What is the real political party for Black America? Democrats offer blacks hope opportunity

THERE'S AN OLD STAYING among the Black political class that we have "no permanent friends, no permanent enemies, just permanent interests."

The Democratic Party isn't perfect, and has not served us perfectly, but since the Civil Rights Movement, it remains the best vehicle for Black political participation, representation and empowerment.

As a Democratic strategist, my party, the Real party of African-Americans, is the party that promotes opportunity, hope, and equality for all. It is the party that has welcomed us into the room, and given us a well-deserved seat at the table. Both major parties talk about equality, the need for diversity and building a society that is blind to color. Both parties believe that America should be the land of opportunity, giving every child born the same chance to succeed. It is easy to talk the talk. So let's not pay lip service when millions of African-Americans rely on the government to be fair, just and honest.

AFRICAN-AMERICANS HAVE REAL POWER AS DEMOCRATS

It's not the talk that matters; it is the real-life, everyday, practical power that African-Americans wield only in the Democratic Party that matters. For instance, there are 43 African-American members of Congress. All are Democrats. It is the only party that has elected an African-American to the Senate in the current Congress.

Even historically, Democrats have elected more than three times as many African-Americans to Congress than Republicans, and three-quarters of the Republican African-Americans were elected before 1900.

Not only have Democrats elected Blacks, they serve in leadership positions within the Party and within the government. These are not token concessions from an indifferent party hoping to appease a core constituent group.

While the Republican Party has a noble history as the party of Abraham Lincoln and emancipation, it has strayed from those honorable roots. In the last six years of Republican leadership the household income among African-Americans has declined every year, the poverty rate has grown 24.9 percent and health care costs have increased as the number of uninsured has multiplied.

BLACKS COULD TAKE OVER POWERFUL SEATS IN LEADERSHIP

If Democrats regain the majority in the House of Representatives, Congressman John Conyers (D-MI), an African-American, will chair the Judiciary Committee. This is the committee that is responsible for overseeing the judicial branch of government, federal law enforcement agencies and writing our nation's criminal laws.

The Judiciary Committee--which oversees civil and criminal proceedings, civil liberties, Constitutional amendments, enforcement of voting rights, immigration policy, illegal wiretaps and Presidential succession--is one of the most important committees within the U.S. government. If Democrats win back the House, an African-American would be at the helm.

Another African-American, U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), would chair the House Ways and Means Committee. That committee has jurisdiction over taxation, Medicare, unemployment benefits, welfare, foster care and adoption. This is the committee that takes the lead in determining whether or not Social Security will be bankrupt for our children. It is the committee that drafts federal law on whether, when and how we can adopt our children. It is the committee that proposes legislation on how our children will be cared for if something unforeseen happens to us.

After 9/11, I don't need to explain the importance of the Committee on Homeland Security. Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), an African-American, is the ranking Democrat on that committee--a committee charged with helping our nation's first responders, preparing for natural disasters and overseeing our nation's protection--and would likely take over the chairmanship if Democrats regain the House.

WHAT'S REALLY AT STAKE FOR AMERICA

These are profoundly powerful positions that African-Americans would hold if Democrats were in the majority. Black political leaders would have an chance to help shape a new federal budget. Blacks would hold the Bush Administration accountable in helping to rebuild the Gulf Coast region destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. And I strongly believe Democrats would not waste time in reshaping our policies in Iraq.

When I managed Al Gore's campaign for president in 2000, I was the first African-American ever to run a major presidential campaign. I'll never forget the honor to serve my Party and to help frame its message.

It was the Democratic Party that gave me that chance to not only sit at the table where decisions are made, but to help steer the country in a new direction. The Democratic Party not only believes in equality, justice, inclusiveness and the value of diversity, it turns those beliefs into action. Anyone can talk the talk. Only Democrats walk the walk.

COPYRIGHT 2006 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning