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.

When Bush became President Mehlman became director of the White House Office of Political Affairs. Bush and Chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2005 to 2007.

Ken Mehlman is responsible for overseeing the firm's global external affairs activities including corporate marketing regulatory affairs and public policy communications and engagement with the firm and portfolio companies' key stakeholders. On August 26 2010 Mehlman came out as gay making him one of the most prominent openly gay figures in the Republican Party. Holocaust Memorial Council.