G.O.P. Has Little New to Say About Baltimore

[AUUSN 823]

Imagine that you were running for President as a Republican when Freddie Gray sustained fatal injuries in the back of a police van, and parts of Baltimore erupted into riots. How would you have reacted? Basically, you would have had two options.

With black youths on the streets, throwing rocks and overturning police cars, the obvious temptation would be to exploit the situation as a wedge issue, by defending the police, calling for the rioters to be dealt with harshly, and bemoaning the failure of Great Society programs. Broadly speaking, that’s what Richard Nixon’s G.O.P. did after the riots of the nineteen-sixties, and it helped the party to dominate Presidential politics for a generation.

A second option, a more daring one, would have been to use the occasion to highlight how Republican attitudes toward the criminal-justice system are changing. In Texas, Florida, and other G.O.P.-run states, Republican governors have launched initiatives aimed at reducing the prison population and ending custodial sentences for non-violent offenders, such as low-level drug dealers. And on Capitol Hill, Republicans are taking part in a bipartisan initiative to reform federal sentencing guidelines.

For a candidate primarily interested in gaining the support of traditional Republican voters, the safe bet, clearly, was to play the law-and-order card: if you did that, there was very little chance that you would end up offending Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. But if you were positioning yourself as a new type of Republican, one interested in updating the party’s brand and reaching beyond its electoral base of elderly white voters, then adopting the riskier option may have been worth considering. At the very least, it would have garnered a lot of attention.

So how did the G.O.P. primary contestants actually react?

Perhaps deciding that there wasn’t much to be gained from engaging on such an incendiary topic, some of them didn’t say much. On Tuesday, Scott Walker, the Republican governor of Wisconsin, tweeted, “Our prayers for restoration of peace in Baltimore.” That was it. Senator Marco Rubio, who was busy pledging not to raise taxes and trying to undermine the Iranian nuclear deal, didn’t make any public comment about what was happening in Maryland—or at least none that I saw.

Of all of the G.O.P. candidates, Senator Rand Paul was perhaps the most likely to say something interesting. Over the past couple of years, he has made a sustained effort to reach out to the black community, offering a message of hope and enterprise. If Jack Kemp has any heir in today G.O.P., it’s probably Paul. In the wake of the unrest in Ferguson, he authored an article in Timewhich criticized the police’s military tactics, writing, “Given the racial disparities in our criminal justice system, it is impossible for African-Americans not to feel like their government is particularly targeting them.”

After Baltimore erupted, however, Paul goofed, and goofed badly. Appearing on Fox News, he quipped, “I came through the train on Baltimore last night. I’m glad the train didn’t stop.” In his other remarks, he expressed sympathy for the police and blamed the violence on ”the breakdown of the family structure, the lack of fathers, the lack of sort of a moral code in our society,” but nothing he said was particularly insightful, and, in any case, it was overshadowed by his tasteless attempt at a joke. He didn’t speak at all to the circumstances surrounding Gray’s death, his own support for sentencing reform, or the long history of poverty and deprivation in parts of Baltimore.

Jeb Bush, to his credit, was more sensitive in his comments. ”A young man died and that’s a tragedy for his family,” Bush said on Thursday, at an event organized by the National Review. “This is not just a statistic; this is a person who died.” Having shown some humanity, however, he was also content to fall back on a number of all-too-familiar Republican nostrums. He defended the “broken windows” model of policing pioneered by Rudy Giuliani. He bemoaned the “pathologies being built around people who are poor, that they’re going to stay poor,” and asked, “How do you create a system of support that doesn’t create dependency?” He also praised Toya Graham, the Baltimore mother who was videotaped smacking her sixteen-year-old son for joining the rioters: “It was a nice visual symbol of what needs to be restored.”

Ted Cruz, in an appearance on Fox News Latino on Wednesday, also spoke to the circumstances surrounding Freddie Gray’s death. “There needs to be a fair and impartial investigation into what happened,” he said. ”But the answer is not violence and mayhem…. The people who have been paying the biggest price have been the minority communities.” Having offered these measured comments, however, Cruz couldn’t resist taking some potshots at President Obama, whom he accused of fomenting racial tensions. The President “had the opportunity to be a unifying President, to try to bring people together,” Cruz said. “Rather, his Administration, it seems, constantly seeks to divide, to turn us against each other … based on race, based on sex, based on wealth, based on geography.”

Given the G.O.P.’s animus toward Obama, remarks such as these were to be expected, I suppose. But still. Parties that are seeking to improve their image need to play against type occasionally; only by doing so can they persuade voters that they have really changed. On this occasion, though, the G.O.P. candidates didn’t say much of note. Compared to the

lengthy contributions from Hillary Clinton

, and also from Obama, most of their remarks seemed canned and lightweight.

Perhaps that’s because the G.O.P. doesn’t wish to focus on the problems of inner cities, where the party picks up hardly any votes. Or perhaps it’s because the 2016 hopefuls feared offending traditional Republican voters. Whatever the reason, at least one of the candidates, Paul, has conceded that he might have gone another route. “We’re listening and learning every day,” Elroy Sailor, a senior adviser to Paul, told Politico after the candidate’s remarks on Fox News. “And we learned from this.”

We shall see if that’s true.

http://www.newyorker...=social_twitter

[AUDub 11,147]

Paul could have made some real progress on this.

[homersapien 11,369]

...Perhaps that’s because the G.O.P. doesn’t wish to focus on the problems of inner cities, where the party picks up hardly any votes. Or perhaps it’s because the 2016 hopefuls feared offending traditional Republican voters....

Answered his own question.

Republican candidates can't afford reasonable positions on anything. They'd never make it through their primaries.

[TheBlueVue 177]

...Perhaps that’s because the G.O.P. doesn’t wish to focus on the problems of inner cities, where the party picks up hardly any votes. Or perhaps it’s because the 2016 hopefuls feared offending traditional Republican voters....

Answered his own question.

Republican candidates can't afford reasonable positions on anything. They'd never make it through their primaries.

you folks are always good for a few good laughs. What exactly should they have said? Its a no win situation for them. Anything the say will be hung around their necks like an anvil by a press that has its mind made up that republicans hate minorities, want to throw old folks into the street and want to poison the air rivers lakes and streams. There is no rush on making a statement here. Actually, I wish one would stand up and make clear the policies of simply throwing money at problems in the inner cities is an unmitigated abysmal disaster and we need a new approach.

[AUUSN 823]

...Perhaps that’s because the G.O.P. doesn’t wish to focus on the problems of inner cities, where the party picks up hardly any votes. Or perhaps it’s because the 2016 hopefuls feared offending traditional Republican voters....

Answered his own question.

Republican candidates can't afford reasonable positions on anything. They'd never make it through their primaries.

you folks are always good for a few good laughs. What exactly should they have said? Its a no win situation for them. Anything the say will be hung around their necks like an anvil by a press that has its mind made up that republicans hate minorities, want to throw old folks into the street and want to poison the air rivers lakes and streams. There is no rush on making a statement here. Actually, I wish one would stand up and make clear the policies of simply throwing money at problems in the inner cities is an unmitigated abysmal disaster and we need a new approach.

Reading the article would be a great start...

Of all of the G.O.P. candidates, Senator Rand Paul was perhaps the most likely to say something interesting. Over the past couple of years, he has made a sustained effort to reach out to the black community, offering a message of hope and enterprise. If Jack Kemp has any heir in today G.O.P., it’s probably Paul. In the wake of the unrest in Ferguson, he authored an article in Timewhich criticized the police’s military tactics, writing, “Given the racial disparities in our criminal justice system, it is impossible for African-Americans not to feel like their government is particularly targeting them.”

[Mikey 16,580]

The Pubbies don't have to say anything about Baltimore. The results of 50 years of liberal rule by Democrats is there for all to see.

[AUUSN 823]

The Pubbies don't have to say anything about Baltimore. The results of 50 years of liberal rule by Democrats is there for all to see.

The previous 50 years of 'democrat' rule are there for all to see.

[JoeBags7277 734]

Paul could have made some real progress on this.

\

As a big time Rand supporter, I was beyond disappointed with his response. Continues a long history of hitting big and missing big.

[Auburn85 432]

Paul could have made some real progress on this.

\

As a big time Rand supporter, I was beyond disappointed with his response. Continues a long history of hitting big and missing big.

Even before this, I was leaning in the direction of not voting for him. He's got a long way to go.

[WarTim 3,456]

The Pubbies don't have to say anything about Baltimore. The results of 50 years of liberal rule by Democrats is there for all to see.

5 Decades of complete failure. They got what they voted for.......

[autigeremt 6,602]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. What could they say that wasn't spun into racist remarks or viewed as pandering? Not sure if there's much to say on their side.

[JoeBags7277 734]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. What could they say that wasn't spun into racist remarks or viewed as pandering? Not sure if there's much to say on their side.

One man's pandering is another's bold attempt to broaden the base. Very much in the eye of the beholder, and the stakes are too high to rest on tired, safe platitudes, or worse, remain silent.

[AUUSN 823]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. What could they say that wasn't spun into racist remarks or viewed as pandering? Not sure if there's much to say on their side.

One man's pandering is another's bold attempt to broaden the base. Very much in the eye of the beholder, and the stakes are too high to rest on tired, safe platitudes, or worse, remain silent.

Absolutely!

[AUFAN78 3,894]

Paul should have said more. I have no problems with his quote on the family breakdown. That is a fact. A very true statement. Lack of moral code? You deny this? Hello Kardashian. But he should have restated his previous comments on over policing. He missed an opportunity no doubt. It is a debate that needs everyone's attention. I wish he would have addressed available opportunity and choice in our inner city. Somebody with a set needs to. I saw today where Juan Williams was criticized for his take on the matter. Go figure? Spineless cowards trying to appease a class without offering real help. Yeah preach from your palace John Cassidy. Why don't you bring your lazy a$$ out here and make a real difference?

Let me ask, what are you doing? Yeah you!

[AUDub 11,147]

Wow. I don't know what John Cassidy did to you, but he really did a number on your psyche.

[AUFAN78 3,894]

Wow. I don't know what John Cassidy did to you, but he really did a number on your psyche.

I'd like to slap some sense into the fool. Too many lazy people trying to talk game, but won't bring their a$$ out here and help. Yeah, I'm kinda pissed about it.

[Mikey 16,580]

The Pubbies don't have to say anything about Baltimore. The results of 50 years of liberal rule by Democrats is there for all to see.

The previous 50 years of 'democrat' rule are there for all to see.

What a phony you are! That picture, wherever it was taken, is much older than 50 years. Anybody with enough sense to look at the clothing would know that. But I do understand your game. Every time (which is often) you are made to look a fool you post some cartoon or photograph that has nothing to do with the subject at hand. Your efforts to distract attention from your mistakes always fail. Anyone with nominal intelligence would try another tactic.

[AUDub 11,147]

I'd like to slap some sense into the fool. Too many lazy people trying to talk game, but won't bring their a$$ out here and help. Yeah, I'm kinda pissed about it.

He's a writer. Seems odd that you're raging at him for doing his job. For all you know, he donates half his salary to charity.

[AUFAN78 3,894]

I'd like to slap some sense into the fool. Too many lazy people trying to talk game, but won't bring their a$$ out here and help. Yeah, I'm kinda pissed about it.

He's a writer. Seems odd that you're raging at him for doing his job. For all you know, he donates half his salary to charity.

Very unlikely. Wanna wager?

[AUDub 11,147]

I'd like to slap some sense into the fool. Too many lazy people trying to talk game, but won't bring their a$$ out here and help. Yeah, I'm kinda pissed about it.

He's a writer. Seems odd that you're raging at him for doing his job. For all you know, he donates half his salary to charity.

Very unlikely. Wanna wager?

I wasn't saying he did, only that you need to consider that your oddball rage may be misplaced. He could be a wonderful human being, for all you know. It's like raging at me for having an opinion on human trafficking because I'm not out there putting a stop to it. Some of us have jobs, lives and families.

It's stupid.

[AUFAN78 3,894]

I'd like to slap some sense into the fool. Too many lazy people trying to talk game, but won't bring their a$$ out here and help. Yeah, I'm kinda pissed about it.

He's a writer. Seems odd that you're raging at him for doing his job. For all you know, he donates half his salary to charity.

Very unlikely. Wanna wager?

I wasn't saying he did, only that you need to consider that your oddball rage may be misplaced. He could be a wonderful human being, for all you know. It's like raging at me for having an opinion on human trafficking because I'm not out there putting a stop to it. Some of us have jobs, lives and families.

It's stupid.

Ben, I have a job, a wife, children, children's activities, etc. Doesn't stop me. If each of us considered time spent on this very forum and sacrificed only a part of that time a difference could certainly be realized in the lives of so many that we "say" we care about.

[autigeremt 6,602]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. What could they say that wasn't spun into racist remarks or viewed as pandering? Not sure if there's much to say on their side.

One man's pandering is another's bold attempt to broaden the base. Very much in the eye of the beholder, and the stakes are too high to rest on tired, safe platitudes, or worse, remain silent.

Absolutely!

Easy to say when you don't have your opportunity to advance change or your aspirations. The GOP isn't alone in steering clear of hot button items. Ya'll just enjoy jumping on a bandwagon.

[AUDub 11,147]

I'd like to slap some sense into the fool. Too many lazy people trying to talk game, but won't bring their a$$ out here and help. Yeah, I'm kinda pissed about it.

He's a writer. Seems odd that you're raging at him for doing his job. For all you know, he donates half his salary to charity.

Very unlikely. Wanna wager?

I wasn't saying he did, only that you need to consider that your oddball rage may be misplaced. He could be a wonderful human being, for all you know. It's like raging at me for having an opinion on human trafficking because I'm not out there putting a stop to it. Some of us have jobs, lives and families.

It's stupid.

Ben, I have a job, a wife, children, children's activities, etc. Doesn't stop me. If each of us considered time spent on this very forum and sacrificed only a part of that time a difference could certainly be realized in the lives of so many that we "say" we care about.

Oh, ffs.

"Some" of us here are active in our church, communities and myriad other things.

Your silly little righteous indictination is petty. You don't even know the guy, and here you are calling him a fool and how you're going to slap some sense into him.

[AUFAN78 3,894]

I'd like to slap some sense into the fool. Too many lazy people trying to talk game, but won't bring their a$$ out here and help. Yeah, I'm kinda pissed about it.

He's a writer. Seems odd that you're raging at him for doing his job. For all you know, he donates half his salary to charity.

Very unlikely. Wanna wager?

I wasn't saying he did, only that you need to consider that your oddball rage may be misplaced. He could be a wonderful human being, for all you know. It's like raging at me for having an opinion on human trafficking because I'm not out there putting a stop to it. Some of us have jobs, lives and families.

It's stupid.

Ben, I have a job, a wife, children, children's activities, etc. Doesn't stop me. If each of us considered time spent on this very forum and sacrificed only a part of that time a difference could certainly be realized in the lives of so many that we "say" we care about.

Oh, ffs.

"Some" of us here are active in our church, communities and myriad other things.

Your silly little righteous indictination is petty. You don't even know the guy, and here you are calling him a fool and how you're going to slap some sense into him.

uh huh :-\

[AUDub 11,147]

I'd like to slap some sense into the fool. Too many lazy people trying to talk game, but won't bring their a$$ out here and help. Yeah, I'm kinda pissed about it.

He's a writer. Seems odd that you're raging at him for doing his job. For all you know, he donates half his salary to charity.

Very unlikely. Wanna wager?

I wasn't saying he did, only that you need to consider that your oddball rage may be misplaced. He could be a wonderful human being, for all you know. It's like raging at me for having an opinion on human trafficking because I'm not out there putting a stop to it. Some of us have jobs, lives and families.

It's stupid.

Ben, I have a job, a wife, children, children's activities, etc. Doesn't stop me. If each of us considered time spent on this very forum and sacrificed only a part of that time a difference could certainly be realized in the lives of so many that we "say" we care about.

Oh, ffs.

"Some" of us here are active in our church, communities and myriad other things.

Your silly little righteous indictination is petty. You don't even know the guy, and here you are calling him a fool and how you're going to slap some sense into him.

uh huh

Yup.

"How dare he have an opinion while there are people out there that need our help!"