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President and CEO, National Urban League

Ever since President Franklin Roosevelt instituted his New Deal in 1933, a series of programs and initiatives that promised relief, reform and recovery for an economy devastated by the Great Depression, African Americans have aligned themselves with the Democratic Party. Today, while over 80 percent of African Americans consider themselves Democrats, a growing number are rejecting this blanket support, which often leaves candidates unaccountable, and constituents disillusioned by hollow promises.

"The voter who is concerned about the urban community and about issues of equality particularly economic equality which goes beyond the African American community want to see their votes actively competed for both in the primary process and general election," explains Marc Morial. "That's what we've got to continue to work to achieve."

Morial, the former twice-elected mayor of New Orleans, currently serves as president and CEO of the National Urban League, a civil rights organization that has fought racial discrimination and worked for economic parity since 1910. The son of a teacher and New Orleans' first black mayor, Morial observed many politically charged discussions around the dinner table and to this day still relishes in the thrill of live debates.

"There's something interesting about giving candidates the opportunity to openly express themselves," explains Morial. "I think it gives people the opportunity to look into somebody's soul and somebody's eyes, to get a sense of their command of the issue [instead] of rehearsed responses. You get a sense of a person and their level of maturity and their level to deal under some pressure." - adam jones

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