Does Kerry Campaign Reflect Kerry NAACP Diversity Passion?

[WiseMen]

John Kerry gave great speech at the NAACP that revealed some of his genuine progressive passion. Unfortunately, the CNN coverage continues to raise questions about the Kerry campaign’s sensitivity to minority communities.

As someone who has been an active supporter of the Senator throughout the primaries, I have seen the campaign organization evolve and mature, but sadly still remain dominated by mainstream, white, establishment-politics personnel.

Why, has this happened? In part, I believe, it was because many grass-roots activists gravitated to the Dean and Kucinich campaigns during the primaries.

But, what happened after Kerry went from underdog to front-runner? It seems to me that more of the same type of folk continued to fill key slots and dominated the ethos of the campaign.

Kerry, himself, has made executive decisions in the direction of diversity – some of choices of close advisers and his singling out of Barack Obama for a key speaking role at the Convention. But, if things continue as they are, Kerry’s White House will continue the ethos of the campaign.

What can be done to change this? Can it be changed? Or is this the requirements of a winning campaign?

[sangh0]

1. Your post answers your question

Your question, "what can be done to change this?" can be answered by reviewing your belief that this happened "In part, I believe, it was because many grass-roots activists gravitated to the Dean and Kucinich campaigns during the primaries"

[Raya]

3. Why haven't they gravitated back. Or are Establishment types blocking

[Raya]

2. Kerry should have brought a real grassroots leader into inner circle

from the beginning, preferable a minority rep of the caliber of a Julian Bond.

Now, it is probably too late since he has to personally focus on
the middle-America voter and leave grass-roots activity and rallying
the base to his not-too-activist campaign org.

[qwlauren35]

4. Actually....

I called the campaign office the other day and they were VERY receptive. The next step is to find out how to help them gain visibility in the black community.

I have a few ideas - this thing about going to the churches is getting seriously OLD... there are other places to find us...