Republicans back ‘plantation’ comment

Kirsten Searer

Monday, Sept. 27, 2004 | 8:47 a.m.

Some local black Republicans said they understand why Clark County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald last week called the Democratic party the "last plantation in America."

Democrats quickly held a press conference Friday to call for an apology from Boggs McDonald, saying it was "unconscionable" and "inexcusable" to use slavery -- one of the nation's darkest periods -- in political campaigns.

"To invoke the comparison is irresponsible," said Clark County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates.

But the Republican party is increasingly using powerful language to say that Democrats take blacks for granted and aren't doing enough to empower the black community.

Illinois Republican Senate candidate Alan Keyes, for example, told the Associated Press this year that his opponent's views on abortion are "the slaveholder's position" because it didn't value black babies.

And on Friday, President Bush's re-election campaign announced a new ad targeted at blacks that will run in seven states, including Nevada.

Titled "Values," it includes the voice of a black woman saying she won't vote along with her husband this election season.

"I realized I'm tired of being taken for granted by John Kerry and his allies in Congress," the woman says. "And while I don't always agree with President Bush and our leaders in Congress, I do find myself agreeing with them on the values that are most important to my family."

The woman listed those values as equal opportunity, school choice, tax relief and faith-based organizations that help the community.

"Those are the things that matter most to my family and why I'm supporting our leaders in Congress and President Bush," she says.

Local black Republicans said they agree that the Democratic Party pays lip service to blacks during election season but does little to bring blacks to the table when it comes to setting policy.

Chester Richardson, a Republican challenging Atkinson Gates in the general election, said he thinks Boggs McDonald's quote was entirely appropriate.

"The proof is in the pudding -- the Democratic Party does not adhere to an agenda that addresses the needs of ethnic minorities during the course of the year," Richardson said. "The only time we get attention, of course, is during election time."

Richardson said he believes Republicans give blacks "an open, honest opportunity" to help set policy.

"It does occur for those who do participate in the Republican Party," he said.

Democrats on Friday said they feel the Democratic Party is truly the party that addresses the needs of minorities.

"The Democratic Party stands for better health care, higher education and equality for all Americans," Atkinson Gates said.

Steven Horsford, candidate for Senate District 4, said his party "stands for hope, justice and opportunity for every American. That's why I'm proud to be a Democrat, that's why I'm proud to represent the Democratic Party."

Atkinson Gates said her constituents were "outraged" and called her to complain. She said she called Boggs McDonald, who stood behind her comments.

Louis Overstreet, executive director of the Urban Chamber of Commerce and a self-proclaimed "reformed Republican," said Boggs McDonald's language was strong enough to warrant an apology.

"I'm totally offended by the comments, and hopefully she will do the right thing," he said.

Cornell Clark, a black Republican running for Assembly District 6, said he thinks black Democrats are concerned about losing political power.

Many local black leaders have headed the community for decades, yet there has been little change, he said.

"The same people pretty much speak on behalf of the African-American community and not much has changed, particularly in the inner city," said Clark, who added that many of those leaders don't actually live in working class neighborhoods.

He said he grew up in West Las Vegas but chose to be a Republican on his own, and he hopes Boggs McDonald stands her ground on her comment.

"African-Americans have to look more toward self reliance, less government and being able to create more opportunities for themselves," he said.

More young, college-educated blacks will become Republicans as they rise to power and black leaders who draw their consciousness from the Civil Rights movement move on, Clark said.

"We're dealing with the remnants of the '60s," Clark said. "But these young, so-called upwardly mobile people -- they're open minded. They don't think like the old crowds."