Black Republicans: Invisible Men
In this morning’s Wall Street Journal, there is a brief article, entitled “House Race Turns into Colorful, Costly Dogfight.” Written by Michael M. Phillips, it describes a South Florida congressional race pitting incumbent Democrat Ron Klein against conservative Republican Allen West, a retired army lieutenant colonel who fought in Iraq. Two years ago, when the same two candidates squared off, Klein beat West by 9%. This year, if the polls can be trusted, they are running neck to neck.
This otherwise informative article omits only one fact worthy of note. This particular race is “colorful” in more ways than one – for the conservative Republican candidate running in this South Florida district is African-American, and the Democrat is white. In the print edition, the photographs of the two candidates on p. A6 make this clear. But, on the internet, neither photograph appears.
If this country was color-blind, if race played no role in American politics, this omission would not be worthy of note. But we now live in a setting in which one of our two political parties persistently plays the race card. The existence of competent, competitive black Republicans – especially, their candidacy in districts that are not overwhelmingly African-American – disrupts the narrative spun by those intent on branding Republicans and conservatives as racists, and the mainstream media – even, alas, the news pages of The Wall Street Journal – are in cahoots with those pursuing this cynical and dangerous political strategy. Shame on them all.
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Comments :
Jul '10
Re: Black Republicans: Invisible Men
The op-pages aside, The Wall Street Journal is becoming more and more like The New York Times, i.e., a newspaper for people who don't understand TV news.
Jul '10
Re: Black Republicans: Invisible Men
The WSJ news staff is every bit as liberal as the NYTimes. Like English faculties, the left gets hired and promoted. Only the editorial page is conservative.
May '10
Re: Black Republicans: Invisible Men
One other thing that may not be obvious from any print media coverage is that Allen West is one of the most motivational speakers of all time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP2p91dvm6M Each time I hear his name, I can't help but think of the word "bayonets."
Sep '10
Re: Black Republicans: Invisible Men
The word "colorful" in the headline is odd considering the omission of Colonel West's race in the body of the article.
Re: Black Republicans: Invisible Men
On the great site, African American Conservatives -- tagline: "The Soul of the Conservative Movement" -- there's a pretty great essay by Allen West. It's here.
Re: Black Republicans: Invisible Men
Yes, it is bizarre, in fact.