Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 September 2000 — Page 6

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER S, 2000

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DEMOCRACY Continued from A1 on the heels of the Democratic Party Convention in Los Angeles. In reality, Boyd cannot make a viable bid in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District race. He has only $5,000 on hand—and none of it has come from the Democratic Party. His anemic campaign account is a paltry 2 percent of the $250,000 that Goode has amassed so far. “Truth is, without some serious campaign finance reforms, a ‘nobody’ has a snowball’s chance ... of beating an opponent that is wellfinanced,” said Boyd, president of the National Black Farmers Association. As much as any political campaign this year, Boyd’s cashstrapped run symbolizes the importance that campaign finance reform holds for minority candidates and voters. Unable to raise the thousands of dollars needed, even the most qualified Black candidates find themselves unable to mount a credible campaign. Simply put, in politics it is money, not skill or qualifications that counts. “It is no longer a democracy, but a plutocracy," said Sheila Krumholz of the Center for Responsive Politics, a campaign finance watchdog group in Washington, D.C. The “plutocracy” or government by the wealthy has left many Black candidates like Boyd, and consequently many Black voters, out of the loop of political power. Financially speaking, most minority candidates are closer to John Boyd, with a few thousand dollars in their campaign coffers. And that is largely because they have to rely on grassroots efforts — door-to-door campaigning and passing the hat in churches. “Their campaigns are as grassroots as it gets," said Hillary Shelton, the NAACP’s Washington lobbyist. “These are the kinds of campaigns where people at the grocery store are writing them a check, a small check. Their friends in the congregations in the church. This is the campaigning that really does personify what we think is best about grassroots-driven candidates.”

Shelton may be right. But it does not often add up to victory, particularly when the Black grassroots candidate finds himself or herself running against a well-financed white opponent. Boyd has learned that the hard way. Boyd’s run for Congress began on a positive note. In January, Virginia 5th Congressional District Rep. Virgil Goode announced that he was abandoning the Democratic Party because of ideological differences. Goode had often voted with Republicans and was one of the few Democrats who called for the impeachment of President Clinton overthe Monica Lewinsky scandal. Democrats immediately promised to make Goode pay. Boyd seemed an ideal challenger for Goode, fresh off a successful campaign that made the U.S. Department of Agriculture acknowledge that it had discriminated against Black farmers and agree to pay a multimillion dollars settlement. In May, Boyd won the party nomination in front of 210 5th District Democrats under a gleaming banner that iaid “Boyd for Congress 2000.”: Boyd gave a rousing acceptance speech that seemed to bring tears to the eyes of many delegates. He called for an inclusive Democratic Party. He pledged his support for gun safety and tobacco farmers while strengthening rural America and bringing new jobs to the district, in addition to protecting the environment and Social Security. Even Jim Seaver, Goode’s former chief of staff, who resigned after his boss’s defection, endorsed Boyd. “The district is ready for a congressman that recognizes and works for the needs of the people,” Seaver said. “We can’t afford more of the same.” “Virgil Goode and the Grand Old Party -4- the GOP — want to keep the rich rich and the poor poor,” Boyd told party delegates. “I’m totally against that. Today, I’m planting a seed.... I’m planting a seedof prosperity. I’m planting a seed of victory,” Boyd said to deafening applause. ‘Tomorrow that seed is growing.” Just three months later, Boyd’s campaign seems to have lost mo-

mentum. For one, many Democratic Party officials in the Sth District continued to support Virgil Goode even after his defection Atom the party. When party officials (net recently at a picnic to rally support for the party’s statewide and y.S. Senate races, Boyd wasn’t mentioned. One official said the failure to mention Boyd’s campaign against Goode was an oversight. The state Democratic Party says it’s solidly behind Boyd’s campaign. It doesn’t show. Federal Election Commission data analyzed by the National Newspapers Publishers Association shows that Boyd has raised just $4,300 for his campaign. Political experts say it takes at lleast $600,000 to even be competitive. Goode, on the other hand, despite his defection, continues to raise money. In fact, Goode has raised more in the 2000 election than he did in his run for office in 1998. He has even picked up financial support from conservative groups normally affiliated with the Republican Party. It is unclear whether Boyd can count on the deep pockets of special interest groups that normally give to Democratic candidates, like labor unions. Boyd has received just one PAC contribution, a $2,500 donation contribution from the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. Smith said it would be moch closer to Election Day before the committee begins to dole out financial support. That Boyd does not have the party’s financial support surprises him. Given that party officials in Virginia vow to pay back Congressman Goode for abandoning the Democrats, “ I expected some support early on,” Boyd said. Despite the lack of support, though, Boyd said he is committed to winning the race against Goode. “In the end, I will win this race with the aid of my constituents and not the Democratic Party,” he said. if Shortchanged was produced by iheNNPA Foundation ‘sNorthStar Investigative Reporting Program with funding from the J. Roderick Mac Arthur Foundation.

Minority Vendor Fair

Cultural Institutions - Untapped Resources

* 4 * ' - »

Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2000 3pm to 6pm Dolphin Gallery at the Indianapolis * Zoo —downtown, 1200 W. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46222

The Indianapolis Zoological Society wishes to thank the SAFECO Foundation for underwriting this event. The Minority Vendor Fair is presented in conjunction with: Indiana Black Chamber of Commerce Indiana Department of Administration Asian American Alliance

SSpS ■■■■ni| lii In linn • Indianapolis Museum of Art • Indianapolis Opera • Indianapolis Symphony • Indianapolis Zoological ~ • National Collegiate Association "11 • Phoenix Theatre ,0* President Benjamin Harrison Home • White Rivet Sure and more!

Reservations are not required and there is no charge to attend this event. Call 317/630-2014 for additional information

1200 West Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46222 ByjC

Open 9 am Daily • www.indianapoliszoo.com

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