Black Conservatives for Obama. Naivete or Pride?
I recently had a discussion with friends about African American conservatives who have been contemplating voting for Senator Obama. We differed on whether or not individuals like JC Watts and Armstrong Williams should be applauded for recognizing the significance of history by considering Obama?
Here are the statements that both well known Black Conservatives made:
Black conservative talk show host Armstrong Williams
“I don’t necessarily like his policies; I don’t like much that he advocates, but for the first time in my life, history thrusts me to really seriously think about it,” Williams said. “I can honestly say I have no idea who I’m going to pull that lever for in November. And to me, that’s incredible.”
J.C. Watts, a former Oklahoma congressman who once was part of the GOP House leadership, said he’s thinking of voting for Obama. Watts said he’s still a Republican, but he criticizes his party for neglecting the black community. Black Republicans, he said, have to concede that while they might not agree with Democrats on issues, at least that party reaches out to them.
“And Obama highlights that even more,” Watts said, adding that he expects Obama to take on issues such as poverty and urban policy. “Republicans often seem indifferent to those things.”
Personally I see a distinct difference between the thought process of these 2 men. It sounds to me like Williams is simply considering voting for Obama because he is an African American. To me that is a really dumb reason to vote for someone especially if you do not believe they are capable of doing a good job.
Watts, on the other hand, seems to have valid reasons to be willing to cross the aisle and vote Obama. All votes will be helpful but I still stand by the belief that there must be a reason to vote for a candidate or it is simply a silly vote. Using the logic of Armstrong Williams, Clarence Thomas is worthy of support because of the color of his skin. I can’t follow that train of thought. I must admit, however, that I am happy to see (perhaps for the first time) that there is more to the conscience and foundation of Armstrong Williams then right wing rhetoric.
yeah first of all, democrats don’t help the poor they exploit them. throwing money at the poor for votes and not actually helping them with any of their problems. name one program by democrats that has helped the poor.
please educate me. I challenge any of you to try and find how democrats have helped the poor, and more specificy the poor black comunities. I am willing to bet you a dinner for 1 at la veranda that you can’t find more bills by dems than repubs that have helped poor black comunities.
rules: u must preseant the author as democrat only and it must have been opposed by republicans. (not a bipartisan bill) you must also explain how it has helped, and not hurt the community specificly via some kind of valid stats like dept. of treasury or sensus or something like that.
list as much as u can because ill try hard to find even more that republicans have done than u can find dems did. lets also put in a time constraint. say since 1900? or 1950? or 1980. u choose.
hope you bring it! hehe and yo Bill my word is my bond. ill send the cash to you. and bill u can participate too. who ever has the best win over me wins.. but I bet ill be treating my self to a nice linquini with muscles
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