Omg
BILL CLINTON IS SOO TOTALLY BLACK…HE'S JUST TRAPPED INSIDE OF A WHWITE GUYS BODY!!!
BILL CLINTON NEEDS TO BECOME THE PRESIDENT AGAAIN BECAUSE BUSH IS SO TOTALLY SORRY!!!
I LOVE YOU CLINTON…]N YES I AM A BLACK FEMALE AND WHEN I GET OLDER I WILL BECOME THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT NO DOUBT…
BECAUSE UNLIIKE BUSH I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND I AM NOT TRYING TO GET BACK AT IRAQ FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY DID TO HIS DAD…BILL CLINTON IS DABOMB…AND I AM RUBBING THIS IN ALL OF YOU ALL FACES!!!

I do not appreciate the packaging of the Congressional Black Caucus members and Black elites by your campaign because these people do not represent my needs as a voter. The college loan scandal has closed doors on my children's future and your campaign is not addressing this issue. Instead, I see these same companies either giving huge donationsts your campaign and talking point so that you can play it safe around important issues like the one I have mentioned above. I am a single mom with children who have worked hard, accdemically, but have doors shut on them by corporate college loan scam bags and those companies hiring firm looking cheap labor ("we need someone who is bi-lingual"). The American dream of home ownership is now out of read because of the predatory lending leaving young people with impossible debt ratios.

I'm not a Clinton supporter but I like her answer. Enough of the divisions. A presidential candidate has to appeal to the masses and if he or she "appears to be black enough or for that matter white enough" then they are merely chameleons and cannot be trusted. And just what does "black enough" means? Stereotyping comes to mind when this question is asked.

Thanks for addressing John from NY's comment, Brad. I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one who thought, um, this guy seems to have gone of the deep end, since this a post about Hillary and the politics of race in this country. But it's good to see that religious wackos can "divine" literally anything to inspire them to espouse their arrogant, ignorant, and bigoted beliefs.

The most ironic thing about the fact is that if there wasn't such a sense of mistrust of police officers in the black community that their might be more blacks in prison.

Studies have shown that in predominatly black areas that 20% or less of murders are solved, whereas in predominatly white areas 60%+ are solved. And the reason for this is that people in white communities are willing to come forward rather then have a killer go free. Whereas the black communities are more worried about "not being a snitch" and selling out their brothers to the "man". And they wonder why black on black crime is such a problem.

John Harris from NY –

"…the holistic moral and ethical values of the America people…"

Wow. What it seems so many hardcore religous people don't get is that not everyone in America shares your views. Not everyone wants a president "to lead… in a godly fashion." Not everyone wants a president who rules according to "every law of god." Not everyone is a "god-fearing Christian voter."

You may find this appalling, but so too do I find appalling the notion that pure logic and reason aren't sufficient to inform government policy — that we must invoke religion (specifically, in this case Christianity) at every opportunity.

"The American people need to stop being lead about as sheep and start thinking for him/her self…"

Funny you should say that. Allow me to quote from John, chapter 10 (http://scriptures.lds.org/john/10):

John 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Tricia writes,

"Brian if you read up on this topic you would know that since research has been done on DNA - it has been confirmed by the justice system - that many errors by so call Qualified Justice System employees have been carried out. It has been proven many times since that many have been sentenced to death who are INNOCENT of any crime! "

Since you're the self-proclaimed expert… EXACTLY how many of the 1.4 million african-american men in jail have been vindicated by DNA testing?

And has DNA testing ONLY vindicated black males? Or does DNA also possibly help white, hispanic, asians?

You're just like Hillary… take an anomaly (less than 1/10th of 1%) and attempt to turn it into a national issue.

But I do hope Hillary continues to keep spouting that why 1.4 million black men are in jail is simply RACISM!

What an idiot!

I'm so happy that our country has learned to look beyond the color of a man or womans skin and judge them on character.

Brian Hubbell II, Madison CT

"The plight of 1.4 million CRIMINALS who BROKE THE LAW. Yeah ok, I feel reallllll bad for them. That’s ridiculous. That’s like saying I should feel bad for a serial killer who raped and tortured to death numerous people cause he was molested as a kid or something similar."

BRIAN - HILLARY SAID "it was time for America to have a national conversation about the plight of 1.4 million men of color who are in the nation’s prison system.”

Brian if you read up on this topic you would know that since research has been done on DNA - it has been confirmed by the justice system - that many errors by so call Qualified Justice System employees have been carried out. It has been proven many times since that many have been sentenced to death who are INNOCENT of any crime! The DNA testing was performed incorrectly, lackadazically, by so called qualified personnel who were completely indifferent to the fact that their lack of testing expertise and ability made the difference of whether one lived or died! AND guess what??? Black Convicts seemingly for some unknown reason had a much more difficult time getting an acquittal even when the DNA test proved inaccurate than a White Man did! Strange don't ya think?

No one I expect would feel sorry for a serial killer or rapist that had been PROVEN guilty. YOU missed the whole context of Hillary's Comment. READ about these issues before you hop on the egg and stone band wagon.

This is ridiculous. I am personally white so I could care less. I think Clinton is a Hack and a Liar so she could be purple for all I care.

No she is not. She is so fake. Just like her husband. NWO phreaks. go Obama!

I'm thinking a Clinton/Obama ticket, myself!!!

I love Hillary and everything about her. I love(d) her husband and wish he could have continued serving beyond his 2 term limit. I will do everything in my power (vote; make financial contributions; make telephone calls; go door-to-door; wear badges, hats, buttons, and suspenders; plaster bumper stickers all over my Corolla; etc.) to help both of them back to the White House.

My aging mother recently asked me about the situation. She pondered why, if Hillary was running for President, didn't the rest of the "goons" drop out and let her have it. Realizing that this is not the way the American political system works, I responded with understanding, and stated simply: "Because the rest of the goons don't really want what's best for this country".

Rest assured that this southern born & bred, 39 year old married, white man with a Masters Degree in Higher Education from a midwestern school will support Hillary until Hillary is no longer an option. Why? Because it's the right thing to do and it's what's best for this country.

Philemon in Flint, I don't know how you got so far afield of the topic to start discussing Bill's infidelity. Hilary showed strength "above-and- beyond" as a woman. The easy thing would have been to obtain a divorce. If she believes in her vows and the sanctity of marriage she did the right thing and should be commended because that, my friend, took strength. To demean her for that is ludicrous. Bill did an excellent job, even as a philanderer, now you are saying Hilary cannot because she forgave the philanderer? Your logic is lost on me.

Why is it about color? There are far more serious issues facing the American people, which are sugarcoated for the sake of a few while omitting the majority.

I cannot find any other specie on the face of the earth where there conjugal relations with the same sex, which is not simply a spiritual but moral as well as biological issue, which has nothing whatsoever to do with mental or physical health and well-being. Pure and simple it is an abomination against every law of God, nature or simply physical well-being. No truly honest Jewish, Christian and or Islamic individual can or should support such an atrocity or presidential, congressional or candidate for public office. Those candidates that do so openly reject the holistic moral and ethical values of the America people regardless of his/her ethnicity.

Jim Davis’ article: ‘Obama’s Church: Cauldron of Division’ should not surprise anyone much less the Christian community, which should speak out while a strong distaste for any form of racism especially as related to the Word of God. Therefore, I would invite Obama to read ‘The Decimation of America by its own hand’, ISBN 0-9761112-8-4, which I would be more than willing to send him a free copy. Moreover, I question Obama’s capability to lead a unified diverse country in a godly fashion and to be associated with a radical misdirected form of Christianity merely supports not simply my concerns but those of any god-fearing Christian voter. In terms of church attendance I would strongly suggest that Obama, if he truly believes in Jesus Christ to find himself a bible-teaching church, the Bible is neither Afro centric or Eurocentric. The fear then becomes Obama’s using a form of Christianity as a stepping stone towards personal gratification and does not truly believe in the triune God of Christian faith. Additionally, while this is no reflection on Obama, any true Christian knows that regularly church attendance does not demonstrate belief or faith in God because the Christian knows that even the devil goes to church regularly. In terms of Oprah’s endorsing Obama after having watched a brief portion of one of her shows this should be of no surprise based on the mind-manipulation existing primarily on the notion of having a so-called African-American as president, which is nothing more than another trick of the enemy. Can Barack Obama lead a diverse nation? No, I would believe not based on a number of factors notwithstanding his controversial church attendance but that of his failure to demonstrate truth, honor and integrity in terms of his questionable background Are his concerns for the whole of the American people and can Barack Obama or even Hilary Clinton fulfill the needs of America without surrendering his/her already questionable Christian beliefs? If, the American people were to look deeply into the reality of that related to these individuals will either portray the dignity necessary towards turning this country back into a leading representative to the whole world or will he/she lead America even further into the depths of world anarchy? Moreover, one should realize that this no longer has anything to do with the Bush Administration but everything to do with moving forward out of the pits of depraved indifference, which is the present-day state of America. Moving away from but keeping Obama in mind. What caused the Clinton’s not to move back to Arkansas? What was the Clinton agenda from the very beginning? Was there intent to manipulate the people of the State of New York for the fulfillment of the Clinton agenda? There too is a lack of truth, honor and integrity reflective of positive leadership. The American people need to stop being lead about as sheep and start thinking for him/her self and people of color need to start researching as oppose to acting based solely on color. [jlh1rrisr@verizon.net]

Ummm, James, if Hillary Clinton isn't qualified to be President, who is?

"Bill Clinton was the first black President, because he really cared about black people. If Bill cared about black people, I assure you, Hillary will do the same. She will be black enough to be first black female President, because she will care about all including African Americans…"

I had to read this twice to make sure I got it right. So, let's get this straight. I care about immigrants from Mexico, Eastern Europe, Asia, etc. So that makes me Mexican, Romanian, Bulgarian, Latvian, Asian, etc.? Come on.

Also, being married to someone doesn't make you that person. I'm only ASSUMING Hillary Clinton has a REAL plan and position on issues, because she certainly hasn't presented them in the debates, she merely professes to care about every single American (especially lobbyists). But I can confidently say that she doesn't take her "positions" based on what Bill used to do. In fact, I believe she has split from a couple things he did, i.e. NAFTA.

"Before the Q&A, Sen. Hillary Clinton spoke for eight minutes, and in her opening remarks, she said it was time for America to have a national conversation about the plight of 1.4 million men of color who are in the nation’s prison system."

The plight of 1.4 million CRIMINALS who BROKE THE LAW. Yeah ok, I feel reallllll bad for them. That's ridiculous. That's like saying I should feel bad for a serial killer who raped and tortured to death numerous people cause he was molested as a kid or something similar. Sorry, but that's not how it works. If you do not have self control, and prove that you are incapable of living in our society, you get arrested when you break the laws! It's that simple. These aren't poor mistreated black men, these are gang bangers and thugs who thought they could get away with breaking the law.

When Hillary moves into the White House she will do the same thing to African American way Bill Clinton did to them.
I recieved benefit from someone I always repay someone's kindness, that is the reason why human is Lord's creation.

I hope black people don't forget what Bill Clinton did for African American. Actually Obama is able to run for president now, it came from Clinton's caring about black people in 1990's. Black people should be eternally grateful to Bill Clinton.

That is perhaps the most ridiculous and asinine question I have ever heard put to a Presidential candidate. I would be ashamed to give that line of inquiry any serious thought. It is not the responsibility of the President to pander to one specific demographic, and if any of the Democratic candidates are expected to support the special interest group of black Americans, they are no better than the Republicans they bash for taking on the interests of big oil, the military-industry complex, etc.

It is interesting to note that this subject was brought up by NABJ.

If being black is imporant to them, then why did they invite all candidates?

They are making this a racial issue, not the average Americans. I would highly encourage all black Americans to overthrow these institutions as they are keeping us in 1960. Most white Americans don't care anymore, it's these organizations that want you to feel sorry for them.

Great comment Philemon, Hillary has no backbone whatsoever. She has attacked Obama twice on foreign policy stances that she herself has endorsed in the past 12 months.

She's black, she's white, she's a new yorker, she's southern, she's a woman, she's a man, she's a dove, she's a hawk, she's a PANDERER!

Hillary stands for nothing but Hillary.

Nobody picked up on Hill telling us “I want to represent all of America. I want to be a president for everyone. I am tired of all these false divisions,” A day or so after saying, "if you want someone to fight against the right, I'm your girl"

She's been in the Senate for 10 years, why hasn't she pursued any of these 'great' plans of hers there?

Should we pick a president by shoe size, color of eyes or other attributes of the person? Why is color
or sex an issue? I just want a president that is honest, able to do the job and realizes that he (president) is a hired temporary position answerable to the american citizans.

Ask AL Sharpton. He said Bill was.

Ridiculous question. I still haven't decided who to vote for yet, however, I have decided I will NOT vote for CLINTON. We have already had 8 years of her husband and 12 years of the Bush's. Do we really want to risk another 8 years of another CLINTON? That will make 28 years of CLINTON's and BUSH's. I have enough of both of these families!

I think I got sick when I read this article. "Are you black enough?" How atrocious. People, this is america. Civil rights are now constitutional, more than legal now. Racial interests are no longer the issue. The issue is whther you are american or not.

I am appalled at the black leaders who asked this question. You act like your still being persecuted after decades. ITS OVER!!! If anything the african american community is getting MORE than other races. Affirmative action? Its sad that 4.0 GPA intellectuals are being denied good colleges, while 10 or so seats are always reserved for new black people, just for being black. So I say now and forever, trust me, your interest are more than met. She is "black enough" just like everyone else. Get over it.

And the same applies for feminists. You have your equality too. So dont think for a second youll get even more if hilary gets in office. Such an act would be more unconstitutional than bush's war.

Last line of the story. Very telling.

"…and the death of Chauncey Bailey, the Oakland Post editor who was gunned down last week, allegedly by followers of a group he was investigating."

A "group"?

What was that "group"?

Who was it composed of?

What was/is its mission?

Seems to me, the question that should have asked of said "group", was: "Was Chauncey Baily black enough for you"?

Regarding the question to Sen. Clinton:

Skin color (all hues) should be considered a mere physical feature. Like ear shape, or right/left handedness.
Not a state of mind.

Until everybody embraces the above concept , we'll continue to be subjected to endless inanities like Ms. Malveaux's question.

HMMMMM….
I am challenged that this question keeps rearing its foolish head. Come on folks, don't you realize that this question is SOOOOO relative that it is irrelevant!
I am a Black woman, Executive in a Fortune 500, and to my white counterparts I am Black "enough", to some, "too Black". However to the African Americans that work there, I am not considered part of the group. All of my life as a publicly conservative, highly educated and articulate person of color, my "Blackness" is questioned by Blacks and Whites alike. I think we all need to be asking the question:
Am I AMERICAN enough to die for my country? To fight for what AMERICA stands for? To help any human being who is in danger? To make a personal commitment to Faith, Family and Freedom? And to support and defend those who make these personal commitments in defense of America? Including our elected officials? We all should be asking the question:
Am I American enough to take the time to learn what the issues are so that I can intelligently make a decision in the upcoming election?

Philemon, you're a hoot. If Hillary HAD left Bill, you and the others who simply hate her would say that she had no loyalty, she wasn't "following the Bible," she hurt their child, and blah-blah-blah.

Do you also think David Vitter's wife should leave her lying, philandering husband?

You are right democrats do not ignore the plight of Katrina victims that made a big fuss about it after they did nothing before hand to get them out. Yes, the mayor of New Orleans was a democrat and no one called him anti-poor or anti-black when he did not use the city owned busses to get people out before the hurricane hit. The Governor another person who was responsible had the entire State National Guard he could have used to get people out before hand and didn’t. Not to mention that they knew the levies wouldn’t hold up to stronger hurricanes long before Katrina hit and did nothing about it. Now who do you really think is to blame the ones who screwed up the pre-disaster preparations or the ones who screwed up cleaning up the mess that resulted? And before you say it President Bush could not have gone in before hand without giving you another example of him ignoring the constitution.

HMMMMM….
I am challenged that this question keeps rearing its foolish head. Come on folks, don't you realize that this question is SOOOOO relative that it is irrelevant!
I am a Black woman, Executive in a Fortune 500, and to my white counterparts I am Black "enough", to some, "too Black". However to the African Americans that work there, I am not considered part of the group. All of my life as a publicly conservative, highly educated and articulate person of color, my "Blackness" is questioned by Blacks and Whites alike. I think we all need to be asking the question:
Am I AMERICAN enough to die for my country? To fight for what AMERICA stands for? To help any human being who is in danger? To make a personal commitment to Faith, Family and Freedom? And to support and defend those who make these personal commitments in defense of America? Including our elected officials? We all should be asking the question:
Am I American enough to take the time to learn what the issues are so that I can intelligently make a decision in the upcoming elections to help make America a better place?

This "black enough," "woman enough" stuff is getting tiring. I guess it shows how unready the U.S. is to elect a minority president, so I suspect when all is said and done, the Dem nominee will be Edwards, which wouldn't be too bad, IMO.

This is a DISGRACE to the NABJ and a complete embarassment to those of us who are African American. Whose dumb idea was it to ask such a stupid question? What does it mean to be "black enough"? This is really RACIST frankly and i cannot help but wonder who in that auditorium would say they are "blacker" than any other black person. It is fine to ask if the candidates would champion the ideals or address the needs of the african american community - thats perfectly legitimate to ask.
Interestingly enough, this question has come up because Obama (a BLACK MAN) is running for president.
This is an insult to every black person to suggest that - as the phrase does - that there are blacks who are "blacker" than other blacks.
Proponents of this racist phrase/idea erroneously view the civil rights movement as a badge of entitlement rather than a struggle for EQUAL RIGHTS for all. IN other words, they marched so that we do not have to, they exercised civil disobedience so that we do not have to, they demonstrated so that we do not have to. My point here is simple - the early leaders of the civil rights movements (NOT the like of Al Sharpton who has proven himself to be more of an opportunist than anything BTW) would look with JOY that finally a qualified black candidate has an equal shot at becoming the President of this country - not simply because he is black - but more importantly because he is critically examined by the exact same standards as all the other candidates and has proven his qualifications and ability to lead this country. The real civil rights leaders would cherish and adore this moment of accomplishment of a black candidate and not try to malign him.
A perfect analogy is something Obama has talked about in the past. ie there is the Moses and Joshua generations. Indeed the Moses generations bore the brunt of the struggles and discrimination so that the Joshua generations would not have to !!
There is something sinister here - somewhat of an inferiority complex, i think, where some black people would do everything to PULL DOWN other high achieving black people. Shame on you NABJ.

Someone said a strong woman would have left her husband for his mistake with Monica. I think people dont understand what strong means. To forgive and continuously face and remind a mistake takes more courage. Leaving is for cowards, which most Americans are right now, because they run away and divorce. Have the guts to resolve a lifelong relationship. I guess childhood education is missing: "to err is human, to forgive is divine".

One caution to those who feel we should become color-blind or culture blind in selecting a president and presume that our schools can resolve the many remaining social challenges we face in living together as a nation of Americans: The Supreme Court recently delived a potential death-blow to 54 years of progress, since Brown v. Topeka, in achieving racial equality. During those years, we have learned that education plays a critical role toward achieving social justice, but we've placed on public schools a burden of social change that is impossible to deliver without the support of all other social systems including health care, housing, employment, etc. The Court's ruling could strip us (all of us — American citizens) of the single most important policy tool we have for accomplishing change.

And, to young E. Caldwell in Philly(?), I would encourage you to review that stormy period of American history when "peace on the streets" became an effective strategy for achieving social goals. I must also add that if we can't find peace on the streets in America, I seriously doubt our ability to spread or impose "freedom and democracy" in other parts of the world.

It is well-past time to ask candidates whether they can assume or at least understand the perspectives of all the constituents they represent, and particularly the consituents who have historically been disenfranchised. I'm encouraged to hear candidates who are willing to risk engagement in such frank and candid discussions of race and culture and, yes, (assuming the ability to engage in serious, critical discourse) religion. That, rather than the machinery and politics of consumption is, after all, the "stuff" of our country and our daily lives.

Are you people wearing blinders, or are really just that slow in reasoning skills?

These people are politicians…and the media harps on them in any way they can. JUST as Mitt Romney has to appease different groups with the republican party, Hillary has to do the same…so STOP ATTRIBUTING "PANDERING" ONLY TO LIBERALS! EVERY Politician does it; stop exaggerating it. And if media outlets stop making things up, such as when Hillary was in the South, and it was reported she was using a fake accent, it doesn't help. WATCH THE CLIP..She's speaking normally, then for a short reading, she used inflection, then switched back to her usual dialect. Geez people. Where's the truth?

Comment on comments: "the majority of people on welfare in this country are white" - true, only because there are more whites in the country. A higher percentage of blacks are on welfare. Why are inner city schools such poor performers? There is the real question.

Clinton will get the nomination and win the election because she is the most qualified out of all of the candidates of any party to run this country. What is sad is that race and gender still matter so much to so many people. We are truly a backward nation when it comes to progress on racial and gender equality and it is up to each one of us to make a change, not our politicians and not our institutions. Be the change you want to see.

I heard the question to Hillary, and I was appalled, you see it took over 200 yrs. for a woman to Vote her in America, the land of the Free, it took longer than that for a Black person to have equal rights under the law of freedom,. I was amazed, how stupid and how prejudice can this country be, I really thought we may be pass all of that crap and that we lived in the land of equallity and we stop looking that the color of a person skin, or if they are female or if the came from Mars,with purple spots and had antennas on their heads. Get real they are all people and if you like them for them if you do not then don't , but to make choice based on prejudice is simply WRONG, and those type of questions is exactly what brings up and breeds Prejudice. I hope now a Woman WINS, due to the fact that PEACE persides in countries who have a Female leader more than in countries who have Male leaders who are so pumped up on the Idea that women or someone w/a different color skin would be bad for them, again using prejudice, instead of their heart and head as to who would be better to lead our country.

What is the "right" answer to this stupid question anyway?

Well Said E. Caldwell best comment i've ever seen on CNN.com

More to the point, is HRC human enough?

[...] Question of the day for Hillary, from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Presidential Forum: “Are you black enough to sustain the kind of support that you got from your husband, and what makes you the better candidate over a black man in representing the issues regarding African-American community?” [...]

NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING BLACK ENOUGH OR TO THE STORY; BUT WOW!
Wow! I have heard it all now! Like we really need free ninety free higher educations for college aged people who have not the ambitions too further their lives in the first place. Let’s put some more monkeys in the cage too generate billions of taxes too steal from the people, dream up some sorry ass excuses too drain the pockets of the US tax paying citizens (The People); once again! Ya right! What a great idea “Dodd”. Why not! What the hell! I know; why don’t we all just let all them illegal immigrants south on our boarders vote illegally? They get around any where they please now illegally! What the hell is the difference? Our US Government doesn’t give a flying rat’s ass what illegal’s are doing. But catch and find one white American with money breaking our laws or participating in an illegal act. Wow! Look out! The guillotine is falling!

Dumbocrats: To whom are we hearing from now?

A bunch of garbage on today’s network news broadcast when involving the political arena. When will these 2008 democratic candidates, start too listen up from the people and get the message? Democrat’s! Whom? Let the US give it a shot; too define that term democrat? I get it! You huge, flat headed, large eared, thick skinned, almost hairless, big footed mammals; a person who believes in and upholds government by the people (has fell into the Demo cracks); Advocate of rule by the majority; Our majority that is only now at a maximum of approximately 28% due too our failing education systems in our country with most of our children do not learn dick. With now a white American minority populist out of 262 plus or minus counties leading in the nation is drowning our economy by illegal immigration labor force is taking over by 51%. A person who believes in and practices the principle of equality of rights, opportunity, and treatment is absolutely absurd. You people call your selves the Democratic Party. More liken too an agouti, gouty and might as well be speaking with Afrikaans language when addressing the real issues and the people. When will the people hear you speak of finding solutions to the real pressing important issues that face our nation at present?

RA Las Vegas, NV

1. For any content that people post, you hereby grant to washington the royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, exclusive and fully sub licensable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform and display such content in whole or in part, world-wide and to incorporate it in other works, in any form, media or technology now known or later developed. OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You don’t have too yell at ME!

ANONYMOUS:

(Nice Name)

You can have Giuliani I don't think there's anyone that will give you a cat fight over him! Not even his TWO Previous Wifes!

"Republicans are targeting the main issues people care about" Huh?

I don't recall reading that the majority of voters were FOR THE IRAQ WAR? I do recall reading the Majority of Voters are for SENDING TROOPS HOME.
I don't recall reading much on a positive not regarding the current administration except the AMerican's Pleas for Impeachment.

So I don't think the Republicans care about the Main Issues. But I do feel they'd have a chance at receiving higher ratings if they did!

Is Politician X black enough to what? To understand the victim mentality and appreciate that if The White Man can't be blamed for everything, at least he can be forced to cough up large sums of money, call it "reparations."

Why is it that 1.4 million "men of color" are in prison? Surely it has NOTHING to do with the fact that they were convicted of BREAKING THE LAW?

I'll assume that these convicts were and still are "black enough" to know the difference between abiding by the law and engaging in criminal misconduct.

Yes, please do call me a racist. I believe in the human race. Do you?

Philemon, Flint, Michigan:

So many it appears have to rely on one point to discredit Hillary Clinton's Character, her marriage. So, I Say that proves she must be a Great Lady when the only fault her nay sayers can seem to find are 1)her husband, and 2)her acceptance of him! Not a bad record I would say!

In my HO, it takes but a weak soul and a quick jerk to turn heel and run when a marriage has problems. There are many of those people in our socities, hence the large divorce ratings!

To have the courage to stay steadfast, to have the fortitude to work out problems, to have enough faith to believe that hard work will bring success, to have the strength it requires to forgive, to have the humility it requires to admit that you too are not perfect and every one deserves another chance, to have the level of Love and Responsibility required to put your child not yourself first, in my assessment, describes A GREAT HUMAN BEING. And that Great Human Being and Lady is Hillary Rodham Clinton.

If she had opted to run vs. stay and rectify her marriage problems I wouldn't have an ounce of admiration for the woman. She is not weak or at fault for staying, contrary to the other nay sayers here. She has exemplified her Strength, Courage, and Determination to face problems head on and Win! I think those qualities are what makes a Great Leader not what justifies criticism! Giuliani walked out on two women and his children and in the process treated them with complete hostility and disrespect. He is a man I could never respect in any office, state, room or alley.

GO HILLARY! You are to be admired not citicized. Few men could have ever walked where you feared not to tread!

Is Hillary Clinton "black enough?"

She may as well be black. And it seems to irk people that there is little doubt that Clinton will get the majority of the black vote, the majority of the female vote, and the vote of many of those who are tired of Republican B.S., many of whom just happen to be black.

Take the likes of P. Anderson posting above,

"but it seems to be the black community who is creating their own division from the rest of America."

It's just this kind of denial, this kind of, "Well, why can't black people see that they're part of us?", kind of denial that rings so false even on the ears of the speakers that keep the racial dimensions of the upcoming presidential election alive.

I am a black man who is proud of not being a racist, closet or otherwise. But I'm not a blind man. I see the stark polarization of our society in the ghetto-ization of our major cities across the country. I see the disparity in jobs, housing, health care, education, income, and overall quality of life. P. Anderson sees it too.

The Republicans and other front-runners of the white-flight movement haven't looked back since Reconstruction. They don't see the blight their concerted policies have left in their wake. They've had it their own way and only were aware of and attentive to their high-flying lifestyles, and the urgent necessity to maintain their distance from the rest of the world, meaning to maintain the status-quo.

Now with Clinton and Obama starkly in their faces as a formidable force, it is they who most feel betrayed by the fact that despite all their back-room machinations, somehow a Female and a Black are sitting on the clubhouse veranda. How could it have happened? Again, call it surfeit of B.S.

Well, despite all this ugly unmasking of deep-seated insecurities, Clinton and Obama are weathering the storm of racist backlash with decorous aplomb.

The funny thing is that it won't be those moaners who will bring the Democrats, whether Clinton or Obama, or Clinton/Obama, to the White House, but,collectively, the American people, white, black and otherwise.

I doubt, because of the historical racist undercurrents in this country, if Obama can win the White House alone. I know Clinton will win, with or without Obama. Clinton/Obama will be formidable, an impregnable force driven by the will of the people, especially those who will contend, "Hillary's black enough for me."

I dont think its a question of seperation. However its a question that is needed to be asked. See unlike white American issues black issues that plague our cities continue to destroy our communities. Now being black enough is finding a way to connect with the people. Forigen policy,the iraq war, the economy are really issues that mainly whites can connect with and what remains important to them. In the black communities its Crime,Education,Poverty and until a presidential nominee speaks on fixing these issues that will always be a factor in the question of being black enough. The sad part though is that Barack Obama has touched on the importance of solving those problems from day one! As a civil rights major he knows the history of our people and what problems we need to solve that can some how change they dynamics our communities are ran. So yes is she black enough? I dont think so but it has nothing to do with the color of your skin. It has everything to do with having a plan to help our people turn the corner of our problems. And from this article I see no plan where as Obama has on but yet CNN refuses to talk about that. Go Obama 08

http://www.BarackObama.com

People need to wake up. The Democrats have a history of courting the Black community — saying all the right things, with the right emotion, receive our vote, but once in office they do not represent our interests. What makes Hillary any different from Bill? Yes Clinton has put more Blacks in the White House (not in a maintenence capacity) than any of his predecessors, however, what impact has that had on the Black community as a collective? Black men and women still lead the nation in HIV/AIDS contraction; unemployment; underemployment; infant mortality; single parent households and the like. I am sick and tired of political dynasties like Bush, Kennedy, and, more than likely, Clinton running Washington. I am tired of politics as usual. Yes, Obama may be inexperienced, but at least he's hasn't fully succumbed to the special interest groups and lobbyists. And as far as his racial authenticity is concerned, he is about as Black as the next Black man. Just because Obama does not have the rhetorical skills of Al Sharpton, does not make him any less Black. We cannot use flash as an indicator of Blackness. If that were the case, then the country would have gotten behind Flava Flav for President.

"And by the way, the majority of people on welfare in this country are white. Do your research instead of assuming the stereotypes the media feeds you are accurate."

For the record the white race represents 220 million of the population in America only 2% of the white race is on welfare. The black population is around 36 million and around 35% plus are on welfare. You need do your research, thank you. The same with most on here I am also tired of this race card B.S.

While Senator Clinton claims she wants to represent the whole of the American public, where was she for the employees of Wal-Mart when she was on the board. If she is going to do so well for our general populous why have Wal-Mart employees endured such dire consequences? We must keep in mind that when she had a controlling hand in one of the largest private employers in the world she did nothing to improve the working conditions of many minimum wage workers. Why would now be any different?

David wrote, "Imagine spending all those oil profits on social programs…"

David, That would be socialism. If you are really interested in living in that situation, I'm sure Hugo Chavez would welcome your defection.

"Issues" like this always make me wonder… what is the threshold required for someone to qualify as being (fill in ethnicity)?

Obama's father was black; his mother was white. Obama is universally referred to as "African-American."

So I guess "half black" is synonymous with "black." What if you were "a quarter black"?

Personally I see no appeal in making a big deal out of a person's ethnic background; clearly the media and plenty of people do, however.

Not to be controversial, but it seems there is interest within the Africa-American community to "claim" Obama. Given Obama's 50/50 racial makeup, would it be equally legitimate if whites sought to do the same?

Why should Obama have to pick a side?

I'm not trying start a s#!%storm here — just genuinely curious about this.

“Are you black enough to sustain the kind of support that you got from your husband?”
I think Bill will support Hillary regardless. The only race they are concern themselves with is the Presidential Race!

And {run on sentence}

“What makes you the better candidate over a black man in representing the issues regarding African-American community?”

Is there a black man running?

Funny a White Woman may in fact do more for the Black Community than this “Black man”.

The question should not be, "Is she Black enough," but should be, "Is she woman enough?" I say, "No," because a strong woman would have had the fortitude, the courage, to leave and not accept or encourage bad behavior from a lying, philandering husband. Rather, the actions of then Mrs. Clinton, reflect a lack of courage. Rather than seek office on her own merit, she has continued to use the good will of a husband who has repeatedly humiliated her.

I am also an African-American male and I just want to say on my mind in reference to ryan and especially P. Anderson. CNN, media outlets, and I'm sure other people will comment to this question "Are you black enough?" and what does it mean. While I do somewhat disagree with this being asked to Hillary and Barack, but I do also understand why it should be asked. On one hand, these candidates are running for ALL of America which I do agree with. The problem is though, some politicans take the "Black Vote" for granted counting our group as just numbers to get elected and not the real issues that happen in neighborhoods like mine. To me, the bottom line isn't whether the candidate is black or not. If that was the case, I would have voted for Alan Keyes or supported Condaleeza. I would probably see it the same way for Latinos between Bill Richardson and Alberto Gonzales. Being black enough don't necessarily mean if you came from the hood or if you really struggled. It means actually caring and attempting to create better opportunities (n i don't mean upping welfare P). If we wanted more welfare to use as a crutch, we wouldn't be hustling legally or illegally to create our own futures(I understand if you don't understand why this happens). It could mean giving second chances for jobs for people who were incarerated or better education opportunities for our kids. So, in essence, being "Black enough" is part of the concern, but also using your position as a President to help people in all places, Black, White, Latino, etc. is essential.

She would campaign as a pink or purple person if that would get her more votes.

To the person who feels that African-Americans have been given "many advantages" over the years:
In Harlem, where I lived until last year, there was not one elementary school I could send my daughter to that had above 60% of the children performing at grade level in reading and math. So I sent her to a high-performing, mostly white school on the Upper West Side, where parents were able to raise $150,000 a year in private money to supplement their children's supposedly public education. Advantages, anyone?

Black men with a high-school degree have a higher unemployment rate than white high-school dropouts, so clearly education alone is not the answer. As long as the average employer would rather hire a white dropout over a black graduate, African-Americans will need all the "advantages" they can get.

And by the way, the majority of people on welfare in this country are white. Do your research instead of assuming the stereotypes the media feeds you are accurate.

The racial politics need to end. We are all first and foremost Americans. If people concentrated a little more on that instead of whether they are African American, Hispanic American, Mexican American, or whatever they claim then maybe this big old melting pot would start working again.

Normal Americans are tired of the racial agitation. I don't hear Bill Cosby, Ms Rice, or Colin Powell running around talking about the man keeping him down. But if you talk to Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton guys like Barry Bonds and Mike Vick are just getting a bum rep because they are black. Not because they did something wrong.

JOHN EDWARDS IS OUR MAN AND WILL PULL OUT A CLOSE ONE IN IOWA. As a moderate, he's my man. We don't want Hillary's corporate, NAFTA outsourcing, luggage as our rep. It's a disgrace to the Traditional guard leaders of what the Democratic party to many stands for and that is the working peoples party. Hillary and her agenda centers on letting the illegals in, and a host of other issues that are insignificant compared to the war and the economy. Obama is inexperienced. JOHN EDWARDS IS OUR MAN AND WILL WIN IOWA. His wife, Elizabeth will make a great first lady, and will behave much better than Bill.

I, like so many others, are SO sick of the race and gender card being played by liberal democrats like Hilary and Obama. They can be as black and as female as they need to be. I plan to vote for the person who is "American Enough" to deal with our many problems. While miserable democrats wallow in pandering and card playing of race, gender, and sexual orientation, the Republicans are gearing up for another White House win because they know how to play the "money card" and the "protection against terrorism card". So even though I am a registered Democrat, I plan to vote for Giuliani. Many large cities have Mayors who are "black enough" and in spite of this crime soars, and the trash heap contiues to grow. Ever been to Atlanta, Newark, or Washington,D.C.? So the "black politician will do black people right" thing is a bunch of total crap.

While Demorcrats pander to special interest groups, Rebublicans are targeting the main issues people care about..ie, their wallet, the war, terrorism… get real Democrats

I can only echo the person from philadelphia. I find this whole topic of questioniing embarrassing as a black person. Bill Clinton was not the first black president, nor would his wife be one. I do not plan to vote for anyone because of race but I definitely do not plan to vote for someone pretending to be another race to get my vote.

A silly question.

What is clear is which political party is best for black America.

None of the democratic candidates for president would have callously ignored the plight of Katrina victims while throwing away trillions on a useless war and tax cuts for the rich.

Imagine spending all those oil profits on social programs…

I think it's a shame that African Americans are even asking such a question. Why do they insist on separating themselves from the rest of us? Clinton talks about "false divisions", but it seems to be the black community who is creating their own division from the rest of America.

Regarding the "national crisis" of the huge number of black men in prison, the root cause is lack of self esteem, self respect, and personal responsibility. African Americans have been provided many advantages over the last few decades, but few seem to grab on to the opportunities available. We need to divert the welfare money going to the "under privileged" and spend it on only one thing - education of the "under privileged".

Once given the undeniable opportunity of obtaining an education, if they choose to turn their back on it, then they can't continue to blame everyone else for the dis-proportionate number of blacks in prison.

Clinton Edwards ticket…anyone?

YEAH!

This is just like Hillary, always trying to please everyone, too afraid she might piss someone off by taking a real stance. You can't make everybody happy, Hil, no matter how hard you try.

I believe if Obama was not running with Mrs Clinton she would have a better chance, the black people love her husband and they love Obama also,

As a black young male, i am really embarrassed to see this type of dialogue transpire on a Presidential election platform. These canidates arent running to be the head of the NAACP. They are running for the Presidency of the United States. There is a very huge difference. I applaud both Hillary and Obama for not really sinking into this non sense. The problems in the black community are not going to go away because the President is black, or a President likes black people like Bill did. In my city under a "Black" mayor our city is now crowned the murder capitol of the nation. We lead the race on black on black crime. The black community has to start taking its own initiative to solve its own problems. I do not want a President, nor will i vote for a President, black or white who is going to neglect his or her job, which National Security, The Economy for all, and foriegn policy, so that he or she can hold peace on the streets rallies. I'm all for change in the black community and i believe it can be done. But if having black Mayors, and Gov, and Senators don't make a change, why would having a Black or "down with black" President make a change in the Black Community. I really hope we do a better job of not making this about race.

Does it really matter?? If Hillary gets the Democratic Nomination and not Obama… what is the African American community going to do - vote republican?

PLEASE!

Why attempt to hold Hillary accountable to "your concerns" when in the end you will begrugingly give her your vote?

i'm sure they are both " black enough" to be president the real issue is neither one is qualified , also what if someone asked obama if he was white enough to be president that person would be fired ,

IT'S HIGH TIME THAT WHITE AMERICA COME TO GRIPS WITH THE REALITY WHAT BLACK PEOPLE FACE ON A DAILY BASES AND CHANGE THE FACE OF AMERICA.OBAMA CAN'T MESS THIS COUNTRY UP ANY WORSE THEN BUSH DID!!!

Bill Clinton was the first black President, because he really cared about black people. If Bill cared about black people, I assure you, Hillary will do the same. She will be black enough to be first black female President, because she will care about all including African Americans…

What characteristics are required to make one "Black enough?"

At least Clinton's answer was better than the question. Well done, there, Suzanne.