Why Are Black Civil Rights Leaders Not Supporting Obama?

Yes, class and servility to the White master,

Who's servile...Obama?

I think a lot of them a caught between their pragmatism and current reality.

How can you be pragmatic and ignore current reality?

I didn't know Jesse Jackson supported Obama. I live in SC and heard just today his wife on the radio campaigning for Hillary in a commercial.

naw... did you see last year's national townhall forums that were held in city's all over the country?

Tavis Smiley invited everybody, and the responses were huge! Conservative blacks were invited. Few showed. You had to see the events or attend to get a sense of just how concerned the black community is about where corporate democrats are going. And the religious issue is gonna rankle big time as multicultural values are mostly too complicated for conservatives to figure out, let alone get on board with.

This is going to be a huge nationwide test to see whether euros can support black candidates at the state and federal level. If they don't see a serious level of committment, there will be a huge move to start a third party along the same kind of tactics that the national rifle assoc or AARP does.

Those supposed liberal issues, for most blacks are all about helping most blacks get some fair treatment, that the democrats have been paying less and less attention to.

Obama would prove to them that racism in general is a dead issue and would expect blacks to thake responsibility for their lives? A black president? Why, what will Sharpton and Jesse Jackson do with themselves?

As Glenn Ford of Black Agenda Report pointed out in his debate and critique of Obama, leaders like Jackson and Sharpton will not be out of a job if and when Obama is elected to office.

Your little racist analysis of "blacks [taking} responsibility for their lives" reflects the thoughts of many Whites and even a few Blacks in this country. (This is exactly why you have activists like Jackson and Sharpton) It's simply ironic that the Black struggle (through much blood shed and oppression) in this country been one of the few causes that has given democracy a small amount legitimacy.

The wealth of this nation was built off the backs of Black people, while racist, sexist, capitalist ideology of the White power structure continues to blame the victim while it licks it greedy fingers from the table of privilege.

Naw, it's not about Blacks taking responsibility, it's about us believing in the American dream--that phony @!$%# that brought us here and continues to keep us from rising above what's really be nothing short of a nightmare.

Euros are what Hispanics call White Folks.

They also call us Anglos.

Many Spanish words have made it into the common vernacular, and this word is one of them.

Euros? Wow, I have never heard that before, and I lived in a neighborhood in Cleveland Ohio that was 80% Puerto Rican for four years. Learn something every day.

Great post Bakari.

There's no way in hell that BET speaks for Black America. The backwards ass music videos that have been pushed on that that channel for the last twenty some odd years seriously can't reflect anything substantive about African American people. When BET founder criticizes Obama that's money talking, not politics. Plus, none of these front runner candidates are in the position to say anything about Martin L. King. If he and people like him were alive today, this country would have been taken clearly in another direction by now. Obama and Billary have no ties to King or any real radical democrats.

I'm glad to see there's a diversity of opinion there and they're not all lining up behind obama just because he's black. Shows how far this country has come, actually.

Good point.I agree.

That has been mentioned in some news organizations. Most are ignoring it because it is nothing more than mud slinging. It has been proven on several occasions that his church is not racist, there are white members of the church.

I've read through that entire website, many times when the issue was raised before. All I see are people wanting to strengthen the black community, to empower black people to live up to their full potential. I see nothing on there about "down with whitey" or any inclination in the slightest that they think they are better than white people. Am I missing something? Is it a crime to be proud of your race?

What is racist to you? What does "racism" mean? What about that church leads you to believe that they hate white people?

Is it this?

Commitment to God. "The God of our weary years" will give us the strength to give up prayerful passivism and become Black Christian Activists, soldiers for Black freedom and the dignity of all humankind.

I'm not in any way trying to tell you what racism is, but I would like for you to tell me what you think it is, and tell me how you think this church fits the bill.

This has been discussed thouroughly in the press here in Chicago. Obama's answer is pretty good on this. Basically, he argues that most people don't agree with every tenet of their Church or Synogogue or Mosque or Temple, and he doesn't agree with all the causes put forth in the Church's constitution or whatever it is called, but he agrees with most of them which is why he supports it. Certainly the Church is not racist. Here are the 12 precepts of the Black Value System which are the points of contention, none of which appear to be racist to me:

1. Commitment to God

2. Commitment to the Black Community

3. Commitment to the Black Family

4. Dedication to the Pursuit of Education

5. Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence

6. Adherence to the Black Work Ethic

7. Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect

8. Disavowal of the Pursuit of "Middleclassness"

9. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the Black Community

10. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions

11. Pledge allegiance to all Black leadership who espouse and embrace the Black Value System

12. Personal commitment to embracement of the Black Value System

Here is the 10 Point Vision of the Church found on its website:

A congregation committed to ADORATION.

A congregation preaching SALVATION.

A congregation actively seeking RECONCILIATION.

A congregation with a non-negotiable COMMITMENT TO AFRICA.

A congregation committed to BIBLICAL EDUCATION.

A congregation committed to CULTURAL EDUCATION.

A congregation committed to the HISTORICAL EDUCATION OF AFRICAN PEOPLE IN DIASPORA.

A congregation committed to LIBERATION.

A congregation committed to RESTORATION.

A congregation working towards ECONOMIC PARITY.

Here are the Links for both:

Black Value System

10 Point Vision

I find nothing racist about any of this. I also do not agree with statements about the Church only welcoming Blacks, this is wrong and has also been written about on Newsvine, I just forget where.

I find nothing racist about any of this.

This strikes me as racist-''#12 Personal Commitment to Embracement of the Black Value System. To measure the worth and validity of all activity in terms of positive contributions to the general welfare of the Black Community and the Advancement of Black People towards freedom.

''measure....worth and validity of all activity...in terms of contributions..to the ..Black Community.This seems pretty obvious-- contributions to the ''non-Black'' community don't count?

If you do't thi that souds racist-- imaie if it read istead-- ''#12 Personal Commitment to Embracement of the White Value System. To measure the worth and validity of all activity in terms of positive contributions to the general welfare of the White Community . . . ''

Well, if whites had been oppressed in this country since its inception, and whites were still the minority and did not truly have equal rights, if white people consistently got paid less for doing the same jobs as black people, and all the whites wanted was to be on equal footing, then, no, it wouldn't sound racist at all. But since that's not the case ....

Thank you, Kevin, for that. I am always amazed why people, for their own spurious reasons, continue to ignore the historical connection of white and black, treating both as though they started from the same position, with the same opportunities and the same legacies, instead of one enslaving the other.

Sameness is not equality. Black people need self affirmation FIRST before they can feel a sense of equality with the rest of the world simply because, in the face of slavery and endemic discrimination, they have to learn who they are, to value who they are and learn to accept who they are before they can begin to interact with others on anywhere near equal footing. The process is important because they cannot take pride in anything else if they have no pride in themselves and the legacy of slavery certainly did not suggest much pride in being black when they were the slaves and whites were the masters.

I remember growing up in Jamaica under British colonial rule. Let me tell you what it was like first hand:
1. Every single post of authority was held by someone white.
2. Every policy and law was framed by someone white for a country with 92% black residents.
3. Every schoolbook had not a single black face in it. We had to be reading about British heroes and activities. We were simply invisible. I didn't realise that a black person did anything of value until after we got independence.

4. In fact, the heroics of black nurse Mary Seacole in the Crimea were deliberately suppressed by the British in preference to white Florence Nightingale until a few years ago when she was fully honoured in the UK for the first time.

5. No black Jamaican could ever aspire to be leader of their own country.
6. Black people were raised to see being white as something to strive for as they were not worthy. So many looked on their hair as 'bad', their face as 'ugly', and themselves as worthless. Only white was seen as right and the tragic effects are still reverberating in Jamaica today.

I have deliberately given a brief snapshot of what it is like to be in the shadow of someone based purely on race, especially when you realise how invisible you are. That kind of mentality does not disappear overnight because it is consciously, and unconsciously, passed through generations. It takes a lot of awareness, education and, above all, self love, to escape that racist mentality and realise that we are all important - every race, creed or colour - in our own way and in our ow style. We don't need to put ourselves above or below anyone to feel valued.

Well, if whites had been oppressed in this country since its inception, and whites were still the minority and did not truly have equal rights, if white people consistently got paid less for doing the same jobs as black people, and all the whites wanted was to be on equal footing, then, no, it wouldn't sound racist at all. But since that's not the case ....

But...does that justify racism by Blacks? Two wrongs make a right?

What racism? Ensuring the advancement of your own race when nobody else seems to be looking out for you is not racism. They aren't trying to impede the advancements of whites, they just want to promote their own advancement. How is that racist, and how is that a wrong?

As I've said before, they allow white members into their church. They are not discriminating against whites. And if you want my opinion on the "two wrongs" theory, see my comments in the "eye for an eye rape" article seeded by Spiffie.

But...does that justify racism by Blacks? Two wrongs make a right?

Krishna...there is absolutely nothing wrong in looking after your own kind, advocating for your own culture, or promoting yourself in any way. That's the most natural thing in the world. That's not racism. Just as men promoting themselves isn't sexism until they deny women access to the very advantages they seek or enjoy.

Racism comes when you actively stop others from doing similar, deny them access to what you too might hold dear, when you denigrate what they cherish, treat them with malice or treat them as inferior.

If there are issues which affect the general welfare of the White Community and if the White Community needs Advancement because of some historical impediment then I would not find that racist either.

I do find it racist to assume that because a group stands up for their community, a community which has been wronged historically and by many standards continues to be wronged, then those people are racists. There are many different types of communities that are primarily concerned with issues associated with their communities.

The homosexual community is concerned with AIDS because it affects their community more severely than other communities. Latinos are concerned with how we choose to deal with immigration because it affects people in their community. The less wealthy are concerned with health care costs because it affects most people's paychecks. The wealthy are concerned with reducing their taxes so that they can acquire more wealth.

All of these groups are disadvantaged in some way, even the wealthy who are a minority as well. To say that someone is prejudiced or racist because they are concerned with issues that affect their community is strange to me, but that is your opinion. Community activism is a necessary part of the political process.

I do find it racist to assume that because a group stands up for their community, a community which has been wronged historically and by many standards continues to be wronged, then those people are racists. There are many different types of communities that are primarily concerned with issues associated with their communities.

That's an excellent comment, Double Demon, which expands and enhances the thread perfectly.

All these racists openly supporting racism makes me cringe.

Cliff,

I am begging you to stop making generalizations about "Obama fans". I am an Obama supporter, and I have been very civil to you. By insulting "Obama fans" you are insulting me, as I am an avid supporter of his and I do not fit the stereotype you are perpetuating about "Obama fans". We are not fans. He is not a celebrity any more than Hillary Clinton is a celebrity. We are supporters of his legitimate candidacy for President of the United States.

Perhaps this means that blacks would never decide to vote for a white woman unless they were told to do so. Or that being black is more important than being a woman.

Lot of things to think about here. Most seem to me to be racist, but what do I know. Only Obama fans can decide what is racist, and even decide what people really mean. Devilishly simple when you think about it.

Either way you et criticized by those attached to ''political correctness''. If you vote i the Democratic primary-- whomever you vote for-- your choice is of being labeled either a ''racist'' or a ''sexist''...LOL?

Or that being black is more important than being a woman.

Obviously Oprah thinks so.

Engaging discussion, apart from Cliff Potter's predictable vacuous worship as the high priest at the altar of Queen Hillary!

Go Hillary, Take that Ms. Cyprah!!! rofl

I don't think anyone will say anyone is racist or sexist for not voting for Hillary or Obama. I sure hope not.

Not anyone at all? Or...perhaps more realistically...not a lot of people.

I once voted for a white candidate who happened to be running against a black candidate. More than one person accused me of being a racist-- they couldn't conceive of the fact that I just really thought that at least in that case the white candidate happened to be much better [it had nothig to do with race-- but that concept was something they couldn't fathom.].

do, though, have a problem with those who – some reports imply – are saying publicly (in polls and the first caucus) that they will vote for a black candidate but then go and vote a different way.

How would you feel if someone publicly said they would vote for a white candidate-- but then went and voted a different way?

Oh sure, some people will balk, if you actually tell them who you voted for.

Who listens to other people anyway? Most people do as they please.

CP 11:

Does this mean that blacks are required to vote for blacks, or that blacks can only vote where old timer blacks tell them to vote?

Apparently not, according to the most recent CBS/NYTIMES poll Obama leads Clinton amongst Black voters 49% to 27%.

Anyway, most thinking people, I assume, will not call you racist or sexist for how you vote.

Well that's quite an assumption. Assumptions, like generalizations, very often can be quite misleading.

I think that is true in the strictest sense. -- most would not.

However-- I suppose it also depends upon what you mean by ''thinking'' people [some people use it to mean only people that think the way they do-- they consider people with a different opinion to be''non-thinking people'' ;-]

However I have experienced the opposite many many times-- many people making accusations of racism or sexism based upon the way someone votes. My experience is that it is fairly common.

I'm not a fan of deceit or lying of any type. Does that help or clarify things?

Somewhat. How do you feel about people who say they will vote one way..and then change their minds? [What the pundits sometimes refer to as ''flip-floppers''].

"flip-flopper" is a bogus term. If someone feels one way on a subject and then, through the process of intelligent debate, have facts pointed out to them that make them see that their previous position was wrong, isn't it the responsible thing to do to then change one's opinion on the matter?

I have, in many threads, changed my position mid-stream. Not because I was lying about how I felt, but because other people's comments showed me where I was wrong. Admitting to being wrong and then agreeing with the other person is healthy, and is the entire point of debate. If you refuse to change your mind, then why bother with debate in the first place? If your only purpose in debating is to try to change the other person's mind and not opening yourself up to a change of mind as well, then I doubt any argument you present will have any affect on the person you are debating.

Perhaps this means that blacks would never decide to vote for a white woman unless they were told to do so. Or that being black is more important than being a woman.

Well Cliff, I can see you've struck again! This comment definitely points in the direction "SC" on the stupid comment meter. To generalized and trivialize black voters having to be told to do something by someone and like trained animals they will obey is just down right racist. Basically you're saying they all have a slave mentality and still have to be told what to do. Racist, racist, racist....shame on you....shame on you....shame on you!

You have really crossed the line here and should retract the entire comment, as it is offensive and at the core of what needs to be changed among whites who think like you when it comes to perceptions of black people in this country.

Black people are individuals who are smart intelligent free thinking people who have labored thought blood, sweat, and tears to become apart of the very fiber that holds this nation together. How dare you reduce a whole race of people down to all blacks think alike and will vote one way when told to do so.

I don't have a problem with you being a racist and believing whatever narrow minded opinions and extreme views you may have, but I do have a problem when you begin to broadcast them in a venue like this. It's uncalled for, unacceptable and irresponsible!

Black people are individuals who are smart intelligent free thinking people who have labored thought blood, sweat, and tears to become apart of the very fiber that holds this nation together. How dare you reduce a whole race of people down to all blacks think alike and will vote one way when told to do so.

Thank you TBK for this very important comment. Obviously, Cliff doesn't realise that his blatant use of stereotypes to describe how black people are supposed to behave, and lumping them all together in that disgracefully negative manner, is so racist, it is just unbelievable.

Does every white person vote according to colour, Cliff? Do YOU vote purely for Hillary because she is white? Have you got to be told how to vote by someone else? If you don't, then do you enjoy your superior position of treating all black people as though they are clones without any individual brains? Do you enjoy being racist and offensive? That comment was rather pathetic, the sign of ignorance and clutching at racist straws to prove your misguided points.

And I really shouldn't even be responding to give it credibility.

Unbelievable, I agree with you Ms CYPRAH and TBK the comment is pathetic and brainless. It's hard to imagine this comment being as blunt and out in the open, most racist are very settle in making underlining statements of this nature.

And I really shouldn't even be responding to give it credibility.

Ms CYPRAH, by responding you are not giving the comment credibility at all, because when good people are silence on issues of this nature, racist people will think it's OK to proceed in this reckless manner of commentary that only serves to create division and distention.

No one needs to figure out who the racist are, they defined themselves with their narrow minded and twisted views as witnessed from the comment that begins this thread.

Let this to be a lesson to the author of the racist comment, there are millions of black people all over the world who are forgiving people. There is a redemptive power in forgiveness that allows us to see our white counterparts as we should but also allows them to see themselves in their fellow-man. It's ok to be different, God knew exactly what he was doing and he wants us to celebrate those differences, how they work to unite us as one people for the greater good of our country.

Cliff for the record, black voters are like white voters in they will listen to the candidates, the media, read the commentaries, listen to the debates, listen to black and white leaders alike, digesting and filtering information along the way to formulating a decision as to who they think will best lead this country.

There have been 44 white Presidents to be the Commander and Chief of this country. Even at that notion there will be many blacks who will vote for white candidates, be they Pub's or Dem's, they will vote for a woman and there will be those who just happen to have the audacity to vote for Barack Obama, a black man running for the highest office in the land. So I ask you Cliff and the three racist who agreed with your comment, what is wrong with this picture?

This is what America's all about...not the racist inflammatory comment of your misguided perceptions.

Why are you telling people how you vote? It seems like your problem would be solved if you just told people that your vote is a secret

But if everyone kept their political views secret-- that would end a lot of interesting political discussions on NV....what's wrong with discussing your views-- why keep them secret?

''My problem''? This is not ''my problem'' ...you are making an assumption.

When I said ''in my experience'' I was referring to my direct experience [as opposed to for example reading about it]-- my experiece of people telling me these things. Or-- hearing it in coversations with people I know well.. [If it only happened to me I would't have said its common. Actually-- considernig my political views-- and actions-- it would be strange for anyone to call me a racist.; But rather I've seen it many times. I have seen many people fling about accusations of racism when that was not the case-- its an emotional term that some folks like to use for effect....sometime whe they get tired of using terms like ''Nazi'' or''Hitler'' ...or ''Gulag'';].

There have been 44 white Presidents to be the Commander and Chief of this country.

What amazes me about this statistic is that many racists, people like Cliff, do not see anything amiss in having all-white presidents down the years. That seems to be fair and just, even for the black population who have never been represented at this level. The minute a black person is running for president, these people then begin to suddenly see colour as a negative issue. I suppose as long as it is white, that's all right.

Perhaps this means that blacks would never decide to vote for a white woman unless they were told to do so. Or that being black is more important than being a woman.

Does this mean that blacks are required to vote for blacks, or that blacks can only vote where old timer blacks tell them to vote

Devilishly simple when you think about it.

These are not my words or perceptions nor do I consider them political views but very racist in content. Racist are people that believe that race accounts for differences in human character or ability. Thus the comments in quote above stating black people are not capable of independently formulating their own conclusions based on information gathering to vote for a white woman but would need someone to instruct them to do so. If you don't see this as a racist comment then you are one who hides behind the shallow wall of pride in supporting insensitive racist commentary of this nature.

Wrong is wrong and it takes strong resolute, dedicated people to stand up against racism no matter where it pops up it's ugly head, yes even on this Median known as the vine.

I suggest you look up what defines political views and get an understanding of it's meaning and not confuse it with some racist ideology.

As someone who has watched Obama from the city of Chicago for years, I dub some of his new followers as fans. They have no clue.

I'm not arguing that he doesn't have "fans". I'm not one of them. I have thoroughly researched all of his issues, I have looked into his past, his voting record, read about his time in the Illinois State Senate, I have carefully compared and contrasted his plans with the plans laid out by the other candidates, and he is my candidate. Was I a fan in '04 when I saw him speak? Yes. Was I a fan when I purchased his books? Yes. I have moved past fan and on to political supporter. Nobody gains my vote easily.

I did not see the big deal over his convention speech.

He is not impressive. I have read his books.

Apple Annie #12.7:

Why would you read a book about someone who is unimpressive to you? Isn't that a waste of time, I doubt you have read his books, especially if you refer to Henry Hyde in endearing terms. Here's the link: Henry Hyde In Memoriam

FYI Newsvine: This is evidence of one Republican not supporting Obama!

I have thoroughly researched all of his issues, I have looked into his past, his voting record, read about his time in the Illinois State Senate, I have carefully compared and contrasted his plans with the plans laid out by the other candidates, and he is my candidate. Was I a fan in '04 when I saw him speak? Yes. Was I a fan when I purchased his books? Yes. I have moved past fan and on to political supporter. Nobody gains my vote easily.

Given the amount of work that's required...its amazing that anyone gains your vote at all!

Annie,

If that is the case, then it's just clear that you don't agree with his message, which is fine. But just because someone holds political opinions that you don't agree with does not mean that his ideas are not extremely impressive to those of us who agree with him.

Obviously he isn't going to have the support of ALL of the people. Hell, if he did, that would, frankly, scare me.

Krishna: It sounds like you don't like me, or my opinions very much. That's fine. However, I feel it is irresponsible to cast your vote for anyone to be President of the United States of America without doing as much research as possible. How can you fault someone for wanting to be completely informed?

Krishna: It sounds like you don't like me, or my opinions very much. That's fine. However, I feel it is irresponsible to cast your vote for anyone to be President of the United States of America without doing as much research as possible. How can you fault someone for wanting to be completely informed?

I think you may be making an assumption about what I feel. The fact is I really don't know you very well-- not enough to form any prejudice either for or against you.

I was reacting not to you.... but ratherto what you said.

:) I was making a vague reference to a comment you made to me in one of my articles, in which you said: It sounds like you don't like Christians very much?

Just in good fun. No ill will intended or actual assumptions made on my part. Sol Goode. :)

Well, her black friends certainly aren't doing her any favors. The founder of BET (I forget his name), when he introduced her making references to Obama's past cocaine use after she already said that she would fire anyone in her campaign that brought it up. She must have been livid that he said that. That's an awful lot of damage control she has to do now, because she knows it can only reflect negatively upon her. And then he tried to say he was talking about Obama's community organizing in Chicago. Nobody who saw it could possibly believe that.

I happen to think it's pretty amazing that a Black Man has a legitimate shot at winning the presidency.

Clarence Thomas is a Supreme Court Justice. We have many African-American in prestigious positions.

I am not amazed. I see people of many groups succeeding daily.

The best case scenario for Dems seems to be throwing the Clintons overboard. Anything else is going to permanently harm their grip on the Black vote.

And cause Blacks in this country to mirate to the Republican Party in droves? I think not.

That's an interesting viewpoint on what you think might happen, Krishna. I would like to hear your explanation for why, you think, that it would definitely happen, rather than just maintaining that it is merely a possibility. Are you a seer?

That's an interesting viewpoint on what you think might happen, Krishna. I would like to hear your explanation for why, you think, that it would definitely happen, rather than just maintaining that it is merely a possibility.

I guess I wasn't clear. I have no idea what would happen to ''the Black vote'' if the Democrats fail to ''throw Clinton overboard''. My guess is that even if the Dems fail to nominate Obama the vast majority of Africa-Americans will not defect en mass to the Republican Party. But of course I could be wrong.

Are you a seer?

I suppose I could be called that. [But I've been doing it long enough to know that it is foolish to put too much faith in predicting the future].

[But I've been doing it long enough to know that it is foolish to put too much faith in predicting the future].

Yeah, me too. lol.

How could I ignore one of my favourite guys on Newsvine, Scott? :o)

Engaging discussion, apart from Cliff Potter's predictable vacuous worship as the high priest at the altar of Queen Hillary!

Engaging discussion, apart from Cliff Potter's predictable vacuous worship as the high priest at the altar of Queen Hillary!

Yes...but what about those who worship at the altar of King Obama?

Yes...but what about those who worship at the altar of King Obama?

They are called high priestesses! :o)

Because Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are too busy jerking themselves off, pretending to be half of the man MLK was.

The two combined can't come close to being one-tenth the man MLK was. For starters they are racists...King opposed racism....

I agree with you both.

I agree with you agreeing with the both of them.

Good stuff TBK, I believe many in the white community think black leadership is in a bubble. Big deal if Jackson, Sharpton, or Young or even the Senator Ford do not support Barack. Even though Jackson has come out in support of Obama, I believe at the end of the day they're so many more who are leaders in small communities all over America who are going to be the difference in this race.

Barack has a message that's not black nor white, it's American, United we Stand, Divided we will fall. He is a uniter who I hope sticks to the issues effecting this country, health care, the war, immigration, and the economy. The Clinton's and there fall guys are only creating a mud hole for themselves that at the end of the day will leave them wondering why Obama's not drowning from the slop in the pen. The race card, drugs and all the other slop they come up with daily, they're really scared that Barack can win this thing.

You're so right on the Robert Johnson, to even make the suggestion that he was not referring to the drug thing makes one wonder how he ever managed an operation like BET. But he did and he sold it for 2.7 billion so I'm not mad at him, just at his hair brain idiotic comment. I guess being a new billionaire makes one a little stupid and feeling like they can say anything and people will buy it.....NOT!

Conclusion, these are but small group of black leaders that are familiar to most white Americans but do not represent the vast number of leaders who are in the black communities all over the country who are the heart and soul of a new and youthful leadership.

The Obama campaign is doing a good job of staying out of it. A member of Obama's campaign was on Tucker, and Tucker was trying to bait him into responding to the race issue. He refused, as Obama's campaign has continued to do throughout, and I couldn't be happier. Is the fact that a black man has a good chance of becoming President important? You betcha. But as far as keeping the issue of his race out of the political process speaks volumes. They are not so daft as to be baited by the news media into making comments that will be misconstrued, taken out of context, etc. It's refreshing. And, though there are some supporters of Obama attacking the Clintons and calling them racists, the Obama campaign has stayed out of it. The Clintons would do well to likewise refuse to respond to those issues, and while I have not seen Hillary herself engaging in these attacks (I do find her remarks about MLK and LBJ unfortunate, as, to me, her statement inadvertently implied that MLK could not have done the same had he been the President ... but I don't think that's what she meant, and I think that her point was ill advised and did not help her at all), but those close to her are not doing her any favors. I think if she wants to stay in this, she needs to break out her bullwhip and tell everyone to shut the hell up and stop making her look bad.

The race card, drugs and all the other slop they come up with daily, they're really scared that Barack can win this thing.

That is the heart of the matter, abowhite45, and it will get worse when they begin to get desperate if Barack continues his winning streak.

I think that her point was ill advised and did not help her at all), but those close to her are not doing her any favors. I think if she wants to stay in this, she needs to break out her bullwhip and tell everyone to shut the hell up and stop making her look bad.

Too right, Kevin. As I noted elsewhere, many politicians and critics are still using old mindsets to fight this new battle and are really going to come unstuck, despite all their shenanigans, when Barack gets to the White House right under their noses.

You know that and I know that but the civil rights leaders like Jesse and Al would have to change their tunes a bit. It has to do with vested interests not what is real and right.

They would have a difficult time picketing a White House with a black man in the Oval Office.

It is similar to the Baptists and the Bootleggers voting to keep alcohol illegal.