Not a problem yet, but could become one
Kerry Urged to Do More to Get Black Votes
Lack of Diversity Among Top Campaign Officials, Absence in Community Are Concerns
By Darryl Fears
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 29, 2004; Page A04A month before Sen. John F. Kerry is to accept the Democratic presidential nomination, African Americans who are experienced in getting out the vote say the candidate has done little to energize a constituency that could help ensure his election.
Although the Massachusetts senator has many black supporters, civil rights leaders and academics are grumbling about his absence from black communities and a lack of top black officials in his campaign.
The current shortage of Black folks in the Kerry campaign doesn't bother me much. Effective campaigns…well, ineffective ones too…grow from a close-knit, almost personal friends group. I expect to see an open, fair search for talent as need demands—and need always demands,
And I understand the focus on swing states will take him away from the ten-twelve places with a bunch of Black folks, but I don't approve. Because Rev. Joseph E. Lowery nailed the problem:
"The issue is not whether black voters will choose a Democrat, it's how many will turn out to vote," Lowery said.
