Obama Needs a History Lesson about Hillary and King

[billbuckhead]

Obama Needs a History Lesson about Hillary and King

Posted January 14, 2008 | 11:15 AM (EST)

Earl Ofari Hutchinson

The Obama camp did it again. They manufactured yet another issue out of a non-issue when they pounded Hillary Clinton for supposedly defiling Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by minimizing his role in the civil rights struggle. Here's Hillary's terrible sin per the Obama campaign crowd: she said that Dr. King's dream was realized when President Lyndon Johnson shoved the 1964 Civil Rights Bill through Congress. This was anything but a put down of King.

Hillary paid tribute to King for laying the groundwork for the civil rights bill and gave justifiable credit to Johnson for ramming the bill through a bickering, divided and very recalcitrant Congress. Her point was that presidents that have their public policy priorities screwed on right can make changes, monumental changes, for good.

If Hillary could be faulted for anything it's that she didn't go far enough. If Johnson hadn't forcefully intervened and jawboned, prodded, arm twisted, and embarrassed the slew of wavering and hostile Congressmen to the bill into supporting the bill, or at least tempering their opposition to it, King's dream would have remained just that, an empty dream. King recognized that. In a Playboy interview in 1965, he said this about Johnson: "He has demonstrated his wisdom and commitment in coming to grips with the problem (racial discrimination). My impression is that he will remain a strong president for civil rights." History amply proved that, and Johnson despite his Vietnam War tumble from historical grace, still is regarded as the president that did more for civil rights than any other president.
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<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/earl-ofari-hutchinson/obama-needs-a-history-les_b_81377.html>

[robbedvoter]

1. All true - and acknowledged. Truce!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4065822&mesg_id=4065822

[aquart]

4. Try, "UNCLE!"

Which would be more appropriate.

[robbedvoter]

9. I prefer beneficial to us all to appropriate.

[aquart]

2. And another public spanking of wet-behind-the-ears Obama.

He shouldn't have done it, but he was desperate. If he doesn't do well in SC....

[thunder rising]

3. Huffington Post have editors? That paraphrases (with a spin towards Hillary) what I saw on the clip

I'll see if I can find a you-tube of it.

[kurth]

5. Don't forget the 1965 Voting Rights Act

And the 1965 Higher Education Act which led the number of African American college students to quadruple within 10 years.

[sb5697]

6. You guys just don't quit

with this BS do you? I guess if you repeat something enough times to yourself you'll begin to believe it. Keep drinking that kool-aid and see where it gets you. And please DO NOT COMPARE JOHNSON'S INVOLVEMENT IN CIVIL RIGHTS TO MLK'S. The disrespect and ignorance you show with regard to this subject are appalling--then again you support Hillary so I kinda understand. You should research Johnson's racist history and report back!

[emilyg]

7. Shame you live in my state. Open your mind.

[sb5697]

8. What a stupid response. I live in your state....and that has

what to do with anything. My mind, eyes and ears are very open but you might want to check yours. You know you die-hard Hillary supporters are beginning to act very much like George Bush's supporters. They think he can do and say no wrong and that's just the way you all act with Hillary. It's no wonder people refer to her as "Bush-lite". I've voted for these people before so I'M well aware of their history and tactics but I'm also open to listen to others ideas and approaches and if it's better I have no problem changing planes--DO YOU!!

[Skittles]

11. from what I can see

both Hillary and Obama supporters are suffering from "hero worship"

[Cha]

10. Thanks for your post sb...and

Welcome to DU..we're not all wiped out by the hillary koolaid.

And you sound like your mind is wide open.

[sb5697]

12. Thanks.