KWENU! Our culture, our future

Bush boldly woos African-American votes

ACHO ORABUCHI

Dallas, Texas

Wednesday, August 4, 2004

As various polls are showing the presidential elections very close to call, every vote becomes a priceless commodity. Against this backdrop, President George Walker Bush spoke to a Black civil rights group, Urban League.

In a commanding and thought-provoking speech at the 2004 Urban League National Conference in Detroit, Michigan on Friday, July 23, 2004, President George Walker Bush touted his accomplishments within three and half years in office and his policies geared toward uplifting Black Americans.

Acknowledging the fact that Blacks traditionally support the Democrats and Republican party needed to work hard to earn Black votes, Bush enunciated what his administration has done for America, particularly African America and directly asked for Black support at the polls.

He began his speech thanking the group’s members and reverends. He particularly thanked the leaders of the organization, Mike Critelli and Charles Collins, including the CEO of General Motors, Rick Wagoner whose corporation sponsored the event. Bush said, “It’s an important conference and corporate America needs to stand up and help organizations that are out to help other people, and you’ve don so.”

The President touched on various topics such as AIDS, home ownership, economy, small businesses, affordable health care, tax cuts, child tax credit. Bush talked about an agenda that included a sound energy policy, tort reform, AGOAA, etc.

On global fight against AIDS, Bush proffered, “We've begun the largest initiative ever to combat global AIDS. America is in the lead on dealing with the pandemic that ravages the continent of Africa. We're taking the lead because we're a compassionate nation.”

Bush admits that trading with African nations makes economic sense; trade will benefit both continents. He said, “I signed the African Growth and Opportunity Acceleration Act of 2004. It recognizes that the best way to help lift people out of poverty is to trade, it's through the free flow of commerce. And it's working on the -- this policy is working on the continent of Africa.”

On Sudan, George Bush stated, “Problems come to our desk because of our influence in the world. We've dealt with Liberia. We're now dealing with Sudan. The United States is working closely with the United Nations. As a matter of fact, the Secretary of State was recently with Kofi Annan talking about this very subject. We're working closely with the African Union to bring relief to the suffering people in that region. We've made our position very clear to the Sudanese government: They must stop the Janjaweed violence. They must provide access for humanitarian relief to the people who suffer.”

Speaking to predominantly Democratic crowd and touting his "compassionate conservatism" agenda, Bush said, “I don’t care what party you’re in, what city you live in, or what state you’re from, the goal got to be—America has got to be an hospitable, hopeful place for every single citizen. That’s what I believe” He added, “We’ve worked hard to make opportunity available and prosperity real and justice not a word. And I’m here to tell you, we’re making good progress.”

Acknowledging the high unemployment rate among African Americans, Bush told the audience that the economy is growing stronger due to new jobs from small businesses. Bush told the crowd, “We've added 1.5 million new jobs since August.” He informed the people that, “ …most new jobs are created by small business owners of America.” He advised that his tax policies are creating enabling environment for increased number of small business owners thereby stimulating the economy. “This administration promotes what I call the ownership society. When people tell me statistics, they say, more people are owning their own small businesses, and a lot of minorities are owning their own small businesses,” Bush stated.

Gleaming on the positive impact of his policy, he said, “The SBA has got a vital role -- that's the Small Business Administration. Loans to African Americans were up by 75 percent from last year. That's positive.”

Still on the economy and home ownership, Bush revealed the increase in home ownership among Blacks. Bush said, “Progress for African Americans and all Americans depends on more citizens living the dream of owning their own home.”

On education, Bush touched “No Child Left Behind” and “Faith-Based” initiatives that amenable to the African Americans. He said, “The philosophy of the No Child Left Behind Act says, every child can learn, we expect every child to learn, and we expect you to show us whether or not every child is learning.”

On his faith-based initiative, he said, “…we've had over a billion dollars go out the door to faith-based programs, programs all aimed at serving America by saving lives.” “The Associated Black Charities of Baltimore, ask them what it's like to be a partner with the federal government. Or the Black Ministerial Alliance in Boston. Or the Metro Denver Black Church Initiative. These are all initiatives, all aimed at saying to somebody: the future is better for you, somebody loves you, we care, and we're going to help you,” Bush added.

The two influential African Americans on his foreign policy team are Powel and Rice. Touting the cultural diversity in administration, he proudly said, “I've got a good administration, really good people. It's a diverse Cabinet. It's a Cabinet full of strong people. It's a Cabinet who are serving our country first. People like Rod Paige. You've heard my talk about education. I hope you have a sense of my passion to make sure we get it right. I understand the importance of schools in America. I picked a good man to serve as the head of the Education Department, Rod Paige. He was -- You heard me talk about owning your own home, it's a vital part of this future of this country. Alphonso Jackson is the head of the Housing and Urban Development. Kay James runs the Office of Personnel Management. You know, the government owns a lot of property. Steve Perry is the head of the GSA.” “…the Vice Chairman, Roger Ferguson, of the Federal Reserve. Chairman of the FCC, the Federal Communications Commission, Michael Powell -- in other words, what I'm telling you is -- I feel I have an obligation to reach out to people from all walks of life. I have met that obligation, and the government is better for it,” he added.

Civil rights being a potential issue, Bush proudly said, “I'm the first President of the United States to ban racial profiling in federal law enforcement.” He had earlier said, “Progress for this country, for African Americans, and all Americans, depends on the full protection of civil rights and equality before the law. My administration and its Justice Department has vigorously enforced the civil rights laws. The Civil Rights Division has opened a federal investigation into the murder of Emmett Till.”

In conclusion, Bush tried to make Blacks think twice about their support for Democrats. He wanted them to ponder and reflect to the fact that perhaps the Democrats assume the have Black votes. “But did they earn it, and do they deserve it?”