Committeewoman Norma Leggette (4th Ward) isn't sure what the Democratic Party stands for anymore. She wonders how she's supposed to excite constituents in her ward about November's elections.
Leggette said there are two Democratic parties in St. Louis - one that benefits whites and another that ignores blacks. "At one time, Democrats were a solution for us. I don't know when that changed or why that changed, but it has," Leggette told me.
Her comments underscore a familiar complaint from blacks who claim the Democratic Party takes them for granted.
Leggette voiced her concerns Tuesday during a rah-rah session with several local elected Democrats, hosted by U.S. Senate candidate Claire McCaskill. After reading the exchange posted on a local Weblog, Pub Def Weekly, I called Leggette to confirm her comments.
The quotes were correct, the 40-year veteran of local politics told me. She has no intention of voting for McCaskill's Republican rival, U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, but, like me, she's grown bored with the dog and pony show put on when major elections roll around. Democrats show up, throw out the "evil Republican" mantra, ask for black votes, then disappear without ever addressing our socioeconomic concerns or needs.
Democrats raise millions for major campaigns that rarely trickle down to neighborhood committees, like Leggette's, charged with getting blacks to the polls, she said. It's a "frustrating" experience, complicated by "clueless" leadership and blacks seeking personal gain.
"My community has been affected by benign neglect. Black political leaders only interested in lining their pockets with crumbs ought to get the hell out of the way," Leggette said.
During the meeting Tuesday, Leggette said McCaskill dissed Talent's friendship with President George W. Bush and criticized the president for letting poor and black people die in New Orleans. That didn't cut it for Leggette.
"Being a Democrat doesn't just mean being in opposition to Bush or Talent. You have to bring some meat to the table."
Other black Democrats I spoke with Friday agreed with Leggette, but they are willing to take their disenchantment further. Some were among the 300 guests who attended the "African-Americans for Talent" soiree in July. Charles Kirkwood, owner of Midwestern Construction & Development in the city, plans to jump party lines in the upcoming election.