Supporters of an effort to get on the November ballot a measure to eliminate affirmative action in Missouri missed their midnight deadline last night. In all likelihood, it was not a strategic blunder, but probably due to the group not having collected enough signatures to get it on the ballot.
The main figure behind the controversial initiative, California business Ward Connerly, who is African-American, had targeted five states, including Missouri. Connerly was successful at getting a similar measure passed in California in 1996.
Perhaps the most significant affect of the measure dying early is that such a racially inflammatory proposal will now have no chance of appearing on the same ballot which could possibly elect the nation’s first African-American president.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Wrong Antonio, The reason it failed is that many people including myself could not find or never came across a petition gatherer. When it comes out again not only will I find a petitioner I will become one. Affirmative Action while a very good program during the 60’s and 70’s due to the social climate that included mass racism against blacks, became an over-abused and easy excuse for young African-Americans to become lazy and reap the rewards other Americans have to work for to get what they want in life. All Ward Connerly is saying is for the African-American community to do is take responsibility for yourself. We now are looking at the real possibility of the first African-American President and your telling me that A law passed in 1961 should still stand in 2008. Things have definitely changed. Don’t you think?
May 14th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Kevin, as a category the number one beneficiary of affirmative action is white women.