Raynard Jackson
Now that Romney is the defacto nominee for the Republican Party, I
have been reflecting on the state of the presidential race as it enters the
final stretch. As a political strategist, I understand the necessity to run to
the right during the Republican primary and then migrate to the center during
the general election.
It is common knowledge that Romney has no intention of focusing on the
Black vote during the general election. From a raw political perspective, I
agree with his approach, but from a strategic perspective, I totally disagree.
Below I will detail why this is a terrible strategy!
There is absolutely no question that Obama will get in excess of 90%
of the Black vote (in 2008 he received 96%). But this time he will receive 90+
% of a smaller number of Blacks—there will be fewer numbers of Blacks voting
because they are disillusioned with Obama. The first Obama run was history, his
governing is a mystery when it comes to Blacks!
Obama’s recent endorsement of homosexual marriage and support for
amnesty for illegals has infuriated the Black community. The NAACP, Al
Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, etc. have not represented the views of the average
Black for decades. The NAACP will continue to hemorrhage support from within
the Black community. Many Blacks are publically withdrawing their memberships
and support from this group.
Under skilled Blacks are livid that Obama wants to legalize over 1
million new people into the workforce to compete with them for jobs. It’s hard
enough competing with Americans for jobs, now you have to compete with those in
the country illegally for jobs? Who in their right minds feeds the neighborhood
while their own children are starving? Nobody, but Obama.
These issues give Romney an opportunity, by engaging with the Black
community, to reach out to white, suburban, middleclass women voters to let
them know that the Republican Party is OK to support. In other words, these are
the Independent voters who will determine the outcome of the election.
These voters want to support a candidate and party that are not
“perceived” as racist or mean spirited. So, by reaching out to Blacks, they are
signaling to these Independent voters that it is OK to vote Republican.
These voters don’t support homosexual marriage or amnesty for
illegals, but they don’t want to see or hear harsh rhetoric either.
Romney, are you aware that Obama has never met with any Black
entrepreneurs to discuss the high unemployment rate within the Black community?
When will you meet with Black entrepreneurs to listen to them, not to preach to
them?
Romney, when will you sit with Black ministers who are with you in
your opposition to homosexual marriage and under-skilled Blacks who will be
hurt by giving work permits to illegals?
Why are you going to address the NAACP and the National Urban League
at their respective annual conventions this summer without obtaining
concessions from them? Do you have any Blacks on your campaign or consultants
who can negotiate concessions on behalf of your campaign? For example, if these
groups want you to speak before their membership, then they must have Black
Republicans as speakers and panelists or you won’t agree to speak.
Because Republicans typically have no diversity on their staffs, they
don’t know to extract these types of concessions, nor can they afford to send a
white staffer to do this. Republicans are the only people I know who will send
a white male to speak to a group of women about women’s issues!
Romney, when you go before these Black groups, will you also have a
white speechwriter to draft your remarks? Anyone can write a great speech, but
do you understand the nuances when talking with the Black community? A white
speechwriter can’t help you with that.
This is why Republicans typically receive tepid responses when
speaking before a Black audience. “Meanings are in people, not in words.”
So, what I am saying to you, Romney, is that by engaging with the
Black community, you are simultaneously engaging Independent voters. You get a
twofer out of this approach and you, being the businessman that you are, should
see the potential for a nice return on your investment of time.
I would welcome your thoughts on this approach as a first step towards
substantive engagement with the Black community.
Raynard Jackson is president &
CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public
relations/government affairs firm. His website is: www.raynardjackson.com.
Raynard Jackson & Associates,
LLC is a internationally recognized political consulting, government affairs,
and PR firm based in Washington, DC. Jackson is a internationally recognized
radio talk show host and TV commentator. He has coined the phrase “straticist.”
As a straticist, he has merged strategic planning with public relations. Call
RJA to discuss how they can get you to the next level of your career.
