Black Congressman Denounces Bill Clinton’s ('Bizarre') Remarks

[truthpusher]

Source: New York Times



The third-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives and one of the country’s most influential African-American leaders sharply criticized former President Bill Clinton this afternoon for what he called the former president’s “bizarre” conduct during the Democratic primary campaign.

Representative James E. Clyburn, an undeclared superdelegate from South Carolina who is the Democratic whip in the House, said that “black people are incensed over all of this,” referring to a series of statements that Mr. Clinton has made in the course of the heated race between his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton, and Senator Barack Obama.

(snip)

In an interview with The Times late Thursday, Mr. Clyburn said that Mr. Clinton’s conduct in this campaign has caused what might be an irreparable breach between Mr. Clinton and an African-American constituency that once revered him. “When he was going through his impeachment problems, it was the black community that bellied up to the bar,” Mr. Clyburn said. “I think black folks feel strongly that that this is a strange way for President Clinton to show his appreciation.”

Mr. Clyburn added that there appears to be an almost “unanimous” view among African-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Clinton “are committed to doing everything they possibly can to damage Obama to a point that he could never win.”



Read more: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/24/black-congressman-denounces-b-clintons-remarks/

[yardwork]

1. Clyburn is highly respected.

This is not good for the Clintons.

[wanpete]

2. Yes he is. And he has made it a point to remain unbiased and uncommitted. For him to say this is

major imho.

[yardwork]

3. It will resonate with a lot of people beyond South Carolina, too.

Major boo-boo on Bill Clinton's part. He should have gone off into the sunset behaving like a nice former president, like Jimmy Carter. This salivating at getting back in the big house is unseemly.

[Alii]

5. But...

don't you think that it's about time that he does become committed? It appears that there's no doubt that it will be Obama.

[wanpete]

6. yes I do. and he very well may after making these comments. I think he's excercised

extraordinary restraint and fairness in trying not to appear biased in either candidate's favor. But it's time for him, and all other SDs to make a decision, and make it publicly.

[jackson_dem]

13. He's been a shill for Obama for 3 months. He just hasn't made it official yet

[madrchsod]

4. one thing this primary has exposed is the racism in this country

and how it divides us.

we live in a gangster`s paradise....

[IndianaGreen]

8. And it has shown that the Clintons will appeal to racism if it gets them a win

After all, the Clintons threw LGBTs under the bus when it was convenient to their political schemes.

[jackson_dem]

14. Yeah, it makes sense for the Clintons to play the race card before SC, MS, and NC

:eyes:

[Window]

24. Of course it makes sense. SC, MS, and NC are in the south.

[jackson_dem]

32. What are the demographics of Dem primaries in the south?

The only way it would make sense is if they could get a 85-90% bloc vote from whites. Name one state where a Dem primary candidate has ever achieved that.

[Number23]

10. You're right

one thing this primary has exposed is the racism in this country

It sure did. Even I have been astounded at the number of people who've crawled out of their respective holes saying some of the most outlandish foolishness. No place is safe anymore. I've read DU for almost 5 years and it's only been recently that I have been astounded by some of the racial comments that have come out as a result of Obama's candidacy. Shoot, even reading my Green Issue of Vanity Fair last night, I saw some of the most idiotic comments from readers including one who took what Ferraro said a month ago and just RAN with it.

Obama's not going through anything right now that vast numbers of black people who work in Corporate America don't go through every day. Being made to feel "less than" by the overly entitled and then blamed for playing the race card when someone calls them on their sh*t.

[autorank]

7. Hey truthpusher K*R

What have they come to? Trading real patriots for Scaife. No accounting for taste.

[LaPera]

9. Desperate!

[CreekDog]

11. for what?

desperate why?

exactly what is the purpose of your post?

[jackson_dem]

12. Predictable. I predicted the Obama campaign would play the race card before NC weeks ago

It is like clockwork. Obama loses in an upset (NV, TX/OH, PA) and a state with a large black population fortunately is next on the schedule and there it is! The race card each time (SC, MS, and now NC)! Notice how it never appears before very white states like Iowa, New Hampshire, Super Tuesday, Kansas, Wisconsin, Ohio, or the six weeks before Pennsylvania? Who is playing the race card? Who benefits? It shows up each time when it is convenient to Obama. If it were the Clintons doing it they would have used it to the hilt in Texas and Ohio when Hillary was fighting for survival. They didn't. Obama uses it each time like clockwork.

[Number23]

22. Say What?

From the article:

Representative James E. Clyburn, an undeclared superdelegate from South Carolina

So simply because this man is blessed with melanin, you assume that he is a member of the Obama campaign?

[JerseygirlCT]

29. That and there's criticism of Clinton in the statement

To some Clinton supporters, like Bush supporters, any criticism is verboten. It can't be honest criticism; it MUST be because he's a secret Obama operative.

Sheesh.

[jackson_dem]

31. He was instrumental in the swiftboating of Clintons on race in SC

He just doesn't have the balls to declare it, just like Pelosi is "undeclared" but clearly pro-Obama.

Nice use of the race card. Obama is tanking with whites and Latinos and this is one reason why. keep it up! :thumbsup:

[SleeplessinSoCal]

15. Remember when we bailed Bill out in 1998-2000?

This is the thanks Dems get for helping him make millions.

http://www.opensecrets.org/clinton/legalfund/legal_top.htm

Isn't it time Bill and Hillary did something for us?

[McCamy Taylor]

16. This is the North Carolina strategy. Clinton should not take is personally.

It is just politics.

[Algorem]

17. Bill Clinton has said so many racist things that they can almost quote one of them

[democrank]

18. So now the well-respected Clyburn is a "shill" for Obama.

Astounding. There`s no limit to your rabid attacks. What will you say about Al Gore if he endorses Obama?

[kentj44]

19. neither democratic

candidate will win without the others support and at this point in the game when we should be able to walk into the white house it ain't gona happen,the doinosaur mccain will be the next president,but we did it to ourselves,unfortunately this country cannot stand another 4 years of rethug rule.john please leave barbie at home.

[judasdisney]

20. Erratic, temperamental: Symptoms of post-heart surgery patients

It's more than likely a medical issue. Ask those around here who have had a relative who's undergone recent heart surgery.

That's not to defend Bill, but to understand what's happening.

Of course, that does not excuse HILLARY. She's just fatuous.

[snipervictim]

21. Well get ready for 4 more years

I don't understand this whole deal with supers and the Clinton's anymore I am a African-American and i really use to like the Clinton's a-lot but now ........There is really no-way i can vote for her i understand there is a election and there is a free for all as far as getting into the next step.

I really am at this point trying to understand why the goal posts keep moving for Obama i mean come on when is a win a win i keep thinking of Bill saying (that depends on what the definition of is is )?

I knew from the start that sooner or later the ookie dooc was coming I just didn't expect it to be the Clinton's that did it and to be honest it hurts.The race card has been played every time they have had a chance and not just the i see the rev wright on tv more then obama ????I mean come on its like the rest of these people dint have lots more dirt behind them .......

[HamdenRice]

25. Welcome to DU! nt

[NEOhiodemocrat]

28. welcome aboard!

I understand how you feel. My respect for the Clinton's has really declined with the type of campaign they have been running. The DNC called last night and I declined to renew my membership pending the outcome of this mess. If they try to use the super-delegates to take the nominee from the leader in pledged delegates, etc, etc, I will have to seriously consider becoming an independent after a lifetime of strong Democratic support. I am a white, middle aged woman and have come to support Obama after Edwards left. I feel that if the ones in power overrule the will of the people in the Democratic party they will loose many loyal party members. And not just the young and African Americans. If they are going to be another party of leading from the head down I don't need to affiliate myself with them. I am hoping that this does not happen.

[Window]

23. K/R.

:kick:

[Eric J in MN]

26. It's "bizarre" to say that Jesse Jackson won SC twice (sarcasm)

Except that it's normal for campaigns in a primary to try to spin their victories as a big deal and their defeats as minor.

And Jesse Jackson is the only person in recent history (ever?) to win the SC primary twice without becoming the party nominee either time.

[rucky]

27. How did Hillary manage to lose a lead over Obama among blacks.

from 60% to 2%?

[truthpusher]

30. bizarre?