Ellison: “Does the GOP really want its Black Republicans to succeed?”
McAllister: “Without political activism that includes more relationships with Black America where they are right now instead of preaching sessions that hark back to 1863 or the mid-20th century, the clear answer is two-fold: yes…and no…”
PHILADELPHIA (May 26, 2013) – Lenny McAllister, the “Working Man’s Conservative”, Republican strategist and pundit, and former congressional candidate (Illinois-2nd), was quoted in the Sunday edition of The Philadelphia Tribune by Sirius-XM Radio host and Tribune Washington correspondent Charles D. Ellison as part of an article on Black outreach and effectiveness within the Republican Party.
The full interview (unedited) can be found below:
Charles D. Ellison: “Is there a trend of GOP only picking Black GOP candidates that have heavy religious views? And, in this case and others, why does it seem as if the Black GOP candidates that are most times picked by the party during primaries/conventions are the least competitive?
“Does the GOP really want its Black Republicans to succeed?”
Lenny McAllister: “Everything seems to be swinging further to the right when it comes to Republican and conservative candidates: right-wing positions on Roe v. Wade, on foreign policy, on domestic matters, and on legislative approach. It would only be consistent that the types of candidates that the engaged portions of the Republican voting base support are those that lean in this direction in all capacities, including religious activism.
“Sadly, at this point, being a moderate Republican is akin to being a political Benedict Arnold. Being a Black Republican that supports policies such as Affirmative Action – those that reflect the growing disparities between Blacks and other Americans and seek to address it accordingly to optimize America’s talents in all communities – is seen as being un-American and race-baiting. Any Black man or woman that has a pulse on the destruction and hopelessness within urban America, yet believes that the continued approach of disengagement, chastisement, and philosophical theology is the way to get more Blacks to vote conservative, are accessories to political murder. They cement into place the very liberal policies that they believe hamper Black people throughout America with their shallowness or callousness. Not all are like this, but some argue that many of them are. Without political activism that includes more relationships with Black America where they are right now instead of preaching sessions that hark back to 1863 or the mid-20th century, the clear answer is two-fold: yes, the GOP wants its African-American candidates to succeed – those that reflect the current right-wing swing and continued divisiveness and detachment within our nation, but no: the GOP does not want its Black candidates – those that articulate the need for change within the Republican Party, the legislative bodies of the nation, and the racial and socioeconomic imbalance within our society – to succeed.”
The interview and story are found in the print version of The Philadelphia Tribune on Sunday later in the week.
McAllister will be a featured panelist in the Rose Dialogue Series debate, “Gun Control or Out of Control?” on June 5 in New York City. The series is hosted by the Riverdale Y in the Bronx.
Lenny will appear opposite Michael Skolnik, GlobalGrind.com administrator and political director for hip hop mogul Russell Simmons. The discussion will be led by Fox News Contributor Sally Kohn.
Tickets for this exciting night of dialogue are $18. Reservations can be made at www.RiverdaleY.org
LennyMcAllister.com 