Federal Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson, a black man and Republican, urged African-Americans here Saturday to look beyond party labels to support the re-election bid of U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo.

"Don't worry about the 'R' and 'D.' Just say he's a great human being," Jackson told about 300 blacks at a downtown luncheon.

The Democratic Party may feel it has a monopoly on blacks, Jackson said. "We as black people have got to say, 'We don't care where help comes from, as long as it comes.'"

Talent, a native of St. Louis County, said he wants to be a "champion" for issues in the black community. At the start of the two-hour event, Talent sang along to a rousing rendition of the so-called Black National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing."