When African American voters—and the rest of the electorate—go to the polls on Nov. 2, they will not merely engage in the quadrennial ritual of selecting the next president. They will be making the most crucial decision of the year—one that may determine, among other things, their safety, employment status, and financial future.
And the stakes have never been higher. California governor. and former action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger may scoff at what he calls “girlie men” fretting about the economy, but most Americans are gripped by nagging uncertainty. On one hand, an economic environment marked by historically low inflation and interest rates has buoyed the fortunes of well-heeled investors and homeowners. On the other, thousands of displaced workers grapple with unemployment, underemployment, and depleted bank accounts, while legions of small business owners struggle to make a profit in a murky business climate. On top of that, the harsh realities of war and terrorism continue to loom large.
To paraphrase an old maxim, it’s no secret that black Americans get pneumonia when the rest of the nation catches a cold. Simply put, we are most impacted by economic downshifts, changes in the job market, and reversals in federal funding allocations. Issues such as the war in Iraq, jobs, criminal justice, education, and healthcare top the list of our concerns. But the black vote should not be counted out: it can help determine the outcome of this election. In 2000, African Americans constituted 11.6% of those who voted—a powerful bloc in a close race. Reportedly, there are as many as 20 battleground states—places that could swing for either candidate—up for grabs. Some of these states, which include Michigan, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Missouri, have significant black populations.
That’s why it’s important to evaluate your choices. One is George W. Bush, the Republican incumbent who promises to build an “ownership society”—a citizenry unencumbered by government and capable of handling financial needs from homeownership to managing its own health and retirement accounts. After 9-11, Bush proved to be a hawk, willing to take preemptive military action. In fiscal affairs, he’s a supply-sider who, after inheriting a budget surplus from the Clinton administration, pushed through a series of tax cuts that partly contributed to the whopping $521 billion deficit.
The other choice is Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic challenger who seeks to develop a plan “to build a stronger America” by strengthening the “shrinking” middle class, creating new jobs through technology, and providing tax incentives for companies that don’t outsource jobs overseas. The 20-year Washington veteran has gained a reputation as a liberal on social issues and a moderate on economics and foreign affairs.
To help our readers make an informed decision before Election Day, we interviewed voters about their take on what’s at stake as well as provided highlights of the candidates’ platforms. Whether the commentary comes from red-state Republicans or blue-state Democrats, this package offers valuable insight into the direction of the black vote and its potential impact on Election 2004.
VOTING DEMOCRAT
Bush Camp: The record of John Kerry show’s he’s been on both sides of every issue; he’s for the war in Iraq, then he’s against the fighting in Iraq; he’s for the fight against terrorism and then he’s against the fight against terrorism—that is the kind of confusion that will kill us, literally.” —Senate Candidate Alan Keyes
Kerry Camp: Terrorism is about Al Qaeda and Afghanistan, and not Iraq. Bush blurred the two to make Americans think the two were the same. But never has a line been connected between our country being the target of irrational hatred and the war in Iraq over weapons of mass ‘distraction.'” —Economist Julianne Malveaux
KISHIA MITCHELL
Age: 35, Location: Stone Mountain, GA, Occupation: U.S.P.S. mail handler and Army Reservist
Issue: Since no weapons of mass destruction were found in oil-rich Iraq, and American military casualties continue to mount, many are divided on whether war should have been waged, particularly with Bush’s strong ties to the oil industry. Sgt. Mitchell is among them. Although she doesn’t agree with Bush’s military policy, the single mother of four is still ready to answer the call of duty, after learning she could be deployed to Kuwait in 2005.
Favored policy: Mitchell doesn’t agree with any of the current administration’s policies because she says she hasn’t benefited from them.
Vote: Kerry.
Why: “This [war] was something that [Bush] initiated. [He was] looking to complete what his father started,” Mitchell says. “You’re losing too many sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, children over there—it’s worthless. It’s not a war against terrorism, you know. It’s not a war [for] oil—it’s personal.” (Her brother and sister, both of whom are in the U.S. Navy, were sent overseas as a result of the war in Iraq.)
ANYONE BUT BUSH
Bush Camp:Bush has started us down that road of making schools accountable. Kerry seems to have no real clear position there, and he is certainly not in favor of something like vouchers.”
—Hoover Fellow Shelby Steele
Kerry Camp: [Bush’s No Child Left Behind is] a joke and it’s all just symbolic. The money should be making sure the school facilities are of high quality, but all Bush is focusing on is standardized tests.” —Princeton University Professor Cornel West
SHARON SMITH
Age: 54, Location: Paterson, NJ, Occupation: Principal, Rosa L. Parks School of Fine and Performing Arts
Issue: Despite Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act, Smith has found that funding for financial aid programs for college students and major K — 12 programs still falls short. While Congress and the White House have included the arts as core academic subjects under NCLB, the administration’s budget proposal has omitted support for the Arts in Education program, which funds the development of arts educators and curriculum, for the past three years. (Congress has supported the program with $35 million in funding for fiscal year 2004, up from $33.7 million in 2003.) “From what I can see, we have not realized any significant contributions in the way of public, private, and higher education under Bush’s presidency.”
Favored Policy: Smith says she, as an average American, hasn’t benefitted from any of the current administration’s policies.
Vote: Kerry
Why: “I’m not voting for Bush based on his track record,” she says. “I don’t feel that he is a president for all the people.” Smith says neither candidate has fully addressed issues related to healthcare, education, and job creation.
Bush Camp: We should vote for our candidates as individuals. As the Bible says, ‘By their fruits we should know
them, not by their labels.’ With the prospect of far worse threats than September 11 against our country, we want to make sure we don’t put people in the White House that are half-hearted.” —Senate Candidate Alan KeyesKerry Camp: They have to convince us by standing up and stressing our issues and not hiding the race issues. George Bush hasn’t met with the Congressional Black Caucus but once since he was president. He never met with the NAACP, and he never met with other civil rights groups.” —Rev. Al Sharpton
MARK & SABRINA WILLIAMS
Age: 34 (Both), Location: Atlanta, Occupation: He’s a custodian; she’s an operations specialist with SunTrust Bank
Issue: “Bush can’t budget money,” says Mark, who wants to start his own janitorial/cleaning service business. “This is the worst budget deficit in presidential history, and America is in a hole
so deep that we can’t climb out of it.” Mark also says Bush’s economic policies favor one class over the other: “If you’re rich, you’re rich. If you’re poor, you’re poor. Bush is helping the rich.”
Although Sabrina says an end to the war in Iraq and tax issues are pressing, the mother of two says her biggest concern is education reform.
Favored Policy: She’s a fan of the Bush administration’s No Child Left Behind Act. The school their 7-year-old daughter, Taylor, attends received federal funds under the Reading Excellence Act, which helps teach children to read by the end of the third grade, and Tutorial Assistance, which provides one-on-one tutoring for students.
Vote: Undecided.
Why: Sabrina points to the political mudslinging during prime-time television commercials as a source of their frustration: “They are trying to see who is making the other look the worst, and that’s getting under my skin.”
STILL UNDECIDED
The Economy:
Bush Camp: I know Republicans don’t have the best image in the black community, but when you get down to where the rubber meets the road, this president has performed well. The black community is 50% more likely to start a new business than whites or Hispanics, and Sen. Kerry literally voted against (tax relief).” —Former Rep. J.C. Watts
Kerry Camp: The big issue is going to be the economy… it has not recovered. Clearly, Iraq will be there somewhere, healthcare will be there somewhere, but I think the fact that people feel economically unstable is going to be a huge factor in this election.” —Rev. Al Sharpton
DR. LARRY & DENISE LEVERETT
Age: He’s 43; she’s 45, Location: Phoenix, Occupation: He’s a plastic surgeon in private practice; she’s CFO of his company
Issue: One of about 45 African American board-certified plastic surgeons nationwide, Larry takes issue with Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards’ position against tort reform—a movement by state legislatures to limit the number of malpractice suits or minimize the hefty amounts awarded by juries. “He is a prosecuting lawyer who makes it difficult for physicians,” he says. “He sues doctors and wants to keep malpractice coverage high and benefits and payouts high.” The couple approves of stem cell research and genetic cloning, which they believe can lead to significant strides in treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes—a position contrary to that of the Republican Party platform.
Favored Policy: Because the Leveretts are in the
Vote: Undecided.
Why: As far as Larry is concerned, “We have four bad candidates for the White House.”
ELECTION 2004 TALE OF THE TAPE
THE CHAMPION
Name: George W. Bush, Age: 58 (Born July 6, 1946), Birthplace: New Haven, CT
Education: Bachelor’s, Yale University (1968); M.B.A., Harvard Business School (1975)
Military Background: Served as an F-102 fighter pilot in the Texas Air National Guard
Political Experience: Elected governor of Texas in 1994. Served until winning the 2000 presidential election.
Professional Experience: Headed up several energy businesses and served as managing general partner of the Texas Rangers baseball franchise.
HIS POSITION ON THE ISSUES:
Civil Rights: Bush opposed the University of Michigan affirmative action program when it went before the Supreme Court. He has yet to act on the End Racial Profiling Act of 2004, which would ban racial profiling at all levels of government and provide systematic monitoring and enforcement mechanisms for law enforcement agencies. He also intends to expand the controversial USA Patriot Act.
Federal Judges: Bush has named 15 African Americans to the 200 judgeships he has filled during his term (or 7.5%). By contrast, Democratic President Jimmy Carter named 38 black judges of a total of 265 in his one term of office, and President Bill Clinton appointed 38 African Americans out of 204 in his first term.
Economic Stimulus: Bush’s primary approach to growing the economy and creating jobs is to make the provisions of his $1.7 trillion tax cut legislation permanent, including decreases on taxes for married couples, doubling the child tax credit, and phasing out the inheritance tax. A large portion of the tax savings have gone to the richest 1% of the population.
Jobs: Bush sees the Opportunity Zones initiative as a way to attract private and public investment and provide jobs for new workers by encouraging businesses to locate in needy communities. One of the primary aims of the initiative is to spur the development of residential construction. The zones will also receive priority consideration for federal education, job training, and housing funding.
Minimum Wage: Bush opposes a federally mandated minimum wage hike.
Education: Bush’s education policy will be centered on the No Child Left Behind Act passed by Congress in 2001. It calls for testing students at different stages in their elementary and secondary education to assess their academic progress. Schools where the test scores are low for a large portion of the student body are required to take remedial steps to improve the quality of education.
Healthcare: In addition to the prescription drug benefit that provides some savings for senior citizens and a $600 a year credit for low-income seniors, Bush advocates health savings accounts (HSAs). Bush will propose a tax credit for low-income families and individuals to purchase health
THE CHALLENGER
Name: John F. Kerry, Age: 60 (Born Dec. 11, 1943), Birthplace: Aurora, CO
Education: Bachelor’s, Yale University (1966); Boston College Law School (1976)
Military Background: Completed two tours in Vietnam with the U.S. Navy, rising to lieutenant. Received a Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V, and three Purple Hearts for his service in combat
Political Experience: Elected lieutenant governor of Massachusetts in 1982. Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1984.
Professional Experience: Worked as a top prosecutor in Middlesex County, MA
HIS POSITION ON THE ISSUES:
Civil Rights: Kerry has stated that he will “strongly enforce our nation’s civil rights laws, support affirmative action to reduce discrimination and expand opportunity, and strongly enforce equal justice for all victims of hate violence.” He will also back the Fairness Act to “reverse damage done to civil rights laws by right-wing judges.”
Federal Judges: Kerry has stated that he will only appoint judges to the federal bench with records of enforcing the nation’s civil rights and antidiscrimination laws.
Economic Stimulus: Kerry advocates broad tax cuts as an economic stimulant, especially for the middle class. Under his tax plan, 98% of all Americans and 99% of American businesses would get a tax cut. There would be a rollback of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans to pay for healthcare and other social programs.
Jobs: Kerry says he would close loopholes such as “deferral” policies that allow American companies to avoid paying U.S. taxes on the income earned by their foreign subsidiaries, a practice that encourages them to keep their profits parked overseas. He would work to enact a new two-year jobs tax credit that would cover an employer’s share of payroll taxes for net new jobs created.
Minimum Wage: Kerry would press Congress for legislation to increase the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7 by 2007. The basis for the raise is that the minimum wage today is only 33% of the value of the average American wage.
Education: To fully fund the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act, Kerry would establish a National Education Trust of $200 billion over 10 years. An additional $10 billion a year would be committed to hire more teachers and shrink class sizes. The fund would support special education programs, college prep curricula, and provide school modernization bonds for school construction.
Healthcare: Kerry’s health plan would cover all children and millions more adults than are now covered by extending state-based programs. The plan will pick up the full cost of coverage for the more than 20 million children enrolled in Medicaid. In exchange, states would expand coverage for families living at up to 200% of poverty and for childless adults living below poverty. He would allow the reimportation of prescription drugs from Canada to give Americans access to substantial discounts. Kerry would require the secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate better prices for prescription drugs, instead of paying industry set prices.