Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 28, 1991 TAG: 9103280171
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JUSTINE ELIAS/ CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"You're not all bad," Williams said at a GOP luncheon at the Red Lion Inn. "Let's help folks to understand that."
Virginia Republicans, now battling a Democratic-controlled state legislature over redistricting, are eager to recruit new members.
Montgomery County GOP Chairman John Beamer had invited Williams to speak on the subject of "Blacks, Republicans and the Future."
Williams opened by citing a news release that billed his topic as "Black Republicans and the Future."
"Let's be sure we remember the commas in between," he said.
Williams, director of Virginia Tech's Center for Volunteer Development, has been a county manager of Greene County, Ala. He also tried, and failed, to win the nomination to run for the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors in 1985 on the Republican ticket.
"It's probably perceptions that keep blacks away from the party," Williams said.
Calling politics "the art of the possible," Williams urged the GOP to be aware of its public image.
Stereotyped as "the party of the rich," the GOP must work harder to reach middle-of-the-road voters who may feel alienated, he said.
Many blacks are "misplaced Republicans," voters who usually favor Democrats but whose political beliefs actually tend toward the conservative views of Republicans.
Williams advised the party to initiate contact with blacks at all economic levels, and to become more visible at area colleges.
"Wherever there are blacks involved, there are closet leaders. It would be well for the Republican party to tap into that base."
Incumbent politicians should remember that they "have no permanent friends, and no permanent enemies, only permanent interests," said Williams.
"If blacks are asked to participate, not as tokens but in a meaningful way, they will participate," he said.
by CNB