First Black Party Chief Undermining Outreach To Black America?

Asks James Richardson over at The Skepticians blog. At last week’s annual conference of the Young Republican National Federation, RNC Chairman Michael Steele (pictured) joked that he would woo potential black voters with “fried chicken and potato salad,” prompting criticism from some prominent black Republicans that the G.O.P.’s first black chief was undermining outreach to the black community (hat tip: Ali Akbar). Asked how he intends to attract “diverse populations” to a party bereft of minority coalitions, Mr. Steele replied, “My plan is to say ‘Y’all come,’ because a lot of you are already here.”

Noting that 95% of black voters nationwide supported President Obama in last year’s general election, black Republican strategists caution that saying “y’all come” won’t cut it. Ali Akbar, a young Georgia Republican and online consultant, warns there is something more fundamental to courting minority voters than merely rolling out the welcome mat. “We have issues of tone, recognition of economic and social circumstances, and to be frank, we’re not talking about how our policy initiatives directly benefit the African American community”, he said.

Some say Mr. Steele’s critics are missing the forest for the trees. Sean Conner, formerly the RNC’s outreach press secretary, insists Mr. Steele is laying a solid groundwork for increasing the GOP’s share of black voters. “First, he’s ensured that the Coalitions Department isn’t just activated six months before an election; secondly, he’s having conversations with diverse folks from across the nation (including the Urban League, the NAACP, and black Republican activists); and thirdly, he’s stood up to address issues important to many African Americans – i.e., small business creation, the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship, etc.”

Dr. Ada Fisher, one of four black RNC members and a former endorser of Katon Dawson’s unsuccessful bid for chairman, maintains the “relationship between the black community and Republicans has always been solid for those of us who are here.” But just what qualifies as “here” is up for debate, though. Asked whether Republicans should be encouraged, given the party’s rocky relationship with the black community, by the fact the committee boasts four black committee members, or whether Republicans might be embarrassed by the fact the committee boasts only four black committee members out of one hundred and sixty-eight total posts, Dr. Fisher responded with an interesting question of her own. “How many members of the Democratic hierarchy are black? Does that deter blacks from voting for them? No,” she said, answering her own question. It turns out there are more than four – ninety-two, actually. And they also happened to have a black presidential candidate.

Republican strategists, the chief among them being RNC Chair Michael Steele, must recognize the cumulative disadvantage Republican politicians face when courting the black vote. A good ol’ G.O.P. hootenanny with collards, fried chicken, and potato salad isn’t likely to reverse the affects of years of tone-deaf outreach. And neither is an African American chairman, for that matter. The party chief’s strategy of “Y’all come meet the Colonel for some finger lickin’ fried chicken” and the party activists’ strategy of “We’ve got one, too” are both missing the same element fundamental to minority outreach: meaningful dialogue.

Booker Rising response: African American Conservatives blog wrote an open letter to Mr. Steele taking issue with his remarks, which has generated debate on the AAC blog.