The Hill: "As champion of black farmers, Obama could win Southern votes"

[Colobo]

Pigford may not resonate with northern blacks. But Steve Pruitt, a senior adviser for J.C. Watts Companies who lobbies for the Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association, predicted it would resonate in the South.


“If I am sitting in Harlem, I do not have a dog in this fight. But in the South, it is a big issue because everybody has farm connections, including blacks,” said Pruitt. “In South Carolina, this might be one of those elements that endear black folks to Obama.”


More than $730 million has been paid out since the settlement. But Obama and others charge that thousands of black farmers who had valid claims were denied relief, mostly because they missed the cut-off date for claims. Davis blames the late filings on the fact that USDA did not widely publicize the need to file claims.


For their part, USDA officials say they launched a paid media campaign that reached an estimated 87 percent of blacks working on farms or in related industries.


The farm bill approved by the House includes compromise language — worked out by Davis, Rep. Robert “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.) and Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) — that would allow those whose claims were denied a new review. Soon thereafter, on Aug. 3, Obama introduced legislation modeled on the House language. He previously had signed on to a bill introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).


Obama also plans to discuss his commitment to bring relief to black farmers on the campaign trail over the next few months, according to an aide on his presidential campaign.


National Black Farmers Association President John Boyd said Obama’s position as a leader on the Pigford issue could “absolutely, unequivocally” help him politically.


“I think this will help Obama with black voters split between Hillary Clinton and Obama,” said Boyd, who said he was happy to see Obama speak out publicly on Pigford because there have been too few champions of black farmers in the Senate.

More at:
http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/as-champion-of-black-farmers-obama-could-win-southern-votes-2007-09-19.html

[Colobo]

1. Obama cares about common hard working Americans.

[Ethelk2044]

2. He will have the African American votes. The more they learn about him

the more they like him.

[Colobo]

3. They know he cares and has the vision to help the community more

than any other candidate.

[Colobo]

4. Haters: Read and Recognize.

[surfermaw]

5. There is no way BO can win in the south

There are many bigots that will not vote for B.O. or Hill, of the three Edwards is the only one that can gather votes in ths south.As soon as they are out Edwards will fly, unless Gore get in the race, which I think he will but if he doesn't run, then Edwards and Biden will make a fine pair.

[Colobo]

6. I think many Southerners would disagree with you.

[Ethelk2044]

8. There are bigots but not as many people who have moved beyond race.

I am from the South. There are a large number of African Americans in the south. I go back there every year to visit Family. He can pull some states.

[ginchinchili]

7. You obviously haven't spent much time in the south.

Obama would have no chance of picking up a southern state, at least not in 2008. Nor will Hillary Clinton. The things I hear and the emails I receive would contract your spine, like they do me. You learn to get used to it or it will drive you nuts. You choose your battles and speak up when you feel the time is right, but the narrow-minded hatred is all around all the time. They just don't see it that way down here because most of them are good Christian folks. To win a nation-wide election you have to grasp the reality of its people. You have to, then make your moves in a way that will best push the Democratic agenda forward.

[Colobo]

9. Change doesn't happen by itself. It needs to be pushed.

Blacks would still be in chains and women without the right to vote if people weren't brave enough to challenge the system and the views of the "majority".

Barack and Hillary can make history, and they will if we Dems give them the chance.

[Ethelk2044]

10. You are wrong. What is good Christian folks? Are you trying to say only

Whites are Christians? Get a grip.

Change does not happen by itself. Children of today are not racist. There are a large number of mix marriages today. Children who are multi-racial. There are a large number of African Americans as well who will be more than willing to vote for him. There are decent people in America who look beyond race.