To: jlallen who wrote (64513 ) 1/6/2000 9:37:00 AM From: DMaA Read Replies (4) | Respond to of 67261
J.C. WATTS responds to Gore's racist campaign manager:J.C. WATTS LASHES OUT AT GORE OVER CAMPAIGN MANAGER'S RACE REMARKS Congressman J.C. Watts faxed an irate letter to Al Gore on Wednesday urging him to "take strong action" against his campaign manager Donna Brazile for "deeply offensive remarks... made about me, Colin Powell and all other Republican African Americans." Brazile's controversial comments were featured in Greg Pierce's column in Wednesday's WASHINGTON TIMES: "Al Gore and Bill Clinton have worked hard for the last seven years to improve the lives of African Americans and Hispanics. We now discuss race in terms of how to give people the opportunity of all Americans. On the other hand, the Republicans bring out Colin Powell and J.C. Watts because they have no program, no policy. They play that game because they have no other game. They have no love and no joy. They'd rather take pictures with black children than feed them." Below is a full transcript of the letter Watts faxed to the vice president Wednesday in response: House Republican Conference U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 January 5, 2000 Vice President Al Gore BY FAX Mr. Vice President, I am writing to express my anger over the deeply offensive remarks your campaign manager Donna Brazile made about me, Colin Powell and all other Republican African Americans. Her racist remarks quoted in the Washington Times this morning are appalling. Attacking black Republicans for not caring about other blacks is a cheap political stunt that only hurts and divides Americans. Racist remarks such as hers go beyond whatever political motive she may have had and degrade our entire society. I am particularly outraged by her claim that black Republicans would rather "take pictures of children than feed them." She has personally attacked two black Americans who have worked hard to help African Americans, particularly children. I have spent the last seven years in Congress working to bring renewal and hope to poor communities across this nation left behind by our recent prosperity. My American Communities Renewal Act would lift all the poor, certainly including African American children. Mr. Colin Powell's work to encourage the spirit of volunteerism across this country has no equal. Even President Clinton joined Mr. Powell's successful drive to launch a new era of service and volunteerism that will help American children of all races. I find it particularly ironic that she would condemn black Republicans for having "no love and no joy" when her own remarks are so bitter and hurtful Unfortunately for you, I believe those remarks have cheapened your campaign and alienated black Americans who resent being used as political pawns. I urge you to take strong action to make sure Ms. Brazile doesn't further damage your presidential hopes. After all, a president should lead all Americans. Sincerely, J.C. Watts, Jr. Chairman House Republican Conferencedrudgereport.com