Condoleezza Rice
Best known for her roles as Secretary of State and National Security Advisor in the Bush Administration, Condoleezza Rice had a hand in directly shaping the political discourse of the nation. Now she spends her time teaching at Stanford University.
Michael Steele
He may have been ousted as chair of the RNC, but Michael Steele certainly wielded influence during his tenure. The Republican party won a majority of seats in the House in the 2010 midterms under his leadership.
Tim Scott
As one of South Carolina’s representatives in the House, Tim Scott is actively shaping policy to line up with his conservative views. He’s also not a member of the Congressional Black Caucus but backs the Tea Party.
Allen West
Rep. Allen West (R-FL) isn’t afraid to speak his mind when he has something to say. He’s widely known for saying the president should “lay his life on the line” for the troops to prove his commitment, among other equally interesting comments.
Angela McGlowan
Tea Party favorite Angela McGlowan has made her rounds on the talk show circuit, and her appearances haven’t gone unnoticed. McGlowan’s book, Bamboozled claims American’s have been exploited by the liberal agenda.
Clarence Thomas
Justice Clarence Thomas is a lot of things, but one thing he isn’t is vocal. Thomas hasn’t spoken on a Supreme Court case in five years, and he doesn’t seem to see a problem with that. His most recent attendance at partisan political fundraisers and his wife’s Tea Party activism have put more doubt in his judgment then ever before.
Alan Keyes
Perennial presidential candidate Alan Keyes says he’s “loyal to liberty” but his critics don’t share the same opinion, citing his questionable finances. Keyes worked as a part of the Reagan administration and has frequently questioned the president’s citizenship.
Amy Holmes
An independent conservative political contributor for CNN, Amy Holmes has appeared on FOX News and has served as a co-host with Glenn Beck. Holmes has been criticized for falsely accusing Hillary Clinton of fostering doubt about Obama’s religion, among other things.
(Photo by David S. Holloway/Getty Images for Turner)
Kenneth Blackwell
Kenneth Blackwell is most known for writing a letter to the Republican National Committee asking for chairmanship of the group in 2008, despite claims that he rigged elections in his home state of Ohio. He also co-founded the “Coalition for a Conservative Majority” with Tom DeLay.
Armstrong Williams
Armstrong Williams is a conservative political commentator best known for his show The Right Side. It was revealed in 2005 that he accepted money from the Bush administration to promote No Child Left Behind on his radio and TV shows.
Colin Powell
Even though party lines divide them, Colin Powell has been an outspoken supporter of Obama. As the first African-American Secretary of State, Powell has broken ground for black republicans everywhere.
Originally known as the “Godfather of Pizza” Cain has obtained fame by promoting his book, his 9-9-9 proposal and a few questionable quotes. He is now a Presidential Candidate.
Apostle Clave Kamau-Imani is a conservative activist and chairman of the right-wing blog RagingElephants.com. He called the Democratic party the Ku Klux Klan at a rally in Houston.
In recent years, black conservatives have gained more prominence in American politics, especially with their critical analysis and commentary of the Obama administration. After Herman Cain’s recent victory in a Tea Party Straw Poll, it’s clear that black Republicans have more power and political clout than many people have previously acknowledged. Here’s a slideshow of some of the most influential black republicans.
