People were very uptight and worried about the future. And the demagogic messages that demonized the most vulnerable groups welfare recipients, minorities who benefit from affirmative action, immigrants resonated with a large segment of the American population. These developments coincided with the conservative Republicans taking over Congress. But it s interesting that since 1996, the frequency and intensity of these demagogic messages have noticeably declined. And I think we can thank the improved economy for that.
People are more receptive to the idea of working with other groups to achieve common goals.
Black leaders have been embracing Gore, partly because Gore is going to win the nomination. However, Bradley s voting record has been very progressive on all fronts, and that is most conducive to helping the black urban poor and building these multiracial coalitions. Bush and McCain are much less likely to do these things. Earlier in this decade, you advised the president about race matters. I think he paid more attention to what I had to say about bridging the racial divide than anything else.