For African-Americans, 'another Clinton presidency'
Clinton was endorsed by Rep. John Lewis Friday.
(CNN) - Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton drew a direct connection to her husband’s time in the White House in a television interview broadcast Sunday, saying, “I want African-Americans to feel that, when I’m president, it’s another Clinton presidency.”
Her comments came in a taped interview with TV One’s “One on One” program.
The show was broadcast over a weekend in which Clinton won two potentially major endorsements in the battle for the southern African-American vote. Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, chose to officially back her instead of Sen. Barack Obama on Friday, and she was endorsed by the Alabama Democratic Conference on Saturday
Congressman Lewis was one of the most prominent leaders of the civil rights movement starting in the 1960s.
During the interview, Clinton said that the African-American vote “is pivotal because of numbers and because of value. I personally feel African-Americans have to be much more involved, and I think it is great that we have a campaign this year with me running [and] with Barack running…. [H]opefully we'll get even more African-Americans to register to vote, to show up to vote, and [to] take part in the debate.”
The Democratic frontrunner went on to say, “I want African Americans to feel that, when I’m president, it’s another Clinton presidency. [W]e’re going to be doing everything we can to get this country to be on the side of…people who are working hard and struggling so that they can have a better chance.”
Author Toni Morrison once famously referred to Bill Clinton as America’s “first black president.”
- CNN Political Desk Managing Editor Steve Brusk
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OK, why are there so many people trying to act like they understand black people (African Americans)? The media, freaking politicians, white people, black people, OMG everyone just stop please. Since when did we form a commitee and make these unanimous decisions as to how we're going to think and behave. This is getting on my nerves. There are so many differing opinions among us. Understand that first. For the few posts by the African American women in the first few comments...please speak for yourselves. The last time I checked, I was a black woman and I haven't decided who I am going to vote for. Hillary doesn't automatically get my vote nor does Barack. Word to the wise: educate yourself first.
I have a confession: when Bill was President, I loved him but I was like 10 years old. What would I know about a good president? What I see now is that Bill was so charismatic and such an eloquent speaker that he just charmed everyone including blacks, nothing all that substantive. Because of this my sisters, brothers, and everyone loved him. They, being teenagers and young as well, only talked about how cool and laid back he was as they saw him on tv. Ten years later, more conscious of the issues at hand, I ask what did Bill Clinton do specifically in the interests of black people other than just being likeable as if that's really something? The issues surrounding this presidential race sparked my interest and made me want to follow the debates. So I have been watching several debates and reading the paper. Yes, it is true. Hillary is a big panderer: when asked a question about Bill in one debate, Hillary said to one audience (go figure) that she doesn't want to be compared to her husband (because it was convenient and politically expedient at that time). But when it comes down to speaking to an African American audience, she says that it's going to be ran like her husband's presidency. Well I say, we need to educate ourselves about the pros and cons of Bill's presidency and make a conclusion about how he really helped black people. But it's like she, people in the media, and many "black leaders" or public figures, take the intelligence of black people for granted. I find it very distasteful. This doesn't mean that I don't think she is smart but please people, she has to come with more credentials than this. I mean Edwards seems to care more about issues that directly affect the mass of AAs than Hillary, so why isn't it more of an Edwards vs. Obama feud? I'm still checking Hillary out, but I need something more substantive this time around.
Let's see who was it that was president and first lady in 1994, oh yea the Clintons. What else happened in 1994, oh yea the genocide in Rwanda.
In the wake of the Rwandan Genocide, the international community, including the U.S did nothing. Despite international news coverage of the violence as it unfolded, most countries, including France, Belgium, and the United States, declined to prevent or stop the massacres. Canada continued to lead the UN peacekeeping force in Rwanda, United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR). Despite specific warnings and requests from UNAMIR's commanding officers in Rwanda, before and during the genocide, the UN Security Council refused to send additional support, declined UNAMIR's request for authorization to intervene, and even scaled back UNAMIR's forces and authority. Hillary, where was your concern for black people when they needed you most. As first lady you could have sounded the alarm bells of humanity and compassion if not to the world then at least our nation. Most Americans didn't know then and still don't even know now, about the genocide in Rwanda. But you did. No, Hillary, this educated black woman remembers your apathy, and does not think you are deserving to be president.
A vote for Clinton, Why Clinton? you may as well vote for anyone even a Republican. A vote for Clinton won't change Washington, It will be BUSINESS as usual.
Make your vote count for Change and give our kids something to hope for.
Obama has the ability to bring this country back togeather, he's shown it in Illinos, Do some study on the man and lets have someone with judgement and courage in the white house that talks to other nations.
Lack of Washington experiance,a good sign as Bill Clinton said of himself before his election.
I urge you to please check out Mike Huckabee (www.mikehuckabee.com). Regardless of what party you consider yourself to be part of, Mike is working for "All Americans" not a specific party. He places a high value on human life. It is part of his character. I pray that my fellow Americans vote Mike Huckabee for President!
People need to realize that while Bill Clinton was President, the Republicans ruled. Most of the good things that came out of those years were because of Republicans, not the Clintons. I am no Republican, but let's be real. Vote Obama if you want real change.
Obama is so far and away a better candidate than Hillary it isn't even funny. I canvassed for Obama in Vegas and in Los Angeles. I've spoken to maybe 500 registered dems, and I HAVE NOT YET FOUND one solid Hillary supporter. People are either undecided because they haven't heard enough about Obama yet, or they're already Obama supporters. I've gotten at least 20 pledge cards for Obama.
Literally every volunteer I know has never worked on a campaign before, including me, but we're out hitting the streets anyway. We've agreed here locally to hit the streets for Barack every single weekend until the primaries. You gonna tell me that Hillary has that kind of commitment?
Obama 08
No doubt some women support her because she is a woman. Certainly some men will not vote for her only because she is a woman. Witout any doubt she is far more experienced, competant, knowledgable than any other candidate. In 1968 he commencement speech was printed in LIFE magazine. Sam Walton made her the first female on the Walmart board of directors. She declined a directorship on Bloomberg's corporation. Reelected with 67% of the vote. Those who say she is inexperieced are too lazy or dishonhest to find out the truth.
I am a black woman, and I am not voting for Hillary. Obama has my vote. All Hillary does is pander to those black women who will listen. I am an educated woman and can think for myself. I have six daughter that will be casting their votes for Obama. I dislike it when the media states that African women are supporting Hillary.
I do believe half of these women who throwing their support for Hillary, on voting day they will vote for Obama; their concious will not allow them to punch in Hillary's name.
In response to the comment Posted By SHE PANDERS, L.A.,CA : October 15, 2007 6:46 pm.
Do your research! Many of the programs by the Clinton Administration for Inner Cities, Health, Children, & Small Businesses were significantly rolled back or canceled immediately upon the election of the Bush Administration. Hillary has advocated for all of these things.
Another Clinton administration? Let's just hope she doesn't use the Oval Office the same way her husband did, if you catch my drift...
While Sen. Clinton may not be as pandering and insincere as she sounds; her recent campaign statements targeted toward Black and female voters remind me of the days when White candidates tried to woo Blacks by serving free watermelons! Just because John Lewis is naive and inarticulate is no GOOD reason to support yesteryear's vision and presidential candidate. Actually, as I recall, Bill Clinton's best attributes included the progress of the US economy under his watch and the fact that he is not GWB.
US citizens, black, yellow, red, brown or pale, need a president better than any our country has ever experienced. One who cares not only about the middle class, but the working and poor classes, as well. Ms. Clinton and numerous other candidates err when they state that our country was built by the middle class (only). They conveniently forget, that slaves and the working poor gave the US its economic EDGE. This fact is often, if not always, omitted.
Judging the current crop of presidential candidates, I believe only Edwards and/or Obama possess sensitivity to those and other critical domestic issues. Plus, over the long-term, they seem to be closer to embracing much healthier foreign policy and diplomatic approaches.
Don't cheapen your vote by ignoring the issues and voting for the yesterday that certain panderers advocate.
So, and with individuality put first, a Representative candidate can be elected from a non-bias electorate of the entire district, or for a Presidential candidate by that appointed Electorate College formed by the State legislature. In calling someone a Republican or a Democrat it removes the Representatives loyalty of that so labeled person away from the national federal congressional method which operates with a separate impartial presidential position.
Calling someone an African-American, A Latino, or a Hispanic states a disconnect with The United States of America; while one of a previous foreign based dual citizenship could become a full Senator or Member of Congress, once loyalties to that foreign nation were severed, one who held a dual citizenship and was first born in America could not easily become president due to association to the people with the non-complete-American label.
Republicans and Democrats are a foreign body a label separate to the Federal Government, as one could be a French democrat and still be a democrat and be working with a French ‘Jacobin’ method of party politics. When one has enough personal clout the party should not be required for election.
‘Clinton’ when taken alone makes it an individual.
After taking political science I realized that it is not about which party to vote for, but who as a person (You believe) has the necessary knowledge and experience to run a country.
At this point..my vote is going to Hillary..just because she has been involved in MAJOR politics almost all her life. And she is the strongest candidate out there at this point.
My people, don't be deceived. Everyone posting comments who SAY they are black, may not be who they say. Thanks to the Republicans we have no surplus, the world view of the US is negative, we are in a made up war, there is no more middle class, and they have used religion to alienate christians from voting for Democratic party. Clinton-(PRES)./Obama-(Vice PRES) will even the score.
I am so relieved to see, by reading these comments, that there are many black people who see thru the bull that Hillary and the so called great black leaders are feeding us. It's time all the workers of this country put the racism game they keep playing on us aside and fight for real change in government. If she wins, and helps us any more than Bill did with NAFTA and corporate pandering; we all, black or white, may as well head to Africa. I just wish we were all able to understand what is happening in US politics. We certainly would NOT vote for Hillary. If you can look around at the disparity and inequality as result of NAFTA and catering to corporate lobbyist and tell me your better off; then your an illegal alien or a CEO. The Clinton's chose NAFTA over health care and economic reform and hurt the working class more than any administration before or since. NEVER FORGET IT!!! At least vote for a candidate that acknowledges this until we can get a political party that will represent us, instead of the wealthy elite.
Oh come on, let's get away from this Bush/Clinton rule that has gone on for too long now (20 years). Ridiculous.
The posters who don't like Hillary Clinton need to just STOP HATIN'. Seriously. We are sick and tired of the hate. Move on. You won't vote for her, but the rest of us will which is why she will win as she deserves. The people who are still skeptically and pessimistic of Hillary's election need to start watching more CNN. Hillary will be our next president whether you like it or not. You can't stop her. I am a black man and I strongly support her candidacy. She is the most qualified, the most experienced and she's READY TO LEAD.
Educated black male, Go Obama 08!
In response to Monte from NY. First I want to respond to your comment about "us" needing to watch more CNN for our information. Let me educate you real quick. First of all you need to do your own research and while you're at it make sure you look up many different sources because there is "media bias" So many people are misled as a result of being ill informed. They will report what they want to report and slant a story in their favor and will lead you to think the way they want you to, this is on so many different levels. So educate yourself. Secondly, no one is "hatin'." There are so many forces which drive the political processes, and yes, the media will push for "their" candidate and brainwash you. I remember several months ago watching an int. w/ Rep. Lewis on the news about his endorsement. He had made up his mind to endorse Sen. Obama because of how much admiration he had for him, but changed his mind after he got a call from Bill Clinton. Now that in itself should make you question the way business is done in Washington: loyalty, who you know, a favor for you, a favor for me...maybe? There is nothing wrong with being critical. As a black man, you should know better. From a young black woman to a black man, whatever you decide make sure you make an informed decision.
Excelent posting Sash, welcome aboard.
Seems to me that Ihateclinton has some issues of her own with her weight and animals. I don't think that what happens in the Clinton's personal life was really any of our business. Hillary handle him as she saw fit. Some of the best have skeleton's in their closet. I back you Hillary you seem to be a strong woman.
i am a south african, wake up people, it is time black people vote for black people look how much positive change in black people in RSA since MANDELA become the first black president , a black person get recognized the same as a white person, either at work/business, it will take only a serious mental slavery for a black american to vote for a white american hoping for a change.black people lets support each other like the white do!