DNC recruits two blacks who worked for Clinton

Two black appointees from the Clinton administration have been brought on board by the Democratic National Committee in an effort to quell dissent that arose after a plan to fire 10 black DNC staffers was made public in late May.

Alexis Herman, who served as President Clinton’s labor secretary from 1997 to 2000, will serve as a peacemaker between the DNC and the Congressional Black Caucus after caucus members were rankled by the planned terminations, a CBC source said.

In addition, Ben Johnson, who ran President Clinton’s Initiative for One America program, has been named a vice chairman of the DNC.

DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe met with the caucus last week at its weekly lunch after several members questioned his leadership abilities in the wake of the layoffs, which Mr. McAuliffe halted and called a “mistake.”

At the meeting, Mr. McAuliffe vowed to work with the caucus on key issues as the party looks for redemption after major losses in the 2002 midterm elections.

Miss Herman is close to both Mr. McAuliffe and several members of the CBC and will be a good mediator, the source said. She could not be reached for comment.

Mr. Johnson was hired at the suggestion of several members of the DNC’s black caucus.

“I will give whatever help I can to make sure everybody is represented,” Mr. Johnson said yesterday. “There were issues within the Democratic Party, and as we go forward through the year, we will correct those deficiencies. What we are trying to do is make an America where everyone has opportunities.”

Mr. Johnson has been eyed for a place with the national party, to fill a role formerly held by former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson.

The move may have been made now because of the recent flap over the firings, said Donna Brazile, who heads the DNC’s Voting Rights Institute.

“Ben Johnson has tremendous credibility,” Miss Brazile said. “He has tremendous contacts throughout the country … and he brings national credibility.”

One of Mr. Johnson’s main boosters for the move was Joel Ferguson, a Michigan businessman and a prominent member of the DNC’s black caucus.

He said that the addition of two former Clinton staffers can only be good for the party.

“The more of Bill Clinton we can have, the better,” Mr. Ferguson said.

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