The recent Republican and Democratic Conventions have surfaced the most critical issue of the upcoming US Presidential Nov., 2000 election: AFFIRMATIVE ACTION. In recent months I have noted several times in this article how Republican Presidential Candidate George W. Bush supports affirmative action and has aggressively promoted African Americans in the State of Texas. On April 7, 2000 in Los Angeles Bush made every effort to distance himself from the anti-affirmative action policies of former California Gov. Pete Wilson, stating, "I want the American dream to belong to all Americans." However, by the time Bush signed in at the Republican Convention in Philadelphia on July 31, he had to conform to the party line with a resounding "NO" for affirmative action in USA TODAY newspaper, contrasting to a resounding "YES" from Democratic Presidential candidate Al Gore. Since the 70ís African Americans, other minorities and women have found access to education, contracting opportunities and better employment opportunities through affirmative action as never before.

"It is truly frightening when a candidate for our highest office, such as Bush, must comprise his convictions to fall in line with the party," states Oaklandís Yacine Bell, a political observer. "I remember at the 1996 Republican Convention, both Republican Presidential Candidate Bob Dole and his Vice Presidential Candidate Jack Kemp switched sides when both had previously supported affirmative action. If Republicans control the US Congress and the Senate, then how does a Republican President act independently if he has to follow the Party line?" Bell continued. It was the Republicans that tried several times to get rid of affirmative action at the national level and succeeded in Nov. 1996 to "gut" affirmative action in California through the passage of Prop. 209, plummeting African American and Latino enrollment at U. C. Berkeley by 37% and State contracting by over 50%. Later, a Republican backed measure, I-200, passed in Washington, "gutting" affirmative action in that State.

Not withstanding Bushís apparent sensitivity to African American issues, one is reminded that Bushís Vice Presidential candidate Dick Cheney could be only "a heart beat away" from the Presidency if Bush wins. Cheney is considered to be more conservative than former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and who, as a Wyoming congressman, voted against the Head Start Program for disadvantaged kids, the Equal Rights Amendment for women and the release of Nelson Mandela from prison.

While Gore is unquestionably a long-term supporter of affirmative action, his Vice Presidential running mate, conservative Senator Joe Lieberman, Connecticut, once supported Prop. 209. After being trounced at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles on August 15 by Black Congresswoman Maxine Waters, he backed off noting he had voted to preserve the Federal affirmative action program.

Some African American leaders have tried to change the Republican policy against affirmative action. In 1996, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Colin Powell made a passionate plea to the Republican Party to support affirmative action. The Republicans simply paraded him in front of 40 million viewers as an indication of Party diversity and then went back to the "big tent" and voted against affirmative action. This time the Republicans did the same thing not only with Powell, but with Congressman J. C. Watts and former Stanford U. Provost, Condoleeza Rice. Many Blacks believe the Republican "inclusiveness" began and ended on that stage. Rev. Jesse Jackson called it the "Inclusion Illusion."

Ironically, the majority of African Americans voted Republican until the Kennedy vs. Nixon Presidential election in 1960 since Republican Abraham Lincoln had freed the slaves. President Lyndon Johnson opened up the floodgates for African Americans to move over to the Democratic side with the 1964 Civil Rights Act. But, Republican Richard Nixon actually implemented affirmative action in the 70ís and established the Minority Business Development agency.

Many middle class Blacks are impressed by Bushís charisma and that one of five Republican delegates is a millionaire. But, African Americans who are considered "to have made it" must consider the Black nation as whole to be included in the "big tent" mindful that one of every five Democratic delegates is Black and 36 of the 37 Black Congressional Representatives are Democratic. AndÖ Mr. Lieberman, Democratic Party rules require diversityÖand you must follow the party line.