Posted on 04/25/2008 1:44:23 AM PDT by freerepublic_or_die
The third-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives and one of the country’s most influential African-American leaders sharply criticized former President Bill Clinton this afternoon for what he called Mr. Clinton’s “bizarre” conduct during the Democratic primary campaign.
Representative James E. Clyburn, an undeclared superdelegate from South Carolina who is the Democratic whip in the House, said that “black people are incensed over all of this,” referring to statements that Mr. Clinton had made in the course of the heated race between his wife, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Senator Barack Obama.
Mr. Clinton was widely criticized by black leaders after he equated the eventual victory of Mr. Obama in South Carolina in January to that of the Rev. Jesse Jackson in 1988 – a parallel that many took as an attempt to diminish Mr. Obama’s success in the campaign. In a radio interview in Philadelphia on Monday, Mr. Clinton defended his remarks and said the Obama campaign had “played the race card on me” by making an issue of those comments.
In an interview with The New York Times late Thursday, Mr. Clyburn said Mr. Clinton’s conduct in this campaign had caused what might be an irreparable breach between Mr. Clinton and an African-American constituency that once revered him. “When he was going through his impeachment problems, it was the black community that bellied up to the bar,” Mr. Clyburn said. “I think black folks feel strongly that that this is a strange way for President Clinton to show his appreciation.”
Mr. Clyburn added that there appeared to be an almost “unanimous” view among African-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Clinton were “committed to doing everything they possibly can to damage Obama to a point that he could never win.”
(Excerpt) Read more at thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com ...
*Mr. Clyburn added that there appeared to be an almost “unanimous” view among African-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Clinton were “committed to doing everything they possibly can to damage Obama to a point that he could never win.”
Bill is happy to be anointed as the "First Black President" as long as it serves his purpose. I say, black folk are going to get a long more incensed before this is settled.
Hopefully blacks in general are waking up to the fact that the Clintons will throw them under the bus, just like they have done with anyone else who stood in their way, when it suits their purpose. The Clintons only loyalty is to themselves.
I feel their pain, though. Do you think some ice would help?
In Bill’s case it’s not ice but “Preparation H” is what he needs to ameliorate the pain.
True... he was like the white OJ during the hearings. Now... he's just another Mark Fuhrman. ;)
Leftie black folks are like the Islamonuts--perpetually incensed.
This is funny to watch because as we all know the Clintons are users and will use and discard and not blink an eye, but I think the Democrat voting segment of the black community are users too. The Clintons were good enough and black enough until Obama came along. Both the Clintons and the Democrat blacks have thrown each other under the bus. Some are trying to say that whites are racist because some of them aren't so inclined to vote for Barack these days. How about the 97% black male vote in PA that went to him? Are they racist for voting for the black guy and not the white woman? Anyway, it's fun to watch the poop hit the fan. So much for unity Obama--your own party is on the verge of a nuclear meltdown and civil war.
Tribal warfare in the identity politics crowd. Love it.
Duh!!! Welcome to the world of politics. Where have you been Clyburn? Of Course the Clintons will do this, and so would any other candidate...and to any person, whether white, black, or whatever. It's the way they play the game nowadays. Letting blacks believe, or assisting them to believe Clinton's tactics against Obama are because he is black is stupid, and you know it. You are perpetuating racist problems by not explaining that the Clinton's actions are typical and no different than ever. You know they have acted this way for years, and would not change for your precious Obama.
If Obama was not prepared for this, or can't handle it then he should never have run in the first place. I beg your pardon, did he expect a Rose Garden? (Oh, yea...he does, the one at the White House!)
I hope you're right.
I think that Bill is busy tomahawking Hillary’s campaign.
"The Clinton 'black magic' is wearing thin - Hillary is not Bill and neither Hillary nor Bill is black."
There was no 'love' lost with the Clintons and it came across loud and clear. Bill, in particular, seems to be burning a lot of Hillary's bridges these days and I hope he keeps on playing with fire and burns to the ground a few Democrat party bridges as well.
We just need some more purple rage moments in this campaign
Somebody push Bubba’s button again, please.
....why should Bill suck up to blacks?....they’re all going to vote Obama any way....blacks understand racial loyalty and use it as a strength...anybody remember the TV footage when the OJ verdict was announced?....the jubilation; the end zone dancing?....well, that’s how it’s gonna be when Obama gets the nomination....
“Hello Massa...bottom rail on top now!”
** this comment was attributed to a former slave who ran into his former owner on the street during Reconstruction.
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