NAACP Head in Orlando switches parties...

[insein]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...l1705nov17,0,2971218.column?coll=orl-news-col

NAACP chief makes switch to GOP
Published November 17, 2005


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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.

"I've thought about this for two years," Wallace said Tuesday afternoon, just a few hours after returning from the elections office. "This is not a decision I made yesterday."

It is, however, a decision that rang out like a shot among political circles.

Republican Party leader Lew Oliver described himself as "extraordinarily pleased," while Democratic leader Tim Shea said he was disappointed.

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."

To that, Shea responded: "I'm a little confused. Are we talking about the National Association for the Advancement of Construction Professionals -- or Colored People?"

Wallace elaborated that his "business" line of thought also referred to the NAACP. Behind many of the power desks in this town sit Republicans. And he said he wants his organization to be part of that structure. Just as importantly, he said, he didn't want people to immediately brand -- or dismiss -- NAACP concerns as synonymous with those of liberal Democrats. "I want this branch to be respected," he said.

Oliver said they already are, noting that all of the members of the GOP executive board joined the NAACP a few years back to show that they were serious about outreach. "We have taken pains to do our very best to reach out," he said.

But Shea and other Democrats have long maintained that Republican talk about inclusion is little more than that: talk. They cite GOP policy after policy -- on everything from voting rights to health care -- that disproportionately negatively affects blacks. (such as?)

Wallace's party switch may not be a complete surprise. After his own long-shot bid for mayor of Orlando fell short in 2003, he twice supported Republican candidates for the post.

Still, Wallace's new GOP standing is historic for the NAACP -- an organization that is vastly Democratic.

"I don't think my doing this hurts anything. In fact, I think it helps," Wallace said. "But we'll hear what others have to say. I'm sure I will."

continued in link

How long before he's labeled an oreo, race taritor, uncle tomming, white lover?

 

[Hobbit]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...l1705nov17,0,2971218.column?coll=orl-news-col



How long before he's labeled an oreo, race taritor, uncle tomming, white lover?

I'd give it three days.

 

[Avatar4321]

I'd give it three days.

Arent you overestimating the amount of time alittle?

Glad to see there is a man who sees which party is really benefiting him. Not to mention a man who sees that it would be better not to have his organization completely affiliated with one party.

That is the problem with groups like the NAACP. They don't realize that as the minority they would have more success getting their points passed if they play the two parties against each other. By allowiing themselves to be enveloped by the Democrat party they have the party taking them for granted. You don't get anything passed if the leaders know you are going to vote for them regardless of what they do.