Black Democrats across the country cried foul when their votes were taken through election day shenanigans that robbed the Black community of being fully counted. The miscount has inflamed passions in the Black community against George W. Bush, who will officially be sworn in as head of state on Jan. 20.

But other snubbings also have occurred, and continue. While Black leaders are preparing to file suit in Florida for votes that allegedly were stolen by the Republican-controlled Florida machine, there is disenchantment that the Democratic Party did not step up to the plate and go to bat for its Black constituents, who were crying election fraud louder than any other group.

Some have charged that if party lawyers had championed the violation of voting rights issues instead of, or along with, the issue of chads�dimpled or pregnant�then on inauguration day there would be a Democrat being sworn in.

The hurt among Black Democrats has further been inflamed with the recent charge by former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson and other Black leaders that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) secretly planned to install Terry McAuliffe as head of the DNC.

Using very strong language, Mr. Jackson and California Rep. Maxine Waters have charged "the fix in in." They also ask, "whose party is this?"

Mr. Jackson says the post of head of the party should be won fairly, and that trying to push Mr. McAuliffe through without any consultation from the party�s most loyal constituency is disrespectful.

In fact, it is a slap in the face considering that the Black vote is the only reason the Democrats had a chance to contest Florida. Without the 90-plus percent of Black votes going to the Democratic candidate nationwide, the Republican Party would have its mandate.

Another demonstration of dissatisfaction width the last election and a sign that Blacks in their objections stand virtually alone is the Jan 6. walkout of some CBC members protesting the confirmation of Mr. Bush�s election.

The CBC members, one after the other, denounced the election and walked out but could not get a senator from the all-white body�Republican or Democrat�to join in the protest, which could have stalled the confirmation.

What that proves is party loyalty means nothing when white politicians have to choose between their self-interests�ending the fighting and talking about bi-partisanship�and the legitimate concerns of Black voters.

Such attitudes among Democrats again show why Black America needs its own agenda and the ability to punish political enemies and reward political friends. It�s not about party label, it�s about issues and how they impact real people.

Though Rep. Waters argues the consolation prize, if there is one, is, "we had a chance to frame the issue and make the challenge, and to send a message that we are not going away. That we are serious about election reform and we don�t take lightly what was done in Florida and we are challenging everybody � the Republican Party and our own Democratic Party."

But challenges are only effective when you can back up political promises and threats. That means having a unified approach to dealing with the power structure to obtain some benefit for the people.