Top black lawmaker slams Obama over advice to New York governor

[rmp yellow]

Source: McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, in an unusual public spat involving three of the nation's most prominent black politicians, criticized President Barack Obama for reportedly pressuring New York Gov. David Paterson not to seek a full term.

In an interview for broadcast Sunday on "Washington Watch With Roland Martin," a new talk show, Clyburn, the highest-ranking African-American in Congress and a close Obama ally, reacted sharply to published reports that Obama emissaries had advised the unpopular incumbent against running next year.

"Now, I am not saying that anything in this process was done correctly," Clyburn told Martin, a CNN political analyst whose new show will air on TV One, a cable channel that's geared toward black viewers and reaches 50 millions homes nationwide.

"In fact, I abhor what I hear," Clyburn said. "If what I hear is true, it was absolutely done in a sophomoric way."

Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/washington/story/76108.html

[ProSense]

1. "If what I hear is true..."

Paterson Denies That WH Specifically Asked Him To Bow Out Of NY Race

[rmp yellow]

2. Clyburn didn't say what it was that he heard n/t

[Historic NY]

20. I called it as bullshit..its the new Operation Chaos..the primary will determined the election.

[No Elephants]

41. The operative word being "specifically." When interviewed by Gregory, Paterson

tried to tap dance around the issue, but, as Gregory pressed, it eventually became clear as that the WH was not happy with Paterson's plans to run.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33032390/ns/meet_the_press/page/4/

[Captain Hilts]

3. I, too, think Paterson is a loser, but I think NYS Dems should decide. Not the WH or I. nt

[emilyg]

18. +1

[Grassy Knoll]

4. Who starts this shit..

GA- DAMN

[BlooInBloo]

5. There are few things white folks love more than when one black guy disagrees with another...

We really think all black folks are the same. We really, really do.

[WriteDown]

6. Who is White in this scenario?

Obama, Clyburn or Patterson?

[hokies]

21. Ummm, I think you misunderstood his point

He's not referring to Obama, Clyburn, or Patterson, but instead the media and everybody else picking up on this story. :hi:

[amandabeech]

24. Speak for yourself. n/t

[saracat]

25. This isn't about race. It is about the WH interfering in a State campaign

New York should decide who their Democratic gubernatorial candidate should be, not the White House.

[cali]

29. what a deeply stupid bigoted comment.

[laconicsax]

7. What the hell does it matter what their skin color is?

[rmp yellow]

8. It's newsworthy, since blacks are extremely unlikely to criticize Obama

Therefore, Clyburn criticizing Obama, being both one of his most loyal supporters and black, carries much weight.

If I were an editor, I would note the race too. Plus Clyburn is a proud leader of the Black community. I don't think he's offended.

[ProSense]

11. "since blacks are extremely unlikely to criticize Obama" WTF? n/t

[wordpix]

30. just look at Michael Steele - skin color is only skin deep

[NOLALady]

13. Of course, blacks are extremely unlikely to criticize Obama.

They are not like whites who have no problem criticizing other whites. Must be a genetic thing. :crazy:

[hokies]

22. Cultural sensitivity training - EPIC FAIL

:rofl:

Sorry, needed excuse to post this hilarious photo :hi:

[laconicsax]

32. What a fantastically bigoted comment.

I'm not sure if you realize it, but what you say here relies on all "blacks" being the same. I hope you understand why that's wrong.

Plus, why should Clyburn being offended or not put the matter to rest--why should he be the only person offended by racism?

[rmp yellow]

37. 4% of blacks have an unfavorable view of Obama. Compared to 28% of Latinos and 47% of white

I maintain my position, which is not bigoted. African Americans are extremely unlikely to criticize our current President. Not saying it's a bad or a good thing. Just stating a fact.

When a big African American leader criticizes Obama, it should be newsworthy, and McClatchy understands this.

My data is from the most recent Kos poll: http://www.dailykos.com/weeklypoll/2009/9/24

[laconicsax]

40. Criticism and viewing as unfavorable are different things.

Even if 96% of African Americans hold a favorable view of Obama, that says nothing about the likelihood of them criticizing him. 96% approval rating means exactly what it says--that 96% approve of him overall. It says nothing about approval on specific issues or how likely someone is to criticize the President.

A high-ranking politician criticizing the President is newsworthy regardless of the politician's skin color. Race only factors into it if the criticism has a racial element to it. Clyburn's criticism has no racial element, but the reporting does.

If that's too nuanced for you, too bad.

[bluestateguy]

9. Patterson is a walking election loser

and Obama is simply trying to keep New York in Democratic hands. Patterson is a disaster.

[BunkerHill24]

14. Why is Mr. Patterson disaster?

He will run for election....and people of NY will have to decide and make a judgment if he's worth their trust....not the White House and not you and your unintelligent opinionated crank.

[bluestateguy]

15. They already have made a decision

He is polling in the low 20's. Sounds a lot like a judgment to me.

[BunkerHill24]

16. Don't prejudge the election!

I don't trust polls, and neither should you.

[robcon]

28. I trust most polls, and so should you! They have been very accurate.

See: http://www.fordham.edu/images/academics/graduate_schools/gsas/elections_and_campaign_/poll%20accuracy%20in%20the%202008%20presidential%20election.pdf

n/t

[hokies]

23. White House doesn't want Giuliani to run

If Patterson is out of the way then Cuomo is a complete shoe-in. If it is Rudy vs. Patterson, then Rudy probably wins. Plus Patterson's approval ratings in NY are in the teens. :hi:

[katkat]

27. disaster

Re: Why is Mr. Patterson disaster?

1. Embarrassing idiotic mutual adultery press conference

2. Screws up chance to have Caroline Kennedy as NY Senator, can you imagine Caroline as a high profile Senator appealing for true health care passage?

3. Has PR person spread slander about Caroline, denies doing it, before he admits it.

4. So clueless he thinks his massive unpopularity is due to racism instead of his own incompetence.

[BunkerHill24]

10. Hey Mr. Raul Emmanuel was it you that leaked this misinformation?

I bet it has something to do with Raul's political idealism!

[orleans]

19. who is "Raul?" n/t

[katkat]

26. Raul is Rahm's Hispanic cousin, apparently n/t

[wordpix]

12. I LOVED what Paterson said today on MTP: "I've been told all my life I can't do

this or that. A teacher told me I couldn't go to college. I've been proving people wrong all my life." (paraphrased)

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

17. You know,Should be interesting to see what

the people of New York say when they speak.You know, I think the resolution in the issue at stake is in the hands of the people of the state of New York.you know, Could be a very interesting primary in New York.you know,it is never to the advantage of any politician to opin. over the top of New Yorkers !You know, no doubt there will be some interesting comments coming out of New York ,come the day !

And,you know there are issues,shaddy to say the least, you know !

[wordpix]

31. what Paterson said put him up in my book - OTOH, I am not watching NY politics much so don't

really know what's going on.

It's hard enough keeping up with my own city, state, national and some international news. :eyes:

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

33. He has to believe he can win.,you know !

And what went down in your book is just where it was planted,that's politics !Subtract the issues and what you have words without substance.What he has to run on in New York is his record.Your book does not factor in to the voice of the people of New York state.And that too is politics! If you know what I mean ,you know !

[aldo]

34. Obama was way off base. This isn't Chicago. He's not ward boss. eom

nt

[Bodhi BloodWave]

38. He is however the leader of the Democratic party n/t

[and-justice-for-all]

35. I am sure he can talk to who ever the hell he wants...nt

[Zorra]

36. This is a no brainer. Paterson's approval rating is something like 17%.

Obama is speaking in the best interests of the people of NY.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

39. also unless i misread something a few days ago a number of people downticket asked if Obama

could do so

Admittedly it was a politico article so i would take it with a large pinch of salt, but i would not look away from that he might have asked him due to a number of down-ticket people being worried

[No Elephants]

42. I doubt Paterson can beat Cuomo in a primary. Cuomo has been on fire.

Question is, will Cuomo try to primary Paterson or not? If not, Paterson will probably lose the election.