I second your post. I was part and parcel of the African American club of Obama doubters. I thought he would lose in Iowa and New Hampshire would seal his fate. I decided that I would vote for Sen. Edwards instead of Sen. Clinton.

This is the first time in my voting life that I have had such an intense conversation about politics with my mother. She has repeated much of your missive. She is totally amazed and she said if Clinton receives the nomination by foul means, she refuses to vote for Clinton. I am bit more reasonable on whether I will vote for Clinton or not because I know that the Supreme Court is due for a new round of justices. After Antonin Scalia made the rounds this weekend I am sure that when I cast my ballot, I will be for the Democrat.

I found this excellent articleabout about the intersection of misogyny and racism in this nominating process.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE7DD113DF936A35755C0A961958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print

June 5, 1997
Clinton Plans Moves Aimed to Improve Nation's Race Relations
By JAMES BENNET

After months of White House debate over how to improve race relations and add heft to President Clinton's second term, Mr. Clinton has decided to hold town hall meetings and other events on race around the country, appoint a high-powered advisory panel and write a report next year summarizing his findings.

But the overall goals of the President's race initiative appear fuzzy, and some leaders of civil rights groups are worried that it may be intended more to burnish Mr. Clinton's image than to address intense policy debates that divide along racial and ethnic lines.

Contributing to the skepticism is the leaders' grievance that the Administration is doing too little to protect the rights of minority members. Just last week, the Rev. Jesse Jackson sent a scalding three-page letter to the President, attacking what Mr. Jackson called the ''shameful disrepair'' of the Administration's structure to enforce civil rights laws. Today, Mr. Clinton met for an hour with Mr. Jackson, who had complained that the White House had rebuffed his requests for such a meeting ''over the past several months.''

Quote: "Come to think of it, a lot of Americans feel the same way, period. So, maybe in the final analysis, true leadership and decency just attract people irrespective of race."

Yes! Even though I'm smack in the midst of Hillary's demographic, she's never been my candidate. I used to admire Bill Clinton and loved to listen to him speak. One day, when this is all over, I suspect quite a few of us from all parts of the political spectrum will be trying to sort out what happened, what's left, etc. etc.

Meanwhile, Barack Obama. What's to be said about this incredible candidate who's so gifted, so smart, such a visionary, and, as you say, so decent?

And may I add: I love some of the photographs I've seen from this amazing campaign. One I keep going back to is Michelle Obama working the crowd, shaking hands, etc. and she and this 60-ish black woman are face to face. The older woman is grinning, her mouth open as if she's shouting, and I imagine her saying: "Girl! Look at you!" And Michelle is grinning back, as if to say: "I know! Can you believe it?!"

What a moment! I just love it.

Thank you Boyd, wonderful reflections. You remind me that the quality of the candidate brings out the quality of the electorate. You made me question a few things about myself.

I made up my mind about Barack Obama at the 2004 convention. I was simply gleeful when he decided to run this time around. That may sound like a snap judgement, but I am a writer and words matter to me. They speak of consciousness. That speech did it. This was a man of higher conscience than I had seen in politics in my lifetime.

I am Hillary's demographic (like Lynn Dee) and there is not a moment of my life that you would have been able to get me to vote for Hillary Clinton, although I would love a woman president. What is ironic is that I have always understood that the African American community is not monolithic, and was not going to vote for someone simply because they were black for the same reason that women over 50 are not monolithic and will not vote for someone simply because they are a woman.

So why over the course of this campaign have I not been willing to look more closely at the person to whom the polls say I should want to cleave to? Because I am a writer, and words matter to me.

In the South Carolina comments I heard more than marginalization, I heard dismissal. In the fairy tale comments I heard contempt. The Nevada comments were the ones that took the cake - accusing Obama's supporters of suppressing the vote in front of Bill and Chelsea on the floor of a casino, in public? What kind of fools were they taking us for? This was, from early on, beyond the pail. This was disdain for the American public who was viewed as not being intelligent enough to see through the wagging finger. The wagging finger that means I am about to manipulate you, you silly voter you.

Yes, the quality of the candidate brings out the quality of the electorate. This time we get to see how many voters have the qualities that bring purpose, integrity and consciousness into the White House, and how many don't.

Desidero,

I love it when you respond, because I donate to the Obama campaign just for you. I haven't maxed out yet, so keep up your attacks.

Cha-Ching!

I'm a 52 year old white guy in suburban Chicago. Been a Obama supporter since the start. Spent $30 to get up at 4:30am to take a bus down to Springfield in February 2007 for the privilege of freezing my toes off watching him throw his hat in the ring. I told a TV reporter I was a supporter because of his big brain and big heart.

Since then I've done my own informal polling of everybody - as a precinct committeeman it's part of the job. The Clintons have deep ties that go way back in the black community. The first time I heard Bill Clinton's name mentioned as a candidate for president was from a black guy in 1991. I thought a governor from a small, poor state who had already been fired once by Arkansans? Where's that coming from? This guy knew something I didn't, I was intrigued and I've never forgotten that conversation.

Until IA a lot of the black folks expressed skepticism. From older black women who were overwhelmingly in Hillary's camp I heard the phrase "he's just a baby" a number of times. Remember last November Hillary still held a 20% lead in SC among black folks.

Obviously Obama has more than reversed that sentiment. Here's my take on it, as reliably Democratic voters black people pragmatically are focused on the most important thing: electing a Democratic president. This election is too important to support another Jesse Jackson if that's all Obama was going to be and couldn't attract enough white support to win. When it became clear that he not only could attract white voters but was also clearly the better candidate it became a no brainer. Black folks may be shocked, but they aren't dumb. They're going with Obama not because he's a black candidate, they're going for him because he has the best chance to win in the fall. The fact that he's a brother is a very happy plus but it's not the overriding factor.

Great post. Spot on.
Bill and surrogates were laying race landmines just begging the Obama camp to cry "foul."
Ugh. I hate to say it, but do you know who was pushing the "why is Obama so sensitive about appearing in his native Somali garb?" line? Stephanie Tubbs-Jones. Yep, willfully "accidentally"misrepresenting the background and origin of the photo and of Obama himself.

Great post. Spot on.

This 57 year old white female feminist is solidly in Obama's court.

How the press does not cover how the Clintons have squandered the black vote is beyond me. The assumption that blacks were going to vote for the black guy anyway is just insulting. The Clintons should have kept a sizeable portion of the black vote throughout this race. The Clintons have purposefully tried to paint Obama as only the "black" candidate, and done everything they can to instill fear of the "black man". When she was silent after the speech on race, I was pretty much done with her. A democrat with any decency, and especially one running for president, embraces a speech like that that embodies Democratic ideals. But it was not in her to do one, simple decent, Democratic thing. It's one thing to want to win at all costs; it's another thing to do it by throwing the ideals of your party under the bus with such relish.

During Hillarcare in the early '90's, Hillary thought if she gave away the store to her enemies, they would reward her. Bill Clinton did that throughout his Administration, and we know how they paid back his numerous favors. Hillary has learned nothing -- by pandering to the Rush Limbaugh wing of the Democratic party she might run up some more white votes. But are these people voting for Hillary in the GE against McCain? Of course not. And in her lust, and evident comfort with this lowball pandering, she has insulted and demeaned one of the most loyal voting blocs of the Democratic party. And let's not forget voters like me, whom she has horrified.

I loved and defended the Clintons for years, through their ethical lapses, their shady campaign deals and Bill's reckless behavior that gave the presidency to George Bush. Why in the world they feel entitled to a return to the White HOuse is beyond me. They may think they are the only ones with any answers; but haven't we had enough messianic delusions to last us a lifetime?

Excellent post, Boyd. Thanks very much for taking the time to write it.

I don't think the Clinton's are racist, and I do completely believe that they did a tremendous amount to help the black community. However, this is politics, which isn't ever about what the politician did or said. It is about perceptions, and media, and is tremendously dependent on the politicians ability to get his/her message out, without saying many things that can be easily misinterpreted.

Both Obama and Clinton have been tripped up by saying things that were easily misinterpreted. Clinton with the "MLK, Fairy tale, Jesse Jackson" comments, and Obama with the "bitter" comment. All of these comments can be interpreted to look like the candidate is saying something that he or she is not. These are mistakes, and they have been costly to both candidates.

I will grant that Hillary has a track record that should have given her the benefit of the doubt when it comes to racial issues, and Obama is largely an unknown. But, this is what politics in this country has become...a battle of twisting the words and speeches of the other candidate, getting 24/7 media coverage of the misinterpretation, and pretending to be outraged at the views of the other candidate. It is truly sad.

Ahh, Mr. Glad, You reveal yourself to be increasingly petty, small and irrelevant.

Nothing personal, of course. :)

Great post, Boyd (a long read, but it pays off!)

Very fine post.

One way to measure a good post for Obama, and one that clearly hits a Clinton weakness, is the space and energy Billy Glad devotes to a rebuttal. Billy is a very smart fellow. He knows when his candidate is hurt, and when that happens, he gets in high gear. One way he counters an argument is to skillfully demean other posters. This is another indication that he's worried about the impact.

One mistake the Clinton campaign has made is having Billy Glad canvassing a few voters in Indiana when they really should have him in their war room. He's a lot smarter than the people they have. I'd assign Billy to watch over Bill. He's got the savvy, he's got the toughness. He's got the balls that Bill has never had.

But Obama has the high road. Walk on brother.

Quote: "Call me perverse, but I appreciate a candidate who understands what's good politics versus what's always strictly the best policy. Sometimes you have to lay a big piece of cheese in the mousetrap to get something more important done."

Looks like truth is proving to be pretty good politics too.

There are many reasons why blacks and whites (and gays and Asians and Hispanics...) have turned away from Clinton and toward Obama.

Clinton panders. She's a phoney. To be a "tough fighter" she favors Republican tactics and talking points. She and Bill have pushed the race button.

Are blacks voting for Obama just because he's black? Are women voting for Clinton just because she's a woman -- or is it mysogynistic to ask that?

I'm a white aging dude, but I took the same path as Boyd, almost. I thought it would be Clinton, would have to be Clinton, the stars (and media) foretold it... I wanted Edwards, Richardson, Obama, couldn't make up my mind (as a Michigan resident, thought I wouldn't really need to make up my mind).

Like Boyd, I thought Obama might be held back because of race, but was amazed that he was getting ahead. Then, the realization: Obama is winning in spite of race. Obama is winning because he's solid, because he's the best one for the job. I mememe put it best up above: "Let's face it: Obama is deep! He's tough! He's genuine!"

It's amusing that we have a couple posters here pooping their little piles all over, trying to convince us that blacks vote for Obama because he's black. Nope, that sweeping generality just doesn't explain it.

Blacks and whites can see it for themselves: Obama is wining in spite of race.

Quote: "One way to measure a good post for Obama, and one that clearly hits a Clinton weakness, is the space and energy Billy Glad devotes to a rebuttal."

LOL! I know you must be laughing, Billy. You seem like someone who can appreciate a good skewering, even when it's your liver that's being punctured.

:)

Thank you for your thoughtful post... you have contributed to the discussion in a beautiful way...

Okay, now I'm angry. I'm glad this primary has gone on for this long, because it has revealed how many people think that Black people, as a whole, are deaf, dumb, and blind. At the beginning, I thought HRC was getting a bumb rap as being too divisive. I felt that she was extremely intelligent and competent, and people were just using any excuse to dislike her. However, it NEVER occurred to me, that as a Black person, I owed any loyalty/allegiance or otherwise to her because of what her husband did. Condescending much? Where do I begin. I don't know the full extent of Bill's record, but it is undisputed that he appointed several people of color to prominent positions, and also supported civil rights legislation. But even if that were a persuasive argument to support HRC, which it isn't, Bill's record doesn't have anything to do with her. It confounds belief that so many people are just willing to accept this "it was good in the 90s" logic. She was NOT president then, several articles have pointed out, it was NOT good in the 90s for everybody, and the circumstances in this country, and the world for that matter, have changed dramatically since that time.

Also, HRC was going to have to work extra hard to get my vote anyway. Contrary to whatever useless poll is telling people, my biggest issue was the vote on the Iraq war. To me, that is the biggest foreign policy blunder of our generation. So the fact that HRC exercised such poor judgment on this issue, meant she was going to have to bring the heat, but she hasn't. I'm not saying that all of the criticism of her, or her positions, is fair, but with her switheroo on NAFTA, the blatant conflict of interest with CAFTA, the feigned outrage speeches, the sniper fire, the Ireland peace talks, Farrakhan, gas-tax pandering, threatening to "obliterate" a country in a hypothetical, the FL/MI debacle, the dream ticket crap, and the list goes on, I have several other reasons NOT to vote for her because of the things that SHE alone has done. Not because of Bill's bizarre statements, or even those of her surrogates/supporters. But, HER. I have a problem with HER specifically.

But no, nobody considers all that. Because I'm Black, these idiots automatically assume that I would vote for a candidate because of tribalism. Am I proud of Barack? Yes. Do I think he offers something the other candidates don't? Yes. Do I think he is the perfect candidate? No. But I am willing to give him a shot.

I even have to disagree with Boyd. I didn't fall for that "inevitability" of Clinton argument. I knew for some reason, that Obama was going to be competitve in this race, and I was right. He has made some notable mistakes, but to be new to the game, he has done fairly well.

But, back to my original statement. For those that don't know, it is EXTREMELY offensive to suggest that Black people are "pissing" on the Clintons. I'm not pissing on anyone. I just don't think she has the type of vision and character that I want in the next President.

Billy-

I am truly sorry for you. I feel as if I'm gloating sometimes (sorry- been a long time since i've felt good about a candidate...since WJC to be exact). Then I see shit like this:

http://www.moonbattery.com/archives/2008/01/the_quotable_sh.html

I know, I know, I'm a sucker. How can this stuff be accurate? All these people are out to get her. It's so shallow to mislead folks like some of these sites do. Even though there is no basis in truth. It's really unfair to Hillary when people just won't give her a break. The gas tax thing, and all... man, seems people just want to label her as a panderer! Ya' know, If I was her, and I was scared of terrorists, I would have voted the same damned way too. After all, she did the research, right? There was a lot of people fooled just like she was. And the damned MSM just keeps asking her the first question and all. Why can't you people see this stuff like Billy does... I mean, this poor bastard has walked door to door (online) for this woman, spent hard earned money, written countless intelligent and researched posts defending this bitch! She owes it to Billy to win! I don't care HOW she does it-- burn, baby, burn!

HRC Campaign '07-'08: On top, stumbled, fell, and lost what was owed her-- Tragic.

a moment of silence, please...

ok, coffee anyone?

White voters look at the issues and vote for the best candidate. Black voters simply vote for Oilbama because he is Black. Never mind that Oilbama is in the pocket of Big Oil, and voted for Dick Cheney's Big Oil Energy Bill. Very Racist, should be a big story in this election.

There are many good reasons to vote for Obama, some of which are mentioned in this post. However, alleged race baiting by the Clintons is certainly not one of them. This is one of the most serious and destructive charges a person can make - and one that is belied not only by the Clintons' history in attempting to promote better race relations, but by the candidate himself; back in January, Obama said: "What I am absolutely convinced of is that everybody here is committed to racial equality—has been historically." These specious claims of racism threaten to fracture the coalition the Democrats desperately need to prevail in the next election -no matter who the nominee is. By promoting and exploiting racial divisisions, Obama supporters do their candidate no favor - and in fact exhibit the same polarizing attitudes that he eloquently exposed in his speech in Philadelphia. Most important, the claims themselves are specious. To that end, I am quoting the transcript of Bill Clinton's remarks after South Carolina that caused such a furor. Let me preface this by saying that leading up to the South Carolina primary, everyone was predicting a big Obama victory based upon a large African American turnout. To those who see racism here, I would ask what they think Bill should have said differently? Anyway, here it is, for your edification. (For some reason, I don't get the icon that permits block quotes or hyperlinks).

Bill Clinton: Wow. Hi, Everybody.

Reporter: How’s it going for you this morning, Mr. President?

BC: Oh, good. You know, I like election days and I think it’s interesting they vote on Saturday here, it makes it easier for working people to go. You know, there’s really not much you can do to change a lot of votes, but by stirring around you may induce people who are for you to go ahead and vote when they might not have.

Reporter: You proud of what you’ve done here in South Carolina?

BC: Oh yeah, we’ve done our best, and we’ve had, I particularly have enjoyed, you know, my role here has been almost exclusively to go around and do town meetings and answer questions, that’s most of what I’ve done, and I’ve really enjoyed that. I think it’s been immensely impressive to me to see in the audiences whether they were predominately African American, predominately white, or totally integrated, there has not been a great deal of difference in the questions people ask. If the voters really are intensely interested in what we can do to change the economic direction of the country, what we can do about healthcare, what we can do to restore our country’s standing in the world. And there doesn’t seem to be even a great deal of difference in the questions asked, depending on who they’re supporting, so I’ve – I like that, because, you know, I just answer questions. They know I know some things about this stuff, I make the case for Hillary as best I can, but basically I just tell them why I’m for Hillary, and then I answer their questions.

Reporter: That said, some of the folks in your own party have accused you of race baiting here.

BC: Yeah, well I would refer them to what John Lewis and Andrew Young – two people left who were with Martin Luther King every step of the way – said. I don’t have to defend myself on civil rights, and John Lewis and Andrew Young said what needed to be said about that. There’s nothing left for me to say.

Reporter: Mr. President, Senator Kerry that – had some critical comments too about some of the things that have gone on this week. He said being a former president doesn’t give you a license to abuse the truth. Just wanted your reaction to that.

BC: Yes, but did you notice he didn’t specify anything? You notice that? They never do. They hurl these charges, but nothing is specified. I’m not taking the bait today. I did what I could to help Senator Kerry every time he needed me, and every time he asked me, and I have no -- he can support whomever he wants, for whatever reason he wants, but there’s nothing for me to respond to because I don’t believe in labeling, I think he should have specifics, so today we just want everybody to vote.

David Wright: What does it say about Barack Obama that it takes two of you to beat him?

BC: [Laughs] That’s just bait, too. Jesse Jackson won South Carolina twice, in ‘84 and ‘88. And he ran a good campaign, and Senator Obama's run a good campaign here. He’s run a good campaign everywhere, he’s got a, he is a good candidate, with a good organization.

DW: He says he is sometimes not sure who his opponent is, you or his wife.

BC: That is bait, too.

DW: Your wife, rather, sorry.

BC: I am working for my wife because I believe she’d be the best president. If weren't married, I'd be working for her if she asked me to. And his wife’s done a good job for him, and --

DW: She’s not an ex-president of the United States, though.

BC: I know but that doesn’t mean that – I’m still a citizen now, when, you know, I can't wait to get back to my foundation work. I’m not a direct, directly involved in politics but I am concerned about my country and I think she’d be the best president. And I would be working for her if we had never been married. She’s the best qualified person I’ve had a chance to support for president in my lifetime. For, because of the variety of experiences she’s had but because of the things she has done in every stage of her life to change other people’s lives for the better, and that’s what I say, my message has been 99.9 percent positive for 100 percent of this campaign.
Not only about her, but about the other candidates. And I think that when I think she’s being misrepresented I have a right to try to, with factual accuracy, set the record straight, which is what I have tried to do.

let this topic die already! the truth is blacks should not have to explain why they are voting for obama in droves anymore than they have had to explain why they have continually voted for white democratics in the past.

obama just happen to be a better candidate this time around and not only black people are realizing it. if you are for hrc, good for you. the same white posters who are crying racism b/c blacks are casting that vote for obama, neglect the fact that rural whites and women have overwhelming cast their vote for hrc.

we do not need to be rocket scientist to admit to ourselves that at least some of the votes on both end of the spectrum is purely race-related; however, it is an insult to suggest that the majority of blacks are voting simply on color and nothing else. obama is getting support across all colorlines. the fact that he is so inclusive will undoubtedly resonate more firmly with blacks.

keep in mind obama initially couldn't get blacks to support him. they didn't believe in their own. he had to prove himself worthy. everyone including blacks were willing to hand that vote to hrc simply bc she is brand name. one cannot deny the fact that once you get to know obama, he is not a shabby guy.

obama cannot and will not win everyone's vote, so to Otto and the like, give it a rest. i am proud to be an obama supporter. this campaign really opened up all of our eyes and now we all know what we are up against. for too long, we swept the obvious under the rug and pretend all is peachy in the name of affirmative action.

if you think hrc and her surrogates were not race baiters and if you think she doesn't resort to any and every dirty trick to win, then cast that vote for her. i happen to disagree strongly. i will take my chances with obama b/c his campaign is a good example of what an obama presidency could mean--inclusiveness, the people first, humility, well-reasoned, compassionate and above "honesty". regardless of where you stand, obama tends to do what he considers to be the right thing even if it could cost him. i am sure he will lose IN and barely win NC b/c he didn't pander with the gas tax. well if that happens, then it means the american people for all of our hollow cries demanding truth and honesty, really prefer the okiedoke!!

i like obama have faith in the american people to do what is right even if in the face of adversity. that is why millions are voting for him even though hrc, her surrogates, her supporters on the blogs and the republican machine would prefer we focus on what distinguishes us v/s what unites us!

What will be very interesting to see is the whining from Oilbama supporters, should he steal the nomination by disenfranchising Florida and Michigan, after white voters overwhelmingly vote for McCain. Oilbama supporters will try and claim that voters are racist picking McCain while ignoring the overwhelmingly racist voting record of Blacks in this primary.