Don't court us and then snub us, says angry Black caucus

The Democratic National Committee's (DNC) program to parachute members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) into battleground states is skipping Missouri and is not soliciting the expertise of hometown lawmakers, some key members of the caucus complain. Black lawmakers say that the DNC's top-down approach is symptomatic of a bigger problem, acutely manifested in the Kerry campaign, in which support is demanded from black politicians who are then denied either a seat at the planning table or control over how resources are spent. CBC hurt and anger will be vented against the Kerry campaign today at a Capitol Hill meeting with Deputy Campaign Manager Bill Lynch. "There's tremendous concern and some anger about the way they are running their campaign, in particular in regards to the African-American community. The money is just not there," said a black lawmaker who requested anonymity, adding, "The money never seems to be under the control of African-Americans. Florida may be an exception, with [Rep.] Kendrick Meek [D-Fla.] serving as state chair." Pictured above: CBC Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) said his caucus's "anxiousness" about the Kerry campaign is a product of the caucus's passion to defeat Bush. "I think you have a caucus that is ready willing and able, and caucus members are anxious and want much more involvement," Cummings said.  [more ]