Friday, December 21, 2007
Posted by:
Kevin McCullough
at
10:48 PM
"I'm only going to say this once. I did not have marching excercises,
with that man...Mr. King, I never did. Not once."
SEVERAL of my readers are asking me to weigh in on the MLK debacle that the Team Romney campaign let come about rather carelessly. MANY are accusing Mitt of waxing Billy-Jefferson on the matter, so here goes...
First off it is easily evident through a simple look at the records that Mitt never "saw" his father march with Dr. King. Libs have already picked up on this and are beginning the whispering campaigns in African American communities across the country.
This is exceedingly, profoundly, negligently, and absolutely painful to Mitt's cause - because as sad as it is to admit it - there are many voters in African American circles who are insulated from the mainstream. So insulated they listen only to "black" radio, "black" television cable. Forget the blogosphere, and "new media" in these circles in Chicago, Philly, Detroit, New York etc. this will now become a problem that he will likely not be able to climb past.
Doubt you all me want on that point, but I've probably done more exclusively black media in the nation than just about any other white evangelical Christian conservative pundit - maybe ever. I've worshipped in more African American churches, I talk to the largest community of church going African Americans in the nation every single day... Doubt me, sure its your choice - but I am not wrong.
Coupled with the fact that Mitt's "faith of his fathers" was openly hostile towards blacks until he was "in college" and if there had never been an MLK flip/flop at all - suspicion, whispering, and lack of trust would have cost him votes to begin with.
Now it turns out that Mitt's exact words weren't true and in election cycles those "read my lips" moments ALWAYS get used against you.
And here's the most horrific part of all of it: IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THIS WAY!
Primarily because George Romney - Mitt's father was such an ardent supporter of Dr. King in so many ways. All courtesy of Geraghty the Indispensable.
1. 1963: Governor Romney Participated In Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Freedom Marches" In Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
2. As Governor Of Michigan, George Romney Fought For Civil Rights And Marched In Support Of Martin Luther King Jr.
3. In 1965, George Romney Led A March In Michigan To Protest Selma.
4. Martin Luther King Jr. "Spoke Positively" About The Possible Presidential Candidacy Of George Romney.
5. George Romney Attended King's Funeral In 1968.
6. After King's Assassination, George Romney Declared An Official Period Of Mourning, Ordered All Flags To Be Flown At Half Staff And Said King's Death Was "A Great National Tragedy."
I mean seriously compare George Romney's response to King's murder as compared to "Rev." Jesse Jackson's plunging his hands into MLK's blood and smearing it on his sweater so that he could claim "mantle being passed."
What Mitt's people should have done from the beginning of this campaign cycle was to as one aspect of his campaign already be reaching out to African American voters - some of which if they registered as Republicans for GOP Primary dates could help him in tight races where a high level of mistrust still exists for many as it related to Rudy Giuliani.
Huckabee's bonafides amongst African Americans is perhaps the highest I've ever seen amongst a nationwide race for office. Mitt has deficiencies on this level - not personally - but caused by the perception of his faith (which HE chose to emphasize), and now the stumble on the facts concerning MLK...
But it didn't have to be...
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Perhaps Mitt should hire HH for press sec now and avoid these types of situations. |
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I am a Huckabee supporter. But this strain out agnat stuff these guys go through is quite a vetting...
It is pretty clear that Mr. Romney's father (although acting against his faith) was quite a supporter of Mr. King.
The problem seems to be that Mitt needs to make up his mind (and his words) more carefully so that he doesn't add any more fuel to his flip-flopping past.
Fair or not, politics is a tough business. |
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How Mitt gets nailed for embelishments,yet Hillary Clinton on a daily basis touts non events and supposed accomplishments as a reason the vote for her for presidents. Her continual plants in audiences trying to bolster her humanized side are beyoung ridiculoaus but she's not being nailed on him. . What Mitt needs to do to win blacks over is show how his economic policies would benefit all.Accelerated job training through vocational or Community colleges which tuition assistence would be one way.The other thing is too come out against fatherless families and teen pregnancy and two key factors for black poverty. He also needs the emphasize that poor blacks are self defeating by their attitudes towards education as "trying to be white". What you do is address these concepts head on and at the same time offer assistence to blacks who want to step up to the plate and put their best foot forward. The old enterprise zone concept put forth for years by the Kempites was a colossal flop and not reality based.This is an issue where you go after converting people one person at a tiem.
The incentives also have to be reversed from getting government assistence for having illegitamate children to one of academic achivement.Black people are distrusting of the system because they believe there's an inherent racial bias against the. The bias isn't racial it's because they have adopted liberalism/victimization indoctrinating spearheaded by the Jesse Jackson types. At the end of the day blacks sadly believe their salvation rests on reparations for slavery.All this would do is perpetuate the current system of victimization.
Finally I would like to see Mitt pick Micheal Steele as his running make should he get the nom.Steele is a tough conservative but he could also give a lot of insight into the black community and could be Mitt's outreach guy to bridge the rift. |
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It certainly makes the ticket young, and dynamic - and if facing an Obama-headed ticket it would be sorely needed.
I also forces Dems to spend money to hold Maryland.
I'm all about flipping colors on the map! |
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Thanks for your insight. It's so original.Lol!!! Another con who knows nothing about the African American community except for what he has heard on Rush and read from a Sowell book. You are a a master at stereotypes. You people kill me.
Also, Michael Steele!!!!!Please. That man lost badly here in Maryland. He lied about the Oreo Incident, lied about Wayne Curry and Elijah Cummings supporting him, and lied about MLK being a Republican. Please run Michael Steele for VP cons. He makes Alan Keyes look sane and credible.
Kevin,
Interesting that you said African Americans are not part of the mainstream. So you have an issue with The Power on XM Radio, Radio One, The Chicago Defender, the Washington Afro, Ebony, Jet, The Pittsburgh Courier??? Why??? Do you not apply the same standards to those who only listen to cons talk radio, read cons papers, and listen to Salem Communications the rest of the time??? I'm sure you don't. Don't play those games ok.
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Look at all the "black only" media you just listed. You're making the point. Insular "talking only to ourselves" kind of media is exactly what was being said... |
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"and if facing an Obama-headed ticket it would be sorely needed"
So the only time the GOP will nominate an African American is when the Democrats are running an Afrcan American also???
Someone is late to the party. Pary of Lincoln and Jesse Helms exactly. |
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Lots of writers have assumed that Mitt's dad went against his faith in actively and openly working to make things more just for Afro American citizens.
I can't say that no LDS people have ever been racist, but I can write that it was never church policy or teachings. It was always understood as a temporary situation and I can't tell you why; I can only speculate that the problems leading up to the Civil War and problems overseas such as in So. Africa and West Africa were part of the big picture.
Remember that one of the reasons Joseph Smith was hated in Western Missouri and Ohio was his anti-slavery position. Since the small church reflected that position at the ballot box, they were shut down (driven out of several communities by fire and mobbing) so they couldn't influence the slavery issue.
Three of my male ancestors were shot point blank just because they were Mormons inside a blacksmith shop at Hawn's Mill, on their way to another community. Just being a Mormon was enough to end your life. LDS people understand the mobbing and hate that is also part of the American Black history.
There have always been Black members of the LDS church. Free Blacks were given lodging at Joseph Smith's own home. See the touching story of a group of Free Black LDS Saints who walked to Nauvoo in the winter. Look up the story of Jane Manning.
Everybody I've ever heard talk about the incredible news that all worthy men could now hold the priesthood burst into tears, just as Mitt did. I did. We were happy!
The LDS church is very strong in some parts of Africa, in the South, and in Brazil where there are growing communities of LDS Saints, led by Black LDS leadership.
I think Mitt was raised in an LDS family such as mine were Black Americans were held in respect.
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The media is not "black only", it is black owned. There is a difference. "White" people subscribe, work for, cal in etc to these media outlets. Also, remember why exactly these media outlets founded ok???
This is not "talkng only to ourselves" sir. It is talking amongst ourselves about issues that are not covered by the mainstream media. I first herard of Jena 6 months before TH or the Washington Post picked it up. I heard about the Sean Bell Case to on Radio One. I enjoy hearing tributes to Mrs. Francis Murphy. I like to read Marian Wright Edelman, George E Curry, and Deborah Mathis. I like to heard Ambrose I Lane and Joe Madison.
Again, do you hold the same standard to conservatives who immerse themselves only in Rush, Hannity, TH, and the National Review??? Aren't you guilty of the same thing?? |
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"black" television cable."
Um yeah. Not exactly. If you mean BET,well it is owned by Viacom and has ceased to have any sort of news division whatsoever. They used to have BET Nightly News with Jacque Reid that folded in 2005 with new management. So how could anyone find out about Romney on BET??? Did he appear on 106&Park???
If you mean Black Family Channel, well they folded as of April 27 of this year. They are supposed to broadcast via the Internet, but as of 2 minutes ago, this has not occurred yet. Coming soon!!!!
Finally, you must mean TV One right?? They are the only black owned cable station as of today. But wait, they don't have a news program either. One on One with Kathy Hughes only interviews celebrities. Sharp Talk with Al Sharpton hasn't had a new episode in over a year.
SO AGAIN, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT????? |
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But you're still a funny guy...
And a good sport at that...
Many of those outlets you listed I have been on, and the fact that I'm the only Conservative Talk Radio voice that has been on most of them is telling.
Yes I have spoken back to the industry about the "black" dilemma.
In talk radio - neither Rush nor Sean will go anywhere near "African American" topics unless it is absolutely A-LIST top story. Anything outside of slot A on the news rankings and they will punt.
I don't.
I spent an entire chapter in my first book dealing with this. And my book was laid out as the ten most important core principles to my brand of conservatism.
But I come by this naturally. I adopted a special needs Haitian-American boy many years ago who has darker skin than most African Americans.
His world - without disability - would have been a logistical nightmare, adding to it the additional struggles he faces - some every single day and you understand where a father's heart goes soooo much deeper.
NO - GOP shouldn't judge the race of our candidates by whether the Dems run a black man or not.
My correlation to the Obama campaign - was one of YOUTH and VIGOR not racial makeup.
A Romney/Steele ticket would have a much more energizing look to it than say a Romney/McCain ticket. Because both men are relatively young.
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One last thing...
Insular communication is NOT unique to the black experience in America. It's just more pronounced there than anywhere else.
For instance the "conservative" radio station I'm on in New York - employs better than 50% African Americans.
WVON in Chicago - does not have 50% emmployment of whites.
My audience - a "conservative, christian" audience is 41% African American. It should be noted by the way that when you remove the faith related influence of other media the percentages get even more pronounced.
WVON in Chicago comes nowhere near that close.
And even though African Americans are not overly active on the blogosphere (as of yet - in time I know that will changes in terms of dominant percentages) there is another unique aspect of African American culture that still proves that "whispering campaigns" work in the AA circles.
It's sort of this "Underground Railroad" effect that has never truly diminished since the Reconstruction era.
When something happens IN an almost exclusively African American context, the African American segment of the population of the nation learns of it faster - and in many cases nearly immediately vis-a-vie word of mouth.
Without ANY major media coverage - the story, details, and unfortunately even spin - does circulate in nearly lightening like speed.
That's why this blunder about Mitt's "exact words" being accurate - in my mind will damage him in ways that would require the moving of mountains to change the perceptions of. |
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I applaud you for going on outlets like Radio One, XM The Power 169, etc. I really do. Do you subscribe to any of the periodicals I mentioned?
As for Rush and Hannity, they seem so unaware and hostile to any issues pertaining to African Americans. When they do focus on A List issues, they seem to rely upon stereotypes, personal biases, and conservative talking points. Talk about being insular. I would suffice to say that cons take the cake. O’Reilly’s comments really show a problem.
As for your son, I again applaud you for that. It takes a big man to do what you are doing. Great job. I hope you also know that your son, even with special needs, may encounter some bigotry/racism that comes with being black in America. I come from a mixed race family (my grandfather is German Irish/rest of family is African American), but what people see first and foremost is non white skin. Let me tell you, It ain’t easy. This isn’t me wallowing in “victim hood” as some cons love to say: it is the truth. My prayers go out to you and your son.
As for the GOP, I have a very negative opinion of your party for various reasons. I mean, GWB and his Posse ain’t exactly helping much to sway my opinion. Neither did Ronny Reagan or Newt Gingrich. Did I forget Strom Thurmond? Do I think the GOP is evil? No. Do I think the GOP is not as inclusive as the Democratic Party? Hell yes. Do I feel that African Americans can not be conservatives? Of course not. African American conservatives have existed forever. Would I ever vote Republican? Probably not. The Democratic Party fits up with my interests, not to say that we are perfect. Lord knows Hilary, Nancy, and Harry are trying my patience.
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As for the Michael Steele, I have a very negative opinion of him. Seeing his campaign in Maryland really turned me off of him. I will never forget riding past a local mall called PG Plaza seeing these signs “WE R NOT SLAVES TO THE DEMOCRATS” and volunteers passing out bogus literature saying 3 of the biggest Democrats in Maryland were supporting Mikey. Yuck is all I can say. Stay away from Mikey, he is not perfect.
As for Romney, he really does have a credibility problem. I think he is a flip flopper. He has conveniently changed his positions more than Diana Ross used to change outfits/wigs during a concert. However, I do think he has been unfairly attacked for his religion. Again, I don’t care what religion you are. Just be up to the job of leading all Americans. I vote for any candidate regardless of their religion except for Satanic worshippers.
As for your listening audience, that is great. I used to be a fundamentalist Christian for most of my childhood and early adult life. I left for various reasons, including seeing the way fellow African Americans forced our gay choir director out of our church. That struck me so hard because I could not believe that with all the stuff our people have gone through, we could be as hateful as those who opposed us for so long (and even now). Dr. King and especially Mrs. King always taught that hate toward anyone cannot be tolerated in the “Beloved Community”. We need to remember that.
While I am not your core intended audience, I will check out your show someday soon. As for you book, how would I get? I would love to read it. I can read conservative authors up to a certain point. Reading Thomas Sowell made me question why he was so beloved. Reading Robert Bork almost made me puck. LOL!
Thanks for being a good sport. Merry Christmas. |
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Accroding to Zogby, Huckabee beats hillary while Mitt and thomspon lose to her:
The telephone survey included 1,000 likely voters nationwide and carries a margin of error of +/– 3.2 percentage points. The poll was conducted Dec. 12–14, 2007.
Democrat Hillary Clinton of New York would defeat Romney by a narrow 46% to 44% margin and Thompson by a 48% to 42% margin.
She would lose to Huckabee 48% to 43%, to Giuliani 46% to 42%, and to McCain by a 49% to 42% margin.
The data suggest that Clinton has improved her position slightly. A November Zogby Interactive poll showed her losing by small margins to all five of the top GOP candidates.
Romney Huckabee Giuliani McCain Thompson
Clinton Clinton leads 46%-44% Huckabee leads 48%-43% Giuliani leads 46%-42% McCain leads 49%-42% Clinton leads 48%-42%
Democrat John Edwards of North Carolina would beat Romney, Huckabee, and Thompson, but would lose to Giuliani and McCain, the Zogby survey shows.
Romney Huckabee Giuliani McCain Thompson
Edwards Edwards leads 50%-38% Edwards leads 47%-41% Giuliani leads 45%-44% McCain leads 46%-42% Edwards leads 51%-35%
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The GOP has already been getting the votes of Blacks who believe in such things as self-reliance, sexual morality, the nuclear family, limited government, and the rule of law. Here's what the GOP would have to do to get the rest of the Black folks to vote for them.
1. Confess that they personally have been racists. Denounce virtually every Republican President and member of Congress for the last 50 years as racists.
2. Declare that they are going to atone for their racist crimes by passing legislation to pay reparations to all people of African descent in perpetuity.
3. Release all Black convicts from prison since most of them were falsely convicted by a racsit judicial system.
4. Pass legislation requiring that Blacks can only be convicted of violent crimes if their victims are Black, that Blacks can only be arrested by Black police officers, prosecuted by Black prosecuters, judged by Black judges and jurors.
5. Give speeches extolling the virtues of teen pregnancy, of giving birth to multiple children from multiple "babydaddies" without ever marrying any of one's "mens," and of flooding the schools and the streets with feral teenagers who have never known the discipline of a strong, responsible father.
6. Work to introduce and pass legislation making it a capital crime for a non-Black to utter the word "n-gg-r," and licensing all Blacks to be permitted to stomp to death any non-Black who has used the word.
This wouldn't get a majority of the Black vote since old voting habits are hard to break, but it might pull in a few extra percentage points.
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Huckster and current Zogby numbers suspect at best |
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It's pretty obvious that Romney can tell a lie off the cuff as fast as Bill Clinton! |
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