Live Q&As

I think we should all be educated about who we vote for before we cote for them. I am not telling anyone who to vote for. What I am saying is that before black voters, urban radio and Democrats malign and dismiss a black candidate because he's a Republican, listen to what he is saying and then decide.

All things being equal, and before the most recent allegations, there is opportunity for a GOP candidate black or otherwise to garner enough of the black vote to win. 30-40% is unrealistic but also unecessary. All they would need is roughly 14% of the black vote. George Bush received 11% in 2004. Michael Steele, when he ran for Senate in2006, received 22%.

I think the tide has certainly turned for Mr. Cain and it is unfortunately going to have an even more negative impact on his campaign. The allegations, whether you believe them or not have been a hugh distraction and his response to them problematic.

Actually, this is not true at all. When I was at the RNc from 2004-2006, Mr. Cain, along with a number of black and white prominent Republicans crossed the country went into the black community, in pivotal states with a message of economic empowerment. It just wasn't covered by the media the way the Jesse Jackson's and Al Sharrpton's are. I was there, I witnessed and can tick off a number of other examples. I have young black conservatives who come up to me all the time. GOP agenda: Education - charter schools and choice. Economics - small business support, lower taxes for working and middle class. Less government. More money in the pockets of taxpayers. That's part of the the general theme.. can the GOP do a better job of getting the message out, always. Can, we as black folks do a better job at listening, absolutely.

I won two PR News awards in 2010 for producing corporate web documentary videos. I won two National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) awards in 1997, 1998 for my documentaries on race and racism.

The numbers are representative of what can be done with an effective machine and strong effort by the GOP. Yes, Cain (on a good day) would have hurdles yes, but for the right candidate, with the right backing and support, it is "do-able." President Obama's support has dropped significantly, he's vulnerable and I have interviewed a number of disenchanted Democrats and even Republicans who voted for Obama. And again, the GOP would not need to even break 20% of the black electorate nationally to beat him. The question is whether the GOP would put the money behind it.

It is too easy to always dismiss Republicans as racists. Get over it. There are racists on both sides. In fact it was the GOP chairman (Ken Mehlman) who apologized for the party's past and "reconciled." Let's get beyond the name calling and debate substantive issues. No one party has all the answers. We, as black folks, have been taken for granted by one party for far too long.  Both sides should be courting and actively working with minority voters. 

I think rebuilding the black family and issues of educational choice, health initiatives, employment and even race are issues that conservatives should not be afraid to tackle and find inroads for bipartisan efforts. Our churches are a central party of the community. People such as Sen. Jim Talent and Bill Frist, are examples.. as are a host of others. Black conservatives, frankly, shouldn't be afraid to speak out, be active, get involved and demand more of the party.

I am not saying that they would.

In my view, you would need a few variables: 1) EQUAL air time in mainstream and urban radio for the black Democrat and GOP candidate 2) a well organized machine (donors and dollars) behind him/her

A majority of Republicans supported the Civils Right. It was a Democrat who put the National Gurard at school house doors to prevent black kids from entering after desegregation. And the first Civil Rights Act was actually enacted after Reconstruction when all black elected officials were Republicans. Let's give the complete historical picture, not piecemeal. To my earlier point, both sides have culpabiilty when it comes to race. Let's stop fixating on it and find policies that add value and offer solutions to the disparities that exist in the country.

Wrong. Voter fraud and voter disenfranchisment are wrong period. Both sides have been guilty in one way or another. It is easier now to vote than it ever was.

It means radio hosts and online reporters shouldn't be telling their audiences to go and vote for one candidate over the other, for starters.

I will say, have said and written, that Cain's initial reaction and response to these claims, whether true or false, were dismissive and unacceptable. Workplace discrminiation among women is real and should be taken seriously I think before this latest accusation he tried to correct that, but at this stage it has all become a distraction and his campaign should have been better positioned to deal with a national race and his character issues.