What Color is A Conservative?: My Life and My Politics [JC Watts on C-Span2 Rocks!]

C-Span 2, Book TV ^ | Jan. 25, 2003 - replayed Jan. 26 11PM est | JC Watts

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Public Lives
A look at biography books.

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On Saturday, January 25 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, January 26 at 11:00 pm

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What Color is A Conservative?: My Life and My Politics
J.C. Watts, Jr.

Description: In a talk given at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Birthplace, J.C. Watts, Jr., former Congressman from Oklahoma, shares his opinions on a variety of subjects, including 9-11, the impending war against Iraq, and racial politics. Mr. Watts is the author of "What Color is a Conservative? My Life and My Politics." In the memoir, Mr. Watts writes about his childhood growing up in a poor family, the lessons he learned playing quarterback for the University of Oklahoma and as a Baptist preacher. He also recounts his experiences in politics and his position as the only Black Republican in Congress.

Author Bio: J.C. Watts, Jr., former 4th District congressional representative from Oklahoma, completed serving his fourth and final term in January 2003. After being elected to the Congress in 1994, Mr. Watts rose to become the chairman of the Republican conference in the House of Representatives. He is a minister and the father of six.

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers 10 East 53rd Street New York, NY 10022

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Freepers, heads up re. J.C.'s repeat appearance on C-Span2 tomorrow night.

He's a powerful and honest speaker, and covers the war efforts, partisan politics (he thinks it's good - sigh), race, without backing down or apologizing.

J.C. is going to continue to be a leader in the party...a tough guy, a drill sargent. He is not going away.

We are so fortunate. (^:

[DrDeb]

I'm watching him too -- GREAT STUFF!!!

[error99]

"...partisan politics (he thinks it's good - sigh)..."
Why the sigh?

[goodnesswins]

YEP...he's a great one....HONEST....wonder what's up next for him.

[EdReform]

BTTT!

[Arkinsaw]

I'm glad he's going to continue speaking, but we sure miss him being where he was.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Why the sigh?

I'd rather see the members of the current Democratic leadership - and their vast mainstream leakers and "objective" terrorist sympathizers in the newsmedia on an island, out of the way, for the duration of the war.

J.C.'s right.

Sigh.

[Balata]

J.C. Watts is a breath of fresh air. The reason he likes partisan politics is because he likes independent thinkers. Unfortunately, perhaps a majorty of Americans don't fit into that category.

[PhiKapMom]

Just wait -- J.C. will be back in Republican politics very soon if Sen Nickles decides not to seek another term when his term is up in 2004! At least that is the rumor here in OK which would make J.C. not only the frontrunner for the Senate seat but the most likely winner.

When J.C. runs a campaign he runs it like he is always behind even when way ahead and is a great campaigner. We all look forward to having J.C. back in Oklahoma politics in the near future!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I'm glad he's going to continue speaking, but we sure miss him being where he was.

Amen. After hearing him speak tonight, away from the wearing battles in DC and able to see the big picture - his leaving Washington may be his greatest contribution to the party and country.

JC as leader of the RNC opposite Terry McAuliffe - talk about a clear distinction between good and evil. (^;

[MarkDel]

PhiKapMom,

Boy that would be GREAT if J.C. Watts were to replace Don Nickles as a Senator from Oklahoma. I love Watts, and as much as I hate to admit it...because he's on our side...Nickles is not the most intelligent guy on the block.

[PistolPaknMama]

God bless Mr. Watts. I heard him speak at CPAC a couple of years ago. He's simply awesome.

[Kuksool]

Senator J.C. Watts. I like the sound of that. Did you know that Don Nickles helped J.C. Watts leave the Democrap planation? In 1980 when J.C Watts was still in college, he watched a Senatorial debate and decided that he agreed more with the GOP candidate known as Don Nickles. This event caused him to give the GOP another look. How fitting it would be if J.C Watts becomes the heir to Don Nickles's Senate seat.

[MarkDel]

Kuksool, no I did not realize that. I really like Nickles' politics, but man he can say some dumb things from time to time.

[PhiKapMom]

I have heard J.C. tell that story! In fact he was relating it to my daughter at the Cole Watch Party when she was telling him she was majoring in Journalism. He was there at that debate for The Oklahoma Daily because his major was Journalism.

I cannot think of a better person to replace Senator Nickles that J.C. Watts!

[Intolerant in NJ]

Interesting talk and some thought-provoking comments: he noted that many of the conservatives who were so hard on Lott were nowhere to be seen when he (Watts) was trying to increase funding for black schools or obtain a congressional metal for Rosa Parks; he believes that racism is no longer defined by one's "color" but by what one thinks - "ideological apartheid" - so that someone like him who believes in tax reduction is automatically a "racist"; he holds that this is not a "color-blind" society and shouldn't be, since people can't choose the color they are born, God created all races, and we should appreciate and recognize them all. Well worth watching the repeat......

[Intolerant in NJ]

"Metal"="medal" - it's late.....

[Abcdefg]

Watts just recently joined the board of directors of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe RR.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you for summarizing JC's powerful comments on racism. If the mainstream news journalists gave J.C. (along w/ Ken Hamblin, Thomas Sowell, Alan Keyes, Walt Williams, Jesse Lee Peterson) a voice in the public square along side Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Kofi Annan; if Americans heard from those who stress our common dreams instead of those who's very power depends on keeping us fearful, angry and divided - skin color would be as restrictive as haircolor in American society today, imho.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks for the info. J.C. could write his own ticket. (^;

Reminder to those who missed the speech, C-Span2 will be repeating it at 11 PM tonight, EST.