Clinton camp fires up blacks but not how they hoped

Robert Johnson is a smut peddling pimp. I say this as a 30 yr old AA female. His network BET (Black Exploitation Television has done so much damage to America's children. I block it from my own young children.

Barack Obama TOOK A STAND against the IRAQ INVASION when it MATTERED.

Hillary Clinton PLAYED politics when it MATTERED.

Everything else is just BUNK !

In reality Bob Johnson did more to hurt Hillary then
help by referring the Obama's teen drug use and then the Clinton camp as well as Bob Johnson denying that that is what was being referred to. No wonder it is so easy to believe that Hillary is a dishonest person. I even read somewhere that she planted
someone in the audience in NH to yell 'Iron my shirt' to get the woman of NH to rally against sexism and vote for Hillary. Not hard to believe considering
how she has denied things that are obviously true.
Personally I think Hillary Clinton is a smart and very
capable person to be president. I will go as far as to say she was probably the main reason why Bill Clinton was able to become president. However for the past 28 years the presidency has be held in the hands of 2 families and that is not good for the great republic that we live in. THIS IS NOT LATIN AMERICA with ruling families that past power back and forth. In 2008 anyone but a Bush or a
Clinton for president.

It was not President Johnson or M.L. King who passed the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The man responsible was Sen. Everett Dirksen of Illinois who, at Johnson's request for help against his own party, got a super majority of Republicans to support the act. Many Democrats opposed and actually filibustered the act. The Congressional vote, thanks to Dirksen was: Democratic Party: 46-22 (68%-32%); Republican Party: 27-6 (82%-18%); The final House vote was: Democratic Party: 153-91 (63%-37%); Republican
Party: 186-35 (80%-20%). (Source: Civil Rights Act of 1964).

As expected, neither Clinton nor Obama in their "bipartisanship" credited Dirksen and the Republicans.
Just a little more rewriting of history.

Bob Johnson knew EXACTLY what he was saying.

The Clinton machine is geting desperate again.

OBAMA 08!

Ditto that. I could not have said it more. CLintons (both) are "liars". No matter what we say, they could not change and be trusted. The time to step aside has come. BEtter they keep their dignity and exit from this race. The OBAMA train full of promises and hope is comming along lifting the hope and dreams of the people is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

GOBAMA' 08

This is the media and moneyed interests spinning for the Clintons. "Bob Johnson has done more to diminish and demoralize black culture than any single individual since David Dukes."

"Politics today is very similary to running a war. It's a battle for the party's nomination and ultimately a battle for the White House. Running a campaign demonstrates strategic thinking, planning and using their funds from their "war chests" wisely. All candidates must be prepared for the inevitable attacks that are launched against them.

It seems to me that throughout this battle the Clintons have used their campaign staffers and supporters to launch "IEDs" at Obama - to question his race, religion, and drugs. Their intent is to keep the party and the nation divided. The Clintons thought he was a political light weight, but he proved he could raise as much money as they could, and stir up a grass roots movement (army) to match theirs. Now that they see his army and war chest can match theirs, they are resorting to terrorist tactics to overcome his candidacy.

If voters cannot see any difference between the Clinton political tactics and those employed by terrorists in Iraq, America will ultimately end up in the same situation as the people in Iraq.

We need someone who is can reach out to people of all parties, who can unify us as one nation, indivisable. Obama has shown that he can do this, that is a sign of a true leader." New York Times Post by: Nevadaandy | January 14, 2008

Hillary Clinton needs to be very careful on the comments that she makes. I am taking the Clinton's remarks personally.

My father, a clergyman, worked long and hard for the civil rights movement in the 1960s. He risked his life for the movement at times, far away from his young family, because he believed firmly in racial equality. He recognized all forms of race exploitation when he saw it and never tolerated race pandering of any kind. He would be appalled to see Senator Clinton's words regarding Martin Luther King Jr. and Lyndon B. Johnson used against her in this Presidential race. She concisely and clearly accounted for the promise and power of our most magnificent American dream as is was brought to fruition through BOTH the vision, perseverence and leadership of Dr.King as well as the absolute resolve of President Johnson as an agent of our legal system in making that dream a reality. For any campaign , even or especially that of a candidate from the same racial background as Dr. King, to distort her words in order to pander to its constituents demeans both the dream and the reality that she referred to; the same dream and reality that allows us to be proud of the national election we are in the midst of.

Umm for all the places Hillary is going to now in South carolina and joining choirs to sing... Ask her a simple questions. Since she cares so much, when will she back to do the same if elected? The answer to your vote lies therein!

Umm for all the places Hillary is going to now in South carolina and joining choirs to sing... Ask her a simple questions. Since she cares so much, when will she back to do the same if elected? The answer to your vote lies therein!

The Clintons are in this up to their ears. It's a cute strategy: put something out there, yourself or through a surrogate, then appear to be confused, hurt, or offended when someone reacts it. Hillary has alot of gall blaming Obama for her King gaffe. First, it was not a gaffe. Second, Obama has said nothing in response to all of these slams, even though he has a clear right to. Yes, some of his supporters are bringing it up in the posts and blogs, because they are angry- I certainly am. Clinton then is looking for any chance to 'blame' her statements on Obama and make him look like the one playing the race card. How pathetic! My favourite: In the Guardian, a Clinton advisor told the reporter, "If you have a social need, you're with Hillary. If you want Obama to be your imaginary hip black friend and you're young and you have no social needs, then he's cool." Obama didnt make them say this one, and it's not distorted, its right there, proving that the Clinton camp is actively trying to use the race card to make Obama look alternatively 'scary black' or 'Uncle Tom' This is disgusting. Negative campaigning will not work in this day and age of the internet, when everything the Clintons say is everywhere in a day.

Isn't it about time for Hillary to pop up somewhere, teary eyed and say "Can't we all just get along??" I loved the TO rendition of Hill yesterday after the Cowboys loss. He could not have paid her a bigger tribute with his own crocodile tears. Love it!

What's so sad about this whole affair is how base and tawdry the most popular man in the world has become in such blatant partisan shilling for his wife.

Although, if my wife found me fooling around with a woman half my age I'd probably have to pay some serious dues too.

Rev. William Hayashi

Keep fanning the flames Swamp. Keep fanning the flames in your continuing quest to help Obama at all costs. This whole thing is being blown ridiculously out of proportion. As if alluding to Obama's past drug use is tantamount to sacrilege.

This black for one remains fired up FOR the Clintons, not against them.

Ron, well said. When this country starts choosing between two families, we are starting to look like these monarchistic/facist countries and not like a democracy. What makes the Bushs and the Clintons entitled? Absolutely nothing. What makes Hillary Clinton the preferred candidate over others? Take away the money. Take away the attack dogs in her corner. Take away Bill Clinton, and what do you have left? A wishy washy politician who was a senator in New York, who used to be a corporate lawyer at Walmart, that has no firm view on issues that are totally black and white, such as the Iraq war, potential war with Iran, deregulation/monopolies, etc. Any senator or congressperson that will take a stand and support issues consistent with democratic principles is automatically a better candidate than Hillary Clinton. It's up to the electorate to see past the spin.

It doesn't matter that she is a woman...times have changed if you consider Nancy Pelosi is a major figure in congress, Ruth Ginsburg is a Supreme Court Justice, and there are several female governors across the country. Therefore, it is not as signficant that we need to elect a woman based purely on her physiology, while ignoring her philosophy or lack thereof.

It is weird how so many Black people still pay fealty to the Clintons. The idea that Bill Clinton is still shamelessly prancing around Black people like he owns them takes your breath away. Here is a man who engaged in unprotected sex with a young woman and tried to denigrate her in public. Forgiveness is one thing, and he is due that, but adulation? What kind of fairy tale are we living in?

People should remember how the establishment uses some unwitting Blacks to distort and destroy others. Remember Jackie Robinson being brought before the House Committee on UnAmerican Activities to testify against Paul Robeson, an event that soon destroyed one of the most gifted men in America. This testimony of Bob Johnson in the public arena is the same thing.

Then Hillary can turn around and say she can't control what her supporters say. Give me a break!! Soon she'll be back at Wellesley Girls prep school welling up with tears to talk about how everybody is being mean to her. Give me a break!! Next week Bill will prance into a Black church and tell the congregation "I still feel your pain, so be sure to vote for Hillary. You know how she cries about things falling back, and they will fall back if yall vote for you know who."

Give me a (fornicating) break.

Shields, while I do not dispute your assertion of the role of Sen. Dirksen in the 1964 Act, and the resistance of Dems at the time to it, you're not taking into account the significant bloc of "Dixiecrats" who would eventually go GOP subsequent to the passage. Strom Thurmond is the most famous example, but not the only. The transition began during the New Deal but was still going on (though nearing the end) as of the mid-60s, toward the political culture we have today.

Please don't spin things to make a party (GOP) that for the past 40 years hasn't shown an interest in positively addressing minority concerns, look good now by discussing it in the frame of a political-party culture that exists only in history.

This is absolutely ridiculous and makes all involved look petty.

- a democrat

Barack didn't say anything. He only questioned the idea that Dr. King should not have "hoped" for so much. All of the other blather is coming from somewhere else. Much ado about something that Barack never said.

It's a real shame.

Obama wasn't "experienced" enough to win this election with playing the race card.

Now, he's not even man enough to play it as his own hand.

He's so transparent.

Imagine the kind of President he'd really be...just another liar.

What a wuss.

The Clinton bag of tricks, dirty and otherwise is deep. In the end, who cares if Sen. Obama did drugs as a youth, as he's admitted. That was then, this is now, and it's what's happening now that's important. I am amused, however, that some members of the black community appear to doubt his credentials as one of them.

It saddens me that people in the black community fail to see when we are being harmed from within. How on earth did Robert Johnson become a role model to be followed on black issues? Maybe we should look at his track record. Selling BET out of our community did nothing to enhance our ability to communicate positive black images for our youth.

As for the Clintons and black folks, can someone please remind me of EXACTLY what they have done with their "deep emotional involvment in black issues." I am not quite sure.

Until now, I have remained objective. I will always hold all leaders (black and white - or a combination thereof) accountable for what they do, or don't do, to address the issues of people of color in this country.

For DCL, the Dixiecrats aside, that does not negate the fact that over 80 percent of the Republicans in Congress in 1964 supported the Civil Rights Act but, as your letter indicates, get no credit for it. You might also be interested in the 1965 vote for the Voting Rights Act which helped blacks by eliminating the various "tests" for voting in the South. The vote was: Senate Democrats: 49–17; Republicans: 30–1; House Democrats: 217–54; Republicans: 111–20. Again, a much larger percentage of Republicans than Democrats supporting rights of black people. And it was President Bush who signed a 25-year extension of that act by a Republican dominated Congress in July, 2006.

What happened to the one big happy family of democrats???

Hello Democrats - look into my eyes. . . you're getting sleepy. . . very sleepy. . . now take a deep breath and count backwards from 2008. .

MacCains success is another good story, dont vote for him, but support him too

I am glad it happened the way it did. It just shows the people what they really think and what they are capable of. It just made things more clearer on who to count on when you want the truth. NOT BUSH!NOT CLINTON!
GO OBAMA

What this really boils down to is that Hillary and Bill are letting slip what their REAL feelings are towards African-Americans - and it is NOT particularly complementary. Hillary is the typical boomer living-room liberal bigot - her liberalism is there so long as it serves her private ambitions - but heaven help 'dem black folk if they deny her her due to be the next POTUS. It is also significant that it is the Black "establishment" that she cozies up to - not the regular folk. Hillary is as genuine as a three dollar bill - and it is becoming more and more obvious. All Obama has to do is continue ignoring the crap she and her staff are going to dish out - and she'll be dishing a lot more of it the more desperate she becomes. It will be that kind f ugliness which will ultimately derail her campaign.

While civil rights is an imperative standard we must uphold in this country, it seems to me that anyone in a position of leadership should act responsibly and state facts responsibly. Dirty tricks and innuendo only cause a backlash on the candidate making the remarks, or allowing them to be made on her behalf. Obama has the integrity to try to stay out of this crap, but unfortunately, he will be drug through the mud for something. The Clintons are infamous for their dirty laundry, from Whitewater to Lewinsky, etc. Let them fry!

Obama is playing the race card. Please read the article from the Huffington Post by Sam Stein.

Among the highlights: "The memo, which was obtained by the Huffington Post and has been made public elsewhere, is believed to have been given to an activist and contains mostly excerpts from different media reports. It lists the contact info and name of Obama's South Carolina press secretary, Amaya Smith, and is broken down into five incidents in which either Clinton, her husband Bill, or campaign surrogates made comments that could be interpreted as racially insensitive.The document provides an indication that, in private, the Obama campaign is seeking to capitalize on the view - and push the narrative - that the Clintons are using race-related issues for political leverage. In public, the Obama campaign has denied that they are trying to propagate such a perception, noting that the document never was sent to the press." Full article link. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/12/obama-camps-memo-on-clin_n_81205.html

Bill Clinton's "hero", boss and mentor, Sen. William Fulbright (D-Ark.) filibustered the 1964 Civil Rights Act and voted against the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

In 1964, Hillary called herself a Goldwater Republican.

That's the kind of brave civil rights stand we can expect from the Clintons.

Bob Johnson is one of the few billionaires that I don't respect. He said some years ago that African Americans will ultimately sale their successful businesses to Whites for money. Don't quote me word for word but I totally disagree with that. And he went to the University of Illinois?

Race will pour FIRE on this election. The blacks of America will see how truly hoodwinked they have been by the democrats.

Hillary is always local (Iowa, NH, SC, union, black, Hispanic,...) to get them to vote for her. Then once elected she'll go back to being a very rich white woman who know everything and listens to no one. She has to hide her ego and arrogance during campaigning, but her "true voice" (I'm always right and don't you dare question it) will be very apparant if she's elected. God help us all if Hillary gets elected.

By the way, where was all this outrage about racial polarization, etc, when Obama visited Harlem a number of weeks ago and Chris Rock introduced a beaming Obama admonishing the predominently audience to vote for him saying, "you're gonna feel bad if he wins and you voted for that WHITE lady". Obama merely came onstage with a big grin on his face. No other reaction.

Double standards.

Is this what people want? 4 more years of "Either you're with us or against us." The Clinton's game plan is the same old stuff we have been hearing for almost the last twelve years! I'm tired of it!

And we thought it was only the Republicans that ate their young. Keep this up and you can look at four more years of Republican rule. You'll have no one to blame but yourselves.

For the Clintons this is a game. The White House is just a stepping stone for them to get on with their business. Bob Johnson is the buffoon for the Clintons. If you think this is the height then put on your seat belts. Hillary is ready.

For the Clintons this is a game. The White House is just a stepping stone for them to get on with their business. Bob Johnson is the buffoon for the Clintons. If you think this is the height then put on your seat belts. Hillary is ready.

Funny how things are perceived. I'm a suburban conservative white guy. I was inclined to vote for the most conservative Dem in the Illinois primary.
That would be Hillary.

Yet this business with MLK and all this crap she's throwing at Obama has me doing a 180. I'm voting for Obama on February 5th.

Conservative white guys look for reasons NOT to vote for minority candidates. I can vouch for that from experience. And we never feel guilty about it.

Yet I also am for fairness and decency. And what I see the Clintons (and others) doing to Obama is unconscionable. Obama is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't in every category.

I often look for blacks to play the race card and sometimes see it when others don't. Yet I do not see Obama playing it at all. And I've tried to see it, based on comments of others.

Do I think Obama would make a good president? Maybe, maybe not. But based on his demeanor and sincerity, I'm willing to give him a chance.

If he gets elected and turns out to be a dud, fine. I'll still be glad I voted for him for the right reasons. He can't be any worse than Bush, even if he wanted to.

Robert Johnson and BET are examples of the love of money. It takes less than a day of viewing their programming - and perhaps less than an hour - realize that they glorify the basest of value sets in order to worship the almighty dollar.

For example, when they should be fighting crime of all types, they are quick to publish accounts of police brutality and hate crimes against minorities, and this is good and right to do. However, they also promote "stop snitchin", a program designed to encourage blacks to NOT report criminal actions perpetrated by other blacks, especially when committed against non-blacks.

This is hypocrisy. This is actually part and parcel for the Clinton camp since the first time we made the mistake of trusting a Clinton in the White House.

We made the mistake of Bush-Clinton before. Then we elected another Bush. Do we want to make the same mistake twice? I for one will never make that mistake again.

The Clintons make me sick. They are such pathetic liars. How dare Hilary say such about MLK. So disrespectful. Bob Johnson is a disgarce for allowing himself to be used as a puppet.

The only people that vote for Hilary are sexists, racists and ignorant uneducated fools who want to see this country go backward. I mean how can a sound person vote for her.

I'm so irritated by the low lives Clinton. How dare they try to treat black people like we are fools playing "divide and conquer".

CLINTON/OBAMA - NEED TO TAKE A PAGE OUT OF THE KARL ROVE OF SPIN. ONE MEDIA SPIN TO ANOTHER, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY AFRICAN AMERICANS, BLACKS BORN AFTER 1964 WILL VOTE AND VOTE THEIR CONSCIENCE. THE CONSERVATIVE FACISM TOWARDS THIS ELECTION WILL ONLY STEER A OBAMA/CINTON OR CLINTON/OBAMA TICKET. REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME CLINTON OR OBAMA WILL WIN. NOT JOHN EDWARDS.

BLACK PEOPLE KNOW MARTIN LUTHER KING'S DREAM, AND IT FELL SHORT.

PRESIDENT JOHNSON WAS THE PRESIDENT AND HE HAD THE MAGIC WAND. HE HEARD THE SAME VOICES I HOPE THAT GEORGE BUSH HEARS, JOHN MCCAIN, AND HUCKLEBEE. WITH THAT HE SWUNG IN FAVOR OF AMERICA AND THE HARD WORK OF MARTIN LUTHER KING AND AMERICANS ALIKE. HE HEARD AMERICA'S VOICES WHEN AMERICA'S VOICE WAS SILENCED.

SO TO HYPE IT UP IN THE WRONG TEXT IN THE MEDIA IS WHAT ALL THAT RHETORIC IS ABOUT.

CLINTON WILL GET THE NOD, OBAMA IS TOO YOUNG.

SO I THINK IT'S HEALTHY AND NOW IT HAS AWAKEN MANY A MORE BLACKS IN THIS NATION, EVEN THE ONES BORN BEFORE 1964.

WHAT IS UP WITH THAT HOMELAND SECURITY NATIONAL ID MOVE TOWARDS AMERICANS BORN AFTER 1964? DNA/FORENSIC LABS, BIOMETRIC STRIPS IF YOU WERE BORN AFTER 1964. NEW TREAT TO BEING AN AMERICAN BORN AFTER 1964, YOU GET SOME NEW ELECTRONIC MONITORING DEVICE FROM AT&T OR VERIZON WIRELESS.

NO IMMUNITY, NO BIOMETRIC OR DNA STRIPS.

Amazing how Bob Johnson wanted to talk about Obama past, when he failed to mention the clintons episode in the white house.

Getting what you desire Johnson, it'ss come back to you.

"Ironically, this is the first time I've heard it, what you just said," Mr. Clinton said.

Techically, that would seem to be the case since that was the first time Roland Martin said it.

It gets back to the meaning of the word "is."

Surely PC wasn't referring to either Johnson's original statement or his subsequent denial release through the Clinton camp. So what does he mean, "This is the first time I heard I've heard it"?

Slick Willie is back. And a vote for Hillary will keep him around for at least 4 more years.

Rev William,
You mean like Jesse Jackson did.

Again, I do not believe the Clintons come anywhere near being racists. However, the comments were not well-stated and did come accross as discounting the efforts of Dr. King and others. Mr. Johnson, who is one of the biggest hypocrites in the African-American community, should have been rebuked on the spot by Sen. Clinton. This is where she continues to go wrong. That said, I do hope that we can get past race and gender and look at them as politicians. Sen. Obama, however, stands heads and shoulders above.

Obamba The Divider!

Barack has played the race card not two minuets after he lost in New Hampshire. The Tom Bradley effect! Then Jesse Jackson Jr. saying Clinton never cried for the black people of hurricane Katrina. Next Donna Brazile and Eric Michael Dyson got on the TV saying they were hurt and found it offensive that Hillary said Obamba was full of hot air and not a doer. His comparison of himself to Martin Luther King Jr. and JFK has been over the top at best. She called him on it, and they called Racism! He has yet to acknowledge the truth about what he is doing. He is dividing this country and takeing it back to the race riots of the sixties. He should HOPE FOR CHANGE because he is doing nothing to head off this emerging racial divide he is creating.
When has drug use been a racial issue? How is the fact that Barack Obamba used drugs as a kid not legitimate to help show a mans character. WHAT WILL WE TELL OUR CHILDREN!!!! It's OK to use cocaine son you could still be President!!!!!! Do as I say not as I do! OH wait that might be a racial thing about Barack as well. He talks good but does nothing! Still he needs, wants and (deserves ) your vote because he is Black. PLEASE!!!!! He has a dream!!! SO DO WE ALL!! Just as in life we have to work for what we get. Where is his work?

In Hillary's civil rights history lesson did she mention Bill's mentor and political promoter, Sen. Fulbright, was a segegationist and voted against the civil rights act?

Bob Johnson's BET "Black Exploitation Television". What did he do for the Black community besides show the world that being Black means doing drugs, being violent, being overly sexual and disrespecting women. That's Black Entertainment?

To Kevin (ABOVE); I don't think your faith in Obama is misplaced AT ALL!! Barack's record speaks for ITSELF!!! He's not some chump off the street running for president; Harvard ... lecturer of constitutional law at the University of Chicago for 10 years ...US senator (there's more SENATORS than just Clinton). And HE'S TOO professional to dignify this childish nitpicking with more inflammatory remarks. I heard somewhere... CNN, Fox News ...I can't remember where...that if they're not worried about you (in this case, Bill and Hillary) they'll leave you alone ...they must REALLY be worried about Barack. As far as Johnson of BET, who is he to slam Obama...would he be more endeared to Obama if he was in jail or out on the streets ripping people off? I was absolutely LIVID when I heard Johnson of BET putting Obama down!!! As far as what Obama was 'doing' (Johnson's inference about drugs) ... TOO LATE!!!! It's already in his book!!! The main thing is WHAT HE'S TRYING TO DO NOW ...HELP THIS COUNTRY!!! Personally, I can' STAND the thought of Bill sitting up in the White House again like he's the "King of the Hill" after he signed NAFTA, effectively sending millions of jobs offshore, never to return. As far as 'Hillary's Tears in New Hampshire', she was probably just THINKING ABOUT the possibility of not winning! I used to like her but after what she (and Bill) are trying to do to Obama I have no respect for her at all!!! She and Bill are like the little kid who threw the rock and then ran!!! How disgusting!!!

Mr. Johnson built BET and become a billionaire. Mr. Obama smoked weed and become the saviour of the democratic party.

Gee who has more credibility now.

"Johnson has been a deeply controversial figure among African Americans for years because of the sex, drug and violence drenched hip-hop music videos that contributed to his BET fortune."

".... they glorify the basest of value sets in order to worship the almighty dollar."

Johnson is the only one who's fortune has benefited form videos *drenched* in drugs sex and money. He thought of the videos, he produced, starred in, marketed, publicized, distributed, sold and bought. And, here I thought business is a relationship between all parties involved. It is a process, a relationship, with all parties directly and indirectly involved- who carry the responsibility.

While you are out bashing BET don't forget the rappers, the producers, the distributors, the magazines, the buyers.

When drugs sex money and violence sell, otherwise why title an ABC show "Dirty Sexy Money" or a Milan fashion show "Love Sex Money," apparently only black entertainers, or those in the black entertainment industry, should take the rap for everything that is wrong with the media and black society.

If BET is the reason for the sad state of affairs in the black community you assume that black people only watch BET or listen to Hip Hop.

When you are done don't forget to turn around and pick up the actors and actresses and models (and sport figures) that have been charged for DUI, shoplifting, assault, forgery, fire arms and battery..who have children out of wedlock or on their fourth marriage...and make their fortune snorting coke, and robbing banks, blowing each others brains out, and striping to their buff on screen and in magazines. (And everyone who makes all that possible, too.)

Hip Hop is a problem (because of what theme has come to dominate it), but it will not get solved unless the media, who reports on hip hop, starts to dig in deeper..much deeper than the headline they are always fishing for-"Hip Hop Pulled the Trigger." Black Clergy Men and Community Activist Said So. Details Inside.

Hip Hop like its predecessors - all black music- is in the crossfires, demonized again, for doing what is intrinsic to the form (before it died in money cars hoes.) Reflecting the state and the aspirations of its followers (the theme that has come to dominate it-power). Black youth as well as the white youth.

Maybe it is high time for all of society, especially black society, to try to figure out why the insatiable hunger for power. Maybe because at times they identify with powerlessness. Maybe the black community feels powerless because the identity of an African American remains a contention within the black community. Maybe society in general has to re-evaluate what is power. Is it money sex violence, like the media would have you think? Should it be something else?

Shields -- in your first post, your numbers add up to more than the total numbers of seats in the House and Senate.

In both your posts you don't address the question of what happened to the Republicans AFTER the 1960s. Basically, a large chunk of the Dirksen crowd is now either dead or in the Democratic Party.

Mr. Johnson did what the Clintons couldn't do and remain a viable candidate in the presidential race. He played the race card and the Clintons looked the other way. "He said it we didn't" Notice that he is attempting to defend what he said but there is no Clinton in sight to support their champion.

Bob Johnson is a sell-out as expected! This is problem with blacks now! We never support our own but are quick to play the race card to get an edge! How about we support someone who is about something and contribute to their success for a change!!!!

It’s the “Audacity of Hope” on the one hand vs. the “Arrogance of Mr. Johnson” and the “Duplicity of the Clintons” on the other.

“The Arrogance of Mr. Johnson” – Listening to Robert Johnson in South Carolina, one comes away with the feeling that beneath all of the tirade, this highly successful, 60-something billionaire, is as disenchanted as he is frustrated. Mr Johnson has worked hard his entire 60 years on this earth, overcame many major obstacles in his journey, has built an extensive network of high-powered and politically-connected associates and friends. And perhaps he too has been contemplating a run for the highest office in the land.

It is to that last point that I find myself thinking that Mr Johnson was saying to Obama: "How dare you have the audacity to think, given your relative youth, your relatively recent intro to the national scene, and the fact that you are not a confident of mine, how dare you think you can run for President without waiting for me to become the first?” Perhaps Hillary thought that Johnson would counter-balance the Oprah effect, but I would challenge any Hillary supporter feeling as hurt about Oprah’s endorsement of Barrack as Obama supporters felt listening to Mr. Johnson.

Mr Johnson’s virulent attack against Barrack reminds me of the often discussed plight of the “field negro” vs. the “house negro” back in the plantation days. Mr. Johnson, in his attempt to curry favor with the greatest political machine still standing, is willing to lost his soul and sold his own brother down the river, in the hope that the Clinton’s political machine would help him in a future Senatorial or Presidential bid.

Now that the heat is on, Mr Johnson & the Clintons are deep inside the “spin zone” with their new explanation that Mr. Johnson was really referring to Obama’s “community organizing”. The arrogance!

“The Duplicity of the Clintons” – I really feel sorry for Obama because he is caught in the cross-hair of the most powerful political machine in this election. I find it totally duplicitous for Hillary to begin to echo Obama’s call for change with her “Ready for Change” bumper sticker, while continuing to rely on her machine’s traditional “politics of personal destruction” at all cost mantra. Her duplicity was evident again on Sunday in her failed attempts with Russert to deflect the inquiries, questions, and criticisms over statements that she and her husband made about Obama and Dr King, by suggesting, with a straight face no less, that all of this was orchestrated “by the Obama campaign”. Just as she doesn’t feel the American people deserve an apology for her ill-advised vote authorizing the Iraq war, she also finds it impossible to apologize to African Americans for her characterization of Dr. King’s legacy.

Finally, as an African American who always voted Republican since I have been eligible to vote, I am enthusiastically voting for Barrack with my contribution and with my vote soon in Virginia. As an avid student of the political scene, I believe to my core that Hillary would simply continue the downward spiral of our political paralysis, and we absolutely need Barrack to unite the country and make it work again.

These comments are disgraceful but what is even more disgraceful are the lies that the Clintons are trying to forcefeed black voters. There is a pattern here ever since Barack Obama won the Iowa caucus and it is rooted in distortion and dishonesty. The Clintons are trying to pit black voters against Obama and they have done it in such a sloppy way. Im sure it will backfire.

I could never vote for Hillary Clinton at this point.

The comment made by Senator Clinton, that it was President Johnson who signed the civil rights bill is true. Why are civil rights leaders getting so upset? Her statement echoes many African-American leaders, including a prominent black publisher who said that President Lyndon B. Johnson did more for civil rights than other American Presidents. It's because Kennedy was not alive after 1963, which was the heart of the movement, so it was Johnson who continued the effort. Let's check the facts and stop getting so upset!

Frankly the fact that Barack Obama used drugs when he was a young man, is in my opinion a positive, not a negative. How in the world can ANYONE claim to understand the complexities of the twisted BIZZARRO world of Drug legality prerequisites who has not at least had SOME first hand experience with the abuses and misuses themselves (AND BY THAT I MEAN MOSTLY THE GOVERNMENTAL ABUSES). Let's face it folks, DRUGS are a HUGE problem in this country and I firmly believe that the Pharmaceutical Companies and our own government are the biggest reasons why. Drugs that should be OUTLAWED are sold over the counter every day, and drugs that are both beneficial and relatively harmless are illegal and prosecuted witha vengeance. And we need better than people who grin, wink, and claim "Well we did...but we didn't inhale"! Sound familiar?

When it's all said and done--Hillary R. Clinton will be the nominee and all you race-baiters will lose. The Clinton's have done more for African-Americans (I'm a 22 year old Black in grad school at the UofL) than Obama can ever dream of. Sometimes I wonder about people. If you want to debate this issue contact me at bhubbar@yahoo.com Have a blessed day.

Clinton '08!

ironic that Mr. Johnson would accuse the Obama camp of taking "us" for fools, then turn around and TAKE US FOR FOOLS that we did not know to what he was referring!!! What a world class jack@ss.

Say hello to the Republican playbook, Clinton style. For those of you who still have high hopes in a Clinton Presidency, please look at what you'll be receiving. Lies, inuendo, deception, a lack of original ideas (via stealing Obama's message of change, making it their own, and accusing Obama as a speechmaker without substance), and a grasp on the divisive tactics practiced by Bush/Cheney. Are African Americans angry about what the Clintons and their surrogates said? I'm sure most of them are, but there are a few who seem to wear blinders when it comes racially charged comments. It's too bad that this and other African Americans are about to let off some steam in these upcoming primaries. Clintons Beware!

I have not decided who I'm voting for but, I'm concerned about this coming down to a black or white race. I'd like the focus to stay on the topics not race. I would like to hear that obama wins south carolina without focusing on more than 50% of the population being african american. I did listen to the whole speech and I was not offened by it but when taken out of context with the rest of the speech it could make you wonder. Lets try to focus on we are Americans we need to find away to take our country forward

I find it so interesting that we as black people are so divided. MLK would be turning in his grave to see that his death has been reduced to just rhetoric. I am so appalled by Bob Johnson's comments. He has benefited by the dream of MLK. He wouldn't have gotten as far as he has if it hadn't been for MLK. Remember he sold BET to a white owned corporation, back in the 60's that would not have happened. Also, I find it interesting that people think that Obama is to inexperienced, but failed to realize that he has been in the politics for more than a decade, several years working in the legislature here in Illinois. Some has said that he is too young, but when Bill Clinton enter the White House, he was in his early 50's. Heck, JFK was about the same age as Obama. This is a very interesting time in black community. For once we have a man that can really change the course of politics that we know it, but we are trying every way to bring him down. Isn't it such a time as this that MLK died for? If not, he died in vain. Shame on us.

If Bill Clinton realizes that the image of United States of America is still posited upon his shoulders even as ex-president, he will not be employing gutter language from and olympian height - wife or no wife, election or no election.

Is there something the eyes cannot see that makes him come so low in this election? Help America, Oh God.

Pastor Harry T. Nze

Bob Johnson is our modern day version of "uncle tom." He sold out black folks a long time ago ... Haven't you heard? That's how he got his billions!

The flap over Hillary Clinton’s remarks about Martin Luther King and Lyndon Johnson reinforce my assessments of both Senator Clinton and Barack Obama.

In trying to make her case that legislative execution is more important than inspirational rhetoric, she made a comment that offended some Americans. Her reaction to the angry response was to blame the outcry on the Obama campaign.

Senator Obama responsed by emphasizing the beliefs and objectives that he and Senator Clinton have in common and calling for unity in the Democratic Party.

Hillary Clinton contends she is the candidate most capable of making the changes Americans want. But the change Americans want the most is the an end to the politics of mutual destruction. The 35 years of experience Senator Clinton touts have all been spent refining her ability to destroy her opponents while surviving their attacks.

America wants a leader who can bring us together to solve our common problems. I think Martin Luther King and Lyndon Johnson would be proud of Barack Obama.

Bob (JOHNSON)

In your effort to defend the Clintons, I think you went too far in your criticism of Barack Obama.
You owe him an apology and possibly your vote.

I have had dreams that I was Martin Luther King, Jr. in my past life. My sense is that Martin Luther King, Jr. looks down from above with blessings on the democratic party for finally allowing both issues - Sexism and Racism - to come face to face. However, as any tribally oriented person, we all know that women are leaders and traditionally we need to realize that when we disclude women as leaders, we disclude 50 percent of all race and culture.

Hillary,
Show me your friends and I can tell you who you are. Mr. Johnson told me who you are.

The the worst kind of pain is the one inflicted by your 'own'. Bob Johnson needs to be forgiven for his stupidity and ignorance. Barack Obama must soldier on and continue to walk the high road. 'Truth will out!'

The only thing that Bob Johnson was missing when he made his comments about Obama was black shoes polish on his face. Lets talk about issues!!! Who is Bob Johnson to talk about drug use! He promotes it in the videos he makes millions from.