NAACP CONVENTION
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James Joyner | Thursday, July 17, 2003 |
Kevin Drum blasts the NAACP for its heavyhanded treatment of the Democratic candidates for president. I agree although, as I note in his comments section, I’m afraid the NAACP has been in this position for quite some time vis-a-vis the Democratic candidates. They and their fellow travellers Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have been kowtowed to in much the same way as the Bob Jones crowd has by the GOP. It is indeed sickening and shows how spineless politicians can be. While Clinton’s Sista Souljah moment in 1992 was crass and opportunistic, it at least showed some recognition of how corrosive letting the nutty part of your coalition run the show can be.
I actually liked Kweisi Mfume when he was in Congress and had honest hopes that he would restore some dignity to the NAACP, which was once an honorable organization. Instead, he’s let it get even worse. The despicable ads during the 2000 campaign equating then-Governor Bush’s failure to sign a hate crimes law (which he had in fact by then signed) to the brutal murder of James Byrd Jr. by white supremacists forever ended the credibility of that organization in my mind. The NAACP is about as representative of black America–even liberal black America–as Bob Jones University is of evangelical Christians. And it’s about time for politicians of both parties to realize that and act accordingly. The first major candidate who does that should significantly improve his chances in the primaries and win even moe support from moderates in the general election.
About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and infant daughter.
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Julian Bond was more interesting as a young man, too. In Louisiana, we have a powerful politician in Cleo Fields, a lawyer my husband knew and liked in younger days. Last I read, he was national chairman for Jesse Jackson's PUSH.
In order to prove my "non-fellow-traveler" credentials, I agree with your sentiments, except for (1) using the term "fellow traveler"; (2) asserting that Governor Bush signed that law, since it never made it out of the legislature in 1999 (it was signed by Governor Perry in 2001); and (3) the completely unprovable and unwarranted analogy between the NAACP and Bob Jones University. At least flesh out the analogy; Bob Jones' belief in x (a position not shared by the evangelical population) = the NAACP's support of y (a position not shared by the black community).
As to point #2: http://www.interfaithalliance.org/News/News.cfm?ID=4369&c=37
Need to contact Rev. Jesse Jackson!!!! I have proof of discrimantion and conspiracy here in FORT WAYNE, IN. Need Help!!! Many Black and White Family's are living in bad living conditions. I go to court on this matter Dec.3
april pippin
608 anderson ave
Fort wayne, IN.46805
2604208689
2603415580
aprilshowers282001@yahoo.com
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