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COMMERCIAL COLUMNIST J.C. WATTS -- CONGRESS TURNS A BLIND EYE TO THE FINANCIAL ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM -- SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2007 Excerpt "Congress is sticking its nose into speculation of some evangelists’ matters, while everyone in Congress has the facts lying before them regarding the financial shenanigans of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These two taxpayer-supported financial organizations have restated their earnings and skewed their financial statements to an extent that would make any Enron or WorldComm executive blush. Executives from both companies have resigned under a cloud with billions of dollars unaccounted for. Every member of Congress is...

I’m a hustler baby, I’m a hustlerI just want you to know, wanna let you knowIt ain’t where I been, it ain’t where I beenBut where I’m ’bout to go, top of the world!—Jay Z The race hustlers can almost taste it now—Obama at the top of the world. And now Spike Lee, Maxine Waters, Jeremiah Wright, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, et al. are joined by a new hustler-wannabe—Howard Dean. Yes, the Dean of scream. Yaaaaaaaaaaah! Whether he made a Freudian slip or not last week, Dean reminded me of the pathetic, race-confused “Raji” as played by Vince Vaughn in the...

When folks in Washington want to find out what's on the mind of the American people, they tune in to CNN or Fox News and listen to the best of the Washington talking heads. Not me. I have breakfast at my favorite diner in Eufaula, my hometown in Oklahoma. Last week, the folks at J.M.s Restaurant weren't talking about senators Obama and McCain, or the fact the Iraqi government has al Qaeda on the run. They were talking about energy prices. They were talking about the fact it costs $80 to fill up their cars and $120 to fill up...

Recent comments by well-known black Republicans J.C. Watts and Armstrong Williams that they're conflicted about the upcoming presidential elections and are contemplating voting for Barack Obama have sent shock waves through the Republican Party. I'm hearing many black Republicans echoing similar sentiments. They say that because of the historical significance of casting a vote for the first legitimate black presidential candidate, they may cross party lines. These statements don't surprise me.

n the mid 1980’s I debated Gloria Steinhem on the Phil Donahue show, during the presidential campaign where Geraldine Ferraro was the first woman Vice Presidential candidate. The assumption by feminists, like Gloria, was that all women should vote for Geraldine because she was a woman. I asked her if she would be supporting Phyllis Schlafly if she were the candidate instead of Geraldine and if she would be offended if I made that same assumption. When Allen Keyes was running for president, as probably one of the most brilliant candidates we have ever seen, he was ignored by the...

Two black conservatives -- one a pastor, the other a leader of an urban ministry -- say they can't understand why a number of black Republicans have publicly said they are considering voting for Barack Obama this election. It should be about character, they say, not skin color. Ken Hutcherson, an African-American pastor in suburban Seattle, says black conservatives who are supporting Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama must remember what they have been saying about race for decades. Several prominent conservative African-Americans have said they are at least considering supporting Obama because of his race. The list includes talk-show host...

WASHINGTON - Black conservative talk show host Armstrong Williams has never voted for a Democrat for president. That could change this year with Barack Obama as the Democratic Party's nominee. "I don't necessarily like his policies; I don't like much that he advocates, but for the first time in my life, history thrusts me to really seriously think about it," Williams said. "I can honestly say I have no idea who I'm going to pull that lever for in November. And to me, that's incredible." Just as Obama has touched black Democratic voters, he has engendered conflicting emotions among black...

Former Oklahoma congressman J.C. Watts says he's thinking about voting for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. The last black Republican to serve in the U.S. House, Watts says he criticizes his party for neglecting the black community

One of today's Yahoo News headlines informs us that 'Black conservatives [are] conflicted on Obama campaign.' Armstrong Williams, Rep. J.C. Watts, General Colin Powell, Senator Edward Brooke and, sadly, my friend Joseph C. Phillips may be falling into the trap which I have repeatedly described--one lined with pride and with fear: pride of race and fear that Obama is the last chance for a black president to be elected. (GOPAC chairman Michael Steele isn't going for the okey doke, however; but that may be only due to his position.) People say that women have problems thinking objectively and strategically. Well,...

WASHINGTON - Black conservative talk show host Armstrong Williams has never voted for a Democrat for president. That could change this year with Barack Obama as the Democratic Party's nominee. ADVERTISEMENT "I don't necessarily like his policies; I don't like much that he advocates, but for the first time in my life, history thrusts me to really seriously think about it," Williams said. "I can honestly say I have no idea who I'm going to pull that lever for in November. And to me, that's incredible." Just as Obama has touched black Democratic voters, he has engendered conflicting emotions among...

For most of my adult life I took an oath to a simple document, the US Constitution, to support and defend it against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same. My allegiance is to America, its people, and their rights as put forth in that superb document. I shall not discard my principles and commitment to my God and Country, just because. I applaud Senator Obama for his accomplishment, however, there is no way I will vote for someone that is so contrary to my beliefs in lower taxes, limited government, individual...

WASHINGTON (AP) — Black conservative talk show host Armstrong Williams has never voted for a Democrat for president. That could change this year with Barack Obama as the Democratic Party's nominee. "I don't necessarily like his policies; I don't like much that he advocates, but for the first time in my life, history thrusts me to really seriously think about it," Williams said. "I can honestly say I have no idea who I'm going to pull that lever for in November. And to me, that's incredible." Just as Obama has touched black Democratic voters, he has engendered conflicting emotions among...

Black conservatives conflicted on Obama campaign By FREDERIC J. FROMMER, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON - Black conservative talk show host Armstrong Williams has never voted for a Democrat for president. That could change this year with Barack Obama as the Democratic Party's nominee. "I don't necessarily like his policies; I don't like much that he advocates, but for the first time in my life, history thrusts me to really seriously think about it," Williams said. "I can honestly say I have no idea who I'm going to pull that lever for in November. And to me, that's incredible." Just as...

J.C. Watts thinks the uproar over statements by Barack Obama's one-time pastor illustrates the need for a national black TV news channel. Watts, who hopes to get one running by the summer 2009, tells The Associated Press that the voice of blacks is often missing from political debates, including the one over the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. "We hope to be the single destination for reliable, credible, informational resources for the African-American community," Watts says. "The critical thing is to allow the community to create a platform to be involved in the economic, social and political debates taking place across the...

Oklahoma City (AP) -- J.C. Watts thinks the uproar over statements by Barack Obama's one-time pastor illustrates the need for a national black TV news channel. Watts, who hopes to get one running by the summer 2009, tells The Associated Press that the voice of blacks is often missing from political debates, including the one over the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. "We hope to be the single destination for reliable, credible, informational resources for the African-American community," Watts says. "The critical thing is to allow the community to create a platform to be involved in the economic, social and political debates...

I started focusing on the political process in the mid-to-late 80's. For as long as I've been involved, it has been generally accepted that Ronald Reagan's success was keyed to his ability to bring the three legs of the conservative movement to stand together -- the foreign policy, economic, and social conservatives. Today, I believe the Republican and Democrat establishments would love nothing more than for the social conservatives to sit down and shut up, but they know this demographic can still really impact an election. It is harder for social conservatives to win elections by themselves these days. They...

I started focusing on the political process in the mid-to-late '80s. For as long as I've been involved, it has been generally accepted that Ronald Reagan's success was keyed to his ability to bring the three legs of the conservative movement to stand together -- the foreign policy, economic and social conservatives. Today, I believe the Republican and Democrat establishments would love nothing more than for the social conservatives to sit down and shut up, but they know this demographic can still really impact an election. It is harder for social conservatives to win elections by themselves these days. They...

Today's Guest: J.C. Watts To talk with Sean during his show call: 800.941.7326 LISTEN LIVE ONLINE MON - FRI 3PM - 6PM EST Listen here:

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One of the things that has driven me crazy about my fellow evangelicals in this election is their mercurial, erratic and sometimes arbitrary approach to selecting their candidates for president. Early in the Republican primary process we had a front-runner to whom none of the evangelical "leaders" could warm, and when John McCain imploded early on, you could almost hear the sighs of relief rising up from Colorado Springs. Then came the dance with Fred Thompson, but he waited too long to buy his dance card, and Fred's last dance was his first. All the while, we had the former...

If conventional wisdom holds true and John McCain ends up the last man standing in this year’s Republican primary, he’s going to have his work cut out for him in the general election. It’s no secret that many conservatives — not just Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham and Ann Coulter — have major problems with McCain’s positions on a wide range of issues, as well as with many of the less than conservative, if not downright liberal, pieces of legislation he’s attached his name to. One man’s “maverick” is another man’s “mealy-mouthed moderate.” However, if McCain does get the...

The purpose of this petition is simple... to convince Senator John McCain to put former Congressman JC Watts on the Republican ticket in 2008. Congressman Watts is a man of high character, a committed social and economic conservative, a business man, a former national leader in the Republican Congress, a spokesman and advocate of Republican ideals, and uniquely prepared to be the President of the United States. JC can unite the Republican Party by bringing together conservatives of all stripes and bridging the gap between Senator McCain and many in his own party that have disagreed with him in the...

Short List of possible VP Candidates: Romney, Huckabee, Coburn, Hunter, Thompson, DeMint, Sessions, Lynn Cheney, Ingraham, Rush, Mark Levin, Lieberman, Giuliani, Condy Rice, Colin Powell, Rumsfeld, JOhn Bolton, Pawlenty, Sanford, Stallone, Chuck Norris, J. C. Watts, Jeb Bush, Michael Steele Any others? Have at it.

It seems like only yesterday. In 1990, I first entered politics in Oklahoma. I ran for a seat on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the agency tasked with regulating public utilities and our oil and gas industry. The nine-year incumbent against whom I was running gave me an issue that was like a gift from Santa Claus. One of our major utilities had overcharged ratepayers to the tune of almost $30 million, and he had voted to let the offending public utility keep the windfall to upgrade its infrastructure. I felt the ratepayers deserved their money back, whether it was $50...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've noted in presidential campaigns present and past that most viable candidates are always looking to "enlarge their territory" by appearing before groups that may not be obvious constituencies. To wit: Seven short years after referring to Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and other evangelical leaders as "agents of intolerance," John McCain was the commencement speaker at Falwell's Liberty University this past spring. This is referred to in political circles as expanding your base. Or mending fences. To wit again: Rudy Giuliani, America's mayor, who has not been known as a friend of the Second...

There's wishful thinking, and there's also masochism.... Does GOP care about the black vote? J.C. WattsCorrect me if I'm wrong, but I've noted in presidential campaigns present and past that most viable candidates are always looking to "enlarge their territory" by appearing before groups that may not be obvious constituencies.To wit: Seven short years after referring to Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and other evangelical leaders as "agents of intolerance," John McCain was the commencement speaker at Falwell's Liberty University this past spring.This is referred to in political circles as expanding your base. Or mending fences.To wit again: Rudy Giuliani, America's...

I once heard a fellow say, "If you don't believe it, it's not because there's not enough evidence for you to believe it." As in so many circumstances in politics, this pearl of wisdom applies to the war in Iraq. Democrat leadership keeps saying they don't and won't believe that we're having success in Iraq, but it's not because things aren't going favorably for the good guys. Such is the case with the Democrat leadership on all matters Iraq. Maybe it's just me, but I'm thinking the Democrats have invested a lot in seeing the United States not win in...

Robert Byrd, the West Virginia Democrat, referred to this act as "barbaric." In case you missed it the first time, he repeated it. Again. And again. And yet again. Byrd acknowledged that he's witnessed one execution in his life, but wouldn't mind seeing another "if it involves this cruel, sadistic, cannibalistic business." The gentleman from West Virginia got pretty worked up over the whole thing. "How inhuman! How dastardly!" bellowed the senator. But wait. There's more! "Barbaric!" he yelled. "Let that word resound from hill to hill, and from mountain to mountain, and valley to valley across the broad land....

Newman is a good actor. I really liked him in "The Sting" when I was a high school kid. I didn't get to many movies at that age, what with football, baseball, basketball and chores, but that movie is one I'll never forget. Great ending. "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" was another of his better efforts. "Cool Hand Luke," "Fort Apache, the Bronx," "The Towering Inferno," "Slap Shot," all good stuff. He makes a tasty salad dressing, too. But Newman's politics aren't nearly as appetizing. I wish he'd stick to what he knows. The legendary star of the silver...

Students at Covenant College received some reenforcement in their faith today from a former Congressman. J.C. Watts, an Oklahoma Republican and one-time preacher, spoke to students about the role God plays in their lives. Watts, who served in Congress with Fred Thompson, also voiced his support for the former Tennessee Senator's possible Presidential bid. "I define Fred Thompson as AC, what's AC? All class. He's a great guy and understands how intense and important this war is," says Watts. Although he has no future political plans, Watts believes Thompson would also be willing to tackle domestic issues, like poverty. Depite...

Most readers of this column know I appreciate competitive sports. I competed for 21 years in just about any sport that involved a ball. I enjoyed a happy and fairly respectable career in major college football and in the Canadian Football League. Football can get pretty rough in the trenches, and I'm happy to be a spectator today. Politics can get pretty rough in the trenches, too, and I'm very happy to be a spectator today. From my couch, watching the political games being played across the country, I see they are getting nastier by the day. Watching the Kerry-Kennedy-Clinton...

Eleven years ago on April 19, Timothy McVeigh parked a rented moving van in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City.He chose a parking place closest to the always busy Social Security office on the first floor, and a day-care center in which the most innocent among us were happily playing just one floor above.At 9:02 a.m., McVeigh lit a fuse in the truck in which he and fellow anti-government zealot Terry Nichols had constructed a 4,800-pound fertilizer bomb, and he ran like a coward.Seconds later, 167 people -- whom McVeigh tried and found guilty...

What does Indiana, Virginia, Colorado and Oklahoma all have in common? Yes, they are all red states. But now, they each sent one of their favorite sons to the Final Four of the Presidential March Madness II tournament. Cinderella story continues for George Mason, I mean Mike Pence. Conseravtives from Washington, DC, to Florida, through the heartland and across the country to California have rallied to support Mike Pence. Mr. President? If the shoe fits... Tom Tancredo who made immigration his bread and butter issue, certainly picked the right time to make it a national debate. Tom rolled to an...

(Columbus, March 10, 2006) J.C. Watts, former Oklahoma Congressman and national Republican leader, added his personal endorsement to Ken Blackwell’s gubernatorial campaign today. Watts endorsed Blackwell, saying, “Ken is a true conservative, who will protect the family and the taxpayer in everything he does as Governor. And, as a personal friend, I know Ken doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk. He is a good man whose faith guides his every action and speaks the truth without reservation. “We can count on Ken to be a strong leader who will move Ohio forward. He will be a great...

Been to the movies lately? If you're going to plunk down $8.50 and buy watered-down Coke and overpriced popcorn, is it asking too much for quality entertainment that occasionally affirms life and stirs the soul? For years, my friends in the church and in the pro-family movement and I have decried the products being delivered to our theaters. We have particularly pointed to an anti-religious bias in so many movies. Red-state America's response to movies that are bad in this fashion has been to whine, complain and maybe even call for an ill-fated boycott. Film critic, radio talk show host...

Where is the outrage that was manufactured to run Rush Limbaugh off the air? Is it absent because Gumbel is allegedly black? So just picture for a moment, if you will, that you're watching SportsCenter tonight and Dan Patrick says, "The lack of whites in the NBA makes it look like a welfare office." Think that would get buried like Gumbel's comments? For what it's worth, maybe Gumbel should do some research on the emerging face of the GOP.

Some cast aside traditional loyalties... Adam Hunter, an ambitious law student with bright eyes, an easy smile, and plenty of charisma, seems practically destined for politics... a first-year law student at Howard University, a historically black campus with a long record of liberal activism. He has political ambitions of his own -- but not with the Democrats. Instead, Hunter, who as an undergraduate headed Howard's chapter of College Republicans, sees himself as part of a younger generation of African-Americans. He is ready to cast aside traditional loyalties to the Democratic Party and forge his own political identity. ''There's a lot...

There were some eye-opening remarks from Bryant Gumbel on the most recent episode of HBO's Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel. According to a transcript posted by a television columnist named Seth Frelich, Gumbel said the following in his closing monologue last week (emphasis mine): "Finally, tonight, the Winter Games. Count me among those who don’t care about them and won’t watch them ... Because they’re so trying ... Like, try not to be incredulous when someone attempts to link these games to those of the ancient Greeks who never heard of skating or skiing. So try not to laugh when...

CNN has hired former Oklahoma congressman J.C. Watts Jr. to provide political commentary. Watts, a Republican, was elected in 1994 to Congress. He served 4 terms. CNN’s president Jon Klein: "J.C. is one of the most respected and effective conservative communicators in the nation's capital."

CNN has found a new conservative commentator: Former Republican congressman J.C. Watts Jr. "will join CNN as a regular contributor to offer analysis on politics and policy for programs throughout the network," Jon Klein announced today. Klein said: "J.C. is one of the most respected and effective conservative communicators in the nation's capital. We are glad to welcome him to the CNN team and look forward to his insightful contributions to our network." The P.R. says Watts is also a Republican strategist and a successful businessman. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor's degree in journalism...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Former Oklahoma congressman J.C. Watts says the Republican Party cannot survive unless it makes more inroads among blacks and other minority groups. Watts -- a Republican -- spoke to about 175 people at a dinner in downtown Little Rock last night that was held as a fundraiser for Asa Hutchinson, who is seeking the GOP nomination for Arkansas governor. Watts, who is black, said Republicans cannot sustain themselves as a party if they don't do better in non-traditional constituencies. He said that, over the next several years, Republicans have a chance to appeal to more black...

On tonight’s Hannity & Colmes, Fmr. Congressman JC Watts (R - OK) unabashedly responded to Alan’s anti-Bush question:... WATTS: Well, then, Alan, the reason you didn’t hear anything from the President today is because you listened to the Presidential response to him as opposed to listening to what he’s saying... Ouch. WATTS: Alan, it’s amazing you refuse to accept the fact that Saddam Hussein, the biggest weapon of mass destruction, is no longer in power, that he is being tried in a — under the judicial system that’s in place in Iraq. That is a big thing. We don’t have...

Former Congressman J.C. Watts said Tuesday he will not run for governor in Oklahoma next year. "I have determined that the timing for such an adventure is not right at this point in our lives," he said in a statement. He said he spent more than two months talking to voters across the state before reaching his decision. Watts is the second Republican to decide against making the race; Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin has announced she will run for re-election instead of running for governor. Their moves leave the GOP without a proven vote-getter with wide name recognition to challenge...

Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 7:12am Former Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts says he will not run for governor in 2006. by Melissa Gandall Former Republican Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts ends the speculation, saying he won't make a run for Oklahoma Governor in 2006. In an interview on KTOK's First News with Reid Mullins Tuesday morning, Watts said, 'I've decided not to make a run for Governor in the 2006 election.' "It's a tough decision but I will probably not be making that run." The former Fourth district US Representative in the House said he wouldn't ask his family to go...

Democrats in the U.S. Senate are so Pavlovian in their opposition to anything Bush that it's a good thing Justices Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg were nominated to the Supreme Court by one William Jefferson Clinton, because I doubt they would have been confirmed had they been nominated by George Walker Bush.Seriously.You've heard the stories.Even prior to any nomination, Sen. Chuck Schumer, New York's own "Dr. No," was overheard on a train chattering to some friend on his cell phone as to how he was "going to war" to obstruct and obfuscate whomever Bush were to name to the...

Jack Kemp, JC Watts To Head Butler for U.S. Senate National Fundraising Effort Lathrup Village—Two of the GOP’s most prominent national leaders have signed on as Co-Chairs of Keith Butler’s national finance committee. Jack Kemp and JC Watts, two of the Republican Party’s most prominent leaders and spokesmen have agreed to head up Keith Butler’s national fundraising efforts. “Jack and JC are two people that I greatly admire. They have both served this country with honesty and integrity. I am very grateful that they will help me in my campaign,” said Keith Butler, candidate for the U.S. Senate. The Butler...

Character is doing what's right when nobody's looking. -former Congressman J.C. Watts We sit as observers to the very worst of mean-spirited, petty abuses of power. Even before the ‘super bowl' battle to fill Supreme Court vacancies, partisan rancor and the perpetual political whizzing match between ‘us' and ‘them' has been sufficient to gag any self-respecting maggot. Once upon a time 56 remarkable men pledged to each other their lives, fortunes and sacred honor. They were honorable and good men and serious beyond the ken of contemporary would be/wannabe/supposed to be statesmen. Although the framers intended for the Constitution to...

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A statewide poll of registered voters says Democratic Governor Brad Henry would win re-election in a race with former Republican Congressman J.C. Watts. The Oklahoma Poll co-sponsored by the Tulsa World and Tulsa TV station KOTV found 48.5 percent would vote for Henry and 33.9 percent would vote for Watts. About 17.5 percent were undecided. Watts has not decided whether to run but a spokesman says he's giving the idea "serious consideration." Henry has said he will run for a second term. The poll was taken June 23rd through 27th and has a margin of error...

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A statewide poll of registered voters says Democratic Governor Brad Henry would win re-election in a race with former Republican Congressman J.C. Watts. The Oklahoma Poll co-sponsored by the Tulsa World and Tulsa TV station KOTV found 48.5 percent would vote for Henry and 33.9 percent would vote for Watts. About 17.5 percent were undecided. Watts has not decided whether to run but a spokesman says he's giving the idea "serious consideration." Henry has said he will run for a second term. The poll was taken June 23rd through 27th and has a margin of error...

J.C. WATTS: With Howard Dean, the hits just keep on coming In the final scene of the movie "Christmas Vacation," Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold receives his Christmas bonus by courier on Christmas Eve. Griswold has spent the entire season fretting about his bonus, because he has placed a down payment on a new backyard swimming pool, spending his anticipated windfall before he actually knew what was coming. (Sounds a lot like Congress ... but that's for another column). Christmas Eve has arrived without word of Griswold's bonus, and he is now on the edge of a holiday breakdown. When...