We’re all supposed to be outraged at DNC Chair Howard Dean’s comment this week that Republicans are “a pretty monolithic party. They all behave the same. They all look the same. It’s pretty much a white Christian party.” The part that upsets some Republicans, of course, is being called a “white Christian party.” It upsets them because it’s true.
If this all sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve done this before. In February, Dean addressed the Democratic Black Caucus, saying: “You think the Republicans could get this many people of color in a single room? Only if they had the hotel staff in here.” Some Republicans were angry, then, too. Why? Because it hit so close to home.
Republican gatherings are like flipping through an L.L. Bean catalog. Are these folks Christian? I don’t know. But I can’t see how an atheist, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist or Hindu would feel comfortable in a party that continuously reminds Americans that Christianity is the one true religion, and of any nation that isn’t Christian, “we should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity.”
If the Republican Party places such an emphasis on racial diversity and fairness of opportunity, I want to know why Jerry Kilgore replaced a 3/5 black staff with an all-white staff when he took over as Secretary of Public Safety. Does Mr. Kilgore think that blacks are less competent? Or does he believe that only whites can properly uphold his positions?
Republicans who are uncomfortable with the topic of race should cause them to criticize within, not without.
‘Hindi’ is a language derived from Sanskrit. A follower of Hinduism is called a Hindu.
D’oh. Fixed.
I guess Dean would know about being saturated with caucasians, considering the makeup of his staff when he was Gov. ;-)
But recall that Dean’s staff was overrepresentative of blacks in Vermont.
Whether you believe Dean is correct or not, his daft comments are hurting the Democrats, not the Republicans. Dean has already managed to lose a number of major contributors, and he has scared away a number of “moderate” voters. If the current trend continues, we may be surprised at the number of minorities voting for the Republican candidate in 2008.
I expect you’re right, CR. Being right won’t necessarily win a debate and, in national matters, is often irrelevant. I can’t see how Dean’s statements will cause any defections to the Democratic Party.
I’ve spent a couple of days listening to the pundits and reading the bloggers talking about Dean’s recent comments. Here’s my two cents.
1. The thing about being a party of white christians is true: http://americablog.blogspot.com/2005/06/oops-gop-really-is-all-white-study.html. So, where’s the scandal?
2. The truths Dean has been speaking have needed to be said for a long time. Dems have just been too conflicted to say them. I like having Dean out there speaking the truth and being a lightning rod. A lightening rod gets hit so the house doesn’t burn down. If Dems can just stop attacking Dean… say “no comment” or whatever, and tget their own more moderate messages out, Dean can be the bad cop and a good Dem with some leadership could just be real.
3. Dean said this weekend that “My view is that Fox News is a propaganda outlet of the Republican Party and that I don’t comment on Fox News.” I love this, because a.) again it’s true, and b.) now all the other media outlest will have to repeat it!
So, a message for Dems: Quit Attacking Dean! He tells the hard political truths so you can get wome real work done
If you’re attacking the head of the Democratic party, you’re not a moderate, you’re a Republican.