Stephen A. Smith: 'What I dream is that for one election ... every black person in America vote GOP

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**Dreadclaw69**

http://news.yahoo.com/stephen-a-smith-black-americans-should-vote-republican-gop-election-140317220.html

ESPN host Stephen A. Smith says that if every African-American voted Republican for one election, it would send a strong message to the GOP that their vote is important.

“What I dream is that for one election, just one, every black person in America vote Republican,” Smith said Tuesday during an appearance at Vanderbilt University, according to audio published by Breitbart.com.

During the 2012 presidential election, an overwhelming 93 percent of black voters supported President Barack Obama, while just 6 percent voted for Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

“Black folks in America are telling one party, 'We don’t give a damn about you,’” Smith said. “They’re telling the other party, ‘You’ve got our vote.’ Therefore, you have labeled yourself ‘disenfranchised’ because one party knows they’ve got you under their thumb, the other party knows they’ll never get you and nobody comes to address your interest[s].”

Smith compared voting with “shopping around” to let store owners know they have to cater to you to win your business.

“We don’t do that with politics, and then we blame white America for our disenfranchisement," he said.

View photosESPN The Party - Arrivals
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - JANUARY 30: TV personality Stephen A. Smith attends ESPN the Party at WestWorld of …
The “First Take” commentator is known for being outspoken.

Earlier this month, Smith suggested that Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly was racist for trading away black players like LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin while keeping Riley Cooper, a white receiver who was fined by the team in 2013 for using the N-word at a Kenny Chesney concert.

“Chip Kelly makes decisions over the last couple of years that, dare I say, leave a few brothers feeling uncomfortable,” Smith said. “I think that's fair to say. I mean, we’re sitting here looking at some of the decisions that Chip Kelly makes, and I’m like, what is up? What’s up with that? I mean, it’s like you've got to be his kind of guy, you know? And I’m like, well, Riley Cooper’s your kind of guy?”

Last year, Smith was suspended by ESPN after he made controversial comments suggesting that Janay Palmer, the wife of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, could have done something to prevent the domestic violence incident that was caught on tape in an Atlantic City elevator.

Smith later apologized.

“I made what can only amount to the most egregious error of my career,” Smith said. “My words came across that it is somehow a woman’s fault. This was not my intent. It is not what I was trying to say.”

**Chongara**

In related news the Canadian Hunter's Association looks to capture to the Moose Vote details at 11.

**Alpharius**

Stephen A. Smith is a TV "columnist' - paid to express a controversial opinion in order to get people talking, etc, etc,

So, while this is interesting, but what I really want to know is what does Dreadclaw69 think about this?

**whembly**

Smith is basically saying that the black community are blamed for disenfranchising themselves by faithfully always voting for Democrats.

The key part:

Black folks in America are telling one party, ‘We don’t give a damn about you.’ They’re telling the other party ‘You’ve got our vote.’ Therefore, you have labeled yourself ‘disenfranchised’ because one party knows they’ve got you under their thumb. The other party knows they’ll never get you and nobody comes to address your interest.

Essentailly, be the seller in the "seller's market" and make both parties work for your interests.

I agree.

**Medium of Death**

What's the Lyndon B Johnson quote again? Something about having N-words voting democrat for 200 years?

Maybe this guy has a point. If the African American vote is expected then they don't need to really do much for you.

**whembly**

Medium of Death wrote:
What's the Lyndon B Johnson quote again? Something about having N-words voting democrat for 200 years?

Maybe this guy has a point. If the African American vote is expected then they don't need to really do much for you.

I'm not posting the full quote, 'cuz of the use of November (in jihadin's parlance).

Here's a good source:
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/articles-cars/40889

**Dreadclaw69**

Alpharius wrote:
Stephen A. Smith is a TV "columnist' - paid to express a controversial opinion in order to get people talking, etc, etc,

An ESPN columnist, not a political one. Different animals.

Alpharius wrote:
So, while this is interesting, but what I really want to know is what does Dreadclaw69 think about this?

I typically do not post my thoughts on the subject in the opening post is to avoid constricting the discussion, or dissuading people from taking part because they think that an agenda is being pursued.

**Jihadin**

Politicians have a tendency to do "lip service" then actually accomplish something.

**Tannhauser42**

How's this for a crazy idea:
To prove your vote matters, vote for who you CHOOSE to vote for, and not who you're told to vote for.

**Peregrine**

whembly wrote:
Essentailly, be the seller in the "seller's market" and make both parties work for your interests.

I agree.

Except, like everyone, they are making both parties work for their interests. If the republican party wants to get those votes then they need to offer something in return, and if they make a good enough offer then people will switch parties. But instead the republican party has chosen to offer nothing and pursue votes from other groups. What the OP is suggesting is that black people vote republican despite the republican party doing nothing to earn their votes. That isn't "making republicans work for your interests", it's rewarding current republican ideology with free votes.

**Dreadclaw69**

Peregrine wrote:
Except, like everyone, they are making both parties work for their interests. If the republican party wants to get those votes then they need to offer something in return, and if they make a good enough offer then people will switch parties. But instead the republican party has chosen to offer nothing and pursue votes from other groups. What the OP is suggesting is that black people vote republican despite the republican party doing nothing to earn their votes. That isn't "making republicans work for your interests", it's rewarding current republican ideology with free votes.

So what have the Democrats done to earn their votes?

**whembly**

Peregrine wrote:
whembly wrote:
Essentailly, be the seller in the "seller's market" and make both parties work for your interests.

I agree.

Except, like everyone, they are making both parties work for their interests. If the republican party wants to get those votes then they need to offer something in return, and if they make a good enough offer then people will switch parties. But instead the republican party has chosen to offer nothing and pursue votes from other groups. What the OP is suggesting is that black people vote republican despite the republican party doing nothing to earn their votes. That isn't "making republicans work for your interests", it's rewarding current republican ideology with free votes.

Well...

It reminds me of a quote in The Usual Suspects...

The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

And thusly...

The greatest trick Democrats ever pulled, was convincing African Americans that the Democrat's racist past didn't happen.

The problem isn't which party is or isn't offering... the problem is exactly what Tannhauser42 summarized:
"...vote for who you CHOOSE to vote for, and not who you're told to vote for."

Indeed...

**Peregrine**

Dreadclaw69 wrote:
So what have the Democrats done to earn their votes?

I don't know, ask them yourself. But they obviously see something worth voting for in the democrats.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

whembly wrote:
The greatest trick Democrats ever pulled, was convincing African Americans that the Democrat's racist past didn't happen.

And let's just ignore the inconvenient fact that the "racist past" in question happened before the major realignment where the democrats and republicans essentially switched places on the liberal-conservative scale.

The problem isn't which party is or isn't offering... the problem is exactly what Tannhauser42 summarized:
"...vote for who you CHOOSE to vote for, and not who you're told to vote for."

Which is ironic given that the OP can be accurately summed up as "vote for who I tell you to vote for because I said so".

**Dreadclaw69**

Peregrine wrote:
I don't know, ask them yourself. But they obviously see something worth voting for in the democrats.

So you believe that the Republicans aren't doing anything for them, but cannot tell me what the Democrats are doing for them. But you believe that Republicans offer nothing and that voting Republican "isn't "making republicans work for your interests", it's rewarding current republican ideology with free votes.", but clearly the same isn't true of the Democrats. And you have no knowledge of what each party offers. Interesting way to reach a conclusion.

**d-usa**

Dreadclaw69 wrote:
Peregrine wrote:
Except, like everyone, they are making both parties work for their interests. If the republican party wants to get those votes then they need to offer something in return, and if they make a good enough offer then people will switch parties. But instead the republican party has chosen to offer nothing and pursue votes from other groups. What the OP is suggesting is that black people vote republican despite the republican party doing nothing to earn their votes. That isn't "making republicans work for your interests", it's rewarding current republican ideology with free votes.

So what have the Democrats done to earn their votes?

The quick stuff that comes to mind:

- Pro-Union politics: fighting for unions and opposing anti-union legislation.
- Anti-discrimination politics:
- Pro-gun control: despite your personal viewpoints on the legality and/or effectiveness of this issue it is an important issue for people living in areas of violence
- Criminal Justice Reform
- Public Education Policies
- Social Safety-nets

**sirlynchmob**

Dreadclaw69 wrote:
Peregrine wrote:
Except, like everyone, they are making both parties work for their interests. If the republican party wants to get those votes then they need to offer something in return, and if they make a good enough offer then people will switch parties. But instead the republican party has chosen to offer nothing and pursue votes from other groups. What the OP is suggesting is that black people vote republican despite the republican party doing nothing to earn their votes. That isn't "making republicans work for your interests", it's rewarding current republican ideology with free votes.

So what have the Democrats done to earn their votes?

Marched with them in Selma. They Didn't try to disenfranchise a large portion of them with passing voting laws designed to keep them from voting. Put an affrican american on the ballot to become president twice. Passed the affordable care act. just off the top of my head.

If the republicans want their votes, maybe they should do something to reach out to them in a meaningful way. If they keep being the "bigots as usual" party, they're not going to get votes of the "minorities"

yes the democrats had their share of racists in the past, but that was in the past and getting further and further in the past.

**Prestor Jon**

sirlynchmob wrote:
Dreadclaw69 wrote:
Peregrine wrote:
Except, like everyone, they are making both parties work for their interests. If the republican party wants to get those votes then they need to offer something in return, and if they make a good enough offer then people will switch parties. But instead the republican party has chosen to offer nothing and pursue votes from other groups. What the OP is suggesting is that black people vote republican despite the republican party doing nothing to earn their votes. That isn't "making republicans work for your interests", it's rewarding current republican ideology with free votes.

So what have the Democrats done to earn their votes?

Marched with them in Selma. They Didn't try to disenfranchise a large portion of them with passing voting laws designed to keep them from voting. Put an affrican american on the ballot to become president twice. Passed the affordable care act. just off the top of my head.

If the republicans want their votes, maybe they should do something to reach out to them in a meaningful way. If they keep being the "bigots as usual" party, they're not going to get votes of the "minorities"

yes the democrats had their share of racists in the past, but that was in the past and getting further and further in the past.

Well, there was that Lincoln guy, he was a Republican. Of course he didn't pass the Affordable Care Act so I can see how he could be easily overlooked.

**Dreadclaw69**

d-usa wrote:

The quick stuff that comes to mind:

- Pro-Union politics: fighting for unions and opposing anti-union legislation.
- Anti-discrimination politics:
- Pro-gun control: despite your personal viewpoints on the legality and/or effectiveness of this issue it is an important issue for people living in areas of violence
- Criminal Justice Reform
- Public Education Policies
- Social Safety-nets

So what have Republicans done in this area? Have advances in these areas been done solely by the Democrats? I'm genuinely curious are my knowledge of this part of US history and culture is still developing

**d-usa**

If you want me for someone based on their political position 100+ years ago I will vote Whig.

**Dreadclaw69**

sirlynchmob wrote:
If the republicans want their votes, maybe they should do something to reach out to them in a meaningful way. If they keep being the "bigots as usual" party, they're not going to get votes of the "minorities"

And if you want to keep trotting out meaningless stereotypes and caricatures then you are not going to get meaningful discussion

**sirlynchmob**

Prestor Jon wrote:
sirlynchmob wrote:
Dreadclaw69 wrote:
Peregrine wrote:
Except, like everyone, they are making both parties work for their interests. If the republican party wants to get those votes then they need to offer something in return, and if they make a good enough offer then people will switch parties. But instead the republican party has chosen to offer nothing and pursue votes from other groups. What the OP is suggesting is that black people vote republican despite the republican party doing nothing to earn their votes. That isn't "making republicans work for your interests", it's rewarding current republican ideology with free votes.

So what have the Democrats done to earn their votes?

Marched with them in Selma. They Didn't try to disenfranchise a large portion of them with passing voting laws designed to keep them from voting. Put an affrican american on the ballot to become president twice. Passed the affordable care act. just off the top of my head.

If the republicans want their votes, maybe they should do something to reach out to them in a meaningful way. If they keep being the "bigots as usual" party, they're not going to get votes of the "minorities"

yes the democrats had their share of racists in the past, but that was in the past and getting further and further in the past.

Well, there was that Lincoln guy, he was a Republican. Of course he didn't pass the Affordable Care Act so I can see how he could be easily overlooked.

It's sad really that you had to go back 200 years to find something republicans did for the African-americans. so in 200 years the republicans have done nothing to earn their votes. Ya sounds like they're worth voting for.

**d-usa**

Dreadclaw69 wrote:
d-usa wrote:

The quick stuff that comes to mind:

- Pro-Union politics: fighting for unions and opposing anti-union legislation.
- Anti-discrimination politics:
- Pro-gun control: despite your personal viewpoints on the legality and/or effectiveness of this issue it is an important issue for people living in areas of violence
- Criminal Justice Reform
- Public Education Policies
- Social Safety-nets

So what have Republicans done in this area? Have advances in these areas been done solely by the Democrats? I'm genuinely curious are my knowledge of this part of US history and culture is still developing

A lot of the opposite honestly. Republicans are usually anti-Union, want less regulations with Guns, stricter sentencing for all offenders, elimination of welfare, education reform that will result in funds being moved away from needed areas.

It doesn't help that the GOP as a whole has a recent history of demonizing African-Americans, which continues somewhat to this day. "Thug" and "Inner City Youth" are still code words often used.

**Jihadin**

You make it sound like all Republicans are white only.

**Peregrine**

Prestor Jon wrote:
Well, there was that Lincoln guy, he was a Republican. Of course he didn't pass the Affordable Care Act so I can see how he could be easily overlooked.

It's almost like I said something about this already. Oh wait, I did:

And let's just ignore the inconvenient fact that the "racist past" in question happened before the major realignment where the democrats and republicans essentially switched places on the liberal-conservative scale.

Dreadclaw69 wrote:
So what have Republicans done in this area?

- Pro-Union politics: opposed unions and supported "right to work" laws which essentially remove the ability to negotiate collectively.
- Anti-discrimination politics: opposed them as "government interference in the free market and/or freedom of beliefs".
- Pro-gun control: opposed it in every form.
- Criminal Justice Reform: more prisons, harsher sentences.
- Public Education Policies: attempted to dismantle the public education system entirely and replace it with private schools.
- Social Safety-nets: attempted to remove them entirely, except for wealthy CEOs and middle-class-or-higher old people that reliably vote republican.

**djones520**

d-usa wrote:
Dreadclaw69 wrote:
d-usa wrote:

The quick stuff that comes to mind:

- Pro-Union politics: fighting for unions and opposing anti-union legislation.
- Anti-discrimination politics:
- Pro-gun control: despite your personal viewpoints on the legality and/or effectiveness of this issue it is an important issue for people living in areas of violence
- Criminal Justice Reform
- Public Education Policies
- Social Safety-nets

So what have Republicans done in this area? Have advances in these areas been done solely by the Democrats? I'm genuinely curious are my knowledge of this part of US history and culture is still developing

A lot of the opposite honestly. Republicans are usually anti-Union, want less regulations with Guns, stricter sentencing for all offenders, elimination of welfare, education reform that will result in funds being moved away from needed areas.

It doesn't help that the GOP as a whole has a recent history of demonizing African-Americans, which continues somewhat to this day. "Thug" and "Inner City Youth" are still code words often used.

Codes words... I hate that term so much. If someone says "thug" and your first thought jumps to black youths, it's not a frikken code word. A, either the problem is yourself, or B, there is an actual problem there that needs to be addressed.

**Prestor Jon**

Dreadclaw69 wrote:
d-usa wrote:

The quick stuff that comes to mind:

- Pro-Union politics: fighting for unions and opposing anti-union legislation.
- Anti-discrimination politics:
- Pro-gun control: despite your personal viewpoints on the legality and/or effectiveness of this issue it is an important issue for people living in areas of violence
- Criminal Justice Reform
- Public Education Policies
- Social Safety-nets

So what have Republicans done in this area? Have advances in these areas been done solely by the Democrats? I'm genuinely curious are my knowledge of this part of US history and culture is still developing

A higher percentage of Republicans voted for the Civil Rights Act than Democrats. Multiple Democrat senators launched filibusters to try to stop the passage of the bill, including Democrat Senator Robert Byrd who was known to have been a member of the KKK. George Wallace, the governor of Alabama who was the most famous and vocal proponent of segragation was a Democrat. If it was for Republicans the Civial Rights Act doesn't pass.

**sirlynchmob**

djones520 wrote:

Codes words... I hate that term so much. If someone says "thug" and your first thought jumps to black youths, it's not a frikken code word. A, either the problem is yourself, or B, there is an actual problem there that needs to be addressed.

C, all of the above.

Maybe that's how republicans can reach out. It's well past time america had that conversation and addressed it.

**djones520**

Prestor Jon wrote:
Dreadclaw69 wrote:
d-usa wrote:

The quick stuff that comes to mind:

- Pro-Union politics: fighting for unions and opposing anti-union legislation.
- Anti-discrimination politics:
- Pro-gun control: despite your personal viewpoints on the legality and/or effectiveness of this issue it is an important issue for people living in areas of violence
- Criminal Justice Reform
- Public Education Policies
- Social Safety-nets

So what have Republicans done in this area? Have advances in these areas been done solely by the Democrats? I'm genuinely curious are my knowledge of this part of US history and culture is still developing

A higher percentage of Republicans voted for the Civil Rights Act than Democrats. Multiple Democrat senators launched filibusters to try to stop the passage of the bill, including Democrat Senator Robert Byrd who was known to have been a member of the KKK. George Wallace, the governor of Alabama who was the most famous and vocal proponent of segragation was a Democrat. If it was for Republicans the Civial Rights Act doesn't pass.

Not to mention, it's "champion" Lyndon Johnson, only pushed it for his own political expediency. He had spent the 20 years previously opposing every attempt at civil rights legislation.

**Peregrine**

Dreadclaw69 wrote:
So you believe that the Republicans aren't doing anything for them, but cannot tell me what the Democrats are doing for them. But you believe that Republicans offer nothing and that voting Republican "isn't "making republicans work for your interests", it's rewarding current republican ideology with free votes.", but clearly the same isn't true of the Democrats. And you have no knowledge of what each party offers. Interesting way to reach a conclusion.

Sigh. I'm addressing the point proposed in the OP, which is based on the premise that the republican party isn't doing anything for black people. The whole point of the article is that black people are getting nothing from republicans, but they should vote republican anyway as some kind of bizarre negotiating strategy.

**whembly**

Prestor... you meant "If it wasn't for the Republicans in Congress in '64, it wouldn't of passed".