Black voters in St. Louis County direct their anger at the Democratic Party

[cali]

— Darren Seals experienced waves of disbelief and anger after Michael Brown’s death, but two months later, he has found a way to channel his emotions: Focus on changing an elected leadership that seems deaf to the concerns of African American residents like him.

So on Nov. 4, the 27-year-old assembly-line worker and hip-hop musician from a deeply Democratic community plans to take bold action. He says he will vote for a white Republican.

“Just because they’ve got the D next to their name, that don’t mean nothing,” said Seals, who lives a few blocks from where a police officer shot Brown. “The world is watching us right now. It’s time to send a message of our power.”

Many African Americans in Ferguson and across St. Louis County, angered over their leaders’ response to the fatal shooting, say they will be taking their outrage to the ballot box and voting against a Democratic Party that has long been their automatic choice.

<snip>

Earlier this month, a coalition of some 20 African American Democratic leaders called a news conference to endorse the GOP candidate, state Rep. Rick Stream. Armed with voter registration forms, activists like Seals have been roaming black neighborhoods urging people to vote for anyone but the Democrat.

<snip>

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/black-voters-in-st-louis-county-direct-their-anger-at-the-democratic-party/2014/10/14/e6957b8a-4f02-11e4-aa5e-7153e466a02d_story.html

[JI7]

1. so they are supporting a republican who is already in office ?

state rep Rick STream ? or is he running for some other office which is currently held by a democrat ?

on edit, i looked up this guy a bit and it looks like he voted against his party in support of many social programs.

[AtomicKitten]

3. I understand the frustration

but it seems to me this is cutting off one's nose to spite one's face.

[JI7]

4. the person they endorsed voted in support of funding social programs

and many other things important to the community.

[AtomicKitten]

5. This bit resonated with me.

By switching their allegiance in this election, these African Americans hope to demonstrate that their votes should not be taken for granted.

Sounds like a protest vote to me.

[pinboy3niner]

6. Black leaders also negotiated with with Stream before endorsing him

They secured his pledge of support for their inclusion initiatives, which the Democratic candidate in this race (for County Executive) has opposed in the past.

[JI7]

7. this is actually how to move the country more left

[AtomicKitten]

8. Stenger's connection to McCulloch does reek.

No charges being filed in Michael Brown's murder is the catalyst for this move. Can't say I blame them really.

[joeglow3]

17. Frankly, I don't blame them

Politics is politics and large voting blocs are taken for granted. Democrats typically focus little energy on the minority community, because they have consistently provided them with 90+% support. Instead, they focus their efforts on the more wishy-washy groups that will go either way. And, practically speaking, that was the smart choice for them.

I think blacks want to be a part of that group that is not taken for granted and politicians are interested in serving. I don't like what they are doing and hope it doesn't bite them in the ass. That said, I cannot think of a better way for them to command the attention from a group that has taken for them for granted.

[rock]

18. Maybe someone should listen to them

It's obvious they're trying to be heard (i.e. have someone respond to their want).

[Nuclear Unicorn]

19. If the GOP is the first to appreciably listen then the votes may well be lost for generations. nt

[Supersedeas]

14. if it takes a mutilated face to wake-up democratic leadership...then let it be done

[mucifer]

9. There is some of that going on in Chicago, too.

We might get a republican vulture capitalist governor because of it.

[theHandpuppet]

10. Now perhaps some folks will understand how this happened in Appalachia

You can only ignore people for so long before they get fed up. Loyalty won't buy you a loaf of bread or a future for your kids, not in some parts of America.

[Supersedeas]

16. throw the bums and the baby out with the bathwater

[belzabubba333]

11. then they will get the government they deserve

[yeoman6987]

12. For some reason the current one

Is not satisfying them. This the risk of change for a possible better government in their thoughts. That is what I get from the article. It is clear they want to try a different approach. I am not saying I agree with it, but they have to live in their community.

[strawberries]

13. Good

I think Democrats take the black vote for granted. This should put them in their place. With that said it will be a long few years should they follow that path

[Lee-Lee]

15. I've said the same thing for years about the labor vote

Dem candidates only actually fight for union support in primaries, they take it for granted in the general and once in office and not facing a primary challenge.