Blacks Stung By Bill Clinton's Remarks

Washington Post: Attacks On Obama Lead To Newfound Anger At Former President From African-Americans

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Darryl Fears.

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For nearly two decades, Yvette Wider, an African American, adored Bill Clinton, once described by a famous black novelist as the nation's first black president.

But now, after Clinton's "fairy tale" remark about Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) in New Hampshire and a statement in South Carolina that Obama had put a political "hit job" on him, Wider said she feels she hardly knows the former president. "I was surprised to hear him make a comment like that, because I thought he understood our people better," said Wider, who said she will vote for Obama in Saturday's South Carolina primary. "It made me think he's been playing us all this time."

Wider's sentiments are echoing across black America -- on blogs, Web chats and talk radio, where Clinton is being attacked as never before.

It is a significant turnabout for Clinton, who throughout most of his presidency counted black people as his staunchest supporters. Less than eight years ago, African Americans gave the former president a stratospherically favorable rating -- higher than those for Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

With his attacks on Obama, however, that appears to be changing, causing some strategists and observers to wonder whether Clinton's behavior will alienate black voters whom his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), will need should she win the nomination.

"The tone of some of the things he said just crossed a line," said David Bositis, chief researcher for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a black think tank. A 2000 survey by Bositis showed that 91 percent of African American respondents had a favorable view of Clinton. Bositis said he doubts that the number would be as high if the survey were conducted today.

"He thinks he has some free pass in terms of race," Bositis said of Clinton. "I've been watching the polls and Obama's been capturing a larger share of the black vote, and Clinton's like, 'I'm going to get mad.' "

Clinton still has a large share of black supporters. He is a member of the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame in his home state. Viewed objectively, his supporters say, the remarks about Obama on behalf of his wife were appropriate in the hard-fought New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries.

Clinton has defended his "fairy tale" remark, noting that it referred to Obama's statement that he has always opposed the Iraq war, and was not about Obama's presidential campaign. He also noted that Obama called his wife the "Senator from Punjab" after she visited India and that Obama's campaign questioned the former president's financial dealings.

In a South Carolina attack ad, the Clinton campaign used part of an Obama quote to suggest that he supported Reagan administration policies as economically sound. But Obama criticized the policies as hurtful later in the statement.

"I never said anything disparaging about him or the reality of his campaign," Clinton said about the fairy tale remark. "It's a brilliant campaign, and this is an example of how brilliant it is. It rests on a false premise. I wasn't trying to be sneering or derisive. I was trying to think of a kinder characterization of his argument."

John Stevenson, a former school superintendent in South Carolina, said the remark upset him but not terribly. "I'm very impressed with Senator Clinton," he said. "I think Bill did an awful lot as president."

"People say a lot of things when they're embroiled in battle, and often they wish those things hadn't been said," Stevenson said. "I think I wish he hadn't said it."

Others are not as forgiving.

Anthony Peppers, a buyer for a manufacturing firm who lives in South Carolina, said Hillary Clinton's reputation among black voters will suffer for her husband's outbursts.

"I'm offended, because I thought she would not have dipped to this level," Peppers said. "You think she didn't agree for him to do that? If you have someone that close to you saying that, then it's her. She's got to live with it."

Wider's views were even sharper. "He can identify with us as much as he wants, but unless you're black, you don't know as much about it," she said. "I guess he's part of the old-boy system, too."

In New York, Sharon Toomer, founder and managing editor of BlackandBrownNews.com, is not so sure that black people will turn out for Clinton. In a column, Toomer said she disagrees with novelist Toni Morrison's tongue-in-cheek characterization of Clinton as a black president, and with pundit Donna Brazile's statement that Clinton was a soldier for black people.

The crime control act signed by Clinton led to a disastrous spike in the black prisoner population, and the welfare-to-work legislation he signed was damaging to black families, Toomer wrote.

Clinton's tone toward Obama "was demeaning," Toomer said in a telephone interview. "He was calling him a boy, a kid, living in a dream land. I don't think he deserves the title of being a friend or being the first black president."

Ron Walters, a University of Maryland political science professor, asserted that Clinton did nothing to stop the massacre in Rwanda during his administration and failed to act as AIDS decimated southern Africa. Walters, too, is not sure black voters would go to the polls for Hillary Clinton in the general election.

"[Bill] Clinton is the leading edge of this campaign, whether he wants to be or not," Walters said. "To the extent that his image declines in the black community, it's bound to have an effect on the entire enterprise."

During radio shows where Walters has appeared, he said: "Black people were calling saying, 'How dare they?' I don't believe any of this was accidental. I think they panicked because Barack had caught up . . . in the national polls."

Clinton attempted damage control while appearing on Sharpton's radio show. "I think he clearly was hurt by it," Sharpton said of the criticism. "I think part of his legacy is having a good relation ship with African Americans, and he didn't want to go down in history as having broken that relationship."

Tom Joyner, whose syndicated radio show is among the most popular on black radio stations, recently released a statement criticizing Clinton after an appearance by the former president. "When he spoke this morning, some people thought he was saying, I've done so much for black people, how dare you question me?" Joyner said.

Even with the criticism of Clinton, however, some in the black community believe that it will make little difference. Black voters will overwhelming support the Democratic nominee, no matter who it is, they say.

"I don't think the Clintons are the enemy to most black people," said Melissa Harris-Lacewell, an associate professor of politics and African American studies at Princeton University. "If Hillary succeeds, black people are going to vote for her. They might not be excited."

[jack3213]

Interest in the Clintons are only coming from the less educated, and this is a double edge sword. They can''t afford higher taxes, nor can anyone,for that matter, and they, of all people, do npt understand what they are doing. The Clintons are shameless, insulting, and deceitful, and only the less educated can''t see that. That is a shame. They do not deserve any support, period.

[cptdeuce]

Comments like these are hilarious - "He can identify with us as much as he wants, but unless you''re black, you don''t know as much about it," she said. "I guess he''s part of the old-boy system, too." The less educated and culturally blind will stay together. Hillary gets the hispanic vote and wins the nomination easy.

[paris1969]

Jack3213 - where did you get the stats to justify your statements that the Clintons are only supported by the less educated? I know lots of well-educated people who are voting for Hillary Clinton because she is the most qualified candidate. And the New York Times and Kansas City Star agree with us.

[l00ker]

It wasn''t racist when a large number blacks voted for that chump Clinton in ''92 and ''96, but it''s racist if a large number of blacks vote for Barack. How dumb can you be. Was it racist for a large number of hispanics, maybe illegals even, voting for Clinton in Nevada? And another thing, how did Clinton get all of these millions that he has now, after being flat busted, disgusted and couldn''t be trusted during his impeachment? He was walking around, hat in hand, panhandling in order to pay his mouthpieces, but now hes''s worth millions. So, how did he do that? Public speaking gigs?

[hillaryin08]

You will get your vote on Iraq in November Liberal courtecy if Mrs Bill Clinton. What are you complaining about? This is what you wanted isnt it? Now you get to see "who is with you or against you"

[l00ker]

Sit down bouwah, you need to put your time in, and maybe I''ll find something for you. You see what I''m doing for Hill, don''t you? So stop biting the hand that fed you.

[realpatriot1]

The ignorant Democrats don''t get it(that would include the uneducated and those with an education who don''t follow closesly).

Clinton is playing on the sensibilites of both blacks and whites for his own political gain with no regard for the welfare of the country.

This goes beyond just being below the dignity of a former President and 1st Lady, it shows a callous disregard for the good of the country.

Those of us who stood by the Clintons at their weakest moments, through Whitewater & Ken Starr & Monica are especially offended. That goes for blacks and whites alike. This is the thanks we get forhelping this man to salvage his Presidency from self-inflicted wounds.

What a piece of trash. Sowing the seeds of division weakens America!

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by paris1969 at 09:39 AM : Jan 25, 2008

There are some that have lived with republican blinders on so long that their peripheral vision is lost.

[jetlizhan]

2 comments: 1. as i''ve stated before, obama is NOT black, nor WHITE - he''s bi-racial. he''s just as much white as he is black!! 2. bill, ole boy, back in the doghouse where you''ve probably been since lewinsky ''got hold of you''.

[simonsez40]

Posted by Jack3213

The Red states (typically less educated) voted for George Bush solely because of his religious rhetoric - and then re-elected him. Your theology doesn''t wash - the red states have the highest divorce rates, unwed mother pregnancy rates and highest high school drop out rates..........those states that voted for Bush. Do your research man!

[rushlimpdrug]

And that folks is the problem with BLACKS in America.
To "them" EVERYTHING is racial.
I am so sick of blacks turning and twisting every word to make them look like the victim.
The country is in need of a good president and these people think that Clinton is going to make slaves of them?
Let''s talk about some REAL issues.
The noose krap and, "Gee, we''re still oppressed victims" is old and worn out for these people.
TURN THE PAGE BLACK PEOPLE.
It isn''t all about race.

[konabike]

Hillary is going to win!

[simonsez40]

I don''t think you can make this a black issue when he''s bi-racial. I think the media are the culprits in this one making this mole hill into a mountain. And Obama would be smart to make this a big issue - it makes him look better.

[klingon69]

"I was surprised to hear him make a comment like that, because I thought he understood our people better," said Wider, who said she will vote for Obama in Saturday''s South Carolina primary. "It made me think he''s been playing us all this time."

Well DUH!!!

Black America has never had a better friend than Bill Clinton.

[rowdytexan2]

Here comes the line drawn in the sand over racial issues. It was inevitable that they would use it. When Obama couldn''t get the black vote from Hillary this is just the next step in the game plan.

After harping on Hillary Clinton for months...she says, ok I can play dirty politics with ya...he starts crying foul! foul! And the next step is the racial trump card!

And of course, this will give all the Clinton bashers just another piece of krap for their arsenal.

[l00ker]

Stop reminding us.

[rowdytexan2]

Black America has never had a better friend than Bill Clinton.


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Posted by Baileycc at 09:54 AM : Jan 25, 2008

Seconded.

[okmd58]

If a Republican candidate said the same things about Obama that Bill Clinton is, they would be called a "RACIST". What a double standard!

[johnny343sc]

"Here comes the line drawn in the sand over racial issues. It was inevitable that they would use it. When Obama couldn''''t get the black vote from Hillary this is just the next step in the game plan."

YEP- you''re right

Clearly, we are not ready for Clinton or Obama to be president. If this tizzy hasn''t demonstrated this to the American people, then nothing will.

You know it''s true...

;)

[alicia64]

Personally - I could care less what Bill has to say. My eyes are on the candidates. I think the press is, again, blowing this way out of proportion to inflame the public on a non-issue.

[l00ker]

And that folks is the problem with BLACKS in America.
To "them" EVERYTHING is racial.
I am so sick of blacks turning and twisting every word to make them look like the victim.
The country is in need of a good president and these people think that Clinton is going to make slaves of them?
Let''''s talk about some REAL issues.
The noose krap and, "Gee, we''''re still oppressed victims" is old and worn out for these people.
TURN THE PAGE BLACK PEOPLE.
It isn''''t all about race.


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Posted by rushlimpdrug at 09:48 AM : Jan 25, 2008



Let''s see what we get, when the swastika is painted somewhere for all to view, or placed broadly on the cover of a widely read magazine. Any ides on the possible reactions? Exactly.

[hungry1968]

Clearly, we are not ready for Clinton or Obama to be president. If this tizzy hasn''''t demonstrated this to the American people, then nothing will.

You know it''''s true...

;)

Posted by johnny343sc at 09:58 AM : Jan 25, 2008





And with the morons in the GOP race, there''s only one way left to go -- Independent!!


Go BLOOMBERG!!!

[l00ker]

Black America has never had a better friend than Bill Clinton.


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Posted by Baileycc at 09:54 AM : Jan 25, 2008

Seconded.


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Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 09:56 AM : Jan 25, 2008


What did that chump do for blacks?

[monkfellow]

Oh, please..this is such a contrived, setup piece of nonsense,being created in concert with the mainstream media.This is all planned in the backroom by the Clinton and Obama and DNC types,to create some sort of "polar opposite" stunt,when the plan is to have Mrs. Bill Clinton as the presidential candidate and Senator Obama as vice-president. This has been the plan from the get-go.The Demos know no one with any scintilla of political brains will say anything against this "dream team" as they don''t want to be branded as racist and/or facist(the favorite liberal term for anyone who questions them).
Their constituancies are being played like a fiddle!

[gunownerdan]

WHO IS RON PAUL?????

ronpaul2008.com

[l00ker]

Oh, please..this is such a contrived, setup piece of nonsense,being created in concert with the mainstream media.This is all planned in the backroom by the Clinton and Obama and DNC types,to create some sort of "polar opposite" stunt,when the plan is to have Mrs. Bill Clinton as the presidential candidate and Senator Obama as vice-president. This has been the plan from the get-go.The Demos know no one with any scintilla of political brains will say anything against this "dream team" as they don''''t want to be branded as racist and/or facist(the favorite liberal term for anyone who questions them).
Their constituancies are being played like a fiddle!


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Posted by monkfellow at 10:06 AM : Jan 25, 2008


Only if Barack really wants to destroy his politcal career; he''ll be hounded out of the academy if he plays second string to that bimbo.

[alicia64]

He IS a black ex-president!!

--He plays the sax

--He smokes weed

--He sits around the house, waiting for his government check.

--His wife brings home the bacon.

--He likes to tap fat white women




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Posted by easeup at 10:03 AM : Jan 25, 2008
+ report abuse

That is great!!

[Kysparky]

I''m not to thrilled with the Hillary campain but I''m even less thrilled with the fact that some blacks think a white person is not allowed to say anything agaist a black person without being called a racist or hating blacks. Enough is enough. I''m sick of hearing this. When a black person calls a white person every name under the sun it seems to be alrught but god forbid it to be the other way around. Simply put we are all americans and we all live under the eye of the us government. Not Africa or any other country. Anyone here that doesn''t like the way it is run sure has the freedom to pack up and leave. If Obama can''t handle the heat then he may need to step down from that high perch he is sitting on. If a black person can''t handle certian remarks then they need to stop dishing them out as well. Personally I want a candidate I can believe in and so far John Edwards is far above Clinton or Obama and gets my nod.

[excoachken]

The most telling part of this over-dramatic reaction by the black community to "political bickering" is that of Obama. He says that he does not want race to be an issue, but he never speaks up against the race card being played by his supporters until he gets full benefit as the pseudo victim. We need to know more about the character and judgment of a guy who made poor decisions early in life. This election is too important to be judged on style points or slick advertisements. If the main reason a person votes for a candidate is because of their race or gender, the are just as bigoted as someone who votes against a candidate for those reasons.

[l00ker]

Obama Hussein%u2019s refusal to wear an American flag in his lapel and his Muslim heritage are indications of where his loyalties lie. Make no mistake about it, Obama Hussein is a Black Power/Islamic Manchurian candidate.



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Posted by trapbreak at 10:05 AM : Jan 25, 2008



That''s Husseinstein, like Hooozensteen, okay?

[gunownerdan]

Clinton, Obama and Edwards are all members of the Council on Foreign Relations(CFR) just like Bush, Cheney, and the rest of the neocons!

If you want anything to change, Dr. RON PAUL is the only man who can bring it!
ronpaul2008.com

[oeangus]

What, now a white person can''t call a black person''s beliefs a ''fairy tale''? Sheesh.

Americans = neurotically hung up on race.

[demslie]

I''m SHOCKED?? Not one Democrat statement blaming this whole situation on George Bush. Ok, I''ll do it. Bush is so mean he is making Hillary mean instead of the cute little Southen Belle that we know and love. How was that?

[gunownerdan]

Both Clinton and Obama believe that law-abiding citizens should not be trusted to own common handguns, rifles, and shotguns. Meanwhile they are constantly surrounded by bodyguards holding fully-automatic MACHINE GUNS.

"Tyrants from Hitler to Mao to Stalin have sought to disarm their own citizens, for the simple reason that unarmed people are easier to control. Our Founders, having just expelled the British army, knew that the right to bear arms serves as the guardian of every other right. This is the principle so often ignored by both sides in the gun control debate. Only armed citizens can resist tyrannical government."
-- Congressman Ron Paul, June 27, 2006

[l00ker]

I''''m not to thrilled with the Hillary campain but I''''m even less thrilled with the fact that some blacks think a white person is not allowed to say anything agaist a black person without being called a racist or hating blacks. Enough is enough. I''''m sick of hearing this. When a black person calls a white person every name under the sun it seems to be alrught but god forbid it to be the other way around. Simply put we are all americans and we all live under the eye of the us government. Not Africa or any other country. Anyone here that doesn''''t like the way it is run sure has the freedom to pack up and leave. If Obama can''''t handle the heat then he may need to step down from that high perch he is sitting on. If a black person can''''t handle certian remarks then they need to stop dishing them out as well. Personally I want a candidate I can believe in and so far John Edwards is far above Clinton or Obama and gets my nod.


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Posted by Kysparky1 at 10:11 AM : Jan 25, 2008


Funny, how many Pubs and upper tiered Dems don''t feel that Barack''s been playing race in this campaign, and have come out against HillBilly on this issue. So, where''s the beef, HillBill?

[geratric1943]

The Clinton''s are the same as they ever were. People are just now seeing their true colors. (Pun not intended)

However, that said, Obama is more left than Clinton, and this is based on voting history. While Clinton has her faults, her record had been more moderate, which, is better for the country.

[gunownerdan]

Want to send a strong message to the warmongering corporatist elites?
Support Dr. RON PAUL!
ronpaul2008.com

[likeitis5050]

As much as I would like to believe this is really stung the Hillary campaign, as this implies, I know all too well how manipulative the Clintons are when it comes to politics. Bill needs to shut up. I can fully appreciate his concern over having to live with this shrew if she looses, but enough is enough! And the media, being a lap dog on the Clinton ticket, needs to understand how little voters follow their predictions or follow bread crumbs to their candidate of choice. Please. It''s become laughable. Let''s not take it to pathetic. Obama has something Hillary couldn''t buy if she had a million seedy ''business men'' donating $$$$$$$$ to her campaign...values and character.

[l00ker]

It''''s really SAD to see many Blacks are so "wrapped up" by their own color that everything displeases them is considered RACISM.

By seeing everything as color, Blacks have successfully pushed away many others who would like to work with them...

In my opinion, constantly victimizing yourself is not the way to excel in life.


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Posted by metroduck75 at 10:15 AM : Jan 25, 2008


Contrary to what some in media may have you believe, this is not a racial issue, and Barack hasn''t made it a racial issue; this is a Clinton issue. There is a difference. No one has been yelling white people this or white people that, but we hear all of this black people this or black people that having the racial issues. Take a chill with Bill, and inhale a little, but don''t turn your back to him, if you know what''s good for you.

[gunownerdan]

Barack Obama will actually fight for the rights of DANGEROUS CRIMINALS to SUE YOU if they get themselves hurt after breaking into your home! On the other hand he does not believe you have a right to protect yourself, your family, and your property from harm!
Both Obama and Clinton will say law-abiding citizens should not be trusted to own common handguns, riflers, and shotguns while they rely on armed guards who carry MACHINE GUNS every single day!

"How a politician stands on the Second Amendment tells you how he or she views you as an individual ... as a trustworthy and productive citizen, or as part of an unruly crowd that needs to be lorded over, controlled, supervised, and taken care of."
- Suzanna Gratia-Hupp
www.a-human-right.com

[hwy71so]

"Our people"?

I thought we were supposed to all be Americans.

[l00ker]

The Clinton''''s are the same as they ever were. People are just now seeing their true colors. (Pun not intended)

However, that said, Obama is more left than Clinton, and this is based on voting history. While Clinton has her faults, her record had been more moderate, which, is better for the country.


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Posted by old_man_1943 at 10:16 AM : Jan 25, 2008



He will be FORCED to center, if he really wants to win.

[toolmangler-2009]

The saddest thing I see is that Blacks will ride the ''racial'' trip all the way into the basement. They are soon going to reclaim their spot in this country as ''the'' minority. The Mexicans will soon be the number two in America in population, and not long after that will be number ''one''. So with Blacks firmly in third place, will they continue to think that Clinton had their best interest at heart when he and former presidents Ford, Carter and Bush signed the NAFTA paperwork. In the ''LONG'' run (200 years) everyone will benefit, in the short run millions will suffer ''big time''.

[l00ker]

Barack Obama will actually fight for the rights of DANGEROUS CRIMINALS to SUE YOU if they get themselves hurt after breaking into your home! On the other hand he does not believe you have a right to protect yourself, your family, and your property from harm!
Both Obama and Clinton will say law-abiding citizens should not be trusted to own common handguns, riflers, and shotguns while they rely on armed guards who carry MACHINE GUNS every single day!


Then Barack will have to be strong armed if not beaten down to submission on this issue.

[barbjc1]

I am a "white" American, it is forbidden for us to say anything that might offend a "African-American". Wello, here is my take on it. If you are so proud of being "African", then move to Africa.
If I remember correctly there was a famous Black Panther that left the country, then begged to come home even if it meant going to trial, then jail.
Bill Cosby told the Black community, you have done this to yourselves, get off your """ and get an education, get a job, and stop blaming "whitey" for your problems.

[cbsblogger]

"I''''m not to thrilled with the Hillary campain but I''''m even less thrilled with the fact that some blacks think a white person is not allowed to say anything agaist a black person without being called a racist or hating blacks." Claims of racism by minorities have always been used to advance ones cause. It''s planned and calculated victimhood. Not that it wasn''t true at times in our history, but it is often over the top. If you think that this tact is overused by blacks, you should examine the Jewish philosophy and the Hispanics. As an example if one were to comment on an obvious huge over-representation of Jewish people in the media or on Wall St OR if you criticize illegal lawbreaker border crossers you are called a racist.

Generally claims of racism are used more as a tool today to manipulate for gain than as factual comments.

[gunshack1]

So, Billy boy is in the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame. Heck maybe he is black after all. I think Edwards is looking better all the time. If the press would just give him a little air time, he might have something to say. If Obama or Hillary is the choice of the Dems, we may be looking at 4 more of Repubs.

[hwy71so]

"realpatriot1, as a Fascist leaning Vet, please name one US war fought since WWII that had anything to do with protecting the freedom of Americas? Answer: NONE OF THEM!

Posted by neoconism at 09:50 AM : Jan 25, 2008"

They weren''t really wars, but Panama and Granada.

[easeup-2009]

toolmangler

Any dies being made in China right now that you would have made?