Afro-America Writer's space: Election 2008

Barack: Lay Off My Wife!

Tue, 20 May 2008 21:25:56 GMT

I love chivalry and the very emphatic comment Barack Obama sent to the GOP in his Interview with Good Morning America to “lay off his wife” send a clear message that chivalry isn’t dead. Hallelujah! There’s hope! In case you haven’t heard, the Tennessee GOP ran an explosive video featuring Michelle Obama saying for the first time in her adult life, she was proud to be an American. Granted, the GOP took the comments out of context to the point of depicting Michelle Obama as unpatriotic.

I came against this tactic when Chelsea Clinton was being asked “stupid” questions on the campaign trails for her mother. Folks who think the families of the said candidates are fair game need to have their decency meter checked. Ok, granted, Bill Clinton is another level – so maybe there could be an exception being a former President. But don’t go after the rest of the family members to change thousands or millions of votes when they are have not being involved in the candidate’s decisions.

Here’s my message to the GOP: Please try something new! Obviously these videos are not working like they did four years ago. You have lost three key seats to the Democratic Party in Congress with all the exploitive images of Obama. Most recently in Mississippi with Travis Childers, an extremely conservative state and they could see through your ploy. Here’s a suggestion: how about you talk about the policies you’re against and for? There is a shift going on in the American political arena; maybe it’s time you jumped on board.

Recap on Politics This Week

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:36:56 GMT

It’s been a while since I did a round-up of the week’s news but this has been an eventful week to say the least. So here goes:

Sen. Hillary Clinton wins West Virginia: Congratulations Sen. Clinton but the numbers still don’t add up for the nomination. I’m all for her to complete her race all in the name of democracy but to be honest unless the Super delegates do some “smoke screen” back room techniques, the winner* should be Sen. Barack Obama.

2. President Bush sacrifices golf for the war: Of all the stupid comments (check out the video here) I’ve being subject to listen to for the last eight years from W, this one ranks up there. In an interview with Politico.com, Bush made this quote: “I don’t want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander in chief playing golf,” he said. “I feel I owe it to the families to be in solidarity as best as I can with them. And I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal.” Ok Mr. President, let me tell you how to send the “right signal,” about the war: Put some funding into Walter Reed hospital for injured soldiers to get proper care; the same goes for the GI bill to increase benefits that are depleting. Also, treat the thousands of veterans with dignity who are going homeless when they return from war. The aforementioned signals are just a start . . .

Sen. John Edwards endorses Obama: This is really a “Johnny come lately” move. Hey Johnny, you got your jet ski? (anyone who watches Stephen Colbert knows what I’m talking about). But they say better late than never, so I ain’t mad at ya! Edwards was one of (if not) the most courted endorser. His message on poverty needed to be brought to the spotlight. I’m not saying he could be the VP., but I must say they both look good out there a couple of days ago.
Bush pulls a Hitler on Obama: I could say all kinds of things about a President who has said he wouldn’t involve himself in the 2008 election race but let me have the Democrats of the Senate have their say – What say you Madame Speaker? Nancy Pelosi: “This was beneath the dignity of the Office of the President.” And you Sen. Clinton? Clinton: “President Bush's comparison of any Democrat to Nazi appeasers is offensive and outrageous, especially in the light of his failures in foreign policy. This is the kind of statement that has no place in any presidential address.” Democratic leader Harry Reid: “irresponsible and reckless.” How about the implied attack on you Sen. Obama? Obama: “This is sad . . . a false political attack . . .” And the last word will go to you Chairman of Foreign policy – Sen. Biden: “This is Bull****, this is Malackey. This is outrageous, for the president of the United States to go to a foreign country, to sit in the Knesset ... and make this kind of ridiculous statement.” Go on Biden! Tell us how you really feel J

Over the Hill-ary

Mon, 12 May 2008 02:22:37 GMT

Personally, I feel Saturday Night Live has lost some of its lustre from days of old, but I must say when it comes to politics it has maintained its relevance. The embedded video shows this fact. I wanted to write about the latest Hillary Politricks with playing the race card but I'm just tired and seeing the SNL intro last night surmised everything I wanted to say. I would say this, I agree with Rep. Charles Rangel of New York, who is an avid Clinton supporter by calling Clinton latest comments "the dumbest thing she could ever have said."

Barack The Vote!

Fri, 09 May 2008 19:32:45 GMT

Oh the taste of sweet revenge! Can I just say this? Barack Obama’s decisive victory in North Carolina and nail-biter but in the end an almost upset was the proudest I’ve felt for any political victory. I felt what this Senator from Illinois has had to deal with the past couple of weeks (not talking of a couple of months ago) with the whole Wright issue was just uncalled for especially when John McCain with seeking John Hagee’s endorsement is just done as a brush off. So take that all you political pundits and big ups to the American people who can actually think for themselves . . . imagine that!

Obama Denounces Rev. Wright - Right Move?

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:25:49 GMT

Was it the right move for Obama to denounce his former pastor, Rev. Wright? The long and short answer to that question: Obama had to do it. It was difficult for me to watch his press conference yesterday. I could see the hurt, pain, and controlled anger in Obama’s disposition that I’ve never seen in four years of being familiar with the Senator from Illinois. Just imagine if you were in a similar situation to achieve a wild dream but it will come at a cost of severing ties with someone who’s been with you during some milestones of your life? And I beg to differ with all those folks and pundits who think yesterday’s announcement was some form of political posturing. The right political move would have been to denounce Rev. Wright six weeks ago during his landmark speech in Philadelphia. But he chose to give his former pastor the benefit of the doubt to some folk’s dismay.

However, after Rev. Wright’s “performance” at the National Press Club, I knew there was absolutely no way Obama would not address a non-issue that the Mainstream Media (MSM) have made into a viable issue. Like I said in a previous post, I had no problem with Wright’s PBS interview with Bill Moyers or even the NAACP (for the most part) but I saw a caricature out there at the National Press Club as someone who was out there for only himself and everyone else, in the right Rev’s speak: be damned. I’m not sure if Wright’s actions were that of anger for his life’s work being reduced to about a three-minute virulent video or of pleasure of being back in the spotlight with lights, camera, and LIVE action. But I do know those actions weren’t done with a key trait: CLASS.

Rev. Jeremiah Wright - Helping or Hurting?

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:20:11 GMT

The main reason I didn’t blog about the Rev. Wright controversy was because I had some mixed feelings about the virulent video all over YouTube featuring the Reverend’s preaching. Also, since Sen. Barack Obama gave his landmark speech on race over a month ago centered on the so-called controversy, I felt he answered the critics and supporters questions to a great degree. Then this weekend happened and my mixed feelings returned concerning Rev. Wright. It started with watching a piece he did with PBS Bill Moyers on Friday night. I thought he answered the questions well to some extent and of course there was that wince moment for me when he said “I’m a pastor, I say what I have to say and he (meaning Obama) is a politician and he has to say what he has to say.” Huh! Oh no! I knew then I’m in for a long weekend with various pundits dissecting every nuance of the Reverend’s comments. But I didn’t know what surprise I was in for because Rev. Wright was going to make a pit stop in Detroit for an NAACP address on Sunday night then the National Press club this morning.

Here’s the deal about my mixed feelings: I’m a person of faith and yes I’m familiar with the doctrine of the Church especially the predominately black Church for almost half of my life. Also, though the controversy surrounding Wright’s message was surprising albeit NOT shocking, I understand the complexity of the black church’s message; preach a message of hope and love but call out injustice and complacency to the powers that be. The former is a feel good message though very justified; the latter is a tough pill to swallow but can’t be left unsaid.

So for the past couple of months I’ve heard the pundits try to justify Wright’s message as either right or wrong; some felt he wasn’t following the Christian’s message of love while others said “that’s because they haven’t been in a black church.” Both sets of these pundits are right: The Christian message is about love after all, God is love but I guess they also didn’t read the part that Christ said he came not to bring peace, but a sword (Matthew 10:34). So there is a dichotomy to every message. Rev. Wright, a person who some folks call polarizing is the same guy that Obama was inspired by one of his messages for a title of his book, “The Audacity of Hope.”

All that being said, what do I think of the timing of Wright’s stump speeches over the weekend? I think Obama has got his work cut out for him! On one hand, I believe Wright has every right to defend his life’s work of over 30 years that was reduced to a couple of minutes of polarizing words video all over the news networks. On the other hand, I think the choosing of the some words like saying Obama is a politician and he has to say what he needs to say didn’t come across well for Obama, who claims he is a different kind of politician. As my home state Governor, Charlie Crist says concerning being called a politician; “I’ll rather be called a public servant.” See the difference?

Also, the tonality of today’s speech at the National Press Club was flippant; in other words, screw you Mainstream Media (MSM). He talked about trying to answer the questions without sounding “bombastic” but then he came across as being just that exactly; especially when it came to his Farrakhan association. I wonder if he thinks he’s doing some good by tearing down a storied campaign like Obama’s for the sake of his name? And if Wright answers to a Higher Source as he so claims then let Him fight for Wright’s integrity. But I doubt Wright is listening since his EGO, which one writer called (Egging God Out) is doing all the talking.