Chairman Greer's Sentinel Op-Ed

GOP must reject racially divisive rhetoric
Jim Greer | Special To The Sentinel
Among all the punditry and analysis of this election cycle, two things stand out above all else: the historic nature of Barack Obama's win and the fact that the GOP must reconnect with voters across the board on a national level.

In Florida, a snapshot of the nation, there were more than 240,000 new Hispanic registrants between 2006 and 2008 and an additional 220,000 African-American voters since the end of 2006. Nearly 22 percent of Florida's 11 million-plus voters fall into these ethnic groups. That means it is more critical than ever that the Republican Party of Florida continues to focus on coalition building and minority outreach. We've laid a strong foundation with our minority-outreach department and the hiring of a new Hispanic coalitions director, but we must hit the ground running in 2009.

On the national level, we will succeed only with new messaging and bold ideas. To be successful, we must remain committed to our party's values and principles, while focusing on the issues discussed at family dinner tables across the nation. In short, the GOP must reconnect with voters.

Unfortunately, in recent days the Republican Party's efforts to move beyond the 2008 election cycle and start anew has met a serious roadblock: Chip Saltsman, a candidate in the race for the Republican National Committee chairmanship, recently distributed to RNC members a music CD that includes lyrics from a song called "Barack the Magic Negro."

Click here to read more of RPOF Chairman Greer's Op-ed in the Orlando Sentinel.