Jack & Jill Politics

I looove this posting. Melissa sums up everything I've been feeling about this but was too pissed off to articulate!

Isn't Steele the squarest black man, ever?

He begins his acceptance speech with "..This is Awesome." Is there any "whiter" phrase than that?? How the hell is he going to appeal to the so-called Hip Hop generation? How's he going to do that by disrespecting the first black president? Is Steele just scamming the GOP?

They keep saying on the tube that he's articulate...I don't see it. I just see a grinning buffoon.

I don't give a rat's behind if we share a colour...he's a damned idiot and he's embarrassing my race.

Nice racist rant there.

I'd love to see a follow-up documentary by Alexandria Pelosi on those white people who lost it over Obama winning now that Steele is their party "leader"! That would be sooo funny!!

Baratunde: I feel like one standing in line waitin' "my turn" to "DOUBLE DUTCH!" :>) :>)

I want ta join this conversation & I don't quite know where 2 B - gin. :>) :>)

BRIEFLY ['cause I'm on the run again :>)]

1. Do the millions of Repugs "apart from the 91 anointed VOTERS know what they did when they TRIED to SORTA C-O-P-Y from the Dems by havin' a "NON-MELANIN-CHALLENGED" person take the REINS!!??

2. By listenin' to the "MUSIC" played at the "WHITE SEA" CONVENTION, did they give any impression that they "embraced -er -ummmm "HIP-HOP!!??"
[I'm ignoring clappin' on BEATS 1 & 3!]

3. "MAN - O' -STEELE" might B "leadin'??" - - - BUT - - - - - - -

WHO IS FOLLOWIN'??? :>)

I'm just "axin'. . . . . . . . ***shakin' my head*** :>) :>)

so silly as to be a plot. Lacewell - on point. But, Nas damns him with hiphop itself even moreso in "2nd Childhood" off of Stillmatic:

All his peoples moved on in life, he's on the corners at night
with young dudes it's them he wanna be like
It's sad but it's fun to him right? He never grew up
31 and can't give his youth, he's in his second childhood

Mr. Steele should rather give the party and the nation a grown-folks principled direction versus looking to follow the hip hop vibe. As Lacewell alludes, appropriated authenticity is sin no. 1 in the game, not being... authentic.

Guess we'll see more of his skeet-shooting with pop language... PULL!!! aim... Booyakah!! (then flows drivel from the sky in so many clay pidgeon "feathers" - urban suburban hip hop settings????

USHHS??? as in, the ones in my church

..."Will the usshs from ussh board #1 please welcome to our church the pastor of The New Greater Mount Republican Baptist Reformed Church. The pastor will come after this A and B selection from our GMRBR choir."

Tis a plot I say. Tis a plot.

"Guess we'll see more of his skeet-shooting with pop language"

OK.......the reason I'm laughing so hard right now is because before I read your comment any further...all I could do was picture Michael Steele yelling "skeet skeet!!" like Lil Jon and the Ying Yang Twins do.........OMG....why can't I get that image outta my head?

(-0_0-)

...dons hip hop (er, nerd) glasses feeling himself channeling the ying yang twins

...clears throat

... to the windoooows, to the waalls, til jay z takes my calls, til aaaall these taxpayers crawl, til all skeet skeet (m.i.a. gunshot sample 2x)

YOU IS THE "O" FFICIAL FOOL ON THIS BLOG THIS EVENING!

Wheeeeewww, fo' real tears rolling down my face!

rotflmao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*dead*

OMG.....*tears rolling*.....I cant stand you...I wont be able to stop picturing this......Oh Lawd......*i cant breathe*..................................ROF..."till jay z takes my calls"........................I really cant stand you............ROFLMAO.....

i'm thinking we might all have to laugh thru a bunch o' this to keep from cryin. it's gittin dumr and dumr by the minit.

It just amazes me that so many republicans/conservatives get in a tizzy about wasteful spending on those "welfare" folks (which the media has done so well at equating to people of color), but yet you won't hear a word at the ENORMOUS fraud/waste those like Halliburton and KBR has done in Iraq to the detriment of our troops and the taxpayer's pocket.

Like you said - it's about social justice.

Since Michael Steele wants to embrace hip-hop and make it an essential part of the outreach, maybe he needs to think about this classic Tupac line

"they got money for wars, but can't feed the poor."

Oh, I forgot, people who lost their jobs, fell on hard times, or just need temporary aid, they are not deserving... any help they receive will be welfare, socialism, or communism.

You're a better person than me. I wouldn't give D. the time of day when it comes to 'recruiting' for the GOP.

And don't forget MC Steele BlingBling's newly famous "Government doesn't create jobs" line.

I'm afraid to think of what he calls the police that work for, say, "HomeLand Security" that his new nukka G.Dub B. created.

Again, I repeat, the majority of REPUBLICANS. ARE. STUPID.

an ideology is a terrible thing to waste... now they got dude up there spouting nothing but replatitudes. on the real, it is sort of embarrassing, no matter one's affiliation. wish he would step off stage with that.

Also, if Republicans are going to begin to craft the usual message of "so-called" fiscal responsibility (because I still haven't seen a modern-day Republican who was fiscally responsible), and less taxes.....how do you sell that to many communities plighted by high unemployment, virtually non-existent programs for the youth, and equally depressed schools, and lots of times liquor stores and convenient stores outweigh the number of grocery stores.

Republicans say, don't raise taxes, don't put money in those neighborhoods, and why do we need more education funds.....but these communities NEED help, THEY NEED CASH. And it is not simply throwing away money, people in the inner-city are Americans too......but yet so any people "cling" to religion like they only own it, and shout it from the mountaintop....but yet they do not see the charity in assisting others, because, well in their eyes,those in the inner-city aren't trying hard enough. Black folks need infrastructure, job creation, better police protection, and enrichment and social programs in their neighborhood too.

Don't tell me we can go in Iraq on "faulty intelligence" and then spend billions to re-build, but yet we know the TRUTH about deficiencies in urban, inner-city communities and CHOOSE to ignore and deny those services because these Americans aren't deserving of US taxpayer money.

It just amazes me that so many republicans/conservatives get in a tizzy about wasteful spending on those "welfare" folks (which the media has done so well at equating to people of color), but yet you won't hear a word at the ENORMOUS fraud/waste those like Halliburton and KBR has done in Iraq to the detriment of our troops and the taxpayer's pocket.

You can be unemployed and steal a loaf of bread and spend a year in jail, or you can swindle like Made-off , and spend your evening sipping Moet Chandon. Black Republicans are not even courageous enough to talk about the double standards and unequal treatment that POC face...and it's not an excuse, it's a general truth.

D, your turn to have the floor or maybe Conserv1 or Petridish would like to retort

LOL.

Listening mode.

IS THIS MIC ON?????????

PREACH!

"Black Republicans are not even courageous enough to talk about the double standards and unequal treatment that POC face..."

You think it might be because a lot of them agree with the double standards and unequal treatment?

Hmmm....I don't think I've ever seen or heard any prominent black republican speak out against racial profiling, police brutality, the prison industrial complex, etc...I would hope one has, but I personally can't think of anytime I've seen it happen. What I do see and hear is black republicans getting on news shows and no matter what the situation, the circumstances, the facts...if its an issue of race, its almost like they are doubly against whatever view that may be supportive of minorities. I mean, if is racial profiling - they don't give even an obligatory sympathetic comment to at least pretend to see it from the minorities point of view. Its so sad, but I honestly see a lot of them as very self-hating. Its impossible to ALWAYS view the minority as WRONG unless you honestly only want to see it that way.

Miranda, they don't put those Republicans on television. They do exist....but they never get on tv.

B/c they are black republicans -- in it for the partisan perks of being the lone black republican or the contrarian, they are not conservatives.

Racial profiling -- (and the fixing the roots of underperformance)

Prison industrial -- and prison sentencing flaws --
Madoff stole 50 Billion and is on house arrest in his 10 MM condo.
How many lives did this guy ruin?

Military Welfare / Complex -- Lockheed lobbying for the F-22 welfare program for white-collar republicans.

A black republican in the Ron Paul libertarian bent would get some listeners.

Ron Paul libertarian bent? He'd get some listeners amonst whom? Black people?

Well...there ya have it....it really can't be denied. The black republicans that have become lil media darlings all seem to tote the same bag. You had a few that went somewhat renegade during the campaign - and I believe it was because their mamas and grandmamas were calling them and fussing at'em every night (i.e. Armstrong Williams)..but they are right back to being on over-the-top message now.

Armstrong Williams was paid for propaganda by the Bush administration -- like 200k .. It's a job to them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_administratio...

I think on individual issues there are important things that the black community should listen to -- charter schools, teachers unions, but that's it really all the rest I see from the republican party is bullshit.

Libertarian thought -- is just that like socialism it doesn't work in practice. People are too out for self and think in the short term (hence Madoff / Stanford/ Lehman / Bear Sterns) etc.

I assumed the reason Armstrong was so silent during the campaign was because of his kickback from the Bush Admin to promote NCLB - I mean if ever there was a nice neatly wrapped package for GOP cronyism...he's one...then I read his "dilemma" about his 90 something mother supporting Obama - it was actually a cute story...but he's still a prick.

I think the Rs are going to implode. Steele as RNC head is not helpful to them at all. Where is Steele's wife in all this? I have the feeling she's still a registered Democrat. LOL.

However, I think black folks should use Steele at the helm of the RNC to push for DC statehood.

:) put those fuckers and their fiscal responsiblity and low tax push into a rock and a hard place.

I got this from Ben Smith of Politico and it pertains to Michael Steel:

Meghan McCain wasn't impressed with Michael Steele, or Sarah Palin, in an interview with ABC Radio's Curtis Sliwa yesterday:

On Michael Steele's New "Hip-Hop" Strategy:

"You know with all due respect to the new chairman, Michael Steele, I do not believe that is actually something that is going to work because it is premeditated. If you're saying I want people from the hip-hop community -- I don't even know what that means exactly -- I guess people that are in the music industry could become more closer and you know try and become Republicans (sic). I just don't think that is going to work. I think they need to rely on a message that is going to really stick with people of my generation. That message has to be equated in the medium of the internet, which obviously up to this point just hasn't happened."

On whether Sarah Palin appeals more to a younger generation:

"I think no matter who, in the next four years, becomes the prominent up and coming person -- Bobby Jindal, Gov. Huntsman -- there are lots of names being thrown around right now -- I think whoever gets to the point of becoming the prominent figure in the Republican party has to have a message that's simple that goes out. Hope and change was something that really stuck with my generation. It's something that's on bumper stickers and t-shirts. And it's something that was easy for people to understand. What the Republican party is not doing right now is having a message that can equally touch that point. Sarah Palin -- I hope she can, at some point, I just -- I think time will tell."

Absurd.

I will say it again, Meghan McCain needs to shut up.

She is only a Republican because her father was the nominee--she voted for Kerry in 2004. She loved Sarah Palin until her dad lost.

Anything she has to say means nothing to me as her motives of being a new "Republican spokesperson" is because she is PISSED that her dad lost to a black man named Barack Hussein Obama.

Take everything she says with a grain of salt.

I didnt see this before I linked it in a post to D....seems to me Meghan McCain is trying to tell the GOP something, they might wanna listen.

You all have a good conversation going on here.

This is my take....the "hip-hop" angle is shallow and see-through. And though I see what Steele is trying to accomplish, I doubt it will bode well.

Why? Because there are many young people who are more keenly aware of the past exclusion, the Southern strategy, the attacks about race/heritage/and perceived xenophobia they saw against President Barack Obama. They hear the "uppity" comments, the veiled racial attacks against POC in general reeking from the mouths of the nearly all-white Republican representation in Washington.

They see NO representation of Black Republicans in the Congress nor the Senate, and they only see the election of Steele as a "See we got a black guy too" move by the RNC, just like they saw the Illinois Republican party recruiting MARYLAND resident as a contender for Senate against Barack Obama in Illinios...simply a placeholder, a stand-in.

Many young people also see the hypocrisy, and though the Katrina debate can go on and on, most Black people in general will place the blame of that disaster at the feet of the Bush administration.

ANd as long as you have the Sean Hannity's, Rush Limbaugh's, Ann Coulter's and other mouthpieces representing your party,while making millions being outrageous and dismsissive, telling black folks they should just get over their plight, stop sulking in their history, and being dismissive of the plight of poverty AND discrimination that still plagues many communities of POC in this country

I believe in having faith in God, your supreme being or whatever you choose. But the GOP's "religious right wing" rhetoric will not bode well with younger urban youth. In many places across this country, young people not only have friends of Christian faith, but Muslim (and the xenophobia is blaring from Republicans, even Black ones), Buddhist, Hindu, atheist, etc. More young people are more attached to spirituality than organized religion...and many are not quite interested in having religion stuffed down their throat or used as a means to legislate their choices ie abortion, etc. Religion might be important, but getting a college education, while college funds are non-existent, are more important. So having politicians advocate for aid like Pell Grants, and not refer to it as welfare is the language they would rather hear.

Monie: ***neatly putting a pillow onto the floor*** ***holdin' onto a chair so that I can ease my knees down on said pillow***

Annnnnnd, *** "BOWIN' DOWN*** :>)

Puh-leese let me know WHEN I may ARISE!! :>) :>)

GREAT ANALYSIS!!! THANK YOU!!! :>)

damn, you summed this up beautifully and eloquently!

wow

this is so on the mark

I believe in having faith in God, your supreme being or whatever you choose. But the GOP's "religious right wing" rhetoric will not bode well with younger urban youth. In many places across this country, young people not only have friends of Christian faith, but Muslim (and the xenophobia is blaring from Republicans, even Black ones), Buddhist, Hindu, atheist, etc. More young people are more attached to spirituality than organized religion...and many are not quite interested in having religion stuffed down their throat or used as a means to legislate their choices ie abortion, etc. Religion might be important, but getting a college education, while college funds are non-existent, are more important. So having politicians advocate for aid like Pell Grants, and not refer to it as welfare is the language they would rather hear.






Tell it, Monie! Lay it down!

Here that ,D? Take notice!

Fantastic comment.

AFTERNOON THREAD IS UP

(warn Justice and msmartin; I'm about to question someone's blackness)

I was wrong. The person that I hate more than Olbermann....is Maddow. I might actually tie her with Keyes after that foolishness.

The "urban-suburban-hip hop settings" are exactly where we need to take our message as Republicans. I won't adress the hypocrisy that stems from critizicing the GOP as a "country club" party, but then attempting to relegate our modernization and outreach efforts to failure.

And the "peace out" on the end-coming from someone who's probably less hood than I am-was completely stupid.

More obstructionists to knock over. Should be fun.

D, this is my whole issue though. I don't have a problem with the Republican party modernizing itself and focusing on outreach efforts to these communities--I have a problem with the way in which they do it--specifically through Steele's message. Since he has been nominated chairman of the RNC he has basically acted like a caricature of a Black person, "how you like me now," "bling, bling," "hip hop makeover." It just seems that he is trying WAY too hard and it comes off as shameless pandering; it's insulting. And by doing this, it makes me think that he has no clear idea how to reach these communities.

I don't know...maybe I am not the constituency he is trying to reach (I'm 27 and fairly engaged in the political process), but the RNC will not win me over and will not get me votes if this is how they plan on reaching out to younger, urban voters.

Here's the thing:

Steele provides the platform and the goals. It's up to me and others at the grassroots level to form the strategy and execute it.

So where Steele says "we need to reach out to 'urban, suburban and hip hop settings'," I take that as "create a message that resonates with everyone," and that's what I work toward.

And hell, even I have to be corrected....occasionally. LOL

Point taken. I would be interested to hear about your ideas for outreach to these communities. . . I think you, and others, should get great credit for what you're trying to do. Others have mentioned this on this thread, but Republicans have a lot of work to do to resonate with the Black community (and other minority communities --though the Latino vote has shifted from the Repubs to the Dems) --that is not all the GOP's fault. There has been a lot of misinformation out there -- but at times, the GOP has shot itself in the foot with not being aggressive enough with high profile members who have openly engaged in race baiting and/or made racially insensitive comments.

Do you have any plans to do an educational component--a history of the Republican party? That may resonate with some. Sort of, these are the principles we were founded on, this is what we have done for your community over the years...just a thought.

Steele is actually even better than Palin, more ridiculous blather --
"Government never created a job."
A new hip-hop marketing strategy. etc.

He's already become a joke, he's lucky the RNC chair is such an inside politics position that he has not turned into a late night punchline.

RNC -- should spend the majority of its money trying to repair the relationship with Latino/Hispanic communities and Suburban moms -- so I'd drop this "hip hop" foolishiness.

Anytime politicians say they need to "change their image" publically I'd say they are seriously lost -- consider Hillary's multiple image changes over the 2007-2008 primary -- if she would have had a serious plan for speaking to all groups of people she wouldn't have had to try to "repackage" her message to speak to different groups....

Obama won, because he said I'm going to try to listen to everyone, and unite the country with a positive message (G.W.Bush was the perfect foil, b/c by 2007 everyone disliked Bush). The RNC doesn't have a campaign platform to touch a lot of voters -- there aren't going to be 40K student / young people rallies in rapid succession.

Steele seems to have discovered -- wow Obama did well and seems to RESONATE with certain groups due to his message. These groups then take Obama's message and rework it independently, (a lot like Dean, Palin and Ron Paul). There are massive amounts of viral Obama ads, songs, and artwork.

However, Steele is ignoring the root of Obama's success was the message, not the marketing. Further, he is ignoring that whatever marketing the RNC would have to do will have to compete directly with the DNC/Obama (not Bush with 15% approval rating).

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?v...

This is daily show predicting life.

Black History and the Republican Party

An idea stolen from JJP.

Checked out your site. Very nice. I actually read a book on Blanche Bruce last year -- very good; scratched the surface in terms of what was going on with the Republican party and Blacks during the Reconstruction era. I'm reading about Booker T. now. Very good read as well.

Steele is a horrible, I do mean HORRIFIC, face for the GOP. Sorry, but he is doing more and more damage - as if there was that much left to do - everytime he opens his mouth. I think Meghan McCain is trying to tell y'all something, might wanna listen to her. Coincidentally, when I asked what a "hiphop" setting was, I hadnt read this yet. But it is such an example of how clueless Steele is...what the hell is a "hiphop" setting in the context of political outreach? What does that MEAN?

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0209/Meg...

as a democrat, looking to sweep in 2010 Steele is perfect!!
He is going to do more to benefit Democrats and make the GOP feel disenfranchised from their own party.

As a black face of the party...the base is squirming and scammering and wondering where to go and where to meet up withOUT Steele.

They are going to end up mutinying their own chair...and that is going to cause even more problems..since he is a POC (in appearance only) ...when they denounce him..that is simply going to reaffirmed their anti POC...it is a such a beautiful thing.

God is good!

We can't lose.

Keep up the good work Steeele!!!

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?v...
It means Reagraham Lincool is coming to the campaign stump.

Steele is pure comedic gold, he has absolutely no message discipline and simply says whatever rejoinders come to mind. And gives advise like William Kristol -- that is to say really bad advice really rapidly and then moves on to the next bad peice of advice. (Kristol was Keyes roommate in college LOL!)

I don't think he has thought about what he meant other than saying something like the new republican party is going to be "cool." I think all that b.s. sounds good while someone is on their way to a position -- but once you are there it sounds incredibly lame.

OMG....that was DEAD ON.....LOLOL!! That is what this whole thing feels and looks like! Like a parody of itself!

Hold up....This aired on Jan 15th......didn't SOMEBODY point this out before Steele went all Beat Street with his press conferences and interviews?

They think people are stupid. How you like him now?

You right. White folks only willing to listen Stupid IF it is a white face!!

A black face just says dumb and dumber when he repeats the same stoooooopid shyt that fires up the base...when they see a black face sayin...THEN they think it is stupid!!

halahaahahahaha

Exactly what is a "urban-suburban-hip hop" setting? What does that mean?

Oh, I'm pretty sure the "peace-out" at the end was exactly what she intended it to be, a JOKE - please tell me you know she doesn't normally end her interviews that way.

The people in the projects of Norfolk and Richmond who have never known-or been pushed toward-anything else. Those who keep hearing that "change is coming" and never seeing that change.

The more affluent in Northern VA who are tired of the government hemorrhaging their money.

The church-going gun owner in the suburbs who goes to Bible study on Wed. night and carries his weapon with him on the weekends.

Here in VA, that's some "urban-suburban-hip hop settings."

This little "hip hop outreach" in Virginia will be an EPIC FAIL:

1) La'Quan in the hoods of Richmond and Norfolk knows that the Republicans can't stand her ass. They blame the La'Quans of the world for why everyting is messed up. If only La'Quan would stop having kids, if only La'Quan would get a job, if La'Quan doesn't want to be poor she should just get a better job and if she can't oh well, too sad for her. If only La'Quan were educated and not a stupid ass ghetto bitch who can't think and only wants welfare she wouldn't have voted for Obama... and so on and so forth.

La'Quan in the ghettos of Richmond and Norfolk ain't stupid. The Republicans ain't been coming around, they ain't been listening to her and when they do they want to rap to her and put their message to a hip hop beat? GTFOH with that!

2) The majority of the affluent in Northern Virginia make their money off of the government. No government, no Northern Virginia, so why would the affluent hate on the government?

The affluent people in Northern Virginia living in McClean, Loudoun, Olde Towne Alexandria and Middleburg who are opposed to the Democrats are trying to hold on to their vast wealth and couldn't give a hot damn about the issues of Jose living in South Arlington or Gina living in Fairfax.

The church going gun owner in the burbs is living in the burbs precisely so he doesn't have to deal with black folks period whether it's Ray'Kwan in the hood or Willie the black dentist in the burbs. When Ken the white church going gun owner sees Willie the black dentist or Janice the black lawyer moving into his neighborhood he calls up Long & Foster and moves further out into the burbs where he's sure that Willie and Janice can't afford to live or would be uncomfortable living.

Republican outreach to non-whites isn't about throwing up some hip hop ads on the radio and photo ops in the hood. The GOP has got to do serious, ongoing outreach and they aren't going to do it, because the GOP doesn't care about black people. You've got to develop relationships with people over time...the GOP has NO interest in developing relationships with black folks. NONE.

Michael Steele being up there isn't about "outreach" to blacks and other minorities, he's a fake face to make WHITE folks feel better about the GOP. And this is why the "hip hop outreach" is destined to be an EPIC FAIL.

I feel ya!

But LaQuan that is a church going religious Jesus freak DOES believe in the GOP and they voted for Bush in '04 cause he was a compassion conservative with a faith based initiative.

Couldn't belive it when I heard the sister in the beauty parlor say just that.

"I like Bush, he believes in God"

Almost got my face burned swiveling in my chair to see who had said that!!

Town

You did it again! Daps!

LOL. You and your names...

When I meet you and Monie in person, I hope it's to say that you were both wrong.

LOL.

Here' s the truth D. It is not so much the delivery that has Black people supporting the Democratic platform....it is the MESSAGE and the VISUALS.

I was in junior high school when Gov. Wilder was in office....and I will never forget the pride, even at that age ,discussing the significance of his office, because he was also the first Black governor nationwide to be elected. And this was during a time when King holiday was still referred to as Lee-Jackson-King day, so you know seeing that take place was still a stretch at that time.

It left an impression on me and after that I served in Student Council in high school and was active in Black Student organizations in college.

Will the Democratic party contain a stronghold on Black people...maybe, and I know you are hoping not......but the election of President Barack Obama (D) will have a far-reaching impact on many people of color, especially young people, for years to come. And people will remember him and the party whose ideals he shares...because in the end, he is charismatic, but his message is what has made him admirable...and I think that is something that you all really need to take note of.

D., what Republican/conservative philosophy do you plan on pushing for those who live in Huntersville, Park Place, or the East End of Newport News

On a Saturday? Come on!!

Fiscal conservatism, with an acknowledgement of the GOP's role in the current situation. Can't very well lie to people on that.

We've got a special election coming up here for Commonwealth's Attorney in a couple weeks. Our candidate wants to make representatives of that office available at the city court to represent and assist those who don't have or can't get an attorney. I had a discussion today about how we can work with our statewide candidates to loosen the restrictions on restoring voting rights for non-violent offenders.and I was against that, until someone pointed out the stupidity of the "soft on crime" counter-argument.

That's some examples.

When has the modern GOP been fiscally conservative?
The only thing that the modern GOP has managed to actually do would be on judges / social conservatism.

sorry to jump in here, but I didn't see this post before I responded to you above. I think loosening the voting rights for non-violent offenders idea is a great start...actually, it kind of dovetails with GWB's prisoner reentry program, which I heard was pretty good.

D., look at my newest post upthread.

Thanks for those.

And, seriously, thank all of you. It's my night to cook, so I gotta run for a bit.

This is the type of discussion we in the GOP need to have with the black community.

But the first thing the GOP need to address is its racial history. It is no longer the party of Lincoln. I don't think that the GOP will be successful with its hip hop strategy if it ignores this legacy.

I don't think we should ignore it...but I don't agree that we need to have a reckoning with it.

And I really don't want to do something just for the sake of political expediency, because that's worthless.

I am not talking about political expediency. I am talking about acknowledgment for righting wrongs.

But that's why I've been opposed to someone giving a blanket apology. I get the feeling it will be seen as more pandering, and not taken seriously.

Not to mention that if we do apologize and go right back to pulling the same stunts, we come off worse than we are now.

Follow the Democrats. Redeem yourselves through action.

That's what I said...let's get out and SHOW we're different, instead of talking about how we're going to change.

Exactly. The Democrats was the party of Jim Crow, but now it's the party of multiculturalism.

Damn skippy. The Democrats who hated Lincoln became Dixie Democrats and then after the Civil Rights legislation passed all those racists became what we know to be the
GOP today!!!

You gave three different examples, which I assume represent the three different settings. Which is the urban setting, which is the suburban setting (I THINK its safe to say that's the church-going gun owner who lives in the suburbs) and which is the hiphop setting?

First "hip hop," second urban, third surburan.

Actually 'hiphop' is way more suburban than urban, otherwise JayZ and Shug and Fiddycents would not be multi millionaires!

Wow....You really don't see what you just did. See....this is precisely why Dr. Maddow and Dr. Harris-Lacewell were laughing hysterically...this is why Michael Steele looks like a joke with his "off the hook", "bling-bling" acting. OMG...mercy.

Then tell me.

Y'all don't know this, but minority outreach here in VA is pretty much what I do now. So when you tell me something that's f'd up about the GOP, I'm listening and taking notes.

This ain't a policy argument. So let's talk.

Where is the rock setting? Where is the neo-soul setting?

Okay.

Thank you.

You honestly don't see what you did and that is precisely why this whole "outreach" is just a facade. I can tell you this much, Steele definitely just connected to the "hiphop" community in a big way...I'm pretty there will be quite a few new songs out by summer, all laced with his name and aimed at this "outreach".

Steele is on point. Yall giving hiphop a black face..but the reason it is mainstream is due to white young folks.
They momma;s and daddies' are GOP but their children like hiphop.

This move can work, don't be shortsighted.

I repeat black rap artists are multimillionaires cause those kids looove hiphop...but they are GOP to the core...the party simply has not related to them.

Don't laugh too hard at Steele without understanding the underlying mainstream.

But you know what?

We're talking.

We're not cussing each other out, yelling, screaming. You're offering me criticism, and I'm taking it onboard.

That's how the outreach has to begin. People have tell us where we don't get it, and we have to listen to that info. Armed with that, we make our strategy.

The Republicans also need to address social justice issues.

What ones?

warn Justice and msmartin; I'm about to question someone's blackness




Yes, I did say it! Can't fool me!

You've been saying it. It's just funny...like a lot of things you say. ;)

Two questions:

1. What are they obstructing, exactly?
2. How will you know that your efforts to knock them and other "obstructionists" over have met with success?

Our success in taking our message to the American electorate.

And anyone-in or out of the Party-who'd stay in the way of that deserves to be knocked over.

Do you think young black people are going to be attracted to a party that insult blacks with fake money that have watermelon, ribs, kool-aid & such on it?

Yes.

We have to acknolwedge-not apologize for-where we've screwed up. And those elements who want to continue to screw up, they can join the Maddows of the world.

For the rest of us, it's a matter of finding those who line up with us on any issue-or just one issue-and building a relationship.

You're kidding yourself. You won't reach them. It ain't gonna happen.

Your gall is astounding.

Don't be too quick to discount what he is saying. He is on target.

Those white suburban kids have had black classmates, played sports with them, had them for sleepovers. They dont feel they do not relate to POC.

I asked D if he thought young black people are going to be attracted to a party that insult blacks with fake money that have watermelon, ribs, kool-aid & such on it?

D thinks he can reach them without apologizing for the wrong. And he is delusional. It ain't gonna happen. Or unless young blacks are not their target.

O...I agree with you wholeheartedly...thought you were talking young white kids

Many, most (such as many here) will not accept an apology, and only want to play the blame game to advance agendas. Would an apology be genuine if the giver didn't feel "white guilt"?

We have to acknolwedge-not apologize for-where we've screwed up.


Boy, I hope none of these folks are school teachers! And It doesn't appear that Republicans are good citizens either.

Example #1 Kids

Keith: "Yeah, I bumped Mary and she drew across her art project."
Teacher: Keith, did you apologize to Mary?
Keith: No, why should I? I told you what I did.

Example #2: What about adults?

Dude #1: Dude, you just bumped in to my car and left a dent.
Dude #2: Oh yeah, okay.
Dude #1: Well, damn, but you need to make this right.
Dude #2: No I don't. I told you -- I know what I did and I just told you about. We're straight.

REPUBLICANS.ARE.STUPID.

Thank You, Isonprize.

You know, if we don't, that's fine.

I believe, though, we'll be the better-as individuals and a party-for trying.

God knows we haven't before.

Wait...."We have to acknolwedge-not apologize for-where we've screwed up."

Huh? If you screw up, you apologize for it, not just say "I screwed up."...that's just a statement, it doesn't actually mean you CARE that you screwed up or that you CARE how that screw up effected another party.

OMG....wow.

It's a new generation out here. Acknowleging wrong is acceptable. Being accountable is not the criteria. Afterall, they were still the majority. Mommy and daddy made them apologize but took them home and supported why they were right!!!

We show we care by working to rebuild the ties that were.

We show we care by not engaging in the behaviors of the past, and by castigating-publicly-those who do.

And we let those who have been affected by our bigotry and misdeeds decide if they want to work with us or not.

How does any of that prevent a verbal recognition and apology for mistakes that have been acknowledged as being made?

A no-shitter, and I want you and others to answer honestly:

Would you be more willing to hear Republicans-and more specifically, black Republicans-out if some sort of blanket apology of our past sins were made?

And would you expect the same from other political parties?

Well can Ken Blackwell start apologizing for disenfranchising OTHER "urban-hip-hop" BLACK voters in Ohio.....since while he presided as Secretary of State of Ohio, voting machines were taken OUT of inner-city voting precints, traditionally reliable Democratic votes. And the people stood in the rain, in hours-long lines...an experience I am sure none of them will forget.

I'm sorry, he is/was the devil in that instance....and there is NO excuse to be made for him.

And who is doing the apologizing? A few black Republicans apologizing for the "past sins" of the party, is like
"freed" black Africans apologizing for American slavery.

Doesn't make much sense to me. I'd rather hear a cogent explanation as to how black people can actually be Republicans.

Also, the supposed goal of "limited government" went out the window when George Bush came into.

Bush's smaller Republican administration (NOT! - hell, he created a whole new beauracracy in Homeland Security, but I digress....)
went from a surplus to a deficit.

How does THAT work as one of the core R principles?

I don't have him in my faves or anything...LOL.

I hear you, though. That's an example of where other black conservatives need to have a discussion with him.

Hell yes. If George Wallace can apologize for his past foolishness in public and out loud no one else should be afraid to.

We show we care by not engaging in the behaviors of the past, and by castigating-publicly-those who do.



Not with Sarah Palin klanlike rallies!

Are those still going on?

And keep in mind there's a difference between voicing disagreement and inciting stupidity.

Yes, the Palin Klan rallies are still going on but instead of people coming out to a physical rally they simply turn on the radio and have Klan rallies from 9am to 9pm every day.

Town,

Amen

Say it!

Oh, to the "American electorate". Ok... I thought you meant black people specifically. Speaking of black people specifically (if that's alright with you), how will you know when your efforts to knock over the obstructionists have met with success?

They're included in that.

For me, when people take us seriously and see us as a party that offers viable ideas that, when given a chance to serve, we turn into solutions. When people stop seeing us as a party of exculsion and see us as one that embraces all that believe in our principles, regardless of what they look like.

This is about more than winning elections...our survival as a party transcends that.

When we have our respect back, that battle ends.

Well, most black people in this country won't stop seeing the Republican party as a party of exclusion until they stop being one. And...not being one will involve changing some of those principles.

Right on the first, wrong on the second.

We don't have to compromise what we believe in-free enterprise, limited government, a strong national defense, and faith in God-to draw people to the Party.

Nor should we.

You are dead right for the children of the GOP who were raised by Reagan era parents.

Seeing as how the Republican party also believes in being hostile to civil rights and anti-discrimination laws, they would in fact have to compromise some of what they believe in.

We don't believe that. That's what we've allowed people and organizations to define us as.

I live in the burbs, in Michelle Bachmann's district...and unfortunately, you are dead on target.

Those kids believe in the GOP principles they jsut have not found a viable mans to make it mainstream...but LORD do they EVER believe in those principles.

Yeah...Republican people and organizations.

No, those we've let define our narrative-the Clyburns, Sharptons, Jacksons of the world.

Hey, D.!

..head still up ass, I see.

Not hardly. Just doing my part to uphold my oath.

But fear not; it's just domestic enemies this year.

:)

...who of course would never, ever, consider YOU to be a domestic enemy, so hey- you can have at them with impunity, huh? No, I don't think so, LOL. This thread should had shown you that.:).

Chill. That comment was me returning snark.

I'm waiting on Truth's smart ass response. It's the nature of our relationship.

Strom Thurmond, Jesse Helms, Reagan standing in Philadelphia, MS of all places, proclaiming his affinity for states rights to the delight of the White Citizens Council...please...don't even tell the lie that the GOP has been defined by ANYONE except the GOP

Course it has.

The same way we framed the left as unpatriotic and not willing to keep us safe after 9/11.

Problem is, there's some truth to the narrative you've constructed on us. We played to people's fears and-for a time-it worked.

...and the Thurmans, Helmses, Lotts, Palins, De Lays, Limbaughs, Petersons (as in Jesse Lee), Dukes, Buchanans, (Chip) Saltzmans...

What of the Gingriches, Powells, Rices, Watts, and Reagans?

Reagan and...and...GINGRICH? Are you kidding? Man, you have to be kidding. As for the rest, I'm being real charitable when I say that exceptions don't prove the rule.

But how do you know they're the rule? What do you base that on?

If most other conservatives don't at least call them out, then they are , at the very least, effectively the rule. But, when you consider that most other conservatives don't just fail to call them out, but actually defend them, that lends a whole lot more credence to the belief that they're the rule.

I'll concede there's times where I should've called someone out and didn't.

That still doesn't make that behavior the rule. Honestly, it's the exception...but that what gets put out to America.

ugh he is so embarrassing its not even funny

this was one of the funniest things I've seen in quite awhile. I didn't expect the humor from this subject, but they focused on how absurd Steele was being, and I loved it.

It sure was...especially when Lacewell said PEACE OUT with the V sign!! lol lol

I had to wash up the cat because I spit out diet-Coke. Was NOT expecting such an ending.

Lacewell has a blog I check in with a couple of times or so a week.

That ending was CLASSIC! LOL

Make way for MC Obstruct-A-Lot

I can't wait to see the GOP's hip hop outreach plan.

Be careful what you wish for.

Hayley Barbour greeting Michael Steele, "You my niggah!"

Cole........you stoopid

ROFLMAO!!!! You KNOW you wrong for that!! You know it!! ROFL!!!

Maybe they'll bring back Kid n Play!!

OMG!!!!!! LMAO!!! Peace-out Rachel!!!