What Republicans Really Have to Do to Win Over Black Voters
It may take decades, especially after Trump. But we need to hear something concrete.
By Issac J. Bailey
September 02, 2016
I have an aunt, now in her 70s, who announced to the entire family during a holiday dinner that she would “slap the shit out of” anyone who voted Republican. The level of distrust between black voters and the GOP is that deep, maybe deeper than that between communities of color and the police. No one interested in bridging this divide should pretend otherwise. A few timely ads or going to a conservative black church, as Donald Trump seems to be planning, or co-opting the arguments made by black activists who sincerely want to see more progress won’t be enough.
But when the GOP is finally ready to cut through the bull and Trump’s phony outreach to black voters is over the Republican Party will still have to answer a basic question, one in which it doesn’t seem all that interested in: Which policy (or policies) are its political leaders willing to modify or forfeit to attract a large enough share of the black vote that it will keep the GOP nationally competitive well into the 21st century despite the ongoing demographic shifts in the country?
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http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/09/donald-trump-2016-black-voters-gop-214209
