African-American Voters Losing Interest in the Democratic Party?

Are African-American Voters losing interest in the Democratic Party? Or maybe Democratic candidates do not follow up with campaign promises to meet the real life needs of the African-American voter? Drugs, Liquor Stores, Fried Food, inexperienced teachers, and Guns are the only consistent products to reach the Black Community. We request (or should I say demand for us to again vote) experienced teachers, fewer students per class, newer more relavent books for all grade levels, businesses employing the community residents, job training, physical maintainance of sidewalks/streets/highways/parks, real community police, updated technologies, and financial assistance for low household income college bound students. A large number of Neo-Republicans (the Cons) think of these requests as handouts, however every single item in the aforementioned sentence are the mandated responsibilities of government. And thes same items can be paid-in-full with our very own property and income tax dollars. A city accountant can easily add up the monthly taxes for both property and income tax taken from African-Americans. Unfortunately, the tax dollars that I speak of are currently stolen from our communities to fund local, state, and natonal interest outside of our community. Maybe there are more "cons" than we are promoted to think.

Overall -- Democratic Party 'Powers That Be' -- actions must now speak louder than words. African-Americans feel that their community is and has been neglected (pimped) by elected Politicians that we give our vote to, who then leave our community once elected without providing with our tax dollars meaningful and livable actions and programs. We don't expect perceived "handouts" from the Republicans, despite them too representing our community, if they are elected. Whether Republican or Democrat, there is empiracal evidence that after their victories, they then address the needs of the influential communities and special interest groups that funded their campaign to "Promote the Vote" in our communities -- many of the interests groups are not inclined to hire African-Amercians above or below the line. These Politicians elected with our votes, leave our communities and people in the communities unattended during their tenure. But it is evident that the higher income communities in the same district, somehow get all the things that public money pays for. Street and landscape maintainance, experienced teachers, classes built to achieve a smaller class size in schools, cleaner parks, more effective police protection, very few liquor stores...and other line items are attend.

Frankly, the Public Schools in African-American communities are raggedy, educational resources always seem to be low, classes overcrowded, and the teachers are not experienced. Face it Politicians, you are speaking of voters precious kids and that ain't nothing to play with. And the underresouced schools in the Black community has been underresourced since we were first allowed to go to school 150 years ago. We have been in this country since 1607 too, and for the first 250 years we were not allowed to be educated. The past 150 years, the "public" school system in the Black community has been consistently underresourced. Sounds to me that educated African-Americans is still not high on the list of Democratic elected officials. But you want us to vote Democratic?

The Black community streets are dirty, has the most potholes, uncut public grass at our parks, landscapes of weeds, highways of bushes, trash on the streets, shopping centers look undesirable, public housing not property kept up...and again...the Public Education system do not properly service the grade schools. And reader, think!. These are all areas where our tax dollars are supposed to be at work, these are the responsiblities of public service. Yes, the politicians that you elect is responsible in these areas. Now, many of the Black Republicans that preach the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" rap, in their successful efforts to get quoted by one of the many media outlets or publications. But don't fall for that. These areas that I spoke of are solely paid for by tax dollars. Jobs commissioned by elected Politicians, or maybe a better word is budgeted by elected Politicians serving your communities. I am not speaking here about individuals asking for money to pay your bills.

If you really think about it, why should African-American vote at all, when routinely nothing gets done by those that you elect? It seems as if the only way that they do anything of substance to improve the social, physical, and mental environment of the Black Community is through gentrification. HELLO! Again, super-serving the influetial's needs to move closer to their jobs. Are our tax dollars now funding the rumored 20-year big plan to run down the community, have developers -- with elected politicians signatures -- buy up the cheaper African-American properties, and then rebuild a new oasis for the affluent to be closer to there offices. The conversation goes like this: "Hey Ralph Politician, here's a plan, let's send the African-Americans to the reservations (outside of suburbs) over a 20-year period by overpricing their property, which will raise their annual taxes and insurance that they will not be able to afford. Sooner or later they will leave." Ralph says: "Sure Harry, I will get on it right away. Just make sure you contribute a few hundred thousand toward my US Senator campaign next election." Developer states: "You want a house too Ralph"? Ralph states: "You Betcha Harry". [I wil not discuss white collar "pay me and my boys" crimes in this blog, which has its own version of neglecting labor by outsourcing jobs to India and taking folks hard earned 401k's and pension plans.]

I will though move on to the Maryland Democratic Primary a few weeks ago, held on September 12th.. I was -- I guess -- one of the 'very few' excited about Kweisi Mfume's run for US Senator, as I know that Mfume has our backs. I was most certain that I could expect positive things from Mfume, including a good working relationship with our county executive Jack Johnson, whom is Black, and despite Jack's critics, is doing good things for the majority Black Prince Georges County where I currently reside. But for some un-forseen reason, it didn't seem that Kwiesi Mfume understood the importance of winning the Democratic nomination, which he could have easily have won with some sort of active campaign. A campaign to get enough money for a state wide election, and an effective grassroots campaign. From the moment Mfume announced his candidacy, Mfume was quite frankly the leading candidate. And not only that, the large amount of white Democratic competitors, would steer votes away from his main competition in Ben Cardin, whos has held a number of Maryland seats over his political career. But, Mfume's campaign stunk. Syndication One's Radio Host Prof. Michael Eric Dyson, put it best by stating that Mfume must be a burnt out Politician. I totally agree. I recall seeing Mfume on the Bill O'Reilly show shorty after making his announcement to run. Bill O'Reilly ate Mfume's butt up. Mfume cound not get a word in, even though he had several opportunities to do so. It was as if Mtume wanted to get up and leave and not debate a harsh debater and interviewer in Bill O'Reilly. Mfume looked stunned and weak. These are simply my assumptions, as I still support Mfume, and do consider Mfume as one of my trusted leaders.

During the campaign trail weeks and months before the September 12th.Democratic Primary, I never saw an Mfume TV commercial until the very last week. Then the TV commercial did not deal with any issues and differences whatsoever, between him and his main opponent Ben Cardin. The commercial dealt with him growing up with his single mother in a low income neighborhood, with Mfume sitting on a low income looking townhome or lower level duplex seemingly in Baltimore. OOOOOKAAAAAY! I also never heard a Mfume radio commercial, nor heard Mfume interviewed by the Black media -- nationally and locally. I say this as an active Broadcaster that happens to excitedly work for a Black News Network, with an affliate radio station that covers the Southern Maryland area. The reader may have heard of Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and Al Sharpton, whom are two of the radio network's main hosts. In fact Lee Michael, the Program Director of the Black Talk Radio Network called Syndication One, happened to run into Kwiesi Mfume at church. Lee offered both Mfume and Mfume's campaign manager an open invitation to appear on either show weeks before the Primary Election. The affliate's radio station, WOL in Washington DC, is well-known as a politically active talk station. And let's not mention that the network also includes radio station affliates in Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, Miami etc...where Mfume could possibly get national momentum going amongst the major Democratic figures. In fact, the Republican nominee for the US Senator's seat in Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele received tons of National Republican party support, photo ops with the President, countless endorsement, and national free airtime on interviews. Plus Steele was a guest on Al Sharpton's show roughly eight weeks before the election. If Mfume would have appeared on Democrat-leaning Al Sharpton show as often as he wanted to, Mfume could have inspired African-Americans to get off their reclining chairs and vote. It was a win-win radio interview, both locally and nationally for Mfume. But guess what reader? Kwiesi Mfume, nor his campaign manager, did not call Syndicaton One -- nor WOL -- for that free interview (that Steele took advantage of) despite a personal hand-to-hand invitation. So the Maryland voters, at least in the heavily populated Southern Maryland area, did not hear nor see Mfume until the last week of the campaign. Mfume signs on the grass lands just don't do it Mr. Mfume. And because of Democratic Candidate Kweisi Mfume not being up front and in the face of the African-American voters providing promising assurances in this large suburban Washington DC area (Southern Maryland's Montgomery county has over 800-thousand people, and Prince Georges County has 850-thousand people), the majority of African-American registered voters stayed home and away from the polls. *By the way, Mfume lost by just two percentage points, only 19-thousand votes little votes. I did vote and cast my computerized ballot for Mfume. Unless......the computer....ahhh....ooooh nooo.....Florida....I won't go there today. And yes Ohio reader, the line was short during my afternoon voting participation.

On November 7th general election, the Republicans have nominated an African-American Michael Steele -- yes I Steele is an African-American Republican nominee for United States Senator, and the Democratic nominate a white guy, in a state well represented by African-American residents (30 percent). So far, polls have Steele with twenty-five percent of Maryland's Black vote. Currently there is only one Black US Senator in the country right now in birth State of Illinois, and I must say that the excitement of my new eastern time zoned residentcy personally seeing a grand day when a US Senator representing the State that I have lived in for the past ten years, could finally have a statewide race for US Senator between two African-Americans has petered out. Unfortunately Kwiewi Mfume and his campaign manager dropped the ball. Mfume blames it on having an underfunded campaign (boo huuu). If you are underfunded, then knock on more doors as Fenty did to win the Mayor race in Washington DC against better funded opponents. In fact, one of Mfume's direct competitor spent 4 millions dollars and steered away 7 percent of mostly white voters from Ben Cardin. The Maryland Democratic US Senator eventual nominee Ben Cardin spent 1.2 million. Last that I checked four million is greater than 1.2 million. Making history must not have entered into Mfume's brain. Despite Mfume winning Baltimore city, Mfume lost in Baltimore county and nearby Howard County. Mfume thought voters from Prince Georges County would just jump up out of their chairs and race to the polls without substance. Montgomery county too.

Sounds to me that not only Kweisi Mfume has a major problem, but so does the Democratic Party, when registered African-Americans refuse to vote or are not registered to vote at all in the major metropolis of Greater Washington DC. "Promote the Vote" by also providing a reason to vote.

I looked at the results in the city where I live in -- a city in Prince Georges County -- and I see that Mfume only received 49 percent of the vote in a majority African-American city. There are four precincts in my city of 25-thousand. The precinct where I voted (where the majority of residents are African-American home/condo/townhouse owners), Mfume received 1,035 votes and Ben Cardin -- the eventual Democratic Nominee, received 822. At the two precincts with majority white voters (most living in public housing, which just baffles this Chicago born/LA raised lad) Mfume received 230 and 145 respectively, while Cardin respectively received 317 and 300. The fourth precinct has the greatest concentration of African-American voters in the city with mostly renters in the vast apartment area -- more people in total than in my area. Reader, guess what the turnout was there? Mfume only received 132 votes, while Cardin picked up 17 votes. Talk about disinterest in the political process.

I know Mfume knew about this area and county, as he has lived in the state for decades. Mfume even chose to speak at a majority white democratic organization within my city limits, which turned out not to make a lot of sense in accordance to the eventual results. I guess he thought he had the Black votes alllllll sewed up. The thought probably did not enter his mind that most African-Americans would not vote at all without a reason to vote. The thought of addressing us before the last week of the campaign was not in the Mfume game plan.

Well Mfume, with empirical evidence on the books, the low voter turnout in this case is most definitely the fault of your failed campaingn Kweisi, not the Democratic Party nor the voter him or herself. Face up homie. The African-American voters were disinterested, and your "invisible message campaign" was not motivating or inspiring enough to get the voters out of their recliner and vote. Considering that Kweisi Mfume lost by just 19-thousand votes in a statewide Democratic Primary, and hundreds of thousand African-American voters decided to stay home voter, I think the math speaks for itself. Mfume blew it. Mfume underestimated and disrespected the African-American voter, as the Democratic Party has been inclined to do. Fact: The majority of Maryland African-Ameican voters either did not vote or did not register to vote. Who's responsibility does that dilema rest on? It rests on both Kweisi Mfume and the Democratic Party, for years of neglect and taking our African-American vote for granted. I say Kweisi because he, and only Mfume, was personally running for the Democratic Nominee of Maryland's US Senatorial race wanting Marylanders votes...not me nor them.

And don't think the Republicans are not well-informed about the numbers. The Maryland Republican powers that be immediately, at the very beginning of the 8-week general election campaign to the November 7th. election date, are vying for the African-American vote and, as already mentioned, the poll folks have has Steele receiving 25 percent of the African-American vote.

An article in the Washington Post by Matthew Mosk on September 21st. sites the Maryland Republican Television campaign that states that 'Martin Luther King Jr. was a Republican and that JimCrow decisions as well as sicking dogs out disrupt King's demonstrations in Alabama were in the policies and actions made by Democrats.' In the article Mosk also points out that 'the Black Republican Council of Maryland leader Darlene Jackson distributed an open letter to Kwiesi Mfume asking for his support for Republican US Senatorial Candidate Michael Steele,' whom now finds himself in an unexpected inter-racial Senatorial campaign. Yes, even the Maryland Republicans knew what impact Mfume by first "publically" requesting Mfume's support. The Republican party understands that they need to get African-Amercans out to vote for their very own African-American US Senatorial Candidate named Michael Steele to maintain the Republicans Congressional control. I expect Condi Rice anyday now.

Why didn't Mfume see that -- until now. Now I guess Mfume feels respectd and important once again in these other folks campaigns. Mfume did come out of hiding and at a Cardin campaign rally at the University of Maryland, he reluctantly luke warmly endorsed Ben Cardin. In his speech Mfume stated: "Our Democratic Party is going to have to work to fina a way to engae women and racial minorities in teh statewikde campaign and not let the Republican Party take the high road on the issue of diversity, which it has done, and to its credit, I might add." Mfume also stated: "When you consider that turnout was as low as it was statewide, one has to believe that nother between the primary election day and the general election is going to change except the party talking to its base and getting its base energized." So endorsement Mfume. I would have to agree with the Robert Barnes 'Campaign Journal' titled "From Mfume, Support for a Friend and a Friendly Warning" in the September 28th edition, where Mr. Barnes stated that 'Mfume was the one that was unable to turn the voters on' and that it was 'Mfume whom had the table set for him to win and Mfume did not take advantage of his overwhelming African-American support.' Mr. Barnes notes in his Post Journal that "the burning question from Democratic campaign strategists (ultimately voters too, no doubt) is: What's Mfume doing? I say go away to a Kweisi Mfume, until you see the light man. I can attest that we did not see nor hear Mfume the entire campaign and knew nothing about his campaign message. So why go to a polling precinct and vote? Nice picture Robert Barnes of Barack Obama enjoying Cardin and Mfume smiling and applauding together.....funny:)

The Maryland Democratic African-American voter now has a choice between a Republican brotha from Prince Georges County, whom says that he will help us achieve our objectives; or a white guy that potential voters strongly feel that he will fall in line of the many white Democrats that have not done a damn thing for the community. Either way, it's a chance vote. A questionable Senatorial election if I have ever seen on. We know what the Republican Party feels about the Black community, which was magnified for the world to see during the Katrina hurricane and aftermath flood in New Orleans, when both the Democratic Governor and New Orleans Mayor requested Federal assistance prior to the Hurricane hitting New Orleans, knowing that they admittedly and collectively did not have all the resources. Continual poor conditions mentally, physically, and economically still remain in the majority Black community in New Orleans one year later, with 400 percent rising insurance rates and lots of redtape to get to needed rebuilding money to New Orleans' property owners and renters. Mississippi residents are already cashed out. However, this Black Republican Candidate named Michael Steele "promises" a positive change is coming for Maryland African-Americans, if we give the election process another chance and get our dis-enchanted souls off of our reclining chairs and vote for his ass in on November 7th.

Nonetheless, there still exists a disconnect in the Democratic Party. If you do not pound African-American voters constantly on the head -- as Mfume did not, and as the Maryland Republican Party did and is currently doing, then not only will potential Black voters not vote for you, but that same voter will more than likely not vote at all. When the majority of registered African-American voters do not vote, those other Democratic candidates on the ticket also lose that vote too, and it becomes a "trickle down" defeat.

The democratic Party has a MAJOR turn out the vote problem nowadays. One solution, an example here in Maryland, would be if the Democratic US Senatorial Maryland Candidate succeeds in getting African-Americans to the polls, then that candidate will WIN. It's really just that simple. The results from the September 12th Democratic Primary in my city should hit the powers that be in the Democratic Party on the head with a demolition ball. Most of the poll taking statiticians would say that African-American renters do not vote, based on the low voter turnout in the apartment area of my city. But the fact is, that this Maryland US Senator Democratic primary and general election is set up where whomever gets the most votes wins, unlike the electorial process of the Presidential election. Remember there were a majority 528 votes that went to Mfume in my area's precinct. However within this area, there are six thousand residents. You mean to tell me that 5000 folks did not vote. My city has a population of 25 thousand people, and you mean to tell me that only 2 thousand folks voted in this majority African-American city. Additionally, while Mfume received 69 percent of Prince Georges County, in my city Mfume only received just 49 percent, while Ben Cardin received 39 percent. If you add the dozen or so cities in Prince Georges county with the equally low voter turnout, Mfume could have made up that 19-thousand voter disparity just in Prince Georges county alone. In Prince Georges County (population: 850-thousand), Mfume received just 74-thousand votes (69%), while Cardin received 19,823 votes (19%). The immediate question of why did 750,000 folks not vote or not register to vote comes to mind.

Here are the Maryland State voting tally for the US Senator Democratic Primary that took place on Tuesday September 12th for both Ben Cardin and Kweisi Mfume:

*Cardin received 257,089 votes (43.8%)
*Mfume received 237,329 votes (40.4%)

Mfume lost by just 19-thousand votes (3.4%).

Again, Prince Georges County with a population of 850-thousand folks, only100-thousand people in the county voted. I understand that underaged are include in that figure, so let's take off 150-thousand kids and teenager, and say that 600,000 thousand folks did not vote or are not registered to vote. The Democratic Pary plans to re-take the house with these astonishing numbers of people not partaking in the Political Process. Republicans are just grinning ear to ear, knowing the uphill battle that the Democratic Party has.

At this late stage and recent figures, I say throw in the towel Democratic Party, unless you get your butts out there every moment of the day, dragging people out to first register to vote and then drag them out most of the registered voters out on election day. You may have to get radical like Bill Clinton did on Fox News. Not only that, but unless you sustain those voters for the many important elections to come (eg 2008), you will need to "keep" your campaign promises to the voters and not to those influential interest groups whom funded your campaign. These interest groups are known for funding both parties. Can't you do both. But unfortunately, what has been the norm, is that you frankly swindle African-American voters to the polls, then post election victory party, you then take their tax dollars and political power away from the Black community. Stealing the election is not just a Bush phenomenon.

Republicans now dominating Congress and the Presidency, should be a lesson to the Democratic Party powers that be, that African-Americans are no longer going for your empty promises anymore. If African-Amercian voters will not come out and vote for an African-American candidate in the luke warm (ice cold) campaign of Kwiesi Mfume, for one of the most powerful seats in the United States, just think what kind of turnout African-American voters will have for a white candidate -- most likely not do anything on behalf of the African American community.

The problem that all Democratic candidates will have with all of these fast growing ethnic groups, will be to get the registered voters out to vote, especially during this non-Presidential Congressional Election in November. Yes...we voters hear about the importance of the upcoming elections all the time. You know the one: "if the Democrats retain control of Congress, we will no longer be subjected to the war-monger Republican Party that refuses to care for poor people." Scare us to the polls, like Bush scared us to War. We understand the importance Democratic Party "powers that be", however the Johnny-come-lately campaigns won't get it done. So far, all I have seen and heard, are Republicans on television and radio commercials for these two contested Congressional races in States within my Washington DC metro region, which includes Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland. All I have seen are the Republican US Senatorial Candidates -- Michael Steele (Maryland), and George Allen (Virginia) -- well researched TV and Radio commercials. And despite George Allen's negative racial comments; sporting a Confederate flag and a noose in his office; past n-word slurs according to former college classmates; and "arguably lying" all of these years by not stating he is Jewish; George Allen may still win with his message out there for all to see over and over and over again. I say "argubly lying" because Allen is in his 50's and I just cannot see a man that has spent his well educated life, often spent with family (Thanksgiving, Christmas etc...) and not know that he is Jewish. And what is the problem being Jewish here in America in the first place? I am unaware that in 20th or 21st century, that you cannot get elected because you are Jewish (per capita the wealthiest folks in these United States). Why lie about your own heritage? However Democrats, you cannot go an hour without seeing Steele's or Allen's television commercial, especially on news programs.

On the other hand, I rarely see a TV commercial by the Democratic candidates running for US Senator. The one that I did see, are a few responce's to the Republicans TV ads for some reason. Very little campaigning for Virginia's US Senatorial candidate, whom I frankly forgot first name. Where has Mr. Webb been? Has he been in Southern Virginia or something? A large portion of Virginia's population is in Northern Virginia, with Fairfax County being the most populated County in the State of Virginia.

Is there a money problem with the Democratic Party? Or are there persistent "take voters for granted" mentalities? Insofar as African-American voters are concerned, it is obvious that the 95-plus percent support by African-Americans have been taking for granted, and from the looks of it in the race for US Senator in Maryland, according to pollsters, the support has dwindled down to seventy-five percent. And yes, African-Americans nationally are checking out the Republican Party with the Secretaries of State for the Bush administraton tenure both being African-Americans, and the Secretary of Education during GW's first term for that matter. Impressive to see African-Americans handling National and International matters I must say

The African-American community has the same problems now, with the false promises from both Democrats and Republicans for decades and decades and decades. Enough is enough! The Black voter evidently says screw all politicians and the Political Process. Politics has been a major turnoff for African-American voters, ever since a glimer of hope with the Jesse Jackson candidacy for Presidnet in 84 and 88. Until the economic, educational, and physical conditions improve in the Black community, and other ethnic communities (nearing 100-million potential voters), most ethnicities will not vote at all. We want our kids to be highly educated in a well-resourced public schools. We want protection from the territorial drug wars. We want our kids protected when they go outside and play. We want tax incentives and provisions for businesses to train and hire residential African-Americans to work in those local and franchised businesses, reaping financial benefits and profits on the backs of that same ethnic community that it serves. We want college grants for exceptional students from economically deprived families that cannot afford a college educaton for their bright kids, whose degreed souls positively recycles back big tax dollars back to the American economy as consumers, salaried positioned taxes, and spenders after they put to use their degrees with stiff competition coming on from the cheap or free college education in Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, and India.

If Democrats are unable to handle these demands commonly promised in their campaigns for well over a hundred years, then -- as has been the case for some time now -- NO VOTE! The Democratic Party needs to get busy "following through" with all of these promises. Once you begin the process of coming through with these demands, then we'll both register to vote and more registered voters will vote. Until then Democratic Party "powers the be", I sense the majority of voting-aged African-Amercans will stay home and rest from all of the low "hourly waged" jobs, those many low paying and lower ceiling salaried positions, and all the job searching after those interest groups you covet restructures. Not to mention, the additional taxes levied on home owners with spiraling real estate values skyrocketing over the past five years, and the higher rents from apartment property owners that force those with cushiony positions to work a weekend job. Face it, conditions have worsened. And you say Vote? Vote for what? Vote for these consistently worsening personal and community conditions. And you somehow seem baffled by the increase murder rates in those same unattended communities? Your collective and many political policies in public, private, and personal arenas are breaking folks left and right. No time to vote homie. Check it: We have seemed to normally vote for less harmful candidates anyway, not someone who gets it. That is no longer good enough. Wake up and listen. The African-American voters cannot no longer be treated like "Boo Boo the Fool". Show me the money in Education and these other obvious areas that seem to slip a grown persons mind. We understand that you aint't "Boo Boo the Fool" either. No more of this two-step bullcrap.

And No, Democratic Party, we African-Americans have not forgotten about Katrina and the subsequent flood, nor the aftermath lack of monetary commitments to property owners and renters. Check it: If the Democratic Governor in Louisiana, presently holding that money ever so tight-assed-ly, earmarked for the majority African-American home owners in New Orleans is easily released to them then maybe that will be a positive sign for us to kick that reclining chair's footrest down and go to the polls to vote. Yes, if you "publically" make the majority African-American New Orleans residents happy before the elections, maybe African-American voter will get off the recliner and vote. If not, then you can kiss the majority Democratic Congress goodbye. It is well-known that the African-American voter turnout will swing those competitive Congressional races in the Mid-West, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions. I am a witness, that as of today, the Democratic Candidates are being out campaigned by the Republicans --- Big Time.

I will close here, as my reader is probably ready to go to work on his or her third job. I do appreciate the reader going through this long blog, and I hope that the many Democratic Party "Powers-That-Be" readers have learned something about getting the vote out.

That's the simple deal Democratic Party. Honor it -- or -- I guarantee that you will lose. Think about it, two more years of Republican dominance. How does that sound. Oh, by the way, I do not see anyone beating Moderate Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain and his running mate Condi Rice in 2008. We are probably speaking of six more years of Republican dominance.

Will the African-American voter again choose the lesser of two evils in voting for the Democratic Party? Will the Democratic Party start the process of utilizing our tax dollars to improve the African-American community instead of the more affluent communities where your financial interest groups live?

Your move.

Radio Broadcasters History -- Forgotten?

Our early childhood, the teenage years, young adulthood, 30 somethings, middle age, and seniorhood are filled with exciting memories. People within these age groups surprisingly have many things in common. We all breathe, eat, drink, and relieve ourselves. You cannot get more basic than that. However, for those of you reading now, that have had the fortune of the sense of hearing, radio broadcasters have played a key role in our lives. Unfortunately, very few Radio Broadcaster's leave the masses with a legacy, compared to other media fields. Think about it. Popular TV and Film actors leave visual recordings of their works. Musicians leave albums and/or CD's. Authors and journalist leave their publications. What do radio broadcasters leave? Airchecks? Come on! The radio announcer's career disappears into thin air.

America's habitual standard of moving forward, without looking back more than ten years back, makes even the biggest media star, difficult to be remembered at all. Stars of today are drilled by their publicists to stay in front of their respective mediums consistently, before being replaced by the next star. Rarely do we go back and appreciated those that have paved the way. There is simply no time for that in these days of multi-tasking.
However, those former (or late) Radio broadcasters, with a lifetime of Broadcasting excellence may never see the light of day to a future audience. A Radio Broadcaster may be spinning there wheels, if they are in the twilight of their careers with intentions of leaving a legacy. A conversation amongst friends that grew up listening to their great radio star may be extent of their legacy.

Personally having been in radio for a few decades now -- and a fan of radio all my life, I do respect the legacy of Radio Broadcasters. DJ's are our most consistent entertainers. A two hour film you may see a time or two, and a past popular television show is usually a half hour or an hour per sitting. Daily Newscasts are a half hour, or an hour magazine program like 60 minutes. Respected columnist works may take fifteen minutes to read. An author may release a book once a year, which will take a few weeks to thumb through. But, the local (or syndicated) Disc Jockey is with you every day for four or five hours a day, six days a week. The Disc Jockey has the greatest impact on your daily conscious.

Growing up in Los Angeles, Wolfman Jack and Gary Owens comes to mind as the grandest of and most recognizable L.A. Disc Jockeys. Both managed to become visual icons as well, which added to their radio careers. Gary Owens became the comedic announcer with the hit television comedy show, 'Rowan and Martin's Laugh In!'. Wolfman Jack was a national TV Host of a live concert show called 'Midnight Special'.

Growing up, I listened to the local R/B stations. My earliest Broadcasting star was Larry McCormick on 1230am KGFJ, whom later became one of LA's familiar faces as a Television newscaster on KTLA Channel 5. When Larry McCormick died, Larry was remembered as that 'multi-decade' newscaster. I will always remember him as the guy that took me to school every morning on the only R/B station in the late sixties and early 70's -- KGFJ. If McCormick had not switched over to television, and remained in radio for decades, I am quite sure that he would have been forgotten totally. Larry was well respected by Los Angelinos as that long standing TV News anchorman, and will be etched into the TV News landscape for many decades to come.

I met Larry McCormick a few years before his death. I was awe-struck. It just so happened that I was a Disc Jockey on very same KGFJ where I grew up listening to Larry. Larry mentioned that he was familiar with my show and respected my presentation. I was floored with the compliment from my hero. Larry's compliment inspired me to continue in this often fragile radio business. One of the questions that I asked Larry McCormick druing our encounter was why he changed from radio to television? Larry's response was one of humor -- as most people in Broadcasting have a grand sense of humor. In fact, the entire conversation was hilarous. Larry answered by stating: "Well I was the morning man and Program Director for KGFJ for several years. Eventually, I was approached by KTLA to anchor the evening newscast, and 'I said, WHY NOT!'." The talented and articulate Larry McCormick went on to mention other impressive financial opportunities that came his way. To each opportunity, Larry humorously responded by saying, 'WHY NOT'!

I will however always remember Larry McCormick as that Radio morning man with a tight top 40-style presentation, with a bright and friendly, yet commanding resonant voice on 1230am KGFJ. The man that kept our family entertained and informed riding on my way to grade school. Soul music from Motown, Stax, Atlantic, Chess, along with James Brown and Aretha Franklin were the choice of hits that Larry programmed. Larry was an even greater star considering that KGFJ was that one R/B station in town, combined with the fact that neither Top 40,Rock, nor AC radio stations play a lick of Soul when Motown and the like was new. That is probably the reason why those other formats today play so much Motown, as it is new to their listeners. Urban or UAC radio would not think of playing 60's and early 70's tunes today, as they have been burned out for years to its core audience. Larry's career was a success to say the least. LArry and I spoke of others things in our ten to fifteen minute conversation, and he then departed in his signature Rolls Royce. That encounter was the only time that I spent with the man whose legacy is firmly implanted on my conscious for life.

I was saddened for many days after hearing of his death. In fact, I called family and radio colleagues to deliver the bad news. I rarely do that. Those personal encounters with major celebrities, and later hearing of their deaths, hit me hard. Luther Vandross and Barry White were two celebrities that I met and interviewed, and their deaths weighed on me for a long time. I would like to meet Sidney Potier and Muhammed Ali, before they pass, as they were the positive image of Black Men that I looked up to, outside of my family.

Other radio DJ's that I will never forget in LA radio are Frankie Crocker, whose legacy will last a long time with his New York radio career and having the first network music video show, Friday Night Videos. I happen to be studying Radio Broadcasting in college, when Frankie Crocker came over to KUTE102 fm in LA, then owned by Inner City Broadcasting, which also owned WBLS in New York where Frankie Crocker was stationed in New York. For the short time that KUTE102 programmied disco, Frankie Crocker was the afternoon DJ. Crocker brought excitement, unlike the well articulate, careful, and laid back styled DJ's LA radio managers normally employed -- before the days of hip hop DJ's. All my music loving friends -- with our fancy car sound systems -- were hooked on Frankie in the afternoon, and would bump his show down the street loudly and proudly. Frankie had the best mixers, and Frankie's cool professionalism would seamlessly own the entire presentation, including those Mix segments. Those famous Donna Summer mixes still ring in my head. Frankie had a great impact in that short period of time on KUTE 102. I am sure though, that New Yorkers reading this blog where Frankie spent 90 percent of his career, would have greater memories than I. But Frankie's impact was nonetheless powerful. Frankie Crocker...Rest In Peace.

The many DJ's in LA implanted in my conscious: Alvin John Waples, Levi Booker, Holmes in your Home, Marsha Robinson, Doug Banks, LT, JJ Johnson, Russ Parr, Greg Mack with the Mack Attack (best Hip Hop show in LA Radio history), Lee Bailey, Steve Patterson, Steve and Sam, Cliff Winston, Pam Robinson, The Mixmasters featuring Tony Joseph, Big Boy, Louise Foster, Kirk Tanter, Kevin Fleming, Tony Hart, Jammin Johnny Morris. In the Bay Area,where I went to college in the early to mid-80's, I recall Marvin Robinson, Talayla, Barry Pope, Isaw (Reggae jock), and Clifford Brown Jr. Other jocks with national acclaim include: The Mad Hatter, Cathy Hughes, Herb Kent, Eddie O'Jay, Sonny Taylor, Doug Gilmore, Jack the Rapper, and many many many more Radio Broadcasters, whom have had great impact on your conscience grewing up with. An interview with pioneering R/B DJ's is archived in the Smithsonian Institute, interviewed by PBS Host Bobby Bennett.

Unfortunately those meaningful "friends" that you grew up will be quickly forgotten, and not given there proper due. It is not common to see nor hear a recording of your favorite radio personality, as is the case with Television and Film stars. However within your memory are those local Radio Broadcasters, that were more than stars, but they served as your friends. They told you the local happenings around town, and were often at that event to shake hands and hang out. These Radio Broadcasters show's were entertaining, informative, and they played the jams. They were also a big part of your family and friends get-togethers. The DJ was there while you cleaned your house late Saturday mornings.

In closing, even those film and television stars, columnist, successful entrepreneurs, and authors reading this blog, are now thinking back to those radio DJ's that had an impact on their consciousness. You see, they too were affected by their Radio friend.

I WELCOME YOU

My name is Kirk Tanter and welcome to my current information and historic blog.

I have spent the majority of my career in the Radio Broadcasting field. However, my blogs will not be limited to just radio and broadcast journalism.

I am a social thinker of how our society and other societies work along with their historic evolutions to make them what they are today. My second degree in Sociology allowed me to think critically about this - though not just limited to this degree.

Politics is another special interest of mine from a child, as both of my parents were deeply involved in Politics.

Other interest include sports, entertainment, biographies...to name a few.

I tend to look beyond the first page stories, diving deeper into subjects that affect people's lives here and abroad.

To start, what is your assessment of how the Local, State, Federal Government, and Insurance Companies handled the over 225, 000 displaced Katrina victims in the Gulf region? In Spike Lee's special 4-hour documentary "When the Levees Broke", unknown facts came to light from affected Gulf residents.

Your comments are always welcome. Thank you for your time.