Originally Posted By Darkbeer <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/columnists/orl-maxwell1705nov17" target="_blank">http://www.orlandosentinel.com /news/columnists/orl-maxwell1705nov17</a>,0,2971218.column?coll=orl-news-col >>For decades, Republicans have struggled to reach out to black Americans. But now in Orange County, the GOP has to reach no further than the NAACP. As of this week, Derrick Wallace, head of Orange County's NAACP, has switched parties -- to become a Republican. "I've thought about this for two years," Wallace said Tuesday afternoon, just a few hours after returning from the elections office. "This is not a decision I made yesterday." It is, however, a decision that rang out like a shot among political circles. Republican Party leader Lew Oliver described himself as "extraordinarily pleased," while Democratic leader Tim Shea said he was disappointed. Wallace, a construction-company exec, was candid about the fact that his business life was a big part of his decision to change. "It's purely a business decision. Ninety percent of those I do business with are Republicans," he said. "Opportunities that have come to my firm have been brought by Republicans." To that, Shea responded: "I'm a little confused. Are we talking about the National Association for the Advancement of Construction Professionals -- or Colored People?" Wallace elaborated that his "business" line of thought also referred to the NAACP. Behind many of the power desks in this town sit Republicans. And he said he wants his organization to be part of that structure. Just as importantly, he said, he didn't want people to immediately brand -- or dismiss -- NAACP concerns as synonymous with those of liberal Democrats. "I want this branch to be respected," he said.<<
Originally Posted By TomSawyer Shocking. A wealthy construction business owner in Orange County declares himself a Republican.
Originally Posted By seanyoda Remember, this is Orange County in Florida (hence the article in the Orlando Sentinal rather than the Orange County Register)
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>It's purely a business decision.<< Sounds like a ringing endorsement of the GOP. LOL!!!
Originally Posted By TomSawyer Now that you mention it, 2oony... he's not changing parties because of any political beliefs. Just business. That's pretty funny.
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh Or it's proof that one party recognizes and rewards hard-work, no matter what the skin color of the person, and another considers that everyone of color needs a government hand-out.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer Sounds like you're saying that one party rewards the already wealthy while the other party seeks to help those who are still dealing with institutionalized racism. That sounds about right, actually.
