Lenny McAllister
+ FollowA Reply to Herman Cain, Conservatism and the Black Vote
No one really digs into why the conservative-leaning Black voter continues to line up staunching behind liberally-tilted Democrats without a glance towards the GOP. At least not beyond the cursory explanations.
Everyone wants to discuss the dynamics of racial politics in today’s America, from explaining the complexities between Latino candidates and voters in 2012 to understanding whether Black voters will support President Obama as much in 2012 as they did in 2008.
Race still matters in America. We can not escape our original sin of race. Whether it is Dr. Michael Eric Dyson arguing the case for Republicans’ fear of a Black man in the Oval Office for another 4 years or discussions from various pundits regarding the ongoing Cain Train derailment, race has the uncanny potential to find itself in each aspect of our lives from politics to sports. Because it does, addressing specific voting blocs still makes a difference in general elections, even when the candidate himself downplays the role of race in American politics and society.
That downplayed reality, more than anything else at a time when Black America is falling into a sub-existence, is why leaving the question of the Black vote and conservative candidates so open-ended (or unchallenged) does both Black Republican candidates and the greater Black community a huge disservice politically.
Perhaps for the most part, Black America has subtly (or, according to some, loudly) answered the “Cain Black Voter Question” that was posed by the Washington Post. Despite what Cain supporters may say aloud, the hidden and quiet truth remains spoken, if by nothing else other than perception: Herman Cain could not win a significant portion (e.g., 20%) of the overall Black vote in 2012, 9-9-9 and all.
Answering the Cain question still leaves the rudimentary issue of Black America and the Black conservative candidate relatively unsettled. Sure, we concluded that Cain could not get the Black vote in 2012 were he to become the Republican nominee, but why? Despite the high rates of unemployment in Black America over the past few years, the Reagan-esque (and coldly distant) comments from President Obama on his approach to helping Black America through the “rising tide” theory, and the incumbent’s condescending remarks when addressing Black voters’ frustration with his economic efforts so far, Cain’s message still is not seen as resonating enough to make a difference.
The lesson learned by Mr. Cain, his supporters and, perhaps, Black conservative candidates that seek the Black vote is simply this: sharing melanin does not equate to sharing a common social understanding or political message.
Translation: if a candidate can’t or won’t speak to the Black vote directly, she or he will never get the Black vote as a conservative.
You can make the case that it may become increasingly true even if you are a Democrat. Looking at the wane of support and influence that the first Black president continues to incur is an example of this bearing out. At a time when more voters are looking for better results at a faster pace, they are less willing to jump patiently through hoops of incumbency and cronyism to see action from government.
Black America, a segment of this nation in the most critical need collectively aside from Native Americans, needs direct accountability from their government at a time when racial disparities are widening. This approach contrasts greatly with the “Cain-sian” viewpoint that many conservatives take: namely, that racism does not hold anyone back in today’s America.
This clash of realities brings about the very obvious problem of getting Black voters to listen to Black conservatives on the campaign trail or within the political realm, primarily because a large segment of conservatives – including leaders such as Mr. Cain – are too quick to uphold their personal triumphs as paramount reasons why a cultural toxin is no longer relevant.
Ignoring the realities of race in modern America or saying that we should all strive to be some unhyphenated American works within Tea Party factions or other parts of the conservative base. Yet, without also explaining to those same conservatives that small government realities will never take root successfully without fixing the issues that make big government necessary in mostly urban (i.e., Black) areas (e.g, bad schools, high crime, and low unemployment opportunities), the rhetoric is only useful for guest spots at events where Black conservatives work to alleviate the guilt and sting of the aftermath of racism.
When Black conservatives turn the corner on actively and collectively speaking to the Black community with a consistent sense of connection, brotherhood, and political sensibility, the Black community will begin to turn their attention towards Black Republican candidates – not a second sooner. Explaining the history of the Democratic Party or highlighting the plight of Black families since the Black vote swung to the Democrats proves to be informational. Building relationships with today’s Black community with spirited compassion and sweat equity over political education will take the Black conservative dynamic in America to another level. Much of Black America wants to leverage conservative politics more often now in order to improve the well-being of their communities and families.
Lately, Democrats have not given these voters a reason not to defect from their progressive voting tendencies. However, Black conservatives – from Cain as a presidential candidate on down the ballot – cannot continue to address the incomplete answer of Black America and the Black conservative candidate with an incomplete effort in fostering genuine, tangible, and long-lasting partnerships that can bridge the nation over troubled waters. Only with these conservatives going “all-in” can we get Black America to be all-inclusive with their political choices in 2012 and beyond.
Lenny McAllister is a political commentator found every Saturday with host TJ Holmes and fellow pundit Maria Cardona on “CNN Saturday Morning” at 10:30 AM Eastern (9:30 Central / 7:30 AM Pacific.) This week’s “Saturday Remix” is now available exclusively on Politic365.
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9 Responses to A Reply to Herman Cain, Conservatism and the Black Vote
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Wm_Tucker says:
"No one really digs into why the conservative-leaning Black voter continues to line up staunching behind liberally-tilted Democrats without a glance towards the GOP."
Smart people realize many times a peer-reviewed study is unnecessary to determine a brick is just a brick. African-American voters have been supporting Democrat candidates because the party's policies align closer with the group's interests than does those promoted by Republicans. Party affiliation is a reflection of economic class sensibilities ahead of other concerns with Democrats representing the middle class and the GOP representing the wealthy. From there, the math speaks for itself — Af-Ams are mostly middle-class.
But Republican candidates don't help matters by avoiding Af-Ams en masse… whenever they aren't antagonizing or scapegoating them. The likelihood of success for token candidates, like Herman Cain, is similarly problematic. Af-Ams aren't in the habit of voting for unprepared, insincere candidates regardless of party affiliation.
There are right-of-center Democrats. They're called 'Blue Dogs'. There are Af-Am Blue Dogs, including Artur Davis and Harold Ford, Jr. This suggests the conventional wisdom that says 'GOP = conservative' and 'Democrat = liberal' isn't wholly accurate, and that 'Black conservative' voices are being heard. Here again, Republicans haven't helped their cause by purging themselves of liberals and many centrists.
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MGPTHOC says:
Blue Dogs are not "right wingers" Allan Boyd, FL was a Dog and voted with liberal MOST the of time. They are yellow dogs. GOP os not conservqtive. Look at top two GOP canidates. About as Big gov't and liberal as you can get. Romney care in Mass. Newt and job killing America NAFTA nad GATT. There is no differnece in their policies than Obama wrong-winged non-working theories.
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DGen says:
Where liberals succeed the black community fails.
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