Mehlman at the NAACP National Convention

By the 70s and into the 80s and 90s, the Democratic Party solidified its gains in the African American community, and we Republicans did not effectively reach out.

Some Republicans gave up on winning the African American vote, looking the other way or trying to benefit politically from racial polarization. I am here today as the Republican Chairman to tell you we were wrong.

"The 'Southern Strategy' that worked from 1972 until pretty much now is dead. The new strategy is the 'Moron Strategy' -- now we focus on folks who refuse to read, embrace facts, or think," said Mehlman. "And we finally realized that stupidity knows no color. So no we are welcoming idiots of every race, color or creed.... ok, maybe not creed," he added.