When Not To Vote Black

[emilyg]

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/05/5619/

[Truth2Tell]

1. Once you vote black

you never go back.



At least that's what I've heard.

[journalist3072]

2. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Just because someone looks like me,

doesn't mean they represent my interests or values.

I'll be glad to see the day when people care more about voting for their own best interests, than voting for someone who looks like them.

That's what's so troubling to me, about Tom Joyner's constant pimping of Obama and telling all of Black America that we've got to get on board the Obama train...that we may never get this opportunity again.

[AX10]

5. I know a number of people of Indian decent...

and they do not like Bobby Jindal at all. He's a right wing kook.

As you said:
"Just because someone looks like me, doesn't mean they represent my interests or values."

[maximusveritas]

6. Well, in that case

Obama does represent the interests of Black America, so Joyner's "pimping" is justified. He may not be significantly better than someone like Edwards or Kucinich, but he's right there and the fact that he shares in the Black experience makes it more likely that he will stand up for us.

[journalist3072]

11. Who are you to say Obama represents the interests of Black America?

We in Black America are not a monolithic group.

I'm an African-American, and I don't feel Obama necessarily represents my interests or values.

The most imprtant issue to me right now is DC voting rights. Last time I queried some of the campaign websites, Sen. Hillary Clinton and Rep. Dennis Kucinich were the only ones with references to DC voting rights on their sites.

What Tom Joyner and Barack Obama are doing, is asking Black America to engage in group think. And that's not in our best interests.

[Adelante]

13. Obama is a co-sponsor of S.1257

District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007

In addition to co-sponsoring, Obama voted it Yes out of committee in June:

The DC House Voting Rights Act (S. 1257) passed 9-1 in a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 10:00 AM in 342 Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), George Voinovich (R-OH), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Carl Levin (D-MI), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Barack Obama (D-IL) and Jon Tester (D-MT) voted for the measure. The sole no vote came from Senator John Warner (R-VA). DC Vote's supporters and coalition partners played a crucial role in bringing the support of the three Republicans who voted for the bill!

http://www.dcvote.org/events/event.cfm?eventID=335


A month later when the Mayor of DC endorsed Obama, Obama said:

"Folks in D.C. still don't have a voice in their national government. That's wrong," Obama said. "Residents shouldn't be treated like tenants."

He also co-sponsored S.195 in 2005:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN00195:@@@P

And stood to introduce it on the Senate floor:

109th CONGRESS, 1st Session

S. 195 To provide for full voting representation in Congress for the citizens of the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.

http://www.dcvote.org/advocacy/material.cfm?legID=27


Obama supports DC voting rights and I wouldn't want to to see his positions misinterpreted. He may not be doing whatever it is you want him to be doing. So don't vote for him, who cares? But let's not be misleading about his commitment to DC voting rights.

[maximusveritas]

18. Amazing isn't it?

I've seen people who rely on Presidential websites for most of their info, but to do it on your most important issue just seems bizzare.

[Adelante]

19. This place is just nuts lately

You have a Clinton supporter who posts an OP hit piece on Obama written by a Clinton hater. You have a poster who won't vote for Obama because of this most important issue apparently without knowing his record on this most important issue. Some days :crazy:

[antigop]

16. How is that any different from those who say "It's time for a woman"? w/o any discussion

of policies?

[ariesgem]

21. Why do you continue to listen to him?

Turn to another channel. No one is forcing you to listen to Joyner.

[NMMNG]

3. Thank you for posting this

It's a most interesting read.

[MADem]

4. Jesus, this is some head on discussion, this--no punches pulled whatsoever.

Nikki Tinker is backed by the full flatulence and awesome gluttony of the MemphisMemphisTinkerExplains Baptist Ministerial Association, greasy-fingered clergymen who have descended into homophobia so foul and raw it must embarrass the White Christian Right whose behavior they mimic. These politician-pastors oppose federal Hate Crime legislation because it includes protections based on sexual orientation, while claiming moral and racial authority over the secular lives of Memphis Blacks.

It is a perfect storm of corruption: Nikki Tinker, a physically attractive but intellectually vapid lawyer for regional boss-man Northwest Airlink/Pinnacle Airlines - whose principal duty is to keep unions in check - backed by a gang of gay-baiting preachers who never saw a Republican Faith-Based Initiative check they wouldn’t cash. If elected, Tinker can be expected to act as a surrogate for her sponsor, Harold Ford, Jr., the Bush-loving former representative of the district, unsuccessful candidate for U.S. Senate, and now nominal chairman of the corporatist Democratic Leadership Council (DLC).

[ClarkUSA]

7. When Not To Vote For A Woman

I'm waiting for Part 2.

[provis99]

8. Two words: Margaret Thatcher

[ClarkUSA]

10. You mean the British original or the pseudo-clone named Hillary Clinton?

I vote both.

[babylonsister]

12. Oh, me, too. Let's really break it down.

Tell us what sex and color to vote for, and why. Can't wait! :eyes:

[Cameron27]

9. Thanks emily,

that's a must read.

[Adelante]

14. Do you remember BlackCommentator, Sea?

Extremely anti-Clinton. Extremely anti-Clark. Extremely anti-Kerry. Now extremely anti-Obama. That's the same guy with a new website.

[FrenchieCat]

25. Didn't like the "Black Commentator" then,

and I don't like him now....

He wanted to have us think that he "represented" the Black point of view, when he never has....not mine, anyways!

[antigop]

15. Oh, the irony! The black "corporate" candidate. HRC the white female "corporate" candidate

HRC -- the DLC (aka the Democratic Leadership CORPORATION).

Don't vote for corporate candidates, PERIOD!

<edit> fixed spelling

[bvar22]

17. I agree.

A Hillary supporter condemning Obama for being too Corporate!
I would be laughing if it wasn't so sad.

A POX on BOTH their Corporate Houses!

[rinsd]

20. The Black Agenda Report hates Obama. Take it with a grain of salt (nt)

[emilyg]

22. Why do they hate him?

[Nedsdag]

23. Because their beloved Al Sharpton isn't running.

n/t

[emilyg]

24. Thanks.