Rep. Clyburn of SC reconsidering initial neutral stance in primary

[Adelante]

WASHINGTON — Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, the highest-ranking African-American in Congress, said he was rethinking his neutral stance in his state’s presidential primary out of disappointment at comments by Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton that he saw as diminishing the historic role of civil rights activists.

Mr. Clyburn, a veteran of the civil rights movement and a power in state Democratic politics, put himself on the sidelines more than a year ago to help secure an early primary for South Carolina, saying he wanted to encourage all candidates to take part. But he said recent remarks by the Clintons that he saw as distorting civil rights history could change his mind.

“We have to be very, very careful about how we speak about that era in American politics,” said Mr. Clyburn, who was shaped by his searing experiences as a youth in the segregated South and his own activism in those days. “It is one thing to run a campaign and be respectful of everyone’s motives and actions, and it is something else to denigrate those. That bothered me a great deal.”

-snip

Mr. Clyburn, reached for a telephone interview Wednesday during an overseas inspection of port facilities, also voiced frustration with former President Clinton, who described Mr. Obama’s campaign narrative as a fairy tale. While Mr. Clinton was not discussing civil rights at the time and seemed to be referring mainly to Mr. Obama’s stance at the Iraq war, Mr. Clyburn saw the remark as a slap at the image of a black candidate running on a theme of unity and optimism.

“To call that dream a fairy tale, which Bill Clinton seemed to be doing, could very well be insulting to some of us,” said Mr. Clyburn, who said he and others took significant risks more than 40 years ago to produce such opportunities for future black Americans.

Entire article

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/11/us/politics/11clyburn.html?ex=1357707600&en=c5c560e90697701a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

[BootinUp]

1. Clyburn is twisting what the Big Dog said

It says so right in the damn article.

[Adelante]

4. I see what he's saying, though

The Civil Rights movement resulted in the kind of opportunities for Obama that enables him to run viably for president. Clyburn's talking about imagery there and the use of language to belittle and diminish. I don't think Clyburn is trying to misrepresent Bill Clinton. He's talking about something else. Clearly, he is disappointed.

[BootinUp]

7. I do too and it stinks. THis ain't the 1960's. nt

[jasmine621]

11. I think Clyburn needs to be called out on this distortion.

Maybe he should take a look at the history. There is no question that it took both Civil Rights activists and leaders AND a President to accomplish the Civil Rights agenda so valiantly fought for. This business of trying to pit blacks against the Clinton will only ultimately hurt the Dems, especially when there are such distortions of what the Clinton's said. And the fairy tale comment was directed at the notion that it was being alleged that Obama's record was significantly different from HC's record on Iraq legislation except for the original vote which Obama was not able to cast because he was not in the Senate at the time. People, get a grip before we all go down in flames!

[FrenchieCat]

14. Clyburn was in that Civil Right situation....he was beaten.

Were you?
Was Bill Clinton who was around in that era?

It is pretty weird to discount someone statement who was there, and justify the notion that this statement of Hillary kinda of makes sense.

I don't see it that way.

I think the President had the power, along with the congress, which most who voted for it were Republicans, not Democrats. But power is exactly who the Civil Rights had to fight to get that bill signed. If they had not laid their lives down, there wouldn't have been anything for a President to sign. You don't seem to quite grasp that.

[jasmine621]

22. I know that. That doesn't give him the right to speak unthruths about others. nt

[Maribelle]

27. What on earth makes you think someone needs to eat a rotten egg to know it's rotten?

Please.

[FrenchieCat]

48. Because "code" language is too obviously difficult for you to understand.....

When you add up certain words together said at different times, a sentence or narrative is formed.

preaching False Hope+
Fairytale+
Charismatic+
Shuckin'& Jivin'+
Lazy+
LBJ not MLK got it done

equals something that is not going over the head of Black Folks.

It doesn't matter if the surrogates use 1/2 of the "code" words, while the candidate and her husband tell the other.

[jasmine621]

51. I think you do a disservice to black people when you infer this.

The blacks I know are thinking people who know their own history. They are pragmatic, serious, sensible and they can recognize distortion a mile away. They are not going to allow the media to tell them what they should think about any candidate's words out of context. They have been on to the media long before most whites had a clue. That's why they didn't trust Powell or Rice. Were I black, I would take your comments as race-baiting.

[watrwefitinfor]

33. You think Clyburn "should take a look at the history"?

Perhaps you are too young or too dumb to know that Jim Clyburn LIVED the history you are so cavalier about. He helped make that history. He was one of those so "valiantly" fighting. He was one of those masses of good people who pushed Kennedy and Johnson to do the right thing. And make no mistake, there would have been no civil rights bills - no voting rights bills - without people like Jim Clyburn and all the others who put their lives on the line.

Or perhaps it is just your job to come here and say things like you just did. You're going to "call out" Jim Clyburn? Idiocy. Clyburn may be not be leftist enough for my taste, but his credentials are impeccable.

Neither Jim Clyburn nor anyone else needs to "pit blacks" against the Clintons - the Clintons seem to be doing a fine job of that all on their own.

Wat

[Anouka]

45. Well said. n/t

[geek tragedy]

44. Yeah, put that uppity Negro back in his place.

How dare black people disagree with the Clintons!

[flpoljunkie]

39. Have you seen the finger-wagging video of Bill from ABC. Clyburn will not be amused. Link below.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=4102345

[BootinUp]

40. Of course I have seen that. And I see nothing wrong with it

Of course I am not an Obama sycophant either.

[flpoljunkie]

42. Perhaps you should watch it again with open eyes, not "Clinton sycophant" eyes.

Clinton's behavior here is despicable, embarrassing, and not worthy of a former president.

[BootinUp]

43. When Obama attacks his legacy FIRST

I do not blame Bill C for attacking back. Your standards need some fairness injected.

[indimuse]

2. the Obama Campaign is turning this election..

into all out racial war. They spreading rumors OF racism...while they ARE the REAL racist. Hillary was polling better than Barack with the BLK vote...This is why they trying to stir the emotional vote with BlK's in SC! Making statements about Hillary's tears,,,"Obama's campaign NEEDS to INVESIGATE them!?" and question why she didn't have Katrina tears....WTF is that?? Where is Barack on this? This is LOW...

[ariesgem]

5. "They spreading rumors OF racism.

The Obama Campaign is turning this election into all out racial war."

wow. :crazy:

[Skidmore]

8. The BLKs? All caps, huh?

The triangulating politics of the Clintons will be their undoing.

[Maribelle]

12. Triangulating politics has enabled blacks and women to to rise above opression.

Why I suspect you don't even know what the word "triangulating" even means?

[Skidmore]

13. And it perpetuates oppression too.

Pitting one group against another is not always the answer.

[Maribelle]

18. Triangulating politics was used extensively by Martin Luther King.

It is not pitting one group against another. You need to research the use of the term.

Bipartisan, triangulating politics was the foundation on which massive civil rights advances was built.

[Skidmore]

21. The Clintons are not using triangulation in the same way Martin Luther King did.

They are pitting groups of constituents against one another. It is destructive in nature.

[Maribelle]

24. Pitting ... is not triangulation politics.

You can read anything you want into it.

[Skidmore]

29. Triangulation is triangulation, whether in politics or psychology.

It is manipulative and an act designed to assert power and control. Now, all people engage in triangulation to some degree as they work their way through the world. Triangulation is what it is, whether it is used between individuals or groups.

[Maribelle]

36. Without triangulation politics the civil rights movement would have not gotten off the ground

At its founding, the NAACP had only one African American, from Massachusetts, on its executive board and did not elect a black president until 1975.

[Skidmore]

37. Agreed, but triangulation is not being used in this manner now.

It is being used in destructive way.

[cali]

9. your post is inflammatory and ignores facts.

What facts?

The comments by Billy Shaheen- serious enough that the Clinton campaign not only severed ties with him but that Hillary apologized in person to Barack.

The comments by Andrew Cuomo. If you don't get why the AA community and others are disgusted with those remarks, well, you just don't get it.

The emails sent out in Iowa falsely claiming Obama is a Muslim. Three volunteer coordinators were axed.

Comments by Clinton herself that seemed to diminish MLK's stature.

You claim that Obama is a racist. That's reprehensible. It reflects directly on your lack of ethics.

Yes, Jesse Jackson Jr's comments were wretched and to be condemned, and Barack should condemn them- just as Clinton should repudiate Cuomo's. Neither has done so.

[indimuse]

16. Obama needs to stop this shit NOW!

Billy Shaheen...GONE!Andrew Cuomo "Supporter...not part of campaign!

PROVE Hillary had ANYTHING to do with emails!
MLK's stature...NOT a RACIST remark...Bad nuance.


Let me tell you...I can not turn on the radio..tv... without somebody calling me...Hillary..people that don't support..get Obama...Obama needs to stop this shit NOW!

I'm not against Obama being the "First Black President!" BUT...But I am slowly watching this election turn into something very ugly! Obama won't condemn it....he's riding that wave right into SC... This is wrong! Everybody know Bill and Hill are NOT Racist! He is a devider if he does not put an end to pitting BLK'S against WHITES...YOUNG against "OLD!!!!!" this is soooooo fucking BUSH like!

[FrenchieCat]

19. Just wow.

Deny, obscure and scream.

You are gonna have to go.

[cali]

25. Unlike YOUR unsavory and unethical comments

I don't EVER claim that Clinton had anything to do with these things personally. YOU on the other hand post one disgusting false accusation after another. You accuse Obama of being a racist without any fucking evidence, pumpkin. You say he needs to stop, when he's done nothing wrong. It's revolting- not to mention inutterably tacky.

I have never called the Clintons racists. You play with shit and fling it.

It's the Clintons who better put a stop to the crap coming from their surrogates. I can think of only one surrogate for Obama who's crossed the line- and at least half a dozen surrogates for Clinton who have done so.

The Clinton campaign started this. The Clinton surrogates unleashed it. That you expect the AA community to passively accept this crap, says everything I need to know about you.

Yeah, he's likely gonna win in SC and that's what you hate. Too fucking bad.

[elleng]

3. Guess that does it for hrc

in SC.

[BootinUp]

6. Even if it turns out that way

Obama is still going to lose the primary in the end.

Don't ever count a Clinton out.

[Colobo]

15. Don't ever count Obama out.

[FrenchieCat]

20. Its fine to be confident.....

But please, don't dismiss this man.

That is really, really a dangerous mindset to have.

Could you give me your reasons that he will lose......instead of citing absolutes?

[BootinUp]

31. Dangerous to state a political opinion on his primary chances?

You jest.

His political coalition for the primary race will not be as strong in the big blue states as it is in Iowa, NH, SC.

I have never stated absolutely he can't win a GE, I have my doubts that he has the gravitas to do so though.

[Maribelle]

10. Rep. Clyburn of SC is flagrantly wrong

But is he wrong because of sheer ignorance or by design?

When Bill Clinton spoke about Obama's fairy tale - - wasn't it regarding the Iarq war?

That Clyburn wants to turn that into some kind of an insulting racist comment is puzzling to me; and it seems it is Clyburn that insults the intelligence of the good folks of South Carolina who are quite discerning regarding Bill Clinton.

[FrenchieCat]

17. Clyburn is right, because he fought that fight.......neither Clintons, who by the way,

lived in Arkansas were ever beaten or jailed.

For you to attempt to turn this on its head is starting to show something I don't want to see.....but I'm seeing it anyway.

Maybe it is a good thing to have this experience....cause obviously there is a lot more right under the facade that needs to come on out.

As far as you are concerned, Clyburn is "ignorant" and Someone else said that the Obama Campaign is racist. Was there anything you wanted to add?

From where I sit, this reaction that you and others are having is very telling.

[Maribelle]

23. Sorry, I am not the one who attempted to turn 'fairy tale' on its head

Those vision you are seeing are figments of your imagination.

[cali]

28. Could you be any more patronizing toward Rep. Clyburn? n/t

[Maribelle]

34. Yes I could.

Did you notice how he used the term "could be"?

[indimuse]

26. DON"T bark at me about racisim

Barack Hussien Obama: “I will stand with should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.” :wow:


“Malcolm X’s autobiography seemed to offer something different,” Obama wrote. “His repeated acts of self-creation spoke to me; the blunt poetry of his words, his

unadorned insistence on respect, promised a new and uncompromising order, martial in its discipline, forged through sheer force of will.”:shrug:
Malcolm's biography years ago and it is hateful to whites to the extreme.:cry: Thanks for letting us whites know how you admire him.]

He added: “Malcolm’s discovery toward the end of his life, that some whites might live beside him as brothers in Islam, seemed to offer some hope of eventual reconciliation.:eyes:

DON"T bark at me about racisim...I have MORE black friends...that reach around the globe! I'm simply pointing out the DOUBLE STANDARD!!!

[cali]

30. bwahahaha

"I have black friends". Fucking lame as you can get. And I'm white and admire Malcolm greatly.

[indimuse]

32. good for you!

:smoke: Hillary is not a stupid woman...she would NOT begin a smear campaign against Obama using RACE! All she has to do is stick with FACT and RECORD!

[cali]

35. That may be true

but Kerrey, Shaheen, Cuomo are high profile supporters/members of her campaign and they HAVE used race. Are you actually going to deny or downplay this? I'm sure you will.

[Maribelle]

38. How did Shaheen use race?

Didn't Shaheen talked about Obama's past drug use?

Are we to take any negative comment against Obama as this huge racist remark?

[BootinUp]

41. Opposing a black candidate in a primary race

is now going to be standing in the way of civil rights according to Obama supporters and Clyburn

Never mind his lack of credentials to be the leader of the free world.

Never mind he is going to move the party to the right to try and get there.

[FrenchieCat]

49. That is not the problem.....

but use of code words to define your opponent should not be tolerated.

If code words were used by Obama and his campaign to describe Hillary as

called her Mrs. instead of Sen. Clinton+
Weak+
High Strung+
Not really in commmand+
Cackle+
too sensitive+

equal code words to describe a woman,

that wouldn't be acceptable either.

[indimuse]

52. no! I won't!

Shaheen did he not step down immediately? Kerrey and Cuomo are supporter who said some very stupid things! And i'm sure she has a muzzle on them as we type...BUT this JJJR...OMG! This is the most irresponsible inflammatory thing to say...please..." The Obama campaign is still analyzing her tears???!" Are you kidding me? Then to make a racist statement about Katrina...knowing that would travel and it is monumentally WRONG!? Contemptible! It was intentional in meant to sting the black population emotions...Implying Hillary is a racist! This is not what this country needs at all. HE NEEDS TO STEP DOWN...NOW!

[geek tragedy]

46. Another racist for the Clintons.

You make me sick.

Welcome to my ignore list, KKKlown.

[indimuse]

53. you know zero about me! so...

stfu!

[SoxFan]

47. "Some of my best friends are coloreds"

[redqueen]

50. Here we go. (nt)