Terri
05-13-2003, 12:59 AM
Black Republicans court votes
By Steve Miller
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
May 12, 2003
They are meeting quietly in heartland cities like Indianapolis — black Republicans with a plan they hope will garner 25 percent of the black vote for President Bush next year.
Bolstered by unprecedented Republican overtures to black voters, such as the $15 billion AIDS package to Africa and the Caribbean, appointments of blacks to key Cabinet positions, and the faith-based initiative, black Republicans are convinced they have a viable product to sell.
The effort includes an attempt to identify "closet Republicans" among blacks and encourage more of them to run for office.
Until now, the plan has been one of stealth, to avoid Democratic ridicule of a party that has failed to garner more than 16 percent of the black vote in any election since 1976.
The Rest (http://www.washtimes.com/national/20030512-19177572.htm)
By Steve Miller
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
May 12, 2003
They are meeting quietly in heartland cities like Indianapolis — black Republicans with a plan they hope will garner 25 percent of the black vote for President Bush next year.
Bolstered by unprecedented Republican overtures to black voters, such as the $15 billion AIDS package to Africa and the Caribbean, appointments of blacks to key Cabinet positions, and the faith-based initiative, black Republicans are convinced they have a viable product to sell.
The effort includes an attempt to identify "closet Republicans" among blacks and encourage more of them to run for office.
Until now, the plan has been one of stealth, to avoid Democratic ridicule of a party that has failed to garner more than 16 percent of the black vote in any election since 1976.
The Rest (http://www.washtimes.com/national/20030512-19177572.htm)