10/24/00 4:05 p.m.
NY's Other History-Making Woman
Someone other than Hillary.

Robert A. George is an editorial page writer
for the New York Post------------------------------------RAGGEDmail@aol.com

ecause of Rick Lazio, history may be made in New York state this year. An artificial barrier that many thought should have been toppled long ago will likely fall. Of course, it involves a woman.

Oh, by the way it's not Hillary Rodham Clinton.

It is true that if HRC wins her race in two weeks, she will be the first First Lady elected to office. On a more parochial sense, Hillary would — surprisingly — be the first woman running on her own (i.e., not as a governor's running mate, for example) elected statewide in New York. Yes, strange but true, "liberal" New York — unlike California — has yet to have a female governor or senator. Hillary! hopes to become the first.

That said, the person who has the greater opportunity to "make history" is Joan Johnson. She is running for New York's second congressional district (which encompasses a large portion of Long Island). She is, succinctly, running to replace Rick Lazio. She happens to be African-American. If she wins, she'll be the first black Republican woman in the House of Representatives — ever.

The current polls have Johnson ahead and the most recent FEC reports give her a more than 4-1 cash advantage. Lazio is easily defeating Hillary Clinton in his old district.

On the bedrock issues such as taxes, education, and support for the military, Joan Johnson fits right in. But Johnson will certainly not increase the House's "conservative" numbers. She is clearly liberal on both abortion and gun control. In this particular swing district, those views should not cost her. In the very tight race to keep the GOP in control of the House, Johnson is a strong candidate.

But while not a symbol for the conservative cause, Johnson's election would be living proof that the Republican National Convention was about more than just public relations. Her election would demonstrate that the party truly practices the inclusion and diversity that George W. Bush has been talking about the stump.

While identity politics are can be loathsome, they have something of a strong tradition in New York. Furthermore, it's still a fact that there is only one black Republican in the House of Representatives. From a purist standpoint, that shouldn't matter. But recognizing political reality, it does. Just think of how many broadcast and newsprint pieces begin with a variation of, "J.C. Watts, the lone black Republican in Congress." Johnson will at least force some change in that particular script. Interestingly, the 66-year old Islip town clerk has been a Republican her entire life. She says to this day, she associates the Democratic party as much with Jim Crow laws as with civil rights.

Johnson, of course, fully supports the GOP's recent outreach efforts, though she just says that the message should be a simple one: "Come on home." She pulls no punches about the need for African-Americans to get involved in the GOP. "Politics is a tool. It's important that we become participants. Voting isn't enough. It's being involved in both parties. Until we leverage our vote, we will never, ever, experience the true American Dream."

If she wins, Johnson will inevitably be held up by the media as yet another symbol. That's all well and good. But, Johnson, a woman of a quiet and unassuming disposition, does not seem like a publicity hound such as Carol Mosely-Braun was in the Senate. Instead, Johnson is a no-nonsense grandmother who seems more interested in getting things done rather than being someone's convenient role model.

With two weeks to go and regardless of what occurs in the Senate race, there could be some really positive news coming out of the Empire State.

Something's happening on Long Island.