WASHINGTON - Oklahoma Rep. J.C. Watts, the only black Republican in Congress and one of the party's congressional leaders, announced Monday that he is retiring, handing Republicans a setback at a time when the GOP has been trying to increase its diversity and reach out to minorities.

Watts' departure, amid talk that he was frustrated at being shut out of important decisions, leaves the GOP without a high-profile African-American leader and only a handful of black Republican politicians in the pipeline.

"They know they have a problem, and it's a long-term problem," said David Bositis, an expert on black politicians and voters at the Washington-based Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

From the moment he arrived in Congress in 1995 when Rep. Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., took over as speaker at the start of the "Republican Revolution," Watts has enjoyed a bonanza of attention. He was frequently showcased at Republican news conferences, and in 1996 he was chosen to speak at the GOP national convention. The following year he gave the party's response to President Bill Clinton's State of the Union address.

Watts' departure could have major political ramifications for the GOP.

Republican leaders acknowledged they have a problem. "There's an understanding we have a lot of work to do," said Republican National Committee spokesman Jim Dyke. "We just have to continue to focus on one positive agenda that affects all communities and the African-American community as well, and hope that provides us with an opportunity for others to take a second look at the Republican Party."

Still, Republicans insisted they are making inroads with minority voters, and they played down the notion that Watts' action means anything about their party's relationship with minorities, saying his leaving was a deeply personal decision about his family.

In Norman, Okla., where Watts gave an emotional farewell to his constituents with an American flag behind him, the congressman made no reference to racial issues, speaking instead of his "journey."

"It has been a wonderful ride. It has been a wonderful journey," said Watts, a skillful speaker, engaging personality and former football star at the University of Oklahoma. "Of course, the work of America is never done, but I believe that my work in the House of Representatives at this time in my life is completed."

Watts said he wanted to spend more time with his wife, Frankie, and their five children, but he was also known to be frustrated with his lack of clout as chairman of the Republican conference, the fourth-ranking member of the House GOP leadership.

In recent months, he mulled the possibility of running against Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, to become House majority leader, and he considered taking on Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., to become Republican whip. But both men had already quickly sewn up the votes necessary to win.

In addition, President Bush's recent decision to kill the Crusader artillery system, which was to be assembled in Watts' Oklahoma district - and the administration's failure to alert him to the decision in advance - greatly annoyed him.

Top Republicans heavily lobbied Watts not to leave. He met with House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., three times and spoke by telephone with Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and White House chief of staff Andy Card. Even civil rights legend Rosa Parks, the woman who refused to give up her seat on an Alabama bus back in 1955, wrote Watts a letter asking him to stay.

"If you can, please remain as a pioneer on the Republicans' side until others come to assist you," she wrote. "I am glad I stayed in my seat."

Watts insisted that he never intended to make a lifelong career in Congress, and he rejected suggestions that African-Americans were not wanted or appreciated by Republicans. "I don't think it says anything about the Republican Party," Watts told CNN.

Two years ago, Watts told colleagues he was thinking of leaving Congress. During a heart-to-heart discussion with Hastert at the Super Bowl, Watts said he was unhappy and asked for added responsibility to oversee the party's communication efforts, among other things. This time, sources said, Watts made no demands.

On Capitol Hill, Watts was well-liked and a frequent speaker on the fundraising circuit and campaign trail. The fact that he was unhappy was also widely discussed. But he was not particularly visible in the halls of Congress when it came to cutting deals and passing legislation.

Watts' decision was greeted by an avalanche of laudatory statements from the Republican establishment, from Bush on down, starting just minutes after he delivered his farewell.

"J.C. will leave behind a legacy of compassion and commitment to public service," said the president. "He has been a leader in highlighting the success of faith-based and community-based organizations, and thanks to his efforts, these organizations may soon have additional resources in their fight against abuse, addiction and poverty."

Hastert also praised Watts, saying his "eloquence and inspiration brought GOP values and principles directly into the working households across America."

But the departure of the only black Republican in Congress is embarrassing to the Republican Party. Though the Republican National Committee has an outreach program for African-Americans, it only began in earnest this year, Dyke said.

When asked who the up-and-coming black Republican politicians are, Dyke provided a list of 47 names - but the list included not only blacks, but also Latino and other minority candidates running for everything from sheriff to school superintendent to congressman.

In comparison, the Congressional Black Caucus is made up of nearly 40 members - all of them Democrats. Watts was offered an opportunity to join the caucus but declined. Bositis said Republicans are heading for trouble in a number of states where minority populations that are overwhelmingly Democratic are on the rise. In particular, he cited California, Texas, Florida, Georgia and potentially Illinois.

And he called the GOP "a white party," adding, "I know many black Republicans who at various times were loyal Republicans, defended the party and who became disaffected."

Democrats were positively gleeful at the announcement, which gives them another seat to shoot for as they seek to win back control of the House. Redistricting in Oklahoma gave Watts' southwestern district more Democratic voters in order to shore up Republican support for Rep. Ernest Istook, R-Okla.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe noted that Watts is the second member of the GOP leadership team to retire this year, after House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas.

"Clearly the Republican leadership sees the handwriting on the wall," McAuliffe said.

Besides creating a competitive race for Congress in Oklahoma, Watts' decision to retire has sparked a run for his leadership post in Congress, the House Republican conference chairmanship. Three lawmakers immediately said they would run _ Reps. Deborah Pryce, R-Ohio; J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz.; and Jim Ryun, R-Kan.

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(c) 2002, Chicago Tribune.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
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