The Washington Post wonders whether 2006 will be the year of the black Republican:

The three are running on similar platforms of lower taxes, smaller government, and opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage, but they come to their contests with different credentials. [Ohio Gubernatorial candidate Kenneth] Blackwell has a long resume in elective office and conservative causes. [Maryland candidate for governor Michael] Steele is a former state party chairman but has never been elected on his own. [Pennsylvania governor hopeful Lynn] Swann is a true political novice, albeit one with the star quality of a Hall of Fame wide receiver.

I would imagine it’s not easy being a black Republican. Holding views that differ from the edicts of the media-anointed “leaders of your race” will get you labeled a sell-out. It will confound white liberals who assume that your skin color is supposed to determine your political orientation. It will cause political opponents to do things like throw Oreos at you during public appearances.

It must take quite a lot of guts to promote ideas you believe in knowing full well that doing so will get you excommunicated from your own racial group by the arbiters of What It Is To Be Black.