Rep Jackson Lee supports Hillary over Obama and tells why

[Bitwit1234]

First John Edwards was so cute tonight and so good it is a shame he won't make it.

But Jackson-Lee said to Bill Maher that the reason the blacks of this country were supporting Hillary so overwhelmingly over Obama was because they wanted to get things done. She said Obama is a good candidate, as he is, but she said they wanted someone who could get the things they want done for civil rights, for the health insurance and all the other things and Hillary was they one who could do it the best.

Of course Chris has to pan Hillary and say she wouldn't be anywhere if it wasn't for Bill. But Jackson-Lee cut him off and said that Hillary was smart intelligent and could do things on her own. The mentioned how she had raised Chelsa and how she turned out.

She surprised me when she came right out and said I am supporting HIllary...over Obama.

[pnwmom]

1. I read somewhere that about 2/3 of African American women felt that way.

The Clintons have always been popular with African Americans, and HRC appeals to a lot of women. Rep Jackson Lee isn't ONLY black. She's also a woman, and maybe she's happy to think HRC could be the first female President.

[MADem]

2. I wasn't surprised at the endorsement. They go back a ways.

They've coordinated stuff on the Hill, too. Example: http://www.senate.gov/~clinton/news/statements/record.cfm?id=269374

Washington, DC - Today on Capitol Hill, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18) held a celebration of the enactment of legislation they sponsored and the President signed into law requiring that a statue of Sojourner Truth be placed permanently in the United States Capitol to honor her contribution to our nation's history. Representative Jackson Lee and Senator Clinton were joined at today's celebration by prominent women leaders and activists, including Representative Diane Watson (D-CA); Dorothy Height, Chair, National Council of Negro Women; Dr. E. Faye Williams, National Chairperson, National Congress of Black Women; Eleanor Smeal, President, Feminist Majority Foundation; Kim Gandy, President of the National Organization for Women; award winning actress Cicely Tyson and Dr. Thelma T. Daley, past national President of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and current President of Women in the NAACP (WIN).

Rep Jackson-Lee's endorsement came many months ago, actually. It was announced on Senator Clinton's blog back in May: http://www.hillaryclinton.com/blog/view/?id=5728

The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsement of Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and named her a National Campaign Co-Chair and Gulf States Regional Co-Chair.

"I am pleased today to endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton for President," Jackson Lee said. "Senator Clinton has a great love for America and has a deep understanding of the issues that face our nation. I look forward to having a strategic role in the campaign and helping this dedicated public servant become the next President of the United States."

Jackson Lee is in her seventh term in Congress, and is Co-Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus and a leading voice on immigration issues. Congressional Quarterly has named her one of the 50 most effective Members of Congress, and U.S. News and World Report called her one of the 10 most influential legislators in the House of Representatives.

Jackson Lee brings extensive experience on the issue of immigration reform, having served as the ranking member of the Immigration Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee. As a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, Jackson Lee has considerable expertise in homeland, border, and national security issues. Additionally, as founder and Co-chair of the Children's Caucus, Jackson Lee will bring a wide range of fresh ideas to the campaign as it focuses on our nation's children.

Prior to her election to Congress, Jackson Lee served two terms on the Houston City Council and before that was an Associate Municipal Court Judge in Houston.

"Sheila is a highly respected leader on children and family issues and the needs of this nation," Hillary said. "I'm delighted that she will help lead our efforts nationally and expand our outreach across the United States."

[Just-plain-Kathy]

3. There you go...one hand washes the other. ...n/t

[hfojvt]

4. excuse me if I don't find that very convincing

First, do we all agree on the things we want done?

With the last Clinton, I got several things which I really did not want done.
1) NAFTA
2) welfare "reform"
3) loss of Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress
4) continual trumpeting of rightwing talking points ("the era of Big Government is over" being the one I remember most clearly.)

Second, I am always uncomfortable with this "great people" notion. That there are Atlases who hold up the world and things cannot get done without them. They are the only ones who can do what they do and what needs to be done. Balderdash. That's like saying only certain Pharoah's have the drive and ambition to build the Pyramids. That's like making Brett Favre singlehandedly responsible for making the Packers 5-1. Favre is probably key, but he is not the only one, or even "the best" (if there is such a thing).

Last time, Republicans were so unwilling to work with Clinton that they impeached him and shut the Government down. I fail to see how she can get anything done unless she has a huge mandate for her platform, and I am not real clear on what her platform is.

But I was also surprised to see a poll that said more people would definitely vote against Edwards.

http://www.liberaloasis.com/2007/10/the_most_polarizing_prez_candi.php