by Josh Drobnyk
Rev. William Gray III, the former Philadelphia congressman and former head of the United Negro College Fund, is backing Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
Gray is the highest-ranking African-American congressman to serve from Pennsylvania, rising in the 1980s to become the first black lawmaker to chair the House Budget Committee and the Democratic Caucus. He later served as Majority Whip before retiring in 1991 to head the UNCF.
Clinton and Barack Obama have been engaged in a fierce battle for African-American endorsements as they vie for the black vote and Gray's support is a good pickup for Clinton. She was backed by outgoing Philadelphia Mayor John Street this summer. Presumptive mayor-to-be Michael Nutter has not endorsed a candidate.
"There is no other candidate with the experience of Senator Clinton and I believe she has the strength, wisdom, and compassion to be our nation's President,” Gray said in a statement put out by the Clinton campaign. “In January 2009, she will provide the change needed to restore the reputation and diplomacy of the United States around the world.”
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Comments
shes perfect-the ebst for pres.08-no doubt about it.
Posted by: rea | September 25, 2007 12:17 PM
It is time for some new black leadership. Because the old ones want us to stay in line so they can continue to keep getting money for their so called causes.
I don't understand how they could all run to back Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton for president and here it is we have this intelligent man running an extremely successful campaign and it seems like none of the so called leaders want to come out and back this man.
That is crazy too me. I think they profit keeping black people down or in the same place because it allows them to have power.
Posted by: Bridgette Powell | September 28, 2007 1:39 PM
Obama's father is an African Shepard, and his mother's family owned slaves. He also recieved the majority of his education outside of this country. He doesn't represent us. He hasn't been through what generations of blacks have suffered in this country. It's time we looked past the color of his skin and focused on qualities of leadership. So far, all he has is charisma. Americans deserve a competent leader with a history of results.
Posted by: samson | September 29, 2007 1:08 PM