Republicans should consider their own record before attacking Reid

January 11, 2010: Las Vegas, NV. – Calls for Sen. Harry Reid’s resignation from a Republican Party with a dismal record on issues important to the African American community are clearly politically motivated.

Coming from RNC Chairman Michael Steele and Senators Jon Kyl and John Cornyn the attack looks like what it is – political opportunism from members of a party that pays lip service to African Americans while consistently voting against legislation that makes a difference in the lives of African Americans.

In its most recent legislative report card, the NAACP gave both Kyl and Cornyn F’s for their performance on issues critical to the African American community. Meanwhile, for decades Sen. Reid has fought for the programs and services that improve the lives of African Americans in Nevada and across America.

“Republicans, who have consistently opposed the legislation that makes a difference in the lives of African Americans, are playing politics at its worst,” said Yvette Williams, chairwoman of the Clark County Democratic Black Caucus. “The African American community will not stand by and watch while Republicans who have earned F’s from the NAACP malign a long-time champion of our rights and interests.”

And even worse is Steele, who defended then-majority leader Trent Lott after he said the country would be better off if Sen. Strom Thurmond’s bid for the presidency had been successful. Thurmond ran on a platform of racial segregation. At the time, Steele said Lott used a “poor choice of words” but defended him [Washington Times, 12/12/02].

“To compare the comments Mr. Lott made to those made by Sen. Reid is downright shameful. This level of hypocrisy is offensive,” Williams said. “When Steele talks about people who are ‘out of touch’ with the African-American community, he should consider the voting record of his own party before attacking a man with a lifetime of service on behalf of our community.

“Mr. Steele should clean up his own house before he judges Democrats. Because now more than ever – with an ineffective junior senator that’s under investigation and plagued by scandal – Nevadans of every race need Sen. Reid in our corner.”