Prometheus 6

'Black Jesse Helms' battles for GOP votes
By Ralph Z. Hallow
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

A North Carolina newspaper meant to chastise Republican Vernon Robinson when it declared: "Jesse Helms is back! This time, he's black."

Now that quote has become Mr. Robinson's campaign slogan as he battles seven other 5th District congressional candidates in the July 20 Republican primary.

The Helms name is powerful among North Carolina Republicans, and even if the retired conservative senator is actually supporting one of Mr. Robinson's rivals, being dubbed "the black Jesse Helms" is a big boost for a candidate in a district where 88 percent of residents are white and most vote Republican.