Republicans wonder why they take such a beating in these precincts on
election day. The only place where President George W. Bush did well on
election night in the Black community in 2004 was in Ohio. Why? Ohio had
a constitutional amendment on the ballot saying that "Marriage is
between one man and one woman." It received a half million more votes in
the Black community than President Bush did. But among Blacks he did
better there than anywhere else. Why? He supported the Marriage
Amendment. Blacks and Hispanics care about this issue and Bush connected
with them.
So why the no-shows at the debate? Few Blacks vote in Republican
primaries so major Republicans skipped it. They figure the Presidential
and Vice Presidential nominees will have six moths between their
nomination and the political conventions to debate their Democratic
counterparts. Nice calculation but it may not work. First, there may be
no invitation. Second, the Democrats, believing that they have the Black
vote locked up, may decline the invitation even if one is forthcoming.
And folks in the Black community may recall this snub. I can't see why
Democrats would agree to a debate after the people have chosen their
respective candidates. It is too big a risk. In politics, as in sports,
nothing is entirely predictable. Last-place teams have up-ended
top-ranked teams.
Hispanics present a different problem. Democrats presently have a large
lead among Hispanics, but neither party has the Hispanic vote absolutely
secure. Following February 5, expect an invitation to be offered and
accepted for a debate before the Hispanic community.
When one party or another neglects a certain segment of the American
electorate it does so at its own peril. The Democrats wrote off the
Values Voters in 2004. They lost. This election they have targeted the
Values Voters and, while they probably won't win them outright, they may
win enough to make the difference.
I wish both Parties would target all the American electorate. No one
should be neglected. The Republicans may pay for what they have done
during the primary season. The Republicans made their choice and they
must live with it. It is always a mistake to campaign for the general
election during the primary season. Janet Folger, one of the best of the
younger activists, organized a Values Voter debate. Again, only
second-tier Republican candidates showed up. No Democrat was present,
although they were all invited. The big boys were too busy campaigning
for the general election. There may be a cost for this neglect. Yes, I'd
like to see top Republicans pursue the Black vote. And I'd like to see
Democratic front-runners genuinely seeking the Values Voters. One can
only imagine.