Hillary Clinton took time out from her busy campaign schedule to appear at today's State Of The Black Union, an annual gab-fest of black leaders hosted by radio talk show host Tavis Smiley, held this year in New Orleans.
Before she appeared, she faced criticism from some of the conference participants, notably the Reverend Al Sharpton and comedian, civil rights activist Dick Gregory. The criticism is based partly on rumors to the effect that the Clinton campaign is in the process of contacting super-delegates to this year's up-coming Democratic National Convention in Denver urging them to vote for Hillary, despite what the voters in their own districts and precincts decided in the various primaries and caucuses.
It was not polite criticism, especially when it veered toward a discussion of the allegedly racist tone of Bill Clinton is support of his wife.
I watched some of this (during commercials between segments of The Shield) and wondered how Mrs. Clinton would comport herself when it came her time to speak. Surely, I reasoned, she must be backstage hearing all of this.
Well, if she was, it certainly didn't show. She seemed very well composed. In fact, she seemed a little too composed. After a brief address, she was questioned by Smiley, at which point she gave a logical if self-serving explanation as to her drive to convince super delegates to vote for her based on her own assessment that she was the better candidate of the two.
She pointed out that if Ted Kennedy, a super-delegate who supports Obama, were to vote in accordance with the wishes of his state, then he would vote for her, not for Obama, as he most obviously will do.
Then, she apologized for Bill and for any misunderstandings, pointing out his history as president. He, according to her, "lifted more people out of poverty than any other president in recent history."
She was apparently so unruffled and composed during her appearance, once thought came to mind. Stepford Wife.
And therein is the entire problem with the Hillary Clinton candidacy. It's not the message, in this case, it's the messenger.
Anyone that gets a chance to review her appearance should be struck by one fact. She does not compare well with her husband. Listen to her words. Bill Clinton could say the same words, utter the same phrases, word for word and line for line, and would have people on their feet, constantly interrupting him with applause and cheering.
The exact same words from Hillary Clinton draws polite applause, but nothing earth shattering. There is no love within her base of support to match the visceral hatred for her that exists on the Right. Her effect on her supporters is cerebral. There is no feeling. With Bill, the words reach into your heart and flood your mind with a million rationalizations.
It is not likely that Hillary convinced anyone by her appearance here. It is not likely that anyone turned against Barak Obama due to his failure to attend. After all, the man had a campaign appearance somewhere, another rally where he was needed to woo the crowds.
Hillary's appearance came across as one meant to mend fences. Unfortunately, she seems to have put the fence between her and her base of supporters. You know, that herd that has already crossed over into Obama territory via the huge gaping hole created by Bill Clinton's tantrums. He doesn't seem to do so well, after all, when he is campaigning for anybody other than himself. Maybe Al Gore knew what he was doing in 2000.
At any rate, Barak Obama was criticized earlier by Tavis Smiley for his failure to attend, but it has been pointed out that these are the people who earlier floated the idea that Barak isn't an "authentic black".
Now who is being racist? Well, since Barak is actually of mixed race, his mother being a white American, his father being a black imigrant from Kenya who deserted the family when Barak was a young lad, it is easy to see what they were getting at.
Now, however, Smiley is besieged of late by Obama supporters, many of who, according to Smiley, have sent him angry, threatening e-mails, and even gone so far in some cases as to threaten his life. They have even threatened his mother.
Where could it all lead to, this Obama cult of personality? I think that if Obama does fail to get the nomination, it could cause a massive disruption and division within the Democratic Party. Perhaps Hillary's appearance was meant to forestall that eventuality, to at least mute it somewhat. That, in fact, was indeed the main gist of her prepared remarks at the conference. The Democratic party, whoever the nominee, should remain united to "take our country back".
Clinton could still easily win the nomination. She still leads in the polls in Ohio and Texas, though Obama is closing the gap especially in the latter state. If she can win those two and go on to win Pennsylvania, she is back in the race. It could well be that Kentucky, my state, might well award the final winning vote tally in delegates.
If she does win, it is almost incumbent on her to choose Obama as her running mate. Would he accept? What if he got it in his head that she convinced many super-delegates that she would gladly ask Obama to be her running mate if she got the nomination? Would he join in with her for the good of the party? Would he decline? Would it make any difference to many if not most of his supporters?
Of course, Obama at this stage seems to have an advantage. He is the front runner, ahead in victories and overall delegate count.
What if he gets the nomination? Then, what if he loses? What would be the reaction among people who make threats against a black talk show host who is, in fact, a noted liberal and black activist? What if the word circulates to the effect, accurate or not, that there were irregularites at the polls reminiscent of Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004?
Would there be massive demonstrations, possibly even riots, with violence and destruction of property?
For that matter, what if he wins? Could this lead to a repeat performance of what happened in the city of Chicago when the home team Bulls won-not lost-the NBA tournament more than a decade ago?
I don't even want to think of what the result would be if he were assassinated.
2 comments:
Her strategy is falling apart. It is slightly Rudy's concentrate on big states, and Rove's 50 + 1.
If her husband brought more out of poverty, than any recent president, the bar is set low.
Ren, it's probably more accurate to say more were lifted out of poverty during the time he was president, which he doesn't get to take the entire credit for. He played a role, perhaps, yes, but to make such a blanket statement of credit is really overreaching.
When I hear American politicians give themselves that much credit, I take that as a reflection of their own attitude about power, and when their followers, or in this case Hillary, parrot such presumptions,it gives me great pause as to their own intentions.
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