J.C. Watts Can Speak for Himself

Earl Ofari Hutchinson’s July 8 commentary, “A Black Republican Wises Up and Opts Out,” was quite astounding. Apparently, when Rep. J.C. Watts Jr. of Oklahoma says, “I want to spend more time with my family,” Hutchinson hears, “I’ve seen the light; where do I get my passes to the next Al Gore fund-raiser?” Hutchinson further claims that most black Democrats are opposed to school vouchers, which is highly debatable. After all, those at the grass-roots forefront of the voucher movement are inner-city blacks, not exactly the Republican base.

I was also dismayed to read that the GOP will never accept blacks as equal partners in power. No doubt Condoleezza Rice, arguably the most powerful national security advisor in our history, and Secretary of State Colin Powell will also be shocked to hear this “news.”

Christopher Freeland

Oak Park

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So deluded as to presume to speak for the mythical black monolith throughout his career, Hutchinson now presumes to render his version of an individual black man’s motives--in this case, Watts, a man who, if nothing else, can speak for himself. I don’t imagine that we have heard the last from Watts in Republican politics. With President Bush enjoying 40% approval among blacks, Hutchinson’s delusional musings about the politics of race in the Republican Party smell of desperation.

Geoffrey Cushing-Murray

Studio City