November 2, 2010 11:20 PM

New Senate Will Have No African-Americans

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
Congress

Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill.

(Credit: AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

There is one African-American in the current Senate: Illinois Sen. Roland Burris, who was appointed to fill out the rest of Barack Obama's term after he was elected president.

In the new Senate there will be zero.

All three African-American candidates are projected to lose their races: Florida's Kendrick Meek to Marco Rubio, Georgia's Michael Thurmond to Johnny Isakson and South Carolina's Alvin Greene to Jim DeMint. (All three are Democrats.) Burris is retiring, and neither of the contenders to fill his seat is African-American.

Six African-Americans have served in the Senate. Along with Burris and Mr. Obama, they are (in reverse chronological order) Carol Moseley Braun (also of Illinois), Edward Brooke of Massachusetts, and Blanche K. Bruce and Hiram Revels of Mississippi.

African-Americans are better represented in the House, where there are currently 41 black members.

Brian Montopoli is a political reporter for CBSNews.com. You can read more of his posts here. Follow Hotsheet on Facebook and Twitter.

Add a Comment See all 28 Comments
by judikay November 4, 2010 1:48 PM EDT
WHY must RACE always become a factor???

Why not just base opinions on the FACTS? The ISSUES??? NOT the ethnicity of any given politician???

I mean, come ON!!!

There are black Republicans, and white Democrats. And every race, ethnicity, and culture in between!!!

This is NOT about anything, but the ISSUES, of keeping America, AMERICA!!
Proud, strong, and free to follow the "AMERICAN" dream.
Reply to this comment
by DawudS January 5, 2011 12:33 PM EST
You are absolutely right, this is America. Last time I checked 66% of this country is listed as White Americans while African American make up 13%. 15% is Hispanic and the other 6% consists of Asian and other nationalities. If as you say this is America, why isn't the Senate even closely equal in percentages to these numbers?
The Senate and the House should depict a true representation of the make-up of the country. Then the 'American Dream' has a true chance of being achieved by all. Not just some.
by myth1958 November 3, 2010 11:40 AM EDT
Montopoli points out another loss we are all to face with this election. Let's look at the fact that 2 out of 3 'white' voters voted against President Obama in the last election: nearly the same percentage believed (in a recent poll) that "things are just fine" when it comes to 'race' relations in this country. The exact opposite percentage held true for 'black' Americans in the same poll. Why? Are 'whites' insensitive? Or are 'blacks' just touchy? Both. 'White' Americans haven't got a clue when it comes to most issues dear to minorities - and often buy slanted media accounts of rampant misuse of welfare benefits by minorities (actually, more 'white' folks are on welfare); that if minorities just had the drive to work harder they'd be better off (actually, minority unemployment is much higher than for 'whites' - and in the economically depressed neighborhoods 'blacks' are relegated to, less business is even available to apply for); that minorities ought to just go to college and they'd make something of themselves (actually, 'black' drop out rates are nearly 50% in some areas because of the hostility and obstructionism of 'white' teachers - who routinely push minority kids into 'slow learner' courses and away from AP - advanced placement - course which prep kids for college). Add to that the racist anger from the Tea Baggies like Rand Paul - who said he would repeal the Civil Rights Act so business owners could decide for themselves who to serve - or not serve - who speaks out against the 14th Amendment because it guarantees equal rights under the law, and I can understand why 'black' Americans are fearful of 'white' intentions still today. So we have a 'black' president: does that absolve all of us from centuries of mistreatment? From an obligation to respect the rights of those not in power? To continue to harass leaders like Obama with racist ads, cartoons and jokes in front of our children? No, it doesn't. The loss of the last 'black' senator is a loss for some attempt at mitigating the evil which has been done to an entire segment of out society. When the Civil War was over, Reconstruction was a serious attempt to bring the former slaves (and the few free 'blacks' around) into the mainstream of American life. Cynical politicians manipulated the presidential election of 1876 to put the loser - Hayes - in office in exchange for teh end of Reconstruction and federal troops who were there to protect this defenseless minority. When they left, Jim Crow moved in, along with his henchmen. We can't retreat on our dearly held concept that "All men are created equal", or we spit on the graves of those who fought for valid change. I am a 'white' man who knows better: we cannot go back to the ugly days when minorities feared for their rights, and their lives.
Reply to this comment
by oldbasicgal November 3, 2010 10:44 AM EDT
by oldbasicgal November 3, 2010 10:38 AM EDT
Brianbwb: You are taking Longtree's post (several posts below) completely out of context. His "argument" in no way assumes that a black cannot be the best qualified. He is only pointing out that blacks are still a minority. A minority that small will naturally have fewer competent persons that the 88% that are not minority. Your other arguments show racism and racial bias...why should a nation that is 88% NOT black put forth a great effort "understanding and representing the interests and aspirations of black people". Why doesn't the 12% of black people develop "interests and aspirations" that blend in and paralel those of everyone else in the country. Color of skin doesn't matter anymore; I never turned off the "Cosby Show" because everyone on it was black; in fact, I watched it because it was a very good show. I don't turn my back on my favorite football team because three fourths of the players are black. I bought my grandchild a black player's numbered jersey! If you think skin color is still a problem, it's because it is a problem for you, not for people looking AT you.
Reply to this comment
by rebinsc November 3, 2010 10:25 AM EDT
Good....
Reply to this comment
by wyodutch November 3, 2010 9:40 AM EDT
No blacks? Too bad.

Well, thankfully there are a fair number of Jews in the U.S. Senate to watch out for Israel's vital interests in Washington:
.
1. Barbara Boxer
2. Ben Cardin
3. Russ Feingold
4. Dianne Feinstein
5. Al Franken
6. Herb Kohl
7. Frank Lautenberg
8. Carl Levin
9. Joe Lieberman
10. Bernie Sanders
11. Chuck Schumer
12. Ron Wyden
Reply to this comment
by KellyNCarolina November 3, 2010 9:22 AM EDT
Montopoli, The people of the United States sent a message to Washington yesterday, and I can pretty much bet money on it that the mentality wasn't "omg, let's vote all of the blacks out of the Senate...That'll show 'em!!" Are you KIDDING me? This is the best article that you could write? Seriously?
I Googled some key words just to read what the liberal media was writing about the election and I find it no surprise that "writers'" like yourself continue to lick the bottom of the barrel by attempting to make ths election about race. Grow up Brian, the race issue is really old and makes me yawn. Maybe a new career choice is what you need? Like, I dunno...maybe..ballet? Grow a pair Brian and report the "facts" for a change.
Reply to this comment
by deohgee November 3, 2010 9:18 AM EDT
Come to think of it, I didn't see many white people on the BET station, or at the Black Miss America Pageant. What's up with that?!?!
Reply to this comment
by deohgee November 3, 2010 8:55 AM EDT
What, a half black Prez isn't good enough?
Reply to this comment
by love2ridend November 3, 2010 8:28 AM EDT
This is a news story? Now the liberals will call us all racists again. Wow they never tire of the race card being played
Reply to this comment
by longtree-2009 November 3, 2010 6:01 AM EDT
blacks are only some 12% of the nations 300+ million population so why is it that everyone expects more blacks? the nation should be more concerned with best qualified rather than anything else. don't you want best qualified if you go into surgery, go into the er? best qualified mechanic to work on your car, and so forth?
Reply to this comment
by endrepubs November 3, 2010 8:42 AM EDT
To brianbwb2015: That is what the NAACP is for. By the way blacks are certainly better qualified than whites to do many things such as play basketball, football, boxing, sprinting, etc.
by oldbasicgal November 3, 2010 10:38 AM EDT
Brianbwb: You are taking Longtree's post above completely out of context. His "argument" in no way assumes that a black cannot be the best qualified. He is only pointing out that blacks are still a minority. A minority that small will naturally have fewer competent persons that the 88% that are not minority. Your other arguments show racism and racial bias...why should a nation that is 88% NOT black put forth a great effort "understanding and representing the interests and aspirations of black people". Why doesn't the 12% of black people develop "interests and aspirations" that blend in and paralel those of everyone else in the country. Color of skin doesn't matter anymore; I never turned off the "Cosby Show" because everyone on it was black; in fact, I watched it because it was a very good show. I don't turn my back on my favorite football team because three fourths of the players are black. I bought my grandchild a black player's numbered jersey! If you think skin color is still a problem, it's because it is a problem for you, not for people looking AT you.
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