Republicans Trying To Rebrand Themselves--

When they meet with potential candidates, top Republican officials directly tell them the word “rape” should never come up when the candidates are explaining their abortion views.

The party’s elite, desperate to illustrate the GOP’s diversity, has made Florida Sen. Marco Rubio the de-facto leader of the party, almost guaranteed a spot on the 2016 presidential ticket. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Preibus meets regularly with key minority leaders, and Rand Paul, a potential 2016 GOP candidate, hasmade appearances at historically blackcolleges, includingHoward University.

On the other hand, Texas Gov. Rick Perry not only pushed for a controversial abortion bill, but infuriated Democratic women by personalizing the issue, highlighting the fact that Texas state senator Wendy Davis is a single mother and so was Davis’ mother. Some key voices in the GOP speak openly about winning future elections simply by dominating the white vote.  The party’s recent moves on Capitol Hill suggest it could block both a new version of the Voting Rights Act and immigration reform that creates a pathway to citizenship for undocumented workers, two decisions unlikely to be embraced by black and Hispanic leaders. MOREHERE