West, Scott Approach Black Caucus Differently

Allen West and Tim Scott, Congress's two incoming black Republican members, are charting different courses on the issue of race, according to The Hill. West, R-Fla., says he will join the Congressional Black Caucus, but Scott, R-S.C., says he won’t.

"If I was a Democrat, would anyone really care?" said West, the Tea Party conservative who defeated Democratic Rep. Ron Klein in a competitive Florida district, told The Hill.

Scott downplayed the scrutiny he and West are sure to face over the next two years.

"In the end my goal is to make a difference for the people that I serve," he said. "I'm used to the questions. It's not a big deal to me at all."

Opting not to join, Scott said, is "just consistent with who I've always been."