Oprah-Obama event `publicity stunt,' black Edwards supporters say

[Progress And Change]

"Prominent African-American supporters of John Edwards accused Barack Obama on Friday of performing a "publicity stunt" by bringing Oprah Winfrey to South Carolina and other early presidential primary states, saying that blacks won't vote for Obama just because of his race."

"John Edwards has committed himself to making rural communities' infrastructure a priority rather than have a celebrity come in," said South Carolina state Rep. Leon Howard. "It's insulting for anyone to think that African-Americans are automatically onboard with Barack Obama."

Connie Johnson, a black legislator from Missouri, said Edwards is the only White House candidate talking about poverty, health care disparities and other issues of concern to African-Americans.

Referring to Winfrey's extensive charity work in Africa, Dorgan added: "If you build a school in Africa, come and build one in South Carolina."

http://www.kansascity.com/445/story/394535.html

[ecstatic]

1. LOL. Don't they mean, "black Edwards *supporter* says" nt

Just one.

[cuke]

2. Very petty of Edwards

I liked him better when he was making substantive criticisms of the repukes

[glowing]

8. Why is that petty.. I say its a publicity stunt.. What are we voting for

the next American Idol or a President with good sound policy that will work for all America... People are tired of the two Americas... and M$M has just rubbed in over an over again with all their non-news stories of Britney and Paris and whatever spoiled rich person gets away with or buys or divorces or whatever... People are tired of it. And I'm sorry, but just because you are born into a family with money doesn't mean that you are something special or should be entitled to something things like food, house, and peace of mind... Face it most people don't want a lifestyle like that... but everyone wants to know they can put food on the table, pay their mortgage, have a job or function in society, to be able to have a doctor and healthcare covered, and do that without constant worry and/ or using credit cards to have to supplement what there isn't when one of these spoiled asshats starts a war and pushes oil prices so high, that people are turning their heat off in the middle of the winter.

I hope one day to not hear a standard expression of "Life sucks, then you die".. I heard that so much growing up, its not even funny.

[cuke]

13. Here is why it is petty

It's because all politicians, Edwards included, use "publicity stunts" in their campaigns.

[glowing]

22. But not usually on a scale that feels like this... It takes away sensibility

and replaces it with something along the lines of "beatle mania"... And when mania happens, we get wars in Iraq... Mob mentality is more apt in this situation.

[zanne]

16. Ummm..........

Isn't Hillary married to a big publicity stunt?

[Windy]

19. Look truth is, anyone of these candidates dream of having Oprah in their corner

the fact is, certain women put a lot of stock in what she say and recommends. She is highly respected.

[robbedvoter]

31. And going for a candidate who fast talks us away from his record is the way to do it

Edwards entire campaign is a publicity stunt to make us believe he is a different person than the conservative senator who sponsored IWR, bragged about writing the Patriot Act.
If that were a substance candidate like Gravel or Kucinich I might have entertained the thought - still coming out as sour grapes - as political campaign is a form of publicity stunt by definition

[Justyce]

11. Edwards didn't say it.

[Snotcicles]

21. Where did Edwards say anything in that article? nt

[MADem]

3. OWCH....!!!

Clinton leads in South Carolina with 36 percent support among likely voters, the poll showed. Obama had 34 percent and Edwards claimed 13 percent.

Black legislators in South Carolina said Friday that Edwards would emerge victorious.

"We feel that when the dust settles, people are going to come to Edwards because they believe that he can win," said state Rep. William Clyburn....Edwards has struggled to match the high-profile endorsements of Clinton and Obama by black politicians, entertainers and other celebrities.....Retired NBA legend Magic Johnson, musician Quincy Jones and Bob Johnson, founder of the Black Entertainment Network, are among the prominent blacks backing Hillary Clinton for president.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, actors Sidney Poitier and Will Smith, and musician Stevie Wonder have joined Winfrey and other influential African-Americans in supporting Obama....

[cali]

4. pucker up

that's some sour grapes.

[glowing]

5. I have to say in South Carolina, from the friends and family I still talk to,

really are excited about Edwards. Rural community living is tough.. Factory jobs are disapearing. Education is woefully inadequate. They really do like what he stands for. They are the poor people. Some make so little money, and literally live in shacks constructed back in the days when there was share cropping. Now, whether or not they go and vote is another issue.

[K Gardner]

17. Good info.. it's refreshing to hear about what the 'people' think about all this

rather than what the pundits say.

[glowing]

26. I know that if I was living there, I would feel similarly.. I lived there for

about 6 years... And I was closer to the coast, so it was a bit different... However, I had friends I went to school with from all over... and my sister went to college on the other side of the state... so, you really see the backwoods and meet some great people. And its not easy. Education has been so lacking in that state.. There used to be this joke saying.. If it wasn't for being a state in the United States, it might as well be a 3rd world country... and there are many towns and homes and lifestyles that aren't far off from that assessment. I loved living there. It was my home away from home in VT.. Think that's funny.. that Liberal VT person feels at home in South Carolina. If I move back, I'd probably move to N.Carolina, since everyone's now on that side... They are both a bit similar when your in the country.

On Edit: If anyone ever stops by, the specialty is Shrimp and Cheese grits Low Country style.. mmmm... I make it in my cast iron pan.. everytime you make another round, the flavor gets better.

[Iggo]

6. Well of course it's a publicity stunt.

All photo ops in the history of photo ops have been publicity stunts. I just don't get where that's a bad thing in this case.

And I'm pretty sure Edwards is not the only one speaking about issues of concern to black folks....that's disingenuous.

Anyway....Go Dennis!

[robbedvoter]

7. They have a black Edwards now? Wow! Talk about addressing all needs!

After all Elisabeth did say Edwards' disadvantage in the race was not being black or a woman - glad they solved this one! :shrug:

Anyway, go Dennis!

[1932]

9. If you take a look at Oprah's audience, I think you get a sense of who will be moved by her endorse-

ment.

[Grandrose]

10. Harry Belafonte...chopped liver?

Childish and petty..much?:eyes:

[madmom]

32. so are we hearing Harry Belafonte 24/7 on msm? Are we hearing anything positive

about any other dem at all on msm? I vote my conscience not someone else's celeb or not.

[zanne]

12. I'm going to see him and Oprah tomorrow night.....

I can't wait to see the thousands of people who'll be filling up the arena. At first, we were worried we'd have to hold the event in a much smaller place, but then we started making phone calls inviting people and found that we couldn't find a place that was large enough! In NH, if you're talking about indoors, the max is 10,000 seating. We got the biggest place in NH, but yesterday, there were people calling and showing up at HQ that we had to turn away; all our tickets were gone.
(As an early volunteer, I get two VIP tickets!) Yay! I've never been VIP anything!

[babylonsister]

14. Have great fun and please report back! I'm jealous! nt

[ClarkUSA]

18. We expect an OP (plus photos) by Monday, zanne...

I've heard that this political rally will be the biggest in NH history. Have a great time! :-)

[DemocratSinceBirth]

15. Obama Got A Huge Endorsement

Good for him...

It's petty for other candidate's supporters to attack him...

Earvin "Magic" Johnson , arguably one of the greatest basketball players of all time, endorsed Hillary... That's enough for me...

Somebody mentioned Harry Belafonte... My mom saw him at the Copa back in the day... She said he was the most handsome man she had ever seen...

[bigdarryl]

20. sure and if Opera was supporting Edwards it would be a different tune what hypocrites

[tammywammy]

23. All these events are publicity stunts

:shrug:

You need publicity to get your name and issues out there to get the votes.

[Cameron27]

24. Ridiculous,

the entire primary is one big publicity stunt. Edwards should tell his supporters to put a sock in it.

[Egnever]

25. Duh

Of course its a publicity stunt. This dudes a genius!

[beaconess]

27. Yes - let's trot out a black person to prove that the other black people are wrong

I expect better of Edwards and his campaign.

[ileus]

28. Edwards should sue.

[izzybeans]

29. At least someone has a knack for pointing out the obvious. The questions is, "So what?"

Yep a political campaign organizing a publicity stunt. Who'd a thunk it?

[Imagevision]

30. Oprah? so what ?!? - if she pulls womens and black votes for Obama, then it was a good move on her

part and kuddo's to the Obama campaign strategists... Hillary's Bill Clinton seems to be costing her votes every time the man speaks in her behalf which thrills me silly!!!;-}

[madmom]

33. do they know WHY she supports him or are they just "star struck"? matters to me.