Are there any African-American senators?

[ibegurpard]

I've been racking my brains and other than former Senator Carol Moseley-Braun, I can't think of one, at least recently.
I wasn't aware until today that Barack Obama was black...it would be great to have another African-American returning to the Senate in Moseley-Braun's old seat.

[terrya]

1. None right now. We in Illinois hope to change that in November.

[patdem]

2. None zero zilch nada...WOW..Obama black...good!!! I did not know

til i read your post!! MAY HE WIN..dick ditka!!!

[calico1]

3. Never been one. Obama would be first one.

[terrya]

4. Before Carol Mosely Braun, there was Edward Brooke, a Republican...

from Massachusetts.

[ibegurpard]

8. When was that?

eom

[terrya]

10. In the 1970's, I believe.

Late 60's - early 70's.

[demosincebirth]

23. Edward Brooke

was whiter than snow. He never related to blacks...he was also a republican.

[ibegurpard]

5. Wrong. Carol Moseley-Braun.

Whose old seat Barack Obama is running for...that would be a small measure of poetic justice.

[R3dD0g]

7. CM Braun

was a senator from IL. She was first since days of Reconstruction, when there were several. I believe Arkansas had one for a short time after the Civil War.

[calico1]

13. I stand corrected. How could I forget Carol?

Duh.

[slappypan]

9. not the first

Carol Moseley Braun represented Illinois in the Senate 1992-98, and I believe there was another black Senator in the late 19th century.

[attaturk]

20. Ed Brooke

Edward Brooke (just awarded a Medal of Freedom) was a two term Senator from Massachusettes from 1966 to 1978.

He was the First, and until Mosely Braun, only African American Senator since reconstruction.

Brooke was also a Republican of the now all but defunct Rockefeller wing.

[Kanary]

6. With any luck, Colorado will have one after November!

If I have anything to say about it, and if any of my efforts make a difference, Mike Miles will be Colorado's African-American Senator!!

:hi:

Kanary

[qwlauren35]

25. I think there's another one running as well.

I believe the most critical candidate that needs our support
is Arthur Morrell, candidate for U.S. Senate in Louisiana.

http://www.morrellforlouisiana.com/

[Kanary]

26. Since I'm from Colorado, I'm giving all my support to Mike Miles, but

please tell us more about ARthur Morrell. (Yes, you gave the website, but it helps to have a personalized view.)

Kanary

[madinmaryland]

11. In addition to

Carole Mosely-Braun, I beleive there were a couple of African American senators elected in the south during the reconstruction years after the Civil War (approx 1866-1876). I don't believe any were elected after that until Ms. Mosely-Braun.

Will check to see if I come up with anything.

[Sandpiper]

12. None, and in order to keep one from winning

The GOP wants to run the biggest neanderthal, macho man, white guy they can get, Mike Ditka.

[in_cog_ni_to]

14. Obama is about to change the fact

that there's no African American Senators because he WILL win. Ditka doesn't have a chance in hell of winning in Illinois. I guess they figure if the celebrity thing worked for Ahhhhnold, it will work for Ditka....WRONG. :bounce:

[aden_nak]

15. Nope. And there have only been 4. Ever.

[AirAmFan]

22. Exactly right! Take the word of Manning Marable,

a dean among African-American scholars

From http://www.manningmarable.net/works/oct02d.html :

"Since the founding of this nation, only four African Americans have served in the U.S. Senate

Hiram Revels and

Blanche K. Bruce, representing Mississippi during and immediately after Reconstruction,

Edward Brooke of Massachusetts,

and Carol Mosely Braun of Illinois.

Only two blacks have served on the Supreme Court--Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas."

[aden_nak]

27. And Clarence Thomas is a fucking disgrace to the bench.

And Clarence Thomas is a fucking disgrace to the bench. So that only leaves one I can respect.

[genius]

16. No Former (CMB) but not current.

[Moloch]

17. There was...

J.C. Watts (R-OK) but he retired recently, most likely because he was sick of being paraded around as the GOP poster boy for it's "inclusiveness"

[DURHAM D]

18. JC WATTS - HOUSE NOT SENATE

ALSO THIS IS A REPEAT - BROOKE FROM MA. - REPUBLICAN.

[Padraig18]

19. Edward Brookes from MA WAS one, years ago...

A moderate Republican...

[kerrywins]

21. no

[bhunt70]

24. This is weird, I was talking to a friend about this today.