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| Tim Scott is cool to the idea of joining the CBC |
From liberal website Politics365: "As Election Day edges closer, and the chances of a GOP takeover appear imminent with each passing poll, longtime observers of Black political trends are sensing the potential for a sudden spurt in Black Republican Congressional Members. And, it’s an important question should Republicans regain majorities in Congress, presenting a challenge for the CBC if its members need to leverage GOP leadership to gain traction on issues critical to their core constituencies. Is there a paradigm shift on the horizon? 'It marks a beginning of a potential shift, but it does not necessarily mean a new shift for Black people and politics, particularly a shift back to the Republican Party,' says conservative commentator and author
Lenny McAllister in comments to
Politic365.com. 'Black people must see people that reflect their current conditions, not just how they look physically, in order to walk the road back to the GOP and, perhaps, political balance within Black America.'"
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| Ryan Frazier: "I'd consider it" |
The piece continues: 'Half the message is showing up,' says [Ryan] Frazier, a 31-year old Aurora, CO city councilman who is generating some excitement among African Americans in the Denver metro area. 'I look at it as an issue of engagement. The Republican Party has no choice but to expand the demographics if it is to survive. My job is to engage all communities.' A key question is whether candidates like Frazier will embrace the 42-member, all-Democratic CBC should they win. 'I would absolutely entertain it,' says Frazier. 'There needs to be a diversity of ideas on how to move our country forward, particularly as it relates to Blacks and Hispanics.'"
More: Sources close to [Allen] West are fairly certain he’ll decline or boycott an invitation to the CBC in the event he wins, some raising the specter of a very ugly spat between the very outspoken retired military officer and a Caucus used to showing public solidarity. West is often criticized for his stands on race, at one time claiming that 'institutional racism is dead.' 'I don’t think that it’s a good idea to boycott,' says McAllister. 'There is no possibility for true advancement, development, or higher efficacy for the CBC in advocating for Black folks in America if there is not the much-needed competition of philosophies within it.'"
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| Would Allen West join...or boycott? |
The article continues: "The Caucus has been down this road before, accommodating Members like one-term U.S. Virgin Islands Del. Melvin Herbert Evans (R) back in 1979. And, there was the very public feud in 1994 between lone Black Republican Gary Franks (R-CT) and CBC Members angered by his conservative views. Then Caucus Chair Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) settled the issue, at least temporarily, by asking: 'Can the
Congressional Black Caucus accommodate diversity and plurality? It must. And as long as I am chair, it will.' The prospect of a fresh round of fights with Black Republicans doesn’t sit too well with Black Democratic Members. When Rep. J.C. Watts (R-OK) arrived in 1995, the last Black Republican to serve in Congress, the former college football quarterback declined the invitation to join the CBC, spurring controversy during his three terms. Many Black Republicans claim he was pushed out."
Booker Rising response: These guys first need to get elected in November (although Tim Scott is virtually guaranteed to win his seat).
Allen West has previously stated that he'd consider joining the CBC....unless things have changed since July. These guys will disagree with at least 80% of the CBC's policy positions. It is unlikely that they will change the socialist-minded CBC. However, it might be good for them to join the CBC for two reasons: (1) be a regular thorn in the CBC's side to demonstrate that liberalism and Democratic politics don't represent the views of all blacks. Only 10% of black Americans self-identify as Republican. However,
21% of black Americans support a smaller government with fewer social services and
31% claim to be conservative) and (2) test the CBC's arguments of promoting "diversity" in America. Since a crowd is better than a lone wolf in the CBC, these guys ideally should either join the CBC together or decline together. Another option is forming their own caucus. E.g.,
Hispanics have two Congressional caucuses (based on party affiliation, due to policy differences).
Discuss "Will Black Republicans Join The Congressional Black Caucus?" post here.
