Tuesday, January 22, 2008

"A live boy or a dead girl."


Being caught in bed with one of the above is the only thing that former Louisiana Governor, Edwin Edwards, said could ruin his political career.


Now I caught the democratic debate last night, and for the first time this election season I actually got to see some passion. No one was backing down, and there was no love in the house. Just like I like it, and apparently I was not alone. Hell the stakes are high, and Obama finally cut his Mr. nice guy routine and fired off some rounds of his own.

Now Hillary was rough on my boy, and I gotta tell you, it's going to cost her some black votes come general election time.-- I sure hope she has enough votes to offset the Negroes that will be staying home--. But I gotta thank her for introducing Barack to the real world of down and dirty politics in A-merry-ca. If, and only if, he becomes the democratic nominee for president, he will see just how dirty A-merry-can politics can get. I know on the surface it seems civilized, but nothing could be farther from the truth. When the stakes are this high, these folks will do anything to win. Thanks for making Barack realize that all his talk of being above the partisan politics of the past is bullshit. It sounds nice for sound bites and the evening news, but at the end of the day, your fellow A-merry-cans will be influenced by the negative shit they see and hear about you (Just ask Harold Ford). So I sure hope there is no sex with a "live boy or a dead girl" in your past Barack, because if there is, it's coming out.


It's looking more and more like it will be either McCain or Romney come November. McCain is a war hero and Romney can print money. Trust me on this one, the rethuglicans will be fighting for every last vote. And no mud will be too dirty to sling to get it. So Obama I hope your people are doing their research and background checks on McCain and Romney, because they are sure as hell doing it on you. Now you will notice I didn't tell Hillary to do the same, because I don't have to. Hillary can get down and dirty with the best of them, and believe me, she will. It's you I worry about Obama, with your idealistic and quixotic views of A-merry-ca. It's nice to be a visionary, and dream of lofty and great things, but you gotta get elected first.


Now Mr. Edwards you might want to consider what your fellow Southerner, Fred Thompson, did today, and take a hike. I think it's over for you. I know you are hoping that you will be the last white man standing on the democratic side, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen for you this time around. But I know how you must be feeling. Hell as a white man you have to be thinking that at some point these people in A-merry-ca will realize what their choices are, and go with the white male over the rest of the field. But it looks like these democrats really want to do some historic shit, so maybe next time. There might even be a VP spot in all of this for you.


I am not a betting man, but if I were, I would say it's going to be Hillary vs. McCain come November. Now things could change between now and then; there might be some skeletons who want to come dancing out of their closets, or even a live boy who is willing to talk.

56 comments:

Ann Brock said...

Field I hope he don't have no dead bodies in his closet because, they are looking. They have already caused him to denounce his church.

SouthernGirl2 said...

Hey, but you gotta love it that Barack fired off some rounds on that witch. Did any one see the look she was giving him when he was speaking? The witch is mad as hell! F%%% her!

Anonymous said...

I think it is nothing more than a ploy to get him off his message. Is that the reality of the current climate of politics, yes. However, who we cannot change that reality because the one we have clearly is not working for us. I believe that this new chapter for African-Americans after the past three decades of living with fear and stagnant, and see Obama doing that. Barack Obama is talking about leadership which is really not an old idea or idealist, but bringing together people with a common goal and accomplishing it. Isn't that what King did?

field negro said...

"but bringing together people with a common goal and accomplishing it. Isn't that what King did?"

Yes hennasplace,but King wasn't running for elected office. Obama has to win an election in which it will probably be the ugliest we have seen in a long time. Do you really think the other side will play nice?

Look, I am all for bringing people together, especially from the ground up, but at some point Obama has to realize what the other politricksters around him are doing. I know Hillary wanted to bring him down to her level, and it looks like she succeeded. But he couldn't let all the s**t she said about him go unchecked. That's the reality of politics. Just ask John Kerry.

Anonymous said...

Barack H...yes dammit Hussein Obama will be the next President of These United States.

I did go to Nevada to assist with the caucus. Caucus is just another word for "Cheat yo' asses off"

You do know the Senator won Nevada don't you ?

Pray for all o' our Brothers and Sisters who can't see. Understand this, I can see myself in Washington politics, I can see myself as the Secretary of State..(OK, I didn't say the President of the United States...my closet is colored (hey that's a double entendre) )

I'm tapping in on this hope and vision thing ! What would it hurt ? I might even be able to get a check and some health insurance out of it !

Peace

Toure Zeigler said...

I the GOP candidates better check their past histories because who ever wins the democratic nomination is going to dig up a mountain to get dirt on them.

Could you imagine if Guiliani had won the GOP nom? The Dems would have buried him. WIth that said I hope McCain wins out on the GOP side...Romney comes off as elitist and arogant.

Blinders Off said...

I noticed the look; it was spiky contrast of the look she portrayed in New Hampshire.

Someone sent me the following and I agree:

Electile Dysfunction: the inability to become aroused over any of the choices for president put forth by either party in the 2008 election year.

Not erectile as some may think I have the spelling wrong :)

Anonymous said...

I saw the debate. I saw an Obama learning to hold his own against a fromidable opponent in Hillary and, in the process, setting the record straight about his position.

I also saw Hillary, like Bill, by going after Obama in such a mean-spirited manner, exhausting what little credibility she has in the black community and maybe turning off some whites too. She's lost the black vote, and no amount of crying or appearing on talk shows or black salons will help.

Note to Obama: It's going to get even nastier, but here's what I want you to do-- and i'm going to say it the way we brothers run it at the coffee shop:

Remember it's American politics, filthier than a drug-addicted skank, sluttier than a Broadway ho sicker than a vegetarian at a red meat convention. So Stop stop teasing and start pleasing. Stop joking and start smoking. Now get up on it and get into it and give it some hope for real. Go knock some boots,kick some ass and bring home the bacon in more ways than one. It's politics! A-ight?

The Public Servant said...

Did anyone notice this? A letter from MLK III to John Edwards. Please, ignore race in this race. Choose the candidate who has fought, for himself and for others. I am voting for Edwards because I believe in him. I believe in America, and this is the most important election we've had in decades.

Obama will NOT fight for us. He will take the side of big business. Obama will NOT improve our health care. He may talk the talk, but he has not walked the walk.

Please, for America, do not ignore Edwards simply because he is white. We are beyond the petty divisions the media tries to portray.

Read for more:

David Bonior is the National Campaign Manager for the Edwards campaign.

This past Saturday, while in Atlanta, John Edwards had a private meeting with Martin Luther King, III -- the eldest son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Yesterday -- Martin Luther King Day -- John received a letter from Martin Luther King, III as a follow-up to that meeting. You can read it below.

I hope you will take a moment to read this wonderful call from Dr. King's son urging John to stay in the race -- and to continue fighting to eliminate injustice in America today.

Like Dr. King, John believes passionately that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." That is why he will continue to speak out, without fear or favor, on the issue of economic justice in America.

During last night's presidential debate, you could see John doing exactly what Martin Luther King, III urged him to do: framing the issues of health care and the economy as a struggle for justice.

And as the other two candidates bickered over who's right and who's wrong, it was John who cut through the fracas and asked, "This kind of squabbling, how many kids is this going to get health care? We have to understand this is not about us personally."

That's why he will fight on to the Democratic Convention and to the nomination, ignoring the pundits who want this to be little more than a two-candidate race, continuing to lead with an agenda that does "not blur lines or obscure the truth."

I hope you will continue to stand by John as he fights for an agenda of bold change, economic justice and providing a voice for those Americans that would otherwise be voiceless. Your support sustains John as he campaigns across this country.

In the meantime, please take a few minutes to read the letter below from Martin Luther King, III that so eloquently expresses why John is running.



January 20, 2008

The Honorable John R. Edwards
410 Market Street
Suite 400
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Dear Senator Edwards:
It was good meeting with you yesterday and discussing my father's legacy. On the day when the nation will honor my father, I wanted to follow up with a personal note.
There has been, and will continue to be, a lot of back and forth in the political arena over my father's legacy. It is a commentary on the breadth and depth of his impact that so many people want to claim his legacy. I am concerned that we do not blur the lines and obscure the truth about what he stood for: speaking up for justice for those who have no voice.
I appreciate that on the major issues of health care, the environment, and the economy, you have framed the issues for what they are - a struggle for justice. And, you have almost single-handedly made poverty an issue in this election.
You know as well as anyone that the 37 million people living in poverty have no voice in our system. They don't have lobbyists in Washington and they don't get to go to lunch with members of Congress. Speaking up for them is not politically convenient. But, it is the right thing to do.
I am disturbed by how little attention the topic of economic justice has received during this campaign. I want to challenge all candidates to follow your lead, and speak up loudly and forcefully on the issue of economic justice in America.
From our conversation yesterday, I know this is personal for you. I know you know what it means to come from nothing. I know you know what it means to get the opportunities you need to build a better life. And, I know you know that injustice is alive and well in America, because millions of people will never get the same opportunities you had.
I believe that now, more than ever, we need a leader who wakes up every morning with the knowledge of that injustice in the forefront of their minds, and who knows that when we commit ourselves to a cause as a nation, we can make major strides in our own lifetimes. My father was not driven by an illusory vision of a perfect society. He was driven by the certain knowledge that when people of good faith and strong principles commit to making things better, we can change hearts, we can change minds, and we can change lives.
So, I urge you: keep going. Ignore the pundits, who think this is a horserace, not a fight for justice. My dad was a fighter. As a friend and a believer in my father's words that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, I say to you: keep going. Keep fighting. My father would be proud.
Sincerely,
Martin L. King, III

wst... said...

hey fn,

in senator obama's case a "live boy" has begun to talk [video] whether its true or not is anyones guess.

Anonymous said...

If Hillary can piss off Obama by attacking his record and misrepresenting the facts, she gives herself a better chance of winning.

When he attacks back, she hoping for the following:

Whites will rally around her, and blacks will rally around Obama.

In such a contest, she wins: there are more of them, than there are of us.

Yeah, I think you're right: it's gonna be Hillary and McCain left in the ring to duke it out:

A-chicken-in-every pot Hillary Clinton (She wants to give every newborn $5000.), and Hawkish McCain (who wishes to stay the course in Iraq, spending yet more billions).

McCain:
"I believe we can succeed and I believe that the consequences of failure are catastrophic," he said. "I disagree with what the majority of the American people want. Failure will lead to chaos, withdrawal will lead to chaos."

Now, comparing the two resumes above, I predict a decisive win for Hillary.

Oh, my God, I think I'm going to upchuck!

Anonymous said...

the public servant, you make an eloquent plea on behalf of Edwards, but you must admit that he hasn't done well, to date, articulating what he stands for.

I, along with other Americans, have watched him in several nationally televised debates.

He may have a message that resonates, but ultimately it comes down to "trust."

If I'm representative of those who have dismissed his candidacy, I'd say it's because he reminds me of a huckster out to sell snake oil, and a cure-all elixir.

The message and the man I perceive don't seem to go together too well.

Now, I'm willing to say that I may have him all wrong, but why take a chance when there are others running in the same race. They may not be the best, but neither or they the worse.

Did I say that?

Jonne Austin said...

I saw the debates as well and I loved how he stood his ground for once and dug the hell in. That's what I am talking about.

Unknown said...

I might agree with your prediction field if I hadn't read a couple of interesting blog diaries today. On dailykos, kid oakland has a diary up about Obama's use of the 50 state strategy and how he has offices in Super Tuesday primary states where there is no Clinton [resence at all. She seems to be counting on California, New York and New Jersey to do it all for her. It seems that in the 2006 election, Obama was the democrat most often requested to come out and campaign for candidates running for congress and the Senate throughout the entire country. Most of the people he supported won their races. Several of them are now his staunch supporters, and in formerly red states at that.

Then I also read about how Obama's speech at Ebenezer Baptist church has become the fourth highest downloaded video on YouTube in the world. That speech is over 26 minutes long yet only Britney Spears footage is getting more hits. ( I know that's a sad commentary on modern culture.)

I have read that Hilary's lead in California has been cut from 12 points to 5 points. I have read on the What about our daughters blog that some pastors and elected officials may be endorsing Hilary in New York but the people in the pews have made other plans come election day.

I think Super Tuesday has every chance of delivering a mortal wound to the Clinton campaign. After all, if HRC is the 'inevitable' candidate but she winds up splitting the delagates with Obama yet again or even losing, then those super delegates just might suddenly start to come into play.

The Public Servant said...

Before the Mayflower...

I have to say, I disagree with your comment. Edwards has done an excellent job making his point. The media has done an excellent job pushing him out of the race. He is the most principled candidate, truly the one taking NO money from PACs or lobbyists.

This does put him at a disadvantage, in the media and in the scope of his campaign. Because he does not take money from corporations, he must spend his campaign money actually campaigning...he doesn't get the free ride from the media that other candidates do (the ones who take as much money as they can).

I am willing to take a chance because I have taken the time to research the candidates and learn what they are about. To me, voting for Edwards is not a chance at all. I know that he will not sell America out to the corporations. He doesn't owe them anything. There are candidates in this race who owe a lot to special interests. Where do you think their loyalties will lie once the election is over? Certainly not with me. Or you. Or the average American.

I believe that it is a step backwards to vote for someone because of race. We need the president to fight for everyone. We need someone who will not sell us out. You can do worse than Edwards. You can't do better.

You say your perception of the man and his message don't match. Maybe you should do some research (away from the mainstream media) to learn more about each candidate. Knowledge is power...

(I swear, I do not work for him or get paid or anything. I just feel very strongly about this election and his candidacy. Click on my username to see my blog, if you'd like.)

C-dell said...

I think that edwards still has a chance. A lot of people are still stuck in the old ways. Whether it is enough to swing it his way, I don't know. I heard my high school geography teacher say he would not vote for a woman, but he is old he taught my parents. I still think that if edwards has a chance it will be after obama and clinton destroy each other. so don't count him out yet. I would go crazy if my first pres. election was a Clinton-McCain face off. I would vote for a third party. my choice goes Obama Edwards Guliani. I will not vote for Clinton or McCain ever. You are right Obama needs to get ready, he was Americas golden boy, but if he gets the nomination it is going to get real for him.

DJ said...

Field, normally I agree with you on what you write, but I have to call you out on this:

"Now Mr. Edwards you might want to consider what your fellow Southerner, Fred Thompson, did today, and take a hike. I think it's over for you. I know you are hoping that you will be the last white man standing on the democratic side, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen for you this time around."

Edwards has said in the past that if you're only voting for him because he's a white man, he doesn't want your vote. Show some class, Field. Just because a white guy is running doesn't mean he's expecting to win because of it.

Anonymous said...

the public servant, you're very persuasive.

Putting my gut instincts aside, I'm going to take you up on your suggestion, and take a closer look at Edwards.

Mind you, I'm not saying he's my choice, I'm just saying I'll invest some time in chasing down his record, and learning in greater detail what he stands for.

By the way, I hope you don't disagree with all my comments, especially the one where I said,
[you make an eloquent plea on behalf of Edwards...]

field negro said...

"Electyle Dysfuntion"? Now that's classic!

Djtyg,sorry,I have no class. I think that's a by product of my chosen profession:)

If you want class on this site check out the comments from folks like before the mayflower,hathor, and blinders off. But I will work on it.

Anon. 6:43AM,looks like you are not a Clinton fan.

Christopher said...

Hillary is a bitch. Her campaign of good cop, bad cop, using her husband as an attack dog to go after Barack, so that she can take the high road and sit her fat ass on a satin pillow and appear above it all, is a page taken directly from Karl Rove's playbook.

I think Barack is going to have to get down in the mud and dirty himself even more, if he's serious about pushing back against the Clinton machine. These two career politicians are addicted to power and they will stop at nothing to get the keys to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue again.

Even if it means they have to bury Barack in the process.

The Public Servant said...

before the mayflower, thank you for taking up my suggestion. I hope you are able to find the truth through all the muck.

Anonymous said...

Jesse Jackson stated that what Obama needs is a surrogate to counter Bill Clintons bs. I think he's correct in that assesment, but the problem is many of those who could act as a counter weight to the Clintons nonsense, (particularly in the black community) have become accomplices to their tactics.

Shame on them...

In my view it's ok to disagree with a persons political position, and I don't even mind the nastyness of politics. Barrack understood that the nomination was not going to be handed to him on a silver platter.

However, when those in the black political establishment sit idly by while Bill Clinton runs around with a free pass to trash Obama...in my mind thats criminal.

I think it was rickyra who made this statement a few days ago, " I dont want to be an accomplice to the Clintons bull shit. " Well I totally agree.

Anonymous said...

Hillary plans on replacing the black vote come november with Hispanics. It's so obivious!
She knows a great number of blacks are pissed at her and Bill right now.

So, look to her winning in november thanks to mexicans and middle age white women.I'm willing to bet money on it.

Anonymous said...

I'm back and forth on this. Politics is a very dirty sport indeed and perhaps Obama has to play the game the way it's played ....EXCEPT that the rules have always been different for us, haven't they? If a black man gets ugly, white America will freak.

One object lesson may be Deval Patrick here in Mass. The GOP pulled out all the dirty stops against him, even going so far as to run a commercial right before the election showing a white woman walking through a parking garage and talking about how Patrick let a black rapist lose on the streets. Yes, it was that blatant, and a lot of us were outraged and begged Patrick to get down in the muck and fight back. But he refused. He refused and I thought for sure it was over for him.

But he won.

Anonymous said...

Hi, I have been knocking on doors and giving out leaflets for Obama for the last three weeks. First in New Hampshire and now in Manhattan, where I live. Obama volunteers have been doing visibility events all over the five boroughs of NYC but we never see any Clinton supporters.

And get this - Obama is almost in a statistical dead heat with Clinton in New York City. She has at least a ten point in the whole state, but for Obama to close the gap with Clinton is just stupendous ! I have heard from many voters in Harlem that she is taking them for granted. She is in for a big surprise in New York. Her numbers aren't going to be as good as she thinks they are.

Mes Deux Cents said...

Hi FN,

From what I've heard Wall Street like s Romney and Clinton.

If I had to predict I'd say it will be Romney and Thompson and Clinton and Edwards

But my hope is that anyone but Hillary wins the Presidency. We really need to end the Clinton-Bush dynasty.

Okay anybody except Huckabee.

grown said...

That Clinton political machine is a BEAST! They aim to kill and leave behind no witnesses in the aftermath. And as bad as they are, the Republican Party is even worse...I liken it to a Nazi régime (their election tactics, not the party itself...though it's not far off.)

Barack is going to have to step it up if he is going to even have half of a chance to win in Nov. What he needs is a badass running mate that will say all the crazy stuff he wants to say.

Christopher Chambers said...

Dude, the fact that Bill and Hill have done this means they are worried, and continue to be worried. Yeah, Edwards needs to take off, but he's almost as big a sef-serving douchebag as Bill Clinton and the black pols whosupport him. It's about me, not the Party or the Nation. Me.

I think until Obama's money runs out he's in it. He's still got the delegates and if Hillary wants to win she'll have to come back to him and ask him for help (if she take the nomination).

Of course if Robot Al Gore steps in on behalf of Obama, that could make it truly interesting.

BTW, we had a HUGE local story here--big black bookstore chain closing. We are in toruble, Field, yet all we want to do is dance to Soulja Boy and vote for white women...
see article on my blog: www.natturnersrevenge.blogspot.com

Francis Holland said...

Field, you said,

"Obama, I hope your people are doing their research and background checks on McCain and Romney, because they are sure as hell doing it on you. Now you will notice I didn't tell Hillary to do the same, because I don't have to."

That's really the conundrum. Some people think it's just awful to want so determined to get elected that you'll do just about anything to get there. But, I can't imagine how anyone can become president of the United States unless s/he has just that attitude toward the fight.

Hillary and Bill will fight to win like hungry raccoons trying to to get an egg out of buzzard's nest. I'm confident that they'd swim in the sewer with diving masks if that's what it took. And, frankly, that's precisely the type of candidate I think we're going to need to win in November.

Barack is from Chicago. Let's see if he can work some of the old Dailey magic in his effort to show that he's the best prize fighter to go up against the Republicans in November. He's gonna have to do some head-butting and maybe even throw some sand in the Clinton eyes when nobody's looking.

Let's see if he's up to it, or if he's a lad on his first date.

As for Edwards, I have a dream that one day I will not have to be a white man to be able to "go anywhere in America," as Edwards puts it. I'm tired of politicians who say, "America is very segregated, so elect me because I can go to neighborhoods where you aren't allowed to go." Instead of fighting discrimintion and segregation, he wants to make them the rationale for his political life. The more he says this, the more I'm convinced that I'd NEVER vote for that dirty F**&&KING apartheid opportunist, for president, vice president or any other office.

If Edwards is on the Democratic ticket, I'm voting for Hugo Chavez.

Anonymous said...

Folks this was posted by Dick Morris, tell me what you think. Is it valid...It sounds about right to me.

HOW CLINTON WILL WIN THE NOMINATION BY LOSING SOUTH CAROLINA

By DICK MORRIS

Published on TheHill.com on January 23, 2008.

Hillary Clinton will undoubtedly lose the South Carolina primary as African-Americans line up to vote for Barack Obama. And that defeat will power her drive to the nomination.

The Clintons are encouraging the national media to disregard the whites who vote in South Carolina’s Democratic primary and focus on the black turnout, which is expected to be quite large. They have transformed South Carolina into Washington, D.C. — an all-black primary that tells us how the African-American vote is going to go.

By saying he will go door to door in black neighborhoods in South Carolina matching his civil rights record against Obama’s, Bill Clinton emphasizes the pivotal role the black vote will play in the contest. And by openly matching his record on race with that of the black candidate, he invites more and more scrutiny focused on the race issue.

Of course, Clinton is going to lose that battle. Blacks in Nevada overwhelmingly backed Obama and will obviously do so again in South Carolina, no matter how loudly former President Clinton protests. So why is he making such a fuss over a contest he knows he’s going to lose?

Precisely because he is going to lose it. If Hillary loses South Carolina and the defeat serves to demonstrate Obama’s ability to attract a bloc vote among black Democrats, the message will go out loud and clear to white voters that this is a racial fight. It’s one thing for polls to show, as they now do, that Obama beats Hillary among African-Americans by better than 4-to-1 and Hillary carries whites by almost 2-to-1. But most people don’t read the fine print on the polls. But if blacks deliver South Carolina to Obama, everybody will know that they are bloc-voting. That will trigger a massive white backlash against Obama and will drive white voters to Hillary Clinton.

Obama has done everything he possibly could to keep race out of this election. And the Clintons attracted national scorn when they tried to bring it back in by attempting to minimize the role Martin Luther King Jr. played in the civil rights movement. But here they have a way of appearing to seek the black vote, losing it, and getting their white backlash, all without any fingerprints showing. The more President Clinton begs black voters to back his wife, and the more they spurn her, the more the election becomes about race — and Obama ultimately loses.

Because they have such plans for South Carolina, the Clintons were desperate to win in Nevada. They dared not lose two primaries in a row leading up to Florida. But now they can lose South Carolina with impunity, having won in Nevada.

But don’t look for them to walk away from South Carolina. Their love needs to appear to have been unrequited by the black community for their rejection to seem so unfair that it triggers a white backlash. In this kind of ricochet politics, you have to lose openly and publicly in order to win the next round. And since the next round consists of all the important and big states, polarizing the contest into whites versus blacks will work just fine for Hillary.

Of course, this begs the question of how she will be able to attract blacks after beating Obama. Here the South Carolina strategy also serves its purpose. If she loses blacks and wins whites by attacking Obama, it will look dirty and underhanded to blacks. She’ll develop a real problem in the minority community. But if she is seen as being rejected by minority voters in favor of Obama after going hat in hand to them and trying to out-civil rights Obama, blacks will even likely feel guilty about rejecting Hillary and will be more than willing to support her in the general election.


Kind of lengthy for this forum but it makes sense.

Plugg

Anonymous said...

Ya'll might to want to look at Edwards. He makes sense.

Anonymous said...

My co-worker a white conservative made a comment and all I could do was shake my head. "Isn't it funny that the Democratic Party who prides themselves as racially tolerant and gender neutral have the candidates who are battling each other over who is best for blacks and using racial epithet to feed off of the racial division not only in "A-merry-ca" but also in the Democratic Party?" Man! I feel sorry for Obama. He was having pipe dreams to think that the Clintons would not pull the race card if they felt threatened. Wouldn't you have thought that Edwards would be the one playing the race card. Only 'Billary' could get away with this Hoodwink!

RedLipstick said...

An angry Obama does not play well—he doesn’t have the right temperament and it’s incompatible with his message. People like his rhetoric, but he needs to tighten it up. He does not need to get in the gutter with Clinton, although I’m reminded of Gene Hackman in Mississippi Burning when he said “These people crawled out of the sewers Mr. Ward…maybe the gutter is the place we have to be.” I’m of the “speak softly and carry a big stick” mold and I think this approach will work better for Obama than mud slinging.

Let me add that a Clinton-McCain matchup is what the Repubs desperately want. I’m not sure which blog I read this on, but someone said that the Repubs would drag their dead grandmothers out of their graves to vote against Clinton. This is a terrible position for any candidate. It’s better to have apathetic opposition but Clinton is an opposition motivator and that is very risky for the Dems.

Edwards’ candidacy reminds me of Bob Dole. Remember he was the running mate for Ford when they lost to Carter and then later ran for prez? He never got over the hump because he didn’t excite, inspire, motivate or even provoke the people. Edwards has a little more fire, but it’s the same song for me.

Plugg I get the article but I think Hillary has been playing down her chances in each contest. Lowering the expectations makes each win more dramatic. Hill/Bill are no doubt keen strategists and believe me they have plenty of tricks in their bag.

Anonymous said...

Plugg I get the article but I think Hillary has been playing down her chances in each contest. Lowering the expectations makes each win more dramatic. In the vernacular of that great poet laureate, B.D. Kane, "Word"

SouthernGirl2 said...

"If you want class on this site check out the comments from folks like before the mayflower,hathor, and blinders off".
-----------------------------------
Yes, so true! That's why I admire them so!

Hugs

tryexcellence said...

I get the feeling that a black man doesn't have the right to self-defense. It's a privilege afforded only afforded to white women who feel threatened by the angry black man.

I've been on huffington post, watched the tv shows, "Morning Joe," "The Chris Matthews Show," "Dan Abrams" and CSPAN and most of the commentators have said that Barack lost for essentially getting into the pit and slingin mud with Clinton.

I've also listened to left-wing radio and their feeling is that yeah Billary is wrong, but ultimately when its time to vote blacks must forget this for the sake of the party, come together and vote for Clinton.

I say bullsh#%. I will be voting for anyone but Clinton. I've accepted that she will get the nomination, but she will not get my vote come November. I do believe that this is the sentiment amongst alot of people who are disgusted w/ the Clintons' tactics.

Anonymous said...

My co-worker a white conservative made a comment and all I could do was shake my head. "Isn't it funny that the Democratic Party who prides themselves as racially tolerant and gender neutral have the candidates who are battling each other over who is best for blacks and using racial epithet to feed off of the racial division not only in "A-merry-ca" but also in the Democratic Party?" Man! I feel sorry for Obama. He was having pipe dreams to think that the Clintons would not pull the race card if they felt threatened. Wouldn't you have thought that Edwards would be the one playing the race card. Only 'Billary' could get away with this Hoodwink!

I think your friend failed to mention that repubs are running nothing but rich white doods. Most of them are either religious crazies or, lets bomb the fuck outta something or someone candidates. I'm sure most here know where that has gotten America.

On the democratic side at least there are some choices other than the above mentioned.

This is a race for the presidency of what used to be the most powerful country on earth. Of course it's going to be down and dirty but, just wait til OB if he does make it as the democratic candidate gets to play with the repub smear machine. Hillary will seem like the kind ol' aunt that used to pinch your cheek and hug you to much.

Since there is no chance of an issues candidate getting the nomination, the best we can hope for is moderate demo. getting the nod. I hope thats OB, thats who I'll be pointing to for my American wife to vote for.

All I can say as a Canuck is Americans are fucked, be you white, black or brown.

Anonymous said...

Could've sworn that Edwards tried to play the race card a bit when he implied that he was the only candidate who would draw well in the south. Did anyone else catch that, or am I reading too much into what he said?

Anonymous said...

Obama got to Billary today through a surrogate. haha

Bill blew his top:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS
/01/23/clinton.obama/index.html

Anonymous said...

I honestly think any black person who votes for Billary and considers themselves conscience is a fraud and as much a sellout as Johnson was two weeks ago.

This is like a black man siding with the slave master who beats them less instead of siding with the black man who wants to run away.

As I said before, power respects power. Jumping behind Hillary (married into power, experience by nepotism ass) Clinton is not in the long term benefit of blacks.

It might cause a Republican to come to power, but we have to bite the bullet for 4 years if we want to show white Democratic we are not to be played with and not be to be ignored in favor of Hispanics or one day we might look up in the save situation as now with President Juan Garcia and VP Dan Wong and the black folks still running around the white house cooking and cutting grass for them.

I swear to God if Hillary is the nominee I will openly and aggressively campaign for John McCain out of spite.

White democrats need to learn a lesson.

If Obama ain't nominated game over. Take your damn ball and go home and watch the Republicans run all over their ass.

When those exit polls come out all the white pundits will be on TV talking about how Hillary Clinton alienated the black vote and lost the election in swing states.


Then Field will really have a post to talk about.

west coast story said...

dragon horse: I'm with you. If Hillary is the nominee and Bloomberg doesn't jump into the race, I'm staying home the first Tuesday in November. First time ever in my life. I'm not a Democrat, y'all can have those people. I don't need them.

Black America is not ready for a black president and probably never will be. Blacks feel safer hiding behind white folks' skirts.

John B. said...

From Andrew Sullivan's blog:

Thinking over last night again, I realized that, for the first time in memory, I actually liked parts of Hillary Clinton's performance. I liked her unplugged comfort with her own vile hackery. I like her when she's transparently shameless. I like watching a woman politician tearing into a guy like a rottweiler with issues. It's the feminist in me.

When she went for Obama over his respect for conservative ideas, she knew it was a phony charge, but she clearly relished wielding it. Ditto the Rezko swipe. And her gob-smackingly brazen lecture about Obama not taking responsibility for his own words - this from Bill Clinton's wife? And watching her, you could see she was loving it. There was this absolute unconcern for propriety - especially the unconscionably tacky interventions of her husband. There was a relish in small-bore partisan attacks. She is steeped in the old politics, and there's something clarifying about watching her enjoy flinging the dirt that is now caked under her fingernails.

This was always there, of course. But for a few moments, the patina of bien-pensant benevolence fell off. We didn't have to endure the trademarked Clinton sacrifice-myself-for-saving-the-world routine. We could appreciate her for the gutter politician she is, deep down, all the way down. The real Clinton is actually more palatable than the Mother Teresa act we have had to deal with in this campaign so far. This is the Clinton who yacks it up with Sidney Blumenthal in her spare time, the Clinton whose main concern with her husband's sexual pathologies was the damage it might do to her career. I can handle that candidate, even respect her, even as I loathe her. But it won't last, alas. That's part of the game. She won't allow us the pleasure of her own self-awareness for long.

Do I sound like I'm resigning myself to the inevitable? Nah. You've got to have hope. The logic for Obama and McCain still outstrips re-electing the Clinton Machine. She'd be terrible for the country and the world in many ways. And the terms on which she is winning this campaign - Bill's terms - guarantee endless psychodrama and dysfunction in the Oval Office. But at least we now begin to see her and her classless, needy, lying lech of a husband for what they are.

Politicians. The kind who cannot remember any more how painful it was when they had their sense of shame removed.

The Public Servant said...

Dragon Horse,
Have you ever heard of Pride? Do you really want to cut off your own nose? What if the ticket was Clinton/Obama? You're telling me you still wouldn't vote? I don't believe it!

Instead of bashing Hillary, let's rise above and work to promote our candidates. The media pushes ridiculous stories on us and tries to make us believe that there is a giant wedge among liberals (note: I didn't say Democrats. I include liberal-leaning independents). Instead, let's make the media do their job: report the facts, let the people decide. Too much of this race has already been tainted by the media.

If the media won't take race out of the equation, we'll do it for them. We'll avoid the mainstream sources and do our own research. I did mine and I came up with Edwards as the best candidate. He will fight for the people. He won't make sit down and woo the people that have ruined this country. He doesn't take money from corporations, so he doesn't owe any favors to any special interests. Clinton AND Obama can't say that.

I urge everyone, be independent! Don't follow the heard unless you know where it's going!

Woozie said...

The man came from Chicago politics, he can definitely weather national politics.

And in response to your question on the sidebar (below "Proud Black Voter): No one's talking about it because everybody knows already.

? said...

The bottom line is people don't vote their interests. Obama and Clinton are on the same page on most issues. Clinton voted for the war but Obama has continued to vote to finance it. People will end up voting for either canidate for dumb reasons. For Hillary becuase she's a woman or O becuase he is black, will they really look at their stance on the issues? If your middle or working class, these two will not represent your interests. I vote mine, so I'm voting for Kucinich.

The Public Servant said...

Classical One: You just said everything that is true about this election. I applaud you for rising above the fray and staying true to yourself. I only wish other people could do the same.

west coast story said...

Andrew Sullivan speaks the truth. There are differences between Obama and Clinton. This is like the yokels in the Green Party who would have had us believe there were no differences between Gore and Bush.

I held my nose and voted for Kerry last time and I vowed to never again vote for someone with whom I don't have some reasonable level of comfort. Concern about the Supreme Court? The Dems should have considered that when they were supporting the war in Iraq and approving the Patriot Act. At least Edwards is willing to say he was wrong about the war. The good witch Hillary isn't even apologetic about not reading the intelligence before voting to support the war. She was willing to send soldiers into harm's way without reading the fine details. She can do that impossible anatomical act to herself--two times.

The thought of McCain as president makes me sick but the thought of Clinton II makes me want to move to Canada.

Anonymous said...

Billary's playing a very, very cynical (and politically brilliant) race-card game here. Hillary left S.C. early to concede the black vote to Obama to make it look like he's "just" a black candidate, with only black folks really supporting him. Don't think white folks won't get the message loud and clear. She's already leading big-time in polls from California and the other Super Tuesday states. Jump (below) to this article by Bill's ex-political hatchet man Dick Morris, who is spot-on in spelling it all out. Sad, sad, sad. I don't know that I can vote for those two in November...They'll do anything to win -- even play the race card. Am I the only one who's offended by this whole "he's just not ready" (read: qualified) refrain Hillary's using against Obama? Talk about nerve -- imagine the roasting a Republican would be getting if they were saying what these two are saying about Obama.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/political_commentary/commentary_by_dick_morris/how_clinton_will_win_the_nomination_by_losing_south_carolina

Anonymous said...

Its time Blacks brak formthe party of Jeff Davis and think out side the box. It is time to vote independantly. I think Obama should break form the jackass crew nad run as an indepedant. There is no way the Dems will let him represent them in a national election.

Anonymous said...

Just to let you know I'm reading you, let me comment on some of the posts here. I won't be this expansive in the future--just some thoughts/questions that came to mind as I read each of you.

Francis L. Holland Blog said:

"I'm confident that they'd swim in the sewer with diving masks if that's what it took."

Francis, I'm confident they'd do it without the masks.

Christopher, the "good cop, bad cop" analogy is spot on.

francis said:

"However, when those in the black political establishment sit idly by while Bill Clinton runs around with a free pass to trash Obama...in my mind thats criminal."

Mine, too. I have to wonder why? Are they that sure that the Clintons will deliver where Obama won't? They didn't deliver when they had two terms to do so.

anonymous (11:33) said:

"Obama volunteers have been doing visibility events all over the five boroughs of NYC but we never see any Clinton supporters."

Is it because she thinks she's got a lock on N.Y.?

Dick Morris via plugg said:

"But here they have a way of appearing to seek the black vote, losing it, and getting their white backlash, all without any fingerprints showing."

This is now being called "Winning by Losing." See my earlier post on this topic.

redlipstick said:

"An angry Obama does not play well—he doesn’t have the right temperament and it’s incompatible with his message."

My gut tells me you're right, but many posts here are finding him too wimpy for his own good. It's hard to say which tactic will be a winner for him.

burpster said:

"All I can say as a Canuck is Americans are fucked, be you white, black or brown."

You're just across the border and you can see that, too? I guess we are "fucked."

dragon horse, you make me laugh, and I'm a bit of sour puss.

"White democrats need to learn a lesson."

Right on all accounts, but let's hope we don't lose our nose in the process.

west coast story said:

"Black America is not ready for a black president and probably never will be. Blacks feel safer hiding behind white folks' skirts."

west, I hope you're wrong. If the women of America can come together to support Hillary (and I know how women can, at times, distrust each other [don't hate me ladies for saying what you've told me for years], then I got to believe that we can come together for a black man running for president.

We've done it for black candidates running for lesser positions.

Andrew Sullivan via john b.

"Politicians. The kind who cannot remember any more how painful it was when they had their sense of shame removed."

Sullivan is a masterful spinner of words, but I didn't find Hillary any more appealing in her new persona than in the old one.

Shame no longer carries the punch it used to. It used to drive the shamed one into a cave built of remorse and public scorn. Now, it's worn as a badge of honor, something to be flaunted unabashedly.

? said...

"There are differences between Obama and Clinton. This is like the yokels in the Green Party who would have had us believe there were no differences between Gore and Bush."


There are differences but not nearly enough. Will either end the for profit prison system? End the drug war? Dismantle the military industrial complex and bring US troops home from abroad?


A study released last month by a Washington think tank shows that in the last two decades, state spending on corrections grew at 6 times the rate of state spending on higher education. Who will end this? Not Obama or Hillary..

Anonymous said...

Field Negro:

I have no doubt that the other side will play nice after the Clintons will us how they fought and won against the Republican political machine. However, they are fighting something different and it may play against than hurt them. It is possible that in the end the Clinton's may be responsible putting another Republican in office and we will back at square one. It is nice to see Bill's true colors, no pun intended.

Anonymous said...

Public Servant:

"Have you ever heard of Pride? Do you really want to cut off your own nose? What if the ticket was Clinton/Obama? You're telling me you still wouldn't vote? I don't believe it!"

No I would vote. Sorry, I was not clear, I have said before if Obama is not on the ticket I will support a Republican. VP is still on the ticket, but I doubt Clinton will do that unless forced at the convention.

As for the rest:

You get the government you deserve. All of you who will vote for Hillary in Nov. will be here b1tching and crying at Field's (along with him_) about the same nonsense that has not changed because the Clintons just patted you on the head with some window dressing to make nice, but not go against their slightly left of center stances (i.e. don't piss off too many whites).

Obama wants to reinfranchise convicted felons. Would Hillary do that? Hell the F@ck no.

Hillary is so divisive she won't get most of the stuff done she says, just like she could not get health care passed the first time.

What has Hillary done on a legislative level to help black people significantly. I'm sorry, what did Bill do to help black folks again? Not her husband, but her.

Please someone list out for me?

Like I said before, "go along to get along" means a pat on the head and a nice smile and business as usual.

Black people don’t understand the fact that we can literally destroy the democratic party and stop them from winning state elections and presidential elections. We have that much voting power in enough key states. When Republicans find out black folks are in play like Hispanics, they will try to court us too like Hispanics, that is real power to be pandered two from both sides, something dumb negros in this country don’t have because they jump being the master who beats them less (Democrats).

You get what you deserve and black people can’t afford to be partisan unless the party is black folks. No white person is going to deal up to our interest the way a black person will, history shows that over and over and over again. In the end black folks have to put in work because white folks only go so far unless pushed seriously.

Mistress Hillary ain’t nothing by a Ghandi, a Megawatti, a Bhutto and every other woman who got somewhere because of who they sleep with and who their father is. Nancy Pelossi could destroy Hillary publically without Bill Clinton and most women in the Senate could because they worked hard to get where they were, and did not rely on a man. Hillary is no feminist she is a Cleopatra and Bill is Casear and women just running around drolling over Hillary being the first female president? How can a woman be proud of that backward 2,000 year old B.S.? Does that show real progress? Hell no.

Who’s coattails has Obama road? Like anyone was really looking out for some skinny weird looking kid named “Barack” hell no, we know better than that. The brother came up hard, he put in work. He didn’t go bang some one and live off them like Hillary.

The Christian Progressive Liberal said...

Obama wants to reinfranchise convicted felons. Would Hillary do that? Hell the F@ck no.
____________________________________

And how could she do that when the prison complex industry began to experience economic windfalls because of all the government money they got from her husband during his Administration?

We forget that Bill Clinton cleverly developed policies that send our brothers to jail for petty crimes, while allowing white collar rip-off artists and cocaine users to walk away with slaps on the wrist.

But a brotha with a $5 crack rock gets 20 years in the pen.

I'm voting in November, regardless of who gets the Democratic nomination. I'm just not voting for Hillary, because if she wants Black people on her bandwagon after she eviscerates Obama and what remains of the Democratic Party, she's going to have to do a damned sight more than pat us on the head and say niceties. I'm not talking about putting Obama on her ticket, either; after all of this mudslinging, we'd get on Obama's case for even considering VP, because we'd tear him apart for the lack of self-respect.

She'd have to hand over Chelsea' first born to the CBC for some prize leadership Cabinet positions, and probably some judiciary positions in key regions that would fast track a sista to the Supreme Court to replace Stevens.

Promises that she probably has no intention of keeping once she's in the White House and hands the reigns over to Bill to serve a de facto third term as POTUS, with her being the cover.

I wonder how they will feel giving away the store without getting a signed promisory note from Miss Anne in return?

Admiral Komack said...

"I'm voting in November, regardless of who gets the Democratic nomination. I'm just not voting for Hillary, because if she wants Black people on her bandwagon after she eviscerates Obama and what remains of the Democratic Party, she's going to have to do a damned sight more than pat us on the head and say niceties. I'm not talking about putting Obama on her ticket, either; after all of this mudslinging, we'd get on Obama's case for even considering VP, because we'd tear him apart for the lack of self-respect."

-Driving Miss Daisy, y'all. :-)

Bob said...

John Edwards isn't Thompson. I don't see Edwards dropping out before Feb 5th, & I want my chance to vote for him before the nomination is decided. I'm voting for him because he's the best of the three on the issues that matter most to me. & there's still a slim chance that this fight's going all the way the convention, in which case Mr. Edwards' handful of delegates will be VIP. Obama's just beginning to understand what it will take to beat a Repug; Hillary's throwing at him only 1/20th of what he'd get in the fall.