<p>A black Republican is the early favorite for a North Carolina House seat.</p>
<p>In the wake of the Trent Lott fiasco, Republicans are highly sensitive to the fact that with the retirement of Oklahoma's Rep. J.C. Watts, there is now no black Republican in Congress. "It is a worrisome development for a party trying to sell itself as the home of compassionate conservatism," clucks the Washington Post. Indeed, many Republicans are actively recruiting Mr. Watts to return to Congress if Sen. Don Nickles retires next year.</p>