At the GOP convention, men make up 61 percent of the delegates, women 34 percent, with the rest unknown. America s population is about evenly divided between men and women. The delegates are well-educated, with about 71 percent having graduated from college and half of that group having taken postgraduate work. While Democrats have rules requiring each state delegation to be split evenly between men and women and to set goals for filling delegate slots for minorities, the Republicans have no such rules. But Z. Dwight Billingsly, one of the few black GOP delegates, said who the delegates are is less important than what they do.
Appearances mean nothing.
The Democrats definitely look more inclusive, but if you re looking for substance, then look at the black people who are involved with the Republican Party, because they are the ones really involved in the serious side of business. They re not there for show. About 29 percent of all delegates hold elective office, ranging from school board member to a member of Congress. More than half will be first-time delegates to a national convention. At the other extreme is Charles Thone of Lincoln, Neb., who has been a delegate at every Republican convention starting in 1952.