"Do you want to go down in history as the one to prevent a black from winning the White House?"

[journalist3072]

THIS is how Obama mouthpiece Jesse Jackson Jr. is appealing to Black superdelegates to switch to the Obama team? If superdelegates supporting Sen. Clinton went to other superdelegates and said "Do you want to go down in history as the one to prevent a woman from winning the White House" there would be an outrageous outcry (and rightly so). And so I don't believe we should let Jesse Jackson Jr. get away with his race-baiting.

Obama Supporter Jesse Jackson, Jr: Black Super-Delegates Who Back Hillary Could Face Primary Challenge
By Greg Sargent - February 15, 2008, 11:01AM
A black supporter of Hillary, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, has given an interview in which he sheds light on some pretty interesting efforts by Obama supporter Jesse Jackson, Jr., to privately persuade him to rethink his support of Clinton:

In an interview, Cleaver offered a glimpse of private conversations.
He said Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois had recently asked him "if it comes down to the last day and you're the only superdelegate? ... Do you want to go down in history as the one to prevent a black from winning the White House?

"I told him I'd think about it," Cleaver concluded.

Jackson, an Obama supporter, confirmed the conversation, and said the dilemma may pose a career risk for some black politicians. "Many of these guys have offered their support to Mrs. Clinton, but Obama has won their districts. So you wake up without the carpet under your feet. You might find some young primary challenger placing you in a difficult position" in the future, he added.

[Alamom]

1. Thank you for posting. nm

[Justyce]

2. Talk about playing the race card.... geez.

[bigtree]

3. like it or not, it does cross the mind . . .

. . . especially for those who fought so hard for those voting rights they were denied in the first place.

[Mags]

6. Women have had to fight for their voting rights also,

Remember?

[bigtree]

8. that affinity crosses voters' minds, as well

[question everything]

30. That McCatin voter asked him about "the bitch" not about

"the n...r." And I have yet to hear Obama, or Michelle or a supporter condemning this. (Or even Kerry or Kennedy, for that matter).

And there are many DUers who talk about Clinton's hair, makeup, breasts, thighs... there are websites dedicated to discussion Clinton's sexuality, but none about Obama.

[EffieBlack]

50. I haven't heard Hillary or Bill condemn it either - maybe ALL of them figured it

was better not to comment on it at this point?

[JimGinPA]

20. Are Any Of Those Women Still Alive?

:eyes:

[bigtree]

23. voting rights aren't the only consideration for women

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

25. In my family, yes.

As if that matters.

[enlightenment]

26. Yes. nt/

[Control-Z]

59. What the hell

is that supposed to mean?

[woolldog]

60. I'm sorry

but women didn't have to go through half as much intimidation and violence. You can't compare the obstacles women have faced in this country to the obstacles blacks have faced.

[yourguide]

4. I support Obama

but that is really screwed up. Obama has never once made race an issue but it seems some of his surrogates are taking it upon themselves to make it one.

Oh Jesse, strong arming and making this an issue of race does not help the cause.

[ClericJohnPreston]

27. So why is it

that a candidate who speaks of hope and unity, engenders so many who speak for him with division, rancor and strong-arm tactics? Can you, as an Obama supporter, explain this to me?

[yourguide]

39. I disagree with that statement.

I dont think he engenders them and I challenge you to show other examples of his surrogates speaking with such strong arm tactics.

My friend, just like Hillary cant control Bill, Barack cant control every statement his supporters make.

However, I feel that the HRC camp lead by Wolfson, Penn, and Ickes encourages and enables this behavior from their surrogates which is why we've seen so much more dirty tactics from that camp.

[journalist3072]

43. Exactly! eom

[melody]

5. Jesse is sounding more like Little George every day

I'm for Obama, but this kind of strong arm tactic is ridiculous.

[marshall]

7. What about going down for preventing a woman from winning?

It cuts both ways if one chooses to use that argument.

[Cameron27]

10. Hillary's surrogates

haven't threatened superdelegates to vote for her, or risk being challenged in the next election. If she had, Obama's camp would have been spamming the news media with the news.

[grantcart]

31. That is not true - Every time a female elected official endorses Obama

She is immediately threatened with being cut off Emily's list and financial support in the future. This is why so many woman office holders have stayed back hoping that Obama wins without them having to lose their financial support.

http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2008/02/kathy-castor-en.html

[Cameron27]

42. Is that the right link,

because I don't see any proof of that statement?

[grantcart]

45. scroll down and see the reaction

I agree its kind of hard to find because the overwhelming response is so positive in support of her endorsement.

quote
Kathy and her mother Betty are the most ungreatful people ever!!! They owe their careers to Emily's List and Senator Clinton rasied Betty over $1 million.

Hon Kathy - Please don't ask any Hillary supporters for $ ever again.
unquote

Later on down the issue comes up again - this time by a feminists who disagree with using Emily's list as punishment

Quote
Rep. Castor made a bold decision to support Obama knowing that some of her supporters would being disgruntled. But I've watched Castor since she was on the county commission and I seem to agree with most, if not all of her decisions.

I, too, am a feminist and really, really, REALLY wanted Hillary to be the nominee. I am even a member of EMILYs List. And, like Castor, I have found Obama to be the more appealing candidate at THIS time in our history. If Hillary wanted to keep my vote, she shouldn't have voted with Bush for the war. I'll continue to support EMILY's List and Castor with my time and money. And this year, I'll help Obama, too.
Unquote

and again
Way to go!!
As a middle-aged white woman who has supported Emily's List and NOW and once supported Hillary - and voted for Bill twice and supported him thru the impeachment - I have researched the issues and proudly support Obama. As a nurse, I am adament that we need health care reform and reviewed both plans and believe Obama's is the better choice. Despite what some Clinton staff have said since, I heard Hillary say that those who will not enroll in her mandatory coverage health plan could very well have their wages garnished. This is disgusting.
snip and more snip
I have also been completely disgusted by the Clinton campaign's race-baiting back in SC.
The more I read about the Clintons, the more disgusted I am with them - and myself for having supported them.
Obama is the real thing.
Obama 08
snip and more snip
Hillary raised Betty Castor over $1 million? That's a joke. She owes her career to Emily's List? She was on the State Cabinet before Emily's List began.

[Cameron27]

46. It's kind of anecdotal, isn't it?

Are there any quotes from superdelegates themselves who've been directly subjected to those kinds of threats?

[grantcart]

53. well yes I don't have a telephone tap on anybody's phone

but the whole line of argurment that started this was entirely species. Your candidate is bad because there are people using pressure to get a result, while my candidate only gets results from pure motives from pristine supporters.

In a campaign everything that is not unethical is fair. I think it is fair for supporters of Emily's list to say in a positive way - hey listen to me - I supported you thru Emily's list and I don't want you to go against my candidate at least don't endorse the other guy - thank you.

entirely fair.

It is also fair for an African American leader to go back and say listen we have two qualified candidates and we have225 years of nobody from our race having a shot for this. Its going to be very close - do you really want to be the guy to stop the first really qualified AA candidate from getting that chance to represent our party and win the whitehouse - especailly after he has won 11 straight primary elections.

also completely fair.

My point is that both candidates are using perfectly legitimate arguments to go back to their natural constituencies for support. What was interesting in the thread that is referred to is that there are quite a few women who label themselves as being feminists who are supporting Obama.

Good luck on Mar 4

[Cameron27]

55. Fair enough

Good luck to you too. :-)

[TheUniverse]

9. Something tells me he doesnt make this same arguement for Alan Keyes.

Or maybe he does, who the hell knows. I'm voting for Barack because I like his positions on the issues and not because of his skin color.

[Voice for Peace]

11. It doesn't bother me personally, and I think he makes a valid point.

"Jackson, an Obama supporter, confirmed the conversation, and said the dilemma may pose a career risk for some black politicians. "Many of these guys have offered their support to Mrs. Clinton, but Obama has won their districts. So you wake up without the carpet under your feet. You might find some young primary challenger placing you in a difficult position"

In cases where a superdelegate's pledge is different than the vote of
the people in their own districts, they ARE putting their political future
at risk, especially to African American voters for whom race IS an issue
(MANY!)

[buff2]

12. Race shouldn't play into this

Playing the race card is disgusting.

[Crank_It_Up]

24. Race Card for a Racist Country

"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal" but sadly, nothing could be farther from the truth. For example, we're all talking about the new black candidate, Barack Obama, but isn't he just as much white as he is black? For those that don't know, his dad was black and his mom was white. Yet we all refer to him as black? Why is that?

Can I honestly blame anyone for playing the race card to their advantage, when it has been played against them from day one?

Racism is disgusting, but someone who is playing the race card to their advantage when finally given the chance, is only natural, probable, and in my mind, justified.

Hopefully, one day racism will fade into the sunset, and it is slowly creeping in that direction. But until then, I have to say that I don't blame him one bit.

[Rosemary2205]

13. You are going to see a lot of this on both sides.

Unless Hillary drops out before the convention, I and don't think she will (nor should), then we are going to get a lot more of these kinds of backroom armtwisting of the candidate's supporters and the superdelegates. A brokered convention gets REALLY nasty - it puts the "politics" in "Politics".

[jgraz]

19. When you win 10 states in a row by crushing margins, you don't need to twist a lot of arms

Hillary will (and should) drop out before the convention. Texas and Ohio will make it abundantly clear that this is Obama's year.

[Imagevision]

14. ALL super delegates must be required to vote with the popularity of their state, how else

could it be a sensible vote then?!?!

[Cameron27]

17. Then Obama should reject

the two NJ delegates who jumped over to his camp.

[journalist3072]

18. Ding, ding! We have a winner! And the Obama supporters would also be required to ask Ted Kennedy &

John Kerry to vote for Sen. Clinton, since she won their state.

[emilyg]

51. ***

[jackson_dem]

63. He should also reject corrupt party boss Norcross if he is serious about "changing politics"

But Norcross knows that is just another Axlerod campaign gimmick...

[question everything]

33. I am not sure. With some states having different results of popular votes vs. delegates

when Texas gives black districts more delegates that white or latino, when Texans can actually vote twice, perhaps we do need super delegates to bring this anti-democratic process back in line.

[fishwax]

56. I don't see how that makes it a sensible vote

I'm not really a fan of the whole superdelegate system, but I don't think it would make any more sense if the system required them to vote with the popular vote in their state than it does now, when they are free to vote their conscience.

[suston96]

15. I get it...It's not about the content of his, uh - experience, but about the color of his skin...nt

[journalist3072]

16. Exactly, right? I can't help but think that this is NOT what Martin Luther King would have wanted

from us....to be voting for someone based on their race.

[jgraz]

21. Right. We should vote for someone based on her GENDER!

:eyes:

[journalist3072]

34. Wrong, idiot....We don't want anyone voting for someone based on their race or gender.

[jgraz]

38. Sorry, please go back to telling us all what Martin Luther King would think

:eyes:

[journalist3072]

41. Sure I will....I have no qualm in saying that Rev. King would not want being being judged based

solely on their race....that you take a look at the content of a person's character, not the color of their skin.

[NOLALady]

47. Right.

Since Obama has no character, it's obvious he is supported because of the color of his skin.

[jgraz]

48. Nailed it.

:thumbsup:

[jackson_dem]

64. His national co-chair is clearly making an appeal based on the color of his skin

[SammyWinstonJack]

22. It would seem that is the case in this instance.

[question everything]

28. And this is the double standards. Women are not expected to support Hillary

but blacks are expected to support Obama.

Not only that, Kerry and Kennedy are expected to go against the vote in Massachusetts that Hillary won, but blacks in Louisiana and other Southern states are expected to follow "the will of the people."

And then we have the bizarre results of Nevada and what may be Texas, too: popular vs. delegates votes.

Dare I say hypocrisy?

[Radical Activist]

29. Why no link? Maybe because the story is over a month old

and you've already posted it at least 10 times?

[journalist3072]

35. Wrong...I've never posted this, idiot.!

[Radical Activist]

36. Again, why no link?

Because its over a month old and you, your sock puppets, and/or other people have posted it at least 10 times?

[journalist3072]

40. Here you go....here's the link

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/obama_supporter_jesse_jackson_1.php

And it's not a month old. the dateline says February 15.

[sniffa]

32. Black female journalists everywhere are outraged!!

:grr:

[baby_mouse]

37. Oooooooooh, dear.

Meaningless Gibberish 1
Reason 0

Getting worse, isn't it?

[texas_indy]

44. OMG! Accusing a black of race baiting over pressuring another black over backing a black person!

Man, this is just getting to weird.

I guess the next anti-Obama talking point will be to try and paint Obama as not being black enough and there fore he can't be the 1st black president!



Texas is Obama country.

[NOLALady]

49. My head is spinning. What's next?

I wonder if the foolishness would stop if they begin to refer to Obama as white, since he's just as much white as he is black.
That should leave them to focus on other irrelevant stuff like, health care, war, education, poverty, economics, job outsourcing, political corruption, infrastructure. You know, the little things.

[jackson_dem]

65. Good point Obama will also be the 44th white president if elected

Why don't we ever hear about that?

[texas_indy]

66. Point proven, now he isn't black enough!! Now they want to steal his heritage, so sad (nt)

[jackson_dem]

67. I don't give a flip whether or not he is "black enough" or "white enough"

He is American enough and that is all that should matter.

[texas_indy]

70. YOUR the one claiming a well known BLACK american is WHITE,!

Apparently race is a major issue for you.

Everyone else has no problem with a BLACK men being BLACK.
Your the one trying to steal his heritage by changing his color.

You are the one going to different threads stating a BLACK american is WHITE, not anyone else.


Texas is Obama country!!

[jackson_dem]

72. You must have a problem reading. Post #49 stated he is half white (p.s. this is true)

You must also have missed the meaning of "Obama will also be the 44th white president if elected". He will simultaneously be the first black president and the 44th white president. Hence, "also". You have some sort of problem with his heritage?

"44th white president and 1st black president" wouldn't sell as well now would it?

[texas_indy]

75. I don't miss the meaning when a person feels he has the right to redefine another persons heritage.

I don't go around checking everyones blood line to see if they are pure white or pure black or pure oriental or pure whatever.
I believe in letting a person define for themselves who they are, unlike you.

You want to shove the Obama is WHITE meme for some strange reason. I prefer to accept Obama for what he claims he is.

BTW, do you think the history books, news media, and people will be parroting your claim:
President Obama, the 44th WHITE president and the 1st BLACK/MINORITY president


Or do you think they'll be saying:
President Obama, the 1st BLACK/MINORITY president


Texas is Obama country!

[jackson_dem]

76. He is, as NOLALady pointed out, what he is

Why the emotional response? It seems there is an investment in putting out a certain meme of Obama and that meme must be protected zealously at any hint of erosion. Let's face it: "Barack Obama announced his candidacy today. He is vying to be the first black president and the 44th white president" doesn't have the same zip that "Can Barack Obama tear down racial barriers and become the first black president?". I personally find it amusing that the 44th half of the equation is ignored. A compromise? He will be the first biracial candidate but, again, that doesn't have the same appeal and novelty.

[texas_indy]

78. Hey, whatever floats your boat. Your getting way too excited about this

and are now projecting your emotional baggage upon me.

Your the one going into different threads stating a BLACK men is WHITE.
You apparently have an issue with how Obama defines himself and have decided you will define him differently.

I'll drop out now and let you have the last word.

And anyway, you need to start correcting the following groups:
1. Obama's supporters
2. the MSM
3. the federal and local governments
4. the democratic party
5. pretty much everyone else in the world.
6. and Obama himself!

Who knows, if you start now you may succeed by the time they swear him in as the 1st BLACK president, ....oops.... I mean as the 1st BIRACIAL president.

Adios amigo.


Texas is Obama country!

[jackson_dem]

77. He is what he is as NOLAlady pointed out

Why the emotional response? It seems there is an investment in putting out a certain meme of Obama and that meme must be protected zealously at any hint of erosion. Let's face it: "Barack Obama announced his candidacy today. He is vying to be the first black president and the 44th white president" doesn't have the same zip that "Can Barack Obama tear down racial barriers and become the first black president?". I personally find it amusing that the 44th half of the equation is ignored. A compromise? He will be the first biracial candidate but, again, that doesn't have the same appeal and novelty.

[EFerrari]

52. LOL!

:rofl:

[Tom Rinaldo]

54. So you think it would be just fine for a feminist Clinton surragate

to pressure female Super Delegates pledged to Obama with that type of argument? Say a Super Delegate Democrat who has counted on strong support in their district from female voters, and female donors, in the past? What if it was the director of Emily's List making that argument with the implicit threat that if that female super delegate stood in the way of the first woman getting elected President that another women might be found and funded to run against her?

[catagory5]

57. What a joke!

somehow this doesnt suprise me a bit..

[texas_indy]

68. The Hillary team is doing it as well!

Hillary practices the old style dirty politics to get what she wants. She is proving that every day!
Her supporters are doing it on threads on DU right now stating that women MUST vote for Hillary or else they are a sexist traitor.

Remember when the New York NOW accused Kennedy of being a traitor when he picked Obama?
Remember when New York NOW compared the debate between Hillary and Obama and Edwards as a gang rape??


Texas is Obama country!

[OzarkDem]

58. We need a qualified person in the WH - Obama isn't it, regardless of skin color

We face too many problems as a country to risk electing an inexperienced candidate who could either lose to the GOP or be a disaster in the WH.

We've already had 12 years of arrogant, thin skinned, petulant, inexperienced empty suits in the WH. We don't need another.

[Digit]

62. Obama is just not ready to take on the troubles of our magnitude.

Maybe when things are not so volatile, but not now.

[EFerrari]

69. Judging from how both campaigns are run, he's much more ready

than Clinton is to run anything.

[jackson_dem]

73. Reagan won in 2 landslides. Was he uber-qualified to be president?

[texas_indy]

71. 12 years?? * only been pres. 7years, Are you saying Bill Clinton was an

"arrogant, thin skinned, petulant, inexperienced empty suits in the WH" since he was in the WH before *??

Just wondering. :)


Texas is Obama country!!

[surfermaw]

61. I'm more intrested in finding a man/woman that can govern at this terrible time

Whom ever, is best for the job

[Forkboy]

74. Yes. White men uber alles!