Comments on: What is the sound of N=1 hand clapping? http://www.historiann.com/2008/02/18/what-is-the-sound-of-n1-hand-clapping/ History and sexual politics, 1492 to the present Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:41:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: jesse anderson http://www.historiann.com/2008/02/18/what-is-the-sound-of-n1-hand-clapping/#comment-822 jesse anderson Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:45:45 +0000 http://www.historiann.com/2008/02/18/what-is-the-sound-of-n1-hand-clapping/#comment-822 Well in my point it should be more black's voter should be black Republican, after 40 year of hearing how the system had been someone should lead us out of this. Well in my point it should be more black’s voter should be black Republican, after 40 year of hearing how the system had been someone should lead us out of this.

]]> By: Historiann http://www.historiann.com/2008/02/18/what-is-the-sound-of-n1-hand-clapping/#comment-807 Historiann Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:29:56 +0000 http://www.historiann.com/2008/02/18/what-is-the-sound-of-n1-hand-clapping/#comment-807 Heather--good points--I defer to your expertise as a 20th C historian. Brooke was an old-school Northeastern Republican, a la Rockefeller (but without the inherited name and wealth, of course), or maybe like Link Chafee (R-RI), who seems to have been the last of the breed. Still--the Republicans do beat the Democrats by a whopping 50% in sending African American Republicans to the Senate! Heather–good points–I defer to your expertise as a 20th C historian. Brooke was an old-school Northeastern Republican, a la Rockefeller (but without the inherited name and wealth, of course), or maybe like Link Chafee (R-RI), who seems to have been the last of the breed. Still–the Republicans do beat the Democrats by a whopping 50% in sending African American Republicans to the Senate!

]]> By: Heather Munro Prescott http://www.historiann.com/2008/02/18/what-is-the-sound-of-n1-hand-clapping/#comment-803 Heather Munro Prescott Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:02:38 +0000 http://www.historiann.com/2008/02/18/what-is-the-sound-of-n1-hand-clapping/#comment-803 I think most of this is dead on, but to be fair, one needs to point out that there were major differences between the Reconstruction-era Republican party and the GOP today. I would also argue that Edward Brooke represented the moderate strain of the modern Republican party (yes they do exist). I'd also add that the realignment of the Democratic party towards a more liberal position (relatively speaking) on racial matters began during FDR's presidency, so much so that, to paraphrase a book title, many African American voters were persuaded to bid farewell to the party of Lincoln. True, there were "Dixiecrats" but they were a faction who split off from the Democratic party proper because it had swung too far to the left -- signified in particular by Truman's desegregation of the Armed Forces. I think most of this is dead on, but to be fair, one needs to point out that there were major differences between the Reconstruction-era Republican party and the GOP today. I would also argue that Edward Brooke represented the moderate strain of the modern Republican party (yes they do exist).

I’d also add that the realignment of the Democratic party towards a more liberal position (relatively speaking) on racial matters began during FDR’s presidency, so much so that, to paraphrase a book title, many African American voters were persuaded to bid farewell to the party of Lincoln. True, there were “Dixiecrats” but they were a faction who split off from the Democratic party proper because it had swung too far to the left — signified in particular by Truman’s desegregation of the Armed Forces.

]]> By: rootlesscosmo http://www.historiann.com/2008/02/18/what-is-the-sound-of-n1-hand-clapping/#comment-799 rootlesscosmo Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:58:22 +0000 http://www.historiann.com/2008/02/18/what-is-the-sound-of-n1-hand-clapping/#comment-799 A splendid idea. Truth is, I'd be happy if she were just renominated to the Justice Department, either to head the Civil Rights Division or as Attorney General. Unfortunately I don't see it happening under a Clinton <i>or</i> an Obama Presidency. (Marian Wright Edelman would make a great cabinet member, too--HHS? Education? And say, what's Joycelyn Elders doing these days? It would be great to see these talented women, tossed overboard to placate Bill Clinton's critics, get another chance to serve the public. But is it OK if I don't hold my breath?) A splendid idea. Truth is, I’d be happy if she were just renominated to the Justice Department, either to head the Civil Rights Division or as Attorney General. Unfortunately I don’t see it happening under a Clinton or an Obama Presidency. (Marian Wright Edelman would make a great cabinet member, too–HHS? Education? And say, what’s Joycelyn Elders doing these days? It would be great to see these talented women, tossed overboard to placate Bill Clinton’s critics, get another chance to serve the public. But is it OK if I don’t hold my breath?)

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