Black conservatives and Republican opportunities

This has been a busy week for articles on black voters and conservatism.

What started it for me was this article by George Will on the constitutional defeat of school vouchers in Florida. The essence is that the Florida state constitution holds that “uniform” is more important than “high quality” when it comes to state provision of education.

What is interesting is that school choice represents a strategic wedge for the Republicans, for two reasons.

The more obvious is that vouchers diminish the power of the teachers’ unions, by allowing kids to opt out of their monopoly. Teachers’ unions are a pillar of the Democratic party.

The more subtle point is that vouchers are very popular among poorer voters, who are often saddled with the worst schools and fewest choices. That poor voters should see Republican policies improving their prospects is anathema to the Dems. If school vouchers are popular, Dems fear that they will never get those voters back.

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Then today I read an interesting overview in The Economist about black conservatives in America. The gist of the article is that they do exist, but that many black folks are uneasy about identifying themselves as Republicans. In other words, they are double minorities.

While the Economist notes that majority-black Congressional districts will stay Democrat for the foreseeable future — largely due to gerrymandering — there are substantial gains to be had by Republicans.

How? Well, perhaps the greatest point of opportunity is that black voters, and black congressmen that claim to represent them, are ideologically different:

[B]lack Americans tend to be quite socially conservative, but their representatives are anything but. Only four black congressmen voted to ban partial-birth abortion in 2003, though most blacks abhor the procedure. [...]

Most African-Americans favour school choice, yet not one black member of Congress voted to support a voucher programme to rescue mostly black pupils from failing schools in Washington, DC. [...]

Blacks are stiffed by the current [...] Social Security system, because they die younger than whites and so collect fewer benefits. Yet blacks in Congress were united in their opposition to Mr Bush's tentative reform plan last year

Democrats take the black vote for granted, that’s not news. What is news is that Republicans have an opportunity to blunt the power of identity politics if they can convincingly demonstrate that their policies align with the interests of black voters.

George Will has noted in the past, and the Economist article similarly notes, that if Republicans can gain even 25% of the black vote over time, Democrats may never win another election. That has not gone unnoticed.

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P.S. Check out this article in the WSJ on Thomas Sowell on the intersection of race and economics, and I meant to link earlier to this very inspiring evisceration of identity politics by Shelby Steele.

Comments

[The Gentle Cricket]

There seem to be a myriad of reasons why minority groups would favor the Republican party. Typical hispanic views on issues like abortion, and the issues facing many blacks/hispanics such as schools.

However, equating republicans to racists is far too prevalent, and I think that too many minorities fear being (or at least being called) "uncle tom".

Whenever a subject dealing with race (however slight) comes up (immigration, affirmative action, vouchers, Hurricane Katrina....) I know that those in opposition to my views will call me a racist with no base for the accusation. Reverting to that sort of name-calling, I think, perpetuates this myth that all racists are republicans and all republicans are racists. However untrue it may be, it certainly favors Democrats.

[seeker]

Hang in there friend.

Our republican tribe has reduced in numbers. Those conservatives have abandoned us for complacency and peace with socialist Democrats.

One day, when all these people find that they made a wrong choice in the most difficult and crucial time, they will remember that we still exist.

Be firm,stay Republican. Brother!

[marcell]

For a moment there i was thinking of sitting this one election out. however, with Palin in the ticket i will raise the Flag again !!! The party have done more for blacks than the democrats have ever done for the last 60 years, and yes i'm a minority....