That’s Right Nate

I was overwhelmed to see at least a half-dozen black or brown faces at the Republican Convention this year

Today, the Republican National Committee has named former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele as its head.  I know what you’re thinking and I am proud to announce that after several google searches I can confirm that Mister Steele is indeed African-American.   I expect that he may have been the African-American that I thought I saw several times at the Republican Convention last November.

Republicans like myself who were disheartened when Alan Keyes left the party last year, can take pride in knowing that we now have a black man in charge of our party.   What should truly be a source of pride for all Republicans is that 40% of all black RNC members ran for President of the organization.  With Steele at the helm, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a black Republican Senator or Governor by 2014 or 2016.

Of course, the greatest thing about the election of Steele was that his selection was a way to say to the rest of the world, “Hey, we’ve got a black guy too!”   Several other lower RNC positions were also filled tonight, but things had to be streamlined so that that Republicans could get out of the hall before a scheduled wedding.

Martin Luther King wouldn't approve of Obama being soft on terror or leaving Iraq.

I have always felt a deep connection to Martin Luther King because my father marched with him when he came to Chicago to protest the housing situation. Actually, it wasn’t that he marched with him so much as my father and my friends helped make the King march a success by patrolling the neighborhood looking for anybody who didn’t belong and quelling any rioting.

I am sure that Obama is getting sworn in on the day after Martin Luther King Day because he wanted to invite further comparisons to Dr. King. I think there is a big difference between the two men. In fact, if Martin Luther King were alive today, I have no doubt that he would be a staunch Conservative. Many people who are successful as liberals early in life come to their sense later on particular if they make a lot of money. King was friends with Charlton Heston and would probably have adopted some of his views. Also, Martin Luther King was a Republican like most of the Civil Rights leaders. I am 100% convinced that if Martin Luther King were alive today he would be marching for gun rights and lower capital gains taxes.

Obama is in favor of none of those things that Martin Luther King would hold so dear. The only thing the two men have in common seems to be their race. I hope that Obama does not take advantage of the holiday to play the race card at his inauguration. I would like to believe that he will refrain from having a lot of African-American and speakers and musical acts just to try and win African-American support for future elections. This country has been shaped by people like Martin Luther King who knew that a hands off attitude by government towards business embigens us all.

Taft's Boyhood Home

I hope Obama is enjoying his photo op.  I wish he had been with us today at the childhood home of William Howard Taft.  If Harding could have been an inspiration to McCain Taft should have been a warning.  By not securing the base of his party he allowed it to fracture and as a result when he ran for re-election he wound up with 8 electoral votes and Woodrow Wilson became President. 

The Taft home was a monument to William Howard Taft, but to Robert Taft and the rest of the family as well.  You could see how he was encouraged to become the man he eventually became by his boyhood home.  He was influential not only as a President, but also as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. 

The best part of the trip was our tourguide–a young black boy who was friendly if not always well-informed.  We had a great discussion about how the Republican party was the better party for African-Americans and how Barack Obama would be the worse thing that could happen to his people.  I think he learned a lot that will help him make an informed choice in November.  I felt really good to know that the Republican party’s future is in the hands of people like him.  I tried to tip him a dollar as we were leaving, but he wouldn’t take it.  I guess the guides aren’t allowed to accept money.