Originally published in the Daily Press.
E. W. Jackson is an African-American who is running for U.S. Senate – as a Republican.
There was a time where the Republican Party was the only party that black Americans supported — and the only party where blacks were able to run as candidates. Those times have changed.
So, these days, most politicos would consider Jackson to be somewhat of an anomaly.
“I am not an African-American. I am an American!” Jackson exhorts. “I am not hyphenated, bifurcated or demarcated. I am an American. I love my country.”
The extremely poetic and highly energetic evangelical pastor certainly knows how to work a crowd of conservatives and get them on their feet.
But while Jackson is motivating crowds of conservatives across Virginia, he knows that his race is unlikely to sway many of his fellow black Virginians to his cause.
African-Americans vote in overwhelming numbers for Democrats.
Just because a Republican candidate is black, doesn’t mean that they will be successful with black voters either.
In Virginia’s 3rd District, black Republicans Winsome Sears and Chuck Smith both attempted to unseat Congressman Bobby Scott. Scott easily cruised to victory both times.
Speaking of the 3rd District, a majority-minority district, Obama carried it by nearly 52 points in 2008.
So, if you’re a member of the “Party of Lincoln”, regardless of race, you have some work to do in the black community.
“I do not believe Republicans need to change our message or philosophy of government, but I do believe that we need to boldly make the case to minority communities that conservative principles will produce a much better life for them and their families because it works for all Americans,” says Jackson. “[Minorities] have been told for so long that they need some specific approach which recognizes their “victim” status and that we conservatives are against them…[we need] to help them see that Republican philosophy is not anti-minority, but pro-individual.”
Would a Jackson candidacy help outreach into the black community?
Probably not.
So, if you were even thinking of voting this June for Jackson because he might help Republicans beat Obama based on race – don’t.
Would a Jackson nomination get the GOP back to core conservative principles?
You bet.
Jackson is inspirational, gets great response throughout Virginia, and is a coalition builder.
Jackson’s ability to motivate and inspire with his speaking ability, combined with his aptitude to appeal to social, fiscal, and national security conservatives, puts him in a category that none of his competitors, perhaps even the likely nominee, George Allen, can match.
The reality is that Jackson is qualified to be a U.S. senator.
Here is a Marine Corps veteran, Harvard-trained attorney (but “didn’t drink the kool-aid”), successful businessman, and man of God, seeking only to serve.
That’s quite a resume.
But Jackson can’t compete with Allen in money. He can’t compete with Allen in party support. And he is almost out of time.
But Jackson and his supporters should be proud.
While Jackson may not win this GOP primary, he has emerged as a winner in this campaign. He has run his campaign with style, energy, and principle. And he has given himself a future beyond June — something the other campaigns that participated will not likely be able to claim.
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