September 3, 2008 - 2:32pm
News

Republican chairman addresses the diversity factor

 

MINNEAPOLIS - A floor blanketed with white faces at the Republican National Convention doesn’t mean the GOP - or their presidential nominee - lack a universal message, argues State Republican Chairman Tom Wilson.

Coming off their convention in Denver last week, Democrats urged observers to note the contrast between their ethnically diverse party and the Republicans.

"When you have a quota system, it guarantees the result you saw in Denver," Wilson shot back. "Look, you have one million Republicans in New Jersey, and 52 New Jerseyans sitting on the floor, representing them. These 52 people are there day in and day out doing the hardcore party activism.

"Our hardcore party activists are predominantly middle class, white New Jersey," Wilson added.

Rather than focus on ethnic diversity, the state party chairman celebrated new membership in his party, noting how when he asked delegates to raise their hands in a show of how many were attending a national convention for the first time, more than half the people in the room shot up their hands.

"We have young leaders coming up like Bill Baroni, John Murphy and Aubrey Fenton," said Wilson.

He admits it’s hard to compete in those urban districts where Democrats dominate.

"You need ambassadors - people from those communities who reach out to people and tell them ‘We’re Republicans, we’re not bad people, we just don’t think government’s the answer. We think the answer is to unleash human potential,’" Wilson said. "There’s always got to be a safety net. The job we have is to say to the non-traditional Republican communities, ‘give us a chance and we’ll give you a choice.’"

MAX PIZARRO is a PolitickerNJ.com Reporter and can be reached via email at max@politicsnj.com.

Comments

And he said it with glee!


"Our hardcore party activists are predominantly middle class white New Jersey". This man could not have said this in 2008, serving as chairman in one of the most racially diverse states in the nation, could he? Wow! I guess, enuf said!

09/03/08 4:43 pm

How many of the delegates'


names end in a,e,i,o and u?

09/03/08 5:17 pm

That about sums it up


Wilson flat-out admits that African-Americans, by and large, have no use for the Republican Party here in New Jersey. And, conversely, that the "hardcore" Republicans have no use for them. This is not news for anyone paying attention, and has little to do with Obama vs. McCain.

His honesty is refreshing, but I'll stick with the Democrats, mostly because his honesty shines a bright light on why I hate Republicans.

 

 

09/04/08 12:51 am

bjimba


Wilson is not being ethnic. He has ignored the urban areas altogether. That is why the NJGOP keeps losing. Ask any urban Republican.

09/04/08 8:41 am