REDO: My first thread was a dupe and I can't waste my posts-Roland Martin on Tavis v. Obama

[wndycty]

My original thread was on the AP story about Black superdelegates leaving Hillary, but it was dupe and since I only get three posts I had to change it. DAMN YOU SKINNER! DAMN YOU! <just kidding>

Clinton, Obama navigating the water of black politics
Posted: 02:03 PM ET

Obama should skip Tavis Smiley’s State of the Black Union forum
ALT TEXT
Roland S. Martin is a nationally syndicated columnist, Chicago-based radio host, and frequent contributor to the AC360° Blog.

Sen. Barack Obama took a lot of heat last year from participants in Tavis Smiley’s State of the Black Union annual confab, which was held in Virginia. To be fair, he was a little busy that day…announcing HE WAS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT!

Some of the folks there were beside themselves, and frankly, were childish about it, even saying that he should have put off his presidential announcement to be there.

Now, almost a year later, he is faced with a similar dilemma.

Smiley has announced that he will hold his State of the Black Union annual talkfest on Feb. 23 in New Orleans, La. This is a huge event attended by thousands each year; broadcast on C-SPAN; and attracts some of the nation’s top black activists, politicians and intellectuals.
-snip-

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/11/clinton-obama-navigating-the-water-of-black-politics/

For the thread that I duped go to:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4594334

This 3 threads a day issue is going to be fun, and make for better discussions.

[rinsd]

1. Damn you wasted a thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4594334

[jkshaw]

2. The day is waning, though.

[Windy]

3. Its called public pressure for the superdelegates to respect the will of the people!

Keep it up folks!!!

Whoever against the most delegates by the votes of the people should win the election.
We are making our voices heard and its making a difference!! I can tell by some of the commentary on television and radio today. The party officials are getting the word loud and clear. If you want our support in November, do the right thing!!!

[wndycty]

4. KICK FOR CHANGE OF SUBJECT!

Go to: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4594334

For the original subject. Now we can discuss the Tavis/Obama dust-up.

[rinsd]

5. Kick for wndycty

[wndycty]

6. Obama's letter to Tavis

Mr. Tavis Smiley
President and CEO
The Smiley Group
3870 Crenshaw Boulevard
Suite 391
Los Angeles, CA 90008

Dear Tavis,

Thank you for the invitation to participate in the 2008 State of the Black Union forum in New Orleans, Louisiana February 21-23. The exchange of ideas raised at this annual symposium are invaluable as our nation strives to address the critical issues facing not just African Americans, but Americans of every race, background and political party.

I especially commend you for hosting this dialogue in New Orleans. On the eve of the Louisiana primary, I visited this great city for the fifth time since declaring my candidacy to share policy proposals for rebuilding the Gulf Coast so that we never experience another Hurricane Katrina. On February 9, I was deeply humbled to win the Louisiana primary with 86 percent of the African American vote and a 14 point lead among all voters who said they were adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Uniting our country and creating a national constituency for fundamental change is why I am running for President of the United States. We have come a long way in this race, but we still have a long road ahead. In the final stretch, I will be on the campaign trail everyday in states like Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin talking directly with voters about the causes that are at the heart of my campaign and the State of the Black Union forum such as affordable healthcare, housing, economic opportunity, civil rights and foreign policy. I am committed to touching every voter, and working to earn their vote.

That is why with regret, I am not able to attend the forum. I understand that you have declined the campaign’s request to have Michelle Obama speak on my behalf. I ask that you reconsider. Michelle is a powerful voice for the type of real change America is hungry for. No one knows my record or my passion for leading America in a new direction more than Michelle Obama.

Tavis, this is our movement and our time. I look forward to working closely with you throughout this election. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

http://essence.typepad.com/news/2008/02/copy-of-sen-bar.html