Republican debate - A Reagan seance

Did you see the Republican presidential candidate debate? I found it to be even more ridiculous than the Democrats' debate, not that either of them meant anything serious when it comes to the 2008 election. While I am not on either side at this point, I thought the Repubs were simply pitiful. There are three or four other white male candidates, which seem to be the only gender and race the Repubs can find in the 21st Century, who are waiting to get into the fray. I can't wait to see which Black Republican will come out publicly and endorse one of those white guys, especially one of those who participated in the "debate."

The Republican "debate," or so it was deemed, was more like a seance for Ronald Reagan. They were trying to raise him from the dead! Who won the debate? It was Reagan, hands down. Held in the Reagan Library, with not a Black person in camerashot, in none other than Simi Valley, California, where the cops who beat Rodney King were acquitted, the seance was an exercise in hero-worship and groveling at the feet of Nancy Reagan, whose greatest contribution to Black people was her admonishment to "Just say no."

If they wanted to remember Reagan instead of have a real debate, maybe they should have held the event in Philadelphia, Mississippi where Reagan kicked off his campaign for President. Oh yeah, that's also the city where Goodman, Cheney, and Schwerner were murdered.

The Reagan Love Fest was something to behold, and now that the upcoming Republican campaign has been relegated to a remembrance of the "good old days" of Ronald Reagan, I can only imagine a handful of Black folks voting for a Republican candidate in 2008.

Therefore, the next election should be even more polarizing than the previous two because a vote for the Republican will be a vote for Reagan.

I don't know about you, but I couldn't take another four years of the guy Gil Scott-Heron called, "Holrywierd."

I have thought for a while now that if Giuliani and McCain are the best the Repubs could offer they would be in deep trouble in 2008. Now they have Mitt Romney, the one who invoked Reagan's name the most during the debate, and they are recruiting Fred Thompson who, they say, "looks and sounds" presidential, has the same characteristics as Reagan and is a staunch conservative that can lead the Repubs back from the abyss.

Considering the Repubs' presidential candidates, if they should win again, Black folks will be the ones in deep trouble. White guys all around? Where are Michael Steele, Ken Blackwell, J.C. Watts and the other two or three Black Republicans?

It would seem that at least one of them would be in the race - for show if for nothing else. But whoever is in the race, it won't matter to Black folks. We definitely will not have a dog in the Republican hunt.

You know, by now, one would think Black people understood national "politricks." After all, we have been here since the country started; we have fought and died to play in the game; and our group has suffered the most under the U.S. political system, which has been dominated by white men since its inception.

What we witnessed in both debates was a mating dance that we have seen over and over again.

It was a ritual performed to keep the lemmings in line and to make us believe something serious is going on in the political arena, something different, and maybe even something - this time - that will benefit Black people.

The Democrats held a love fest and the Republicans held a Ronald Reagan seance; we were hit with a left hook followed by a right cross, in the first round of this fight.

Were you persuaded by anyone? Have you made up your mind yet? Do you think Black folks will benefit no matter who gets elected?

My cynicism as well as my historical perspective tell me "No." Also, I am reminded that if we continue to do the same thing, we will continue to get the same results.

It's pretty much cut and dried who the Black Dems will support; they have safe bets all around. But I can't wait to see who the Black Republicans endorse from their gang of ten white guys. Or is it fourteen now?

I hope the 2012 Republican debate will not be held at the George W. Bush "Library." What an oxymoronic setting that would be. Meanwhile, back at the Reagan Ranch, there have been Ronnie sightings.

[Author Affiliation]

James E. Clingman, an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati's African American Studies department and founder of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber oj Commerce. He hosts the radio program, Blackonomics, and has written several books, including Black-o-Knowledge-Stuff. To book Clingmanfor a speech or purchase his books, go to his Web site, www.blackonomics.com or call him at 513/489-4132.