As Clinton And Obama Agree, Aides Spar

Washington Post: Democratic Front-Runners Try Backing Away From Racially-Charged Debate

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Jonathan Weisman and Anne E. Kornblut.

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As a controversy over racially charged politics threatened to spin out of control and supporters of Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and Barack Obama (Ill.) expressed concern that the ongoing debate would revive old images of a party mired in identity politics and haunt the eventual Democratic nominee in the general election, the candidates inched toward a truce yesterday.

Speaking at a Service Employees International Union event in Manhattan marking the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, Clinton heaped praise on the civil rights leader. In a statement issued later, she said: "We differ on a lot of things. And it is critical to have the right kind of discussion on where we stand. But when it comes to civil rights and our commitment to diversity, when it comes to our heroes -- President John F. Kennedy and Dr. King -- Senator Obama and I are on the same side." Bill Clinton is to appear on Al Sharpton's radio show today to take calls from listeners on civil rights issues.

Campaigning in Reno, Nev., Obama told reporters, "I think that Bill Clinton and Hillary have historically and consistently been on the right side of civil rights issues. I think that they care about the African American community, they care about all Americans, and they want to see equal rights and equal justice in this country."

But earlier in the day, surrogates for each seemed determined to continue waging the war of words.

"Someone said, 'You can't unring a bell' -- well, the biggest bell in American politics just got rung," said James Carville, a Clinton confidant.

Rep. William Lacy Clay (Mo.), an Obama campaign co-chairman, said yesterday that Clinton was "trying to score cheap political points on the back of Martin Luther King's legacy" when she said that "King's dream became a reality when Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964" -- the statement that helped launch the debate over the role of race in the campaign.

Rep. John Lewis (Ga.), a prominent Clinton supporter, raised criticism of Obama to a new level. In an extensive interview, Lewis, a King lieutenant and icon of the civil rights movement, called Obama "a friend" but added: "He is no Martin Luther King Jr. I knew Martin Luther King. I knew Bobby Kennedy. I knew President Kennedy. You need more than speech-making. You need someone who is prepared to provide bold leadership."

Among loyal supporters on both sides, the duel triggered deep concerns about where it will lead. Obama last night joined some of his allies in suggesting that the Clinton campaign is intentionally fueling a discussion of race "to knock us off message," he told NBC News. Her advisers insist that she stumbled into it through a series of tactical responses to Obama, who delivered a speech before the New Hampshire primary in which he invoked both Kennedy and King.

"Instead of the Democratic Party celebrating and wallowing in euphoria over the fact that our party will in all probability nominate a woman or an African American, we have engaged in 'Swift boat' actions that we all say we deplore," said Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (Mo.), a Clinton supporter, referring to attacks that helped derail Sen. John F. Kerry's 2004 White House bid. "The Clintons have been Swift-boated in this thing."

Rep. Artur Davis (Ala.), an Obama supporter, said the flap over race is hurting both candidates, potentially narrowing Obama's appeal with white voters and harming Clinton as the nomination fight begins to be waged in the Southeast, where the Democratic electorate is heavily African American. The first test in the region for Democrats will come in South Carolina on Jan. 26.

"We're not going to win on identity politics," Davis said. "Barack Obama is not going to win on identity politics. Hillary Clinton is not going to win on identity politics. The Republican Party is sitting there salivating at the prospects of a battle between white females and blacks."

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (Tex.), a Clinton supporter, made a similar appeal for peace and sought a return to a discussion of issues that could draw independent and some Republican support to the eventual nominee: the economy, health care and energy. But both sides acknowledged the momentum of the race debate was becoming difficult to stop.

Clinton advisers said that they were trying to simply undercut Obama on his merits. They added that it is far from certain that racially controversial attacks would work against Obama; if anything, they said, they feared the episode could backfire against them.

Both campaigns agreed they were entering uncharted territory at the presidential campaign level. Carville, a longtime Democratic operative who grew up in the racially charged politics of Louisiana, described the debate as wholly unfamiliar. Other Clinton allies have conveyed similar distress that two champions of civil rights have, in essence, been swept up in allegations of racial insensitivity.

"I'm shaken by the whole thing," Carville said.

The controversy grew from a pair of comments in the run-up to the New Hampshire primary, when Bill Clinton called Obama's claims about his record on Iraq "the biggest fairy tale I've ever seen," a comment that some black leaders interpreted as belittling Obama, and Hillary Clinton's statement on the roles of King and President Johnson in passing civil rights legislation, which she capped by saying: "It took a president to get it done."

Obama kept the debate alive Sunday when he weighed in for the first time, calling Clinton's comments on King and Johnson "unfortunate" and "ill-advised." But the fight turned toxic after Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television, introduced Clinton at a South Carolina event with comments that seemed to both revive the issue of Obama's admitted past drug use and question the authenticity of the candidate's image as a "non-threatening" black man.

On the former issue, Johnson obliquely referenced what "Barack Obama was doing . . . in the neighborhood. I won't say what he was doing, but he said it in his book." Johnson later backtracked, insisting he was discussing Obama's activities as a community organizer.

Although Clinton officials -- and both Clinton and her husband, repeatedly and publicly -- have said that there is no effort to exploit racial divisions and essentially accused Obama of doing just that, they have not stepped in to sever ties with Johnson.

Clinton surrogates did not defend Johnson's statement, but they roundly ridiculed what they said were conspiracy theories spinning out of the Obama campaign.

"Bill Clinton is a really smart person. Senator Clinton is brilliant. They ain't that clever," Cleaver said.

The people who are injecting race into the campaign are overanalyzing poorly worded statements or meaningless slips, said House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel (N.Y.), a Clinton supporter who is African American.

"I'm angry because I'm looking for the white people that are insulting me, and I can't find them," Rangel said.

[pepperp1]

"Someone said, ''You can''t unring a bell'' -- well, the biggest bell in American politics just got rung," said James Carville, a Clinton confidant.


Rubish, this started with Representative Jackson MSNBC, Professor Dyson MSNBC, Donna Brazille CNN, Candice Tolliver Obama spokeswoman WaPO, and Representative Clyburn NYT all aligned with Senator Obama. The triage of this mantra and flaming of the fires is what is beginning to show the pattern, Newsweek ALTER Clinton girl bad we need boys, Wapo editorial opinion page and their cable flunky MSNBC tweety stupid spit ball Matthews, repeat after me, repeat after me, Clinton is the HO Obama the Prince next week I%u2019m sure she will have had *** with the Donkey itself. We get it you WANT to elect Senator Obama your idea of who should be President. We in America NEED a President are interest are not mutual.

The DNC is not without blame in this Debacle to have accepted assurance of neutrality was not wise.


"Someone said, ''You can''t unring a bell'' -- well, the biggest bell in American politics just got rung," said James Carville, a Clinton confidant.


DING DONG

[antoniof123]

I am not prejudice:

I hate every one equally!

Have a nice day.

[hwy71so]

Its a shame that we would let one of these serve as our president... The whole lot: Democrats, Republicans, all of them.

The only one I find presidential is Duncan Hunter. The rest are just too busy trying to make each other look bad.

[realpatriot1]

pepperp1,

If you don''t want to hear the bell stop ringing it. The best way to do that is to relinquish the last word in the blame game and let the voters decide.

[l00ker]

These two you''re speaking of must be the Clintons, because Obama has not said anything and didn''t start anything. The Clinton''s can cry victim all they like; it''s just like the Iraq war vote, Iran Revolutionary Council vote, it''s all documented and straight from the horse''s mouth.

[pepperp1]

Representative Rangel is right, you cant scream fire and then really believe we are stupid enough to think you%u2019re the heroic fireman putting the flames out and saving the wounded

And make no mistake this spat as you call it cut deep, Senator Obama may have moved the black vote but to make them feel like victims of racist attacks again is no more than a smack down and its disgusting. And now a decorated war hero Representative Rangel, exceptional man with a great history of service to America, is just STUPID%u2026.hmmmm not racist I guess

Now this Triaged Newsweek, Wapo, NBC, MSNBC tweety spit baller Obama cheerleading squad captain I cried when he speaks, showed their hand again with the scarlet R this weekend, just like last weekend when the B was dead. I am waiting for the MSNBC-NEWEEK-NBC-WaPO triaged the ho in the race sucked the donkey off while wearing a blue dress story next week. Ill watch Abrams maybe but the rest of the boys no way triaged trash.

The debate tonight should be canceled there is no way NBC Russert the other big Tweety pie MSNBC Matthews-Keith O. should be moderators.


CBS should rethink joining with Wapo and America watch what this TRIAGED group is feeding you

[watcher269-2009]

Oh, STOP it - You''re starting to look like Republican GOP Candidates.

[realpatriot1]

metroduck,

I know I said I was reliquishing the last word but I have to ask, have you read the "out of context memo".
It talks about a series of events going back to before Christmas and it documented a clear pattern.

Both played a part in this and both are reaping the consequences. As angry as Hillary supporters like you are I truly doubt that you can come close to the animosity we feel for what the Clintons are doing. No one wins in this and certainly not the Clintons.

What matters now is which campaign will be amn or woman enough to rise above the pettiness.

If the candidates have agreed to a truce and their surrogates keep it going the candidates need t step in and show whose really in charge. That would be a good way to show the voters who is really ready to lead from day one.

[bobmarisol]

If Hillary really cares about black people, then why doesn''t she oppose affirmative action? Affirmative action hurts black people more than it helps them. When a black person achieves a high position or earns a scholarship, people often resent the black person because they think he is only the beneficiary of racial favoring rather than a deserving and successful individual.

If Hillary really cares about black people, then she should do more to combat affirmative action. By getting rid of affirmative action, she will give black people the chance to finally be given respect when they achieve success.

[skyk-2009]

ROFLMAO They''re Democrats for god sake... you expected them to get along? ROFLMAO When was the last time that happened?? LOL Look Democrats have always, since the day of Jefferson, been like this. THAT is what makes them different that the lock step Republican''s! It''s also what makes them take on things like Child Labor and Jim Crowe. As Will Rogers said, "I don''t belong to an organized Political Party, I''m a Democrat"!! LOL

[trillion1]

I wouldn''t cross a phonebooth to vote for any of these clowns.

[l00ker]

Rangel is speaking for Rangel, who is speaking for Clinton; besides, it took a uniter and not a divider (Barack ) to calm things down; it''s now the Clinton swamp ( just like from the start ) who seem to can''t get past this. And what about Clinton, with this we''re all family now stuff; yeah, family as long as she is the one handing out the gruel to the rest of us saps.

[skyk-2009]

Oh, STOP it - You''''re starting to look like Republican GOP Candidates.


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Posted by watcher269 at 10:10 AM : Jan 15, 2008
+ report abuse

LOL You weren''t around during JFK''s run for the White House were you? LOL This time we are seeking to break down a door but we have TWO options to break down that door. People who back these folks are VERY passionate about their Canidate and they also KNOW that there is a weekness in their Canidate if you are a bigot.

[rowdytexan2]

As I said in another post, the young man who postured as above standard politics lied. He''s not one of the good guys after all. He has damaged himself tremendously. And yes, it was his aide that brought attention to it first, and sicked Daddy Al and Daddy Jessie into the fray.

Carry on, Hillary! Your records stands as read!

[skyk-2009]

I wouldn''''t cross a phonebooth to vote for any of these clowns.


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Posted by trillion1 at 10:16 AM : Jan 15, 2008
+ report abuse

Why?? That''s a very interesting position taken that the ISSUE is a very real one. For some reason I believe you are a fascist and are part of the PROBLEM anyway. If you are a Fascist then of course you can not vote for either of them....

[skyk-2009]

Rangel is speaking for Rangel, who is speaking for Clinton; besides, it took a uniter and not a divider (Barack ) to calm things down; it''''s now the Clinton swamp ( just like from the start ) who seem to can''''t get past this. And what about Clinton, with this we''''re all family now stuff; yeah, family as long as she is the one handing out the gruel to the rest of us saps.


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Posted by l00ker at 10:16 AM : Jan 15, 2008
+ report abuse

You are a disgusting person!! After what this nation has been through, after what Blacks went through in the South, I hardly think THIS is the proper response! Clinton and Obama agree it should be dropped and that''s what we should do. As for you and your attitude toward these canidates, who may be our only hope, it''s disgusting. ONE of these two MUST lead us out of this slide we''re in...

[skyk-2009]

Rangel is speaking for Rangel, who is speaking for Clinton; besides, it took a uniter and not a divider (Barack ) to calm things down; it''''s now the Clinton swamp ( just like from the start ) who seem to can''''t get past this. And what about Clinton, with this we''''re all family now stuff; yeah, family as long as she is the one handing out the gruel to the rest of us saps.


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Posted by l00ker at 10:16 AM : Jan 15, 2008
+ report abuse

You are a disgusting person!! After what this nation has been through, after what Blacks went through in the South, I hardly think THIS is the proper response! Clinton and Obama agree it should be dropped and that''s what we should do. As for you and your attitude toward these canidates, who may be our only hope, it''s disgusting. ONE of these two MUST lead us out of this slide we''re in...

[l00ker]

I agree, and it''s Obama.

[pepperp1]

Posted by realpatriot1 at 10:11 AM : Jan 15, 2008
+ report abuse


Intentional hate baiting is not victim less. You watched the Repugs to long and you forget we are not stupid sheepeople types...54 perecnet is female and are not found of manipulation to divide communities and turn people against one another like we have seen by Bush Cheney%u2026. This was a political mis calculation intended to intimidate and suppress victimized and divide, it did, that worked %u2026that is the only dicussion that is over

[bobmarisol]

If Hillary really cares about black people, then why doesn''''t she oppose affirmative action? Affirmative action hurts black people more than it helps them. When a black person achieves a high position or earns a scholarship, people often resent the black person because they think he is only the beneficiary of racial favoring rather than a deserving and successful individual.

If Hillary really cares about black people, then she should do more to combat affirmative action. By getting rid of affirmative action, she will give black people the chance to finally be given respect when they achieve success.

Even Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (a black man) opposes affirmative action -- so why doesn''t Hillary?

[mike71067]

"ONE of these two MUST lead us out of this slide we''''re in..."
-Posted by skyk at 10:29 AM : Jan 15, 2008

Neither of them will. The best either of them will do is continue to pander to a group of people who can''t get over "400 years of oppression" that their ancestors went through. If we were all to ride on the coattails of what our ancestors went through, we''d all be asking some government for reparations. It''s silly. Get over it.

[pepperp1]

And .....Women who continue to be killed because they are women, we just had one decapitated last week in a park....

[l00ker]

Indeed, there is a lot at stake here, but that doesn''t mean that either of these two should be annoited and given the benefit of the doubt over the other. But it''s Obama for me, because I''ve already seen what the other side has to offer with her 35 years ( which I have yet to see in print ) experience.

[mike71067]

Obama and Clinton will do the same thing. They will both give more handouts to "people of color" tht will keep them forever dependent on the government. That is NOT how you help people. But the Democrats don''t care - they want to keep as many minorities dependent on government as they can, because it all adds up to more votes for the Democrats at election time. It''s a deadly cycle. Neither Clinton nor Obama will break it, and blacks will continue to be dependent on government. Look at the Hurricane Katrina victims for a perfect example of this. New Orleans was under Democrat rule for over 40 years. That''s what happens.

[jjp735i]

"How race got into this thing is because Obama said %u2018race,%u2019%u201D New York Rep. Charlie Rangel.....I agree with Rangel. Trying to score ponints Obama took this too far.

[l00ker]

The time for change has come. Obama has built his campaign on the backs of the poor and "people of color" as was stated here ( which could be construed as racist stereotypical - but to each his own ) and he is well aware of the financial straits that the country is in. And if he does hand money to the poor and "people of color", at least it will be for the "people of color" in the United States, and not Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and wherever else.

[l00ker]

If whites won''t Obama, we wouldn''t be having this exchange.

[mike71067]

"Obama has built his campaign on the backs of the poor and "people of color" as was stated here ( which could be construed as racist stereotypical - but to each his own )"
-Posted by l00ker at 10:52 AM : Jan 15, 2008

"People of color" is a term widely used by black activist-types. A politically-correct term to describe black folks is difficult to come by, since what''s acceptable changes about every 10 years or so. "Negro", "colored", etc. have all been accepted by blacks at one time or another. Some major organizations even incorporate those terms into their names (NAACP, UNCF, etc.) Right now, "black" and "African-American" are acceptable, ironic since they are neither truly black nor from Africa. They are brown, and from Baltimore.

[l00ker]

If whites wouldn''t vote for Obama, then we wouldn''t be having this exchange.

[l00ker]

Blacks aren''t the only Americans "depending" on the government.

[watcher269-2009]

It is the Media that is trying to prolong this Story - no one else.

And it is the Orwellian Media (not the Liberal media) doing this too.

The Orwellian Media = the GOP/Republican Media. The Liars Media - the Big Business Media - the Murdoch Media - the American Hating Media.

[mike71067]

"Blacks aren''t the only Americans "depending" on the government."
-Posted by l00ker at 11:04 AM : Jan 15, 2008

Nobody said that. But I would be willing to bet that the majority of those who do depend on the government are "people of color". No, I haven''t done a study on this, it''s just a hunch. I think I might be right.

[johnfrost-2009]

I%u2019m a Psychologist and here is my take on Obama:

Obama is a pathological liar that comes from a very dysfunctional family.. He lies, and lies and then shamelessly hides.
He%u2019s a successful drug dealer-user, that was never caught.
He never takes responsibility for anything, he lies about change and then tries to peddle false hope. He%u2019s a complete Muslim fairytale.
This is the sign of a deeply troubled person who might also be addicted to crack cocaine.
We have asked him to show proof he did rehab and he accused us of being racists..

Women must be aware what this man means; Obama means slavery for Women forever.
Obama was born a Muslim and is a closet Muslim. He was indoctrinated 6 years as a radical Muslim. Obama is a Muslim ticking bomb. Obama is a Black Hitler.

Muslims believe Women are inferior, way below dogs.

[johnfrost-2009]

AlQaida Is coming to Obama''s inaguration...Hamas, and the Taliban too. Of Course we need change from freedom to slavery and the Taliban will enforce it.
Obama means no nudity, No Crack cocaine, no painkillers, no liquor, no beer, no Music, no TV, no electronic games. Nothing but Allah! And Islam!!

And you Women will be slaves covered with black burkas forever. Branded inferior and ranked below the family dog.

So you American morons will be screwed Once a Muslim captures power in the USA. That power belongs to Islam and Allah. Obama can not return power to a Kaffir (Infidel, Christian or Jew) The USA will belong to Islam(Saudi Arabia) forever!
http://www.muslimsforobama.com

[l00ker]

I think that Barack would, I hope, keep us all working, and I''m sure that he has a much broader and diverse group of experienced and energetic public servants to choose from to represent his cabinet.

[l00ker]

If America and Americans live up to the ideals of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR, King, LBJ, JFK, Ford etc., then America will be American and ruled by Americans forever.

[gunownerdan]

Most Americans say congress is on the wrong track with an approval rating much lower than George W. Bush''s approval rating. So why do the democrats go to congress to get all their candidates?????????

[l00ker]

I''s easier than starting from sratch; it''s about compromise and relationships, but for the greater good of the country. A total outsider would have a much harder time cracking through the bubble of political contacts, current legislation etc. At least that''s how it appears from this vantage point.

[pepperp1]

Look the DNC decision to place Ga and SC in the 52 percent States and then puppet race issues WAS and IS DUMB, you dont shove you heir down the voters throat no favors were done here for either Dem candidate, just McCain and Huckabee if they join forces both who can easily pull women, independents, national security anti Bush R, and hate baited types, responsible dis engagement of troops crowd, SOOOOOOOOOOOO dumb.

Gun and foot comes to mind. Who me no not me who me no not me losers%u2026.winners puppet string pullers%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026.

[mikeant50]

If Hillary really cares about black people, then why doesn''''''''t she oppose affirmative action? Affirmative action hurts black people more than it helps them. When a black person achieves a high position or earns a scholarship, people often resent the black person because they think he is only the beneficiary of racial favoring rather than a deserving and successful individual.

If Hillary really cares about black people, then she should do more to combat affirmative action. By getting rid of affirmative action, she will give black people the chance to finally be given respect when they achieve success.

Even Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (a black man) opposes affirmative action -- so why doesn''''t Hillary?

Posted by bobmarisol at 10:35 AM : Jan 15, 2008
---------------------------------------------------
Clarance Thomas is a product of civil rights and affitmative actions. He only opposes it because it politically expediate. If he hadn''t opposed it, he wouldn''t be sitting on the Supreme Court.

Another section of the population that has benefitted from affirmative action is woman, especially white women. Affirmative action also established gender-based hiring preferences. But we don''t hear you throwing that one about do we. Because you can create a lot more noise if you say a black person is taking my job or getting your spot in a university, Title IX which dictate collegiate women''s sports is also a form of affirmative action.

[pepperp1]

Overall, people say they prefer a leader who is tested but not inspiring to one who is inspiring but not tested by 52 percent to 43 percent. McCain is seen as the most tested candidate, Obama as the most inspiring.


ok I am moving from foot to face. Moonbats, oh my

[l00ker]

Barack is a Christian.

[gunownerdan]

Clinton, Obama, and the KKK agree:

They all believe black citizens should not be trusted to own guns.

www.blackmanwithagun.com

[l00ker]

I don''t like McCain''s position on the war and illegal immigration. He wants to prolong the war and not get rid of the illegals.

[mikeant50]

johnfrost,

let me be the first to say it, What a bunch of ***?

[l00ker]

No irresponsible person should have a gun, whether they a black, white, brown, etc.

[pepperp1]

Gallup says

Clinton leads Obama by substantial margins among whites, women, middle-aged adults, seniors, people who identify themselves as Democrats, and among self-described conservatives, moderates, and liberals. Obama leads, and leads big, among young adults and blacks. The two are closely matched among men and independents who lean Democratic.


johnfrost,

let me be the first to say it, What a bunch of ***?


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Posted by mikeant50 at 11:49 AM : Jan 15,


Youre not the first, I suspect it dirtweeds crowd

[cptdeuce]

Barack Obama has many negatives for many voters. Many blacks consider him an ''Uncle Tom'' who think that nothing will change if he is elected to the White House. Many others still fear that Obama is Muslim or they totally disagree with his ''Black'' Church ideals. Obama''s wife is considered a Racist and radical woman by many whites. Plus his true lack of experience will tarnish any hopes he has for the Presidency. I do not support Hillary Clinton but will most likely vote for her since none of the Republicans can be trusted. Just my take but Obama has not even been tried and tested - it will be his downfall.

[pepperp1]

And this little tid bit to chew on this of course before the Dem food fight the weekend


An average of 27.7% of Americans identified as Republicans, based on more than 26,000 Gallup interviews in 2007. The previous low in Republican identification was 28.1% in 1999.

Meanwhile, 32.5% of Americans identified as Democrats and 38.6% as political independents last year. The latter percentage is on the high end of what Gallup has measured in the last two decades, surpassed by only the 39.1% independent identification average from 1995. The high point for Democratic identification came in 1988, when 35.6% said they were Democrats.

[chitown639]

Gallup says

Clinton leads Obama by substantial margins among whites, women, middle-aged adults, seniors, people who identify themselves as Democrats, and among self-described conservatives, moderates, and liberals. Obama leads, and leads big, among young adults and blacks. The two are closely matched among men and independents who lean Democratic. posted be pepperp1

You cant trust the polls anymore...Dennis Kucinich may pull out a win!!!