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The Real Reasons Why Barack Hussein Obama Should Run For The US Presidency (Part two of three)
After writing the first part of this story, I got a little bit of flack from a few of my USA-born black friends who thought that I was being hard on them. I am not in any mood for apologies; as I said before, I write it as I see it, then I duck. If you haven’t read the first part of this column, then I suggest you do so before going forward; that way you won’t have to look like inane in the comment section, like some folks did in my last column yesterday. Thank God for the “anonymous” label; really. After part one was put up on my blog, Senator Joe Biden (a rather intelligent individual, I must say) went to “stupid place”, and in so doing destroyed his miniscule presidential possibilities/aspirations, by trying in a roundabout way to hit out at Barrack Hussein Obama’s exciting presidential candidacy. Claiming to be complimentary, Biden said that Obama was “clean and articulate” for a black man, and demonstrated why I have said for so long on these blogs, that white boys are in heavy and serious denial about their racist predisposition towards blacks; especially toward black males. It’s not just the insensitivity of his statement that jumps up and bites you, but it’s also the mode of unconsciousness in which he operated. The most articulate black who ever ran for the presidency isn’t even Barack Obama, it was the man whose ass Obama whipped to get into the US Senate: Allan Keyes. And not only was he the most articulate black to ever run for that office, but he was comparably articulate to any white attempting the same feat. Please note that I only said “articulate”, I am in no way expressing my opinion on the rigid positions of Mr. Keyes (to which he is entitled); that’s another issue. Let’s take this further; weren’t Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton(gue), Carol Moseley- Braun, Governor Wilder, Shirley Chisholm (Bajan accent and all), Ron Daniels and Angela Davis (ran for vice-president), all very articulate comparatively speaking- on a racial plain of course? And don’t forget that icon named Frederick Douglas, who was the first black ever nominated for the US presidency, at a Republican convention way back in the day. In fact, Douglas was the first black to ever receive at least one delegate at a nominating convention, as far as my research shows. Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X are arguably the most articulate blacks from this country; and don’t forget such folks as Colin Powell, Stokely Carmichael, Martin Luther King jnr., Eric Dyson, Cornell West and many many others- if you catch my drift here. The absurdities of Biden’s remarks are really disheartening, especially coming from the person it did. So now you see why some folks stress that “Black-studies” should be taught in the high school curriculum; too many white folks just don’t get it relative to this “race thing”; and there is an unconscious aspect to their perpetual denials. Why do you think Senator Biden is still bewildered by all the hoopla? Biden needs to cash in his chips now; Lady Luck has flown by. So back to part one and my central thesis that Obama is neither black nor white; he is “mixed’. His father was black (African-born) and his mother was white (USA-born). Those are the plain and glaring facts; so why is it so fucking hard for most people to acknowledge them? That’s the plain truth that near all of America seems not to want to accept; all because of the imprisoning chains of “race”; all because most people refuse to face facts and truth, whenever facing such becomes painful. My darling mother always told me to tell the truth because it’s the only story you have to remember. The truth isn’t complicated; it’s the repercussions from telling the truth that is. So there it is: the birth of the “lie”. Today, the lie that Tiger Woods first tried to point out many years ago, is alive and well and kicking ass. History (including the history of the African slave trade) has shaped the many shades of Negroid, because many humans mixed sexual partners throughout the years. Dark skin is quite appealing and very enticing; dark skin is exceptionally sensual and tempting. In the New York Daily News newspaper, a writer-who they tell me has won a Pulitzer Prize at some point or the other- has the audacious stupidity to question Obama’s “blackness”. This guy named Stanley Crouch, should have known better, since he epitomizes some of the humiliating, degrading, repressive, oppressive and dehumanizing stereotypes about black people, that many whites have used/ and some still use: very dark skin and thick lips. You will suspect that he should know better; but with Bidenesque unconsciousness and insensitivity, Crouch couldn’t even begin to understand where he went with his writings on Obama. To Crouch and his ilk, once you didn’t experience the civil-rights struggles of the sixties here in the United States of Amnesia (thank you Mr. Dyson), then you are less black, than say a brother or sister who struggled against racism, oppression, colonialism and the like, in Africa, or in any other part of the world. And by proxy, you are unable to represent the interests of blacks in the USA, whether you are elected to the white house or the out-house.; how absurd. But then it is obvious that Crouch is fighting his own racial demons; and yet, maybe we are all subsumed in a similar fight. I will repeat from my first part: USA-born blacks have no lock on the term “black”. They don’t own it; never did. It’s just their slave-master’s arrogance rubbing off on them, that’s all: this claim that “black” is uniquely American, and wrapped in a “civil-rights” coat. It’s the overall superciliousness of “Americana” and “American dreams” (sometimes nightmares for others). Blacks who were born here (and even a few who were foreign-born) have been seduced by all this lore, glitter and glamour. Some feel that the USA is the only country God loves (more on this in my next article on this topic); and they act accordingly. That’s why so many people from so many different countries, don’t necessarily like Americans too tough. They rush here for economic reasons mainly; not because of their love for our foreign policy. From an international perspective Americans need to show more gratitude and humility; they are lucky in so many ways; they are so well endowed when compared to most other countries. But in general, there is a tendency to act like they are better than the rest of the world. Have you ever looked at the television coverage of the New York and/or Boston marathons? Often you will see a focus on the American runners, even when they aren’t doing well; even at the expense of ignoring the foreign runners in real contention. The same thing happens when the networks cover the Olympics. Do you really think foreigners are not aware of this? Barack Obama (if elected) will be the first president (as far as I know) of this country to have spent a considerable amount of time living outside the mainland; this is so positive it aint funny. Barack has an international perspective that is worth millions in academia; he experienced different peoples first hand. He has experienced different cultures, different religions and different customs and rituals; all this will serve him well in his deliberations on international issues. Plus he has experienced what “blackness” USA -style is somewhat about, by his peregrinations through Chicago’s urban warfronts and by experiencing other black ground-zeroes. Look, black is not only a color, black is also an experience. Black is truly also an expression; an expression of billions of humans struggling internationally against some of their fellow-humans, whose superiority complex leads them down inhumane avenues at times. Sometimes they struggle against the inhumanity of people similarly colored, bar a few shades. Often enough, being black can be very painful; in general being black is probably more painful than being anything else. That’s a reality that most blacks will admit to. Okay, so it’s their perception; fine. Perception spawns reality. There are countries in this world where blacks there would gladly trade places with blacks here, in a heartbeat, in a flash, in a nano-second; the reason being that their life experiences (being black) is so much more painful, so much more oppressive there than here. Was apartheid in South Africa less dehumanizing than say “Jim-Crow” laws in South Carolina? Remember what I said in my last column about “skin bleach”, I was really referring to the worst kept secret in the black diaspora; and that is the self hate that many blacks suffer from. As I said before, this is fed by white/light-skinned media images that dominate the worldwide communication systems, and imposes supposed standards of beauty on all of us. This is so pervasive that eventually many blacks develop a propensity for trying to get to being as close to “white” as possible, in order to counteract their feelings of inferiority. They attempt to do this in physical, social and psychological ways. Why do you think that there are so many blacks who date exclusively outside their race? As I always say; if the ego-ideal and the self-image are far apart, then self-esteem issues are bound to ensue. Let me clarify something else here; there is no black race; there is a “negro” race. The Negro race comes in many hues (of black, white and others); remember that the next time this crap rears its inevitable head. If you don’t agree with me then take your beef to the anthropologists; they came up with the definitions around Mongoloid, Caucasoid and such; not me. I suspect that people in this field today have a hard time defining certain people by race, after looking at their physical features. Beyond Crouch, many so-called black leaders all around the country have jumped into the debate about Obama’s “blackness”, to basically do the same thing he did: question it. To them, it’s like this: if you didn’t come out of the civil-rights struggle in the United States of Amnesia (thank you Mr. Dyson), that you are not black (or maybe: less black). At the same time they are subtly suggesting that if you have too much visible white blood and if you grew up with white faces, in strange (to them) spaces and foreign places, that are somewhat different, then you couldn’t possibly understand what “blackness” is about. This is so insipid it’s tragic. It’s an offshoot from their general xenophobic outlook. What Crouch and those of his mind-set have missed (upon many other things) in this historical moment, is the evidence of America’s “oprahcization”. And by “oprahcization” I mean, an attempt by humans (especially Americans of all races and ethnicities that Oprah Winfrey influences) to transcend race, without losing an appreciation for, and a sense of, their unique racial features. It’s an attempt to get closer to recognizing that we are all firstly: humans. This is the hidden beauty of this great woman (Oprah Winfrey), who has evolved into a gem of a human being. When Oprah Winfrey blessed and sanctioned Barack Obama’s run for the presidency, it was the biggest endorsement that any presidential candidate has ever gotten. Let me explain this further. We don’t really vote freely (most of us), we take cues from people we respect and admire; thus those who aren’t deep into politics tend to get signals as to who to vote for, from endorsees; and guess what: most Americans aren’t deep into politics. But many many millions of Americans are deep into Oprah. Why do you think her recommended books- from her book club- usually get to the best seller list? Why do you think her show has been the highest rated in its time slot for years and years? Why is her magazine so widely read? Why are the tabloids (rags) so obsessed with her? Why does she have “single-name” recognition status? If you think that Oprah’s endorsement didn’t mean much, then ask yourself this: why has this relatively young freshman senator-who is not 100% white- been getting all this media attention since that Oprah show? And again, why is it that he is doing so well amongst white women in the polls? Oprah has connected with white women more so than any demographic group except black women. But didn’t some so-called “black folks” take Oprah to task for letting her show go white (their words)? And this was when she began seriously dealing with issues around spirituality, self esteem, humanity, humility and the like; she got a lil too philosophical it seems and a lil too psychological also. Look, stupidity comes in all colors, shapes, sizes, races, genders, ethnicities, sexual orientations, creeds, hues, religions; you name it. Negroes aren’t exempt from stupidity; neither are so-called (or self-defined) blacks. Barack Obama embodies the very hopes of all of those who deep down in their Rodney King-place, would like us all to get along; putting an end to racial discrimination and other racial attitudes-with their attendant hostilities, insularities and stings. This is why he is so admired all over the world; this is why so many have been drawn to his candidacy. We are experiencing a phenom rising. He is inspiring many of us to grow in ways we never imagined; he is carrying with him our hopes for a better world; racially and otherwise. As I said before, I don’t know if he will win (anything), but I am sure glad that he is announcing his candidacy later today. To those who see something wrong with this Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton-Bush (Jeb in the bullpen) presidential formula, there is an option. To those who see something wrong with this exclusive rich white-male presidential club, and seeks to bring inclusion, empowerment and power-sharing, then there is an option. For those Negroes (and self-defined blacks and/or mixed) who believe that we owe the Clintons nothing; nada; zilch; then there is an option. For those blacks who cannot name a single significant profound thing that the Clintons did to improve the lot of blacks nationwide in a specific and particular way, then there is an option. Look, let’s not kid ourselves, the Clintons are formidable opponents for any presidential aspirant, far less a half-black one; but can anyone really name the three top black advisers that they have held on to over the years? Or, can you name the black political consultants (or firms) that took all those millions that Hilary has spent in her two elections? Hilary’s key advisors over the years, her key spokespersons, top cabinet members, key inner-circle people and top staffers are still predominantly white; same ole, same ole. Yet, black folk continue to let the Clintons hoodwink them in to believing that they are our messiahs. And that’s our damn problem: always looking for some type of messianic delivery. What does Hilary Clinton stand for, besides to attempt to extract revenge on her husband for his uncontrollable zipper, by forcing him to do everything in his power to get her elected; first senator, and now president? Do you really think that she isn’t dealing with her own self-esteem issues from the years of Bill’s gallivanting? Bill Clinton destroyed the life of a young woman named Monica Lewinsky, and he is yet to apologize for it in any real appreciable contrite way. Can you imagine what it is like to have a sex act named after you, and be the butt of perennial jokes all over the world? Hilary was Bill’s enabler for years; why are we rewarding her (them)? We need fresh faces; we need new blood; we need to go in an entirely different direction; we need to give Obama a chance to show us what he’s got. We as Negroes or blacks (take your choice) need to get over our Clinton dependency; it’s not healthy. Do we want to go through an election wherein the Republican opposition- research mills, will be churning out sordid story after sordid story, going back to the Rose Law firm, Foster, Whitewater, Gennifer Flowers, Paula Jones, Monica Lewinsky, and only the lord knows who and what else; when blacks are facing serious issues that need addressing like yesterday? Do we really need this when blacks are in a state of emergency, just from HIV infection and prison-incarceration rates alone; and don’t even talk about education and unemployment issues. Black folks in the USA need to seriously ponder this upcoming presidential race. Some parts of the black-community are metastasizing. Even former president Jimmy Carter has been building houses; what has the Clintons built-up besides their bank accounts? You tell me; I am right here. Black folk need to start thinking things through; seriously. As I said before, I still think that Al Gore represents the best chance of the Democrats retrieving the white house; and I even think that Senator Edwards has a better winning shot than Hilary Clinton; but Barack Obama comes across as more passionate than the last two combined. He also comes across as more genuine. When the debates start, I am sure that there will be pressure on Barack to edify the public on his core positions on the pressing issues of the day, if he rises to that challenge in any reasonable way, he will have a chance of making history. Stray tuned-in folks; and look out for my last and final part of this series.
Barack Obama formally declared his candidacy for President this morning in Springfield, IL, home of Abraham Lincoln. They seem to be patterning themselves after the Howard Dean campaign, their slogan is "Obama for America" (just like "Dean for America") Here is the text of his speech, from barackobama.com: SPRINGFIELD, Ill — Let me begin by saying thanks to all you who've traveled, from far and wide, to brave the cold today. We all made this journey for a reason. It's humbling, but in my heart I know you didn't come here just for me, you came here because you believe in what this country can be. In the face of war, you believe there can be peace. In the face of despair, you believe there can be hope. In the face of a politics that's shut you out, that's told you to settle, that's divided us for too long, you believe we can be one people, reaching for what's possible, building that more perfect union. That's the journey we're on today. But let me tell you how I came to be here. As most of you know, I am not a native of this great state. I moved to Illinois over two decades ago. I was a young man then, just a year out of college; I knew no one in Chicago, was without money or family connections. But a group of churches had offered me a job as a community organizer for $13,000 a year. And I accepted the job, sight unseen, motivated then by a single, simple, powerful idea — that I might play a small part in building a better America. My work took me to some of Chicago's poorest neighborhoods. I joined with pastors and lay-people to deal with communities that had been ravaged by plant closings. I saw that the problems people faced weren't simply local in nature — that the decision to close a steel mill was made by distant executives; that the lack of textbooks and computers in schools could be traced to the skewed priorities of politicians a thousand miles away; and that when a child turns to violence, there's a hole in his heart no government could ever fill. It was in these neighborhoods that I received the best education I ever had, and where I learned the true meaning of my Christian faith. After three years of this work, I went to law school, because I wanted to understand how the law should work for those in need. I became a civil rights lawyer, and taught constitutional law, and after a time, I came to understand that our cherished rights of liberty and equality depend on the active participation of an awakened electorate. It was with these ideas in mind that I arrived in this capital city as a state Senator. It was here, in Springfield, where I saw all that is America converge — farmers and teachers, businessmen and laborers, all of them with a story to tell, all of them seeking a seat at the table, all of them clamoring to be heard. I made lasting friendships here — friends that I see in the audience today. It was here we learned to disagree without being disagreeable — that it's possible to compromise so long as you know those principles that can never be compromised; and that so long as we're willing to listen to each other, we can assume the best in people instead of the worst. That's why we were able to reform a death penalty system that was broken. That's why we were able to give health insurance to children in need. That's why we made the tax system more fair and just for working families, and that's why we passed ethics reforms that the cynics said could never, ever be passed. It was here, in Springfield, where North, South, East and West come together that I was reminded of the essential decency of the American people — where I came to believe that through this decency, we can build a more hopeful America. And that is why, in the shadow of the Old State Capitol, where Lincoln once called on a divided house to stand together, where common hopes and common dreams still, I stand before you today to announce my candidacy for President of the United States. I recognize there is a certain presumptuousness — a certain audacity — to this announcement. I know I haven't spent a lot of time learning the ways of Washington. But I've been there long enough to know that the ways of Washington must change. The genius of our founders is that they designed a system of government that can be changed. And we should take heart, because we've changed this country before. In the face of tyranny, a band of patriots brought an Empire to its knees. In the face of secession, we unified a nation and set the captives free. In the face of Depression, we put people back to work and lifted millions out of poverty. We welcomed immigrants to our shores, we opened railroads to the west, we landed a man on the moon, and we heard a King's call to let justice roll down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream. Each and every time, a new generation has risen up and done what's needed to be done. Today we are called once more — and it is time for our generation to answer that call. For that is our unyielding faith — that in the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it. That's what Abraham Lincoln understood. He had his doubts. He had his defeats. He had his setbacks. But through his will and his words, he moved a nation and helped free a people. It is because of the millions who rallied to his cause that we are no longer divided, North and South, slave and free. It is because men and women of every race, from every walk of life, continued to march for freedom long after Lincoln was laid to rest, that today we have the chance to face the challenges of this millennium together, as one people — as Americans. All of us know what those challenges are today — a war with no end, a dependence on oil that threatens our future, schools where too many children aren't learning, and families struggling paycheck to paycheck despite working as hard as they can. We know the challenges. We've heard them. We've talked about them for years. What's stopped us from meeting these challenges is not the absence of sound policies and sensible plans. What's stopped us is the failure of leadership, the smallness of our politics - the ease with which we're distracted by the petty and trivial, our chronic avoidance of tough decisions, our preference for scoring cheap political points instead of rolling up our sleeves and building a working consensus to tackle big problems. For the last six years we've been told that our mounting debts don't matter, we've been told that the anxiety Americans feel about rising health care costs and stagnant wages are an illusion, we've been told that climate change is a hoax, and that tough talk and an ill-conceived war can replace diplomacy, and strategy, and foresight. And when all else fails, when Katrina happens, or the death toll in Iraq mounts, we've been told that our crises are somebody else's fault. We're distracted from our real failures, and told to blame the other party, or gay people, or immigrants. And as people have looked away in disillusionment and frustration, we know what's filled the void. The cynics, and the lobbyists, and the special interests who've turned our government into a game only they can afford to play. They write the checks and you get stuck with the bills, they get the access while you get to write a letter, they think they own this government, but we're here today to take it back. The time for that politics is over. It's time to turn the page. We've made some progress already. I was proud to help lead the fight in Congress that led to the most sweeping ethics reform since Watergate. But Washington has a long way to go. And it won't be easy. That's why we'll have to set priorities. We'll have to make hard choices. And although government will play a crucial role in bringing about the changes we need, more money and programs alone will not get us where we need to go. Each of us, in our own lives, will have to accept responsibility — for instilling an ethic of achievement in our children, for adapting to a more competitive economy, for strengthening our communities, and sharing some measure of sacrifice. So let us begin. Let us begin this hard work together. Let us transform this nation. Let us be the generation that reshapes our economy to compete in the digital age. Let's set high standards for our schools and give them the resources they need to succeed. Let's recruit a new army of teachers, and give them better pay and more support in exchange for more accountability. Let's make college more affordable, and let's invest in scientific research, and let's lay down broadband lines through the heart of inner cities and rural towns all across America. And as our economy changes, let's be the generation that ensures our nation's workers are sharing in our prosperity. Let's protect the hard-earned benefits their companies have promised. Let's make it possible for hardworking Americans to save for retirement. And let's allow our unions and their organizers to lift up this country's middle-class again. Let's be the generation that ends poverty in America. Every single person willing to work should be able to get job training that leads to a job, and earn a living wage that can pay the bills, and afford child care so their kids have a safe place to go when they work. Let's do this. Let's be the generation that finally tackles our health care crisis. We can control costs by focusing on prevention, by providing better treatment to the chronically ill, and using technology to cut the bureaucracy. Let's be the generation that says right here, right now, that we will have universal health care in America by the end of the next president's first term. Let's be the generation that finally frees America from the tyranny of oil. We can harness homegrown, alternative fuels like ethanol and spur the production of more fuel-efficient cars. We can set up a system for capping greenhouse gases. We can turn this crisis of global warming into a moment of opportunity for innovation, and job creation, and an incentive for businesses that will serve as a model for the world. Let's be the generation that makes future generations proud of what we did here. Most of all, let's be the generation that never forgets what happened on that September day and confront the terrorists with everything we've got. Politics doesn't have to divide us on this anymore — we can work together to keep our country safe. I've worked with Republican Senator Dick Lugar to pass a law that will secure and destroy some of the world's deadliest, unguarded weapons. We can work together to track terrorists down with a stronger military, we can tighten the net around their finances, and we can improve our intelligence capabilities. But let us also understand that ultimate victory against our enemies will come only by rebuilding our alliances and exporting those ideals that bring hope and opportunity to millions around the globe. But all of this cannot come to pass until we bring an end to this war in Iraq. Most of you know I opposed this war from the start. I thought it was a tragic mistake. Today we grieve for the families who have lost loved ones, the hearts that have been broken, and the young lives that could have been. America, it's time to start bringing our troops home. It's time to admit that no amount of American lives can resolve the political disagreement that lies at the heart of someone else's civil war. That's why I have a plan that will bring our combat troops home by March of 2008. Letting the Iraqis know that we will not be there forever is our last, best hope to pressure the Sunni and Shia to come to the table and find peace. Finally, there is one other thing that is not too late to get right about this war - and that is the homecoming of the men and women — our veterans — who have sacrificed the most. Let us honor their valor by providing the care they need and rebuilding the military they love. Let us be the generation that begins this work. I know there are those who don't believe we can do all these things. I understand the skepticism. After all, every four years, candidates from both parties make similar promises, and I expect this year will be no different. All of us running for president will travel around the country offering ten-point plans and making grand speeches; all of us will trumpet those qualities we believe make us uniquely qualified to lead the country. But too many times, after the election is over, and the confetti is swept away, all those promises fade from memory, and the lobbyists and the special interests move in, and people turn away, disappointed as before, left to struggle on their own. That is why this campaign can't only be about me. It must be about us — it must be about what we can do together. This campaign must be the occasion, the vehicle, of your hopes, and your dreams. It will take your time, your energy, and your advice — to push us forward when we're doing right, and to let us know when we're not. This campaign has to be about reclaiming the meaning of citizenship, restoring our sense of common purpose, and realizing that few obstacles can withstand the power of millions of voices calling for change. By ourselves, this change will not happen. Divided, we are bound to fail. But the life of a tall, gangly, self-made Springfield lawyer tells us that a different future is possible. He tells us that there is power in words. He tells us that there is power in conviction. That beneath all the differences of race and region, faith and station, we are one people. He tells us that there is power in hope. As Lincoln organized the forces arrayed against slavery, he was heard to say: "Of strange, discordant, and even hostile elements, we gathered from the four winds, and formed and fought to battle through." That is our purpose here today. That's why I'm in this race. Not just to hold an office, but to gather with you to transform a nation. I want to win that next battle — for justice and opportunity. I want to win that next battle — for better schools, and better jobs, and health care for all. I want us to take up the unfinished business of perfecting our union, and building a better America. And if you will join me in this improbable quest, if you feel destiny calling, and see as I see, a future of endless possibility stretching before us; if you sense, as I sense, that the time is now to shake off our slumber, and slough off our fear, and make good on the debt we owe past and future generations, then I'm ready to take up the cause, and march with you, and work with you. Together, starting today, let us finish the work that needs to be done, and usher in a new birth of freedom on this Earth."
Also John Edwards and Hillary Clinton are both longstanding members and major players in the DLC, the centerist wing of the party. Barack Obama is not. A big part of the Dean campaign four years ago was supporting a candidate who did not suppor the DLC controlling the party. That mission hasn't changed.
I believe that Dyson's phrase is "AfrAmnesia." My next blog posting on Obama should be up tonight (Saturday). http://powerfromtruth.blogspot.com Chris
Thank you. I am looking forward to part 3. My comment has to do with the expectations of Senator Obama from "Black America". It just really frustrates myself and my husband that so many black folks are expecting Barack to fashion himself after Al Sharpton - To only represent Black interests to the media. This man is applying for the job of LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD. He's playing to win. In order to do that, he can't be divisive like Al (is viewed by the media). He has to receive a majority of the White vote to make it into the White House. Barack may be a lot of things, but stupid aint one of them. Once in the White house, he will have the power to influence policies that will improve the quality of life and opportunities of Black Americans, and Americans in general. My husband and I watched in disgust Tavis Smiley's State of the Black Union, where Barack was booed, mocked, and even discredited by so-called Black leaders on the panel because he wasn't there. But neither was Hillary Clinton or John Edwards or Bill Richards. Yet they were so careful to give credit to Hillary and be sure to say Obama shouldn't think he has the Black vote in his back pocket simply because he is Black. Then why are you holding him to such a ridiculous standard? Are we really so ignorant as a people that we don't realize that Mr. Obama must "play the game" in order to win the White House? Who of us hasn't played the game on a much smaller scale? When a policeman pulls you over, are you bold enough to tell him exactly where he can go? I just can't believe how many Blacks in the media are willing to sacrifice our progress in this country so they can stay in the business of teaching us to celebrate our shortcomings so they can sell more books, DVD's etc. In the words of Spike Lee in School Daze. "WAKE UP"!
Rock: Well you candidate announced officialy today. And I am glad he did. Now he has an equal chance to prove himself--by that I mean he must be prepared to present a platform that is appealing not only the entire country but to his base. But I forget, what group represents is base? Obama is loved and admired in the Black community but honelty I think given the Dems want someone their party to win so badly his razor thin resume in terms of political accomplishments (only two years in the Senate) could present a tremendous barrier. Not to mention the race issue -- the words so many a pretending is not a consideration. I am looking forward to the debates that together will enrich all of us who want to be a part of this great democracy. To see and and hear ideas that can reveal in some understanable way who is best prepared to be the next president. The test has begun I am excited to sit back as voter and drink it all in.
Since when is being in the senate a prerequisite for becoming president? Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan were governors. I don't believe Obama's current base is from the black community. I think what you believe people are pretending to ignore (his race) in 2 recent polls by Newsweek and the Washington Post, most people have said they are ready to elect a black president, in other words trust and confidence wins out over race. I think being from NY is a bigger handicap than race for anyone seeking the presidency.
Irrespective of the what Newsweek polls say, until the results are in I am yet to be convinced that " race" no longer matters for the highest job in this country and the free world. I am praying for a miracle, despite my doubts. But the best predictor of the future, most often is the past. I will hold my breath-- it could happen--Obama as President!
Barack is 45 now and by the time he'd take office as President in January 2009 he'll be the same age as Bill Clinton was in 1992. I didn't see anyone saying Clinton was too young? Barack Obama served for nine years as a distinguised Illinois Staet Senator and taught Consitutional Law before that, in addition to community organizing. By the time he'd take office he will have been a Senator for three, going on four, years. He has plenty of experience. He is more experienced actually than John Edwards, whose sole time in political life was one term in the Senate where he never did anything special. Obama was in politics long before Edwards was, and yet we don't here people talking about Edwards' lack of experience. I think its a double standard frankly. Does Obama, being a black candidate, have to be older and more experienced than the white candidates to be seen as equally credible? I also get annoyed at some blog entries I have been reading pushing Obama for VP, as if second banana was somehow the natural slot for a black candidate. Why?
Rock not only do I agree with your piece, I consider myself a lefty Obama supporter, I also agree with this statement, "Dark skin is quite appealing and very enticing; dark skin is exceptionally sensual and tempting" Mocha choco la ta ya ya, in the words of a very famous Patti Labelle song. I hope that black Americans can see the significance of this moment and not play into the hands of the racists who would like nothing more than to see blacks, African Americans and subvervises in the democratic party cancel each other out. I hope I'm making the point here clearly and please feel free to expand, anyone.
Obama for president! Great job of addressing/debunking the many myths and critiques about Obama's candidacy. I don't know who I am going to vote for in the primary, but its clear to me that the other candidates are working hard behind the scenes to discredit Obama as soon as possible. And maybe its just me, but their efforts seem so transparent and lame. Edwards' team has to be worried because Obama matches their guy's charisma and comes across as much more thoughtful and sincere. Clinton's team must be worried because they haven't see raw political talent of this nature since Bill came onto the national scene. Their greatest nightmare is that Obama will become the Tiger Woods of American politics. If America embraces Obama the way they've embraced Tiger Woods then things could get very interesting. Rock, I just discovered 'page 8' and your blog. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to read a discussion of race in America that doesn't ariginate from the 'stupid place.' (I love it. I couldn't stop laughing when I read that). I am a product of mixed parents, and although born in the US, spent my formative years outside the US. I totally agree with your perspective. The problem with American born blacks (not all, but too many) is one I think Bob Marley expressed best with the lyrics: "emancipate yourself from mental slavery......."
my apologies, I got the name wrong. Not page 8 but Room 8. I look forward to your part 3 on Obama. I also hope the rumor of your joining Politico.com is correct.
Rock: At the end of the day in next year's primaries, what percentage of the Black vote do you think Senator Obama will get? My guess is about 80%. I really don't know how much he will get of the "black vote", but it will be significant. However Clinton will get black votes also. Obama gets into the sixties -percentile wise- I think.
Obama’s efforts to connect to the Republican Party, specifically Bush, and Dick Cheney, of the Halliburton Company, dates back to the Presidents Grandfather, Prescott Bush, and indeed Cheney was once an executive officer of Halliburton.
The American military pounds Iraq with Artillary, bombs, and the like, destroying large sections of cities, and infra-structures, then Halliburton comes in to rebuild. Halliburton and Halliburton associated companies have raked in ten’s of billions. Obama is just like the BIG HALIBURTAN. Haliburton has contracted to build detention centers in the U.S. similiar to the one in Quantanammo Bay, Cuba. Halliburton does nothing to earn the Two Dollars for each meal an American Serviceman in Iraq eats. http://www.halliburtonwatch.org/ Halliburton was scheduled to take control of the Dubai Ports in The United Arab Emiirate. The deal was canceled when Bush was unable to affect the transfer of the American Ports. Now we see what some might suspect as similiar financial escapading from the Democrats. Two years ago, Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity gave a $50 million contract to a start-up security company - Companion- owned by now-indicted businessman (TONY REZKO) Tony Rezko and a onetime Chicago cop, Daniel T. Frawley, to train Iraqi power-plant guards in the United States. An Iraqi leadership change left the deal in limbo. Now the company, Companion Security, is working to revive its contract. Involved along with Antoin “Tony” Rezco, long time friend and neighbor of Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama, and former cop Daniel T. Frawley, is Aiham Alsammarae. Alsammarae was accused of financial corruption by Iraqi authorities and jailed in Iraq last year before escaping and returning here. LIKE FATHER LIKE SON -- Recently, Obama's campaign staff have been vetted by the IRS to disclose his connection to the criminal money generating underworld. Besides, his connections to the REZCO MAFIA types, his up-coming Tax Fraud charges — Obama needs to disclose why he is a MUSLIM "PATWANG-FWEEE" and disclose Obama's MUSLIM Farrakhan mob connection to Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ. Its minister, and Obama's spiritual adviser, is the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. In 1982, the church launched Trumpet Newsmagazine; Wright's daughters serve as publisher and executive editor. Every year, the magazine makes awards in various categories. Last year, it gave the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award to a man it said "truly epitomized greatness." That man is Louis Farrakhan. Farrakhan and Chicago's Trinity United Church are trumpeting Barack Obama AKA Barack Hussein Obama as the second coming of the messiah. Obama should stop suppoting our intervention in IRAQ. It’s time to introduce this false, fake Xerox - X box Obama and invite the self-indicting thief plagiarizing pipsqueke "GLORK" Xerox - X box to meet the Buffalo "GAZOWNT-GAZIKKA" Police Department Buffalo Creek. He is MAD!!! -- OBAM YOU'RE NO JFK -- "GLORK" Obama looks like Alfred E. Newman: "Tales Calculated To Drive You." He is a MUSLIM "Glork" He's MAD!!! Alfred E. Neuman is the fictional mascot of Mad. The face had drifted through American pictography for decades before being claimed by Mad editor Harvey Kurtzman after he spotted it on the bulletin board in the office of Ballantine Books editor Bernard Shir-Cliff, later a contributor to various magazines created by Kurtzman. Obama needs to disclose why he is a MUSLIM "PATWANG-FWEEE" and stop suppoting our intervention in IRAQ. It’s time to introduce this false, fake "GLORK" Xerox - X box Obama and invite the self-indicting thief plagiarizing pipsqueke Xerox - X box to meet the Buffalo "GAZOWNT-GAZIKKA" Police Department Buffalo Creek. Michelle Obama should be ashamed. "GLORK" Michelle Obama should be ashamed of her separatist-racist connection to Farrakhan and Chicago's Trinity United Church trumpeting Barack Obama AKA Barack Hussein Obama as the second coming of the messiah. Beneath that Darth-Vader-Mace-Windu-Jedi-Me ssiah Helmet Hairdo of Michelle Obama lurks a Wildabeast. If Michelle Obama new what her husband -- the Hope-A-Dope, Fonster Monster -- Barack Obama AKA Barack Hussein Obama did in Harlem, she would wash her wide-open, Hus-suey loving MUSILM mouth out, with twenty-four (24) mule-team double-cross X-boX-BorraX. The Lexis-Nexis-Albatross-Abacus-Complex of Barack and Michelle's relationship with MUSLIM "PATWANG-FWEEE" Rev. Wright, Louis Farrakhan, and black demagoguery of Obama's Stump Lines Echo Malcolm X; is about as much of a Hoax as Oxfam volunteers believe in HIV-- AIDS Witch Doctors in Africa they feed. "God damn America" - Jeremiah Wright and Barack Obama -- "God bless America" - Pope Benedict XVI and Hillary Clinton -- If Barack Obama had married Shaniqua instead of Michelle, his Jackenapes Collegial Elitism Attraction, black rage, and "GLORK" black demagoguery of Obama's Stump Lines Echo Malcolm X; would be taken a lot more seriously. Expectations are that Obama will manage his explosive MUSLIM JIHADI -- FATIMA EXTREMISM obsession bitter. He is a MUSLIM "Glork" It’s time to introduce this false, fake "GLORK" Xerox - X box Obama and invite the self-indicting thief plagiarizing pipsqueke Xerox - X box to meet the Buffalo "GAZOWNT-GAZIKKA" Police Department Buffalo Creek. He's MAD!!! http://www.halliburtonwatch.org/ THE SPEECH -- The Apologia has arrived and once again the self-indicting, separatist-racist Barack Obama AKA Barack Hussein Obama, promises to heal the wounds of the world. The speech is the rude awakening of mass messianism of his campaign. Apologetically, Obama the MUSLIM double-cross X-boX-BorraX has an astonishingly empty two-prawn echelon explanation of his misjudgment. In the first prawn: with regard to his connection to separatist-racist Rev. Wright; Obama summons voodoo and juju to express slavery as beginning and ending with the Rev. Wright. In the second prawn: Obama's speech takes credit for Ashley's dream. A dream of unity Martin Luther King, Jr. borrowed from Ashley for his historic "I Have A Dream" speech. In Obama's speech, the connective bond Ashley, the elderly black man and Obama's grandmother share; represents Obama's self-indicting rise to the Harvard Yard. For Obama, the grand flag of language is the semi-fore of words, bestowed upon our nation by the messiah-alumni from Harvard. Obama's Swoon-Song Apologia to the nation represents a failed hymn -- a hymn that fails to heal the nation, repair the world, or make this time different than all the rest. Obama's speech is a brilliant failure. http://www.halliburtonwatch.org/ MUSLIM LIES -- The ILLIGITIAMTE MUSLIM MESSIA has blundered yet again!!! The self-indicting, separatist-racist Barack Obama AKA Barack Hussein Obama, lied about the politics of his campaign. The danger involved with this self-aggrandizing, -a-hoop, Hope-A-Dope, Fonster Monster -- Barack Obama AKA Barack Hussein Obama is that -- "Like Father Like Son" Obama is constantly wanting to impress America with "...his incapacity for sound judgment." In 2005, Sen. Obama voted for the Dick Cheney energy bill, which Cheney wrote in secret with the oil industry. Hillary Clinton opposed Cheney's energy bill, has a plan to eliminate oil industry tax breaks, and would require oil companies to contribute to a $50 billion strategic energy fund to jump-start research and investment in clean energy technologies. On top of the horrible crime Obama executed in Harlem, the fact is, we have to hear it from Karl Rove about Obama's latest Campaign Crisis. "GLORK" Top Ten Obama Lies: 1. Obam said his parents met at the Selma march -- Reality: He was born 4 years before that. 2. Obam said he was a constitutional law professor -- Reality: . . . Obama Made This False Claim In His 2004 Senate Race. “Several direct-mail pieces issued for Obama's primary [Senate] campaign said he was a law professor at the University of Chicago. He is not. He is a senior lecturer (now on leave) at the school.. 3. Obam said he spoke fluent Indonesian as a child -- Reality: . . . Obama has claimed on numerous occasions to have become fluent in Indonesian in six months. Yet another Phi Beta Krakatau lie from Obama. Those who knew him disputed that during recent interviews. Israel la Pareira Darmawan, Obama's 1st-grade teacher, said she attempted to help him learn the Indonesian language by going over pronunciation and vowel sounds. Truth-be-told: Obama's Indonesian teachers say Kaku-Pooh. 4. Obam said he was involved in community asbestos and housing project for the poor -- Reality: Didn't happen. This was the basis for Barack and Michelle's claim, that he was a community activist on the South and East Side of Chicago. Usher United Arab Emirates (UAE) A+ lie both he and his twenty-four (24) mule-team, Hus-suey loving wife Michelle Obama have been claiming in the campaign -- Reality: The Chicago Newspaper's Obelus -- Kiss-A-Cuss:...NO-MAMA. 5. Obam said in his book that he received his racial awakening at age nine reading a Life/Ebony Magazine story about a black man who was scarred trying to dye his skin white -- Reality: Didn't happen. Both Magazines (Life and Ebony), and the Rev. Wright and Farrakhan MUSLIM Trumpet Newsmagazine say, just didn't happen. 6. Obam’s Campaign Didn’t Have The “Technical Capacity” To Produce The “1984” Ad: Obama: “But it's not something that we had anything to do with or were aware of and that frankly, given what it looks like, we don't have the technical capacity to create something like that.” (CNN’s “Larry King Live,” 3/24/07) -- Reality:...The Creator Admitted All It Took Was A “Sunday Afternoon” On His Mac. Phillip de Vellis: “I made the ad on a Sunday afternoon in my apartment using my personal equipment (a Mac and some software), uploaded it to YouTube, and sent links around to blogs.” 7. Obam’s Campaign Claimed His High School Friend Tried To Extort Money From Them: “According To The Obama Campaign, [Obama’s Punahou Classmate Keith] Kakugawa Explicitly Raised The Possibility That He Could Make Up False Stories About Obama, Implying He Would Do So If The Campaign Did Not Give Him Money.” (Maurice Possley, Kirsten Scharnberg and Ray Gibson, -- Reality: “...An Old Friend's Troublesome Return,” Chicago Tribune, 3/25/07). 8. Obam voted to bring low-cost foreign labor into New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina -- Reality:...This was a slap in the face against the African-Americans who were displaced in that city. Obama also voted to place Michael Chertoff, the man responsible for the Katrina catastrophe, in charge of Homeland Security. Obama voted for Senate-Bills that gave Blackwater the funding they needed to shoot the folks of New Orleans who were only trying to save their own lives. The towel head voted to allow Michael Chertoff to waive all applicable laws, including murder, torture, kidnaping, and he suppoted water-boarding. 9. Obam voted more than five times for USA-PATRIOT ACT renewal -- Reality:...This is a Senate-Bill patently offensive to most Americans. City after city has passed resolutions condemning USA-PATRIOT ACT. Obama chose to side with tyranny over freedom and Bush over the folks on this issue. The Real ID Act, which would allow Michael Chertoff to declare martial law and imprison Americans, was supported by Obama, as noted above. 10. Obam is not a MAD MAN. Sen. Obama has not exaggerated his involvement with the long-simmering sub-text of the October Surprise "X-Files" -- The 1980 election scandal exposed....an extraneous tenuous association between Obama and an aging (VX) Vietnam-era Weather Underground Radical Extremist William Ayers. Sen. Obama Is not involved along with Antoin “Tony” Rezco, long time friend and neighbor, now-indicted businessman (TONY REZKO), or Tony Rezko and a onetime Chicago cop, Daniel T. Frawley. Sen. Obama is not involved with, nor has Sen. Obama ever been exposed to any nuclear security, bribery, money payoffs, or cronyism in the state of Illinois; or criminal activities related to the BIG HALIBURTAN and V.P. Cheney's Halliburton bribery case; or any political misjudgment in his escalating Campaign Crisis. "GLORK" Sen. Obama Is not involved with any Hoax or Oxfam volunteers and HIV-- AIDS Witch Doctors in Africa they feed. Sen. Obama is not associated with Exiled "God damn America" SOULJAH JIHAD -- Rev. Jeremiah Wright, MUSLIM EXTREMIST (MalcomX KillA) -- Louis Farrakhan, and black demagoguery of Obama's Apologia - Mea Culpa; or Stump Lines Echo Malcolm X; Sen. Obama is not a separatist-racist. Michelle Obama AKA Wildabeast is not a separatist-racist. Sen. Obama is not a self-indicting thief plagiarizing pipsqueke Xerox - X box. "GLORK" Obama executed no crime in Harlem. Obama is Not America's Poison -- Reality:...He's Radio-Active. http://www.halliburtonwatch.org/ SOULJAH JIHAD -- OBAMA CAMPAIGN CRISIS The Republicans' disengagement (media bias), if not disillusionment, with the economic campaign issues is borne out by the fact that many more Republicans are able to explain, extinguish, and excoriate the name Barrack Obama with the term (JIHAD), than can name Bush/Dick Cheney and McCain -- as the Big Oil -- BIG HALLIBURTAN politicians expanding GOP IRAQ WAR ideology, and Republican White House Party Elders' GI Bill of Rights for the 21st century IRAQ WAR ECONOMY. Even among Republicans, Clinton is much more visible than GOP presumptive candidate John McCain towards affecting positively the important economic issues facing America's middle class economy. When asked who they would vote for in the general election for president of the United States, the natural pendulum swing in America is 79% of Republicans named Hillary Clinton as their choice. Reasons for Obama's Campaign Crisis "GLORK" Campaign Crisis include: "Obama has more holes in him than Swiss-Cheese." (CNN’s “Politics.com,” 4/01/08) Obama's presidential campaign has received $2,812,336 from firms that employ registered federal lobbyists. [fec.gov] Obama has taken $405,747 from the Pharmaceutical industry. [opensecrets.org] Obama has received $1,185,937 from the Commercial Banking industry. [opensecrets.org] Obama has received over six million dollars from the Securities & Investment industry. [opensecrets.org] Obama has taken $608,822 from the Insurance industry. [opensecrets.org] Obam has taken $168,584 from the Mortgage Banking industry. [opensecrets.org] "GLORK" SOULJAH JIHAD -- CAMPAIGN CRISIS http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3369102968312745410&q=Fitna&total=1413&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=5 WASHINGTON — Obama’s support among Democrats nationally has softened. "GLORK" Sen. Barack Obama’s support among Democrats nationally has softened over the last month, particularly among men and upper-income voters, as voters have taken a slightly less positive view of him than they did after his burst of victories in February, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll. The survey suggests that Mr. Obama, Democrat of Illinois, may have been at something of a peak in February, propelled by a string of primary and caucus victories over Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, and that perceptions of him are dramatically trending downward. Mr. Obama’s favorability rating among Democratic primary voters has dropped seventeen percentage points, to 42 percent, since the last Times/CBS News survey, in late February. While that figure is steadily declining, this dramatic decline came in a month during which he endured withering attacks from Mrs. Clinton, and responded to reports that his exiled former pastor had made politically inflammatory statements from his church’s pulpit in Chicago, and swirling questions about what Barack Obama did in Harlem. The events of the last month appear to have fundamentally altered the race for the party’s nomination and provided Mrs. Clinton’s campaign extensive evidence of a collapse in Mr. Obama’s standing or an overwhelming preference voiced for Mrs. Clinton by Democratic and Republican voters in polls: -- developments in Obama's ongoing Campaign Crisis, that could be used to persuade uncommitted super-delegates to sign on with Hillary Clinton. Twenty-six percent of the general electorate voters who heard of the Apologia speech that Mr. Obama the self-indicting, separatist-racist Barack Obama AKA Barack Hussein Obama gave to try to deal with the controversy over Obama's separatist-racist connection to Farrakhan and Chicago's Trinity United Church trumpeting Barack Obama AKA Barack Hussein Obama as the second coming of the messiah, said it made them dislike him. And 74 percent of Democrats and Republicans said Mr. Obama's Campaign Crisis "GLORK" Campaign Crisis "God damn America" - Jeremiah Wright and Barack Obama. "God bless America" - Pope Benedict XVI and Hillary Clinton....stems from the fact that he shows continued misjudgment for even the most challenging problems. Mr. Obama lacks the decisive capability to lead, willingness to listen, conviction and courage. Mr. Obama uses false charges and exaggerated claims to play politics with national security. Mr. Obama lied about the politics of his campaign, and knew about Rev. Wright's MUSLIM Farrakhan - JIHADI -- FATIMA EXTREMIST mob connection to Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ. http://www.halliburtonwatch.org/ Fact Check: Sen. Obama on Lobbyists -- "When it comes to lobbyists, Senator Obama’s words might sound nice but voters need to make sure they read the fine print. Despite trying to give the impression that he has no relationship with lobbyists or special interests, the reality is that Senator Obama takes money from people who hire lobbyists, partners of lobbyists, spouses of lobbyists, former lobbyists and state lobbyists.” –Statement from Clinton Deputy Communications Director, Phil Singer Sen. Obama Has Ties to Lobbyists in His Presidential Bid Public Citizen: 10 of Sen. Obama's bundlers have been federal lobbyists. The Public Citizen report listed the following ten bundlers for Sen. Obama who have registered as federal lobbyists: Frank Clark, Commonwealth Edison; Scott Harris, Harris Wiltshire and Grannis; Allan J. Katz, Akerman Senterfitt; Robert S. Litt, Arnold & Porter; Thomas J. Perrelli, Jenner and Block; Thomas A. Reed, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP; Paul N. Roth, Schulte Roth & Zabel; Miriam Sapiro, Summit Strategies; Alan Solomont, Solomont Bailis Ventures; and Tom E. Wheeler, Core Capital Partners. [Public Citizen, 1/29/08] Sen. Obama takes money from employees of firms that lobby and has lobbyists as advisers. "But those who lobby for a living say it's not that simple, and even Obama's stance shows some flexibility. He won't take money from federal lobbyists but accepts money from employees of firms and corporations that lobby, and he uses lobbyists and other government relations professionals as advisers... Obama has also used major fundraisers who are registered lobbyists on the state level. And he uses registered federal lobbyists such as Broderick Johnson, who lobbies for AT&T and Shell Oil, among others, as a campaign adviser. Because Johnson isn't giving money to Obama, his name won't show up in Federal Election Commission records." [Chicago Tribune, 2/10/08] Bloomberg: Five of [Obama’s] ten biggest sources of funds are groups of employees at law firms that lobby in Washington. "While Obama doesn't accept money from registered federal lobbyists, five of his 10 biggest sources of funds are groups of employees at law firms that lobby in Washington…Among Obama's top donors were employees of the Chicago-based law firm of Sidley Austin LLP, who gave $105,750 in the first quarter. The firm was paid $4.5 million last year" for lobbying the federal government. [Bloomberg, 6/7/07] Obama's presidential campaign has received $2,812,336 from firms that employ registered federal lobbyists. [fec.gov] Obama has taken $405,747 from the Pharmaceutical industry. [opensecrets.org] Obama has received $1,185,937 from the Commercial Banking industry. [opensecrets.org] Obama has received over six million dollars from the Securities & Investment industry. [opensecrets.org] Obama has taken $608,822 from the Insurance industry. [opensecrets.org] Obama has taken $168,584 from the Mortgage Banking industry. [opensecrets.org] Prior to His Presidential Campaign, Sen. Obama took Money from Lobbyists and PACs 1996-2004: $296,000 of the $461,000 Sen. Obama raised as a state senator came from PACs, corporate contributions or unions. "But behind Obama's campaign rhetoric about taking on special interests lies a more complicated truth. A Globe review of Obama's campaign finance records shows that he collected hundreds of thousands of dollars from lobbyists and PACs as a state legislator in Illinois, a US senator, and a presidential aspirant. In Obama's eight years in the Illinois Senate, from 1996 to 2004, almost two-thirds of the money he raised for his campaigns -- $296,000 of $461,000 -- came from PACs, corporate contributions, or unions, according to Illinois Board of Elections records. He tapped financial services firms, real estate developers, healthcare providers, oil companies, and many other corporate interests, the records show." [Boston Globe, 8/9/07] In his 2004 U.S. Senate race, Sen. Obama raised $128,000 from lobbyists and $1.3 million from PACs. "Obama's US Senate campaign committee, starting with his successful run in 2004, has collected $128,000 from lobbyists and $1.3 million from PACs, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonprofit organization that tracks money in politics. His $1.3 million from PACs represents 8 percent of what he has raised overall." [Boston Globe, 8/9/07] http://www.halliburtonwatch.org/ Post new comment |
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One question for you Rock Hackshaw: if you were given the opportunity to look into the future and see that Barack Obama would lose if running against the republican candidate, and Clinton would win. Who would you pick now to represent the democratic party?
(For the record if I knew for a fact that either Clinton or Obama would win against any republican candidate I would pick Obama, no question about it. This guy is what the rest of the world (myself in Europe included) have been hoping and praying for a long time.)
But now back to the question above, really curious to hear your thoughts on it.
(I'm white/liberal if that matters)
Cris