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Bill Nelson Says He Doesn’t Need To Motivate Black Voters

April 20, 2018 - 10:30am

In a recent Miami Herald article, Bill Nelson said he doesn’t need to do anything to motivate African American voters.

His exact quote was this:

“I don’t think I have to get them motivated. Since so much of the prison population is African American, I think what they see is, this is a disenfranchisement of over a million people in the state of Florida, and I think that is going to be motivation not only for people who feel strongly on the issue, if you’ve been rehabbed and done your time you ought to get your rights back. I think it's going to be a motivator in the African American community."

While the prison system affects a disproportionate amount of African Americans, Bill Nelson thinks THIS is what is going to motivate black voters to vote for him?

I can very easily vote for the restoration of rights amendment, and leave the Senate race BLANK.

Remember, during the 2016 presidential election, folks voted for Mickey Mouse for president.

Roy Hardemon had it right when he said he has never seen Bill Nelson in his community.

In speaking to some black elected officials and community leaders, they were just as offended as I am.

One said “WTF”, when I gave him the statement from Nelson.

Another said this is why he isn’t doing anything to help Nelson. He said Nelson could have pointed out how unfair the criminal justice system has been towards the African American community. How unequal it has been.

Tamika Lyles, a black woman who is running against Nelson in the primary, had this to say:

Bill Nelson
Bill Nelson

“The statement is culturally insensitive to assume that since African American voters will come out to vote for restoration of voting rights, they will also vote for the incumbent. ALL African Americans have not been incarcerated and ALL African Americans don't have felonies. So, what will attract those voters? The question was, "[W]hat's HE going to do to turn them out?" He basically said he doesn't have to do anything. WRONG ANSWER!”

Bill Nelson can trot out Corey Booker, Val Demings, and any other black face he wants to.

The bottom line, just like it was with Hillary Clinton in 2016. If HE isn’t getting into our communities and explaining why HE deserves our vote, he isn’t going to get it.

Saying he isn’t Rick Scott, and that he has black electeds he can parade out in the media isn’t going to get it.

I’m not sure why Democrats running for office have this aversion to courting the black vote in the same manner that they court other demographics, but clearly they do.

I’m saying this now, but I’ve said it before:

EARN our votes, don’t expect our votes!

 

Leslie Wimes, a Sunshine State News columnist, is founder and president of Women on the Move and the Democratic African American Women Caucus, www.daawc.com. Follow Leslie on Twitter: @womenonthemove1

Comments

Teddy is Right. You just cant admit it.

Did Bill Nelson lend a hand to FRRC?? No he did not.

Thank you Leslie!! We need voices like yours! I’m so glad that you are not afraid of the establishment, and are willing to call this type of stuff out! Who in the world does Nelson think he is?

Once again, the best secret weapon that the Republican Party has in this state in the black community is a Democrat... What a dumbass... If I was a Democrat, I would kick her ass out of the party quicker than they kicked the dude out for calling people, "colored boys"...

She is not a member of the party, despite what she calls gerself and the fake groups she has attempted to organize. Don't forget where she was on election night for the St.Pete mayors race.

She is not a member of the party, despite what she calls gerself and the fake groups she has attempted to organize. Don't forget where she was on election night for the St.Pete mayors race.

She is not a member of the party, despite what she calls gerself and the fake groups she has attempted to organize. Don't forget where she was on election night for the St.Pete mayors race.

Wait, I seem to recall Leslie voting in the FDP Chair’s Race, as well as the elections at the DCCA meeting recently. For someone you claim isn’t a democrat, she voted in your important elections. Also, I recall the DNC Black Caucus Chair coming to one of her events. I don’t think that chair has attended any other Florida group’s function. Sounds like sour grapes, Karen. Also, the media seems to ask Leslie about issues in Florida. I have NEVER seen them go to the Women’s Club President for a thing. Ha!

This is a BS comment. She was on the side of the person who did more for the black community. I think it’s great that Leslie puts people over party when warranted. Karen Welzel is a jealous little oompah-loompah who is mad because black women don’t want to join the old, has-been women’s club. I have joined the Alachua chapter of the DAAWC, which is ran by Cynthia Chestnut. I know others who have joined as well. Keep crying oompah-loompah. The DAAWC is where WE want to be!

I collected petitions for Rights Restoration. Exactly what has Bill Nelson done to help the movement he is now relying on???

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