# What can the GOP do to attract more minorities? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 24, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881 "2009-06-24T21:40:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/21 "2009-06-25T03:42:41Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > I find it so weird and mind-boggling that those same older Americans who should feel camaraderie with these people are very often pretty vocal about hating, fearing, or just mistrusting them. Yet they’re perfectly ok with younger Americans who often openly mock those values. Why wouldn’t they feel more kinship to their own children than to _foreigners/outsiders_ who sort of agree with them on some things? They may wish their kids were more like the Mexicans, but they’re not giving the farm to the Mexicans! Have you _ever met_ a [del]human[/del] mammal? ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/22 "2009-06-25T03:46:09Z")
Does anyone else think it might be the end for the GOP? Kind of like the GM of politics? ---
**Author:** ![IdahoMauleMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/71c47a/32.png) [@IdahoMauleMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IdahoMauleMan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/23 "2009-06-25T03:46:22Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > I think you’re making a mistake in how you construct the GOP. The GOP is not a “conservative values” party with a lot of whites. It’s a white party with some “conservative values”–implicitly including a stand against changes in relative power, like electing Negroes & mestizos to high office. Condolezza Rice, Colin Powell, J.C. Watts, and Michael Steele notwithstanding. And they married a few mestizos along the way. You strike me as someone who goes for the cheap demagogue because it makes you feel good. Sort of like the Detroit city council. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/24 "2009-06-25T03:50:13Z")
> [@IdahoMauleMan](#): > > But you realize, of course, that the _existing_ Social Security scheme is the true Ponzi scheme. > > A privatized scheme, whereby employees would keep their own deductions, and own real assets, is exactly the opposite of a Ponzi scheme. I’m not prepared to argue whether or not Social Security is some sort of Ponzi scheme. What I am pointing out is public perception. Public perception is formed by people’s life experience. What most people perceive is that Social Security checks arrive regularly in the hands of family or friends or neighbors; while they’re aware of the argument that SS will run dry in time, the present reality is that it may be a small amount but it’s nevertheless a reliable lifeline for many folks. The stock market has shown to the public over the last several months: (1) a spectacular plunge in values, not only for sophisticated investors but for millions of people whose pension funds, 401(k)s, IRAs, and so forth have dwindled frighteningly, wiping out years of gains in mere months; (2) prominent giant financial institutions on the brink of going belly up; (3) crooks caught stealing millions and even billions not only from sophisticated investors but also from charities; (4) obscene compensation to Wall Street and bank executives even as their companies go deep into the red. Nothing in this is going to persuade people that the market is a safer place for them. On preview: Good luck with communicating your theoretical benefits of privatization to people confronting the stark present realities. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/25 "2009-06-25T03:59:30Z")
> [@IdahoMauleMan](#): > > Condolezza Rice, Colin Powell, J.C. Watts, and Michael Steele notwithstanding. And they married a few mestizos along the way. The GOP is not monolithic. My mother is a serious religious right Republican, & not at all racist. She would have loved to see the GOP nominate a black candidate for President. She doesn’t recognize just how much of the party is Dixiecrats & racialists in fact. The preserve-white-power pack call themselves “conservatives,” (look up Council of Conservative Citizens). The Jesus freaks & Bible thumpers are often legitimately theologically & religiously conservative, so they call themselves “conservatives,” too. The internationalist/imperialist wing are “conservatives,” sometimes with a “neo-” attached. Pat Buchanan is also styled a “conservative,” although he’s explicitly opposed to the latter group. He’s a cultural conservative, of course. Then some people use “free-market conservative,” to mean pro-economic growth–which is silly, just say you’re pro-growth–but they do. And of course, there used to be “law-and-order conservatives,” but apparently the Sicilian Mafia is somehow allied to the GOP now, & you don’t hear about that as much. So a politician says something about appealing to “conservatives” & trying to support “conservative values,” & no one knows what he means. But some people in the former groups will think he’s talking about them. But socially “conservative” blacks (most) & Mexicans (some) know better, usually. _ETA: (For the record, I was raised a law-&-order Jesus Freak/Bible thumper, & yes those are words we used for ourselves. But I make a much better Green than a Republican in the present environment._ ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/26 "2009-06-25T04:03:40Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > A poll in the L.A. Times today found that, at least in Los Angeles, black and Hispanic voters are more likely than whites to identify themselves as conservative. Hispanics are not a minority in L.A. They are a plurality. And the current projections show that in 30-some odd years, the entire country will be that way and whites will be a minority. So yeah, if the GOP wants to do well it needs to get a lot browner. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/27 "2009-06-25T05:00:03Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > Why wouldn’t they feel more kinship to their own children than to _foreigners/outsiders_ who sort of agree with them on some things? They may wish their kids were more like the Mexicans, but they’re not giving the farm to the Mexicans! > > Have you _ever met_ a [del]human[/del] mammal? I didn’t say anything about their own children. Edit: Unless you’re saying all young white people are the “children” of all old white people? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/28 "2009-06-25T05:11:03Z")
It’s refreshing to realize that a younger generation of citizens is coming along that has little or no racial bigotry, yet identifies themselves as conservative. The problem is, those who identify themselves as conservative may not identify themselves as Republican. The Republican Party has a regressive leadership at the top that is turning off young, intelligent people on the party. Bemoan the political correctness in this country all you want, but at least it created the conditions by which a generation of people could grow up and develop more progressive social views towards different people. People my age can be open and progressive while still recognizing when certain people or groups go overboard with their message of tolerance. I think the Republican Party is too old, on average, to have reached that point yet. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/29 "2009-06-25T15:38:42Z")
In the Nixon tapes, there is a point where Nixon and his staff come to a revelation. They said we don’t need them. We can win elections without courting the blacks or minorities. Since that time ,they have maintained an adversarial relationship with blacks. Now the numbers aren’t there and they have to try to widen their base. Of course they have to overcome generations of ill will their actions caused. Good luck with that. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/30 "2009-06-25T15:44:57Z")
Also I should add that a lot of Hispanics, especially second and third generation, are all for some sort of immigration reform and tightening of the border. But they just didn’t like how the Tom Tancredo/Lou Dobbs/Bill O’Reilly crowd hijacked the debate and seemed to lay blame for all of America’s social ills squarely at the feet of illegal Mexican immigrants. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/31 "2009-06-25T16:22:01Z")
> [@IdahoMauleMan](#): > > Condolezza Rice, Colin Powell, J.C. Watts, and Michael Steele notwithstanding. That’s only 2/4 elected officials. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/32 "2009-06-25T18:52:35Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > That’s only 2/4 elected officials. Neither of them currently in elected office, either. Btw, Watts quit the House when he realized he was being used as a token. Steele owes his current position mainly to that reason. Powell is in the process being excommunicated by party’s current leadership (Cheney and Limbaugh). Rice chose not to act as a leader or the Iraq invasion would have happened without her or not at all. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/33 "2009-06-25T20:20:25Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Neither of them currently in elected office, either. Btw, Watts quit the House when he realized he was being used as a token. Steele owes his current position mainly to that reason. Powell is in the process being excommunicated by party’s current leadership (Cheney and Limbaugh). Rice chose not to act as a leader or the Iraq invasion would have happened without her or not at all. And Steele’s highest elected office (maybe only elected office, I’m not sure) was as Lt. Governor - in otherwords he rode the coattails of some other guy into office. How many voters do you think even knew who he was when they saw his name on the ballot? ---
**Author:** ![athelas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/34 "2009-06-25T22:31:21Z")
I’d be curious if anyone could see a way for the GOP to increase its share of the minority vote while still being against interracial transfers like affirmative action and welfare. Like I said, I don’t see cultural affinities as overriding the immediate practical benefits of Democratic programs to minorities. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/35 "2009-06-25T23:04:20Z")
Marginalize its movement conservatives. Rush should be the first over the gunwale. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2009, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/36 "2009-06-25T23:23:05Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > The GOP is not monolithic. My mother is a serious religious right Republican, & not at all racist. She would have loved to see the GOP nominate a black candidate for President. She doesn’t recognize just how much of the party is Dixiecrats & racialists in fact. > > The preserve-white-power pack call themselves “conservatives,” (look up Council of Conservative Citizens). > > The Jesus freaks & Bible thumpers are often legitimately theologically & religiously conservative, so they call themselves “conservatives,” too. > > The internationalist/imperialist wing are “conservatives,” sometimes with a “neo-” attached. > > Pat Buchanan is also styled a “conservative,” although he’s explicitly opposed to the latter group. He’s a cultural conservative, of course. > > Then some people use “free-market conservative,” to mean pro-economic growth–which is silly, just say you’re pro-growth–but they do. > > And of course, there used to be “law-and-order conservatives,” but apparently the Sicilian Mafia is somehow allied to the GOP now, & you don’t hear about that as much. > > So a politician says something about appealing to “conservatives” & trying to support “conservative values,” & no one knows what he means. But some people in the former groups will think he’s talking about them. > > But socially “conservative” blacks (most) & Mexicans (some) know better, usually. > > _ETA: (For the record, I was raised a law-&-order Jesus Freak/Bible thumper, & yes those are words we used for ourselves. But I make a much better Green than a Republican in the present environment._ This. The blind spot many non minorities have is when someone says ‘Republican’ to blacks or hispanics they hear ‘party of white racists’, and no amount of logic twisting and spin is going to change the fact that the GOP attracts an unabashed and unashamed racist and racialist element. The only chance the GOP has of attracting more minorities, especially blacks, is to jettison the racists from the party, in a public, unambiguous way. At this point, however, a not insignificant percent of those who consider themselves party loyalists remain proudly racist, unfortunately, and since, in my view, the GOP needs its racists to survive, it’d, perhaps, result in a fatal blow to the party. Add to this the rampant xenophobia the party tolerates and, in some ways, promotes, conveniently focusing its ire solely to those of Hispanic, Afro-caribbean, and Arab and Muslim ancestry, and my conclusion is the party’s downward drift is all but inexorable. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/37 "2009-06-26T00:37:04Z")
The GOP is the party of the bigots and anti immigrant types. If they soften their stance on blacks they risk losing a segment they can count on. They have to bring in enough black voters to compensate for the ones they may lose. They will carefully do the calculus and decide which way will make them more competitive. Then they will skip principles and go for the votes. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/38 "2009-06-26T00:38:58Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > In the Nixon tapes, there is a point where Nixon and his staff come to a revelation. They said we don’t need them. We can win elections without courting the blacks or minorities. Since that time ,they have maintained an adversarial relationship with blacks. Now the numbers aren’t there and they have to try to widen their base. Of course they have to overcome generations of ill will their actions caused. Good luck with that. [“The Southern Strategy.”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_strategy) It’s how the GOP has won elections for more than 30 years. Now the numbers don’t work anymore. The problem is that it’s so ingrained in the bones of the party that they can’t ditch it without pissing off a huge chunk of their base. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/39 "2009-06-26T00:49:05Z")
> [@IdahoMauleMan](#): > > Condolezza Rice Y’know, in an interview after the most recent presidential election I heard more than one tearful catch in Condi’s throat, and it wasn’t because McCain had lost. If Obama offered her a job–any job–she’d jump at it. ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2009, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881/40 "2009-06-26T02:53:32Z")
The GOP could start by selecting an African-American as their party chair. Preferably one with a hip-hop attitude. Yep. That oughta work out just great! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881.md?page=3)