Republicans: Why do you think a large percentage of minorities vote Democrat?

Question

Specifically blacks.
Note: You are entitled to your opinion, but I have a feeling that many people will state that welfare attracts minority voters to the Democrats. Statistically speaking there are more Caucasians on welfare than there is minorities simply because there is a higher population of Caucasians. Also, former Democratic president Bill Clinton (who is still well liked by minorities) signed into law the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. Which took A LOT of people OFF welfare during his presidency. Also, it's not the Democrats giving out welfare it's the government as a whole.
Only reason I am stating this is because I often witness Republicans stating that only reason why minorities are Democrats is because of social welfare. But if you believe that is the reasoning, then you are entitled to your own opinion. But I really don't believe that's necessarily the case.
Opinions please.

http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/L-welfareblack.htm
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n2_v48/ai_12970819
http://salt.claretianpubs.org/stats/welref/main.html
http://www.nytimes.com/specials/issues/money/mondepth/0823welfare-clinton.html

Answer 1

I think it's the same reason that they voted Republican for so long after the Civil War. Voting habbits lag party policy. Lincoln freed the slaves, and for generations after, the Republicans reaped a bit of a winfall in votes, even if thier policies at the time weren't particularly in the interests of those voters.

The Democratic party hitched it's wagon to the civil rights movement a decade or so after it got rolling, and they're still reaping 'gratitude votes,' from minorities, even though that movement and it's issues have largely run thier course at this point, and it would make more sense to base voting on current issues or future expectations.

Answer 2

Social Welfare is part of it...Race too often becomes an issue because it is one of the easiest distinctions to make and it is always easier to "see & react" than to "absorb & think."

The modern Democratic Party built its power base in urban areas among the working class during the early 20th Century. Although they'd be considered "white" by most today...the Irish and Italians were considered the "lesser races" at that time.

The formula worked and the Democratic Party became the official "working man's" party, protecting the under-represented from "the Man." Social Reform was a logical step as "the under-represented" also included women and other minorities.

As urban demographics changed, so did the Democrat's powerbase. Italians and Irish were replaced by blacks and hispanics and party agendas adjusted on their behalf.

Answer 3

The republicans do not care about black people or any low or working class person, basically. The leading candidates refused to go to debates at Morgan State and Howard U. Look at Katrina for instance...i bet the mess from the wild fires in Cali are cleaned up quickly and they are still rebuilding New Orleans and parts of it look like the disaster just happened. The reps are a class of mostly white, upper class men and they plan to keep it this way.

Answer 4

I think there maybe a few reasons, IMO.
1. Affirmative action: Many Reps look at this as a form of discrimination against whites, and also feel it is demeaning to minorities, that the only way you can achieve is through govt set assides, and quotas.
2. NAACP Very liberal group.
3. I think many of the liberal leaders in minority communities make a bigger deal out of race than conservative republicans that are minorities. J.C. Watts, Clarence Thomas, Condi Rice, all excellent examples of minority ("specifically blacks" your words, not mine) Republicans, yet I am not too sure how they are looked at as role models.
4. I think Republicans have not made as good an effort as they could to appeal to the communities. (BTW, I also feel the libs have taken these groups votes for granted!)

Answer 5

Because the Liberal Dem's give everything that the working class has earned to the none working class and the none working class wants to remain just that.....none working. It's a generational curse of believing that they are entitled to whatever benefits the Gov. will hand out because their parents, grandparents etc. all lived that way. The Liberal Dem's like the dependency it creates. They love keeping the poor Americans on their welfare plantations. It keeps them (Americas poor) under control while ensuring they (the Dem's) get re-elected.

Answer 6

Because you have a lot of Democrat leaders like Jesse Jackson and Collin Powell misleading the minorities into blaming the "White" man for all their troubles.
Look at Hurricane Katrina... Jesse Jackson said George Bush and his evil minions purposely blew up the damn with C4 to repress the black population.

Answer 7

I'm from the Detroit area the politically power in our community is the Churches and the Unions. Their members are mainly middle class and work and vote many church members are union members. The pastors do endorse candidate and we all know that Unions endorse candidate's. I have yet to see a local church or major labor union endorse a Republican candidate. The sad part about it is their vote is taken for granted by the party.

Answer 8

Who cares: you have given excellent links. It's obvious that many of the people who answered did not read them.

I'm sure that many who responded simply parrot what they hear on right-wing radio and TV. That's sad, isn't it? For us to have a working democracy, we need an informed electorate, and I see that slipping away further each year that passes.

Answer 9

maybe since the republican candidates skipped the one debate on race issues

maybe becuase Repubs in many states from Ohio to the South have done thier best to discourage black voters from casting a ballot

Answer 10

Lack of ambition to actually research important topics! I mean if we all did a little bit of research we would find out many things. Many people are just too lazy or lack enough ambition to research topics that impact them the most. They believe what the candidate actually says.