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Obama sent his regrets in a letter: "In the final stretch, I will be on the campaign trail everyday in states like Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin talking directly with voters about the causes that are at the heart of my campaign and the State of the Black Union forum such as affordable health care, housing, economic opportunity, civil rights and foreign policy. I am committed to touching every voter, and working to earn their vote."Smiley is being raked over the coals and "catching hell" for criticizing Obama and turning down Michelle Obama as a surrogate.
Essence.com contributor Roland Martin supports Obama's decision not to go. Martin offered this excuse: "He can't be defined again as the black candidate. Some will say he must avoid black folks to be more palatable to whites and Hispanics. I disagree. But you can't deny the reality that he's running for president of the United States and not president of Black America. The week of the South Carolina was all about race, and he knows that is not a winning discussion because of this nation's history."
Martin added: "His campaign successfully beat back that issue since South Carolina, winning nearly all-white states like Utah, Idaho, Montana, Minnesota, Delaware, Connecticut, and Nebraska. Obama is looking to have mass appeal, and showing up in New Orleans at a State of the Black Union event doesn't help him at all in a close race."
Obama and his supporters want to have it both ways. Blacks are obligated to support Obama out of racial pride. Those who support Hillary Clinton are race traitors, haters, Uncle Toms, crabs-in-a-barrel.
But Obama feels no obligation to show appreciation for the ones who have powered him to front-runner status in "the final stretch." Texas is right next door. How much time would it take out of his schedule to show up?
There's a political maxim that "you dance with the one who brung ya." Black voters brought Obama this far. If he is the Democratic nominee and wins in November, it will not be voters in "nearly all-white states" who bring him over the finish line.
Comments: (1097)
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By: Darlene on 2/19/2008 12:58PM
He should be bashed!! I too was for the Clintons until I see how ignorant they have become since this campaigning. The mud-slinging is awful. That has always been the problem with our people, supporting each other. Every race got it down pack but us!! The youth, we as a people need the leadership of one of our own for a change. This is 2008, if not when?? As a kid, I remembered older people informing me that every Black did not support Dr.King when wanted to march in the city I am from in Mobile, AL. Had he not stood up for civil rights, there would not have been a Black Mayor there today!! Tavis do not be a hater. He is an educated, well thought of, popular, caring, intelligent, respectful husband and dad Brotha that is shining. It is his time, get over it!!
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By: Mish on 2/19/2008 2:05PM
Barack should have shown up for the forum. He needs allies in the black comunity to help him incase he does win the nomination. This is not the time for him to forget that most of the new black voters think he is working for them; running to make their life easier, to be their adocate. If the reality sets in too soon that he won't be the great black hope then he will never beat McCain.
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By: Roland S. Martin on 2/19/2008 2:29PM
Obama supporter? Nice try, Faye. Show me where I've endorsed Obama. My column was no different than the piece I wrote on CNN.com about John McCain and conservatives.
Do a little more homework, rather than try to make your full post out of my column. In fact, it's a joke to try to characterize what I wrote as an "excuse."
In the business of journalism it's called an analysis.
I see that you neglected to mention my "excuse" as to why Clinton should attend, which is just as important. You also deny the analysis, or "excuse" that I gave, namely Obama focusing on states moving forward rather than back.
Lastly, I wrote the blog in the context of my role with Essence.com, not CNN. So that should have been the proper attribution.
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By: JP Smith on 2/19/2008 2:58PM
With all due respect to Brother Tavis and all the black men and women attending the conference, I am a little perplexed that this is the measuring stick for blackness. I am perfectly willing to be educated here so, let me know where I'm wrong.
I quit following the "State of the Black Union" because, in the end, it came across as a lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing. There are a lot of good things that I have heard there and the clip I caught of Dr. Cornel West speaking on Obama was one that I found very thought-provoking. In fact, I have quoted it often on my blog.
Nonetheless, I don't think that Obama needs to be at the "State of the Black Union" to prove himself to black folks because, let's be real, it's not as if most black folks are going themselves or that we have sent appointed representatives there on our behalf. Those there are invited speakers who, while possessing credentials much greater than my own, are still not there based on the collective decisions of Black America.
Therefore, while I think it's important that Barack Obama not shun black folks, especially considering that we are loyally supporting his presidential bid, I don't necessarily see his being at the "State of the Black Union" as being the determinant of whether or not he is "down with us."
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By: listenup on 2/24/2008 6:44PM
I think that Black America once again is being blinded by something that is irrelevant. Is Obama black enough? Is he mixed enough? Does he smoke? Does he borrow from other people's speeches? I mean these are trivial things that the media would have us to buy into; proving that they themselves think that black people are gullible and fall for anything as long as the word black or ni**a is used.
In reality, I can understand Obama not being able to make the State of The Black Union. And from what I watched on CNN from last year, I wouldn't want to make it either because once again real issues were not addressed. They spent the majority of the time talking about rap artist and lyrics. Issues about education and how to obtain the funding thereof were not addressed; just complained about. We talked about classisms; the blacks that do have versus the blacks that have not. Not one solid idea or plan of action was formulated. It was a questioning and complaining session. I would encourage Tavis Smiley to get some real everyday black people on the panel to ask our questions and submit our ideas; rather than listen to rhetoric from judges, political activist, and college professors who were preachy and enjoyed listening to themselves talk! Sometimes its embarassing to know that as a nation we stifle our own and our own progress getting entangled in stupid things. Obama can not make the State of the Black Union...ok...does that really mean he is not equipped to the job and lead the US. I know our votes and his nomination is not contingent on this one thing...if it is...then we have a bigger issue to deal with in Black America and its called WAKING THE HELL UP!!!!
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By: Willthethrill on 2/19/2008 3:12PM
State of the black union? Who does not know the state of the black union.Do you actually need a meeting for this.
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By: Lisa Fox on 2/19/2008 3:43PM
Barack is on schedule. He should continue on the campaign trail. If he does not win the presidency he can't help anyone. First things first!
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By: In for the long haul on 2/19/2008 3:51PM
Barack is on schedule. He should continue on the campaign trail. If he does not win the presidency he can't help anyone. First things first!
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By: Lisa on 2/19/2008 3:45PM
Barack is on schedule. He should continue on the campaign trail. If he does not win the presidency he can't help anyone. First things first!
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By: Patricia on 2/19/2008 3:49PM
Are you kidding me???You think that Obama should stop campagning and go to a forum put on by Smiley? Is that what you are trying to say? Do you realize this man is running for president of the USA that he is in a real dog fight, that his every "WORD" will be and is being used against him, he does not need to go on the Tavis Smiley show period, what are they going to do talk about the same old tired stuff.
AW JUST SHUT UP TAVIS SMILEY
Omaha Ne. Patricia
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