GOP Insults Anger Community Organizers

Republican Put-Downs Of Obama's Work Helping The Disadvantaged Riles Activists

(AP)  Angry community organizers defended their work, and that of former organizer Barack Obama, as they fought back Thursday against a series of insulting remarks by speakers at the Republican National Convention.

Organizers described themselves as the antidote to big-money lobbyists who wield so much influence. They talked about helping powerless people join forces to demand better schools and safer streets, often by working through churches.

"If people in office were doing their jobs, perhaps we wouldn't need community organizers," said John Baumann, executive director of PICO National Network, whose name derives from "people improving communities through organizing."

"I don't like seeing the really hard work that goes on in really poor communities being demeaned by cheap politicians," said Joshua Hoyt, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. "Community organizing is as American as democracy. It believes that ordinary people can do extraordinary things."

Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, has often talked about his three years as a community organizer in Chicago. He uses it to demonstrate that he understands the problems of people losing their jobs and stuck in deteriorating neighborhoods.

Republicans belittled his organizing experience Wednesday night.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani began summing up Obama's experience by noting he had worked as a community organizer. "What?" he said, with a tone of disbelief. "Maybe this is the first problem on the resume," Giuliani said.

Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin touted her credentials as mayor of an Alaskan town. "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities," she told the cheering crowd.

Several organizing groups condemned the remarks.

John Raskin, who works to make low-income housing available in New York city, quickly launched a Web site, "Community Organizers Fight Back," to respond. It attracted scores of responses Thursday from organizers upset by the criticism.

"I just think it's adding insult to injury," Raskin said of the Republican comments. "First, to create an economy that leaves out so many people and then to insult people who are trying to help."

Obama even raised the issue in a fundraising appeal to supporters, saying that "Republicans mocked, dismissed, and actually laughed out loud at Americans who engage in community service and organizing."

McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said Palin's comment shows she is "too tough to be pushed around" by the Obama campaign's criticism of her experience.

Organizers describe their work as identifying potential leaders in a community and then helping those people tackle local problems. They research possible solutions, teach people how to figure out who can help and how to explain their concerns, then try to pressure the powerful into taking action.

Some organizations set up their own community groups, but most work with existing institutions, often churches.

Baumann said their concerns might be as basic as getting rid of a drug house or having more police patrol their neighborhood. Organizers also help set up job-training programs, push for better parks and streets, and press for school improvements.

"I basically think of it as very conservative. People are concerned about their families and ... the vehicle for that is through organizing," Baumann said. "The importance of assisting people improve their own lives - it's quite a responsibility."

Dave Beckwith, executive director of The Needmor Fund in Toledo, Ohio, said it would be wrong to assume community organizers and the people they help are all liberals. They include both Democrats and Republicans and their work can involve clashing with politicians from both parties, he said.

"This is an election that I understand to be about the middle," Beckwith said. "People active in community life and who have aspirations for their communities - it seems to me that anyone would want to speak to those people respectfully."

[libsluv2spit]

The man who dies with the most toys wins.

Posted by minnick8 at 09:13 PM : Sep 06, 2008
+ report abuse

******

the man that dies with the most toys are often greedy broke arse motherfu ckers..something that his family would end up..

its a typical liberal war chant..you must be a liberal

[Netterz]

Not that it matters WHO you are, or what you have done, accomplished, or proven yourself, some one, somewhere, will find fault. People even spoke badly of Mother Theresa... and she was by any means, a politician. When you choose to become a public figure, people will ALWAYS pick apart what you have done, good bad, and indifferent. I am sure that no matter who wins or loses, people opinions differ on good and bad. ANYONE, celebrity, or political figures, will be picked apart to the very bone. For what ever reason, from actual wrong doing, to complete good, will be critized.

[livingpruf-2009]

Being a community organizer is certainly a worthwhile endeavor and community organizers everywhere ought to be applauded and their efforts supported. (I volunteer for them whenever I can.)

That being said, no matter how important community organizing may be, it still doesn''t qualify one to lead the United States.

The point Mrs. Palin made about being a mayor of a city, even a tiny city, is that you have practice making decisions and not equivocating on them at every turn. You are held accountable, in fact even more so in a small town, because you face the people you govern every day at the market, at the ballpark, and in your place of worship.

There is just enough vagueness in the job description of a "community organizer" that without careful scrutiny, the average small town American (where community organizers are scarce) might mistakenly believe the job could build skills for a presidency. It doesn''t.
So, no matter how much whining and squirming, and complaining is done, (because of the one of several comments Sarah Palin deftly delivered which shot straight to the heart of the matter), the fact remains, only Senator Obama''s earnestness and popularity are pushing him to the Oval Office. It isn''t his resume.

[livingpruf-2009]

Being a community organizer is certainly a worthwhile endeavor and community organizers everywhere ought to be applauded and their efforts supported. (I volunteer for them whenever I can.)

That being said, no matter how important community organizing may be, it still doesn''t qualify one to lead the United States.

The point Mrs. Palin made about being a mayor of a city, even a tiny city, is that you have practice making decisions and not equivocating on them at every turn. You are held accountable, in fact even more so in a small town, because you face the people you govern every day at the market, at the ballpark, and in your place of worship.

There is just enough vagueness in the job description of a "community organizer" that without careful scrutiny, the average small town American (where community organizers are scarce) might mistakenly believe the job could build skills for a presidency. It doesn''t.
So, no matter how much whining and squirming, and complaining is done, (because of the one of several comments Sarah Palin deftly delivered which shot straight to the heart of the matter), the fact remains, only Senator Obama''s earnestness and popularity are pushing him to the Oval Office. It isn''t his resume.

[livingpruf-2009]

Being a community organizer is certainly a worthwhile endeavor and community organizers everywhere ought to be applauded and their efforts supported. (I volunteer for them whenever I can.)

That being said, no matter how important community organizing may be, it still doesn''t qualify one to lead the United States.

The point Mrs. Palin made about being a mayor of a city, even a tiny city, is that you have practice making decisions and not equivocating on them at every turn. You are held accountable, in fact even more so in a small town, because you face the people you govern every day at the market, at the ballpark, and in your place of worship.

There is just enough vagueness in the job description of a "community organizer" that without careful scrutiny, the average small town American (where community organizers are scarce) might mistakenly believe the job could build skills for a presidency. It doesn''t.
So, no matter how much whining and squirming, and complaining is done, (because of the one of several comments Sarah Palin deftly delivered which shot straight to the heart of the matter), the fact remains, only Senator Obama''s earnestness and popularity are pushing him to the Oval Office. It isn''t his resume.

[minnick8-2009]

Life is not about getting rich...you can''''t take it with you silly.

Posted by jh6379

The man who dies with the most toys wins.

[loyalto1]

I love the term "disenfranchised" used by brianbwb to describe gang members, ex-cons, and others who let life''''s opportunities slip by them. These are people who rejected the norms and values of our society. Most of them had the same public school opportunities that the rest of us had but chose to do nothing with these opportunities. Sadly, the black leadership has created a dependence on social programs such as welfare instead of encouraging independence. Just look at how many children are born to some women out of wedlock by different fathers.


I just wanted to say - i totally agree with you statment RHS648

[notfooled]

Our real enemy right now in the United States is the group that think they can control , control, control by intimidation, by censure, by fraud, and by the "big lie." We should, as Americans, be so afraid of someone who uses these tactics which will, in the end, curtail our freedoms. We saw the same thing happen in the last two elections. What is truly disconcerting, is how many people will fall for this spin because the words, God and Mother, are mentioned. Here we are being coerced into thinking that a person who tries to ban books by intimidation, used a position to seek revenge and has repeatedly lied about her policy positions This group who want to control have either outright lied about Palin, or lied by omission. People need to realize that Palin was chosen because she will allow this kind of distortions of her life, her family, her career, and her accomplishments.
Posted by pastdue1 at 10:42 AM : Sep 06, 2008

Add to that the twisting of the meaning of patriotism. These vile criminals in the White House and elsewhere would have you believe if you don''t support their murderous agenda, you don''t support the US.

The real patriots are those that rail against and stand up to the kind of coercion and tactics used by the Rethuglicans to attempt to garner support through fear and intimidation.

[rhs648]

Yes, the PTA is a community organization. So is Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross, United Way, various women''''s shelters, homeless selters, church pre-K schools, etc etc etc. So, BTW, are groups who seek to register legitimate voters to vote - of parties.

Posted by SpinGuy12

Yes, these are all community organizations. Most of these groups promote single issues such as helping schools, helping abused women, and helping poor people with homes. Obama was a community organizer. What type of tactics do these community organizers promote. Strikes, sit-ins, protests, demonstrations, threats, etc. may be some of the tactics community organizers promote. When is the last time a group such as the PTA or Advocates for the Homeless used these tactics.

[rhs648]

Our real enemy right now in the United States is the group that think they can control , control, control by intimidation, by censure, by fraud, and by the "big lie." We should, as Americans, be so afraid of someone who uses these tactics which will, in the end, curtail our freedoms. We saw the same thing happen in the last two elections. What is truly disconcerting, is how many people will fall for this spin because the words, God and Mother, are mentioned. Here we are being coerced into thinking that a person who tries to ban books by intimidation, used a position to seek revenge and has repeatedly lied about her policy positions This group who want to control have either outright lied about Palin, or lied by omission. People need to realize that Palin was chosen because she will allow this kind of distortions of her life, her family, her career, and her accomplishments.

Posted by pastdue1

If the real enemy is the United States, to what country do you pay allegience. If America is the real enemy, your loyalties must lie with another country. Please share with us the countries that you feel are the right friends. We would like to know what country deserves our allegience if not the United States. Is this why some people refuse to Pledge The Allegience of the United States. I might consider paying for your ticket to the country of your choice. That way, you can share the norms and values of your friends.

[pastdue1]

Our real enemy right now in the United States is the group that think they can control , control, control by intimidation, by censure, by fraud, and by the "big lie." We should, as Americans, be so afraid of someone who uses these tactics which will, in the end, curtail our freedoms. We saw the same thing happen in the last two elections. What is truly disconcerting, is how many people will fall for this spin because the words, God and Mother, are mentioned. Here we are being coerced into thinking that a person who tries to ban books by intimidation, used a position to seek revenge and has repeatedly lied about her policy positions This group who want to control have either outright lied about Palin, or lied by omission. People need to realize that Palin was chosen because she will allow this kind of distortions of her life, her family, her career, and her accomplishments.

[rhs648]

I love the term "disenfranchised" used by brianbwb to describe gang members, ex-cons, and others who let life''s opportunities slip by them. These are people who rejected the norms and values of our society. Most of them had the same public school opportunities that the rest of us had but chose to do nothing with these opportunities. Sadly, the black leadership has created a dependence on social programs such as welfare instead of encouraging independence. Just look at how many children are born to some women out of wedlock by different fathers.

[rhs648]

According to Putin of Russia, the Georgian War was instigated in Washington to scare the American public to vote for Republicans in this election. Amazing how far Repubs can go to retain power. SHAME on the Republican base which keeps electing this bunch of scum.

Posted by blitzder

Sounds like you will belive anything. This is like a rapist blaming the girl for being raped. The rapist would say the girl was showing too much leg therefore she deserved to be raped. How convenient for Putin to blsame the United States after he invades another country. The sad thing is that some people believe what Putin said.

[rhs648]

So there you have it. President George Bush, Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain now all have similar position on Iran. This complete reversal on foreign policy could undermine the anti-war base vote he needs to win. His coalition needs the anti-war message to hold together.


Posted by jackDems



Saying military action isn''''t off the table and openly advocating military action are two different things.

Posted by omega39

There is a time and place for both diplomacy and military action. If an enemy doesn''t believe that other countries will use military action, there is no incentive to cooperate. Hence leaders such as Hitler and Saddam Hussein feel free to do what they want when they belive other countries are all talk and no action. Saddam Hussein, according to some reports, never believed that the United States would invade.
Therefore, why not call our bluff?

[rhs648]

Posted by jackDems

The actions you describe as "bully tactics" and "shakedown" by Mr. Obama can also be called "fighting for the right of the disenfranchised to participate", and "resistance to the shakedown of the financially weak by the financially strong."

If shareholders can pool their money and influence to create an organization to promote it''''s interests, then what is wrong with those who have little money to invest, pooling what they do have to create an organization to promoite theirs?

Your post indicates that you think the latter should not have the rights of the former, and thus you advocate fascism. Your views are being repudiated by the support that has lined up behind Mr. Obama, and even if he does not win, the neocon world view is about to become extinct, and it is long past due.

Posted by brianbwb

Assuming there is nothing wrong with shakedowns and bullying, people should be aware of Obama''s background. If this is what voters want, that is fine.

[kohin-2009]

And you know what, after all this years with taugh talking, we finaly come back to the start point which is let`s use diplomatie and talk to IRAN ,SYRIA , NORTH KOREA (don`t forget they were the axes of evil) and LIBYA. What a waste!!! If only, the American people were coming back to their senses!!!!!!!

[spinguy12]

Yes, the PTA is a community organization. So is Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross, United Way, various women''s shelters, homeless selters, church pre-K schools, etc etc etc. So, BTW, are groups who seek to register legitimate voters to vote - of parties.

[kohin-2009]

Jacdems, I can see why you don`t wanatalk about sarah Pallin and anti-Jews Pastor association and her believe of what she called that the Iraq war was GOD`S plan???
That Alaska Pipeline is GOD`s will????

[brianbwb-2009]

Posted by jackDems

The actions you describe as "bully tactics" and "shakedown" by Mr. Obama can also be called "fighting for the right of the disenfranchised to participate", and "resistance to the shakedown of the financially weak by the financially strong."

If shareholders can pool their money and influence to create an organization to promote it''s interests, then what is wrong with those who have little money to invest, pooling what they do have to create an organization to promoite theirs?

Your post indicates that you think the latter should not have the rights of the former, and thus you advocate fascism. Your views are being repudiated by the support that has lined up behind Mr. Obama, and even if he does not win, the neocon world view is about to become extinct, and it is long past due.

[omega39-2009]

So there you have it. President George Bush, Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain now all have similar position on Iran. This complete reversal on foreign policy could undermine the anti-war base vote he needs to win. His coalition needs the anti-war message to hold together.


Posted by jackDems



Saying military action isn''t off the table and openly advocating military action are two different things.