What about Michael S. Steele, the Republican Party chairman? Is he changing the perception of the GOP as a party of whites?
Mr. Rogers takes a moment to consider, and answers carefully.
"Let's say I think that when he ran for the Maryland Senate seat, and when he was lieutenant governor, that was when he was most effective in changing this perception."
Another reason the GOP limits itself among African-Americans, says Mr. Rogers, is because Republicans don't talk about issues that have currency in the black community: poverty, the challenges of single-parent homes, social justice, recidivism, black capitalism and crime.
The way for Republicans to attract black voters is pretty simple, says Mr. Rogers: Show up and solve problems.
When he moved to Rock Hill, where he currently lives, Rogers made his home in the inner city rather than the suburbs. When a local basketball team needed money for jerseys, he helped them. Thus, when this inner-city team hit the court, their jerseys said, "York County GOP."
"People don't care what [political affiliation] comes after your name," says Mr. Rogers. "They just want the jersey."
With Mr. Rogers on the hustings, Democrats have cause for concern. He's telling African-Americans that they have rendered themselves politically impotent by voting monolithically. "If one party can count on our vote, then they can take us for granted. Predictability is suicidal."
Predictability would seem not to be a problem for a Spanish-speaking, black Republican wonk who just might make South Carolina less of a joke.
Kathleen Parker's e-mail address is kathleenparker@washpost.com.
