The moderate Republican political consultant in D.C. argues that the lack of racial minorities in authoritative positions within the GOP is at the root of its electoral problems: "The sad and unforgivable part was [Mitt] Romney and his
team were not even cognizant that they had no people of color on staff.
Republicans are so used to hiring all of their friends and children of
their friends, that they have truly become colorblind or just blind to
people of color. Let me be clear: When I say on staff, I mean people with hiring
authority, budgetary control, or the ability to get a meeting with the
boss put on the calendar."
More: "But, it’s not just Romney. The RNC [Republican National Committee], under Reince Priebus, has no
Blacks or Hispanics in powerful staff positions; the House Campaign
Committee, under Congressman Pete Sessions? Ditto. The Senatorial
Committee, under Sen. John Cornyn? Ditto. So, this issue of lack of
diversity is a structural thing that permeates every level of the
Republican Party."
Mr. Jackson ain't done just yet: "The second biggest loser was Black Republicans. The harshest
criticism of me has come from Black Republicans who are looking to be
validated by Whites in the Republican Party (most of them are in Texas,
Florida and the D.C. area). Whites in the party know they can count on
them to validate the most extreme behavior and rhetoric coming out of
their mouths. I believe I am the only Black Republican with a national media
platform who called for Romney to remove John Sununu as national
co-chair of his campaign because of the racist language about President
Obama. I am the only one who harshly criticized Romney and Priebus for
not having any Blacks or Hispanics on staff. I am the only one who
criticized Romney for speaking before the NAACP without having a message
or anything substantive to say."
Raynard Jackson: "Even In Defeat, Republican Leaders & Prominent Black Republicans Still Don't Get It"
