Watts said he hopes his organization can help his party build up its outreach to ethnic minorities.
“What J.C. is doing is helping to repair that bridge and build a bridge,” said Chamberlayne, who also advised then-Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., on minority outreach.
Rodell Mollineau, a former Reid aide who now works for the Democratic super PAC American Bridge 21st Century, lauded Watts for his effort and said the former congressman’s new group is a positive development for those interested in encouraging ethnic diversity on Capitol Hill. But Mollineau questioned whether Watts would be successful given that minorities tend to identify as Democrats, particularly since President Barack Obama was first elected in 2008.
“As an African-American I welcome all different venues for bringing more diversity to Congress and the administration,” Mollineau said. “But people come to Washington, D.C., to work on issues they believe in, and Congressman Watts needs to ask himself whether he can find minorities willing to fight for the things the Republican Party stands for.”
The Rev. Jesse Jackson appears at the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church on M Street Northwest for a pre-rally before a march to the White House to protest what is seen as President Barack Obama's lack of action in addressing a variety of problems in black communities.
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