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This is the moment that Senator John McCain has waited eight years for since losing his 2000 presidential bid. The former POW and long-term senator is as famous for his politics as he is for his wealth, spotlighted in his now infamous gaff regarding how many houses he and his wife Cindy own.
Throughout history, the GOP has been seen as an elitist party, one that caters to the rich; it's an image that McCain fits by being a white, conservative, wealthy man. However, there are African Americans who feel allegiance to this party but they largely remain nameless, faceless people. Black Republicans also don't always fit the party's image, nor does the party appeal to many African-Americans.
For some reason, the African American Republican has been depicted as somewhat of mythical figure, one that exists only on popular television shows.
There was the character of Carlton Banks on the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air," Warden Leo Glynn on HBO's "Oz," and William Dent on "Girlfriends." In fact, Black conservatives span all walks of life, including the world of entertainment, politics, writing and boxing. Actually, some of the most popular African American figures today consider themselves soldiers in the political fight with McCain.
Black Voices now gives you a look at some real-life, famous Black Republicans:
Prominent Black Republicans
Condoleeza Rice
United States Secretary of State
Joseph Barrak, AFP/Getty Images
Colin Powell
Former United States Secretary of State (2001-2005)
Ron Edmonds, AP
Clarence Thomas
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
Randy Snyder, AP
Alan Keyes
Political activist.
Kelley McCall, AP
J.C. Watts
Republican politician and entrepreneur.
Steve Jaffe, AFP / Getty Images
Armstrong Williams
Television, radio host, columnist and political pundit.
Graham Williams Group, AP
Alveda King
The author is a niece of the civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr.
Johnny Nunez, WireImage.com
Don King
Boxing promoter.
Frank Franklin II, AP
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Civil rights icon.
AP
T.D. Jakes
Famous American preacher.
Johnny Nunez, WireImage.com
Comments: (22)
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By: bigdrob1[pain in the keister + the mouth of the south] on 9/01/2008 3:48AM
Oh well since Spanky has some crazy white broad as his running mate, I think I will switch sides once again and vote for Osama oops,I mean Obama in the election.America,don't you just love this place. You can switch sides in a heartbeat in these dumb elections and who gives a fat dead rat's ass. This is how I feel today,However, Tomorrow I may change my fricking mind!
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By: SHEILA on 9/01/2008 1:40PM
With the exception of Martin Luther King Jr and Colin Powell, the rest on this list can go to hell anyway.
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By: samuel smith on 9/09/2008 8:38AM
It appears that Obama has more family values than Mc-
Cain and Salins.
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By: Xiomar on 9/01/2008 3:11PM
Wel, remember many of these individuals are loyal to the original party that liberated them from slavery,at that time the democratic part( for the people: the white people)fought or their rigtsto own slaves, in addition, after the civil rights movement, the democratic(for the pople) now included minoities....
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By: Ty on 9/01/2008 5:21PM
Let's be for real here,These people were social misfits in school and life. so they latched on to the first thing that came down the pike.We've always had self hating,white people worshiping porch monkies.We just need to stop giving them safe haven and we need to call them out.They are scared anti intellectual syncophants.
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By: debbie sanders on 9/01/2008 7:12PM
Yes, even the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Republican.
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By: zqkingdream on 9/01/2008 8:37PM
I find your inclusion of Dr. King on the list of black Republicans to be offensive and misinformed. He did not have a political affiliation. He fought for Civil Rights and an end to poverty--NOT for tax cuts for the rich, and unjust war. The Republican & Democratic parties that we know today have CHANGED over the last 50 years.
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By: Dolores Chamberlain on 9/01/2008 10:55PM
I was born poor white trash according to some people. Ate and work with Afro-American (I mean side by side) in the south in the fifty. I am not rich or even comfortable. I am also a Republican. I was in the south before a lot of you were born and I say Dr. King was a Republican. Do your research. Take off the blinders. God Bless whoever wins this election.
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By: bad hat on 9/01/2008 11:38PM
If you remember your history, the Republican Party WAS the Anti-Slavery party. The only thing the Democratics did for blacks was to create the welfare state and maintain the status quo that keeps intelligent free thinking blacks in a state of ignorance and poverty. To vote for Obama just because he is black is to miss the point and the big picture. He is a dangerous radical who will destroy America. You`ll be sorry!
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By: wallace handerson on 9/02/2008 12:01AM
Lincoln was a republican so it follows negroes j;ocked too republican party until late 60's rise of nixon's southern strategy.....and hard right reared it s ugly head....
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