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Sunday, January 06, 2002
During the debate about home rule before the 1998 referendum in Allegheny County, some African-American leaders -- aided and abetted by white Democrats from the barnacle-encrusted local party machine -- opposed it out of suspicion and fear.
Fortunately, home rule passed, the narrow margin of victory owing something to the enlightened backing of others such as the Urban League of Pittsburgh's Esther Bush and city Councilman Sala Udin, who realized the potential for greater minority clout in the new government.
Today, those who had foresight stand vindicated: James Simms is the president of Allegheny County Council, the highest office an African American has held in the 214 years of county government.
It is a historic moment, and one without any taint of tokenism. In the circumstances, he was simply the best candidate for the job, not only as a person of stature but also the one most able to balance the Democratic majority of nine and the Republican minority of six (with Republican Chief Executive Jim Roddey above them).
To be sure, most of his fellow Democrats did not think so. The Baptist minister recently angered many fellow party members with his decisive vote to kill living-wage legislation, and he needed the support of the only other African American on council, Democrat Brenda Frazier, to prevail in an 8-7 vote for council president.
His vote against the so-called living-wage bill last month may have recommended him to the six Republicans who voted for him, but it doesn't necessarily suggest the kind of crude deal that some Democrats cynically suspect. It is just as likely that he voted on principle and parlayed that decision into political advantage (as Jerry Seinfeld used to say: not that there's anything wrong with that).
Deal or no deal, the Republicans ultimately voted for Mr. Simms because they saw someone with a streak of independence who was willing to be open-minded and flexible -- which are excellent qualities for any prospective council president.
The Democrats on council would be well advised to get over their case of the sulks and not slight Mr. Simms' sincerity. Mr. Roddey did not hesitate to lay Mr. Simms' success at the door of the Republican council members, and that carries an implicit warning that Democrats can't take their minority support for granted.
Indeed, the truth is rather damning: White Democrats didn't help Mr. Simms make history, but white Republicans (from the suburbs, no less) did. Unless they are completely tone deaf to the aspirations of African Americans, the Democrats on council will back Mr. Simms wholeheartedly now that they have done their worst.