"In recent days, there is a sense of movement and a sense of spirit. Something is happening in America and people are prepared and ready to make that great leap."
- Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) on his plans to vote for Barack Obama as a superdelegate at the Democratic National Convention even though he endorsed Hillary Clinton a few weeks ago.
Read the New York Times article here.
plez sez: FINALLY...
finally, an old guard civil rights movement era icon displays a modicum of intelligence and good sense. i've always had a great deal of respect for congressman lewis and i can't deny the fact that it appeared to be disconnect between his endorsement of clinton and his many years of fighting for civil rights in this country: as a disciple of Martin Luther King, Jr., lewis was on the front lines of the movement and saw the sacrifice that king displayed in making changes in this country, Obama is making a similar sacrifice and clinton is not.
also, obama lapped clinton in georgia, the superdelegates should vote in accord with the people of their state. congressman hank johnson, my representative in congress, has already endorsed barack obama. my HOPE is that other superdelegates will follow congressman lewis's lead.
BLOG UPDATE (2/15/2008 2:45PM): In an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article, Congressman John Lewis denies the report that he has switched his support to Barack Obama. A spokesman for Lewis says, "it is plain there is a lot of enthusiasm for Barack Obama. But those things are observations, not statements of preference. Lewis has left the option of changing his superdelegate support for Clinton on the table, but made no decisions."
plez sez: billary must've read that story in the New York Times this morning and threw an effin' hizzy fit! and fitting for his station, john lewis crumpled under the clinton campaign pressure (she can't stand to lose much more support after losing three primaries and a campaign director in one week): "...now, now, calm down Miss Hillary... i wuzz only talking about how Obama got a pretty mouf and he be talkin' all fancy and such ... you know i ain't fittin' to vote for him! i'll get those newpaper people on the phone right away. O-tay?"
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When Lyrics Get Lost in Translation
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7 comments:
This is a good sign, given the bull over Julian Bond and the MI and Fla "primaries." I had gone as far as to call some of these folk coons...
Now Barack needs some Ohio and Philly folks to step up. The implication is that the "blue collar" white people won't vote for him. I think the men will. You'll see.
I gotta tell you Plez. The Hillary bashing in the afrosphere has got to stop. The Clinton's are playing fair, hardball politics and Barack is going to get the Presidency then he is going to have to be able to take the fair fight Hillary (and Bill) are presenting without all of this animosity because to take the next step and defeat McCain they are going to need the Clintons and the rest of the Democratic machine to do it. It would be hypocritical to bash the Clintons now and accept their help come August and Barack will need their help mark my words.
I have called this race accurately from day one even when you and many of the people in the blogosphere said Barack had no chance, a black man has no chance, white people will never vote for a black man.
Barack has gotten as far as he has because he has not waivered and is running a clean campaign. Hillary is doing the same, but with some old school political flair (thanks to Bill).
I think some black folk forget that politics is the dirtiest, most competitive of all endevours. The Clinton campaign has actually fought Barack with "Kid Gloves", for political reasons, of course. It is going to get ugly in the general election and many will look back and say that Hillary should have hammered Barack a litter harder.
I have been a supporter of Barack from day one, but I am a believer in the process and think that its been a good, fair and informative fight for the Democratic ticket.
What do many of the black people who bash Hillary expect, for her to roll over and give up? She will lose the race, but don't fault her for fighting tooth and nail for the nomination.
I thought the use was "fittin mad" or"fixin to vote".
chris,
the outcome remains to be seen... unless there is a 50-50 split, it looks like Texas & Ohio are going to pick the eventual winner!
david,
i feel you, man... and from where you sit, it appears that hillary has come under undo scrutiny of late by many in the Black community. i don't blame her for fighting for her political life, because this is her ONLY chance to get back to the white house (in 4 or 8 years, the country will have moved on & she'll be alittle "long in tooth" to make a serious run. but the truth remains that in light of her impassioned goal of winning the presidency, hillary (and to a greater extent, bill) have abused and denigrated the Black folk who were staunch (the staunchest) supporters of them, even in their darkest days at 1600 pennsylvania avenue. their antics (and tactics) during the south carolina primary (the use of bob johnson & the drug use thing, the tossing of the race card into the fray) just left a BAD TASTE in my mouth about them.
i tend to agree with you, that in the event Obama becomes the nominee, the republicans' attack machine will make the clintons' attacks seem like child's play... but few in the Black community will be able to overlook the tact that was employed by the clintons. i LOVE a good fight, but unfortunately, the race card is too incendiary & divisive to use within the party... i'd much rather she "hammered" Obama on his lack of experience, the "real cost" of some of his proposed solutions, him being an empty suit, etc...
LASTLY, my last couple of posts on the subject didn't necessarily bash hillary, i have taken umbridge with the gushing and damn near apologetic support that she has received from the "old guard" Black leaders... this flip-flop by john lewis is especially disturbing.
...and unlike you, i still think that she'll be the democratic party's nominee (by hook & crook & super delegate) after the convention in august.
hathor,
i'm sorry if i misused the Steppin' Fetchit venacular! *smile*
I know that your posts have been directed mostly at Black elders who have not jumped on the bandwagon for Barack. Being a white guy I haven't seen the "racial attacks" as nefarious as they seem to have been absorbed by many of the Black men who are blogging. I am not a black man so I can't say how their tactics would be taken, but I feel that turning the other cheek is a better tactic. White people have a better chance of feeling solidarity with a black candidate if he is percieved as being under attack, as opposed to attacking. I think that is why Barack has done so well. Its because he hasn't gone looking for the fight, he fights when its brought to him.
The Super delegates will not go against the delegate count in the states. Of all places, Texas will be the deciding factor. If Obama wins there he wraps it up.
Will the Clintons try to pull this out of their asses? Yup.
Will they be successful? Nope.
The Republicans will be using all kinds of subtle and not so subtle references to race so strap on those jocks and get ready for the "race war" the republicans will wage. Dark skinned is not the issue that thin skinned could be.
OT:Latest Anti-Obama Memos Circulating
rikyrah: You have got to be kidding me! Don't you think if Barack was in the same position he would try to win with the Superdelegates?
Why is everyone so suprised that Hillary is trying to win by hook or by crook.
Its POLITICS!!! Its mean. its dirty. This whining has got to end and folks have to grow up and realize that this is hardball not whiffle ball. Barack will fight for the Superdelegates if he has to when the time comes. Why fault the Clintons for trying to win? Are they just supposed to bend over?
Come on now.
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