Republicans Trot Out Pet Negroes Michael Steele & JC Watts to Criticize Howard Dean
Republican Outreach to Blacks? Not with Policies -- Just Schemes
This is trifling. Simpleton Republicans pretending to care for the welfare of Blacks are crying out to anyone who will listen that Howard Dean made racist comments to the Black Cacus last week (See below). Problem is they have NO legitimate messengers. They bring out MD Lt. Governor Michael Steele, former Congressman JC Watts, David Almasi (a self described "Black republican leader" who is a white man - for real) and some Black staffer who works on the hill - a staffer. These folks represent no one. They have no Black constituents and no substantial Black membership. As Ron Walters stated, "Black conservatives do not have a mass constituency in the Black community or linkage with institutions indigenous to Black America. Nor have they sought to build such a constituency, or such linkages. Rather, their role is not to lead Black people but to lead White opinion about Black people."
- Once and for all Michael Steele is NOT an elected official. No votes in Maryland were cast for him. Republicans and their media seem to be breezing over this fact. Unlike lieutenant governors in states like Virginia, Colorado and California who are actually voted into office, Steele was selected to his post. While his name appeared on the state ballot as the running mate of Robert Ehrlich, the 2002 GOP gubernatorial nominee, voters in Maryland could only cast ballots for gubernatorial candidate and had no direct involvement in Steele's selection. Lieutenant governor candidates in Maryland are usually chosen for their ability to help the gubernatorial candidate win the support of some segment of the state's voters. [more]
- Steele's presence on the GOP ticket had little effect on Black voters in Maryland. According to a Washington Post analysis of that election, Ehrlich's Democratic opponent, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend "claimed nearly nine out of 10 black votes". That was the same percentage the Democratic candidate got in the previous two gubernatorial elections, which were won by Democrat Parris Glendening over Republican opponents who selected white men as their lieutenant governor running mates. [more
] Steele is simply Erhlich's sidekick, a broke ass flavor flav, smiling all the time like some old sambo negro - a Snigger [more]. Instead of creating policy to benefit minorities in Maryland, such as fulfilling his promise 'to do something about the unequal administration of the death penalty' in MD [here], which he has stated he has not had time to do yet, he is the GOP's pawn -- used as a prop in their schemes. Go away. Brother please get it together. Don't pimp your people.
- Howard Dean's Comments. At a Democratic Black Caucus meeting last week he said, quote, 'You think the Republicans could get this many people of color in a single room? Only if they had the hotel staff in here,' end quote. And in a joint statement, [MD LG] Michael Steele and [ex-Rep.] J.C. Watts say they are outraged over the insensitive and intolerable remarks. ... The chair of the caucus says Dean's remarks were well received, insisting they were, quote, 'A statement of fact' and Steele and Watts are blowing things out of proportion" ("Fox News Special Report," 2/16).
- Republican Black Staffer Speaks Out! : Sen. GOP communications director Robert Traynham on Dean's remarks: "You know what's interesting? As we celebrate Black History Month, it's very unfortunate, and I'm very saddened that Howard Dean made those comments. I don't work in a hotel staff. And I'm the highest-ranking African-American staffer on the Republican side of the Senate. ... Howard Dean should be ashamed of himself for saying something like that. It's a slap in the face against all African-Americans. No question about it" ("IP," CNN, 2/16).
- Steele and JC Watts on Dean's comment: "We are simply outraged," Steele and Watts said in a joint statement. "Dean equates African Americans who support Republicans to 'hired help.' . . . Democrats wonder why they are losing electoral ground among African Americans and other minorities. They need to look no further than the comments of their newly elected leader." "I think it is rather presumptive to presume that the staff in the hotel is African-American. It's just that mindset that still exists and in some parts of America and certainly within the party, Democratic Party that says, you know, we've got your vote. ... We can say what we want to say and do what we want to do. And there's no accountability. If I or another Republican had made a statement like that, it would be all over the place. And so the reality is for me, when I read that and hear it, it's offensive, because what it says is you don't see me in any other role." "I don't think Howard Dean is a racist. I would never classify Howard Dean as a racist based on his public statements, but Howard Dean is a little bit insensitive and Howard Dean is a little bit presumptive to assume that he can stand before a black audience and make that type of a quip" ("Hannity & Colmes," FNC, 2/16).
- Steele and JC Watts Defended Trent Lott's Racist Comments: Steele said "I know Senator Lott personally and understand him to be compassionate and a tolerant statesman". Retiring GOP Conference Chair J.C. Watts said the comments "went too far" but were "appropriate to the forum": "I took his comments as complimentary humor that often accompanies personal tributes. His comments were as serious as the venue at which they were delivered -- at a birthday party" [more]
"Black" Conservative Leader David Almasi Condemns Dean's Comments. Almasi, who is the executive director of Project 21, "an African-American moderate and conservative group" said, " I think it shows taking the black vote for granted is not going to work anymore. And what Howard Dean did the other day, I don't think is going to help his cause anymore." An article states, "the black conservative leader believes that many African-American citizens are particularly displeased with the way many liberals seem to count on their votes while discounting their voice." [more] This propoganda is a joke because Almasi is actually a white man. He is not a "Black leader". In fact the entire executive board of Project 21 is white! [more] Their website asserts that Project 21 is the "leading voice of the African-American community." [more]
- Ex-Rep. Tony Coelho (D-CA): "There were about 200 people in the room. These are all black members of the Democratic Caucus, the Black Caucus, they gave Howard Dean a standing ovation. Donna Brazile today, who is the daughter of a hotel worker, she said she saw nothing wrong with it. You know, the only people that are screaming about it are people like you and the governor and a few others. It's not even on the news wires today. So you're trying to make something out of nothing" ("Hannity & Colmes," FNC, 2/16).
- Black Folks Don't Spin Easily Baby. The readers of prominent media personality Tom Joyner's web site overwhemingly say Dean's remarks were " simply an accurate observation " - I guess this shows that black folk don't spin so easily , that the GOP tried to do it on the cheap or both.Howard Dean's comments were certainly "racially charged..." But were his comments racist? :
- Yes, any characterization that supposes stereotypes is inappropriate 15 %
- No, his characterization was simply an accurate observation 61 %
- Plain and simply, that was not the right time or place to say what he said. 22 % [more]