By Cameron Searcy, NDG Intern
When Republican candidate Governor Mitt Romney stepped to the podium at the 103rd NAACP Convention in Houston last week, the audience saw a chess player making a bold, yet calculated move towards ‘the king’ without even knowing it. Some may question whether Romney’s appearance that afternoon was sincere. However, the real question is, “Was it even necessary?” Is Romney perhaps a few steps ahead of his critics? Not only those outside but those within his camp.
It is almost naïve to expect any politician to exude sincerity, regardless of what he or she may say or what tactics they utilize. There is a clear objective, which is to accumulate the support necessary for votes come Election Day. Whether it’s for a seat in the Senate or the one in the Oval Office, they generally say and do whatever it takes to reach their goal, even if it includes shaking hands, kissing babies, and making some mock promises along the way. Romney’s desire was to receive the respect of the NAACP, but the public should not believe for one second that he sees their respect as synonymous with votes. Many also believe it wanted to appeal to the moderate independent voters by appearing to reach out to African Americans.
Obtaining the African-American vote has been difficult for many Republican candidates, no matter how well-equipped for the job they may be. In Romney’s case, he has too much baggage in his corner, never mind his faith in Mormonism, a religion that denied the membership of Blacks until 1978. While this fact may be worn out, it gives an honest idea of the hurdles Romney has to clear just to get an iota of the Black vote President Barack Obama is expected to receive.
A vital aspect of being a politician is playing the game, despite what the reception will be. Romney going in front of the NAACP showed that he is far from afraid of venturing into a hostile situation and hold his ground on such topics as eliminating Obamacare while smiling through his teeth. The jeers from the crowd simply played into his favor. He was able to present himself as a deacon of the Republican party, willing to place himself in the line of fire for the sake (and protection) of their principles.
Are Romney’s actions necessary? Yes. Romney is creating an image of strength by exploiting the source of one of his key weaknesses: gaining the Black vote. He showed his willingness to tell it like it is, even if the audience does not like the message. For many his boasting on this fact later in the day at a fundraiser and statement that if people want something for free they should vote for the other guy that was perhaps more insulting than his token plaudits in Houston to the NAACP audience.
In the past, Romney has been labeled as a pushover, lacking of a personality that can compete with that of President Obama’s, and in some cases, closer to a liberal than a conservative. However, if he has any characteristics in common with a liberal, it is what Malcolm X described as being the ‘sly fox,’ showing his teeth to Black folk while working for the approval of his Republican peers. It is a tactic that could very well win over those conservatives who question whether or not Romney is truly on the right side of things. No pun intended.
