Leading Republicans a No Show at Morgan State

Editor’s note: I am not going to rehash the articles in the papers, the network news articles, and blogs with specific quotes. Others have done this more eloquently than I, both liberal and conservative, both democrat and republicans, have discoursed on the issue, here are some links: San Fransisco Chronicle, Seattle Times, ABC NEWS, Washington Post, CBN News (Christian Broadcast Network), FOX News, Financial Times, and Wall Street Journal.

It has often occurred to me that, when an opportunity to step up to the plate to lead, to find compromise on controversial issues, no one is there in the batter box. Leading republicans had an opportunity to show that they represent all Americans, and even though they may not agree on all issues, at least to say, “I am here to participate in the discussion.” However, these men were not, Giuliani, Romney, McCain, and Thompson state that they had scheduling conflicts. If you believe that, I have some have some beach front property for you in Colorado.One does not need to pander phony considerations, such as giving an apology for slavery and segregation (Brownback), or trying to create another program for housing opportunity for minorities (Huckabee), it is not necessary. What matters, as the bottom feeding candidates did, was to show up.

Showing up is half the battle in trying to resolve issues and differences and finding compromises. Yes, admittedly, there are traditional demographic tendencies that are severely stacked against a republican. And, I will concede that it may be perceived as a waste of time and resources; however, as a presidential candidate, and as a person, who wants to represents all of America, it might be advisable to show up to a few minority groups voting blocs to show that one represents all Americans. Heck, it is easy to go places where everyone loves you and agrees with you and does not take much to persuade them, but a true measure of a leader is making the tough decisions, trying to persuade those who do not agree with you.

The ability to find compromise with those that you may not agree with you, but in the end of the day, realizing that we, born as citizens, or those immigrate (legally) to become citizens, want the same thing to be Americans and are Americans. No matter if you are a person of color or white, dropping the hyphenation between our ethnicities, Irish, Italian, Mexican, or African, we are Americans first. The failure of the leading candidates to see that is not only disconcerting only for minorities, but to all Americans of any color. This is not end of the world type issue, but it could surely handicap the vision of a country that says, we are for all creeds, ethnicities, and colors.