Mitt Romney’s attempt at enticing members of the Black community didn’t go over as he would have hoped. The Republican presidential candidate traveled to Houston (Wednesday July 11) to convince attendees of the annual NAACP meeting to vote in his favor. The crowd met him with boos as he bashed President Obama’s healthcare reform plan, which was recently upheld by the Supreme Court.
Romney also outlined his reasoning for running for president. “I believe that if you understood who I truly am in my heart, and if it were possible to fully communicate what I believe is in the real, enduring best interest of African-American families, you would vote for me for president,” he said. “I want you to know that if I did not believe that my policies and my leadership would help families of color — and families of any color — more than the policies and leadership of President Obama, I would not be running for president.”
While his attempt was courageous at best, the 65-year-old is clearly having trouble matching the reception that Obama received during his first presidential campaign. Back in 2008, the then first term senator walked away with 95 percent of the Black vote. “You’ve got to get credit for showing up — for being willing to go — no question,” said Democratic consultant, Karen Finney. “It’s more about your actions than it is about what you say.”
Vice President Joe Biden will address the NAACP Thursday (July 12), instead of the commander in chief, who is scheduled to speak with the National Urban League later in the month. However, unlike 2008, some Black voters have lost confidence in the president’s policies in wake of the struggling economy, and last week’s job report, which fell short of expectations.
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