PLEASE CORRECT the Congressional Black Caucus mis-info where you see it!!

[grasswire]

Last edited Thu Feb 11, 2016, 07:39 PM - Edit history (1)

Even Bill Moyers has it wrong in his facebook post today.

It is not the Congressional Black Caucus that is endorsing Clinton.

It is the CBC PAC.

Wherever you see and hear the wrong designation, please take a moment to correct it.

[casperthegm]

1. My wife and I are

This is exactly why it's great that Sanders has such an awesome grass roots campaign. We're not going to let this crap go unchecked. And there's gonna be a lot of crap.

[H2O Man]

12. Very good!

[senz]

16. You and your wife are helping to make America a better place.

Thank you!

[Kip Humphrey]

2. Hillary falsely claiming their endorsement totally disrespects the entire Congressional Black Caucus

[senz]

18. When did they ever respect the Congressional Black Caucus?

It's all smoke and mirrors. They just want to put her in the White House.

Doesn't matter how they do it.

[tularetom]

3. I hear you and will do so, but what's the point?

Am I missing something?

Is the super pac autonomous? Does it act without consent of the CBC? Has it done so in this case?

[JonLeibowitz]

5. Yes. Source: Keith Ellison who was NOT consulted.

[Chathamization]

29. Clinton supporters are starting to slam Ellison because of this on Twitter

You'll see some of it if you search for his name there.

[grasswire]

15. see post nine below. nt

[tularetom]

19. I just did. Wow!!

And of course, this all seems to fly right under the radar of the liberal media.

Sounds like the CBC may have some serious splainin to do.

[AtomicKitten]

4. From Democracy Now -->

As Congressional Black Caucus PAC Prepares to Back Clinton, Barbara Lee Withholds Endorsement

After the New Hampshire vote, the focus of the Democratic race has largely become South Carolina. Senator Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are making concerted efforts to win the state’s African-American vote. The Congressional Black Caucus PAC is expected to endorse Clinton today. Meanwhile, on Wednesday Sanders met with the Rev. Al Sharpton in Harlem and received an unexpected boost when acclaimed writer Ta-Nehisi Coates announced on Democracy Now! that he would vote for the Vermont senator. We talk to Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) about why she has not yet endorsed either candidate. She also points out today’s Clinton endorsement is coming from the Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee, not the Congressional Black Caucus.

video: http://www.democracynow.org/2016/2/11/as_congressional_black_caucus_pac_prepares

TRANSCRIPT

AMY GOODMAN: We also want to talk about the Democratic presidential race, ahead of the votes in South Carolina and Nevada. On the morning after his victory in New Hampshire, Bernie Sanders traveled to Harlem to meet with Reverend Al Sharpton in New York. Sharpton spoke to reporters after the meeting.

REV. AL SHARPTON: I think it is very important that he sent the signal that on the morning after a historic victory—it’s the widest margin we’ve seen in the history of New Hampshire—he would come to Harlem and have breakfast with me. I think that is why you see Ben Jealous, who is the former head of the NAACP, has already endorsed him. Senator Perkins is here, who is the—we’re in his district. And I think it is important that these issues be raised. I asked him very bluntly about Flint. I’ve asked him very bluntly about affirmative action. I’ve asked him very bluntly about the issues of police brutality and police misconduct, things that I want to hear. He’s agreed also to meet with the heads of national civil rights organizations. All of us are meeting with Mrs. Clinton. I have not made an endorsement and will not ’til after that meeting. Probably after that meeting, I will.

AMY GOODMAN: The acclaimed writer Ta-Nehisi Coates made headlines yesterday on Democracy Now! when he announced that he will be voting for Bernie Sanders.

TA-NEHISI COATES: One can say Senator Sanders should have more explicit antiracist policy within his racial justice platform, not just more general stuff, and still cast a vote for Senator Sanders and still feel that Senator Sanders is the best option that we have in the race. But just because that’s who you’re going to vote for doesn’t mean you then have to agree with everything they say.

AMY GOODMAN: Will you be voting for Senator Sanders?

TA-NEHISI COATES: I will be voting for Senator Sanders. I have tried to avoid this question, but, yes, I will be voting for Senator Sanders. I try to avoid that, because I want to write as a journalist—do you know what I mean?—and separate that from my role as, I don’t know, a private citizen. But I don’t think much is accomplished by ducking the question. Yes, I will vote for Senator Sanders. My son influenced me.

AMY GOODMAN: And today, Hillary Clinton is expected to pick up a key endorsement from the PAC of the Congressional Black Caucus. Congressmember Barbara Lee, you’re a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, which is announcing today its support for Hillary Clinton. Do you join in that endorsement?

REP. BARBARA LEE: Amy, first of all, I want to make it clear there’s a clear distinction between the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus PAC. We actually have a Republican in the Congressional Black Caucus. I don’t want the viewers, your viewers, to believe that the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus PAC are one and the same.

I have not endorsed in the campaign. I think what is important is that the issues be addressed, as Reverend Al said. I think it’s important that both candidates answer these questions in a forthright manner. And I believe that right now, for many of us, the importance of getting people to vote, the importance of getting people to the polls in November, to make sure that we do not have a Republican in the White House, that is high priority for me—voter registration, get out to vote—and really making sure that our young people, especially, are energized, mobilized and get to the polls in November. We cannot have a Republican president in the White House. I think we see now what the Republicans stand for, who they are, all of the candidates, the values. And so, it’s absolutely essential that we get the vote out in November to win.

AMY GOODMAN: Congressmember Lee, this distinction you’re making, I think, is lost on most people, so if you would explain it further. I mean, the big headlines today are that the Congressional Black Caucus is endorsing Hillary Clinton. Can you explain the difference between the Congressional Black Caucus PAC and the Congressional Black Caucus?

REP. BARBARA LEE: The Congressional Black Caucus, like the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the New Dems, the Blue Dogs, we have caucuses here in the House of Representatives which reflect points of views, political philosophy, the approach to our democracy, you know, and how we work within the policy framework of the House of Representatives. The Congressional Black Caucus PAC is a PAC that supports candidates. It raises money, and it helps candidates win elections. And there’s a clear distinction between that—as I said earlier, we have a Republican in the Congressional Black Caucus. That has nothing to do with the Congressional Black Caucus PAC.

AMY GOODMAN: Who is the PAC? Who decided to endorse Hillary Clinton?

REP. BARBARA LEE: Well, I am not a member of the CBC political action committee. And I think it’s important to discuss that with the PAC members. Once again, there’s a clear firewall. There’s a clear distinction.

AMY GOODMAN: Certainly, your endorsement, whoever you endorse, would make a huge difference in South Carolina. I mean, the significance of the vote, not only of African Americans, but of African-American women, is the key deciding factor in South Carolina. Are you leaning in one direction or another?

REP. BARBARA LEE: I don’t think my support really is that important at this point with regard to candidates. We have some phenomenal member of the—women members of the Congressional Black Caucus. We have a great leader, Mr. Clyburn, who represents many constituents, who really represents South Carolina, when you look at his constituency. They are very clear on their political viewpoints and political positions. And so I don’t think it’s about one person. People can decide, members of Congress can decide who they think the best candidate is at this point. But it’s really going to be the people of South Africa [sic]. It’s going to be the get-out-to-vote effort. It’s going to be which candidate—

AMY GOODMAN: You mean South Carolina.

REP. BARBARA LEE: Excuse me, South Carolina. It’s going to be which candidate speaks to the aspirations of the people of South Carolina. I think we need to let the people speak and let democracy play out the way it should and encourage people to get to the polls, encourage a large turnout. And hopefully, that will be sufficient to determine who the choice is of the people of South Carolina.

AMY GOODMAN: Not to belabor this point, but you did make a decision in December of 2007, even before the Iowa caucus, to endorse Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton. Is there a reason that you’re holding out now?

REP. BARBARA LEE: I endorsed President Obama early, because at that point I believed—and I stand by that endorsement—that he was the right person at the right time to really become the president of the United States. I believe that his record is very clear, that that was the correct endorsement, and I’m very proud of the work that he has done. We decide how we’re going to endorse and when we’re going to endorse based on what decisions we think are necessary to get us to that point and when we are needed in campaigns and when we see—at least myself, personally, when I see my support really will help turnout and help us win the White House. That is what my criteria is. And I think that when that day comes, I will endorse, but it won’t be until I see that I can really help, in terms of making sure we do not have a Republican in the White House.

NERMEEN SHAIKH: Representative Lee, could you talk a little bit about what issues you would like to see discussed on the campaign trail and what issues would be a litmus test for you in making your decision?

REP. BARBARA LEE: There’s really no litmus test, but I think the issues that are being discussed now, that Reverend Al earlier talked about, are extremely important. We have to talk about climate change and environmental injustice, environmental racism. Just look at the tragic decisions that were made in Flint and the fact that now thousands of children and families are dealing with health hazards and dealing with really long-term health implications of bad decisions—would not happen in an affluent white community. And so, environmental issues, environmental justice, environmental racism, climate change, that has got to be addressed.

Secondly, we’ve got to address income inequality, but cannot forget that racial inequality and income inequality go together. There is a clear nexus. And so we have to really ask the candidates how they see these issues being addressed in terms of job creation, in terms of the elimination of poverty, a national strategy to reduce poverty—I have legislation to do that—and really lifting people out of poverty into the middle class. That’s extremely important in terms of opportunity and creating jobs.

Education, workforce training. We have a world now in which technology is driving every decision and every aspect of our lives. I co-chair the CBC’s TECH 2020 initiative with Chairman Butterfield. We’re looking at how we ensure that there’s inclusion in the tech sectors, in terms of the workforce, in terms of entrepreneurial opportunities, business opportunities. And so STEM education and helping young children of color, African Americans and Latino children, Asian Pacific American children, get the best possible education they can, so that they’ll be prepared for this new world of technology, that’s extremely important.

Housing, affordable housing. I haven’t heard much during the campaign about how we address gentrification and affordability in terms of the housing crisis that’s taking place all over the country. And we need to step up and really look at what some of the economic and racial implications are of gentrification, and how we can ensure that everyone, regardless of their income level, can stay where they want to stay, whether it’s in urban areas or in rural areas.

And finally, let me just say, I want to hear more about this defense budget. It’s just obscene. When you’re talking about a slush fund called the overseas contingency account, that funds these wars off budget, that needs to be dismantled, if you ask me. And we need to have a defense budget that’s rational. It’s over $600 billion now. You know, it’s based on, I think, a lot of fear, as it relates to Putin. And I think we have to really take a pause and look at what is taking place in the world, develop a defense budget that’s rational, ensures our national security, but not play into the defense contractors and the research and the R&D budgets that are really there for contractors who are developing systems for a Cold War era that doesn’t exist. And so we need a defense budget that does not include the waste, fraud and abuse that we’ve seen in the past, and methods to audit the defense budget. And I have not heard candidates say that, talk about that. I have legislation—it’s been bipartisan for many years now—just to have an audit of the defense, of the Pentagon. We still don’t know how this money is being spent. There’s a lot of waste, fraud and abuse. And I think much of the press is beginning to uncover some of that. So, I want to hear that being discussed in the campaigns also.

And mass incarceration, how we’re going to really make sure that we have a criminal justice system that works for everyone. Police misconduct, how our civil rights laws are going to be strengthened as it relates to criminal justice reform.

And voter participation. We have to have, you know, candidates talk about the Voting Rights Act and how we’re going to make sure that everyone has the right to vote and is not disenfranchised as a result of the court decisions. We have legislation—and I hope the candidates support that—that would really revisit the Voting Rights Act and put it back to where it should be, where it affords everyone the opportunity to vote, regardless of where they live and who they are.

NERMEEN SHAIKH: Representative Barbara Lee, very quickly, before we conclude—we just have 30 seconds. You talked about the question of the defense budget, and one of the concerns you’ve raised about the U.S. war against ISIS is how much it’s cost. Can you tell us how much it’s cost?

REP. BARBARA LEE: We don’t know right now how much it’s cost. And that’s because we have accounts that are not really readily transparent. But I can tell you we’re talking billions of dollars, which could be invested in creating jobs here at home and creating educational opportunities for our young people. But also, understand that I’m not talking about not addressing ISIS and not having a defense budget that’s going to help us address all of the threats in the world, which we must do. I’m talking about a defense budget that is consistent with what our national security threats are and consistent with our national security needs, but not over the top, and making sure that we get rid of the waste, fraud and abuse in our defense budget. And so, we’re talking about billions of dollars. We need to audit the Pentagon, and we need to really have a defense budget that is rational.

AMY GOODMAN: We want to thank you so much for being with us, Oakland Congressmember Barbara Lee, Democrat of California, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Peace and Security Task Force, also former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

This is Democracy Now! When we come back, how is it that, well, in New Hampshire Bernie Sanders could trounce Hillary Clinton—what was the percentage?—60 to 38 percent, but they come away with the same number of delegates? Could Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders win the popular vote in the primaries and actually lose, ultimately, because of delegates? We’ll find out what this is all about. Stay with us.

[Kurovski]

7. This part would make a great OP...

AMY GOODMAN: Congressmember Lee, this distinction you’re making, I think, is lost on most people, so if you would explain it further. I mean, the big headlines today are that the Congressional Black Caucus is endorsing Hillary Clinton. Can you explain the difference between the Congressional Black Caucus PAC and the Congressional Black Caucus?

REP. BARBARA LEE: The Congressional Black Caucus, like the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the New Dems, the Blue Dogs, we have caucuses here in the House of Representatives which reflect points of views, political philosophy, the approach to our democracy, you know, and how we work within the policy framework of the House of Representatives. The Congressional Black Caucus PAC is a PAC that supports candidates. It raises money, and it helps candidates win elections. And there’s a clear distinction between that—as I said earlier, we have a Republican in the Congressional Black Caucus. That has nothing to do with the Congressional Black Caucus PAC.

AMY GOODMAN: Who is the PAC? Who decided to endorse Hillary Clinton?

REP. BARBARA LEE: Well, I am not a member of the CBC political action committee. And I think it’s important to discuss that with the PAC members. Once again, there’s a clear firewall. There’s a clear distinction.

[AtomicKitten]

24. It would get better exposure if somebody else posted it.

My OPs are for the most part ignored around here.

[Kurovski]

28. Maybe I'll give it a try.

I'm a shameless self-bumper.

[AtomicKitten]

33. I endorse that maneuver.

Shameless or otherwise.

[Kurovski]

34. I added it to this new video OP on the topic...

K&R, Whydonchas?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017328962#post1

[FlatBaroque]

22. And THIS is why she is going to be Vice President Barbara Lee /

[bettyellen]

30. oh please, she will be thrown under the Bernie bus in a few weeks.

[JudyM]

25. This part would also make a great O.P. ... Clarifies the racism issue that's been front and center

for a lot of us:

NERMEEN SHAIKH: Representative Lee, could you talk a little bit about what issues you would like to see discussed on the campaign trail and what issues would be a litmus test for you in making your decision?

REP. BARBARA LEE: There’s really no litmus test, but I think the issues that are being discussed now, that Reverend Al earlier talked about, are extremely important. We have to talk about climate change and environmental injustice, environmental racism. Just look at the tragic decisions that were made in Flint and the fact that now thousands of children and families are dealing with health hazards and dealing with really long-term health implications of bad decisions—would not happen in an affluent white community. And so, environmental issues, environmental justice, environmental racism, climate change, that has got to be addressed.

Secondly, we’ve got to address income inequality, but cannot forget that racial inequality and income inequality go together. There is a clear nexus. And so we have to really ask the candidates how they see these issues being addressed in terms of job creation, in terms of the elimination of poverty, a national strategy to reduce poverty—I have legislation to do that—and really lifting people out of poverty into the middle class. That’s extremely important in terms of opportunity and creating jobs.

Education, workforce training. We have a world now in which technology is driving every decision and every aspect of our lives. I co-chair the CBC’s TECH 2020 initiative with Chairman Butterfield. We’re looking at how we ensure that there’s inclusion in the tech sectors, in terms of the workforce, in terms of entrepreneurial opportunities, business opportunities. And so STEM education and helping young children of color, African Americans and Latino children, Asian Pacific American children, get the best possible education they can, so that they’ll be prepared for this new world of technology, that’s extremely important.

Housing, affordable housing. I haven’t heard much during the campaign about how we address gentrification and affordability in terms of the housing crisis that’s taking place all over the country. And we need to step up and really look at what some of the economic and racial implications are of gentrification, and how we can ensure that everyone, regardless of their income level, can stay where they want to stay, whether it’s in urban areas or in rural areas.

[boston bean]

6. It is not a SUPER PAC.

[senz]

21. But it IS a PAC. And it is not the same as the Congressional Black Caucus.

These distinctions need to be made lest people be ... you know ... confused.

[boston bean]

36. Make whatever distinction you would like. Just be accurate.

There is a huge difference between a leadership PAC and a super PAC.

Plus also take into the consideration that nearly all members of th CBC have endorsed Clinton.

[senz]

37. Well, we both know Clinton hasn't done j.s. for AAs.

And we also know that "decisions" in D.C. often have a practical, political survival, rationale.

And I would imagine that you have noticed by now the power of group-think. Few escape it because it had/has physical survival value for our species. We're programmed for it.

One of the few Congressional representatives who have shown high immunity to group-think is Barbara Lee. She was the only member of Congress to vote no on the first war resolution three days after 9/11.

Barbara Lee is so outstanding, so awesome and admirable, that when they talk about putting a woman's face on American currency, she is my pick.

Okay, that's pretty much all I have to say...

Wait! Not quite! Please see this, the source of arcane1's excellent comment #9: https://theintercept.com/2016/02/11/congressional-black-caucus-hillary/

[boston bean]

38. Keep saying that. It isnt helpful for bernie. But continue on if you must.

[senz]

41. If I didn't think it was true, I wouldn't say it, bb.

These things matter.

[boston bean]

43. What black persons think and feel matters.

If John Lewis and the CBC and CBC PAC is for Hillary, my advice would be to respect that.

[senz]

44. Increasingly, black persons are standing up for Bernie

and their numbers increase as they get to know him better. For obvious reasons.

btw, did you read this? https://theintercept.com/2016/02/11/congressional-black-caucus-hillary/

To be well-informed on the subject, one really should.

[boston bean]

47. I am not into telling black persons how to feel about who they support.

Or to try to convince them they just dont know or understand.

[senz]

48. Stating facts is not telling anyone how to feel.

Two different things.

[bettyellen]

31. they're ESTABLISHMENT- bwaaah haaa haa haa.

Like those horrible people at Planned Parenthood.

[JTFrog]

8. Let's start with the mis-info in the OP.

CBC PAC LEADERSHIP
The CBC PAC works to increase the number of African Americans in the U.S. Congress, support non-Black candidates that champion our interests, and promote African American participation in the political process-with an emphasis on young voters. There are currently 46 African Americans in Congress comprising the largest Congressional Black Caucus in history. With your financial support we will continue to grow, and expand our voice in key campaigns throughout the country. Please continue to visit our website for the latest updates on our activities around the country.

http://www.cbcpac.org/leadership

[arcane1]

10. The board includes 11 lobbyists, seven elected officials, and two officials who work for the PAC.

See post 9.

[arcane1]

9. There is an interesting group of LOBBYISTS involved in that endorsement:

Ben Branch, the executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC told The Intercept that his group made the decision after a vote from its 20-member board. The board includes 11 lobbyists, seven elected officials, and two officials who work for the PAC. Branch confirmed that the lobbyists were involved in the endorsement, but would not go into detail about the process.

Members of the CBC PAC board include Daron Watts, a lobbyist for Purdue Pharma, the makers of highly addictive opioid OxyContin; Mike Mckay and Chaka Burgess, both lobbyists for Navient, the student loan giant that was spun off of Sallie Mae; former Rep. Al Wynn, D-Md., a lobbyist who represents a range of clients, including work last year on behalf of Lorillard Tobacco, the makers of Newport cigarettes; and William A. Kirk, who lobbies for a cigar industry trade group on a range of tobacco regulations.

And a significant percentage of the $7,000 raised this cycle by the CBC PAC was donated by white lobbyists, including Vic Fazio, who represents Philip Morris and served for years as a lobbyist to Corrections Corporation of America, and David Adams, a former Clinton aide who now lobbies for Wal-Mart, the largest gun distributor in America.

The caucus itself, while presenting itself as champions of progressive causes, has a mixed legislative record. As some reporters have noted, Wall Street and corporate money has flowed to the CBC, through its PAC and nonprofit arms, while a number of CBC members have taken a leading role working with Republicans to chip away at the Dodd-Frank financial reform law.


https://theintercept.com/2016/02/11/congressional-black-caucus-hillary/

[grasswire]

14. stunning

Just stunning to see that detail.

A cesspool.

[arcane1]

20. And they wholly unsurprising at the same time. n/t

[bettyellen]

32. CBC Pac, under the bus! Leave room for Barbara Lee next to Rachel Maddow....

because if she says one kind thing about Hillary- and she will!- that's where she will end up.

[arcane1]

42. More made-up bullshit. Unsurprising.

The PAC is taking money from some very unfriendly sources indeed. Definitely NOT progressive sources.

If you want to pretend the facts don't exist, that's your problem. I don't like the facts either, but at least I'm honest enough to admit the facts suck, rather than deny them.

[bettyellen]

46. Maddow has been thrown and pulled up from the bus three times this past week here.

You think Lee will survive the wrath here if she says anything kind about Clinton? Get back to me after she does, and is not vilified, okay? I will owe you a beer.

[senz]

40. I'm starting to think Lee Fang might need personal protection.

Power holders don't like bold, incisive investigative reporters.

Thanks for this, arcane1.

[ViseGrip]

11. Another fucking super PAC?

[Sheepshank]

13. It would appear would couldn't be bothered to read up thread.

figures. It's easier to be outraged when you only have read 1/2 of the info available.

[arcane1]

17. A super-PAC full of tobacco and phrama lobbyists.

So naturally they endorse Clinton.

[NobodyHere]

23. Not to mention a private prison lobbyist

[arcane1]

27. With "progressives" like these...

This is basically just more of the same corporate money going to Clinton, but with a friendly black face added to distract people.

[HassleCat]

26. I think they're almost the same.

That's the way our party works these days.

[Kurovski]

35. Grasswire, Could you maybe edit your post to "PAC" instead of "Super PAC"?

There is a distinction.

[Land Shark]

39. Good point

[KamaAina]

45. Just posted it to my vocal (nay, histrionic) Hillarista friend, FB page.