Posted on 10/04/2005 6:29:51 AM PDT by GPBurdell
Q&A WITH MELVIN EVERSON 'Everything that I do will be monitored'
> Published on: 10/02/05
Melvin Everson made history Tuesday by becoming the first black Georgia Republican since Reconstruction to win a legislative seat in a contested election. AJC Gwinnett News reporter Ben Smith interviewed the former Snellville city councilman at his home Thursday. Rep.-elect Everson discussed his historic victory, the possibility for more African-Americans in the GOPand his plans for the upcoming 2006 General Assembly in January.
Q: During the election, you consistently avoided discussing the historic nature of your campaign. Now that you've won, have you had a chance to ponder what it means to be the first black Republican since Reconstruction to win a contested election for the Georgia Legislature?
A: I've pondered it. I realize and understand I am under a microscope. . . . Everything that I do will be monitored. . . . I understand that I'm a role model for many other African-American Republicans. That this is an example of hope for the conservative movement. I understand that I have opened the door for others.
Q: Did you experience any racial animus during the campaign?
A: To me, personally, up front, no.
Q: Are there any other black Republicans poised to run for elected office in Gwinnett County, or will you be an anomaly?
A: I do foresee some running in the future but not in the very near future.
Q: Why does the national Republican Party seem to have so much difficulty attracting African-American voters?
A: Because of the unfair labeling of the Republican Party by various organizations — the unfair labeling of being the party for the well-to-do. Because of the stigma that has been attached to the Republican Party, that has made it very difficult for the Republican leadership to make inroads into the African-American community. But, however small, I do see that changing. I do see the pendulum swinging the other way. As we went door to door in the 106th District, I was amazed at the number of black Republicans living right here in Snellville. I was amazed to see African-Americans with Bush-Cheney bumper stickers. We are here, but I think many are afraid to show their party loyalty because of the labeling of the party by those various groups.
Q: It wasn't that long ago that Republican candidates, such as former U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, injected race into their political campaigns to win elections. Do you believe the Republican Party has moved significantly away from that?
A: Yes I do. All the campaigns I've been involved in in the state of Georgia, I've never seen that. It's interesting you mentioned that because it happens on the other side and nothing gets mentioned. Right now, I'm holding a flier that was sent out by the Democratic Party when Calvin Smyre was chairman. . . . On the front of the flier, you have a picture of a frail African-American lady, and next to her you have the comment, "The Republicans are going to take away your Social Security." Then below that, you have a chained African-American male, and it says: "They are going to put you back in chains." Nothing was ever [printed] about that flier in the press.
Q: Do you think the Bush administration's response to Hurricane Katrina, which was widely criticized, even by members of his own party, has set back the GOP's effort to attract more African-Americans to the party?
A: No, I don't think so. It has stalled the efforts, but I don't think it's set it back. . . . The Democratic Party is trying to make this one of the raw-meat issues as far as gearing up for next fall's elections. And when you take a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita and you make an attempt to place the blame for the lack of government response at the foot of the president, I think the voters will be able to see through that facade. . . . I really don't like [it] when these people are suffering. Here we are, as elected officials, pointing blame when there is so much work to be done down there. Here we are crucifying someone in front of a House committee when people are suffering down there. I think it's time for us to roll up our sleeves and give them the assistance they need, and then we can come back and address what went wrong.
Q: How can the Republican Party craft a message for lower-income Americans?
A: We have to do it if we are to survive as a party. What I want to see take place is not a party dominated by one race vs. the other. What I want to see take place is liberals vs. conservatives. We cannot afford to have parties broken down on racial lines. We need parties broken down by ideology.
Q: You have proposed that illegal immigrants be denied any state-funded services. Would you bar, say, a mother, illegally residing in the United States, from giving birth to a premature baby in the emergency room of a state-funded hospital?
A: That would have to be answered on a case-by-case basis. . . . That's a trick question, a very, very difficult question. My first thought would be yes. But when you look at the situation, chances are I wouldn't.
Q: What about public education for children of illegal immigrants?
A: No, not at the expense of taxpayers. If they want education, they'll have to provide it for themselves. That's not saying they can't enroll in a private school.
Q: What about vaccinations for children?
A: They'd have to pay for it .
Q: You had nearly the full weight of the Gwinnett Republican Party behind you, professional consultants advising you and considerably deeper financial support than your opponent. Why was it still such a close race?
A: Because of the quality of the candidates. Each race I've run in Snellville has been close.
Q: Why is Snellville politics so contentious?
A: It's always been that way. I tell people you have not won an election until you've won one in Snellville.
Q: How do you feel about having to qualify for re-election in six months? Have you started raising money for that campaign?
A: Yes. I started election night. I'm excited about it.
Q: What House committees are you interested in that would benefit from your personal expertise?
A: Transportation, Public Safety, Education and Judiciary — which I won't get because I'm not an attorney.
Q: What will be the first thing you do when you go to the Gold Dome in January?
A: Pray.
Find this article at: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/gwinnett/1005/02everson.html
Buzz
Buzz Blog
Kinda funny we haven't heard a thing about this in the MSM. I guess it doesn't fit their "template" huh?
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