Black leaders call on Kerry to refocus

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Sen. John Kerry is losing the interest of black voters after spending several weeks defending his Vietnam service records and responding to attacks from fellow swift boat sailors, but black lawmakers said the Democratic challenger needs to get back to his domestic-policy ideas in order to boost black voter turnout on Nov. 2.

"He cannot let himself get sidetracked and taken off focus by Swift Boat ads. He must stick to the issues affecting African-Americans," said Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Maryland Democrat and chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). By and large, he said, "We don't care about swift boats."

Rep. Melvin Watt, North Carolina Democrat, said there is a concern that turnout could be low in this election if black voters are not motivated by the candidates' platform.

"We're always concerned about turnout, and it's not necessarily related to Kerry; we are always looking to get more folks involved in the process," Mr. Watt said.

Mr. Watt, like several members of the caucus, endorsed Sen. John Edwards during the primary season. He said Mr. Edwards' selection as the vice-presidential candidate "strengthened" his support for the Democratic ticket.

The CBC held its 34th annual legislative conference last week, hosting hundreds of black state representatives, city council members and mayors from across the country. Most shared Mr. Watt's position on Mr. Kerry, saying he has "100 percent" of their support, but not necessarily their enthusiasm.

"And we know Kerry cannot win without the black vote," Mr. Cummings added.

Bill Clinton received 82 percent of the black vote in 1992 and 84 percent in his 1996 re-election campaign, and Al Gore received 90 percent in 2000.

Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald, California Democrat, said the rhetoric on Vietnam records "absolutely" has received too much attention.

"We should not any further talk about 35 years ago when the [1965] Voting Rights Act will be revisited next year, [and] we have the possibility of four Supreme Court justices looking to retire. Those are critical issues," Mrs. Millender-McDonald said.