Dems Decry Desegregation Ruling In Debate

Presidential Hopefuls Also Focus On Taxes And AIDS In Third Debate

(AP)  An historically diverse field of Democratic presidential candidates — a woman, a black, an Hispanic and five whites — denounced an hours-old Supreme Court desegregation ruling Thursday night and said the nation's slow march to racial unity is far from over.

“We have made enormous progress, but the progress we have made is not good enough,” said Sen. Barack Obama, the son of a man from Kenya and a woman from Kansas.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the first female candidate with a serious shot at the presidency, challenged those who would suggest otherwise. “There is so much left to be done and for anyone to assert that race is not a problem in America today is to deny the reality in front of our very eyes.”

In their third primary debate, the two leading candidates and their fellow Democrats played to the emotions of a predominantly black audience, fighting for a voting bloc that is crucial in the party's nomination process. They stood united against the Supreme Court and its historic ruling rolling back a half-century of school desegregation laws.

Clinton said the decision “turned the clock back” on history.

Questions about AIDS, criminal justice, education, taxes, outsourcing jobs, poverty and the Bush administration's response to Hurricane Katrina all led to the same point: The racial divide still exists.

Clinton drew a huge cheer when she suggested there was a hint of racism in the way AIDS is addressed in this country. “Let me just put this in perspective: If HIV-AIDS were the leading cause of death of white women between the ages of 25 and 34 there would be an outraged, outcry in this country.”

Delaware Sen. Joe Biden urged people to be tested for the virus, noting that he and Obama had done so. Cracked the Illinois senator: “I just want to make clear I got tested with Michelle,” his wife, Obama said drawing laughter from the predominantly black audience.

While the first two debates focused on their narrow differences on Iraq, moderator Tavis Smiley promised to steer the candidates to other issues that matter to black America, including health care, education, police accountability, housing and voting rights.

The debate was held at Howard University, a historically black college in the nation's capital.

Black voters are a large and critical part of the Democratic primary electorate, making the debate a must-attend for candidates seeking the party's presidential nomination. Civil rights activist Al Sharpton and Princeton University scholar Cornel West were among those in the audience.

A half century of desegregation law — and racial tension — was laid bare for the Democrats hours before they met. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court clamped historic new limits on school desegregation plans.

The conservative majority cited the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case to bolster its precedent-shattering decision, an act termed a “cruel irony” by Justice John Paul Stevens in his dissent. The 1954 ruling led to the end of state-sponsored school segregation in the United States.

Obama, the only black candidate in the eight-person field, spoke of civil rights leaders who fought for Brown v. Board of Education and other precedents curbed by the high court. “If it were not for them,” he said, “I would not be standing here.”

Biden noted that he voted against confirmation of Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the majority opinion. He said he was tough on Roberts. “The problem is the rest of us were not tough enough,” he said, seeming to take a jab at fellow Democrats. “They have turned the court upside down.”

All the Democratic candidates in the Senate opposed the confirmation of conservative Justice Samuel Alito, another of President Bush's nominees. Clinton, Biden and Obama voted against Roberts; Sen. Chris Dodd voted for his nomination.

The debate was an opportunity for Obama, who got mixed reviews from his first two debate performances, to stand out and share a bond with the audience. He is in a tight contest for the black vote with Clinton, who benefits from goodwill for her husband among blacks.

Segregation was not the only issue. In turn, the candidates discussed their hopes to stem poverty, close the economic gap between the rich and poor, fight AIDS and overhaul a judicial system that doesn't always seem colorblind.

“This issue of poverty is the cause of my life,” said John Edwards, the 2004 vice presidential nominee.

Said Obama: “It starts with birth.”

Obama criticized Bush's No Child Left Behind program. “You can't leave the money behind and that's what's been done,” he said.

Clinton spoke of her efforts in Arkansas to raise school standards, “most especially for minority children.”

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, the country's only black governor, introduced the candidates with a warning that a dispirited GOP “is not enough to elect a Democratic president nor should it be. We need to offer a more positive and hopeful vision ... to run on what we are for and not just what we are against.”

Shouts of “Obama!” rang out amid the cheers for the eight candidates.

[pepperp1]

My Questions: Will you pledge that if elected President you will not pardon the Shrub or his evil twin Cheney when they are convicted?

[xzavierbrown]

let me get this..most blacks are brought into this world via free medical..brought up by welfare..educated by free schooling..employed via affirmative action..more likely buried using tax money..and they are still a very dependent race..thank god for bleeding heart liberal democrats

Hillary is getting surgery, she is getting black skin

[xzavierbrown]

it seems like its vital for these liberal democrats to keep discrimination alive and well.

reminds of al sharpton

[randalds]

"Racial Issues Top Dems' Debate Agenda"

All one has to do is to read some of the comments in the immigration forums to see that racism is still alive and well in America. From those that deny it even to themselves to those who claim that even mentioning race is racist itself or even that race does not exist. How absurd. These are the arguments of racists who pretend to themselves that they are colorblind, so they say ignorant things like "Well technically there is no Hispanic/Black/Asian race, so that means I can't be a racist". Ridiculous.

[Syndicate]

My son is the only white kid in his class the rest are mexicans. MY question is where are you going to get the other whites, Asians and Blacks to "Balance out" my sons school. Are they going to Import them. I live in california and we are swamped by Mexicans. The only way to racialy balance the schools is to import kids from other states. How practical is that? My solution was to buy a Nicer home in a better school district with more white kids.

[ioweign]

let me get this..most blacks are brought into this world via free medical..brought up by welfare..educated by free schooling..employed via affirmative action..more likely buried using tax money..and they are still a very dependent race..thank god for bleeding heart liberal democrats

Hillary is getting surgery, she is getting black skin
Posted by xzavierbrown at 04:58 PM : Jun 28, 2007

Thank you - you just made the case as to why this Supreme Court decision was wrong!

[republic1776]

Hillary,
Take us BACK 57 years. Now that's progress!
America has ALREADY realized our mistakes in America%u2019s past.
RACE is not a issue in America.
I can't stand these politicians who use the fear factor further separate us.
Divide and conquer!

"As president, I will fight to restore Brown's promise and create an education system where all children have an equal chance to learn and excel together,"


That's scary another Clinton piece of trash in the White house.
The Clintons are Criminals!

[randalds]

Thank you - you just made the case as to why this Supreme Court decision was wrong!
Posted by IOWEIGN at 05:22 PM : Jun 28, 2007

Right on! Racism is still alive and (unfortunately) well in America.

[donnie900]

No, no, no.. Racism is not alive. Murder is alive. Assault is alive. Violence is alive. Racism is dead.

[ioweign]

donnie900 Stop following me!

[huskerarmy]

RACE is not a issue in America.
Posted by republic1776
I'm old enough to remember when folks were claiming that Jim Crow, "seperate but equal," was not racist and in fact was good for everyone. Race, to them, was "not an issue" in America then either...

[donnie900]

Yer calling a buncha bloggers who you can't even see! WHO YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW ARE PEOPLE! Racism?

[donnie900]

Healthcare. A super-power should have universal healthcare.

[republic1776]

Wake up HuskerDude!
Take us back into the dark past like Hillary.
Botton line is ....Even a fat cigar smoking pig is going to hire the best person for the job to make him (or her) the most $$$$$$$$.
Capitolism is as pure, like as darwinism.
Race or gender is not an issue.

[huskerarmy]

I can't stand these politicians who use the fear factor further separate us.
Divide and conquer!Posted by republic1776
Without it, your GOP would never get elected dog catcher. You can't win nationally without Southern rednecks and you can't win locally without biggots. I'm not saying that all GOPers are racist. But it helps...

[donnie900]

EVERYTHING ELSE! SHHUUUSH! Everything else.. will follow.

[randalds]

Healthcare. A super-power should have universal healthcare.
Posted by donnie900 at 05:33 PM : Jun 28, 2007

I'm stunned!!! His comment has nothing to do with the topic, I'll be dam*ned if he's not right for once. Now I'm scared.

[donnie900]

It *is* on topic.

[republic1776]

"Healthcare. A super-power should have universal healthcare. "

Russia and China had a system like this.
Socialism, Communism!

Ask a "ruskie" how his her her medical care is?


Our forefather's gave us a free state.
Equal rights!

[huskerarmy]

Even a fat cigar smoking pig is going to hire the best person for the job to make him (or her) the most $$$$$$$$.Posted by republic1776
So if my customers are white, I should probably hire a white staff. Thanks for the tip!

[prinzowhales]

Just another reason not to vote for a Democrat-- instead of asking what we need to do to improve things for all Americans, they ask--"how can we promise black people enough to get them to vote for us?" They did the same thing pandering to organized labour--and, it would do well to examine the decline in wages and benefits that have been achieved by working people with the help of Democrats--and, as another poster from North Carolina pointed out the other day, the Immigration bill that the Dem's supported called for a decrease in wages for agricultural wages.

They have supported NAFTA, CAFTA, WTO and the rest of the job-destroying acts of the Republicans. You trust the 'mainstream' candidates of the two major parties at your peril.

[pepperp1]

Edwards is trying to make gains . ...to late that stupidity with that crone Coulter makes him unsuitable, he is only hurting his party now.

[randalds]

I'm not saying that all GOPers are racist. But it helps...

Posted by huskerarmy at 05:36 PM : Jun 28, 2007

Got to agree with you there. All GOPers are not racists, but I bet it's da*mn near impossible to find a racist that doesn't support the GOP. The party cultivates the relationship. After the democrats threw the racists out of the party (and lost the old South as a result) they didn't have far to run. The republicans welcomed them with open arms, because the votes were more important then the racist inbred ignorant hillbillies they came from.

[republic1776]

We are blessed to be Americans!
Even our poorest has a TV's Cell phones AND our hospital CANNOT turn away a person with dire medical needs.
Most other countries "middle class" would love to eat out our dumpters at McDonald's.

Hate America Liberals are America's cancer!

[huskerarmy]

Just another reason not to vote for a Democrat-- instead of asking what we need to do to improve things for all Americans, they ask--"how can we promise black people enough to get them to vote for us?" Posted by Prinzowhales

You would, I suppose, prefer they keep inventing new and better ways to redirect and keep the money in the pockets of the wealthy while ignoring the problems of the underclass, encouraging racism while declaring that racism does not exist...

[pepperp1]

No all repugs aren't racist, true, but they do all seem to believe themselves inadequate in some way and I do not know a racist who is not a repug. Lots of lashing out at others that crowd love to hate groups, seems to be all consuming hate someone issue party, ***, blacks, spanish speaking folks etc and on and on.

[huskerarmy]

AND our hospital CANNOT turn away a person with dire medical needs. Posted by republic1776
Yes but sometimes they do bleed to death in the lobby. The fact is that the least of us could do better in a dozen other countries. We can and should be better than that.

[hypnotoad72]

republic1776 - true. A hospital cannot refuse a person.

For now, anyway. Once it becomes unprofitable to help our own people, things will change quite rapidly.

As it stands, it's apparently looking as if it's no longer profitable to have Americans working for corporate America... (then listen to certain media outlets who say we're all supposed to earn our keep. We do. I don't think it's our fault America's economy raises the cost of living while our fellow citizens (or corporate status) offshore jobs to countries whose cost of living makes $10/hr programming jobs a goldmine to them... in short, nothing is ever so simple or as one-sided as preachers from BOTH sides of the political alter claim them to be.)

[xzavierbrown]

didnt D.A. Nifong got a bit overzealous with that race issue?? hummmm and so is al shaprton..and so are ...........the democrats

'FOR JOB SECURITY, MAKE SURE RACISM IS ALIVE EVEN IF THEY HAVE TO CREATE IT"

[ramos937]

I watched 100% of the last debate on CNN and have one major complaint. Wolf Blitzer (Moderator) focused almost entirely on Obama, Clinton and Edwards to the virtual exclusion of the other candidates. All of the candidates made extensive arrangements and preparations for the debate. All deserve equal (as much as possible) time. I very much hope that the tonight's moderator feels the same way to. I will be watching. Thanks.

[ioweign]

"Healthcare. A super-power should have universal healthcare. "

Russia and China had a system like this.
Socialism, Communism!

Ask a "ruskie" how his her her medical care is?


Our forefather's gave us a free state.
Equal rights!
Posted by republic1776 at 05:39 PM : Jun 28, 2007

Hmmm....We have Public Schools, why not Public Healthcare?

[randalds]

Hmmm....We have Public Schools, why not Public Healthcare?
Posted by IOWEIGN at 06:29 PM : Jun 28, 2007

No Child Left Behind is a program that, taken to it's logical conclusion, get rid of those pesky public schools. Then only the children of those who can afford it will have the chance to go to school.

[ioweign]

Hmmm....We have Public Schools, why not Public Healthcare?
Posted by IOWEIGN at 06:29 PM : Jun 28, 2007

No Child Left Behind is a program that, taken to it's logical conclusion, get rid of those pesky public schools. Then only the children of those who can afford it will have the chance to go to school.
Posted by RandalDS at 06:36 PM : Jun 28, 2007

That is one thought - Another is school vouchers and the parents will send their children to a school of their choice and use the voucher to cover the cost. No Child Left Behind is not working - check the drop out rates - the teachers are educating for the tests given and not for the subject matter.

[xzavierbrown]

the DNC will make sure that the black race stays as the "gimme me gimme me" race.

why work hard to earn equality and a positive recognition when the DNC can just hand it

[ioweign]

the DNC will make sure that the black race stays as the "gimme me gimme me" race.

why work hard to earn equality and a positive recognition when the DNC can just hand it

Posted by xzavierbrown at 06:51 PM : Jun 28, 2007

Yes - there is representation and recognition - no lemmings!

[randalds]

The number one and two ploys of today's racists. First deny that race is a problem or issue any longer. that we've somehow moved beyond that We haven't. Second to deny that there even are different races. You know the type "We're all in this together and only racists what to divide us into races these days. So talking about race is racist itself!". Of course talking about racism is not racist. What an ignorant notion.

Both are ridiciulous of course. Racism is still part of America. We have not moved past it yet (though we can hope) and denying that it exists or even that there are still differences in racial cultures (ie, no races) or how different races are treated in America both just are attempts to mask or hide the problem.

[cbslogin12]

Most of the Dems are in favor of giving a path to citizenship to illegals. Doesn't that hurt African Americans the most? As the Hispanic population rises, black Americans will no longer be the largest minority in this country. Already politicians are doing everything they can to secure the Hispanic vote. Look how our schools are dealing with Spanish speaking students in regards to NO Child Left Behind. Their concerns for the growing number of illegals hurt black and white children who are AMERICAN citizens entitled to a good education. Taxes will be raised to provide for the illegals while poor Americans will suffer from reduced assistance programs.

[randalds]

Most of the Dems are in favor of giving a path to citizenship to illegals. Doesn't that hurt African Americans the most? As the Hispanic population rises, black Americans will no longer be the largest minority in this country.

Posted by cbslogin12 at 07:10 PM : Jun 28, 2007

That's already happened. Hispanics are already the largest minority in the US. There are already more Hispanics in the US then blacks and that's not counting the undocumented ones. In a little over 50 years they'll be the largest racial population in the US period. Making undocumented workers legal will only speed that process up slightly.

[perception5]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kevin Madden [phone]

Boston, MA - Today, Governor Mitt Romney issued the following statement on the United States Senate's vote on the immigration reform bill:

"The immigration bill failed because the politicians in Washington are out of touch with the American people. The voice of the people is loud and clear - secure the border, enforce the law and no special deal for permanent residency or citizenship for illegals. America will always welcome legal immigration, but as a nation we also insist on the rule of law."

[ubikvalis2]

'"Healthcare. A super-power should have universal healthcare. "

Russia and China had a system like this.
Socialism, Communism!'

Russia and China also have a military. Should we get rid of ours then? It's socialism, communism!!!!

Of course you neglect to mention that EVERY industrialized nation except the United States, which are not communist, provides healthcase to its citizens as a basic right.

[red164]

I can't remember a vote in recent times that has made me happier and more hopeful for the future of our country.

All the Democratic presidential candidates in the Senate that voted to end debate and advance the amnesty bill congratulations for committing political suicide. I for one don%u2019t want to hear any of them speak as a Presidential nominee again. Pack your bags and look for some other way to serve some other country none of you are qualified to lead this great nation.
How dare them pretend they care about the American people?

[republic1776]

You are right.
Tell me....
Will 65 percent "base tax" of your income make you happy?
Are you a ***, or just plain f***ing stupid?
it AIN'T FREE HONEY. It's in the form of TAXES.
Big Brother, can spend YOUR money better than you can?
The Goverment can take your money and redistribute?
(Uncle Sam, can spend your buck, better than you?)

If you think this, You are a slave!
You are a democrat, and DARWIN IS AT WORK!
WOW!
Stupid America!

[republic1776]

After reading posts like this... I think
Thank God somebody put a bullet in John Lennon and John F. Kennedy head!
They are my heros!
They saved America!

[republic1776]

A bullet ONLY costs .25 cents!
AND.....If I can kill someone famous!
My .25 cents is now worth millons!
If I kill Paris Hilton! I will be more famous than if I killed Lincoln!
Booth MOVE OVER!

[tuckerndfw]

The government is never going to eliminate racism.

That is an unattainable goal.

It is interesting that a group of people who promoted an event based on race are whining about racism.

The people who organized this event appear to be practicing what they are claiming to deplore.

Poverty is far more of a factor in discrimination than racism.

Based on the candidates' responses, they appear to be suggesting the federal government become black kids' parents. Sounds like slavery to me.

[red164]

That's already happened. Hispanics are already the largest minority in the US and it makes me sick. There are already more Hispanics in the US then blacks and that's not counting the mass of illegal ones. In a little over 50 years they could be the largest racial population in the US if we don't deport them now and build that fence. Destroy their job market over here and stop all social services to them. Making illegal aliens legal is the most foolish thing America can do.

Posted by RandalDS

Nice post.

[tuckerndfw]

"Hispanic" is a language, it is not a race.

[randalds]

Nice post.

Posted by red164 at 09:30 PM : Jun 28, 2007

What an incredibly childish thing to do to my post. Not surprising really (it is a classic republican move and as childish as many things they do), just disappinting. So you're in what? 3rd grade? 4th?

[red164]

The Democratic Party should take a poll and ask why the majority of registered Democrats were against the amnesty bill. These clowns get their heads handed to them today with a no vote on amnesty/illegal immigration reform bill now their out front crying racism. Shame on them if the Democratic Party leadership is so concerned about racism why don%u2019t they start doing something for the middle class, racism comes from inequality. Those silly puppets in expensive clothing need to retire that racism act they all seem to get along with each other and the one thing those goofy hucksters have in common is healthy bank accounts, excellent health insurance coverage, great retirement packages and endless rhetoric about racism.

[randalds]

Of course racial issues are the base for the dems. That's the way it has been since johnson. Race baiting and class envy are all the dems have to offer. For 40+ years the only format the dems have run have been the race issue. Keep an entire population down, tell them the government has to take care of them because they can't do for themselves is the racist format the libs run on.

Posted by janem4 at 09:10 PM : Jun 28, 2007

This is, of course, a pile of horse sh*it and one of the oldest and most tired lie about democrats. I mean come now, can't you republicans at least make the effort to make up new lies? You guys were telling this whopper in the 60's and it was just as much a load of horse sh*it then. I mean not even Rove would reach into the closet to pull this one out because no one believes it anymore. Probably because it's a bald faced lie.