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.

---

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."

[hillarynow]

Obama I''''d have to agree he has alot of good things to say, but the major difference is, Obama has nothing really but his words so far, what has he actually accomplished? nothing much in his 2 very short years in the Senate. He skipped on 130 Senate votes, no one does that and gets things done, seriously. Change happens when you TAKE ACTION and sitting back and not voting 130 times, is not taking action. You know I have nothing against Obama''''s ideas, but Hillary and Edwards both have alot more to back up their promises. One step at a time, I think Obama is an impulsive choice and the wrong choice for what America needs right now. Change is great! of course it is, we ALL want change and no one wants it and can make that change happen more effectively for what we all need to restore America right away quite like Hillary Clinton starting on her first day in office. Hillary has my vote and support all the way and John Edwards is my second choice, I wish Edwards would be Hillary''''s running mate in fact, those two would be just awesome together. Obama is way too young, untested and inexperienced still for what we need done now. Do the right thing and vote for what we KNOW will work at a time in America''''s history when we cannot afford to lose another another child, another job, another business, another family, another home, another day. Hillary already knows exactly what to do and how to do it and she will not let us down.

Hillary All the Way!!!!!!

[alanrobisch]

One_American is just sliming, that''''s all, and in this subversion of the truth, the less of a relationship to reality, the better. That is the classic psychological profile of a Republican.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by jon2012 at 08:12 PM : Jan 26, 2008

I dislike nay detest the clintons because of their dishonesty and I am a life long since eisenhower republican. I have no brook with the tactics the clinton''s use and hope that this time their dishonesty will come back to haunt them. PLease don''t use the term republican as all those that lie. I find this revolting. I respect Obama and had great respect for bill casey former senator from pennsylvannia and ed rendell governor of pa all dems. Try to see candidates as people not as stereotypes

[terrorislam6]

hahaha

dummycrats getting played by a couple of barkansas hicks LOL

hahaha

[terrorislam6]

"Everybody in politics lies, but they [the Clintons] do it with such ease, it%u2019s troubling,%u201D Geffen said.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003548043

hahahaha people paying to read and listen to an admitted, proven, convicted, impeached, disbarred liar%u2026lol
For Clinton, New Wealth In Speeches
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/22/AR2007022202189.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/21/AR2007022100993_pf.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17263999/

Sales of Bill Clinton book drops
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071016/ap_on_el_pr/bill_clinton_book_1

[terrorislam6]

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."

duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh it is the vast kkklowntoon conspiracy

hahaha

are dummycrats dumb or what LOL

hahaha

[curtishill08]

I am writing tonight out of pure frustration, not because I am a Hillary Clinton supporter and Barack Obama just won a primary that he was expected to win, but because of the exhaustive media attention that''s been given to race. Not the presidential race which is what we should really be focusing on, but the ethnicity of the candidates. I watched over two hours of election coverage tonight and 80% or more of what was discussed revolved around which racial segments of the population are supporting which candidate and how much of that support is contingent upon the ethnicity of their chosen candidate. It left me asking one question; Seriously?
Read the rest and tell me what you think at my blog www.curtishill.blogspot.com

[jon2012-2009]

It would''''ve required Bush to wait until the U.N. inspections had been completed. As we now know, that would''''ve removed his rationale for invasion and we wouldn''''t be in this mess now. She could have voted for the Levin amendment and helped pass it like Efwards did. She could have voted present and not have helped to defeat it. She voted no and helped to hand Bush a blank check.

She should be held accountable on her ecord.
Posted by realpatriot1 at 11:45 AM : Jan 26, 2008

Sorry, I don''t accept a YES vote on the war as giving GWB a blank check. That was a decision he made on his own. He manipulated American public opinion using lies and disinformation and went against the U.N.--that says to me he was determined to go to war at all costs. How Hillary would have acted in his shoes is open to speculation but I doubt we would have been in this war if she had been president.

You made other points in your comments but without giving your sources. Too bad, I''d like to know more about Hillary that''s relevant to this election. But nobody should take anybody''s word here at face value.

[shanev137]

Shillary and Obomba have ensured that a republican will be our next president.

[alexanderdan]

The clintons say words dont matter and Barak is just elequent. Words do matter - remember these words "Mr. Gorby tear down this wall" or "read my lips" or "i did not have *** with that woman" or "mission accomplished" The Clintons are pathetic.

[jon2012-2009]

THE CLINTONS ARE PATHOLOGICAL LIARS.
Posted by One_American at 01:44 PM : Jan 26, 2008

Most politicians are, so what''''s your point? That''''s not a reason to not vote for Hillary. If that were enough, we couldn''''t vote for McCain, Huckabee, Romney, Giulliani or Obama either. The real question is, why are you so afraid of Hillary getting the nomination? Is it because you''''re a greedy immoral republican who knows that she''''s tough enough to take your party on? I think that''''s probably the best explanation as to why you''''re screaming like someone hit you.
Posted by Candide777 at 05:23 PM : Jan 26, 2008

Candide, I have seen this same blog in several threads. This wolf in sheep''s clothing has been clogging the board with his message of hate. Of course, no proof or any kind of analysis is offered. You''d think someone who is truly disgusted with the lying we''ve seen in the administration of GWB would put more care into any personal attacks they would make against any candidate. One_American is just sliming, that''s all, and in this subversion of the truth, the less of a relationship to reality, the better. That is the classic psychological profile of a Republican.

[eddynewhope]

Candide - I take that back. You get no respect from me. Rather than amiably disagree - you resort to "You''''re the very lowest kind of scuz on this earth." Really? Is that all you have to say? Good luck with that. You, like the Clintons with their Karl Rove approach are on your way out. Oooooh what do you know. Obama won SC.

[jc6580]

I have yet to understand how any comments that President Clinton made were in any way racial. Clinton talked solely about Obama''s support for the Iraq war (speaking against it then voting for funding as a US Senator). I listened and never understood those words to involve race.
Does anyone think any candidate would just step aside and let a candidate get a free pass just because he''s black or she''s a woman? Please...if this had involved anyone else but the Clintons, none of this would have been an issue.

[eddynewhope]

Candide - Again, with all due respect, I am a lifelong Democrat. The Clintons really inspire that much loathing that I would, if fact, vote for McCain. I may disagree with his position on the war but at least he hasn''t flipped his role in such a cynical and treacherous manner as the Clintons. Example - this is nothing out of the ordinary, just another Clinton scandal but check it out. It shows Hillary taking millions in contributions, then lying about it, along with the court docs and videotape to prove it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq8aopATYyw

[jsilver2th]

For being so nice Obama should present him with a congratulatory cigar...

[candide777]

THE CLINTONS ARE PATHOLOGICAL LIARS.
Posted by One_American at 01:44 PM : Jan 26, 2008

Most politicians are, so what''s your point? That''s not a reason to not vote for Hillary. If that were enough, we couldn''t vote for McCain, Huckabee, Romney, Giulliani or Obama either. The real question is, why are you so afraid of Hillary getting the nomination? Is it because you''re a greedy immoral republican who knows that she''s tough enough to take your party on? I think that''s probably the best explanation as to why you''re screaming like someone hit you.

[candide777]

Obama has my loyal support.
Posted by EddyNewHope at 05:05 PM : Jan 26, 2008

LOL -- no sane Obama supporter would ever vote for McCain. You are obviously just another republcian operative trying to get Obama on the ticket because you think republicans will more easily beat him. Much like the sleazebag republicans atively worked to get Nader on the ballot in order to defeat Gore. You''re the very lowest kind of scuz on this earth.

[eddynewhope]

It''s not just blacks who are outraged by the Clinton''s cynical, distorted campaign. I am white, I am appalled at how the Clintons have divided the party, and I would vote for a McCain if the Clinton''s lie, smear, and distort their way to the nomination. Obama has my loyal support.

[rfield9]

- THE CLINTONS ARE PATHOLOGICAL LIARS.
Posted by One_American -


Funny how Kerry, who was pummeled by the Swift
Boat smear, never mentions any of those lies
specifically.

And you cannot either. Name one. One specific
statement of either Clinton in this campaign,
which is a "lie".

Not an opinion that you don''t agree with. One
misstatement of fact about Obama. Because if
you are going to accuse of lying, you should
be able to back it up.

Given how incompetent Kerry was in his campaign,
it''s no surprise he doesn''t get that this is
tactical harassment of Obama by Bill, on real
items of record - not lies like shooting yourself
for a medal in Vietnam.

Apparently he thinks all candidates, should get
free passes and never have to deal with critics
throwing them off message. Poor Barack!

[rfield9]

l00ker - OK back at you. Sorry for any excessive
remarks -

[one_american]

WASHINGTON (CNN) %u2014 John Kerry, the Democratic Party''s 2004 nominee for president, took aim at Bill Clinton Friday, telling the National Journal the former president does "not have a license to abuse the truth."

The Massachusetts senator, who endorsed Barack Obama''s White House bid earlier this month, said Clinton''s criticisms of the Illinois senator have been "over the top," and suggested the former president is getting "frantic."

Targeting Clinton''s recent spate of attacks on Obama, Kerry said, "I think you had an abuse of the truth, is what happened. %u2026I mean, being an ex-president does not give you license to abuse the truth, and I think that over the last days it''s been over the top.

"I think it''s very unfortunate, but I think the voters can see through that," Kerry added. "When somebody''s coming on strong and they are growing, people get a little frantic, and I think people have seen this sort of franticness in the air, if you will."


What John Kerry is REALLY trying to say is what everyone else has known for a long, long time - THE CLINTONS ARE PATHOLOGICAL LIARS.