Obama takes heat for skipping State of the Black Union

[JKaiser]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/23/obama.sobu/index.html



From Sean Callebs
CNN

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- The annual State of the Black Union forum boasts a number of famous names as it gets under way in New Orleans, but this year's event is getting much more attention for who won't be there.


Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama campaigns in New Orleans on February 7.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, was the only major presidential candidate to accept an invitation to attend.

Her rival, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, declined, as did Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

But it's Obama's absence that's prompted both controversy and a backlash against Tavis Smiley, the organizer of the event who has openly criticized Obama's decision.....

[wndycty]

1. I'm so glad you are concerned about this

:sarcasm:

[ProSense]

2. "a backlash against Tavis Smiley" is heat on Obama?

Ah, desperation.

[tishaLA]

5. yes, McDonald's, Tavis' primary sponsor, is very upset

because, you know, Sen Obama's healthy body is a testament to what McDonald's healthy food has done to America, especially in lower income, Latino, and African American communities.

The diabetes lobby is apparently irked too.

[Windy]

3. The obama campaign offered to send Michelle. Smiley pouted and declined the invitation

Look, Obama is in the fight of his political life. Smiley's narcissistic outrage has been soundly routed by african american activists.

I happened to catch Joe Madison's radio show in the midst of this and he stated that Smiley was being unreasonable and ridiculous and that it was "all about Tavis". The feeling was that he should have welcomed Michelle with open arms.

This is just ridiculous that CNN is plastering this crap with an obvious Hillary slant.

The media wants a Clinton candidacy because they think it will boost their ratings and sell more advertisements. They are anticipating a right wing deluge of controversy that will up their viewership. Its not about what's best for the country, its about what's best for the profit margins of the corporate media! I'm damn sick and tired of it.

[qanda]

4. I've been a part of DU for five years

I have watched the State of the Black Union each of those years and usually it's me and maybe two or three other people commenting on the threads. The interest in the State of the Black Union is usually close to nil on DU, so it's amazing to see so many interested in it this year. Last week I thought it was a mistake for Obama to not show up but after hearing how ridiculous Tavis is acting over this, I cannot help but wonder what his true purpose is.

[Connie_Corleone]

6. Tavis has been truly pathetic these past few weeks.

Now, he's mad because people are calling him out on it.