You wouldn't think the fight over the state flag referendum has played a role in the 2004 U.S. Senate race, but it has. Privately, leading Democrats will tell you the flap has soured the climate for prominent African-American politicians who otherwise might consider running for a top-tier statewide position -- and the chance to make a bit of history. Instead, the flag referendum -- along with the overwhelming figure of Zell Miller -- has kept strategists searching for a white, conservative Democrat who is not Mark Taylor or Cathy Cox. Last week's news that Mary Squires might seek the nomination...