Heads Up, CBC Critics: The CBC Liberals Who Show Latent Centrism In Specific Arenas

The Congressional Black Caucus is often accused of being staunch liberals and leftists. However, when one breaks them down by the fiscal, social, and foreign policy areas, there is more ideological diversity than we critics think. Using the just-released National Journal rankings, I went beyond the rhetoric and went by how they act via their votes.

The Almost-Moderate

Rep. Donald Payne (D-N.J.) almost made onto the CBC centrist list. Economic: 68% liberal / 32% conservative. Social: 67% liberal / 28% conservative. Foreign policy 85% liberal / 8% conservative. While Rep. Payne is a staunch liberal on foreign policy issues (which kept him off the centrist list), he is a moderate-liberal on fiscal issues and almost reaches moderate-liberal status on social issues.

The Ex-Moderate

Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) used to consistently rank as the most conservative member of the CBC, an honor which now goes to moderate Rep. Davis. Rep. Scott has made shifted left: Economic: 85% liberal / 0% conservative. Social: 75% liberal / 18% conservative. Foreign policy: 59% liberal / 37% conservative. Bookeristas can't look to Rep. Scott anymore on economic and social issues, but he remains valuable on foreign policy issues.

Five Potential Social Moderates?

Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Calif.) is the only one who actually hits moderate-liberal territory on social issues (67% liberal / 33% conservative).

Although she gets her share of criticism by black conservatives, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) is not as all-around liberal as her critics think. While she is a staunch liberal on fiscal and foreign policy issues (85%), she almost reaches moderate-liberal status on social issues (67% liberal / 28% conservative). Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.), Rep. Diane Watson (D-Calif.), and Rep. Melvin Watt (D-N.C.) also just miss being a moderate-liberal on social issues. The trio scored 67% liberal / 28% conservative on social issues.

There is an opportunity for black moderates and black conservatives to push these politicians more towards the center on social issues.

Foreign Policy: The Area Where Bookeristas Can Find Support

However, foreign policy is the area where bookeristas can make headway with the Congressional Black Caucus. This is the area where there is the most ideological diversity within the CBC. Rep. Corinne Brown (D-Fla.) is a staunch liberal on fiscal and social issues, but a moderate-liberal (69% liberal / 31% conservative) on foreign policy issues. Same goes for Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.), but he is a firm moderate on (58% liberal / 41% conservative) on foreign policy issues. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) is a moderate-liberal (69% liberal / 30% conservative) on foreign policy issues. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) is also part of this group (65% liberal / 32% conservative on foreign policy). Even Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), who has lately been criticized by black conservatives for his comments that Southern governors refusing economic stimulus bill were racist, pops up. He is a staunch liberal on fiscal and social issues, but is moderate-liberal (65% liberal / 32% conservative) on foreign policy issues.

Fave Whipping Gal Of Black Conservatives Has Overlooked Moderate Impulses

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), another whipping gal for black conservatives for her outspokenness, is another intriguing case. While she is staunchly liberal on fiscal issues - which is usually where she is outspoken - she is actually a moderate-liberal on foreign policy issues (65% liberal / 32% conservative). Rep. Waters almost reaches moderate-liberal status on social issues as well (67% liberal / 28% conservative). Perhaps it is the growing Hispanic population in her district that is causing her to move more to the center, but she is doing so.

Including the two bona fide CBC centrists, there are 15 Congressional Black Caucus members - comprising 35.7% of the entire 42-member caucus - who are either truly centrist or who possess centrist impulses in certain areas. Bookeristas shouldn't dismiss the CBC outright, but work with these 15 legislators. There's a foundation upon which more commonality can be built.