"Kerry's Inner Circle Lacks Color"

Democrats in Self-Destruct Mode CCLXIII

John "F" Kerry is sent a helpful warning from CNN, yesterday:

Walking the walk

While Democrats have long claimed to be the party of greater inclusiveness, this year President Bush may argue that his administration is more diverse at senior levels than John Kerry's would be.

Seizing on the nation's diversity — the country is almost one-third non-white — Bush has appointed African-Americans, Asians, Latinos and women to senior and non-stereotypical roles: Secretary of State, national security adviser, Transportation Secretary, White House Counsel.

Unlike Al Gore whose campaign manager, political director and finance director were African-American, the Kerry campaign, as of yet, has no one of color in the innermost circle, including Kerry's campaign manager, campaign chairperson, media adviser, policy director, foreign policy adviser, general election manager, convention planner, national finance chairman, and head of VP search team.

That's an odd position for a campaign that will probably rely on African-Americans and Hispanics for one in four of their general election votes and the crucial margin of difference in battleground states like Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio.

Though Kerry could claim that a campaign team and administration are two different things, that kind of defense might not wash with voters. Indeed, Kerry argues that the campaign is still forming and things will change.

"John Kerry and this campaign are committed to diversity. We are building our general election campaign, and it will be reflective of the diversity of the Democratic party and of America," Kerry deputy campaign manager Marcus Jadotte said Wednesday.

"If John Kerry is entrusted with the presidency, he is committed to building an administration that matches the high standards set by Bill Clinton, " Jadotte added.

True, influential members of Congress including Rep. Harold Ford, D-Tennessee, Greg Meeks, D-New York, and Rep. Juanita Millender-MacDonald, D-California, and also former Cabinet Secretary Henry Cisneros are key advisers and people of color. One Kerry deputy campaign manager, Jadotte, is also African-American.

Despite these facts, if Kerry's inner leadership circle remains the same, do not be surprised if Bush points out the inconsistency, a more effective issue than many Democrats can imagine. Indeed, RNC Chair Ed Gillespie has set the ambitious goal of securing 25 percent of the black vote in 2004. While that sounds crazy to many Democratic insiders, shining a light on Kerry's lack of diversity may be one way to get there....

Ah, yes. How sweet of CNN, to send out this warning to the Kerry campaign so they can put one or two token blacks into the "inner circle" early in the general-election campaigning.

But what if the campaign declines?

P.S. No word yet on when CNN will start giving helpful hints to the Bush campaign. Ha!

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Sat. 04/17/04 09:45:25 AM
Categorized as Democrats in Self-Destruct Mode & John Kerry.