Black Democrats allege bias
Posted on 11/27/2002 5:53:16 AM PST by MeekOneGOP
Black Democrats allege bias
Frost in running for fund-raising post; Louisianian wants job
11/27/2002
WASHINGTON - As House Democrats pick a new leader for their fund-raising committee, many black lawmakers are again complaining that they are overlooked for key positions despite delivering millions of votes each year.
Louisiana Rep. William Jefferson has been lobbying to replace Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., as head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
But Mr. Jefferson's prospects of getting the plum assignment are anything but certain since the elevation this month of Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to House minority leader. The job may go to Rep. Martin Frost, a Dallas Democrat who challenged Ms. Pelosi for the leader's job before dropping out of the race. Mr. Frost has chaired the committee twice before.
Many black Democrats are frustrated that the appointment of Mr. Jefferson, who would be the first black lawmaker to chair the committee, is not certain.
"It is time for diversity to show its head," said Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, a Dallas Democrat who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus. "We want to have input with the Democratic caucus of the House. We get frequently labeled as the base, but the base is rarely heard from when it comes to decisions related to the DCCC."
Members elected to leadership posts typically have raised considerable amounts of money for other candidates. Mr. Frost, who was chairman of the House Democratic Caucus this year, raised $4.1 million. According to party sources, Mr. Jefferson raised $1 million during the last election cycle for the DCCC.
In a letter to Ms. Pelosi, the black caucus noted that Mr. Jefferson chaired this year's annual fund-raising dinner for the DCCC, which brought in $5.2 million.
"It is critical that the next DCCC chair be a visionary with a proven record of raising money," the letter said. "Congressman Jefferson is that person."
Mr. Jefferson declined to comment.
Ms. Pelosi's office said no decision has been made on the position.
Her office notes that Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, who is black, was elected vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus last week.
Nonetheless, complaints remain that the Democratic Party has had too few black leaders. Meanwhile, Republicans have prominently featured Rep. J.C. Watts of Oklahoma, who is resigning this year after serving as chairman of the Republican Conference, the No. 4 position in the House GOP leadership.
Sadly, accoriding to he Mfunes, Beleafontes and Jesse Jacksons of the world, any Republican of African-american ancestry is a 'house slave' and therefor not a Real Blacktm. Oddly they do not see this as diversity but as racial treason.
Condi in '08, Watts in '16!
I have yet to read WHY J.C. is resigning. He was a great man, why leave now?
The Black vote in Louisiana is critical to Mary Landrieu's Senate run off election on 12/07. I suspect that if Mr. Jefferson doesn't get what he wants that Mary Landrieu is toast. Then again, she may be toast anyway.
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