Why should Obama Clean Up Hillary's MLK Mess?

[vee]

I commend Obama in making the first public acknowledgment and reconciliatory statements
regarding Hillary's MLK remarks. But, I have to ask what took her so long to do the same?

Regardless of your position on the matter, the fact remains that many (of all ethnicities) felt
something wrong in her words. So, if it was just a matter of her words simply being misinterpreted
or misunderstood, why not a 1 minute press conference to clarify, problem solved.

Wouldn't that have been the thing for a responsible leader to do?
Why did she let this fester for so long, and address it only after Obama did so?

[anamandujano]

1. because it's his mess too

It's trouble for everyone, no matter who started it, no matter who's to blame.

[maddiejoan]

2. Perhaps if Obama hadn't been complicit

in misinterpreting Clinton's (and surrogates) comments, there would have been no mess.

Hillary didn't start the mess, the mess was created to slime Hillary.

Enough already. Listen to Senator Obama --and cut the crap.

[Perry Logan]

3. It's weird. Obama people make a mess, then blame Hillary for the mess.

[vee]

4. Hillary's words. Hillary's mess.

[Missy M]

6. Hillary's words were fine....

so no Hillary mess.

[vee]

8. The result of those words weren't fine though. Should she have addressed that? Sooner.

[BenDavid]

5. But I do think the comments by Charlie Rangel late yesterday

made those in the obama camp and others take notice.

[vee]

7. I'm looking for Hillary's leadership in the MLK matter.

[JackORoses]

11. yes, they took notice that Draft-em-all Rangel has absolutely no integrity

[babylonsister]

14. You mean the ones he apologized for today, those comments? nt

[Kahuna]

20. Really? Rangel is on Countdown right now being very complimentary

of Obama. His demeanor was very sheepish. He has constituents that he has to answer to. And probably most of them support Obama.

[H2O Man]

9. I'm glad he did.

The damage being done by the entire episode was not good for the democratic party. Even people who are normally intelligent and rational spokespersons for our party -- and I think Charlie Rangel is the best example -- were being quoted in the media in such a way that they sounded like fools.

Senator Obama knows the importance of the old lesson: what do you have when a wise man argues with a fool? Two fools.

He showed good judgement at an important time in the campaign.

[Big Blue Marble]

10. I never thought her initial criticism nestled in the MLK statement was racist.

I still do not. I am white. I filter differently than black people do. They were
the ones who did not like it. That is their right to interpret as they see it.

I saw it more at a slap at his competency. She sees herself as a doer. She
wants to frame Obama as an empty orator. It backfired for her. At it came
at a time, her surrogates were saying extremely racially insensitive things.

So she projected. And around here it sure worked. Her supporters are
amazingly quick to buy the talking point that Obama started the racism.
Clearheaded and unbiased observers see through the charade.

I am glad Obama reached out first. This is his leadership style and he showed it well.

[vee]

12. I am Black, and I was raised in Berkeley, during the 60's. The Berkeley part of me was...

much more offended than the Black part of me by Hillary's remarks. The Berkeley in me
was offended by the callous disregard the role activism plays in making change that Hillary's
statement implied. I saw far too many Hippies Heads bashed in by Reagan's goons to take
lightly the sacrifices that activist make.

The Black part of me knows racism when he see's it and wasn't fazed by the comments.

But the issue that I was addressing was Hillary's Response to the reaction to her statements
and how her (and Obama's) subsequent actions reflect upon their respective Leadership styles.

[Adelante]

13. About the statements, one thing troubling to me

Obama made sure he was sending a clear message to all who support him of what is unacceptable to him in their behavior. Clinton's statement included a general plea for civility, which was good, but not a signal that I heard to set a higher tone among her own people. That's what I was looking for from her.

[Big Blue Marble]

16. Thank you for your prospective.

I am deeply saddened by the way Clinton and her minions have attempted to demean Obama.
They minimize his Harvard scholarship, his activism, his legislative record, and his amazing
oratory style. They participate in the politics of personal destruction.

It is mean and it is emulating the Republicans whom we dispise. The worst, but most successful Rovian tactic, is to
attack the opponents strengths. IMO, that is what we are seeing here. And it is very bad for
this country. We will all suffer for it.

[niceypoo]

15. Some people just cannot let go

[Big Blue Marble]

17. Of what?

[beachmom]

18. Obama took one for the team. As in the entire Dem Party.

Clinton has tried to reap the benefit of his praiseworthy act.

How any Dem could vote for Clinton is beyond me. It wasn't just the one remark. It was a string of surrogates acting in a despicable manner, much to the detriment to the Party.

Obama wasn't going to let that happen, so he stepped in. He is a leader.

[JVS]

19. Because it's a cauldron of shit that she's trying to dump on him