This week’s “First in the State” GOP gubernatorial debate featured an Indian-American candidate and an African-American moderator … but that’s where the diversity ended and a sea of white faces began.
In an audience of roughly 400 Republicans at the Newberry Opera House on Tuesday night, there were only two African-Americans present – one being GOP National Committeeman Glenn McCall. No Hispanics or other members of other non-Caucasian minority groups attended the debate.
According to one of our on-site analysts, the crowd was comprised almost exclusively of “old white people and young white political dorks.”
“It was all senior citizens and campaign staffers,” the analyst said.
Interesting. And obviously quite a study in contrasts from the image the SCGOP is attempting to cultivate for itself.
Take the SCGOP’s new multi-ethnic “I’m A Republican” ad – which suggests that the party is all about diversity. Seriously, that ad looked like a friggin’ United Colors of Benetton commercial, people.
Now compare that fantasy to the reality of U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, whose Confederate sympathies made more negative national headlines for South Carolina in the wake of his embarrassing “you lie” outburst during a Presidential address to a joint session of Congress.
Then there’s gubernatorial frontrunner Henry McMaster, who is a member of both a “whites only” country club and “whites only” debutante society.
And who can forget former GOP official Rusty DePass, who earlier this summer compared U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama to an escaped gorilla at a local zoo.
After the DePass scandal, we received a phone call from an SCGOP official blasting our coverage of the issue and insisting that Republicans were not racist.
FITS offered to publish an oped from the official explaining the SCGOP’s position on race. Perhaps not surprisingly, we never heard back from him.
Of course pretending to be something it’s not is nothing new for the SCGOP – which in spite of its “less government” rhetoric has presided over not one, but two massive expansion of state government in the last dozen years.
“Lower taxes?” S.C. Republicans swap taxes, they don’t cut them, and the party’s legislative leader (S.C. Speaker Bobby Harrell) is currently pushing for an increase in the cigarette tax that includes no offsetting tax cut or spending reduction.
“Efficiency?” S.C. Republicans have preserved an antiquated 1895 form of government that continues to hold South Carolina back as a state by maintaining an inefficient, unaccountable, secretive, duplicative
Republicans have also refused to implement their own platform on school choice, preferring instead to keep pouring billions of dollars into a failed government-run monopoly.
Sounds to us like a party that could benefit from some fresh faces …
By Commonman September 24, 2009 at 10:51 am
As the Nature Boy would say, “You have to walk the walk to talk the talk.” Appears to be a lot of stillness and silence with the Republican Party, especially in South Carolina.
By Jonny D September 24, 2009 at 10:51 am
I wish the SCGOP would just cut the bullshit and get right to what’s really important…
http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/
By Uh, duh ... September 24, 2009 at 11:31 am
This is news? Did you see any footage of the 2008 Republican National Convention? How about the photos of the GOP side of the aisle while Wilson was making his mark? The reason you can’t get your fiscal conservatism through to the GOP, national or state, is because the party has become the refuge of the TWG*, scared to death that Those Who Don’t Look Like Him are taking over. THAT’S what your party members care about.
*Terrified White Guy
By Huhhh??? September 24, 2009 at 11:44 am
The only thing dumber than a black Republic Party memeber is a gay Republic Party member.
Talk about masochism and supporting a party that’s opposed to your own best interests…
By Mike Reino September 24, 2009 at 11:58 am
Will, this is going to be a slow, long-term battle. There is a lot of Dead Wood in our party that does believe in the White Like Me theory. We have a lot of people that want a more diverse party, but on the local level, we don’t run a whole lot at this point.
The other problem is how do you attract minorities to smaller government when they’ve been trained for 75 years to vote ‘D’, because they take care of you? It’s going to be a long, slow climb for minorities, just like it was getting non-WASP’s like me to become Republicans. They’ll advance in society, and they’ll start looking at their W-2, and wonder where it all went. The problem is you and I might be Old Farts by the time it happens……
By Independent September 24, 2009 at 12:10 pm
The 2 party system is broken. It is a charade. Just put an R by your name in South Carolina if running for office. Your views don’t matter, but it helps if you are a brown nosing white male willing to take money from anyone to get elected.
By Matt September 24, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Did you ever blog on the allegedly two gay guys that appear in the “I’m a Republican” ad? Interesting that more people haven’t pointed that out. They are at the beginning of the video and then there is some old lady that seems like she is laughing at them.
Then again, some might believe that in addition to the Indian American in the debate this week, the whole ‘gay diversity’ think may have been represented on that stage as well…
By SCCON September 24, 2009 at 12:51 pm
As billed, FITS is not being fair. To begin with, apparently no one from FITS was in the room earlier this year when Pastor Charles Butler was chosen as Second Vice Chair for the state party. Beyond that, apparently candidates such as Marvin Rogers of Fort Mill don’t count in FITS’s scientific shoot-from-the-hip diversity index. And while I don’t personally claim him, I suppose Michael Steele is just an Uncle Tom as far as FITS is concerned. Ditto Clarence Thomas. Ditto Bobby Jindal. Ditto Ken Blackwell.
I should also add that anyone who is not inolved in local party politics really has no business complaining that the Republican Party is too “white”. If you want to give the Party a darker complexion, get inolved.
By Rick September 24, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Funny, only 1 moderately constructive comment. There are Brown, Yellow, Red and Black conservatives, how do we support them when they don’t want to get involved? Is the political system in South Carolina such that only the Democrats have sitting minorities? I agree with Mike, it’s going to be tough sledding when we fail to support the best and brightest among us. Mike, there’s many an African American working for GE, BMW, Lockheed, etc. that earn very good money and are conservative, but we fail to offer the support structure that is needed since the loudest voices in every community are those demanding more now. Most people go the path of least resistence and for the average Black that means community, neighbors, family and friends since the strongest support system within the black community are people like Jesse and Al. Until we can help them define success as something other than “acting white”, we will continue to fail in gaining their support. The Democrats have spent many a year supporting people like Jesse and Al, using them to emasculate the average African American making them believe that all their ills are with those crazy racist white men. Even Bill Cosby who spoke out has pulled in his horns and toned down his message because of push back by black leaders. When your role models are gangsters instead of men like Denzel Washington, the problems are seemingly endless. Even the President threw poor black children under the bus and not a murmur from the Black community. Where are the Black leaders that offer a different message than the one they’re now receiving?
By Rick September 24, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Sorry, two more posts appeared. SCCON while I agree that the national party may have notable blacks serving, the question is SC. Why don’t we have more Conservative Black leaders in SC? Marvin Rogers good at what he does? Could he serve as a focal point for the African American voter? Is he part of the support structure the GOP must establish to support the black community?
By Upstate GOP Rocker September 24, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Sounds like you’re using the same talking points as your fav GOP ever…
“Efficiency?” S.C. Republicans have preserved an antiquated 1895 form of government that continues to hold South Carolina back as a state by maintaining an inefficient, unaccountable, secretive, duplicative…
Sanford said the same thing in the Seneca newspaper yesterday and this morning on Seneca’s conservative news talk radio stations.
You working together?
By Cooter Brown September 24, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Whoda hells care if’n dey iz all white o’ black o’ gay o’ whateba? Who gonna do th’ rite thang, dat’s ol’ Cooter’s onlie queckshun!
Lawrd hab mercie on dese po’ fools hoo let colour git in da way ov da iss-shoes! If’n colour dont matta, den fer what reazon does we cares if dey is all white.
Yall iz fallin fer th’ oldest trick in da book– lettin’ yer enemies chose th’ tyme, place, and rules ov battle…
By I'm a Young Biracial Political Dork... September 24, 2009 at 2:26 pm
…and I was in the audience at the debate. I’m half Caucasian half African-American. I also saw two African-American women in attendance. However, I don’t find labels particularly useful. They connote some need to cater to one group over the other.
The one thing that peeves me is the kind of reaction a commenter above had. In my experience in the SCGOP, I have never felt like anyone was uncomfortable with me or otherwise pushing me out of the “White clique” idea. Liberals seem to be the people making a bigger deal out of Black conservatives.
By Rick September 24, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Still the question remains, what does the SCGOP need to do to bring more Conservative Blacks into the fray?
By I'm a Young Biracial Political Dork... September 24, 2009 at 3:32 pm
The main tasks of any political party:
1. Raise money
2. Recruit candidates
3. Encourage general involvement.
I don’t think it’s the party’s job to specifically search out women and minorities and to throw them in the spotlight. The SCGOP certainly shouldn’t discriminate, but it also shouldn’t make “finding Black conservatives” a goal. The race or gender of a political participant shouldn’t enter the fray. I believe if you build a solid party & platform, people (of any heritage) will come.
By old bike dude September 24, 2009 at 7:14 pm
No the big question is and still remains…Cooter is it turtle or vagina, for the love of God just answer the question.
So you want blacks in the Republican party? Dude don’t make me laugh my ass off. Have you listened to talk radio or Faux news? What have blacks heard on these venues that would want to cause them to become card carrying Repubs,… Negro please.
Republicans will have to get some FUNK from their disfunktional party.
Fight the power!!!
By beentook2 September 24, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Well, lookie here. Appears Little Cisco is blogging as “….Biracial….Dork”. Never would have thought he would have so correctly identified himself. However upon further review I think I am wrong. If any of the speculation is correct, Little Cisco would have signed off as “….Bisexual…Dork”.
By James the Foot Soldier September 24, 2009 at 8:04 pm
One of the candidates is of Indian heritage (and smokin’ hot too – so stfu).
IF those with black skin pigmentation ever wakes up from their Colt 45 Malt Liquor induced slumber and realize the democrat party simply uses their voting block decade after decade while their standard of living deterioriates (the understatement of the century) the “problem” outlined here would be solved.
By Laura Campbell September 24, 2009 at 9:32 pm
I’ll be impressed when someone in either party attracts the American Indian voters. Then they can have my support. Until then, I’ll remain Independent.
By madcock September 24, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Most Republicans are bigots.
Why would any person of color join a party made up mostly of people who hate them because of their pigmentation.
By Matt September 24, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Rick, you asked: “what does the SCGOP need to do to bring more Conservative Blacks into the fray?”
Here are a few of my thoughts.
Polls show the majority of blacks are pro-life and pro-traditional marriage. The SC Dem platform is pro-choice and pro-gay marriage. I would start by appealing to blacks on social issues.
There was a poll in The State a few years back that said more blacks support school vouchers than oppose them. Many black ministers have come out for this issue. With the exception of pols like Robert Ford, Curtis Brantley, and a few others, the Democrat answer is still the same tired line of “tuition tax credits and vouchers drain needed money from public schools blah blah.” While factually inaccurate, it’s a message they aren’t afraid to use on voters.
Republicans need to start going to Allendale and Marion and Hampton and start talking about issues like values and vouchers and putting the Dems on the defensive.
I would also start running more Republican candidates in majority-minority districts who can articulate this type of message.
By neil September 25, 2009 at 8:19 am
Let’s face it, the electorate does not favor whites only like it did when Ronald Reagan crushed Jimmy Carter in 1980 as 70 percent of whites voted for Reagan. In the 2008 election, blacks made up 12.1 percent, Hispanics 7.4 percent, Asian Americans 2.4 percent along with a strong women electorate (51 percent) and youth percentage. The fact is the GOP needs to get back to basics: fiscal responsibility, limited government and strong national defense. I think the GOP has some strong minority candidates particularly Nikki Haley but they also have Tim Scott who is running for Lt. Governor. Two viable candidates in South Carolina are important to diversity. You just cannot say “let’s run minority candidates” unless those candidates are very good. Just look at Michael Steele, Ken Blackwell and Lynn Swann in 2006. All African Americans, but all lost and did not win the black vote in each of their respective states. The problem is that the Dems have such a stronghold on the minority vote (especially the black vote) that the GOP have always had a hard time gaining their support. However, the GOP can run people like Tim Scott here in South Carolina and make inward gains. The last Republican to garner strong black support? Dwight Eisenhower in 1956 was able to capture 39 percent of the black vote. Since then in every Presidential election the GOP has not had any higher than 15 percent. Even Reagan could only garner 14 percent in 1980 and it was less in ’84. Young Biracial Political Dork is right: GOP needs to raise money, recruit solid candidates, get people involved. I think Haley and Scott are viable candidates in the 2010 cycle along with Marco Rubio in Florida and Kelly Ayotte in RI.
By dirtbogger September 25, 2009 at 8:40 am
Ron paul is the reason that the Republicans lost. The real conservative anti-war base will never vote for anyone who does not pass his litmus test. Media non-coverage and the hypocritical good ole Southern Baptist prolife / prowar Huckabee voters is why McCain got the nomination instead of Ron Paul. The good news is however we kept the bufoon Huckabee from getting the nomination.
By Pat Hendrix September 25, 2009 at 10:18 am
“IF those with black skin pigmentation ever wakes up from their Colt 45 Malt Liquor induced slumber and realize the democrat party simply uses their voting block decade after decade while their standard of living deterioriates (the understatement of the century) the “problem” outlined here would be solved.”
Question asked and answered. This, people, is why back folks hate your party. Illiterate, racist morons.
By Rick September 25, 2009 at 11:07 am
Mat, Neil, Young Biracial Dork, while each of you is right, I believe we haven’t drilled down far enough. Some individuals will always stand alone and make their decisions based upon their internal belief systems. The vast majority of individuals are herd animals contrary to what they themselves believe of themselves and these are the ones we need to show a sucessful well supported candidate. Steele is viewed the same as Rice was viewed, as a sellout token. How do we support the caliber of individual that can cross that invisible line? Until men like Steele, Thomas Sowell, Larry Elder, et.al are seen as mainstream Black America rather than an Uncle Tom sellout, the Republican party will be seen as the party of last resort. Ya’ll are right that townhalls in places that are not normally a republican stronghold talking mutual concerns are the start, but if you include a white face you’ll more than likely be seen as an intruder/massa.
While the average African American is much more conservative than what we would think, I believe the avenue is the black churchs. This is a place where the support structure of a Black Candidate can be built without the issues raised under any other venue. Obama was supported in the Black churchs simply because he was black. Few pastor could find it within themselves to deny him since obama was seen as such a symbol of pride. They didn’t care what his policies were, or that he wasn’t what they thought, it was that he’s black and therefore our candidate. Listened to two young African Americans in class one evening discussing Obama and his chances. One was whole heartedly for, because he was the first black candidate, had no idea what he stood for and didn’t care. The other felt that Obama couldn’t be elected in this racist country regardless, that the white man was going to fry him. Mid-way through the course, the young man changed his mind that Obama did have a chance. When I asked both, “what does Obama stand for” that you would support him? The answer “we don’t care” he’s one of us. How are you going to bridge that except through the churchs. We have a long way to go.
By Pat Hendrix September 25, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Again, the fact a regular poster on this board flatly stated that black people voted a particular way because they are in a “Colt 45 Malt Liquor induced slumber” without a word of protest from the other posters says everything. That post is then followed by a Rick saying that black people voted for Obama because he was black. Hmm, weird, black voters have overwhelmingly voted for, hold your hats, white politicians for decades. Just not white, Republican canidates. As for hispanics, well, you made some decent inroads in that community right up until you decided to score some cheap poltical points on illegal immigration. Remember that Wilson’s “You lie” was about immigrants. You think that fact was lost on hispanic voters?
In any event, you can’t lean on the “Southern Strategy” for thirty years and then look around at the all the aging white faces and be shocked. The demographics don’t look good for the Republicans. You time in the wilderness has just begun.
By neil September 25, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Rick,
You are correct on several points and even black faithful Republicans (20 percent) voted for Obama. My opinion is let’s base it on the issues rather than the color of skin. I believe the GOP always wins simply because personal responsibility, individual freedom and free market capitalism always trumps government run programs.
However, I dont believe that Michael Steel is a sellout. I believe that he is part of the mainstream (more than Obama) on the issues and the reason he did not win in Maryland is simply because Maryland is a very liberal state. Steele only won 25 percent of the black vote in his home district in Maryland of Prince George so it tells you that the blacks have overwhelmingly voted Democrat strongly during the last three elections.
The truth is that most blacks voted Republican or considered themselves Republican (thanks to Lincoln) and all of that changed when FDR ran and they decided to take the New Deal because it included jobs and they felt that Hoover and the GOP had forgotten about them (that is correct).
When Tom Ridge ran as Gov of PA in 1994 the reason he won is because he received a good chunk of the black vote because he visited and campaigned in the urban areas of Philly and Pitt and listened to the black community and put ads on black radio. That’s what the GOP needs to do more of if they want to make any gains. You cant just put the black GOP candidate out there and expect the black man to vote for them. They must be a viable candidate like JC Watts or a Tim Scott. Otherwise it is useless.
By Rick September 25, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Neil, evidently I made a mistake in referencing Steele in such a manner, not because I’m wrong but because this is the view of the Black community, as you pointed out, Steele is seen in a different light by whites than by blacks. I don’t look upon Steele, Sowell, Rice etc as anything other than another human being trying to do what they believe is the right thing. So once again we’re back to the base question, how do we get the African American community to once again support the Republican Party. Tom Ridge may have reached voters in Pa. but would he have had that same opportunity in Columbus Georgia or Columbia SC? As far as putting a Black GOP candidate out there by themselves…that is where the support structure comes in. Obama wasn’t really viable until he convinced enough African Americans that he was. We can’t force Tim Scott to run, but we should support him when he does. I believe that as more African Americans start standing out and showing what is achievable, that will begin to be the change we can support and thats when the African American population will begin to understand free isn’t free.
By SCCON September 25, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Pat,
1. The Colt comment should not have been dignified with a response.
2. Republicans need not apologize for demanding that the Democratic government tell the truth about its policies.
3. Minorities have traditionally favored liberal social policies. Conservative Republicans oppose liberal social policies on the basis that the legacy of all such policies is dependence–slavery–for everyone inolved. Many conservatives are unfairly slandered as meanspirited and racist for insisting that self-reliance is always preferable to slavery, even though self-reliance is hard and often attended by uncomfortable risk.
4. The demographics actually look worse for the aging white liberals who almost single-handedly elected Barack Obama. In case you had missed it, conservative Christians are about the only group still obeying the ancient edict to “be fruitful and multiply.”
5. Lots of white people vote for entitlements, too. Old people, young people–most Americans–like a handout when they can get it. Just as conservatives are a minority among whites, they are a minority among minorities. As that mindset begins to change (as it will change when this round of massive government spending fizzles into stagflation and monumental debt), the Republican Party will see many new faces. Maybe yours will be one of them.
By Joshua September 25, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Will,
I was sitting in row 10, roughly center of the arena. There were, by my count, at least a dozen “non-Caucasian” folks in the audience, representing at least three different ethnic groups. This includes 6 friends of mine that I got to speak with over the course of the evening, one of whom was one of my guests at the debate, Rev. Charles Butler from Orangeburg (The aforementioned 2nd Vice Chair of the SCGOP).
To say that “No Hispanics or other members of other non-Caucasian minority groups attended the debate” is just flat-out wrong. I’d suggest an optometrist appointment (or less alcohol) for your analyst.
We can still certainly argue over whether or not 12 (as opposed to 2) people out of 400 is diverse enough, but let’s at least start from the facts as they actually were on the ground.
JDG
By Soft Sigh From Hell September 25, 2009 at 7:19 pm
A scant trifling is so much better than a near nothing.
By A Point of Grace September 25, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I commend Josh for correctly pointing out that there were more than 2 attendees that were Non-white. I too attended the debate and I proudly point out, that the color of ones skin does not neccessarily reflect their ethnic or racial back ground. Proudly, my maternal ancestry is from Cuba and my husband’s contains American Indian! No one would know our ancestry by the color of our skin. Stop judging people that way, lest you go wrong in your conclusions. Like Rev. King reminded us, judge not by the color of one’s skin, but by the content of their character. I can tell you personally that a large percentage of Cuban and Hispanic families ARE CONSERVATIVE! Their values are the same as GOP values, contrary to the media driven nonsense. AND, I think the new SCGOP ad is fantastic! Slowly, but surely we’ll bring in more people of color as we share our TRUE values as conservatives! I’m sure Rep. Tim Scott does not appreciate not being noticed for attending the debate either! He IS a proud African-American GOP conservative!
By Matt September 25, 2009 at 7:22 pm
And just to further drive home what Joshua is talking about:
If you look at the announced candidates making credible bids for statewide office, the GOP so far has two non-whites (Nikki Haley and Tim Scott) and two females (Haley and Kelly Payne). The Democrats have all white men. The only non-white-male running for anything so far on the Dem side is Robert Ford, a black man who is dismissed by most Democrats in large part because he dares to advance the cause of civil rights of black school children to get a decent education. Ironic, isn’t it? And we get back to how the GOP can use the vouchers issue as a sort of 21st century civil rights issue to appeal to black voters.
By James the Foot Soldier September 25, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Gee Patrica – how else to explain the monolithic voting pattern of those with darker pigmentation while they live in 3rd world conditions, i.e., Detroit, East St. Louis, East LA, et al? Have you checked the black unemployment rate since President Hopey Changey made it to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?
It’s obvious the democrats don’t give a rat’s ass about them once the polls close. And that for all your “he’s a racist” rantings” makes me sick.
Pull yourself away from your computer and get off your self-rigtheous ass and do something for them.
By Pat Hendrix September 26, 2009 at 2:49 am
SCGOP,
I’m going to ignore the Fountain Head slavery business. I’ve heard it so many times it’s almost comical. I just chalk it up to a comforting fairy tale that Republicans tell themselves. It goes something like this: I work day and night so everybody else can live on welfare. Hardly.
As for the demographics, I suggest you give the exist polls a glance. The only demographics Obama didn’t win were white southern men and voters over 70. That’s not a trend you can expect to change soon. And to your last point, I’d like to remind you that the economy and the systemic debt we are seeing are the product of the previous adminstration. I didn’t hear high-minded conservatives groaning when the Bush Adminstration was piling on debt, proposing and passing TARP, bailing out the auto industry, committing us to a war in Iraq and creating a Pharma entitlement bill that had no funding. In any event, when the economy picks up, and IT will before 2012, you guys will be calling it the Bush Recovery.
By James the Foot Soldier September 26, 2009 at 3:24 pm
My aplologies. How could I forget to mention that cess-pool that is Chicago, HOME to President Hopey Changey:
“16-year-old boy beaten to death in Roseland:
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/09/boy-16-found-slain-on-far-south-side.html
Forget the bullshit about TARP, Auto Bail-outs, etc. walk through the inner-cities and and ask all those hopey changey voters how they are faring.
By rick September 26, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Good answer SCCON, Pat, you weren’t listening when Bush was doing his thing, there were many of us out here having a fit. As far as the recovery, why do you think hopey changey is setting everything for 2013. Pat, I hope your working enough, when Hopey Changey figures out he needs more money, well I wouldn’t want you left out of the contributors.
By Crooner September 28, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Remember when the Republican party wanted to take control of finances away from Michael Steele? Did that have something to do with the Colt 45?
And, as someone already pointed out, the GOP shot themselves in the foot over immigration, and then piled on by going after Sotomayor over the Latina comment.
Nothing like pissing off the nations fastest growing demographic to begin your time in the wilderness.