Election Dissection: Conservatives and Minorities

       
By J.R. Hoeft
Published November 12th, 2008  

Vivian Paige, Brian Kirwin, and myself participated in a forum on the 2008 election last night, sponsored by the Nimmo Republican Women’s Club in Virginia Beach.

Topic: Identifying two problems in the campaign: conservative motivation and minority outreach.

 
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Comments

6 Responses to “Election Dissection: Conservatives and Minorities”

  1. Chad PNo Gravatar on November 12th, 2008 at 1:34 pm

    I was at the last RPVB Committee Meeting as an observer, and the racist comments from a gentleman in the front row were disgusting.

    Some gems:

    “There are a lot of angry white people and they have guns!” (In reference to our President-Elect)

    “They may look human, but they’re not human because man was made in God’s image.” (In reference to minorities)

    “They’re not creatures of God. Who created them? The devil.”

    As long as the RP allows people like that as members, it will continue to fail to reach minorities. You want outreach? Boot people like that out of your party.

  2. J.R. HoeftNo Gravatar on November 12th, 2008 at 2:40 pm

    Chad,
    I agree. There is no room for that kind of mentality in the 21st Century.

    However, not that two wrongs make a right, we’re also not the party with a former leader of the KKK serving in the Senate.

  3. Chad PNo Gravatar on November 12th, 2008 at 4:30 pm

    I’m neither Democrat nor Republican, J.R. .. at the moment, the best way to classify me would be “free agent.”

    Not that you speak for the RPVB, but would they be amenable to kicking people like that out of their party? Seems like it violates the second bullet point of the RP creed’s second bullet point.

    Tolerance of racism is implicit support, whether R or D or other.

  4. Brian KirwinNo Gravatar on November 12th, 2008 at 4:48 pm

    I wish you had called attention to it at the moment, rather than waiting a few days and posting a comment. I just talked to the Chairman and he would’ve taken very swift action had he known or heard.

  5. Chad PNo Gravatar on November 12th, 2008 at 11:09 pm

    As a guest, I wanted to ask some acquaintances about the climate of the RP first. I’ve been asking around amongst those I know to find out if it was an isolated occurrence or something more common. I’ve got a few responses that are concerning, but nothing to suggest an overall bigotry on the RP’s part.

    If Mr. Golden would like, I’d be happy to bring it up when I next attend.

  6. Chad PNo Gravatar on November 12th, 2008 at 11:14 pm

    Or rather, bring up future incidents. I’d prefer to have proof of what was said, if only corroboration from other attendees.

    Not knowing the gentleman’s name (gentleman being used loosely, here) I can;t tell you who specifically to look for next Committee meeting. Older gentleman, front right as the chairman would face the crowd… gray beard and a straw hat, was with his wife.

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