Black Republicans Conflicted Over Obama Vote

[AlphaCentauri]

Source: CNN 11Alive

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Polls indicate that about 7 percent of blacks describe themselves as Republicans. Some say they are torn this election between ideology and the chance to make history.

Among the Republicans who attended the Republican National Convention, 23-year-old Claudio Simpkins -- a third year law student at Harvard. His father is a life-long Democrat. But Claudio is supporting John McCain.

He says he knows a number of Black Republicans in a quandary between voting along party lines, versus supporting Barack Obama and the potential to make history with the first black president.

"Did you struggle with it at all?" he was asked.

"I did," Simpkins replied. "You can't deny the historical significance of all of this and Barack Obama is definitely an inspirational figure. He's a role model to me and I know a lot of young black people; young minorities. You can't discount that. But at the same time, historical significance isn't going to make America a better place."

For other black Republicans?

"For me, this election, I have to go with Barack Obama," said black Republican Kevin Ross.



Read more: http://www.11alive.com/news/national/story.aspx?storyid=120883&catid=166

[tridim]

1. Get a freaking clue Conflicted Black Republicans.

:eyes:

[roguevalley]

58. Claudio is a dumbass. Too bad.

[MadMaddie]

2. It's kinda like the House slaves being conflicted over the slaves

in the fields!

What? Yes, I said it! These people really in their hearts want to believe that the Repug Facist machine likes them and wants to include them. Just as Condi has just noticed, not a lot of black folk in high positions in WA just unqualified political cronies.

That's all!

[EFerrari]

21. When Brown was passed, a portion of the black community

was "gradualist". They weren't for fighting to de-segregate right away.

Change is a mofo.

[Psephos]

55. Maybe you should lay off calling them house slaves n/t

[MadMaddie]

60. If you are talking about America's history as I am the

preferred Slaves worked in the Masters house. The others in the fields.

Not sure why I should refer to them any other way that's what they were.

And this was an analogy comparing the current Black Republicans who think they are priveledged above and beyond the rest of Black America.

[still_one]

3. I will make it simple for you, vote the issues. Do you really want 8 more years of bush? /nt

[Xenotime]

59. The choice is pretty fuckin obvious to me.

The issues will also lead to a better way of life.

[Hugabear]

4. They're only NOW conflicted

So what, if there weren't a black man running on the Democratic ticket, they wouldn't be feeling conflicted, but now that there is, suddenly they don't know who to vote for?

[eagertolearn]

5. How can blacks vote for a republican when they have disenfranchised

so many black voters. That was when I "woke up" after the election in 2000. I hadn't watched TV for a year and turned it on a a hotel and watched the NAACP reporting about all the blacks who were not able to vote for one reason or another. I watched it for hours and listened to all their reports and couldn't believe this was happening in America!

[orleans]

6. Claudio Simpkins is a fucking fool.

23 years old, lawyer wannabe, idiot. (he thinks republikas are going to make america a better place? well, HOW LONG IS IT GONNA TAKE FOR THOSE ASSHOLES TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN?)

claudio--you're gonna SUCK at being a lawyer if you're so damn dense. (or are you just gunning for a cushy job at one of their brainless "think tanks?")

[KeepItReal]

18. Word.

'nuff said.

[Owl]

29. Exactly.

[Bake]

33. He thinks the Pukes are going to let him "into the club."

And he is mistaken.

Years ago, I was an MBA student, and not terribly politically astute (because I really wasn't paying attention). I thought the MBA was going to be the "golden ticket" that would get me in the Money Makers Club. I graduated near the top of my class, but found (to my chagrin) that I still couldn't get in The Club. This clown thinks getting a J.D. is going to make him rich enough to need those Republican tax cuts. He may find that he is mistaken.

The Pukes don't let just anyone in The Club.

Bake

[mitchum]

44. He does think that, but they are just going to let him work in the house instead of the fields

[BrklynLiberal]

7. Definition of oxymoron: Black Republican or Gay Republican.

Talk about voting against your own best interests!!!!

I cannot comprehend either of those.

[True_Blue]

8. or women Republicans

[BrklynLiberal]

12. Realistically speaking, you are absolutely right...

[frog92969]

19. Or poor Republicans

Or middle class Republicans.
:shrug:

I don't know why the GOP stays in existence.

[girl gone mad]

20. Conservative Republican, Christian Republican...

We could be here all night.

[JonLP24]

39. Because of their influence over popular culture

The only reason why democrats is in existance is because many people realize the truth, the good for americans, etc they stand for. If they were a tool such as republicans they wouldn't exist because the GOP has such an influence on the media. A woman that opposes abortion even in the case of rape really boggles my mind why this radical even has a chance, but it's because they are very powerful in mainstream politics. I'm sure someone here can explain much better then I can but I hope you understand what I'm getting at.

[Mesteryo]

45. maybe they have money interests...

They hate taxes more than they want to get married.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

48. poor whites is just as oxymoronic, if not more so

most gays/blacks who are republican are wealthy. hence even if they lose on some issues at the end of the day they have more money. so they have atleast one advantage. and a big one at it.

[quiet.american]

9. What is Simpkins smoking?

"...historical significance isn't going to make America a better place." -- But a doddering fool and George Bush in lipstick are?

Well, I guess he can always vote for Alan Keyes. I hear he's giving it a go again.

[melody]

10. Rich people trying to protect tax cuts n/t

[kansasblue]

11. you had me at: 'Black Republicans Conflicted '

[progressivebydesign]

13. WTF? " historical significance isn't going to make America a better place"

and John McCain is going to make America a better place HOW EXACTLY?????

No really.. have these 7%ers been asleep for the past 8 years? Do they honestly believe that somehow if the SAME exact people are running the Country AGAIN, that its going to change? Or are those 7%ers doing so well financially that they don't care if the Country continues on its path to financial DOOM for the poor and Middle class, and they just don't give a shit? Boggles the mind knowing that McCain IS the republican party, and they act like he's somehow different.

It's Bush/Cheney all over again...

[Justess]

14. While I agree

that to vote for McCain, whether black, gay or woman is to vote against their self-interests and the best interests of our country, I know that I, personally, am voting for Obama simply because he *is* the best candidate - and I want my country back.

That said, and with due respect to all - conflicted or otherwise, I also don't believe that race or gender should be *anyone's* reason for voting for a candidate. Maybe those who are now conflicted because they recognize this as a history-making election and wind up voting (again!) against their own best interests will finally and fully wake up if McCain is elected......

as they're loaded onto the trains and led off to the camps (or are shot where they stand); or as everything America has stood for blows up in their faces; or we enter a depression that makes "The Great Depression" look like a Sunday School picnic; or we are embroiled and annihilated in the final "War To End All Wars"....

and they won't be even slightly conflicted anymore. But I'd hope they'll be plenty ashamed that they helped.

Peace

[rooboy]

15. Wow, it's a real news article. I was scouring The Onion looking for this. n/t

[CreekDog]

16. all three of them?

wow.

[LynnTheDem]

17. What, all 3 of them?

I assume that includes Rice.

[Ian David]

22. Along with gay Republicans and Jewish Nazis, Black Republicans are among the dumbest of the dumb.nt

[La Lioness Priyanka]

49. i disagree. some people are just greedy.

[democracy1st]

23. yea like they really give a darn about history LOL

[Captain Hilts]

24. Yeah, but in the meantime, they get on TV a lot!

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[liberal N proud]

26. Black and Republican?

It just makes no sense unless they are some of the very few who have made it above the $5 million annual salary McCain thinks is the top of the middle class.
What have the republicans ever done for the blacks in this country?

[Festivito]

27. It's an understandable percentage.

Between rich blacks, their employees, their social climbers. Considering many live lives without a liberal voice, only a religious voice confabulated with the corporate media.

Among white folk with the same tugs, almost half are so fooled.

Blacks just seem seven times smarter.

[Alexander]

28. Democrats typically win about 90% of the AA vote in presidential elections...

If Obama can push it up to 93-95%, we win.

[Warren Stupidity]

30. All 12 votes are up for grabs! nt

[hadrons]

31. 23-year-old (enlistenment age) Claudio Simpkins doesn't want to be 'uppity' I guess

[YOY]

32. White Democrat (me) not at all.

pretty cut and dry.

[fascisthunter]

34. "Conflicted"... I'd Say That Word Alone Sums it Up

[Leftist Agitator]

35. Black Republicans = Chickens for KFC

[Mesteryo]

36. I'm uncomfortable with this subject...

It seems to me that voting for Obama just because he's an African-American is racist but being glad that a black man is this close to being President isn't racist.

[bunkerbuster1]

38. I can see your point, but...

After a few Presidential elections where black folks are on the ticket(s) I'll be ready to pass judgement on anyone voting for a black person just because that person is black.

For the first time, 145 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, I'll cut folks a bit of slack.

(edited to add)

And welcome to DU.

[Mesteryo]

42. With Obama..

I doubt many people vote for him just because he's black but because he offers a message of racial unity. That's why black Republicans will vote for him more than anything.

[bitchkitty]

37. Black republicans conflicted? I imagine so. n/t

[Canuckistanian]

40. I had to check Snopes for "black Republican"

I thought they were an urban myth.

[Mesteryo]

43. you'd be surprised...

I've seen gay Republicans and Arab Republicans too. They are generally upper middle class people who don't want to pay taxes.

[rocktivity]

41. Politically speaking, your first loyalty to be to YOUR OWN needs

If you genuine think that McCain will do a better job of making your life in particular and America in general a better place, then by all means vote for him!

:eyes:
rocknation

[mitchum]

46. Claudio Simpkins: "Theys stealin taters an a fixin' to run off, Missy!"

fuck him

[La Lioness Priyanka]

47. only 7%? wow. atleast as a group black americans dont vote to spite themselves

other people should learn from that

[mitchum]

50. That's why I always say that African Americans are apparently A LOT smarter...

than white working class Americans.
I wholeheartedly agree with you that "other people should learn from that", but many of those other people are seemingly too stupid to learn.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

51. i find it amusing how we expect black people and gay people and to a degree women

to vote democratic but someone we dont hold poor whites to this standard.

they have just as much, if not more to lose, than a rich black man does, if mccain is elected

i think we just to market correctly

[mitchum]

52. Unfortunately, the poor whites have already been inundated with marketing...

from the gop for quite a long time. The whole "the republican party stands for Jaysus, motherhood, America...Hell Yeah!, don't need no book learnin', keepin' you safe from the scary minorities and perverts, etc..." They have just had all of that nonsense pitched to them for so long (and it is a type of nonsense to which they are very susceptible) that I honestly doubt any counter marketing could turn it around.
Unfortunately (for all of us), Steinbeck's Okies have now become Reagan's Yahoos. And it looks like they will stay that way.

[classysassy]

53. The Oreo

Yo Claudio,get a brain moran(moron),don't forget your sign and bandanna.Why do black and brown people vote for people that don't care about them?,last election,(selection),Ernie Banks and Alex Rodriguez,gave five thousands dollars to the Bush reselection comitte,I'll never root for A-Rod again,and Mr Cub you are so out of touch with your people.

[Stellabella]

54. "Please, sir, may I have another?"

Voting against their own self-interests - seems to be the Amerikkan way these days.

[Imagevision]

56. Claudio baby is a dumbsh*t...

[provis99]

57. well 7% Republican means 93% of blacks aren't Republican

I think black voters have more brains than anyone else in the country. When are all those poverty-stricken gun-and-religion white fools going to get the message that the Republican party ain't for them, either?