GOP leader says Confederate flag should come down

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- Rep. J.C. Watts of Oklahoma, the only black Republican in Congress, believes the Confederate battle flag should come down from above the state capitol of South Carolina. Watts,

Thursday, February 10th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- Rep. J.C. Watts of Oklahoma, the only black Republican in Congress, believes the Confederate battle flag should come down from above the state capitol of South Carolina. Watts, the fourth-ranking official of the GOP House leadership, refused Tuesday to criticize Republican presidential candidates for declining to take a similar stand. "I personally believe the flag should come down," Watts told USA Today's editorial board. He said he understands where GOP presidential front-runners George W. Bush and John McCain "are coming from."

Watts said it's unfair to criticize Republicans when many South Carolina Democrats favor keeping the flag flying. "We've got to be careful," he said. "We don't want this to become a Republican issue." Asked whether Bush or McCain could improve their standing among black voters by selecting a black running mate, Watts quipped: "I don't think Colin Powell would be interested." Watts is often mentioned as a potential vice presidential candidate.