Black Delegates Are Rare At GOP Convention

Hell, I'm at the GOP convention. Two days ago, I mentioned that I've seen few black delegates. It hasn't been easy tracking down black delegates - not staffers, not special guests, not other black bloggers, but actual delegates - for just a few moments to speak with them. Apparently I'm not the only one having trouble because I've been asked a few times if I'm a delegate.

Anyway, the Joint Center for Poliical and Economic Studies states that this year, far fewer blacks are participating in the Republican National Convention than in 2004, in part because Sen. Barack Obama is attracting their support. Of the Republicans' 2,380 delegates, only 36 are black, a 78% drop from the GOP's 2004 convention and the lowest number in 40 years. Kentucky and Indiana have no black delegates or alternates at this convention. Four years ago, Kentucky had two black delegates and Indiana three.

The report said Sen. John McCain "is very likely to receive a historically low share of the black vote -- lower even than the last Arizona presidential nominee, Sen. Barry Goldwater, who received only 6% of the black vote against Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964." The report didn't blame Sen. McCain, who it claims has largely been a "stranger" to black voters. "Rather, his lack of support will be a reflection of Sen. Obama's historic candidacy, the deep and genuine enthusiasm for him in the black community, and Sen. McCain's association with President Bush, an exceptionally unpopular figure among African Americans," it said.

Twenty-four states have no black delegates or alternates, according to the Joint Center report. Only three states have more black delegates than in 2004. There is only one black -- former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele -- with what the Joint Center considers a "prime" speaking role, and only one black on the convention's powerful credentials committee.