C.R,

Keep in mind that Fmr Pres. Bill Clinton had no National political experience. He was the Gov. of Arkansas. That's state level. If you believe simply simmering in Congress or the Senate for 8 years gives you experience then you are ignorant of the fact the their are tons of career Senators/Congressmen that routinely make inaccurate and downwrite incorrect statements regarding national and world affairs.

The president is a manager. Short and sweet. Or current one has never been a good manager in any venture and it shows. If you believe HRC's abilities as a person that can "manage" this country, then fine. But so far, I've inadequacies from all the candidates. HRC and Obama need to show me they can reign in the comments of their own staffs before I'd feel comfortable with them choosing a staff that would begin steering us out of the mess in which we currently reside.

Charlie Rangel proved tothe world that he is the one that is stupid. The Republicans were telling us about this man now we believe.

Judy Lorraine, thank you for your excellent post!
I was going to add something but you have already shed the light of truth on this all.

C.R. ……8 or 9 years as Senator means nothing. While I applaud you for your selection process on voting not being based on race…..I do find that hard to believe. Well, if one is honest with themselves.

Lack of experience does not mean one will fail at a job. But, having the right people in positions does mean the job can be done effectively.

Obama supporters are the same as Hillary's, African American, Caucasian, Asian, Hispanic, etc. (no intended order) Not all blacks are voting for Obama, not all whites are voting for Hillary. Not all women are voting for Hillary. So your comment is a bit juvenile and lacks intelligence.

Hillary lacks consistency. Hillary lacks honor. Hillary lacks the ability to be responsible. Her past record shows that. Look at some of the people that worked for them when Bill was in office. Where are they now? Look at some of the worse people he pardoned and gave commutations to. Hillary "lost" important documents that were under investigation. Hillary flopped on a hedge and got away with it. Could you have done that? Could anyone else have done that?

Get educated about the process of Political elections. Determine for yourself who you want as your President. Research past presidents and similarities they share with current candidiates. Some platforms have not changed. There is a wealth of information out there that will assist you in making an intelligent comment about such an important race.

Professional Hustlers: Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Robert Johnson and Charlie Rangel.

He is just one of those black leaders who cannot stand the fact that Barack Obama is taking over as one the most intelligent and greatest black leader. Sorry for them, they have to get used to it.

I've been reading most of these statements. I am offended by the posters that are implying that if you're supporting HRC, then you are somehow disloyal to your race.I will not stomp with Obama simply because he happens to be black. I have to look past color & vote for the person that's more experienced. I prefer a candidate that can get the job done. There are alot of tough issues facing the next Prez.. Speaking as a black man I am not voting for Obama because of lack of experience, come back after you've served about 8 or 9 yrs as Senator. I am sure most of his supporters didn't even know who he was before this election started to approach.

Lisa, Texas… good word, good word!!!

From his looks, New York Rep. Charlie Rangel is the kind of person that will sell his soul for a piece of the national cake. Even CNN's "best political" team have said it that Obama never started the race issue and for a senator who should be better informed, working to unite the part to come forth and make such statement is pathetic.

Least I forget, can any of Hillary's supporter tell me categorically what Hillary has ever done for civil right?

Monstergirl….Obama is no puppet. However, Rangel, Jackson, Sharpton and Robert Johnson are the true puppets.

I suggest you take some time to read up on these guys.

Let's not forget that Rangel was the person who strongly suggested to Hillary that she run for president. When Obama asked Rangel whether Rangel thought he (Obama) should run, Rangel said that he was supporting Hillary but that Obama should run anyway because it would be the experience of a lifetime, or something to that effect.

Obama is just another puppet! But everyone is to blind to see it.

'Like craps in a barrel."

I am baffled by the fact that so many people who have commented about this article have repeated the spin that it was Senator Obama who first injected race into this presidential campaign. The facts clearly show otherwise. The Clinton Campaign first injected race. And I believe it did so as a subtle reminder to White voters of Senator Obama's race. I am futher baffled by the fact that the Clintons were able to invent a lie and almost "make it truth" simply by repeating it over and over again.

I am afraid for our country because I do not think that we have forever to bridge our racial divide. We have some very immediate and complex issues to deal with–the war in Iraq, terrorism, health care reform, the growing divide between rich and poor, global warming, the current economic downturn, the continued explosiveness of the Middle East, etc. I had hoped that Senator Obama's candidacy had signaled that America was finally going to be "America" –that we would resolve our differences, heal historical wounds and start trusting and working with one another; that we would actually start judging one another on the basis of character rather than skin color, nationality, religious affiliation, gender or sexual preference; that it was possible to hope. Senator Obama gave me hope. He made me enthusiastic again about the political process–a significant feat considering I am nearing 60. He was restoring my faith in the system.

The Clintons shattered that. The Clinton Campaign showed me just how foolish I was being. Senator Clinton sneers at the very idea of hope. She made my dream a nightmare. For her own personal gain, she knowingly engaged in very divisive tactics and character assasination against her fellow Democrats Senators Obama and Edwards.

I am praying for Senator Obama. I hope his optimism has not been shattered by the Clintons' tactics and the public's failure to read, think and analyze for themselves.

Holly, maybe YOU should pay more attention to my comments. I never once said anything negative about HRC in my post. In fact, I stated that I respect what she donand Bill Clinton have done. But that my choice will be Obama. And my choosing Obama does not negate anything that Hillary or Bill Clinton have done in the past. Do I not have that right? Interesting how my words have been twisted.

And no, I am not a pretender…or new to politics. Should I infer that anyone who chooses to vote for anyone other than HRC, must be "a pretender", or new to politics?" Wow! I thought this was America. Has my right to vote been revoked and no one told me?

In my post, I asked, please show me where the Obama introduced race? To that specific question you offered no answer. Just as blanket statement that "of course you dont see that". Well I have no problems finding multiple examples of HRC making race an issue. But to make one thing clear….I dont think that HRC is racist…I agree that her comments were "ill advised".

I really dont understand your argument with me. Much in the same way that I dont understand the Hillary camp arguing that Obama has played the race card, when (by everything that I have seen…by my own research, and not just what the blogs are saying) they are the ones who introduced it.

If you can show me SPECIFIC cased that prove the opposite, then please share them with me. I like to make informed decisions….not just blindly attack anyone who disagrees with me.

I am disappointed in Charlie Rangel’s statements, he has proven to me that he is nothing but the Clinton's man dingo, in this day in time where the Blackman has been associated with nothing but negativity in every form of media in America, he has the ordacity to say that Sen. Obama is stupid! Nothing could be further from the truth. However, he has never said that George W. Bush was stupid, Even after katrina and what he did to the people of New Orleans. What's stupid America is being led by someone who has no respect for the American people or the Presidency of the United States. Its amazing that America would hold Bill Clinton as bearer of morality, (The same man who ejaculated in the orifice of his 20 year old intern repeatedly according to her testimony "in the oval office") The same man who swore it was a lie until his dna turned up on the dress, the same man that during his term sent more black men to the penitentiary than any other president. He is the same man that signed into legislation the 3 strikes rule. The same man that ordered rocket attacks on African cities. He has done nothing for black people that did not benefit him first. Think about this white America. With Barack Obama as our president we won’t have to worry about one group of people being left out, not even you. He is exactly what we need. He is man with a black heritage and a white heritage. Hillary Clinton didn't shed a tear when she found out that her husband had betrayed her in the worst way, when he had done the unspeakable. However, a woman from New Hampshire can make her cry with a question, please, you are all so gullible, this is why the world looks down there noses at us. Most of us will fall for anything and stand for nothing. The Clintons have a secret agenda, $, Sen. Obama has an agenda too, however, his agenda is “You” America. This country will become what it is suppose to become when he is President. “The Bearers of Peace”

Bob Johnson has changed his story. What he was talking about was the good community work Obama did in his youth. I am very disappointed in Mr. Johnson. You can read the full article on http://www.michellemalkin.com. She is very good political writer.

Whomever "Hillary 08″ is? You are about as scarey as Rangel is. When are you going to give up on the Muslim slams? The more I see your posts - the more I shake my head that in the year 2008, we still have narrow minded folks like you living and breathing in the UNITED States of America.

Bernie Moore-Knowles
Papa'aloa, Hawai'i

AA are divided very much -you know other races need to understand that the sorrry legacy of the black folk -both Africans and AA-they are brought up to think dat other people other than their race are better than them and will save them-this is a big fact that is hidden-barack is a bargainer including oprah and to note obama is black and white-shelby steele quoted-Al sharpton-challenger-all this so called self-proclaimed black leaders are jealous-obama will not be so stupid to make this into a race mess-leave him out of the fray-hillary should be more careful-sensitive like clyburn stated. have you people noticed- how many major black leaders have endorsed obama-none-it seems to me his mother's people are rescuing him more-i am not surprised-at work blacks will always gang up with a white person against another black person-whites/hispanics/asians are somewhat or very loyal to their own. sounds to me like this black race is ridden by low self-worth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Charlie Rangel and Bob Johnson etc. are out to stab Obama in the back. These guys need to get the facts right, feel the pulse of people and stop dreaming of favors and appointments from future Clinton administartion as at this rate she is not going to win the party nomination even. She is using her attack dogs to do her dirty work for her and play Mrs Nice on TV shows( that human side of hers is a BS). And Hillary Clinton who calls herself the champion of human rights , civil rights and women rights is trying to use GOP tactics by suppressing the Democrat vote in Nevada primaries. Shame on Clinton Campaign!!! Her position on on Iraq and Immigration changed multiple times whereas Obama's has been consistent.Public needs to know her true colors.

The choice in 2008 election is between:

Another dynastic rule after the Bushies vs a clean politician who can unite the country ( Jeb Bush figured this out and decided to lie low but Hillary did not)

Better future vs bitter future full of partisan wars

Merit versus married ( to an ex Prez and claiming his achievements as your own)

Enough is enough The American people cannot be fooled

WE ARE SOOOO STUPIT…. FIGHTING OVER CRUMBS AND GIVING THE ELECTION TO THE REPUBLICANS…

W.O Webb,
I responded to your questions below.
1.)Get a job! Then there will be no problems of unemployment or
underemployment in the African American community.
2.)Need Capital….See # 1
3.)Education is the responsibility of the parents, not government. All schools are
open to the African American community.
4.)Say NO to Drugs!!!!!! Say YES to Education!!!!!!
5.)Learn how to get along with each other. Stop the black on black violence, then
shucking and jiving will not mean anything to you.
6.)See # 3. Go to College, work in Corporate America, sign up for the health
benefits the job offers.
7.)Quit holding your hand out for free stuff. Get it like everyone else….
WORK FOR IT!!!!

Let me know if this helps.

He Wanted to reinstate the draft so that rich republican kids would have to go too. If that were indeed the case, this war would be over two years ago. The draft was a major reason why support for the anti war movement during Viet Nam had any traction at all.

Who cares what an old Uncle Tom who genuflects at the altar of the Clinton's thinks?
Rangel is all about Rangel and cares nothing for Black folks.

I'm not a Hillary supporter at all. I'm for John Edwards. But I do want to say that to infer in any way that what Mrs Clinton said was racist is just idiotic. She was making a plain and simple statement of fact. LBJ signed the legislation into law. It took a president to do this. Dr. King couldn't do this. He did what was necessary to get the legislation passed and in front of a sympathetic president who then signed it.

The key mistake (if you want to call it that) in Mrs. Clinton's statement is that she didn't clearly state that it took a President that would actually sign the legislation. I don't think she was so much drawing a distinction between herself and Sen. Obama with that statement as she was drawing a distinction between herself and the republicans. I would bet that if GWB was president at the time, he would have at least questioned it. or better yet, he'd have signed it but then made a signing statement that it didn't apply to the executive branch.

Why don't we talk about something more prevalent. Like…

Why is it that the main stream media won't give John Edwards any coverage. I'll tell you why. Its Because if elected, John Edwards would break up the media conglomerations, enforce the Sherman Anti Trust laws, and take power away from corporations and give it back to regular people.

John Edwards is Kusinich with a chance! Heck, he's only 6 delegates behind the other two.

Enough is enough. We have all made mistakes, said wrong things. What is the intent of all the other players weighing in rather than just let the candidates deal with it? Posturing, currying favor. Let's deal with some real issues like the housing and mortgage industries, Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, our service men and women who are daily laying their lives on the line for us…

You know, I really appreciate the comments on this (huge) blog, and believe it or not I've actually read them all. Most of the comments are excellent and thought provoking.

But quite a few people are missing the actual point.

The big issue isn't the proportion or value of what Dr. King did vs what President Johnson did. It's the fact that Hilalry Clinton brought the entire subject up in order to try to counter the impact of Senator Obama's remarks. She was trying to compensate for the fact that the Civil Rights Movement didn't — simply couldn't — affect her or her potential future in the same way it would have for a promising person of color like Obama, so she felt the need to assert the idea that it took "a President" to make things happen, while a "dreamer" by himself could not.

The implication at the time was perfectly clear: Using the King Johnson as an analogy, SHE was the "President" who could make things happen, while Obama was the "dreamer" who was just talk. She was putting him down, but clumsily managed to denigrate the contribution of Dr. King while doing so.

Those black leaders (not Obama's campaign) who took her to task for this were perfectly justified. Her (likely calculated) response was to blame Obama's campaign for "playing the race card" and thus hope to bolster Democratic support for herself in the upcoming South Carolina primary. To accomplish this she could count on the further denigrating comments of black (I won't capitalize the word in this context) sellouts to their own people like Ben Johnson and Charlie Rangel.

Bottom line is basically this: The Clintons have never done a THING for the Black Community that the Black Community didn't already do better for themselves! The Black Community does not need "good white masters" (who expect to be praised and rewarded) to "do" for them anymore. That's what Obama's message of hope and pride is all about — not just for Blacks, but for everyone.

People, please remember this as you go to the polls.

– From a white, registered Republican (in Utah, for crying out loud!) who would happily cast his vote for Senator Obama.

Angie;

What exactly did the Clintons do for Black people? During Bill's tenures, did he:

1. lower Black un/under-employment?
2. enhance SBA to assist and increase number/quality of Black businesses?
3. elevate educational opportunities & qualitiy and/or lower number of secondary school drop-outs?
4. advocate fair laws for non-violent/first-time crack cocaine users vs. white-cocaine users?
5. shuck and jive with Blacks (i.e., be more hospitable than Reagan)?
6. pass legislation to improve health care for Blacks?
7. other……..?

Please detail some of the specifics that benefited Blacks. I acknowledge that the U.S. economy was more vibrant during his tenure as president. But, what else did he do that makes Black people eat out of his hand?

Please, remind me………….

Obama,
Before I decide to vote for you explain & elabrate on change & hope
that you keep talking about. Have no idea who you really are. I know who Hilary
Clinton is. Some times you compare your self to Kenedy, MLK, or Bradly you come close to non of them. Your speaches have no depth just empty flowery words.
explain your position honestly. Perhaps you are just a barganer or a manipulator.

Malkit San Diego CA

Charlie is right. There is nothing HILLARY said which is condisending to Martin Luther King. If anything she pointed out how Rev. King fought, organized and worked within the system to bring about major change. In no way did she imply that LBJ was the spearhead for the civil rights act. Instead of allowing the media to tell us what we should hear, we should be performing our own research into the truth. Did anyone watch Meet the Press with HILLARY this past Sunday? If anyone had watched, you would have known exactly what she said about MLK. This is being blown out of porportion in order to distract us from the issues. Let's not take our eye off the ball.

This thing with Rangel is all about Manhattan and Albany. It's like a subway series. Don't even worry about it. You know the Jefferson Airplane song, "Never Argue with a German When You're Tired" ? Don't get in a pissing contest with a congressman from New York City. They'll never quit.

You want to get him started, though? Ask him who's more experienced, Hillary or Rudy. That ought to be good for a while.

To James who called Charlie Rangel a "warmonger" because he introduced a bill to reinstate the draft. The purpose of the bill was to highlight the fact that most of the soldiers dying in Iraq are predominantly young people from disadvanted backgrounds. The draft is a great equalizer, it would make all of the warmongers /chickenehawks think twice about starting a war because kids from all backgrounds would be eligible for the draft. Unless of course you can get a deferment for a cyst on your butt like Rush Limbaugh, or five student deferments like Dick Cheney, or even get a coveted position in the Air National Guard like President Bush.

I have been reading this board and once again I am bewildered at some of the comments that I have seen in particular in relation to Bill Clinton and cabinet appointees.To the people that have suggested that Bill Clinton didn't have any African Americans in his cabinet here is the list of African American Cabinet Appointees during his Presidency

Mike Espy - Secretary of Agriculture
Ron Brown - Secretary of Commerce
Alexis Herman - Secretary of Labor
Rodney E Slater - Secretary of Transportation
Hazel O'Leary - Secretary of Energy
Jesse Brown - Secretary of Veteran Affairs (2nd)
Togo D. West Jr- Secretary of Veteran Affairs (3rd)

If you do a little research on the above Cabinet Secretaries you will see that most of them were the first African Americans to hold those posts. Please do some research before you comment on issues.

GROW UP!!! HAVE YOU ALL LOST YOUR MINDS? LISTEN TO YOURSELVES. JUST STEP BACK FOR 1 MINUTE AND RE-READ SOME OF THESE COMMENTS YOU ARE MAKING.
HAVE YOU NOT LEARNED YOUR LESSON YET? ISN'T 8 YEARS WITH BUSH, THE NICE GUY AND NO EXPERIENCE TAUGHT YOU ANYTHING? IS THIS WHAT OUR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION HAS COME DOWN TO?

GENDER & RACE DOES NOT ENTER INTO THE EQUATION.

ISSUES ARE WHAT MATTER! EXPERIENCE IS WHAT MATTERS! WHOMEVER YOU DECIDE TO CHOOSE.

THE MEDIA SHOULD NOT ELECT THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT THEY ARE DOING ONE HECK OF A JOB DOING EXACTLY THAT. ARE WE AS AMERICANS GOING TO LET THAT HAPPEN? UNLESS YOU CAN STEP BACK, RESEARCH THESE CANDIDATES YOURSELVES AND TELL THE MEDIA THAT WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THEIR BS, THEY WILL DECIDE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT, NOT US THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES.

WHO ARE YOU GOING TO BLAME THEN? I CAN TELL WHO! OBAMA SUPPORTERS WILL BLAME CLINTON, THE CLINTON SUPPORTERS WILL BLAME OBAMA, THE PEOPLE WITH A HALF A BRAIN WILL BLAME THE
MEDIA. BUT THE ONES TO BLAME WILL BE THE VOTERS FOR LETTING THE MEDIA AND HE SAID, SHE SAID NON ISSUES INFLUENCE THEM.

YOU WERE GIVEN A BRAIN, FOR CRIPES SAKE, USE IT!!!!

All those folks talking about Rangel’s position on the draft are mistaken. He was not advocating a draft for the sake of draft, his point was that the hawks beating the war drums didn’t have their kids in harms way. Their kids are mostly safely tucked away in private clubs and Princeton/Harvard/Oxford etc while the regular citizens’ kids are in the service defending the nation and some with the hope of eventually getting educated on the GI bill. With a draft (equal opportunity conscription) in place, maybe these hawks will not be so quick to beat the war drums when their loved ones may be in harms way.

I am a black Democrat and I like both Clinton and Obama. Obama is a very eloquent speaker and I get mesmerized by his command of the language and I also feel a certain kinship to him because of his African roots.

JFK was very eloquent and we saw actions from him that made America the most loved and respected country in the world. MLK was eloquence itself. He stepped out of his comfort zone to mobilize the oppressed, confront the oppressors and motivated a president to break out of his own comfort zone and with new courage to sign the Civil Right Act.

So far we have only really known Obama for his likeability, good looks, and eloquence. Although these are fantastic qualities they need to be followed by deeds. This I have not seen. Who is asking the tough questions?

A little while ago, my family was dealing with an issue which we felt had to do with prejudice, incompetence and total abuse of power by a government official and we individually decided to contact our senators. My brother in Illinois contacted the Obama office which totally ignored all contacts. Since we don’t have any Democratic senator in Georgia my sister contacted the office of Chambliss the Republican senator from Georgia, who promptly responded and even followed up on the matter. If I was undecided, that rookie mistake would have sent me to the Republican side.

I see a President Obama in the future of America but for now he needs a proofing ground where he can build up his resume with actions to backup the talk either as a senator or even a VP.

After all is said and done, Obama is still better than any of the candidates on the other side. We in America need somebody like him to inspire us like JFK and MLK did.

When Obama's bandwagon's wheels go flat, and Hillary's bobblehead has broken…….vote JOHN EDWARDS!!!! He'll put up a good fight for us, and not eachother.

I am soooo surprised by both of them. Don't they know that they should wait to use the race and gender card against the republicans? Didn't they understand that taking innocent comments and turning the speaker of those words into racists or sexists should be held until later. I find it so sadly ironic that it is only until this form of gutter politics (using racism or sexism to bloody your opponent even when you know that they are neither) is turned on themselves that all these democrats now feel that this is somehow a terrible thing. This cheapening of the real racism and sexism that needs to be confronted has been going on for way to long. I guess only when one starts to eat their own do they stop and see the damage done. Even if they call a truce I am sure many here will stand and cheer when they play this sick cards again in November. All the candidates from every party want to win and they are going to do some sick things to make it happen. Hopefully this affair will make them pause before they start throwing race and sex around as just another tool to beat your rival over the head with. I hope no one here will be cheering it if .. (hey lets face it) ..WHEN they do it again.

Our country is finally waking up to the fact we need major changes in our government if it is truly going to be for the people by the people. The movement has already begun in 2006 when we voted out many Republicans that were seen as untrustworthy amongst the electorate. Our next step should be to vote out members of our own Democratic Party that do not reflect well on our efforts to have an ethical and positive government in the future. I believe Congressman Rangel and Senator Byrd should be at the top of that list. Both of them seem more interested in political games and wasting money on pet projects to have their names on it. Democrats have a wonderful opportunity to clean house and get our government back on track for the American people again. Let’s do it right this time.

Hillary is correct!

Bill and she are just like LBJ. It took Newt to control Bill. Bill then played the spin game. History has also been rewritten for LBJ. Everett Dirksen is the politician that championed civil rights, not LBJ.

What is absolutely stupid are the words that came out of his mouth.

Alright, my proof was right. Not wasting any more time here. I attempt to post two (mildly) negative comments about the conduct of the Obama campaign in this episode and they still sit a day later "awaiting moderation" but the one I open by praising him a couple hours ago gets posted immediately.

Yeah, moderation. Love it. Wonder whose comments are getting dropped on the floor in this neutral discussion?

GO OBAMA!!!!!!

MY HERO!!!!

Bimmer, if that's the best you can come up with, then its truly pathetic how your nasty campaign has clouded your reason.

The Clintons are both very cunning and dangerous. Sen. Obama will have a very hard time competing with them. They are both liars and will do anything for power. Hillary is desparate for power and Bill is ready for the next "intern" at the White House. I will not, ever, vote for Hillary. I hope America will see the Clintons for phony people they really are.

Sen. Obama, I pray for your safety and success with your campaign. You are a man of honesty, inspiration and hope.

Obama 08!!!

I thank God that Senator Obama realize that he can overcome evil with good. He realizes that he must become all things to all men that he might help some - not just Blacks, but Whites, Hispanics, Jews, etc. His message of HOPE is rooted in the American dream that our forefathers {Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, James Madison, Dr. King, the consititution, etc.] spoke of and died for- that we are a "UNITED NATION" composed of mutiple cultures and races. Senator Obama is a CONSITUTIONIAL LAWYER who understands the legal process of bring ideas (legislation) into law.

Many of us who remember our Elementary & High School Constitution Exams will readily see the ignorance of those in our political arena who make comments that reveals their lack of knowledge of the law. These revelations of people who are "ILL ADVISED" and "LACK KNOWLEDGE" but are in high places are not a surprise and we should not become alarmed at their ignorance. I JUST THANK GOD THAT SENATOR OBAMA IS A GOD FEARING MAN AND HAS RISEN ABOVE ALL OF THIS AND HAVE CHOSEN TO OVERCOME IT BY DOING SPEAKING AND DOING GOOD.

The message that if one of us hurts the whole should feel their pain and suffering whether we be rich or poor - we are touched by the feelings of their infirmities. I wish I had had the persona and knowledge of conducting myself in fashions like he, Kennedy, King, etc. had and have at their young age. I don't have time to become a HATER, but I do have time to LIFT UP MY VOICE in support of those that have a VISION similar to the founders who wrote our consititution to UNITE as ONE PEOPLE! The will of Senator Obama to hope and believe that we can achieve this level of Cultural Competence - hundreds of years later reflects his avocationi of becoming a CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYER.

I am proud of him. I am proud of America, I am proud of those of you who would dare believe that this is possible. For this, I will voite for US SENATOR OBAMA.

God be with him and Bless Him!
Rev/Dr. Standberry, EdD, DMin, JD Cd, MA, MEd, BS

This is exactly what the republicans want. Thank you Hillary and Obama!!!

Yes man…! Let's call a spade a spade. Rangle is right. This is all BS. The fact is that the Obama campaign knows that anything to do with race will hurt him more than Hillary. The Obama campaign is in shambles to put away this smoke because it has taken the heat out of his campaign. But the issues will NEVER die soon and is bound to drag Obama to the pits.

Imagine, even Clayburn who started the whole racial thing is not accepting his responsibility but pretending to be the neutral peacemaker. He is real BS.

To
Travis Sugarland, Texas

Don’t be so condescending… Just say what you really think!!!

That what is why racism is not going anywhere with people who still think like that . Obama might be the anti Christ don’t forgot that one…I don’t trust him at all. Yes some of us black people think for them self

This country is NOT ready for a black OR female president, BOTH of whom are racist: Obama attends an exclusively BLACK church and Hillary is too emotional for her own good. Neither are capable of leading this country and are too padded with financial backing from very wrong sources! We are doomed if either of these incapable candidates are to become Commander in Chief. If there's to be a Democratic candidate let Edwards be the ONE. He doesn't accept "funny money" as these others do and he holds to his promises. GO EDWARDS!

The highest ranking Black person under Bill Clinton was his secretary. Bush put 2 on his cabinet.

To: David, Gilbert Arizona

Thank you. Someone else who knows his history. I wish other people had paid attention to their history lessons in High School.

Obama's not the racist. No one has played the race card more than the 43 White men elected president by mostly White people … supported by people of color who have always had to vote for the lesser of the two White evils. .

This started with Hilary stating that LBJ was more important to the Civil Rights Movement than MLK. Then, Hillary back tracked and tried to reinvent the truth in her original misrepresentation.

what is happening to people in this country?
All this stirred up racism and reverse racism. This is not good a tall.
People are equal, should be equal. These comments about African Americans are getting too old, and scary. In this country are all the races, religions. Not only africans, not only asian, not only american indians, not only indians, not only hispanics, not only europeans………. why people cannot live in harmony, tolerance? We are inhabitants of this planet. It is the diversity which is nice. Why to hate someone because she/he is white, yellow, or black or…?

What I do not like is lack of tolerance, lack of respect, lack of intelligence, but still I do understand that some people are different. Everyone has something good, and something not that great, it depends how much of each is in one person.

If there is supposed to be change these issues should not even come up. This country suffers - war, economy, unemployment, health insurance, education, etc etc. The race should not be issue now.
We need strong leader = strong means smart, fair, intelligent, kind and tough when needed, not using races and masses to get what he selfishly wants. Who cares if the president is black, mixed, white? I do not, I want someone with wisdom, experience, tolerance.

yes Hillary!

VREY GOOD COMMENTS. OBAMA WANT TO PLAY GOOD COP BAD COP. HE WANT TO BE BLACK WHEN IT SUIT HIM AND PLAY WHITE WHEN HE WANT TO. OBAMA NEEDS TO TAKE A FIRM STAND ABOUT HIS RACE AND NOT PLAY THE FIELD TO WIN. I STILL DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HIM AND HOW CAN L VOTE FOR A PRESIDENT THAT I DONT EVEN KNOW? TALK IS CHEAP AND SORRY I WONT WASTE MY VOTE, OBAMA HAS TO EARN IT AND IN MY BOOKS, ALL THE LONG TALK HE IS GIVING BORES ME AND IT IS MAKING ME LOOSE MORE AND MORE RESPECT FOR HIM.
I DONT CARE FOR HILARY EITHER, BUT SHE IS NOT PLAYING GOOD COP, BAD COP. I KNEW THE RACE THING WAS GOING TO COME INTO THIS AFTER OBAMA LOST IN NH. INSTEAD OF HIM TO RESPOND THEN WHEN HE THOUGHT HE WAS WINNING, HE WAS BUSY SAYING WHEN THE DUMP TRUCK COMES, IT SAY BEEP, BEEP, UNTIL THE CLINTONS UNLEASHED ON HIM AND WON NH. NOW HE WANT TO PLAY THE RACE CARD. GUESS THE JOKE IS NOW ON HIM AND YES THE DUMP TRUCK CAME AND DID A BEEP BEEP ON HIM.

The saddest thing of all in this campaign is the level to which the Clintons will stoop,or crawl rather, to attain the African-Amerian vote and also the White House. The pandering by them and their minions is truly revelatory. Why is the public embracing this? They make George Bush and Karl Rove look like choirboys. The current Democratic Party is certainly not the party Robert Kennedy stood for or anyone else who had a dream,including Martin Luther King,Jr.

Looks like the CNN censor is trying to play politically correct again for the under-intelligent. So let me try again.

Boy there are forests of rubbish being dumped on this thread, mostly by the supporters of the democratic candidates. But you repub-bots who posted here really do stick out like baboon rears in the canopy.

For all you democrats and so-called independents who hate Hillary or Bill for what ever irrational reasons you have, or for those who have shrilly belittled Obama for no factual or logical reason, and especially for those who have indicated they are prepared not to vote, or vote republican if your candidate doesn't win the primary: please take your ignorance, stupidity, and dogmatic views over to the party that embraces these characteristics, and there you can have fun debating who is the better christian to sacrifice your children in the next quasi-religious crusade for nation-building; who is the better purposefully ignorant anti-science wingnut that will see to it that the oceans rise the most while leaving your progeny little natural legacy; who can cut taxes the most for the wealthiest and sell the most national debt to our foreign competitors; who can most quickly drive our economic system backwards to the late 1800s so that your children's work has the greatest benefit for the wealthiest few; who can game the illegal alien issue the most to simultaneously benefit employers with low wage workers while stoking racist fires amongst the ignorant; who can sacrifice more of your civil rights all in the name of keeping you "FREE"; who can grow the Federal gov't the most while telling you they are for small gov't; who can take the least amount of responsibility for the negative outcomes of their own policies by blaming Bill Clinton's presidency; ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Campaigns are tough, candidate vie for the vote, but those of you who cannot see the major differences between the parties, after all that has gone on over the last 7 years, deserve what you get ….. Bush III. Just stunningly STUPID!

All this political bickering and spin in the democratic party lately, derives from Obama's ability to unite the masses from all political affiliations and show the nation that he has the ability to become the first black nominee of the democratic party, and also the ability to be elected President.
I am a fan of Hillary, but lately both Bill and their cronies make me sick to the stomach with the rethric and spin and attack on Obama. Unless this nonsense is put to rest once and for all we will see the nominee for the Republican party as the next president of the great USA. For the sake of the Nation discuss the topics that is of importance to the nation, like healthcare ,the economy, rising fuel cost ,jobs, security,lets see some beef in this campaign. Give us the American people something to look forward to when we cast our votes. Please stop the slandering of one another and pay attention to the message of each candidate, vote your conscience.

when will this be over

Are people taking notice of how many Dems are saying they will look outside the party if Hill is nominated? Where is the reporting on that? Where is the polling on that?

If the most important thing to Dems is taking back the White House, the significant number of Dems declaring their potential opposition to HRC as the nominee is a very significant turn of events.

Down on the Clinton plantation, Rangel works in the house. We need new leaders with better vision!

I thought I would never say this, but after this incident I am now beginning to believe every bad thing my friends have told me about the DNC over the past 30 years is absolutely true. Thanks HRC machine for making me embarrased of my party's campaign tactics for the first time ever.

What if this guy is making it look like he is against Obama, but in fact he wants voters (whites) to believe that Obama is not welcome among African-Americans. How you think whites voters will vote if the believe him? Now, who is really stupid? Rangel, Obama, the Clintons?

Toronto, Canada

As a life-long democrat, I'm so disappointed in the Clintons and their tactics against Obama. But then who else is bringing Obama down? His own black people like Bob Johnson - who I've lost all respect and Charles Rangel - who I never had any respect for in the first place. Rangel calling Obama's comment stupid is like - a dog barking at it's own shadow. Whatever the case is, the Black Leadership will change and Rangel, Dinkins, Sharpton and all the sellouts will be shafted for a new Black leadership with some vision. For the first time, I'll vote Republican if Obama doesn't win the nomination. The black man is always brought down by his own people and here's a typical example of it.

I am afraid that if democrate didn't selected a better presidential candidate, then republican will rule for at least another four more years. So it is high time to resolve all the problems and support a right candidate. I believe Hillary is smart, inteligent, and knows what it takes to be a President of United States and also knows how to keep the country united.

Ladies, help Hillary to be President ….do not you think it is high time that US should have a female President?

At the time that MLK and Lyndon Johnson were working on getting the civil rights bill enacted, Barry Goldwater was campaigning against the desegregation bill. Guess who was supporting Barry Goldwater at that time. None other than "Goldwater Girl" Hillary Rodham-Clinton, that is who. That means that she was actually working to elect a Republican Right winger who wanted to block the civil rights bill. So, if you want someone who was on the wrong side of civil rights history, she is Your Goldwater Girl. You go Goldwater Girl. You can fool some of the people all

What is this idiot talking about? The Clinton camp need to apologies to Obama and move on really!

it is proven: use of drugs alters the brain, so does alcohol.
I want to know the truth: he admitted to do drugs, he wrote about in book…..so why it is getting twisted? To what extent did he do drugs - and which ones?

Do we really want a president who did drugs, who attack a woman who is running for president?

We need to know much more about him - no words about his mother.
Those attacks on Hillary - this is not classy, he constantly pushes her to defend herself - I can imagine how it would be if he would be a president - no white woman would be respected, no woman at all possibly…I just plain do not like this, i fear him.
There is no democracy under fear.

What Hillary says has solid background, what he says gets changed many times -is this the "change"?

just need to know.

I am neither black nor white. I am a foreigner that is an American now and I take great interest in how things are done here. I am quite surprised that it took as long as it did for race to become an issue. I have heard what Hillary said multiple times and firmly believe that is ihas been completely distorted and taken out of context. I am a democrat and want to vote for Hillary. I will never vote for a republican, not going to happen. I hate to say I may not vote at all if Hillary does not get the nomination.

I also have to admit based on my observations after making my home in this great country that is does not take anything to make something an issue about race. There are so many people walking around with such big ( not chips) but rocks and boulders on their shoulders about black people not being treated right it would be very funny were it not so irritating. Lot of these people were not even born at that time and live vicariously via the horror stories told to them by their families.

The debate is senseless. Black people will vote for Hillarea no matter what is said or done. Many black people are upset that Obama even has the nerve to look her in her eyes. I won't even go into the outrage of black America after she manufactured a few tears.

Rangel and John Lewis are correct, that uppity Obama doesn't know his place. This is not the first time we have experienced these issues. For example, Booker T. Washington felt we should be patient and stay on the farm. W.E.B. Dubois felt otherwise. Black folks were split…..

It was brave of Rangel, Johnson, and Lewis to protect their master's wife from the mean old public. They are courageous enough to keep the natives in line. Black folk will dance to the sound of Bill's sax and behave in the proper fashion. After all, Hillary has promised free healthcare, more entitlements, and to love us. What more should we want?

To all those obama supporters who say that obama never brought in race into this.

WHAT WAS OPRAH DOING IN THIS PICTURE THEN?

YOU HAVE VERY SELECTIVE MEMORY. JUST GO BACK AND LOOK AT WHAT SHE SAID DAY ONE. IT IS PLAIN EMBRASSING.

reply to Mia;

Not sure why your getting we are all racist from this blog….I think its great that right now we have these two top dem. candidiates, either will make good presidents, I however am strongly for Senator Obama because I think he has a better chance at getting elected and once elected I think his administration will have a better chance at getting both parties to come together for true change….I think that the is the only way to get America back on track.

People who think Obama never brought up the race should have listen to what Michelle Obama was mouthnh around on balck event. it was just shameful to hear her speak. Clintons are not racists and that is fact. Obama need to win SOuth carolina so his camp felt the need to fuel it. So they did. That is exactly what Obama's wife did that evening. Why didn't media put light on that. Please give me a break. Obama is no angel he is just like everyone else.

Mr. Rangel is a respectable man and has served this country as a soldier, a veteran and as a congressman. He made things better for his constituency and does anyone of you can say that you have more than equal his achievements? He is right to chastise Mr. Obama who has been written about by a black journalist that Obama seems to pass that thin line many times of being brash, cocky, and arrogant. These demeanors certainly showed after winning in Iowa. Most voters have probably noted the air in his head. Obama must have gloated on the side when he played his race card about the Clinton's factual remarks that made some black leaders and journalists stepped up to his plate and started attacking the Clintons as well. Was that a dirty ploy or what? It was right for him to throw in the truce since he started it with his remarks. It is very scary to put Americans future in Obama's incapable hands. He is just another politician who may inject subtle ploys to garner votes. Do you think his campaign for change is realistic? He has already started a campaign of racial divide with his attacks on the Clintons, not racial unity. He has in many ways seems to have successfully put wools on the eyes of many. Hillary all the way. She is the most capable, gutsy, knows the issues that our country faces and has the smarts to lead this country and make it better for all Americans and she will deliver those changes that we desperately need.

Race isn't the big issue.

Gender is the big issue in this election! Misogyny/sexism is a major evil in the USA and all over the world. It transcends ethnicity!

The dehumanizing of women that we allow produces violence - prostitution, savage beating, murder, rape, pornography, sex trade/sex slaves, ridicule of young women/exposure…, and all of this is covered by the media - sometimes obsessively, sometimes as humor and often without human respect.

In this country we still have a male establishment. There are a few exceptional woman who fight the battle and gain a voice! However, the only real change we have are the ethnic males who have been let in the club. This is true in politics, in the church and in our culture. It is an ego/power/control issue.

If you want real change - healing, unity, peace…, get out of the silly attack mode and challenge the real issues - make a difference - not just a noise!

Face it CNN!

This ticker blog reminds me daily that RACISM IS ALIVE AND WELL IN THE USA.
Blame the media, blame the Clintons, blame Obama OR JUST LOOK IN THE MIRROR and reflect on how you think, what you write and how it would be perceived.

Charles Rangel should be worried about putting more Jell in his hair instead of politics, he obviously does'nt know what he is talking about.

You knew this would happen! First Bill helping Hilary with her campaign. Then Bob Johnson trying to stir stuff up, now Rangel. She's trying to get "top" African American figures to put Obama down to boost her campaign, but it's so transparent! I guess she couldn't get Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

Give it a break Hilary! PLEASE

As yourself these simple questions when your in the voting booth:

1) What policies and what not are most important to me and who do you feel can solve them or help them?
2) What is in the best interest to your state and this country
3) Who can best handle this global market and economy and help put America's exports back on the map
4) Who's foreign policy will make America more safe and not in jepardy of another attact either on our soil or one of our allies?
5) who can will the 2008 election, the world is watching and they have little faith left in this country after putting this Administration and president back in office in 2004

Obama is too young he makes a lot very bad mistakes. He very naive and it will hirt him in this elections

I voting Hilliary if she gets the nomination. The Clintons record speaks loud & clear. I don't know anything about Obama but I do know while the Clintons were in office the ecomnomy flourished. I will not vote for Obama simply because he's of African American decent. I am voting for a candidate that I feel I can trust and whom I'm familiar with. Have you people forgotten the peace and prosperity we all had with the Clintons in the office.

Stupid are you "media" who follow this guy like he's Jesus Christ. If you want to be for this guy, fine, but to suggest he and his staff didn't try to milk this and turn it into an issue when it wasn't is pure bull. You guys are practicing Bush politics. Your man can do no wrong while the opposition is sinister. That's how we got into this mess in the first place. All of you clowns need to wake up. Obama has been a incredible man. Just a good example to our world today.

"Crabs in a Bucket" It is sad!

Obama comparing himself to MLK is something , I have to see carefully. He looks very dangers to me IF he gets white house

As far as I am concerned Obama is neither honest nor trustworthy, he has shown himself to be a conniving, deceitful person at the highest level. He is using race at every turn, and may not realize how damaging that will be for him. For every black voter he wins he will be losing white votes. We in NH voted for Hillary because, the more we saw and learned of Obama, the less we liked him.

He makes wonderful speeches full of promises. But what happened to the promises that he made to the people of Illinois when they elected him to the US Senate?? His voting record shows that he didn't bother to show up for for 66% of the votes this year, which means the people of Illinois have not had representation in the US Senate and thus have been disenfranchised in the political process by Obama, that is unconscionable.

If he didn’t fulfill his promises to the people of Illinois who sent him to the US Senate, I don’t see how we can depend on him to keep his promises to the rest of the country as President.

If Obama can’t handle the heat now, just wait till the republicans get hold of him they will eat him alive and spit out the bones.

With Obama as the Democratic Nominee we can look forward to 8 more years of Republicans.

Go Hillary !!!!!

Also, why in the world is it so wrong to make an issue of Obama's drug use? He is running for President. I joined the Marines and they asked me about my possible past use. Now, being a MArine is a great thing and it's important to know that those applying are worthy. Why not when running for President?

I have respect for sen. Obama. I have followed him all through and would be a true inspiration to our young society which hasn't been a case for a long time!

Rangel calling a brilliant, talented, educated man an "absolute idiot"?! Classic case of someone spitting straight up in the air - you know where it lands, right?

what have the Clintons done for the Black community? hire a couple of people to there administration (Bush has more blacks in his administration and at higher positions then Bill did) what because Bill Clinton has an office in Harlem he's heaven sent for blacks naw yo. Martin Luther King started the movement he organized the people the community to get what he dreamed of into reality. President Johnson just added his stamp of approval.

After Obama and Clinton called a truce Rangel had to chime in this his 2 cents, how come Hillary didnt condone his comments when Obama has taken the high road, in sorts defended her. All Obama has said after the press asked him about Hillary's remarks is "For them to somehow suggest that we're interjecting race as a consequence of a statement she made, that we haven't commented on, is pretty hard to figure out,"

Somebody stole my thunder! I was was going to say Rangle introduced legislation to reintroduce the draft and when it came up for a preliminary vote, he voted against his very own work. Talk about stupid!! I guess I won't say it now!

The agents of change against the benefactors of the status quo. It could not be more obvious!

We can't change the past but we can certainly improve our future.

Yes we can!

Wow! "Stupid" huh? Great vocabulary! I see the Clinton's haven't called off their surrogates yet.

GO OBAMA!!!

It seems to me by these posts, that the real issue is who you like, not race!
You simply don't want anymore division in this country. You are true Americans and your voices will one day be represented if Obama don't go beyond february 5th.

Ok …….so WHO exactly is SURPRISED that life long old school politico is sideing with Clinton??? If Washington changes even 15% Old Dinosaurs like him will have nothing to do. C'mon!!!!

If you think Clinton didn't engineer his comment after claiming to call a truce…well you haven't learned much over the last 7 years. SHE has!

Mr. Rangel, Get a Job !!
'cause as a representative you are not doing very well.
How Stupid can you get, Randal?

Clinton's political genius masterminded this whole saga by injecting just enough fuel to spark a controversy within the black community and uses this divisive tactics to play up her main voting block in CA and Nevada–the hispanics. We all know there has been tension between the two communities, but it is despicable for the Clintons to use this as a wedge to split the votes.

Folks, wake up, the Clintons are playing the race card so Obama may get more black votes in SC and a few other Southern states, but they will use that as a factor (just like the "tear" factor) to get the bigger prize–California.

But Obama will rise above all this divisive political trickery by the Clintons and we will not be fooled twice–once by the Rove Evil Empire and now by the shady Clintons. As Obama said, we are all one people, one nation !

Obama, forever !

I am black but Rangel is only a "brown-noser" for even suggesting that Obama had some sort of powers over my thought processes is absolute "stupidity"!!!
I am a woman of color and I heard what Hillary said and the tone she used and I was immediatly offended.
Dr. King forced the hand of change mainly because of boycotts and not beatings as Clinton stated. The American system of government respects money more than brave men.
Barry Goldwater was vehemently against the Civil Rights Act and Hillary Clinton worked for his campaign. If she was a racist Republican then, her nasty disposition tells me she is still a racist Republican!!!
Realistically, what have the Clintons ever done for minorities???

We need to remove all the Clinton and Bush clan from the Washington, DC arena forever. That's why my bumper (Rear Window) sticker reads:

Politicians, like diapers, should be changed often.
And for the same reason!

Anyone who is even remotely familiar with Rangel knows him for what he is, a crude, loudmouthed, Boor. The Clinton's have NO compunctions whatsoever about resorting to any means to achieve their ultimate goal of getting back into the white house. Impugning reputations comes quite naturally to them (They've committed far more egregious offenses during their careers as we all well know). Barack Obama is a conscientious, introspective man. You can see this when you listen to him speak. And I personally tend to trust the judgment of a man who thinks CAREFULLY before he answers Yea or Nay (Obama), as opposed to one who merely tries to ASSUME what it is I want to hear and then say that (Hillary). And I find it particularly ironic that the only people who are truly fooled by the Clintons are those who choose to fool themselves. But putting on blinders will NOT help us solve the problems facing our country. We're going to need someone who will TAKE a stand and fight the unscrupulous, profit minded, corporate entities that prevent Economic stability, Ecologic stability, Social stability, and international stability. What we don't need is yet another insider, sneaky deals done behind closed doors, sell out your own people and their children's future, politician who values only power, money and influence. Lest you forget, we've had that for about 25 years now, How's that workin' out for you?

why are these people dividing our country?

you people are stupid. never once Obama has commented on race or played the race card. It's other Black leaders who are jumping on the Clinton comments, not Obama. It's being turn around by folks to portray that is all Obama's doing. Seriously, y'all don't read enough of the news, and just take folks at face value too much.

The thing that is really stupid about of this is that the Clintons were trying to say that Obama tried to compare himself to MLK and therefore their comments were fair. However, the real truth of the matter is that obama was stating that MLK's vision and JFK's vision were seen as empty hope at one time. His point being, was not to let anyone tell you not to hope (like the clintons were doing). Here is a person running for the highest office and one who held the highest office who just doesn't get it.

Posted by: Blake | January 15, 2008 11:23 AM

The theatricals and symantics are all typical distractions from the real issues, leave the Democrats to it. Mitt Romney is the professional if you want to get serious about straightening out Washington, get serious with Mitt Romney. He is the one with the economic track record and the outsider from those that have got the country into a mess - Mitt your country needs you NOW !!

They are going to use the Hispanic votes as they did with the black votes, to win their elections and dump them after their done with them.

I cannot think of a better expert on stupidity than hillary. She personifies stupid, ignorant, unqualified and moronic. Maybe that should be her campaign platform:
I WILL MAINTAIN STUPIDITY IN WASHINGTON!!!

What these old folks don't know is that People are more educated now than when they started running for office.
Vote Obama anytime!

Mr. Rangel should shut up, He just kissing up to get a cabinet position. I tell you, if Clinton is the nominee I will vote republican. I'm a diehard democrat. People need to understand Clinton will not win. It not because she is woman because I would support a Woman candidate, she and her husband would tear this country apart

This issue between hillary and obama,about who is a better candidate can be resolved if you look into the republican camps. Hillary is just mentioned en-passe. they are asking the voters to select someone out of them to stand up to obama. Obama is considered to be the real threat to their nominee.

Rangel is so irrelevant in my eyes!

Obama and Clinton have called for a truce. How about the surrogates and the media doing the same.

Bottom Line is Hillary and the entire Clinton team will lose the general election by several points when its all said and done….the democrates could be peaking too soon and that is bad for America and this World!

I agree with KOJO. I have faith in African Americans to see through the Obama hype that Oprah started - and the on-going accusations from the Obama camp against the Clintons. Let's get the candidates answering the hard questions. So far Obama hasn't done or said anything substantive.
GO HILLARY! We need a real agent of change next door to Canada.

If "youthful indiscretion" is a defense - wouldn't you all agree that there are a few million people in our prison system right now for their "youthful indiscretion" that need to be immediately released?

I know I would like to be reimbursed for all the money I spent in 1978 and 1981 ($15,000) on attorney's for my sister (went to jail for 16 months) and brother (a Vietnam Veteran on probation for 5 years) for doing drugs. Also, my ex-brother in-law that spent 8.5 years in jail for drugs while he abandoned his 2 children to my sister and her family to raise for his "youthful indiscretion".

Illegal activity is still illegal activity for some of us that made better choices but paid the price for others. It is important and those who say otherwise are ridiculous.

Reply to both TX Democrat and other Sen. Obama supporters.

Many of you are obviously so new to campaign tactics, most likely due to never having had the opportunity to care enough to become involved in politics until there was an opportunity to jump on a ground swell.

Senator Clinton made remarks with regard to Dr. King, the Obama camp ( campaign managers & strategists ) then saw an opportunity to "Spin" this and play the race card. Of course, TX Democrat didn't see or read a remark directly from the mouth of Sen. Obama, DUH!!!

Come on get real for a moment, everyone with half a brain (yes even the Obama Campaign Mgrs. ) knew what Sen. Clinton meant, don't be so naive, the Obama camp was opportunistic & predatory ( really desperate) to play this wild card regarding HRC's comments because there is not much as they can do right now.

If you all had been following politics and not just pretenders you would already know that HRC has been a freaking huge proponent of Civil Rights & womens rights (United Nations Speech in Beijing, 1995 …on Chinese soil no less) but I don't expect most of you to have researched anything beyond CNN Headlines, sound bites & You Tube.

I am glad more people are involved in the political process this time, however having read & participated in some blogs it's become obvious to me that many of you blogging just blow whatever direction popular consensus happens to take you.

This election is important enough that many espousing change & requesting change are going to get change alright if the wrong candidate gets in, but it won't be the change you had wished for.

GO Hillary!!! NOBAMA in 2008

BLAKE SAID IT BEST….

This is one issue that Charley Rangel, and all of the Black politicians who line up to support Hillary Clinton and are defiantly opposed Barack Obama should leave alone. What is left out in the MLK/Johnson discussion is whether or not the dream has been reached or is still a work in progress. If the dream were realized already there would not be a "Black Caucus" waiting to pounce on every Black issue. If the dream were realized then we would judge these candidates on the "content of their character" and not their gender or race. If the dream were fulfilled then race would not have taken center stage in the political discussion.

Hillary did not come across as expressing a deep revelation about the historical events, but she obviously was making it a political attack against Barack comparing himself to two legendary men with the gift to inspire people through their oratory. She was trying to bring him down. What does that say about her character?

The bottom line in the whole political debate is whether White people are still afraid of Blacks, and vice versa, and whether America can get beyond the artificial divisions. Barack Obama has clearly outdistanced the old guard civil rights leaders, who's raison d'etre is girded in old fears. Their support for Hillary, while mainly politically based, is also based on fear - the fear that they will be accused of being racists themselves if they backed a Black candidate.

This has to be the most ridiculous controversy in political history. I suggest that everyone commenting here go out and buy the book Judgment Days: Lyndon Baines Johnson, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Laws that Changed America." It's a detailed, compelling history of the relationship (and lack thereof) between those two great men, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Nick Kotz. It demonstrates how both of these men contributed — in very different ways — to the amazing political victory that was the 1965 Voting Rights Act. And, yes, it leaves little doubt that both men were equally essential to this monumental advance in our society — King with his inspirational rhetoric and grassroots awareness campaign and Johnson with his arm-twisting political strategy. They represented a rare and winning synergy. Instead of arguing about this non-issue, why not seize this opportunity to learn something about our history, something that will make us all better equipped to fight the battles for equality and social justice that are still upon us and those that are yet to come?
Obama is soo right.
I am just tired of this politics of divisiveness!

The more Clinton talks about Obama, the better it is for Obama. Why they cannot understand that is beyond me.

As for the MLK/LBJ, both of their contributions were crucially important, but MLK's had to come first. In short, no MLK, no civil rights legislation.

Lastly, did you EVER think you'd live to hear a top-tier Democratic candidate compare themselves to LBJ?

Ever?

It's a wonderment, I tell you.

Does anyone wonder why it's always the Clinton campaign getting mired in controversy?
That should tell you something. It's pretty clear they're running scared and know they'll lose. If it wasn't the crybaby incident(trick), she would have been history.So much for the strength candidate!

For the first time in my life, i felt stupid to have this idiot represent me in the congress. For Charles Rangel to suggest that Obama started the whole thing is mind bugling.

FYI: The Clinton can do damage control all they want. I have made a decision not to vote for Hillary Clinton Inc. be it primary or general election.

I am sick and tired of Politician who thinks they are God.

Obama did not call or imply that the CLintons were racist.

He said the comments upset "some people" not him specificially and he said they were ill advised.

That was the only comments he had. He never said the Clintons were racist or against civil rights, etc.

That is all media spin.

Put me down in the camp that thinks Rangel is an idiot.

Barack thought that he was going to take NH and he didn't. I'll admit that it was noble of him to pay congrats to Hillary, however, he is worried and grasping at straws with the race thing. Hillary has been working with minority women and children all her life. I think that Mr. Obama understood exactly what she meant, however, this is his last efforts to gain all the black votes that he can and try to turn race into the issue when there is no issue. I do admire Barack Obama and think that in another 4-8 years he will be ready to lead. I just do not think it is now because he lacks the experience. With all the problems facing our nation right now, we need someone who can start on day one and begin mending and fixing the problems we have had left to us from GWB. Everyone wants to say this or that about Bill Clinton and how we don't need another Clinton in the white house, but lets think about how much better the economy was and jobs that were available then along with the huge budget surplus and how easy money came back then. Get real people, who cares about the name, lets put someone in there that can get us back to that. Please people think about it, we need someone who can fix the problems and bring hope back to the world. She is strong and smart and exactly what we need right now. So please lets put someone on capital hill who cares. If you are wondering what she stands for go to "wikipedia" and look her up. Her efforts and all the good she has done in the world. She is the one we need, and yes she is a woman but she is a woman with strong conviction and a good heart. She is our ticket and we should buy it.

Hillary Clinton's husband admitted smoking pot. Now we get Obama doing it.
So what? Clinton still won, didn't he? Hillary Clinton by her MLK remarks,
shows she's not above playing the race card if she has to. What's shocking
to me is that only 15 per cent of Hispanics are supporting Obama; while
three times that number of Hispanics are behind her. This reality suggests
the race card being played more and more and not going away.

I dont know who is stupid here. Obama never talked of President Johnson. This was Hillary's idea to try to diminish the power of hope, words and speech, because she can't challenge Obama on oratory. Along the way she deep dived into controvercy. She should have just owned her words, said sory and moved on. But instead she used the old politics books by pushing it to her chief oponent. It then became a hulabaloo. For Rangel to suggest that Obama, a consititutional professor, said Dr. MLK would sign a prez order, is another spin, a 'stupid' spin. Rangel as an employee and suppoerter of the Clintons should have played a better role in advising them how to deal with it. By just spinning it, definitely it goes no where in the black, it stick. Obama doesnt want race to be an issue because he does belong to both races, white and very balck. The high road he took make him a more attractive candidate to end the old politics and surely looked very presidential.

I dont know who is stupid here. Obama never talked of Johnson, this was Hillary's idea to try to diminish the power of hope and speech. Along the way she deep dived into controvercy. She should have owned her word and said sory but instead she pushed it to the oponent and it then became a hulabaloo. For Rangel to say that Obama, a consititutional professor, said Dr. MLK would sign a prez order, is another spin from a 'stupid' Clinton suppoerter. Obama doesnt want race to be an issue because he does belong to both races, white and very balck.

I moved back to New York than two years ago and now reside in Rep. Rangels
district. I felt very good about that, but I must say I am extremely disappointed
in his latest comment. Surely, he should be a leader who would help to dampen
down the recent commotion like others of stature have…including Obama and
Clinton. We have too many big issues and problems that would be better
addressed by Mr. Rangel.

Well, since Obama never said anything about this, in fact remaining silent, Rangel is either stupid, or a liar. And since we know he's not stupid….

Charl