How can Trump reach out to the black community?

[Old Man Willow]

Some people have speculated Trump will do better with African-Americans because Obama will be off the ballot, though it hasn't showed up in polling yet. Bush's 16% in OH 2004 could have been decisive. If Trump is to reach out to the black community, what should he focus on? Jobs? Hillary? Or should he not bother?

[Old Man Willow]

Trump / the Sleepy Doctor '16.

That's the only way I can see him recovering at least a little bit. Trump maybe didn't go out of his way to alienate them like he did with Hispanics, but the white supremacist stuff and his supporters beating up black protestors on tv really hurts any chances at doing better than Romney did.

On the other hand, there is not a whole lot to suggest that Republican African American candidates do any better than non-AA Republican candidates (iirc, anyhow). On top of that, Carson's completely moronic statements may hurt his appeal somewhat if weaponized into ad campaigns.

Steele pulled around 25% in the 2006 MD senate race, which was pretty impressive. It didn't help him of course it was a horrible year for the GOP, but still.

[Old Man Willow]

Steele pulled around 25% in the 2006 MD senate race, which was pretty impressive. It didn't help him of course it was a horrible year for the GOP, but still.

I didn't mean to imply Republicans can't get AA votes at all - There are states where Republican's shares of the AA vote exceed their national average. I only meant that a black candidate won't necessarily win lots of black votes just by virtue of being black. I imagine that candidate would be better positioned to fight for those votes, though.

I assumed that Michael Steele got 1/4 of the AA votes he is black, simply because I don't see another reason why AA voters would be drawn to him.