the need for new blood in the GOP.  I personally don’t think the Republican party is on life support quite yet, but they could use some new style points to get their swagger back. 

(Here comes a classic ramble)

So I am watching ABC Private Practice last night because that show is almost as thought-provoking as Grey’s Anatomy (recorded CSI and NBC’s Southland—I need a life).  The guy who saved the lady president on Fox’s 24 is starting a cutting edge medical facility and trying to woo the attractive sister over to his operation.  The lady with the cool southern accent who runs the regular hospital wants the job but the guy from 24 said no and by the way, you are fired because you don’t have a heart.  Ouch.

My point is that you must have a heart to go with your mind or the people will notice and react.  Love him or hate him, Obama has a heart and cares about moving America forward.  The same statement can be said about Newt Gingrich, Obama’s obvious opponent in 2012. 

On the subject of heart, contributor to this blog Helen Blocker Adams of Augusta is celebrating her birthday today so I assume the local schools are closed for the holiday or for flu prevention.  Helen is an asset to the region because she has a kind heart and the area elected officials must be hearing the footsteps of her approaching stylish pumps—watch out. 

Republican Ray McKinney of Savannah brought new blood to the 12th District congressional race last year but the blue bloods wanted a D.C. insider.    The return of the GOP starts with new blood from existing sources. 

http://townhall.com/Columnists/MattTowery/2009/04/30/arlen_specter_and_other_magic_bullets_aimed_at_the_gop

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Senator Specter Switching Parties

Posted in politics, tagged , , on April 28, 2009| 3 Comments »

GOP Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania is switching parties to join the Democrats and I am not mad at him—get in where you fit in; birds of a feather flock together.  And I was not mad at Georgia Rep. Nathan Deal when he decided to switch from the “D” jersey to the “R” jersey in the 1990s.  The goon move is running with party money and switching just after the election. 

 

Georgia Rep. Jim Marshall would likely be more comfortable in the GOP but his political base is Macon, where he was a respected mayor before Congress.  Macon is fully of Democrats.  

 

Outside Atlanta, the Blue Dog Democrats are so near the center that switching parties would be like the difference between the Pontiac Firebird and the Pontiac Trans Am.  Whatever happened with Pontiac?   Fights and battles between Blue Dog Democrats and Republicans in the Georgia congressional delegation are just for show; as quiet as it is kept, those guys like each other and have a mutual benefit arrangement.  

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Understanding Southern Subcultures: Political Parties

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on January 8, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Once and for all: the affection and connections that Republicans have for the GOP is not the same feelings most Democrats have for the DNC.  It just isn’t.  Other than teachers and union members, people who voted for Democrats in the South (outside of urban areas) are not diehard party faithfuls.  The GOP subculture is deeper because it is based on implementing the principles of their faith into governmental action for social and moral improvement.  

 

Of course, I am not “going down that road” or “touching that with a ten foot pole” but I will say that if Americans lived the way good people should, our nation would be better.  The delicate matter is that government in our system can’t force people to live “right.”  Maybe we need a constitutional amendment on “acting like you have the good sense the good Lord gave a cat.”

 

For many southerners, the GOP is more than a political party.  Like the Bulldog Nation and Gator Nation, the GOP is a subculture of like-minded people who do business together, attend church together, and often date and marry.  It’s a comprehensive way of life.  Did you see the eyes of the people at the RNC Convention—that is not just enthusiasm.  We are taking about a good vs. evil battle fervor.  Of course, we Democrats must be the anti-Christ or something.   (Actually, the DNC convention was a little like that also; but that was about one outstanding dude rather than a party. A smooth GOP moderate move could be “Obama is exceptional but the jury is still out on the rest of them.) 

 

Why are my GOP friends telling me they are surprised President-elect Obama doesn’t hate them.  Newsflash: Barrack Obama, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee are not “hating all the time” kind of people and if your moral compass did not pickup on that fact something is wrong with you.

 

If I had to call it, I would say that someone is catching negative vibes from talk radio and talk T.V.—on the far right and far left.  Bottom line: if you take the time to interact with a variety of people, you might learn that your subculture and my subculture both want a better America—keep you filters on because negative cats (haters) will always pit groups against each others because that is what haters do. 

 

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The Saxby Effect

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , , on December 2, 2008| 2 Comments »

(A wise co-worker once said, “Be careful what you say out loud.”)

 

I almost wrote, “Let’s have a Statewide Blacks for Saxby Victory Party tonight at the Waffle House in Tifton.  Yes, the place has a seating capacity of 30 people but the truckers still need eight chairs.  We could “go green” by carpooling in two Ford Excursions.

 

A younger, unwise me would have written, “You know those drinking games that are triggered by what you see on T.V.  When I was a congressional staffer during the First Gulf War, gamers would watch CNN to hear “Wolf” as in Blitzer and wolf down a beer as others chanted “wolf, wolf, wolf.”  If you heard,  “Scud” you took a shot…”

 

Anyway, there should have been a Georgia Senate runoff drinking game called “Hooker in Church/Coattails” that went like this: every time you spot (no pun intended) a Black person at a Saxby Chambliss rally looking as uncomfortable as a Hooker in Church, you pour out a splash for the “dearly departed brother or sista” then drink. 

 

When Jim Martin mentions “Obama” –the candidate he did not vote for in the primary, choosing to vote for John Edwards, who had left the race by that time, drinkers chant “coattails for cocktails…coattails for cocktails.”

 

I am pleased I have developed into a cautious person who would never publicly write what I just wrote. 

 

During the presidential election, we recalled the Tom Bradley Effect.  The concept is that Whites said they would vote for Bradley for Governor of California but once in the polling place switched.  Some experts think that “the Obama Effect” is saying you would not vote for a candidate but actually vote for him or her.

 

I am coining the new term “the Saxby Effect” where Blacks voted for Saxby out of regional interests but would not come to his rallies because the GOP base makes you feel like “a Hooker in Church.”  (Sidenote: hookers need to be in church and we are hookers at work in some way and on some level…these politicians, hookers.  Congressional and campaign staff, junior hookers.  Wall Street, K Street, Lobbyists, Union Bosses are classic pimps.)    

 

While most members of the Georgia congressional delegation are good people, the GOP members should be concern about the exclusive, elitist attitude of the GOP base.  I go to everyone’s rallies as a political and policy junkie and GOP folks look at me as if I am a spy for the Dem Team. 

 

Karen Bogans, absent contributor to this blog, has been a Republican her whole life and her family’s commitment to that party goes back to Reconstruction.  But, it is common for some perky junior league type to test her conservative mettle.  When Karen and I were debating issues weekly in the Rayburn House Office Building Cafeteria, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue was still a moderate Democrat like me.   

 

Most Americans are eager to have leaders who seek civic debate and discourse rather than those who would divide us for personal and political gain.  Let’s hope that the future of the Georgia GOP centers on Johnny Isakson’s genteel southern approach.  The Waffle House in Tifton won’t hold the “Blacks for Isakson” Victory Party—maybe the Morehouse College gym because they like him there as much as Morehouse alumni Herman Cain. 

 

Politics and public service are all about connecting with people on a personal level.   

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Don’t Run For Congress

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , , , on December 1, 2008| Leave a Comment »

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During Thanksgiving Dinner or around the football games (if you can call blowouts football games), some civic-minded Georgians announced to their families their intentions to run for congress in 2010—a long process that starts in about 10 days.  May I say that for many of these ambitious possible candidates that decision is as ill-advised as bourbon-soaked fried turkey—an expensive disaster waiting to happen.

 

In Georgia, most congressional seats are safe for incumbents until the district lines are changed after the 2010 census.  Representatives John Barrow and Jim Marshall are in the only tossup seats.  Representative Paul Broun is safe if State Labor Secretary Michael Thurmond decides to run for governor rather than congress in the Athens-heavy 10th District.

 

If the GOP has any hope against Barrow and Marshall, they must find and accept moderate Republicans candidates who can legitimately battle these Blue Dog Democrats for the political center.  I must give credit where credit is due: Macon loves Congressman Jim Marshall for his stellar service as mayor.  If the GOP wants to seriously challenge for that seat, they should hope that Marshall runs for governor or find a Obama, Palin type person who the people love—a T.V. anchorwoman for example. 

 

I have a model for a new style candidate that I am sure would work in the right situation.  John McCain has always been correct regarding the ugly affect that money has on candidates and officeholders.  I wanted to see a congressional candidate who runs based on a commitment to fundraise only $200K—$100K in Georgia and $100K outside the state.  Without the deep money obligations to lobbyist and special interests, this official would be free to serve the people first.  Of course, outside groups would still flood T.V. with ads.  Time normally spent seeking money would be better used getting to the people directly. 

 

President-elect Obama owes the actual people more than he owes corporate America, K-Street or what is left of Wall Street because he 90 percent of the $800 million he was given came from people giving less than $200 and half of it was from people giving $25 or less.

 

Can you imagine a freshman Member of Congress who does not need to constantly plead for money?  The freshness of this type candidate would draw media attention and respect.  The Internet, televised debates and new Media could replace the need for expensive T.V. ad buys.  “The times, they are a changin” and fresh ideas will be needed in 2010.

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Saxby Chambliss and the Black Community

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , , , on November 16, 2008| 3 Comments »

The runoff election between Saxby Chambliss and Jim Martin never should have come to this in my opinion.  As I have consistently stated, Chambliss is a good senator whose primary shortcoming is failing to develop a functional relationship with the African American community in Georgia.  Members of the House of Representatives can win elects with members of their parties only or people who look like them; but, all senators are statesmen and stateswomen literally who cover the entire state.

 

When the Republican Revolution occurred, their leadership discouraged relationship building with the other party or people who voted against them.  (The opposition of the Obama transition process today.)   While many African Americans would support Chambliss based on his regional achievements and actions, the dated GOP strategy assumes our community would never support a conservative or that their methods of energizing their base would turnoff Black voters.  The “Liberal Elite Media” is reporting that Chambliss said the rush of early African-American voters during the general election energized “our side.”  I had to find the actual quote and clearly Saxby said that Republicans were motivated to vote to balance the new Democrats voters, many of whom were Black. 

 

Saxby’s “our side” should include a coalition of African American farmers, military families, small business people, moderates and other conservative of color.  The young preppies that are the campaign staffers of the GOP know little about the diversity of Black Georgia and that is a shame.  Saxby is in a great position: the opportunity to end this rough year on a winning note.  The southern GOP had better do some soul searching to explain their base because the Blue Dog Democrats have created an attractive subsection of our party for reasonable people—Obama Republicans?   

 

 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/30/us/politics/30chambliss.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

The development is not lost on Mr. Chambliss. “There has always been a rush to the polls by African-Americans early,” he said at the square in Covington, a quick stop on a bus tour as the campaign entered its final week. He predicted the crowds of early voters would motivate Republicans to turn out. “It has also got our side energized, they see what is happening,” he said.

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GOP Leader Don Scoggins backs Obama

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on November 2, 2008| 1 Comment »

Anyone familiar with the Black conservative efforts nationally knows Don Scoggins of Maryland.  Mr. Scoggins is about as GOP as you can get; but, I received the following today.  Hats off to Don for putting country over party by voting for Obama/Biden and I hope that a better GOP mergers from this election process.     

 

 

 

Obama Saves the GOP

 

Without question next week American voters will participate in the undisputed most historic presidential election ever.

 

Unfortunately – though it should be no surprise – because one candidate is black and the other white race not political ideology, has become the predominant theme and sorry to say the unavoidable bugaboo of this election.

 

Discounting skin color and politics, factors most people consider worthy attributes for White House aspirants are personal character, superb communication skills, intellectual prowess, mental acuity, serene of temperament, ability to lead and presidential bearing.  

 

Acknowledging these perilous times facing our country today the person elected the next president should also embody an ability to inspire people, encouraging them to do for themselves what this nation cannot and must not do for them.

 

Many folks come up to me asking who I will support this year given my over forty years of staunch GOP activism, conservative leanings and the fact of being black. Candidly I became very apathetic towards this election after my initial preferences, Fred Thompson and then Mike Huckabee failed to win the Republican Party nomination.

 

Always active during presidential elections and wanting some how to make a difference this year I began to wonder who could best lead this nation and also help restore the GOP to its once enviable reputation as a world class political party. To arrive at some kind of decision required some major thinking outside the box or better yet, building a box.  

 

Great credit should be accorded Senator John McCain and his fellow Vietnam prisoners of war three decades ago, however after considering many years of public life with an inconsistent record of racial inclusiveness and weak GOP credentials Senator John McCain at this time is not the person our country needs leading it. Voting third party or for a liberal was out of the question.

 

After much soul searching and conceding not agreeing totally with his political views I concluded Senator Barack Obama is the person most fitting to lead the U. S. and reinvigorate the GOP.

 

Just as happened during the twelve years of Reagan/Bush out of the White House the Democratic Party came back very united and wiser. One day the GOP will rebound too, more inclusive, united, and principled – steadfast adhering to its much heralded founding precepts.   

 

My decision also honors others no longer with us – black and white who gave their lives advocating for civil rights at home, preserving opportunities for those who apply themselves regardless of familial status, race, color or creed.

 

Who else this election year has so captured the nation bringing millions of new voters into the political process? No one else has.  

 

I have nothing to lose and everything to gain differing with my beloved Republican Party.

 

 

Don Scoggins, Prince William County resident, local and national Republican Party activist.

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