[Harry Rex Vonner]

^I don't see it that way Harry. The truth is still the truth regardless of one's audience. Whether Romney gets 4% of the black vote or more, he stood on his principles. There will be black voters who would vote democratic whether the candidate was black, white or Satan himself, same thing is true among folks in most voting blocks. Such folks would be put off more by hearing kiss-up lies, than they would the truth. I believe there is a growing number of black Americans out of the cloth of Star Parker and Col. Allen West, who are tired of black Americans being coddled and brainwashed by their kindly democratic husbandmen. There is a lot more to life than playing the victim ala, the propped up, constantly resuscitated and threadbare, early 20th century civil rights reenactments the democrats use to exploit a segment of our society which, is otherwise rich of heritage. When I see folks like Star or Allen West and listen to them speak, I truly cannot see color. All I see are people I admire and respect. This should be the true goal of minorities. An equal among men, contributing and striving to live according to truth, by an honorable, no excuse approach to success.

Frankly, I wish Romney could get a handle on this simple concept. Among the different ethnicities out there, probably a relative equal percentage of every race in America, would take the handouts over the work for what one gets approach. Therefore, I believe black folks would 10 to 1, rather be accepted and admired the way Col West and the millions of black citizens who identify with his example are, than to play the eternal victim. It all boils down to choice, I hope Romney will encourage reward for the right choices, rather than to further reinforce the conventional wisdom that black Americans are somehow denied success.

If Romney had dodged the call to speak to the NAACP they could have 'filled in the blanks' as they saw fit. However, with a text of his speech in hand, they are limited to what he actually said. I feel his stand up courage to declare his values and goals for black Americans ultimately gained him more respect. Not to mention the field day liberals and foes would have had exploiting him as being too good to speak to certain groups.

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I usually agree with you, TheRealThing. However, in this case, I firmly believe you are being dangerously naive. Blacks aren't going to react favorably to anything Romney says. He could promise them everything they want and he wouldn't gain a handful of votes. To say there are a lot of Col. Wests and Star Parkers out there longing to succeed is not proven by facts. And to imply that all races would take the handouts over working if allowed to do so is ridiculous. Since it apparently is easy to freeload, why isn't everyone doing it?

What is missing in present day America is dignity. Those who openly live off the rest of us although they are able bodied feel no shame. They have no dignity. For one to be a contributor to society, he/she must have some dignity.