I doubt it'll make any difference, but it's interesting enough:
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=75136East St. Louis Mayor Carl Officer Joins "Democrats for Bush"
Offers to Speak Nationally to Black Americans on BET on Behalf of the President
EAST ST. LOUIS, IL -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 10/29/2004 -- Four-term Mayor Carl Officer of East St. Louis announced before local supporters today that he has accepted the position as head of the Illinois Steering Committee of "Democrats for Bush," founded earlier this year by Democratic Senator Zell Miller of Georgia. A life long Democrat, Officer is a third generation African-American entrepreneur and mayor of America's poorest city.
The mayor was welcomed into the organization by a personal congratulatory phone call from Brian Lunde, National Executive Director of "Democrats for Bush." After the call, Mayor Officer noted, "Director Lunde told me that polls are showing that the President's support among black voters is DOUBLE what it was in his first election. He went on to kindly say that with me joining the President's team, he will now expect the support to TRIPLE."
Questioners clamored to know why he had decided to support President Bush's re-election. The mayor responded:
"I watched the debates intently, especially to try to measure the strength of each man and compare how each would face the awesome responsibility of America's safety -- a President's #1 priority. As a relatively new father, I indulged my three year old daughter and let her stay up with me as I watched. When it was over, and I looked into her eyes, I knew I had to go with the proven product, and I believe on the issue of protecting Americans first, nearly everyone agrees George Bush is the leader by far."
In further discussion with his somewhat stunned local political supporters, the mayor noted that he has long had some serious differences with the Democratic Party on gay marriage and abortion. Officer, an ordained minister, admitted that he and other African American Christians were much closer to President Bush's views on these issues.
Final questions were about Black Entertainment Television's recent announcement that the Bush campaign was "passing up an opportunity [in] communicating the President's plan of action to address issues that African Americans find important," as BET CEO Robert L. Johnson put it. Mayor Officer responded, "Based on today's announcement, I have transmitted a letter to Mr. Johnson at BET. I have offered to accept the half hour time slot to appear before their national African American audience and explain the reasons why a life-long Democrat, black mayor, small businessman, ordained minister and concerned dad is voting for President Bush in this election."
