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Politics : Right Wing Extremist Thread -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: John Carragher who wrote (39254)	11/23/2003 8:04:53 PM
From: Glenn Petersen	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 59480

Conservative blacks find a voice indystar.com Russ Pulliam November 23, 2003 Marvin Scott is the obvious underdog in his quest to run for the U.S. Senate against popular Democrat Evan Bayh. Bayh appears invincible, has a high approval rating and has raised several million dollars for his 2004 campaign. But Scott's campaign, win or lose, might make a contribution to breaking Democrats' near-monopoly on black voters in Indiana. If both parties have to compete for their votes, the long-term winner will be the blacks. If he gains the Republican nomination, Scott will be the first black to be named by either party as the candidate for one of the state's two top offices, U.S. Senate or governor. Scott is part of a group of more conservative blacks who believe big government is not the answer to state and national problems. "Marvin Scott represents the Democrats' worst nightmare," says U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind. "He's part of a generation of young, intelligent conservative African-American candidates." In Marion County, some of these conservatives have formed an organization, MBARI, to promote the Republican Party as an alternative for black voters. One of MBARI's founders, Isaac Randolph Jr., just won a City-County Council race. Scott first has to win the Republican nomination to challenge Bayh. He faces one challenger so far, Carmel attorney Dwight D. Wilkerson. As a Senate candidate, Scott is gaining favorable comments from fellow Republicans as well as Human Events, a national conservative publication. Former U.S. Rep. David McIntosh has endorsed Scott in the Senate race. Scott's frequent appearances at Republican events indicate that he intends to be more than a name on the ballot against Bayh. "I see him at a lot of events in my district," says state Sen. Beverly Gard, R-Greenfield. "It has to be a bit of a challenge for him. Ninety-nine percent of the areas I represent are white. . . . He certainly espouses conservative Republican principles. People admire him for the challenge he's willing to take on." Republican Secretary of State Todd Rokita adds: "I see him at a lot of places around the state. He challenges the myth that only a white male can run for office as a Republican." If Scott can make a reasonably strong showing against Bayh, he might help Republicans deliver a positive message to black voters, who lean toward the GOP's positions on some issues. For example, in the inner city, they often are the most enthusiastic supporters of alternatives to traditional public schools, such as vouchers or charter schools. "Evan Bayh remains such a popular statewide figure, it's hard to imagine him having great difficulty in seeking re-election," says Robert Schmuhl, professor of American Studies at the University of Notre Dame. "The Republicans, by featuring Marvin Scott as his opponent, send a message that the African-American vote is not exclusively the province of the Democratic Party." Win or lose, Scott could make history. He also could help Republicans compete on a more level playing field for black voters. Pulliam is associate editor of The Star. Contact him at 1-317-444-6001 or via e-mail at russell.pulliam@indystar.com .