by Mark Silva and John McCormick
Rep. James Clyburn, a South Carolina political power and leader of the House Democrats, had some tough words for former President Bill Clinton in an interview published by the New York Times today.
Clyburn asserted that Clinton may have caused an irreparable breach between himself and African-American voters, who have long revered Clinton, by his campaigning for wife Hillary Clinton and against Barack Obama in the Democratic primaries.
Clyburn, recalling a time when the black community had rallied to Bill Clinton's side, during the impeachment proceedings, said, "I think black folks feel strongly that this is a strange way for President Clinton to show his appreciation.'' He suggested that there is a widespread belief in the black community that the Clintons are committed to doing everything possible to damage Obama to a point where he is unelectable in November.
"I never believe in irreparable breaches,'' Obama said today of Clyburn's remarks. "I'm a big believer in reconciliation and redemption.
"Look, this has been a fierce contest,'' Obama added. "I am confident - I've said repeatedly that come August, there are going to be a whole bunch of people standing on the stage with a lot of balloons and stuff - confetti raining down on the head of the Democratic nominee and people are going to be excited about taking on John McCain in November."
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Comments
Black people are just now discovering that Bill Clinton really didn't care about them but was just using them for votes? Shocking.
Posted by: Jeff | April 25, 2008 2:42 PM
Around DC there's a saying about the Clinton's:
"The Clinton's are always there for you when THEY need you"
I almost feel sorry for all of the feminazi's out there who are being used by the Clinton's......almost.
Posted by: trailertrash feminazi's for the Clinton Dynasty | April 25, 2008 3:04 PM
Its ok. Democrats and mostly racially prejudiced White America is going to stick it to Obama, and then the Republicans are going to focus ALL of their power on Hillary and company. And that is when that 90% black vote is going to have their chance to stick it to America by giving her John McCain - who is going to accellerate the Bush momentum. And the cherry on top is going to be the newly elected supreme court justices appointed by John McSame. Blacks will be hurt when their HOPE is killed - just like Dr. King. But we will do what America always tells us "get over it".
Posted by: Keith Lifetime Chicagoan and Southsider | April 25, 2008 3:11 PM
Clyburn.
Yeah. Really saw the guy taking on Strom Thurmond.
Coward.
All the nasty Obama supporters need to understand something---
1. There were newspapers before just this political season.
2. You'll need our support if the messiah makes it to the top of the Dem ticket.
Keep it up.
Posted by: calmdownkoolaiddrinkers | April 25, 2008 3:15 PM
Bill said "he played the race card on me." ME....???? What an egotistical JERK!!! Watch him on tv...he's either running his mouth like it's all about HIM...or else he's got that mouth gaping open...maybe he thinks it's cute, but it looks really stupid!!!!
Posted by: Mary in Fort Madison, Iowa | April 25, 2008 3:33 PM
I really hope Bill keeps running his mouth, everytime he opens his yap Hillary's poll numbers drop!
Posted by: Katherine | April 25, 2008 4:05 PM
^I see what you're getting at, but that's not the biggest issue at hand. Let me also take this opportunity to say it's attitudes like that dividing ALL democratic voters seeking a change.
Back on topic, I understand that the need to one-up a political opponent. I also don't blame Hillary for backing down at this point and applaud her for fighting it to the end.
However, I also believe that if the democrats want to get into the White House, then they need to:
1. Talk straight politics from this point forward
2. Quit pandering
3. Stop asserting that a victory in one place assumes a national victory when obviously no small part of this nation is completely representative of the whole (both would-be nominees are at fault here)
4. Finish this process BEFORE the DNC in August to let a unified democratic voice sink-in with the American people.
This isn't the time for name calling or bickering between candidates nor between democratic voters - it's a time for straight discourse and action!
Posted by: nastyobamasupporter | April 25, 2008 4:06 PM
2. You'll need our support if the messiah makes it to the top of the Dem ticket.
Keep it up.
Posted by: calmdownkoolaiddrinkers | April 25, 2008 3:15 PM
Why don't you just go ahead and vote for McCain, if you're stupid enough to vote for John "bomb bomb Iran, 100 years in Iraq" McCain just because your beloved Clinton wasn't allowed to steal the Dem nomination, then you get what you deserve.
Posted by: burning our bra's and our brains for the Clinton sham | April 25, 2008 4:09 PM
To calmdownkoolaidedrinkers: Vote for WHO YOU WANT TO.do you think YOU make that big of a difference???...but don't talk to Obama supporters like we're a bunch of FOOLS !
Posted by: MLD | April 25, 2008 4:19 PM
This is a perfect example of a controversy created within Obama's own camp, that Obama then steps in to resolve and "calm down the brother."
How many times is he going to pull this stunt? He gets the inflammatory dig in and then acts like he's above it all.
This is the truth -- Obama's own campaign leaked the stale "turban photo" to the Drudge Report and blamed Clinton workers.
He and his staff unloaded three "nuclear attacks" on Clinton the morning she was to give an important speech.
The press ate it up, with Drudge as the sole source.
Later, Obama "forgave" her.
It's the BO - MO, and it's getting old.
BTW: If Obama doesn't leak to Drudge, why did DR print the entire media feed of the "Race Speech" from Philly a whole hour before it was delivered?
Posted by: ElliotNC | April 25, 2008 8:17 PM