Cobb

If Blacks Democrats listen to Al Sharpton about one thing, they should listen to Sharpton about their party.

And Black Republicans should be demanding that white Republicans clean up the mess that white Republicans made.

Then things would happen.

I can't speak for the Dems, but that's what's happening here in black Republican LA.

In the end, I wonder how much of this would be solved just by telling folks about the George Washington School of Political Management? I sent one of my students there this year, and I'm willing to bet that not only is the school lilly-white, but that over the last ten years the number of black applicants has been in the single digits.

but that's what's happening here in black Republican LA.

Can you provide URLs for this? I'd like to see it.

All I can do is tell you about the California College of Republicans of which I am a member. That there are a number of black officers in this grass roots Republican club that are in constant contact with the party, and that I get my information about the party from them. I wrote here about the last meeting I attended where I met people from the Bush campaign and related their attitude.

So what I'm saying is that my recent personal experience with white leadership in the California GOP is a kind of 'can I touch your hair, where have you been all my life' kind of attitude. What we and they are looking for are ways to get significant black candidates and appointments. Right now, the biggest problem seems to be, where can we find intelligent, sensible blackfolks who have the time.

Somebody could pick up the phone today and say Michael, I want to appoint you to this whatever office in Arnold's staff - and I'd have to say no, I don't have time to take off from running my business to do so. Well do you know any other blackfolks who could do this. Yes I do, but they have 9-5s and families too. Well do you know any independently wealthy black men or women who are conservative who might do this - yeah ward connerly.

On the other hand, there were several middle aged and older black women in the room who work part time and had years of experience with non-profits who were down to contribute even though there's no way they would be charismatic candidates or particularly strong political appointees. There were feisty old black men too, one of whom had run for several offices but never won. So the way I see it is that we have a supply problem, not so much a demand problem.

Cobb, you are exactly right. I am sitting on my ass (by the way, it was I who wrote the article not S-Train but he shares my views). And I'm done sitting on my ass about both parties. I'm motivated now. And I know words are just words until action BUT I now have to do something, since my disgust level has risen way to high for me to function. I got to channel this into "something positive".

I see what you black Republicans are doing in L.A. and I admire your drive to change the Republican Party. Now I have to do something also cause sitting on my ass is useless.

Sorry about the misattribution. I browsed it and saw "Top Billin': Cobb" and took that to be an S-Trainism. But I really do feel that anger about the churh meetings. In fact, this goes way back with me to the Ed Rollins incident in New Jersey way back when.

So here's what I posted to S-train's comments:

OK so Edwards is my homeboy and yes he came to my black church before all of this happened...but excuse me, that doesn't mean we "swoon" and follow him blindly because of his purtty smile, nice hair and small town boy stories. We know the two Johns are basically 2 very rich white guys--same ole, same ole. Give some of us in the black church some credit.

No disrepect Sandra, but I've got to be blunt about this idea. Congregations are not deliberative bodies.

I'm going to take this idea to the top. Look for Nacho Cheese.