Minorities Ride Republican Wave to Historic Wins

[PJABBER]

There are a few races (()) that I would like to highlight among the many Republican victories last evening.

The first is the election of Allen West of Florida to the U.S. House of Representatives. His words have inspired so many in this election cycle. I look forward to him inspiring the next Congress.

Susana Martinez, the new Governor of New Mexico is the first Latina Governor in U.S. history. Bright and eloquent, look for her to inspire not just New Mexico but the entire country in the upcoming years.

Nikki Haley, the new Governor of South Carolina is the first female Indian American Governor in U.S. history and the second Indian American to hold a Governorship after Bobby Jindal, also a Republican. Overcoming vicious personal attacks she is also someone whose influence will extend beyond South Carolina's borders.

Brian Sandoval, the new Governor of Nevada is the first Latino Governor of that state. An interesting counterpoint to Reid and someone who will more directly affect the future of that State in every way.

Marco Rubio, the 38-year-old Tea Party favorite, son of migrants who escaped Fidel Castro’s Cuba, is now of the U.S. Senate and a future contender for the Presidency or the Vice Presidency.

The Democrats, the perennial advocates of class warfare, have failed to represent the interests of the classes and races that they have sought to polarize for political gain.

Democrats, you are being introduced to a Republican Party that represents an extraordinary coalition of diverse talents, that just happens to, yes, draw from the talent pool that you have taken for granted for way too long.

Minorities Ride Republican Wave to Historic Wins

Published November 03, 2010 | Associated Press

The historic Republican wave also produced historic results for minority candidates, from Latina and Indian-American governors to a pair of black congressmen from the deep South.

In New Mexico, Susana Martinez was elected as the nation's first female Hispanic governor. Nikki Haley, whose parents were born in India, will be the first woman governor in South Carolina, and Brian Sandoval became Nevada's first Hispanic governor.

Insurance company owner Tim Scott will be the first black Republican congressman from South Carolina since the post-Civil War Reconstruction Era in the 1860s-1870s, after easily winning in his conservative district. Scott, a 45-year-old state representative, earned a Republican primary victory over the son of the one-time segregationist U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond.

In Florida, military veteran Allen West outfought a two-term Democrat to win his House race. He is the first black Republican elected to Congress from Florida since a former slave served two terms in the 1870s.

The last black Republican in Congress was J.C. Watts of Oklahoma. He left office in 2003. There were 42 black Democrats in Congress this term.

Several Latino Republicans defeated incumbent House Democrats. In Texas, Bill Flores snatched a seat from Democratic Rep. Chet Edwards, who had served 20 years in Congress, and Francisco Canseco beat 11-year veteran Ciro Rodriguez. Jamie Herrera became the first Latino congressman from Washington state.

Opposition to President Barack Obama's agenda fueled Tuesday's Republican surge, and many also connected Obama to the rise of minority Republican candidates.

"Color is becoming less of an issue," said Richard Ivory, a black Republican political consultant and founder of hiphoprepublican.com. "There was a time when the white electorate saw race first and made judgments based on this alone. While black Republicans and Obama disagree ideologically, both are candidates whose message surpassed pigment."

Mark Sawyer, a UCLA professor and director of the university's Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity and Politics, said Obama's election pushed the Republicans to adjust to a more diverse electorate by seeking out minority candidates.

But he noted that almost all the victorious Republican minorities were elected in majority-white areas and opposed measures such as comprehensive immigration reform that are favored by many Latinos and blacks.
"This election does not show a substantive embrace of a minority agenda," Sawyer said.

Fourteen black Republicans were on House ballots nationwide, almost double the number in 2008. The largest number of black Republicans in Congress since Reconstruction has been two: Watts and Gary Franks of Connecticut, who left office in 1997.

On the Democratic side, Terri Sewell became the first black woman elected to Congress in Alabama.

Haley, who was backed by the tea party and Sarah Palin, is a 38-year-old state representative who was projected to win easily in conservative South Carolina. She faced unproven accusations of infidelity and questions about her finances and experience, and State Sen. Vincent Sheheen made the race closer than anyone expected. She is the nation's second Indian-American governor, after Bobby Jindal in Louisiana.

Marco Rubio, a Republican and Cuban-American, won a Senate seat in Florida. He will replace the retiring Mel Martinez, another conservative Cuban. Also in Florida, Rubio ally David Rivera, a state representative, held off a fellow Cuban-American, Democrat Joe Garcia, a former Obama administration energy official, for an open House seat.

Jean Howard-Hill, a black Republican who lost a House primary in Tennessee, was cautiously optimistic about the future of minorities in her party.

"We're going to jump up and down because we have two African-Americans going to Congress?" she said. "There are still opportunities for advancement. But I think we have a good platform to do that now."

 

[Craig234]

# of African Americans in the Senate: 0

# of African Americans on the Supreme Court who aren't dishonest, ideological radicals doing great harm: 0

Having said that, while I'm sorry to see some minorities support the terrible agenda of Republicans, it is good to see more progress as skin color is less an issue.

 

[matt0611]

# of African Americans in the Senate: 0

What about Alvin Greene? Oh, never mind

 

[theeedude]

Good to see GOP desegregated in 2010

 

[dphantom]

you are so pathetic craig
Some of the brightest and best in the Conservative movement are minorities fed up with the pandering of the Democratic leadersip.

 

[Infohawk]

you are so pathetic craig

Agreed. This is good news for everyone. There's no downside to this story. But the hacks will always find a way to be hacks.

 

[Throckmorton]

I thought there were no hyphenated-Americans, just Americans, and that identifying yourself by ethnicity was anti-American and racist. Not anymore, now that they're running and winning as Republicans?

In any case, this is another advancement in race relations.

 

[PJABBER]

# of African Americans in the Senate: 0

...Having said that, while I'm sorry to see some minorities support the terrible agenda of Republicans, it is good to see more progress as skin color is less an issue.

It has taken a long time, but the standard issues of discrimination - race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation - are of minimal interest to the vast majority of people these days.

The two black Republican Americans that won seats in Congress did not do so in black majority districts, districts of the type where Democrat racism offers up successful candidacies, but in districts that are overwhelmingly white in racial makeup. Those elections were color blind.

I absolutely hate to distinguish the victories I enumerate in terms of discriminatory characterization. I do so only to tweak the noses of those here who believe in and advocate the overt racism of racial preferences.

It is my sincere hope that at some point it is no longer necessary to point out someone's race, even in celebration of victory.

The candidates won because they are absolutely the best people for the jobs they were elected to do. That is the real take away and it is my sincere hope that is what all future elections will represent.

 

[bamacre]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAmNNjnQNu4

 

[Red Dawn]

From DailKos

It's funny that Allen West claims that tolerance causes terrorism, not only tolerates but defends what many would call a homegrown terrorist group -- the AOA known to he public as the Outlaws motorcycle gang.

According to the Justice Department:

... the Outlaws produce and distribute methamphetamine, and engage in other criminal activities including arson, homicide, and prostitution.

Yet Allen West says:

Please, no more references to criminals I was never more amazed about how members of the Outlaws guarded me. They have sacrificed their personal freedom, maintained their integrity, refused to compromise their honor and have stayed loyal to the principles that the Outlaws Motorcycle Club was founded on.

We consider these outstanding members "POW's" in the Governments attempts to destroy Americas Motorcycle Clubs. These Brothers did not betray their Brothers or the Outlaws Motorcycle Club in an attempt to avoid prosecution. They stood tall and strong and took what came their way. These Outlaw 1%ers set an example that can not and should not be forgotten. We are proud of these "Our True Outlaw 1%er Brothers" we owe them Honor, Respect, and Support for standing as true Outlaws.

Translation? They went to prison for murder, rape, robbery and arson without ratting out any fellow partners in crime guardianship. And Allen West thinks they're amazing.

Of course what's really amazing is that West has repeatedly proven that he's nuts and his support of the Outlaws if strange because if there was ever a racist organizition it's the AOA (American Outlaws Association)

Hey it's about time 1%ers got some representation in the Government. Now if Jax could just get his kid back from the IRA

 

[Pocatello]

# of African Americans in the Senate: 0

# of African Americans on the Supreme Court who aren't dishonest, ideological radicals doing great harm: 0

Having said that, while I'm sorry to see some minorities support the terrible agenda of Republicans, it is good to see more progress as skin color is less an issue.

If Black Americans just keeping supporting one party they will lose in every election, even when the party they supported wins. The Dems don't care about black people because they can count on the black votes no matter what. The reverse is also true, if you always vote against the Republicans, don't expect them to support your agenda.

 

[Red Dawn]

It has taken a long time, but the standard issues of discrimination - race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation - are of minimal interest to the vast majority of people these days.

The two black Republican Americans that won seats in Congress did not do so in black majority districts, districts of the type where Democrat racism offers up successful candidacies, but in districts that are overwhelmingly white in racial makeup. Those elections were color blind.

I absolutely hate to distinguish the victories I enumerate in terms of discriminatory characterization. I do so only to tweak the noses of those here who believe in and advocate the overt racism of racial preferences.

It is my sincere hope that at some point it is no longer necessary to point out someone's race, even in celebration of victory.

The candidates won because they are absolutely the best people for the jobs they were elected to do. That is the real take away and it is my sincere hope that is what all future elections will represent.

I don't know if West was the best for the job, just not as bad as his opponent. He kind of has the Spidey gene. I wonder if he's related to Spidey's mother.

 

[Craig234]

It has taken a long time, but the standard issues of discrimination - race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation - are of minimal interest to the vast majority of people these days.

The two black Republican Americans that won seats in Congress did not do so in black majority districts, districts of the type where Democrat racism offers up successful candidacies, but in districts that are overwhelmingly white in racial makeup. Those elections were color blind.

I absolutely hate to distinguish the victories I enumerate in terms of discriminatory characterization. I do so only to tweak the noses of those here who believe in and advocate the overt racism of racial preferences.

It is my sincere hope that at some point it is no longer necessary to point out someone's race, even in celebration of victory.

The candidates won because they are absolutely the best people for the jobs they were elected to do. That is the real take away and it is my sincere hope that is what all future elections will represent.

This is an issue we can agree on.

That agreement probably ends when it comes to the issue of the lingering effects on many blacks of centuries of discrimination, unfortunately, but it's a shared goal.

And it is progress for the bit these elections represent.

 

[PJABBER]

Hey it's about time 1%ers got some representation in the Government. Now if Jax could just get his kid back from the IRA

LOL! West rides with a rival club, does he? Whose colors do you wear? Warlocks? Pagans?

 

[Craig234]

If Black Americans just keeping supporting one party they will lose in every election, even when the party they supported wins. The Dems don't care about black people because they can count on the black votes no matter what. The reverse is also true, if you always vote against the Republicans, don't expect them to support your agenda.

You're projecting your amoral cynicism and spouting a talking point attack.

Dems do care about blacks, generally, in spite of your opinion otherwise.

On the other hand, I give more credit to many Republicans than you seem to. People deserve fair representation of their interests even if they did not vote for you.

There is some room for leeway - a politician elected by labor is going to support more pro-labor policies - but it doesn't mean he will do nothing for non-labor people.

I've seen a variety of policies that at least seemed to sincerely attempt to help blacks from some on the right, to look for common ground.

While I think they largely fall short, I think today not much of that is explicit racism.

Sometimes a policy like 'do nothing for them' can be interpreted as either racist OR as following a 'the government should not do anything for people' color-blind ideology.

The large majority of policies that are against programs for blacks seem to me based more on ignorance (not knowing how to govern) and anti-government ideology and even selfishness (a dollar for that program is a dollar less for one important to me) than on racism.

It seems to me we've moved largely to passive policies on race (don't pass this, don't pass that) and active has nearly disappeared (e.g. segregation, except Rand Paul).

 

[Amused]

# of African Americans on the Supreme Court who aren't uncle tom, oero cookies doing great harm: 0

Damn craig.

 

[Red Dawn]

LOL! West rides with a rival club, does he? Whose colors do you wear? Warlocks? Pagans?

I was actually pointing out how stupid DailyKos was trying to link him to the AOA which don't allow Blacks into their Club. Neither do any of the other Big 1%er clubs like the ones you mentioned.

 

[Pocatello]

You're projecting your amoral cynicism and spouting a talking point attack.

Dems do care about blacks, generally, in spite of your opinion otherwise.

On the other hand, I give more credit to many Republicans than you seem to. People deserve fair representation of their interests even if they did not vote for you.

There is some room for leeway - a politician elected by labor is going to support more pro-labor policies - but it doesn't mean he will do nothing for non-labor people.

I've seen a variety of policies that at least seemed to sincerely attempt to help blacks from some on the right, to look for common ground.

While I think they largely fall short, I think today not much of that is explicit racism.

Sometimes a policy like 'do nothing for them' can be interpreted as either racist OR as following a 'the government should not do anything for people' color-blind ideology.

The large majority of policies that are against programs for blacks seem to me based more on ignorance (not knowing how to govern) and anti-government ideology and even selfishness (a dollar for that program is a dollar less for one important to me) than on racism.

It seems to me we've moved largely to passive policies on race (don't pass this, don't pass that) and active has nearly disappeared (e.g. segregation, except Rand Paul).

Wow, you have a lot of times on your hand to write so much. The ugly truth is that Black Americans better diversify beyond the Democratic party.

 

[IBMer]

Marco Rubio, the 38-year-old Tea Party favorite, son of migrants who escaped Fidel Castro’s Cuba, is now of the U.S. Senate and a future contender for the Presidency or the Vice Presidency.

I love it how Cubans escape but Mexicans invade.

 

[Craig234]

I love it how Cubans escape but Mexicans invade.

Freedom Fights/terrorists, liberators/conquerors, etc.

 

[Craig234]

Wow, you have a lot of times on your hand to write so much. The ugly truth is that Black Americans better diversify beyond the Democratic party.

So, you know better than blacks 'what's the best use of their vote'? Sounds familiar.

 

[werepossum]

Damn craig.

Nothing a progressive hates more than when the darkies get uppity and refuse to believe, think and vote the way they are told.

 

[DucatiMonster696]

# of African Americans in the Senate: 0

# of African Americans on the Supreme Court who aren't dishonest, ideological radicals doing great harm: 0

Having said that, while I'm sorry to see some minorities support the terrible agenda of Republicans, it is good to see more progress as skin color is less an issue.

White liberal guys who want AA's and minorities to act like robots: 1 in this post.

 

[DucatiMonster696]

I love it how Cubans escape but Mexicans invade.

Wait are you saying Communism is a paradise?

 

[IBMer]

I wonder how Marco Rubio passed over all the illegal hate in the Republican Party. His parents didn't wait and come over legally. They came over and were later granted asylum from Cuba. He is practically an anchor baby.