Bush Reaches Out to Blacks

The GOP has been courting black clergy since President Bush’s first term, with its federal funding of faith-based projects and regular kaffeeklatsches for black pastors. Now that courtship is bearing fruit.

On Tuesday, a group of influential black ministers, which includes Los Angeles evangelist Frederick K.C. Price, proclaimed a pact with Republicans on issues such as opposition to gay marriage, support for school vouchers and the expansion of faith-based social programs. The ministers intend to support key Bush initiatives, including privatization of Social Security, in exchange for his consideration of reentry programs for ex-felons, aid to Africa and an overhaul of healthcare coverage. The next day, Bush announced a $150-million anti-gang initiative in the State of the Union address.

It’s unfortunate the pastors made support for a federal ban on gay marriage a centerpiece of their platform. That position reflects not only the scriptural opposition they share with white evangelicals but concern over the fragility of the institution of marriage – blacks have the lowest marriage rates – and some resentment that gay rights activists draw parallels between the campaign for same-sex marriage and earlier struggles for racial equality. But the gay marriage issue should not blind liberals to the broader, evolving dialogue between the GOP and inner-city church leaders, whose support Democrats have taken for granted.

Black pastors understand that something is dreadfully wrong in the inner city, and it goes deeper than inadequate schools and disappearing jobs. Too many black communities are under siege from their own children – embittered young men who have turned powerlessness into rage. Bush speaks to those neighborhoods when he promises to help parents and community leaders promote an “ideal of manhood that respects women and rejects violence.”

It would be easy to write off any outreach by this administration to the black community as cheap politicking, just as it would be easy to attack the administration if it made no such effort. This president’s policies haven’t exactly exuded concern for inner cities. But Bush’s faith and personal history – he once mentored a young man who was later killed in Houston’s gang violence – should not be dismissed too lightly. Give Bush credit for recognizing a growing sense of desperation and tapping into the spiritual vein that has long infused black politics. And his decision to assign his wife, Laura, a former teacher, to head the anti-gang effort may be another sign that the president is genuine about wanting to pay closer attention to the plight of black youths in this country.

Democrats would be wrong to dismiss inroads made by Bush as evidence of blacks’ political naivete. There was precious little talk from Democrats during the presidential campaign about inner-city malaise. Black leaders engaged in dialogue with both parties will only give their constituents greater political clout, which they desperately need.