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DEL.ICIO.US“No-shows may need to rethink political strategy”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Robbie S. Moore remembers the first time she met Wayne Hill. It was 1988. Hill, then a Democrat, ran for a seat on the Gwinnett Board of Commissioners.
Moore, president of the United Ebony Society, a Gwinnett-based civil rights group, hosted a candidates’ political forum. It rained cats and dogs, but voters attended.
So did Hill, who lost that particular bid.
For nearly two decades, the Ebony Society has been hosting forums, trying to arrange a little face-to-face time between voters and the candidates who want to represent them.
But Moore’s organization keeps running into a pattern of behavior that’s playing out nationally, too. At least when it comes to top GOP contenders.
They’re no-shows for debates put on by, and tailored to, minority concerns. If you watched the GOP televised debate Thursday night, you saw the empty lecterns. They represented those who didn’t turn out - Fred D. Thompson, Mitt Romney, Rudolph W. Giuliani and John McCain. They say they had scheduling conflicts and couldn’t attend the event at Morgan State University in Baltimore.
Maybe so.
Nevertheless, their absence and explanations for staying away have been broadly criticized, even by hard-core Republicans like Newt Gingrich.. The decision, he told the Washington Post, was an “enormous error” and “fundamentally wrong.”
Last year, the Ebony Society had to cancel two forums in Gwinnett due to no-shows. In October 2006, only two of a dozen invited candidates agreed to attend. They were Denise Majette, a Democrat who ran unsuccessfully for state school superintendent, and Allan Burns, also a Democrat, who was trounced by U.S. Rep. John Linder (R-Ga.).
The absentees, Moore told me, spread ill will.
“It makes us feel like we were not important - that the people and this community are not important enough,” she said. “We started letting [the candidates] know way back in the summer. Some wrote letters and said they couldn’t make it.”
Maybe Republican strategist figure that, in a county so solidly “red,”they don’t need to woo new voters. Maybe they deem the black voting bloc paltry, and comprised of die-hard Democrats. Maybe they view the Ebony Society as small fry, a lightweight with no clout.
Maybe it’s time they rethought their political strategy. Gwinnett’s demographics are changing. Though whites make up the largest group of registered voters (70 percent), a third are ethnic minorities.
“This may mean reaching out to voters that [a candidate] has never reached out to before, and showing up at some forums that, in the past, weren’t worth [a candidate’s] time,” said Charles Bullock, a political science professor at the University of Georgia.
Tavis Smiley, the PBS talk show host, hosted Thursday’s televised debate. In interviews, he said he didn’t believe the absences were due to hectic schedules. Moore understands his frustration.
“The society puts on forums to educate the community and to get to know the candidates,” she said, adding that they have events planned for the 2008 elections. We want the candidates to tell us why we should vote for them.”
Hard to do if you’re absent.
Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail: rbadie@ajc.com.
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By BobG
September 29, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
But if we’re going to complain about “no shows,” let’s be completely honest.
The number of blacks in the county who vote is a much lower percentage of their total population, compared to whites. The fact is that minorities are a “no show” at the voting booth.
It was reported that the Morgan State hall was only two-thirds full. The place may be monstrous; I don’t know. But it seems that the Morgan State folks were a “no show” at their own forum.
Likewise for the Ebony Society forums. I have been to a couple; they are very sparsely attended. I am talking a couple of dozen spectators, at most. The fact is that Gwinnett minorities are a “no show” at their own opportunity to learn more about the candidates.
If minorities want to command more attention from the candidates, they must begin to participate in the process.
By LT5000
September 30, 2007 1:55 AM | Link to this
Or…Could it be that the GOP didn’t want to show due to Tavis Smiley’s negative comments about Republicans over the years. Like when he called George Bush a “serial killer”.
The black community “leaders” have treated Republican’s, black and white, with such disdain over the years that I think any GOP’er would gain nothing by attending.
Just ask Clarence Thomas and Condeleeza Rice.
LT5000
By Bruce Wicox
September 30, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
The Republicans feel cartering to it’s WASP base, especially in the South is their most effective tool. What they fail to realize is that base is getting smaller and smaller, except in Gwinnett of course. In this county all the Republicans have to do is keep the developers happy and the money keeps rolling in, the lemmings are already in the bag.
On a National scale they’re making a big mistake, by ignoring any group costs votes, votes they sorely need next year. An example, during the pass presidental election in Ohio bush received 16% of the black vote the highest of any state, bush won Ohio and the election by the margin of one percent. Lesson, in Ohio they courted the black vote, pretty simple but the GOP just can not grasp the concept.
How many Black Republicans are there in Congress? I think the Republicans have already given up on the National elections and are now just trying to rebuild to their base.
By Regular Joe
September 30, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
I agree with Bob G, The Ebony Society should assure that a decent sized crowd shows up for the forums. When you claim to represent a group of people and can only bring as small number of participates, who do you really represent? Do you represent the people, or just yourselves? If it is the later, meet with the representatives on your own.
Maybe a better mission for the Ebony Society and other groups would be convincing people to join your organization, convince members to attend a forum and tell those members to contact the politicians letting them know that they will be looking for them there.
By LT5000
September 30, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
Someone tell Bruce that those “stupid” Republicans have won the last two Presidential elections.
Badie does have it right in one respect. Black voter turnout is horrendously low in the USA.
And every election, that a Republican wins, you can bet Rev. Al and Uncle Jesse will be out there screaming about “voter intimidation”. Who was it that called George Bush “Bull Conner”?
Again, I can’t blame the Republican candidates for skipping this debate. They would have been unfairly smeared and undoubtedly questioned about such non-issues as the “Jena Six”.
Here’s a sampe of what happened:
Most uninformed question: To the woman, who won a contest on Tom Joyner’s radio show that allowed her to pose one query to all the candidates, who implied that there had been no Republican president since Lincoln who left “a positive and significant legacy for black Americans.”
Yeah, can’t blame anyone for skipping that.
By Bruce Wicox
September 30, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
Regular Joe I do not believe you have to be a member of the group or most groups to attend, it’s voter apathy on every level that keeps the turn out low.
Lt5000, what didn’t you understand about winning by one percentage point? The first one was by one vote of the Supremes, hardly a landslide or a mandate.
By Bruce Wicox
September 30, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this
One other and the most important issue we are missing is that even if elected they will represent ALL the people, it would be nice to know their concerns.
Maybe that is the main reason Republicans will contnue to miss out on the support from minority groups, once in office they ignore them.
By Michael H. Smith
September 30, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
About no shows, what lone Republican, showed up to address the NAACP when all the other “now sanctimonious” GOP candidates refused the offer to speak before this group?
Then it would be interesting to find out how many are willing to break out of the mold stereotyped on them to dare think individually apart from their ancestry to go and attend an event where a Republican candidate is speaking and greeting the attendees?
To hear most Democrats speak on issues that tend to have the greatest impact on some particular ancestries in this country, apart from their pandering, patronizing and political posturing, the DNC candidates are in reality all “no shows”. They may as well not be there. Not so strange to see a return of these Democrats kindly concerns reflected at the election polls when these of particular ancestries become the “no shows”.
When you find a group that goes by the name of the United American Society you’ll probably have more “no shows” to legitimately write about, Rick.
By Bruce Wicox
September 30, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this
Talk about sanctimonious, Mr. Smith thinks minorities should break out of their stereotyped molds and search out a Republican speaker, only then will they be truely free.
Come one, come all, everyone is welcome under the Big Gop Tent, it’s just some still have to enter by the back flap.
By Michael H. Smith
September 30, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this
Yeah do talk about sanctimonious Mr. Wilcox. I’ve always enjoyed experts with practical real life experience speak on subjects only they know best.
Mr. Smith “knows” everyone should think for themselves and the for the good of their country that their children and grandchildren shall inherit from them.
Everyone who I’ve seen attend a GOP function, regardless of ancestry walked through the same door that I did. Guess that’s why people like Rep. Melvin Everson can get elected under that GOP tent by “those people” of another ancestry he now serves that looked upon his conservative convictions when they cast their ballots in unity for a fellow American.
By Bruce Wicox
September 30, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this
Now if he could only make it to Congress.
By Bruce Wicox
September 30, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this
By the way Mr. Smith I worked on the Speakers staff of the New York State Assembly for a few years and just what makes you the expert again?
By LT5000
September 30, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this
Better watch it Mr. Smith. Brucie was a page-boy for the Speaker of New York house. Wow. The big leagues.
What else did you bring him besides his coffee? We’ve always heard stories about you page’s and interns.
Bruce is an idiot, ignore him.
Everytime a black Republican becomes prominent, all the black community can do is tear them down with catcalls of “Uncle Tome” and “House Negro”. Condeleeza Rice, Clarence Thomas and Colin Powell are fine examples.
As for the current Black Democrats in Congress. One is an Ex-Black Panther and William Jefferson was caught hiding cold cash.
Now if you want a real scumbag I would suggest taking a look at Mel Reynolds. Sexuaol assaulting a 16 year old, only to be pardoned by (drum roll please)Billy Clinton.
LT5000
By Michael H. Smith
September 30, 2007 8:07 PM | Link to this
Oh usually when listening to you change the subject after you get nailed to the wall on something. Not a bad compliment, if I do accept it, thanks.
Then again, listening to all that crying about “the party in power” is usually all the thanks I need for whatever work I do to help get conservatives elected. After ’08, I expect some more of that ear candy from the liberal experts in this state.
You know, 135 years can be a long time.
By Michael H. Smith
September 30, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this
Oh and another thing, to the State Rep. from New York. Best scamper on back to Hempstead village New York before some of your Northern brethren decide to use that New York noose they left hanging on a policeman’s locker.
To hear some people tell it, ethnic hate and backwards thinking only happens in the South.
Yeah, talk about sanctimony.
By Bruce Wicox
September 30, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this
“Uncle Tome”, state politics, the experts, and you wonder why I love the South, have either of ever you traveled outside of the state, the county for that matter.
I think you mean United States Senator don’t you Mr. Smith? I know the state legislature seems to be your top level, I’m more interested in the national scene. Speaking of, the biggest news from the GOP camp is Newt isn’t running, I really do not think Senator Hillary Clinton has very much to worry about.
By Bruce Wicox
September 30, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this
Lt5000 were Condeleeza Rice, Clarence Thomas and Colin Powell elected or appointed?
I rest my case.
By Regular Joe
September 30, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this
Bruce,
You are correct, anyone should be able to attend, however at least the members should be there. If the “Regular Joe Society” wants to host a candidates’ political forum, the Regular Joe’s should show up if you want the politicians to take you seriously.
About Condeleeza Rice, Clarence Thomas and Colin Powell, I believe they are good people. I watched Thomas today on 60 minutes and he did real good.
Some of our elected officials, and I’m talking about Democrats and Republicans, in my opinion are not good people.
By Michael H. Smith
September 30, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this
Not even a nice try. Squirm some more. You and Hillary have a great deal in common. You are both the gift that just can’t stop giving.
So now Hillary, let me get this straight. You want to raise my taxes so you can give me more?
Hillary, why is there less in my pocket, didn’t you say you were going to give me something?
Silly me, of course, you gave the bills for all that big government waste, fraud and abuse, all those big government programs that never do anything for me and yet has sent big government checks out of the money you take from me, to dead people.
Oh and Hillary, did you have the big government employees put a mailbox up beside the graves dead? I’m sure they’re on Medicare too? They’ll need that mailbox close enough so they can reach it, Hillary. After all they are disabled – permanently!
Don’t let me forget to thank you Hillary, for promising to take more of my money to pay for the SCHIP’s of those making as much as $80,000 a year. Oh I know, it’s for the children, the children, oh yes the children…. Really, why are adults getting in on this robbery? What’s that you say Hillary… I wouldn’t want hurt the children?
Uh, Hillary, whose children do you think you hurt when you and the other liberals take money out of the pockets of people like me?
Don’t forget about that New York hangman’s noose hanging over in Hempstead, Senator Clinton.
Hillary has very little to worry about but America, with Hillary as President, best get worried a plenty.
By Bruce Wicox
September 30, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this
Regular Joe I agree on thye local level, but on the national level where the attendance is high there is no excuse. But as I said I think there is voter apathy across the board.
I have nothing against Condeleeza Rice, Clarence Thomas and Colin Powell, it was a response to Lt5000, he can not seem to grasp the concept between being elected and appointed.
One thing about Thomas that I think is unusally, I can not remember a sitting Supreme Court Justice out hawking a book, it seems a little tacky.
By Bruce Wicox
October 1, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
Mr. Smith the biggest expansion of government came under bush and the Republican Congress in the last six years. You seem to able to do simple math, tell me how this is done. The biggest expansion of Medicare ever with the Drug company bonus Seniors Drug Program, the invasion of Iraq, the biggest expansion of government and paying for it all with a tax cut?
So what plan works out better, the GOP’s ‘Spend and Charge’ or the Democrats ‘Tax and Spend’? The GOP plan is like a welfare queen with a credit card, charge, charge, charge, let some one else pay for it, so much for responsibilty.
Try something better than Lou’s or Rush’s talking points, you’re becoming a bore as usual.
By Michael H. Smith
October 1, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this
Improve your own talking points. So far you haven’t done very good. And neither have your Democrats. They control Congress, what is the approval rating of that Congress? People think better of door-to-door salesmen.
By Bruce Wicox
October 1, 2007 2:13 AM | Link to this
Break it down by party and the Congressional Democrats lead the Republicans by 20 points across the board (issues). Hard to get anything done with a one vote majority in the Senate and the Republicans still sticking with bush’s failed sgenda.
Do your homework will you.
By Michael H. Smith
October 1, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
Excuses, excuses. Ho hum. Same old same old.
By Regular Joe
October 1, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
Thomas has been quiet for over fifteen years despite all the cheap shots he has endured. He has an interesting story and I see nothing tacky about his book.
By Bruce Wicox
October 1, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
You’re right Regular Joe, Thomas has been quiet for about 17 years now, who knows maybe Jay Leno will be his next stop.
By Bruce Wicox
October 1, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
Thomas, finally the conservatives have their own Jesse Jackson.
By LT5000
October 1, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this
Well. Bruce , former Page boy, has spoken. No need for an election in 2008.
Unfortunately, he probably thought Gore and Kerry were sure winners as well. Oh wait, congressional approval is at record lows thanks to Pelosi and Reid.
Bush’s failed agenda. Low unemployment, stock market at record levels, no more terrorist attacks and the beginning of a democracy in the Middle East.
Don’t eat up the pablum Network News feeds you Brucie. It’s pathetic and shows you have absolutely no depth to your arguments.
LT5000
By Bruce Wicox
October 1, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this
Low employment, wonder whose job the illegals are stealing? Stock market at record level, sure they’re betting that the Fed Rev will lower interest rates because the eeconomy sucks, i.e., housing market bubble brust and lower manufacturing production last month. Democracy in the Middle East, been hearing that predication for many years, but we have only lost 3806 soldiers, let’s give it a few more years.
Again no facts, talking points and grand generalizations, but you are entertaining.
Do Mr. Smith and you attend the same day care, the insults sound about the same?
By Michael H. Smith
October 1, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this
Talk about day care, insults, no facts, grand generalizations…. now exactly when are you going write your book? Oh I forgot it’s already on the blog.
I agree LT5000, he really is an idiot and that’s probably the nicest thing we could say about him, without lying.
By Bruce Wicox
October 2, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
Ah, Mr. Smith met a new playmate, how cute.
By LT5000
October 2, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this
Poor Brucie, still remembering his glory (hole) days as a congressional page for Barney Frank.
Something tells me he goes to bed every night with a picture of John “Seared in my memory” Kerry under his pillow.
Um Brucie, low unemployment is a fact, record high stock market is a fact, Democratic elections in Iraq are a fact and you being a pillow biting douchbag is a fact.
Enough facts for you?
LT5000