Black Conservatives Unwilling To Give New Majority Unconditional Support

WASHINGTON - Black conservatives are cheering the mandate for change away from liberal big-government policies and toward promises of a smaller and more responsible government. But members of the Project 21 black leadership network -- many of whom are also active in the tea party movement -- say their enthusiasm and support are conditional based upon how the newly-elected congressional leadership holds true to its campaign promises.

"From Scott Rigell's congressional victory in my home area of Hampton Roads to those of other Republican and tea party-supported candidates nationwide, the will of the people is clear -- no more bailouts, no more excessive spending on failed government programs and no further encroachments on our rights and liberties as a free people," said Project 21 member Coby Dillard, a co-founder of the Hampton Roads Tea Party in Virginia. "Republicans have the majority, not a free pass. Virginia's motto -- sic semper tyrannis -- gives no allegiance to political party, and the mid-term results are an echo of that motto. Liberals who have tread on our freedoms and wallets were removed via the electoral process; those who replaced them can expect the same result in 2012 if they do the same."

Project 21 member Kevin Martin noted: "This election was a historic repudiation of Barack Obama's activist government and a win for personal freedom and liberty. Big-government liberals must realize that Americans who voted for 'hope' and 'change' in 2008 made it known in 2010 that they do not agree this meant wasting trillions of taxpayer dollars, promoting policies that lead to record unemployment and creating further division in our nation."

Lisa Fritsch, a Project 21 member and frequent tea party speaker, said: "An explosion of American enthusiasm and a return of the government to the American people has been witnessed. Though there were a few races where conservatives came up short, the momentum for conservative values and principles cannot be denied. The tea party has translated protest into power. And we are just getting started restoring our rights and founding principles to America."

"Divided government means it will be tougher to pass legislation, almost all of which costs money and increases the size of government. This is a victory for the American taxpayer," added Project 21 member Ak'bar Shabazz.

"The election results are evidence that the American people are what make our representative republic exceptional and that there is no battle we can't win," concluded Project 21's Jerome Hudson.

Project 21, a leading voice of black conservatives since 1992, is sponsored by the National Center for Public Policy Research