Ticker Tape

Jet, Dec 11, 2000 by Simeon Booker

Confidential: During the tense stalemate between the country's major political parties, the most sought-after Black is retired General Colin Powell. Republicans under Texas Governor George Bush want to land him as the Secretary of State if the party manages to hold on to the White House. Powell, however, has made no decision to take a post until a GOP victory is properly certified ...

Caught in the national controversy of which party won the November election for the White House is Donna Brazile, the first Black ever to direct a major presidential campaign effort. Known for "her sledgehammer sound bites," for the national press Brazile brought a strong direction as manager of the Al Gore campaign which ended in a historic presidential election deadlock with the Bush campaign.... Making a quiet unofficial visit to the nation's capital was Robert J. Brown, chairman of his own B and C Associates of High Point, NC, a former White House aide (under the Nixon administration) and a major exponent of minority enterprise ... Among those heading into Florida to help candidate Gore were Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, D.C.'s Eleanor Holmes Norton and New York City's the Rev. Al Sharpton ... One of the few Black lawyers utilized in Florida was Atty. Jeff Robinson ... The biggest item of conversation among Black Democrats is who will replace Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina as the next chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Campaigning for the seat is Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and Texas Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson. With the House narrowly divided, the strategies of the Caucus with its 38 votes could become a national issue.