Over to the 'Dark' Side

This next bit of news seems like a bombshell, at least a local one.

For decades, Republicans have struggled to reach out to black Americans. But now in Orange County, the GOP has to reach no further than the NAACP.

As of this week, Derrick Wallace, head of Orange County's NAACP, has switched parties -- to become a Republican.

It’s tiny victory in light of the abysmal approval rating that President Bush has among black Americans, but it’s a start.

However, Mr. Wallace’s reasons for the switch seem, at first blush, inordinately self-serving.

Wallace, a construction-company exec, was candid about the fact that his business life was a big part of his decision to change.

"It's purely a business decision. Ninety percent of those I do business with are Republicans," he said. "Opportunities that have come to my firm have been brought by Republicans."

Is Mr. Wallace’s decision a result of the proverbial handout or hand-up? Possibly both. Few people of any persuasion or get anywhere without someone lending them a hand, even those who are highly talented and/or skilled. However, the perception may exist that the area Republicans “bribed” Mr. Wallace into his conversion.

The fact that he was honest about this was very shrewd; it takes some of the wind out of the ‘sell-out’ sails. But the ship is like still afloat; that Mr. Wallace is black and the NAACP Chief in OC probably counted in the benefit column when some area Republicans were looking to throw some construction business in some particular direction.

On the other hand, area Republicans certainly don't want their buildings to collapse just because a potiential builder may have political value to them. One must assume that Mr. Wallace’s company is legitimate, in the black (so to speak), set to increase profits and has a reputation for quality work. If that’s so, then it would be likely that many a good capitalist would send business his way. In Orange County, most of the capitalists are Republicans. [My mistake. I thought this was Orange County, California. I don't whether most of the capitalists in Orange County, Florida are Republican or not.] Hard work and talent (usually) equal rewards—an axiom of Republicans, conservatives, along with capitalists of all categories.

And, isn’t this an example of minority outreach that many minority critics of the Republican Party have suggested?

We’ll see how long it takes, however, for Mr. Wallace to magically get his ‘brutha card’ yanked. It would be a nice surprise for 'never' to be the day.

(Thanks to reader Maggie)

UPDATE: California Yankee, The Real Ugly American and La Shawn comment also.

Comments

[John Gillnitz]

Changing parties worked for Ray Nagin.

Does David Almasi have an honorary ‘brutha card’? Just wondering how that dynamic works.

[DarkStar]

No big deal.

I guess people forget, don't know, or don't want to know that the NAACP has people in it who are Republicans.

[EriKZ]

I don't get it.

He's doing fine now. 90% of his business is coming from Republicans. So whats with the visable party change? Does he think that will get him more business?

And who would be swayed by this? Join whatever party you want, you can still vote for whoever you want.

[karrde]

It's much more symbolic than it appears at first glance.

I get the impression of a man saying, "you know, after I do business with these guys for a couple of years, I realize that they don't treat me like trash. They're actually nice people, and I like their ideas."

So, I don't know if it will change his voting pattern. But he's making a big symbolic genture to all the members of the local NAACP chapter.

"Those Republicans are not your enemies," he is saying.

Will he still be a 'brutha'? Or will he be called a sell-out?

Interesting question. Keep us posted, I'd love to see the answer.

[baldilocks]

Darkstar: It may be a big deal due to his affiliation with the OC NAACP and the perception--correctly or erroneously--that the organization is primarily composed of Democrats. Julian Bond's behavior in the last five years has a lot to do with that perception.

Erik: Most assuredly, he did it for the money; he's pretty plain about that. But, if you think about it, that's part of 'uplift.' And it's not as though he "converted" first and said "where's my dollars." As I said, one presumes he got the business because his company did good work.

Perhaps he figured out that Republicans weren't out to keep a brutha down after all. ;-)

[Velociman]

I admire his candor. And wish him great continued success.

[The Ugly American]

I would like to know where his stands on hot button issues like Abortion, Gun Control, School Choice etc.

Why didn't the reporter ask him about that?

[Jason]

"Shea and other Democrats have long maintained that Republican talk about inclusion is little more than that: talk."

Shea wants to discuss a party that's "all talk" when it comes to issues of "inclusion" maybe he ought to talk to members of his own party.

[BH]

As I said, one presumes he got the business because his company did good work.
May be but I am sure there are avenvues of access or contracts wanted to get but couldn't because he wasn't connected to the right people.

I wondering when/if he realizes the grass ain't any greener.

[phil]

baldilocks says:That is the second time that you have spammed my comments section with the same message, sir. Additionally, I have seen the same message on other blogs. It's annoying. Please stop it.

[teal marie]

I was just going to say I saw Phil at euphoria.

[Beth]

Oh, looky here. Phil again. He spammed me twice too. I ended up banning the jerk.

Perhaps he figured out that Republicans weren't out to keep a brutha down after all. ;-)

That's exactly what I was thinking, too. Also that he sees that actions (getting good business from these people) speak much larger than words (NAACP).

I wonder how long it'll be before he gets Oreos thrown at him or called "Uncle Tom," as have been Lt. Gov. Steele and countless others. Who's the one REALLY trying to "keep a brutha down" with that kind of behavior?

[skinnerI]

This story isnt that important
sorry { my opinion]
I hated history in highschool , because I had lousy boring teachers that should have been teaching math. As a white man Im really curious what black people are thinking . I went to a segregrated high school and when I tried to ask the blacks that I made freinds with how they felt....
they soon let me know that was a subject they didnt care to address
This always left me feeling like a jerk but the curiosity is still within me probably even stronger ............ Would it be possible to adress this Now ,30 years later, or is it still forbidden subject matter, for blacks and whites both?????
I feel Whites dont know what blacks are thinking and blacks dont know how to take whites either so .. We both ignore it

I think we need to talk,
its 2005 for crying out loud!!

[Fred Schoeneman]

I don't think that anyone gave him business because of his race. Businesses are interested in finding the first good solution to their problems, not the best possible solution, which means maybe someone who's better loses out. And if that first good solution comes from someone they know, someone that they have a relationship with and trust, there's nothing wrong with that. It's actually more efficient because the "buyer" spends less time worrying and performing due diligence.

Derrick Wallace is getting business from Republicans primarily because they trust him, not because he's black.

[Bugz]

I don't see anything nefarious about his changing party affiliation either. Sounds like he realized that Republicans are more supportive of free enterprise and strong business environments that are Democrats. All politics is grounded in a healthy sense of self interest.

[Josh]

He wouldn't be the first -- Shannon Reeves, head of the NAACP chapter in the East Bay in the SF area (can't remember if he's just Oakland or all of Alameda County, which includes Berkeley among other cities) is a Republican and always has been.

jf

[Lone Pony]

"However, Mr. Wallace’s reasons for the switch seem, at first blush, inordinately self-serving."

Self-serving, I don't think so. Not in a bad sense. I think he realizes that good business decisions make strong businesses, and strong businesses create capital and jobs, among other things.

He doesn't sound like a man that wants hand outs. (Which is, in my opinion, what the Democratic Party's phylosophy is rooted in.) It sounds like he recognized this.

Thanks for the post. I found you this morning and put you on my blogroll. Glad to find another strong woman and a conservative. I need more of those in my life. (Didn't see your email.)