Jim Vandehi & Jash Kraushaar report that the Republican Party launched a highly publicized diversity effort, the GOP is heading into the 2008 election without a single minority candidate with a plausible chance of winning a campaign for the House, the Senate or governor.
At a time when Democrats are poised to knock down a historic racial barrier with their presidential nominee, the GOP is fielding only a handful of minority candidates for Congress or statehouses — none of whom seem to have a prayer of victory.
At the start of the Bush years, the Republican National Committee — in tandem with the White House — vowed to usher in a new era of GOP minority outreach. As George W. Bush winds down his presidency, Republicans are now on the verge of going six — and probably more — years without an African-American governor, senator or House member.
That’s the longest such streak since the 1980s.
Republicans will have only one minority governor, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, an Indian-American, when the dust settles on the ’08 elections. Democrats have three minority governors and 43 African-American members of Congress, including one — Illinois Sen. Barack Obama — who is their likely presidential nominee. Democrats also have several challengers in winnable House races who are either black or Hispanic.
Despite having a Spanish-speaking “compassionate conservative” in the White House, Republicans’ diversity deficit seems to have only widened.
“In 1994, when I first ran, we had 14 African-American Republicans running for Congress. ... I was the only one that won that year, but we had 14, and we had some good candidates,” said former Oklahoma Rep. J.C. Watts, one of the party’s most recognized African-American voices. “I am grateful for what Ken Mehlman did when he was RNC chairman, but I knew that wouldn’t last — that was one person. I’ve never gotten the impression that it was institutionalized.”
So who’s to blame for this diversity deficit? Read More Here
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For Francis Holland, well according to his post he says: "I'm concerned that virtually all of the state blogs selected by the Democratic National Committee to cover Denver are white. Of course, it remains possibly that one of these white blogs will bring a Black person along as a blogger. But, Black bloggers and voters are not willing to wait until we arrive in Denver to find out whether a group of virtually all-white blogs will also send a group of all-white bloggers to Denver. We strongly suspect that we already know the answer, and it is totally unacceptable to us. Do any of these all-white blogs even have any Black bloggers who might participate? That's something we need to know before Denver.
This isn't the first time this issue has been addressed. When Bill Clinton met in Harlem with an all-white group of bloggers, Black bloggers were furious and Clinton's campaign never recovered. The Clinton campaign had insulted and alienated the very Black bloggers corps that it most needed to reach out and round up support from voters in Black communities." More HERE
AAPP: in many ways Francis is right regarding the DNC. He is also right to ask the question, Can Virtually All-White "State Blogs" Reach Diverse State Constituencies?
Can anyone answer that question? Can the state DNC bloggers (listed below) answer that question? Should the DNC answer that question? I think they all should. What about you?
The DemConvention State Blogger Corps is listed below.
STATE - BLOG NAME - BLOG URL
ALASKA - Celtic Diva's Blue Oasis - http://divasblueoasis.blogspot.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
ALABAMA- Doc's Political Parlor - http://www.politicalparlor.net![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
ARKANSAS- Under The Dome.com - http://www.underthedome.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
ARIZONA - Ted Prezelski - Rum, Romanism and Rebellion - http://www.rumromanismrebellion.net![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
CALIFORNIA - Calitics- http://Calitics.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
COLORADO -SquareState.net - http://squarestate.net![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
CONNECTICUT -My Left Nutmeg - http://myleftnutmeg.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA- DCist.com - http://dcist.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
DELAWARE – TommyWonk - http://tommywonk.blogspot.com/![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
DEMOCRATS Abroad - Democrats Abroad Argentina - http://www.yanquimike.com.ar![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
FLORIDA - Florida Progressive Coalition - http://flaprogressives.org![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
GEORGIA- Tondee's Tavern - http://www.tondeestavern.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
GUAM - No Rest for the Awake - Minagahet Chamorro - http://minagahet.blogspot.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
HAWAII - iLind.net: Ian Lind Online - http://www.ilind.net![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
IOWA - The Iowa Independent - http://iowaindependent.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
IDAHO - 43rdStateBlues.com - http://www.43rdstateblues.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
ILLINOIS- Prairie State Blue - http://www.PrairieStateBlue.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
INDIANA- Blue Indiana - http://www.blueindiana.net![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
KANSAS - EverydayCitizen.com - http://everydaycitizen.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
KENTUCKY – BlueGrassRoots - http://www.bluegrassroots.org![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
LOUISIANA - Daily Kingfish - http://www.dailykingfish.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
MASSACHUSETTS - Blue Mass. Group - http://www.bluemassgroup.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
MARYLAND - The Center for Emerging Media - http://www.centerforemergingmedia.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
MAINE - Turn Maine Blue - http://www.turnmaineblue.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
MICHIGAN - Blogging For Michigan - http://bloggingformichigan.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
MINNESOTA - Minnesota Monitor - http://minnesotamonitor.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
MISSISSIPPI - The Natchez Blog - http://natchezms.blogspot.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
MISSOURI - Fired Up! LLC - http://www.firedupmissouri.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
MONTANA - Left in the West - http://www.leftinthewest.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
NORTH CAROLINA - BlueNC.com - http://bluenc.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
NORTH DAKOTA - NorthDecoder.com - http://www.northdecoder.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
NEBRASKA - New Nebraska Network - http://www.NewNebraska.net![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
NEW HAMPSHIRE - Blue Hampshire - http://www.bluehampshire.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
NEW JERSEY - PolitickerNJ.com - http://www.politickernj.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
NEW MEXICO - Democracy for New Mexico - http://www.DemocracyForNewMexico.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
NEVADA - Las Vegas Gleaner - http://www.lasvegasgleaner.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
NEW YORK - Room 8 - http://www.r8ny.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
OHIO - Ohio Daily Blog - http://www.ohiodailyblog.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
OKLAHOMA - DemoOkie - http://www.DemoOkie.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
OREGON - BlueOregon (blog) - http://www.blueoregon.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
PENNSYLVANIA - Keystone Politics - http://www.keystonepolitics.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
PUERTO RICO - Jusiper - http://jusiper.blogspot.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
RHODE ISLAND - Rhode Island's Future - http://www.rifuture.org![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
SOUTH CAROLINA - CracktheBell.com - http://www.crackthebell.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
SOUTH DAKOTA - Badlands Blue - http://www.badlandsblue.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
TENNESSEE - KnoxViews/TennViews - http://www.knoxviews.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
TEXAS - Burnt Orange Report - http://www.BurntOrangeReport.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
UTAH - The Utah Amicus - http://utahamicus.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
VIRGINIA - Raising Kaine - http://www.raisingkaine.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
VIRGIN ISLANDS - Democratic Party of the US Virgin Islands - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/democratvi![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
VERMONT - Green Mountain Daily - http://greenmountaindaily.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
WASHINGTON - HorsesAss.org - http://www.horsesass.org![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
WISCONSIN - Uppity Wisconsin - http://www.uppitywis.org![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
WEST VIRGINIA - West Virginia Blue - http://www.wvablue.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)
WYOMING - Hummingbirdminds blog - http://hummingbirdminds.blogspot.com![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uLrqcdsnGrPFufu87Byin-jCvFtwrjuYt-RmvQSShug_9F3S7mBra-HC04MwqlCC-JNC9SN-6DLJUrXQaJxnw3uu1kexxc1A=s0-d)