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Rep. Artur Davis is a black man. I feel the need to make this statement, because Davis' blackness has been questioned recently as a result of his political strategies. He is not another Barack Obama, but he sometimes tries to be. In fact, no one seems to know enough about Davis.
To summarize his remarkable career, Davis graduated magnum cum laude at Harvard University. He's also a graduate of Harvard Law School and recently made a run at becoming the first black governor in the state of Alabama.
Davis' attempt to become governor was not successful. In fact, it was about as unsuccessful as it could have been, with the Congressman being crushed by his primary opponent, Agricultural Commissioner Ron Sparks. I confess that I have confidence that, in spite of this recent disappointment, Davis is going to eventually accomplish something great in his political career. His record of achievement tells me that he is just that kind of guy.
Davis' opponent was successful in securing support from many of the unelected black leaders in Alabama, while Davis lost the backing of key civil rights groups due to an ongoing feud, regarding his lack of support for the agenda of President Barack Obama.
Davis was the only member of the Congressional Black Caucus to fight against health care reform, and he has positioned himself as the kind of post-racial candidate he would have to be in order to become the first black governor of a state known for historical racism. In fact, I am not sure why any black man would want to govern the state of Alabama for another 50 years.
Given that his opponent defeated him by a wide margin (roughly 25 percentage points), it is clear that the people of Alabama were not excited about Davis. I am uncertain as to whether the lack of excitement was because he was different or because he was catering too hard to those who don't like black people very much.
Davis was repeatedly attacked, for good reason, by many black leaders for disagreeing with common political positions held within the black community. He also lost fans because of his willingness to oppose many of the policies of Barack Obama. I don't believe, however, that being opposed to health care reform makes you a sellout, and it must be remembered that Davis was one of the first political figures to endorse Barack Obama for president.
He was, though, certainly the odd ball of the Congressional Black Caucus, as his efforts to distance himself from the other black politicians smelled entirely like the work of a man with larger ambitions. Still, my analysis of Davis' record as a political leader makes it clear that he has worked diligently on behalf of the poor and minorities, so I am not sure if he can be categorized as a white guy with black skin.
The truth is that by abandoning potential supporters in the black community and not thoroughly attracting the conservative community, he found himself in political no-man's land. Davis' dramatic failure also deviates from the assumption that a solid black candidate can ignore the black community and still get votes from black people (Barack, are you listening?).
It almost appears as though Davis was beaten badly in the Alabama gubernatorial primary, because he was trying too hard to be all things to everyone and ended up not being anything to anyone. People don't vote for a man who doesn't appear to stand firmly for anything in particular. Davis was right to consider the fact that many folks in Alabama, especially whites, are not happy about much of anything going on in the White House right now, but by trying to change his stripes in such a way, one might wonder if he bit off more than he could politically chew.
All the while, I admit that I have a tremendous amount of respect for Davis and his accomplishments. I predict that a renewed and experienced candidate will re-emerge as a powerful political missile. But that missile, in my opinion, won't be targeted at Alabama's governor's house.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the new book 'Black American Money.' To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
Comments: (10)
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By: msdette on 6/03/2010 9:38AM
I'm from Alabama and a lot of people were turned off by Davis nonsupport of the Healthcare bill. Plus, he didn't envoke any excitement regarding his stands. We didn't know really anything about him.
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By: Myeisha Hutchinson on 6/03/2010 11:33AM
I like the above person am from Alabama and I live in Birmingham,AL. I have long supported Rep. Davis. I feel he represents a new progressive black Alabama population. When I first heard that he was considering running for Governor of Alabama, I thought to myself, "he could be the one to lead us in a new direction" He offers a world of knowledge and connections that I feel could move our state in a positive direction considering all the "conservative bible beating" that goes on around here. He is a Christian democrat that most folks in Alabama seem to think is not "good religion". In regards to his defeat...he lost my vote and the vote of many other young professionals because he failed to explain his reasoning for voting against healthcare. I consider him to be a "smart man" that had a good explanation as to why he voted against healthcare. Alabama has a history of racism when it relates to healthcare considering the Tuskegee experiment to say the least of issues, so its concerning when someone from Alabama didn't understand the now or never vote on healthcare!
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By: Tamiko on 6/03/2010 12:03PM
I like the 2 above people am from Alabama and I live in Montgomery and I voted for Rep. Davis. I personally didn't like the fact that he voted against the Healthcae bill, but at the same time I realize that nobody that I vote for is going to do everything that I'd like them to do. There is so much more to Rep. Davis than just that vote, think Black Farmers. I don't know about the other counties in Alabama but I do know that in Montgomery county that older black leaders seem to feel like he wasn't bowing down enough to them. And they put their thoughts in a lot of people minds. I'm not worrrying about Rep. Davis because I know that he has a wonderful future ahead of him, but I am worrying about the citizens of Alabama. Nothing is going to change if we don't change our thinking and stop letting other people tell us who to vote for. Wake up people we have to break the cycle. No one should have to prove that their are black enough,or creat excitement (we are not at a party); it should strictkly be able the issues.
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By: Bernadette on 6/03/2010 4:37PM
Regarding "Tamiko" reply. I too live in Alabama as a matter of fact, grow up in Mobile and currently live in Huntsville (the most progressive city in Alabama). I feel that a candidate has to connect with the voters or the voters will not invest in the candidate. I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Davis and I to agree with Msdette comments, Mr. Davis did not offer any solutions or any excitement. The reason that President Obama won because he connected with the voters. He was very warm and open. Mr. Davis comes off as dry as a wet noodle (wishy washy as h*ll). I did not vote for Mr. Davis but I hope that he takes this defeat and learn from it. Don't turn away from your base to please the right. Ask Parker Griffin, he thought he was going to be reelected because he switched parties. The party he switched to didn't even support him.
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By: davis on 6/07/2010 2:31PM
I live in alabama also, though not in the area of the others. I live inthe far northeast corner of the state. I admit i havent heard much about him. the one political ad of his i did see, kinda looked like an Obama ad. I think that may have been the problem, I had only seen one of his ads and haven't heard much about him. right now i think people need a leader who will stand for something. he kinda seems tamed and unpassionate.
I do agree with the previous poster. We have to stop totaly depending on black leaders to inform us. A lot of those leaders are only concerned about their pocket books and make it their business to keep us down, so they are secure in office.
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By: Marlene Franklin on 6/04/2010 10:03AM
Black Voices:
Please keep up with current news! Artur Davis felt so defeated by his election results that he has decided never to pursue a political career ever again! The days of kissing master's behind while dissing black people is political suicide. Did you hear that Mr. President?
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By: robyn on 6/06/2010 8:03PM
I don't think any black person should rationally expect to receive a gift from black people if he/she supports the status quo of oppression in supporting the white supremist structure.
Stand up brothers and sisters
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By: Kedra on 6/23/2010 7:31AM
I am so elated this man did not win. How silly of him to forget who invited him to the dance. The point is the black vote counts I guess he learned this the hard way.
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By: Drag Dog on 6/07/2010 10:59PM
The great Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. once said that " Harvard University has ruined more Negroes than bad whiskey." Artur Davis, like Barack Obama has taken Black peoples votes, and issues for granted. I say to Black people don't get mad with Davis, or Obama just get even on election day.
Frantz Fanon was correct in his detailed analysis about people like Artur Davis, and Barack Obama, Ben Jealous, " Black Skin/ White Mask." Negroes need to quit making excuses for sell outs like Artur Davis, Barack Obama, and Ben Jealous.
So many Negroes in the U.S., and throughtout the African Diaspora are suffering from Delayed Stress Slave Syndrome. These Negroes have been conditioned, and brainwashed to acccept second class treatment by whites in power and other Negroes like Barack Hussein Obama. Clear evidence of my previous point is Obama's selection of Elena Kagan for the U.S. Supreme Court. The selection of a Supreme Court Justice is the most important appointment a President will make in his or her Presidency, and Barack Obama chose a Jewish woman, who in my opinion is a closet Bircher at best. Where is the outcry from the Negroes who live in Bam, and throughtout the U.S for Obama's blind naked dissing of many highly qualified Black candidates for said Court ?
Frantz Fanon was right ! Just like Malcolm was correct.
Obama Has To Go In Fo
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By: bettylnc1 on 6/08/2010 8:38AM
"Black " America should not be expected to vote for a leader because of the color of his skin. Give us credit foe having more intellengence than that. If this brother is oppose to helping the underserved population in America, then why should he be rewarded to being a stumbuling block fot the President of the United States?
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