More than a dozen Congressional Black Caucus members heading to SC to stump for Hillary Clinton

[bigtree]

Scott Wong ?@scottwongDC 35m35 minutes ago
More than a dozen @OfficialCBC members heading to SC to stump for @HillaryClinton http://thehill.com/homenews/house/269037-black-lawmakers-sprint-to-clintons-aid …

Black Democrats are closing ranks around Hillary Clinton amid growing fears that Bernie Sanders poses a real threat to her presidential candidacy.

The Congressional Black Caucus PAC this week voted to make its endorsement of Clinton official, and “more than a dozen” CBC members will be storming South Carolina later this month to stump for her ahead of the state’s Feb. 27 Democratic primary, according to CBC Chairman G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.)...

“It’s good to have new friends, but I would prefer to have true friends. Hillary Clinton has been a true friend to the African-American community for more than 40 years. During that same period of time, Bernie Sanders has been largely missing in action,” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), a CBC member, said on a Wednesday conference call organized by the Clinton campaign...

“People there know her better,” Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a civil rights icon, said of voters in southern states.

“I think the great majority of African-American voters, at this moment, at this time, would be more inclined to support the secretary,” added Lewis, who plans to stump for Clinton in South Carolina.

While there’s little to suggest an exodus of black voters from Clinton, it’s clear that some are giving Sanders a second look.

But black lawmakers in Congress are not among them.

They argue that the former first lady has a stronger legislative record on issues important to their constituents compared to what they view as mere rhetoric from Sanders.

“If you compare the record of Hillary Clinton on the issue of the gun violence epidemic that impacts the African-American community with the record of Bernie Sanders, it’s not even a close call,” Jeffries said, referring to Sanders’s votes against various gun control bills in Congress.

Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) pointed to Clinton’s efforts on education while serving as first lady of Arkansas, recalling how he attended a one-room school while growing up in the state.

“You can’t take away that kind of engagement, that kind of involvement, that kind of knowledge, that kind of awareness,” he said.

Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas), another Clinton supporter, acknowledged Sanders’s success in attracting younger voters. Still, he said the unique politics of New Hampshire make Tuesday’s results a poor gauge of things to come.

“It doesn’t concern me at all,” Veasey said. “The district that I represent is heavily Hispanic and African-American, and hardly anyone that I’ve talked to — even with everything that’s happened — I don’t hear anyone talking about Bernie. ... So I feel good.”

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), chairman of the CBC PAC, said Clinton received 90 percent of the vote from the group’s 20-member board. There was no support for Sanders, but several members abstained, preventing a unanimous vote for Clinton.

The majority of the CBC’s 46 members have endorsed Clinton’s bid.


read: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/269037-black-lawmakers-sprint-to-clintons-aid

[bigtree]

4. I think they intend to make a big difference in the southern vote

...silly to ask why.

[noretreatnosurrender]

13. I'm with you

I guess I should have read the comments before I posted. I'm with you. We keep hearing that she has SC all locked up so why are they all scrambling down to SC? Very interesting.

[emsimon33]

27. The irony here is that these Southern states will go Republican anyway

So her winning them is meaningless for the general election where she will losek, even ot Satan or Trump.

[azurnoir]

38. Because both NH and IA showed quite plainly that the 'lead' is shrinking - fast

[mgmaggiemg]

2. great post

thanks

[hoosierlib]

3. The political establishment must protect their own...

I doubt average voter will be swayed...political endorsements only further re-enforces Bernie's message...

[Beacool]

7. Says a supporter of the man who has held a government job for decades.

He too is part of the establishment.

[hoosierlib]

9. Nope...

He's been an independent...beaten challengers from both parties...

[Beacool]

18. He was a mayor, Representative and is now a Senator.

He IS part of the establishment.

[hoosierlib]

25. Bullshit...establishment of what party?

Last edited Thu Feb 11, 2016, 10:38 AM - Edit history (1)

[MrWendel]

29. Apparently...

any party that helps him to the presidency.

[Beacool]

30. Well said.

[Number23]

34. ka-pow!

[hoosierlib]

40. that makes no sense...

Bernie has been an left leaning independent until he decided to run for President...how can you claim is part of the establishment?

[MrWendel]

45. He has...

been in government for how long? And chooses until Now to become a democrat?

[hoosierlib]

46. 35 years...

And he has caucused with the Democrats most of his time in Congress and the Senate.

Butt-hurt because "it's her turn"?

[Agschmid]

47. When your argument is "butt-hurt"...

Don't bother making it.

Welcome to the new DU.

[MrWendel]

48. Bitching...

and moaning about the CBC enforcing Hilary and not Bernie is the text book definition of Butt-hurt. I guess since they did they REALLY don't care about Black people. If only black people knew what was really good for them. Yeah, butt hurt.

[hoosierlib]

49. They do know and that's why they will vote Bernie...

Join the revolution or get left behind...

[bigtree]

8. that particular 'political establishment' is vital to the black community

...and I would be surprised (maybe not) to find suggestions here that these black legislators shouldn't hold and exercise their political clout in support of those who they feel would advance the issues and concerns of their constituency.

[hoosierlib]

10. All I'm saying it is counterproductive for Hillary...

Again, it just makes the "establishment" label stick and this year, that is NOT a good thing

[bigtree]

12. that's brushing right past my point

...and it highlights a flaw in this anti-establishment schtick of Sanders and his supporters.

This particular political establishment was hard-fought for, through discrimination and outright obstruction of the black vote. It should be defended and cherished, not made the subject of petty political attacks on behalf of a pol from Vermont.

[hoosierlib]

23. I disagree...

they just don't want to be on the Clinton's enemy list...

[bigtree]

35. you should take time to listen to them

..your suggestion that they're afraid of Hillary is just offensive and insulting to these principled congressmen (and women).

These are thoughtful and accomplished legislators who I certainly give credit for knowing their own minds and I respect their choice in this election.

[hoosierlib]

41. Read much?

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/01/hillary-clinton-hit-list-102067

The Clintons are well known for being vindictivrle and for punishing those who challenge them.

[bigtree]

43. again, you're not giving these veteran legislators any credit for backbone or brains

...suggesting they're supporting her out of fear is some novel horseshit.

[hoosierlib]

44. You're right...I don't

Most politicians are spineless...

And HRC's vindictiveness is well documented...

[Carolina]

39. This black SC woman

is working hard to inform voters that they are be used by the Clintons. When I remind folks of Bill and Hill's behavior against BHO in 2008 and ask what exactly have the duo done for black people... light bulbs go on. The Clinton legacy for blacks has been awful and reminders about it need to be spread widely.

The CBC has several 3rd wayers in it, too.

[mcar]

5. K&R

[Beacool]

6. Good!!!

"They argue that the former first lady has a stronger legislative record on issues important to their constituents compared to what they view as mere rhetoric from Sanders."

[jonestonesusa]

19. And what evidence did they cite?

And what did they leave out?

[hoosierlib]

24. Yeah...threw them right in jail...

Bernie marched with MLK and was fucking arrested for trying to desegregate student housing during his time at the University of Chicago...

[noretreatnosurrender]

11. Curious

I thought Hillary had SC all wrapped up? Why does she need so many in the Black Caucus to go to SC to campaign for her if she already has it locked up? This is very interesting.

[bigtree]

14. why shouldn't she advantage her campaign of this important constituency?

...understandable for Sanders supporters to get defensive about this overwhelming support from these important and influential legislators, but this isn't a campaign satisfied with sitting on a polling lead. They intend to fight for every vote.

[noretreatnosurrender]

17. Not defensive at all

I'm actually glad to see this. They wouldn't be traveling to SC to campaign if they didn't think that there was a possibility that Sanders might appeal to African American voters. This is good.

[bigtree]

20. that's one way to describe this overwhelming support from black leaders in Congress

...as an advantage for Sanders.

[noretreatnosurrender]

22. You said that, I didn't

I never said anything about it being an advantage for Sanders?

[jonestonesusa]

21. She absolutely should work with this constituency.

And she absolutely should remember these particular constituents if she is elected. The bottom line is to make progress to help support all American lives, including black lives - beyond the photo ops. Sanders too - every candidate has more to prove than whether they can win. So, for all of our sakes, this election and the governance to follow had better be about the issues rather than the horse race. The CBC needs to keep this in mind too - there's accountability for everyone when all is said and done.

[noretreatnosurrender]

51. I agree

As a Sanders supporter I obviously hope she isn't elected but I agree, if she is elected she better remember who got her there. I too hope we get some good coverage about the issues (doubtful but hopeful).

[Dawson Leery]

33. Run up the margins.

Hillary is going to run up the margins against Berns.

[noretreatnosurrender]

50. Good point

That's a good point that they want to try to run up the margins, as you say. Thank you.

[DCBob]

15. This should help get the voters out and give Hillary a big victory in SC!

[morningfog]

16. Pulling out all the stops. Again.

[emsimon33]

26. This is very disappointing, especially as they know the havoc the Bill wrecked on African Americans

I hope that the African Americans of South Carolina are smarter than the Black Caucus members take them to be. The more this goes on the more I am disgusted with Hillary. She can not a general election so a vote for her is a vote for a Republican president, a Republican controlled House and Senate. Very scary.

[MrWendel]

28. Oh boy...

[Beacool]

31. She cannot win the general election?

Really?



BTW, telling AA in SC that they need to be "smarter" than the Black Caucus is not going to win points for your side.

[jonestonesusa]

53. My how 2008 is a distant memory.

I remember a few remarks about Obama's being an empty suit before Ciinton made him her BFF.

[KingFlorez]

32. Meanwhile, on the other side

Seminars on how to talk to black women are being held

[bigtree]

36. saw that

...is that for real?

Smh.

[Starry Messenger]

37. Surreal.

[firebrand80]

42. Something missing there, can't put my finger on it...

[DesertRat]

52. k&r