WaPo Notes Congressional Black Caucus's Push on Black Unemployment, Omits Sole GOP Member West's Criticism of Obama

"Black lawmakers are embarking on a month-long campaign Monday to address the staggering unemployment rate among African Americans, an issue that has become a growing source of tension between members of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Obama administration," Washington Post's Ylan Q. Mui noted in the open of her August 8 page A3 story, "Black caucus launches minority jobs campaign."

Yet curiously absent from her 16-paragraph story, however, was any mention of the CBC's sole Republican member, conservative Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.), who has been decidedly much harsher on President Obama than the caucus's Democratic members.

For example, here's West's press release for August 4, President Obama's 50th birthday:

(WASHINGTON)--- Congressman Allen West (Fl-22) released this statement today:

"Happy 50th Birthday Mr. President! While surprises are for birthdays, it is no surprise to the American people that your failed economic policies –- from TARP to your health care bill–- have resulted in disaster for our economy. Since taking office, unemployment has remained at or near 9 percent for 28 months, America has added $3.4 trillion in debt in 29 months -- the equivalent of about $4 billion per day -- we have an anemic housing market with record foreclosures, and an average price of nearly $4 for a gallon of gas. Even your budget did not receive one single vote in the United States Senate -- and the icing on the cake –- a stock market slide of nearly 800 points in the last 5 days.

While it may be hard to hear the American people's frustration over the pop of the champagne corks and R&B bands at your $30,000/person birthday party, the citizens of this nation are suffering under your failed leadership. The best present you can give the American people will be for you and your failed economic policies to be defeated in November of 2012."

Last month West gave his thoughts on the matter of black unemployment. On July 17, the blog Politik Ditto published a post with video of West offering his prescription for boosting jobs in the African-American community.

In the video (embedded above) you'll see West's prescriptions to lower black unemployment include education, tax, and regulatory reforms, as well as tax rate reduction. Those are three areas in which liberal Democrats, including and especially members of the CBC, often resist.

Rep. West is one of two Republican members of the House who happen to be black and hence have eligibility to join the Congressional Black Caucus. The other one, Rep. Tim Scott (S.C.) declined the opportunity to join the CBC when he took office in January.