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MNSpeak: Talk

RNC Announces Convention Speakers

The RNC just released the schedule of speakers for the upcoming St. Paul Convention. Every potential VP nominee is on the list. But what catches my eye is that the VP announcement comes at the end of Day 3, and Pawlenty kicks off Day 4. hmmm...

Reader Comments

Everything I've heard indicated that Romney has it locked up.

we're going for the rampant speculation, tongue wagging and bitter invective here. please refrain from stating an informed opinion. thanks.

In that case, sorry to have rained on your parade. Carry on.


we're going for the rampant speculation, tongue wagging and bitter invective here. please refrain from stating an informed opinion. thanks.

In that case, I say Mitt because Mitt and Minnesota start with the same two letters and both have Ts.

Am I the only one who thinks that McCain should consider a black running mate? Then his campaign could sort of subtly emphasize the fact that he's really, really old and unlikely to survive 4 more years in office. I think it could help to bring some Republicans-of-color back into the fold. Colin Powell, Condi Rice, Clyde Drexler: all good options.

(full disclosure: I'm not a professional political strategist)

So there is a list of Black Republicans on wikipedia? That's outrageous. There is no list of Black Democrats.

And to list Ida B. Wells, who died in 1931, and Booker T. Washington, who died in 1915 is crazy too. I really doubt they would be Republicans in the current political climate.

Colin Powell would turn that down.

I vote Alan Keyes. Mainly because he amuses me so much.

I'd vote if Walter E. Williams was on the ticket.

@kc! Didn't you see the "List of African Americans" link? That's if you believe Howard Dean...

So there is a list of Black Republicans on wikipedia? That's outrageous. There is no list of Black Democrats.

Pretty much the rest of them.

I'd vote if Walter E. Williams was on the ticket.

He's one of those pointy-headed academics conservatives don't trust, isn't he?

I don't know. I don't think he's a number-crunching beaurocrat. I think he's an economic purist though: black ink = good.

I think he's an economic purist though: black ink = good.

By whatever means necessary.

How glib of you.

At least this time the black ink is good.

I'd actually be even more disappointed in McCain than I already am were he to pick Romney. Picking someone you despise as your running mate for purely political reasons is not exactly the move of America's favorite maverick politician.

I don't think I can get any more disappointed than I am. I mean, I know he's going to try to make me more disappointed but I've hit disappointment rock bottom.

The Root has an interesting column written by a "Hip-Hop Republican," which is a term that is supposed to be post-racial. He compares his movement to 'black Repubs'.

How the fuck is a hip-hop Republican different from a gen-x or gen-y regular Republican?

Hip-Hop Republicans grew up with the influence of hip-hop culture and, unlike their peers over age 50, are able to see how Republican values and policies should be applied to urban issues. And while black Republican is a label based solely on race, "Hip Hop Republican" speaks to the existence of a group that has transcended race in many ways.

This guy is precious. Would that mean that democrats who do the same thing are hip-hop democrats? Would that mean anyone who paid attention to urban issues and is under 50 would get the classification of "hip-hop"?

If Black Republicanism is about assimilating into old-school GOP culture, then Hip-Hop Republicanism is about changing GOP culture to look, feel, and sound more like us.

Wait, what? I thought that being a black Republican was just about race? Now it's about assimilation? Is race = assimilation? Doesn't this completely negate racial identity?

The pillars of Hip-Hop Republicanism are economic empowerment, educational choice, access to information and empowering the potential of the individual.

Holy shit, Maz is an OG Hip-Hop Republican!

I'm pondering a more complete takedown on my blog at some later point but I think I made myself stupider looking at the article for as long as I did.

Maz is an OG Hip-Hop Republican!

Don't you remember? -- he's practically Soul Brother Number One.

Yeah, it's "interesting" in that the guy goes to great depths to explain away his own personal insecurities.

Oh, I knew Maz was down! I knew it! I knew it!

/clasping hands, giggling and jumping up and down.

@acalhoun

I totally agree he's insecure as a mofo. A few other things annoyed me about this article.

First, he doesn't really differentiate hip-hop Republicans from being a Democrat. I mean, if he's going to stake out a unique position as a black Republican and then give it a fancy new name, the least he could do is explain why this is preferable over being the status quo, black democrat.

Secondly, it's just a poorly written article full of empty rhetoric.

Thirdly, if you're going to be a right-wing black dude saying stuff, at least try to step up to the level of John McWhorter's BS.

(full disclosure: I'm not a professional political strategist)

Lucky you.

I have a better question...

WHO GIVES A FUCK?

The RNC has distributed the talking points for all speakers:

Noun, verb, P.O.W.

Except for Rudy.

His instructions are Noun. verb. 9/11.

McCain has been a P.O.W. two times over. Prisoner of War & Prisoner of Washington. Not sure he's going to escape the second one.

Well, at least he'll have his $500 Italian loafers to wander around his 10 homes across the country in. Heck, probably a pair of them for each home.

Hey. He doesn't know how many homes he owns. How do you?

I own ~30% of a home. Wells Fargo owns the other ~70%

Someone on Wonkette wanted to know the over/under on Rudy G. mentioning 9/11.

I think he will but I'm wondering how long into his speech before he FIRST mentions it.

I'd think I would be willing to put money on the first paragraph... I'm guessing, "Ladies and Gentlemen and distinguished delegates, when 9/11 happened..." I definitely would say within the first 30 words.

I'm taking much of the RNC off work, so I might do a bit of a drinking game with Mrs. Lungs. Every time Rudy says 9/11, we take a shot.

I own ~30% of a home. Wells Fargo owns the other ~70%

I'm jealous. We bought two years ago. Even with our downpayment we owe more than the house is worth.

Except for Rudy.

His instructions are Noun. verb. 9/11.

Ha! I caution against any hope and change drinking games in Denver.

I'm jealous. We bought two years ago. Even with our downpayment we owe more than the house is worth.

Ditto. I'm not that worried, though, as I don't intend on selling for a long time unless some type of disaster happens and I end up married or, god forbid, with a child to raise. There but for the grace of god...

I got in when the prices were low. So, I am not in the same boat. Actually, I'm on a luxury cruise ship. To the Bahamas Captain Stubing!

15 months ago. I don't think I'm under water. Yet.

1995 (when I bought) was a few years ago... Even in this down market, it is worth a lot more than I paid for it. More than double!

We owe about $10k more than we could sell it for, based on the neighbors not being able to sell their's at that price. And that doesn't include the $20k we have put into it.

douglas, you're buying @ the next get together.

I'm busy that day -- whenever it is.

Doug, I'd like to talk to you about an exciting investment opportunity...

Sorry, my excess cash is being tied up by a Nigerian national trying to leave the country -- oops! I wasn't supposed to tell anyone about that. I hope Barrister John Houseman doesn't get in trouble for my words.

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