So many person have rightly called for Obama to ignore the Clinton-generated public campaign pressuring him to name Hillary as his vice-presidential running mate. Top reasons have been cited as the baggage attached to Bill Clinton, his untempered ego, charismatic dominance, yet to be publicly documented financial affairs, and personal behavior. Hillary has her own baggage, as well, not the least of which is her polarizing personality to many within both Democratic and Republican camps.
In addition, choosing Hillary as vp would make Obama look weak, and frankly, like the status quo candidate, not the agent of change that is his greatest appeal to a wide spectrum of voters.
So last night's meeting between the two, just days after Obama declared that he will be the Democratic Party's nominee for president and on the same night Hillary declared that she was going to consider her next steps in the campaign process, is a mystery.
Did Obama maintain the authoritative position he needs to be taken seriously in the general election campaign? Did he cave in to Hillary's contrivance that he cannot win without her 18 million supporters--and that he cannot get those voters without her as vp?
Obama's circumstance at this stage can be viewed in the example of Peter, who while steadfastly looking at Jesus, was able to do what is only possible with God, to walk on water. When Peter's concentration on Jesus was distracted, by the self-awareness that he was doing something amazing, he faltered and fell into the water.
In that context, if Obama stays true to his inner calling to "come," he will proceed in a direction that will defy the pragmatic analysis that considers Hillary's voter bloc as paramount, as the determinant of the remaining campaign.
If he stays true to the innver purpose that has so far presided over his amazing journey, he will choose someone other than Hillary, who some pundits and dispirited supporters say is his only hope to get to the White House. Hillary and the vp issue are a potential diversion, a distraction to Obama. However, if he stays focused on his inner purpose, this vp issue is just one more river to cross on his way to the Promised Land.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
She's got it bad, and that ain't good
Hillary Clinton's performance on the last night of the Democratic primary (Baruch College, June 3, 2008) was abominable.
Rather than acting to unify the Party, by tempering the frenzy she has stirred among some White women and others who voted for her during the campaign, Hillary propped herself up as a power broker before the nation to whom Barack Obama would have to cater to before she releases 18 million voters to his effort to win the presidency.
Last night and this morning, my family, friends and radio commentators have described her performance in stunning terms, as "embarrasing," "deranged narcissism," "egotistical," "vindictive," "delusional," "divisive" and "evil."
The Black community--and all well-meaning Whites and others who value and are committed to maintaining the moral progress culminating in the Civil Rights Acts of the Sixties--must denounce and reject Hillary Clinton for what she represents, which is a return to blatant bigoted attitudes that essentially echo Chief Justice Roger Taney of the Dred Scott case (1857), who said "A black man has no rights a white man is bound to respect."
Hillary Clinton does not respect the fair fight and victory that Barack Obama accomplished, obtaining the number of delegates needed to secure the Democratic Party's nomination.
In fact, the Democratic Party, in allowing Clinton to hang on in the campaign, making mischief and biding her time, showed no respect for Obama or fear of its heretofore most loyal constituency, Black voters.
Does anyone believe that Hillary Clinton--or any other candidate--would not have been drummed out or brokereed out of the campaign weeks ago if the candidate in Obama's commanding lead were a White man?
Does anyone believe that Barack Obama would be permitted to challenge the rules or dismiss her accomplishment and hold voters hostage if Hillary Clinton has secured the pledged delegates needed for the nomination?
What does account for Hillary's death grip on this election campaign? Her tenacity appears strange, strained, as if she cannot psychologically adjust to a scenario that does not position her as the presidential nominee. It feels like she wants it too badly, and that ain't good.
Rather than acting to unify the Party, by tempering the frenzy she has stirred among some White women and others who voted for her during the campaign, Hillary propped herself up as a power broker before the nation to whom Barack Obama would have to cater to before she releases 18 million voters to his effort to win the presidency.
Last night and this morning, my family, friends and radio commentators have described her performance in stunning terms, as "embarrasing," "deranged narcissism," "egotistical," "vindictive," "delusional," "divisive" and "evil."
The Black community--and all well-meaning Whites and others who value and are committed to maintaining the moral progress culminating in the Civil Rights Acts of the Sixties--must denounce and reject Hillary Clinton for what she represents, which is a return to blatant bigoted attitudes that essentially echo Chief Justice Roger Taney of the Dred Scott case (1857), who said "A black man has no rights a white man is bound to respect."
Hillary Clinton does not respect the fair fight and victory that Barack Obama accomplished, obtaining the number of delegates needed to secure the Democratic Party's nomination.
In fact, the Democratic Party, in allowing Clinton to hang on in the campaign, making mischief and biding her time, showed no respect for Obama or fear of its heretofore most loyal constituency, Black voters.
Does anyone believe that Hillary Clinton--or any other candidate--would not have been drummed out or brokereed out of the campaign weeks ago if the candidate in Obama's commanding lead were a White man?
Does anyone believe that Barack Obama would be permitted to challenge the rules or dismiss her accomplishment and hold voters hostage if Hillary Clinton has secured the pledged delegates needed for the nomination?
What does account for Hillary's death grip on this election campaign? Her tenacity appears strange, strained, as if she cannot psychologically adjust to a scenario that does not position her as the presidential nominee. It feels like she wants it too badly, and that ain't good.
Labels:
Politics 2008
Fruit of eternal vigilance
It is not that Sen. Barack Obama is the first Black candidate qualified to become the nominee of a major Party. It is that enough White Americans have finally put race aside in selecting a leader to carry the mantle of ultimate power on behalf of this nation.
Last night, as Sen. Obama stood on the stage of victory in Minnesota, the achievement was Black America's and White America's. After watching so many years of being overlooked or ignored in many contests, (Maryland's support of Ben Cardin over Kweisi Mfume for the Senate race in 2006, for instance), Black America saw the fruit of its eternal vigiliance for equality when Sen. Obama declared that he had obtained the number of pledged delegates required to be the nominee on June 3, 2008.
By the will of the people, Obama is truly America's Democratic nominee for President of the United States.
Now the work is to choose a running mate--not Hillary Clinton, whose race baiting, poor campaign organization and alarming death grip on a sense of entitlement to the Presidency nulify any view that she could be an asset to the ticket, let alone an effective elected official in the Senate, to say nothing of the executive office.
Obama's work is cut out for him: choosing a running mate, working to bring the Party together--encouraging Hillary supporters to join the winning team--and focusing arguments on policy and direction of his administration to win against John McCain in November.
Obama supporters can be helpful in bringing family and friends who supported Hillary into the fold. An "each one, reach one" campaign can go a long way in smoothing the path toward unity in the Party.
However, with this historic nomination must also come unprecedented support from the electorate to act on the call to action that is fundamental to Barack Obama's message. If we have the audacity to hope with Sen. Obama, we as committed believers must also do the civic work that affirms the reason for our hope. As Sen. Obama has said, we are the ones we have been waiting for.
What is exciting about Sen. Obama securing the delegates to become Democratc Party nominee is that everyone who comes aboard is called upon to roll up his or her sleeves, and get to work in the neighborhoods, the schools, the environmental causes and other efforts, in order to set America on a promising and prosperous course.
Americans want to get involved, to rally and work to put the country on the rebound. We have been in want of a leader to raise the banner and the rally cry.
Until now.
Last night, as Sen. Obama stood on the stage of victory in Minnesota, the achievement was Black America's and White America's. After watching so many years of being overlooked or ignored in many contests, (Maryland's support of Ben Cardin over Kweisi Mfume for the Senate race in 2006, for instance), Black America saw the fruit of its eternal vigiliance for equality when Sen. Obama declared that he had obtained the number of pledged delegates required to be the nominee on June 3, 2008.
By the will of the people, Obama is truly America's Democratic nominee for President of the United States.
Now the work is to choose a running mate--not Hillary Clinton, whose race baiting, poor campaign organization and alarming death grip on a sense of entitlement to the Presidency nulify any view that she could be an asset to the ticket, let alone an effective elected official in the Senate, to say nothing of the executive office.
Obama's work is cut out for him: choosing a running mate, working to bring the Party together--encouraging Hillary supporters to join the winning team--and focusing arguments on policy and direction of his administration to win against John McCain in November.
Obama supporters can be helpful in bringing family and friends who supported Hillary into the fold. An "each one, reach one" campaign can go a long way in smoothing the path toward unity in the Party.
However, with this historic nomination must also come unprecedented support from the electorate to act on the call to action that is fundamental to Barack Obama's message. If we have the audacity to hope with Sen. Obama, we as committed believers must also do the civic work that affirms the reason for our hope. As Sen. Obama has said, we are the ones we have been waiting for.
What is exciting about Sen. Obama securing the delegates to become Democratc Party nominee is that everyone who comes aboard is called upon to roll up his or her sleeves, and get to work in the neighborhoods, the schools, the environmental causes and other efforts, in order to set America on a promising and prosperous course.
Americans want to get involved, to rally and work to put the country on the rebound. We have been in want of a leader to raise the banner and the rally cry.
Until now.
Labels:
Politics 2008
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