I know many Republicans would like to reach out to African-American voters and politicians, especially on the issue of school reform -- and I applaud this.  I don't think anyone is well served with African-Americans vote in lockstep -- and can be taken for granted by Democrats.  But Republicans have a high hurdle to overcome, as Krugman notes:

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July 24, 2006

Op-Ed Columnist

Black and Blue

By PAUL KRUGMAN

http://select.nytimes.com/2006/07/24/opinion/24krugman.html

According to the White House transcript, here’s how it went last week, when President Bush addressed the N.A.A.C.P. for the first time:

THE PRESIDENT: “I understand that many African-Americans distrust my political party.”

AUDIENCE: “Yes! (Applause.)”

But Mr. Bush didn’t talk about why African-Americans don’t trust his party, and black districts are always blue on election maps. So let me fill in the blanks.