Obama to N.O Thanks For The Votes Now Piss Off

[soundguy]

I think this is indicative of to expect out of him. Of course the ever evil Hillary will attend. Flame on....

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/election2008/story/28343.html

[Hugabear]

1. Obama hates black people?

One would expect racist assholes like McCain and Huckabee to skip an African-American convention.

[JoFerret]

12. Hmmm

This event aside. It will be interesting to watch how he maneuvers in such situations. Not easy.

[babylonsister]

2. Tavis wants publicity and this is how he chose to get it.

Why isn't Michelle Obama good enough? Senator Obama is busy...

February 13, 2008


Dear Tavis,

Thank you for the invitation to participate in the 2008 State of the Black Union forum in New Orleans, Louisiana February 21-23. The exchange of ideas raised at this annual symposium are invaluable as our nation strives to address the critical issues facing not just African Americans, but Americans of every race, background and political party.

I especially commend you for hosting this dialogue in New Orleans. On the eve of the Louisiana primary, I visited this great city for the fifth time since declaring my candidacy to share policy proposals for rebuilding the Gulf Coast so that we never experience another Hurricane Katrina. On February 9, I was deeply humbled to win the Louisiana primary with 86 percent of the African American vote and a 14 point lead among all voters who said they were adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Uniting our country and creating a national constituency for fundamental change is why I am running for President of the United States. We have come a long way in this race, but we still have a long road ahead. In the final stretch, I will be on the campaign trail everyday in states like Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin talking directly with voters about the causes that are at the heart of my campaign and the State of the Black Union forum such as affordable healthcare, housing, economic opportunity, civil rights and foreign policy. I am committed to touching every voter, and working to earn their vote.

That is why with regret, I am not able to attend the forum. I understand that you have declined the campaign’s request to have Michelle Obama speak on my behalf. I ask that you reconsider. Michelle is a powerful voice for the type of real change America is hungry for. No one knows my record or my passion for leading America in a new direction more than Michelle Obama.

Tavis, this is our movement and our time. I look forward to working closely with you throughout this election. Thank you for your continued support.


Sincerely,

Barack Obama

[ElsewheresDaughter]

38. it's working

[chitty]

3. Uh.........

I think he's busy doing some important stuff.

It ain't like the dog ate his homework or something.

[Alamom]

11. UH....Nola is extremely important to many of us. Non-blk. Non-res. We still care & mourn.nm

[Buzz Clik]

22. ... and you shed an oh so sincere tear -- when it's expedient.

This has nothing to do with New Orleans other than the venue.

Try to get a grip.

[yourguide]

30. So how do you feel about

HRC not setting foot in louisiana once to campaign? She certainly showed her concern for the residents by not showing up.

This is not about NoLa.

[SoxFan]

56. Some of us actually have ties to NOLA

and can see right through Tavis Smiley's act.

Smiley's antics have everything to do with his personal pisy fit against Obama and nothing to do with the people of New Orleans.

I lived in NOLA, I have friends and in-laws in the region, and I support Barack Obama. Tavis can take his bloated ego and go pound sand.

[Barack_America]

4. Why didn't they want Michelle to come?

"Obama followed up with a letter to Smiley, dated Feb. 13. In it, Obama explained why he declined the invitation, saying that he needed to campaign in states that Clinton must win to in order to topple her candidacy.

"I will be on the campaign trail every day in states like Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin talking directly to voters about the causes that are at the heart of my campaign and the State of the Black Union forum such as affordable housing, economic opportunity, civil rights and foreign policy," Obama said in his letter. He had offered to have his wife, Michelle, speak in his stead at the State of the Black Union, but Smiley had declined. "I ask that you reconsider," Obama wrote. "Michelle is a powerful voice for the type of reach change America is hungry for."

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/02/16/black_commenter_criticizing_ob.html

Ego much?

From the same article:

"If the blogosphere is any reflection, however, black America believes Smiley should check his ego. Commenters would much rather see Obama campaigning against Clinton in Texas and Ohio than at Smiley's confab in Louisiana, a state he's already won. Critics burned up Internet chat rooms, taking turns at denouncing Smiley. Pundit Melissa Harris-Lacewell, an Obama supporter, authored a biting anti-Smiley opinion on TheRoot.com (which is owned by Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive), entitled, "Who Died and Made Him King?"

A fan of Smiley commented on one blog, saying, "Tavis, Ya Killin' Me, Man." An angrier writer headlined his comment, "This is just dumb." "This man is involved in the fight of his life for the presidency of the UNITED STATES, not black states," he wrote of Obama. "I don't know if Tavis got the memo, but Hillary is leading in Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania, where the governor said that his white folks won't vote for a black." Other comments would likely be blocked by Net Nanny and can't be printed on the Web pages of a family newspaper."

[jasmine621]

5. Once again, Michelle IS NOT running for office. Obama is. nt

[SKKY]

19. Oh but the Clintons can parade Chelsea on their behalf right?

Oh, I forgot, she only went to states that didn't matter. Silly me. :shrug:

[Cameron27]

33. That is silly,

Hillary didn't send in Chelsea to debate for her, and she didn't send her to forums where her presence was specifically requested.

[SKKY]

35. When has Obama sent someone to 'debate' for him?

My point is this, Obama is clearly focused 100% on winning the nomination. You do that by meeting with voters, attending rallies, and engaging the electorate. While I think the topic is important and deserves his attention (His support and efforts on behalf of the Hurricane Katrina Victims and Louisiana as a whole is well documented), I question the timing of this. I think Tavis is reaching for an audience, and looking to interject himself into this debate, which is shady at best considering the timing.

[GDavis]

6. MO might say she's never been proud of black people (until now)

- she wasn't too proud of black people while she was at Princeton according to her thesis.

[babylonsister]

9. She said no such thing; quit fabricating.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8642.html

Obama thesis obtained by Politico

By: Jeffrey Ressner
Feb 22, 2008 04:20 PM EST



Michelle Obama's senior thesis at Princeton University shows young woman grappling with race and society.


Michelle Obama's senior year thesis at Princeton University, obtained exclusively from the campaign by Politico, shows a document written by a young woman grappling with a society in which a black Princeton alumnus might only be allowed to remain "on the periphery." To read the entire thesis, click here.

"My experiences at Princeton have made me far more aware of my 'blackness' than ever before," the future Mrs. Obama wrote in her thesis introduction. "I have found that at Princeton no matter how liberal and open-minded some of my White professors and classmates try to be toward me, I sometimes feel like a visitor on campus; as if I really don't belong. Regardless of the circumstances underwhich I interact with whites at Princeton, it often seems as if, to them, I will always be black first and a student second."

[cali]

18. bullshit.

that's a disgusting and wing nut type remark.

[Barack_America]

7. #5, can't see you. Sorry. n/t

[Voice for Peace]

40. Obama was on Tavis' show recently. At the end Tavis said to him, "I'm really glad

you're in this race, man."

Earlier in the same show he interviewed Hillary Clinton. I've mentioned this elsewhere but the line that stood out for me was when she said "I believe in coercive diplomacy." COERCIVE diplomacy. whatssat?

[Danger Mouse]

54. in other words, sabre rattling.

:puke:

[goldcanyonaz]

8. That votes in the bag, why waste time, right?

[Barack_America]

10. Can you remind me how many times Hillary visited New Orleans BEFORE their primary?

:shrug:

[thevoiceofreason]

14. Let me have a guess -- Clinton visits to NO in the campaign season = 0

When does Hillary speak there? I'll tune in. They invited all candidates.

[libbygurl]

13. Exactly. nt

[noiretextatique]

48. not only that...he can't alientate other voters

by appearing too black. sad, really, that this is even an issue he has to contend with, but it is. whatever people say think him, he is a smart politician

[goldcanyonaz]

58. .

[Warren Stupidity]

15. Where did Obama tell the people of New Orleans to piss off?

I must have missed that sound byte. So will you be voting for McCain in November or supporting our candidate?

[robbedvoter]

16. Tavis is racist! Doesn't he know that this is the part of the campaign where BO ain't black anymore?

Sheesh! You'd think he would have learned since Clinton said that disgusting racial slur: "Jesse Jackson"!

[emilyg]

60. ***

[SKKY]

17. Very opportunistic of HRC if you ask me...

...And don't think for one minute that they wouldn't put Bill up there if there weren't afraid of what he'd say. The timing of this seems very, very Florid and Michigan to me.

[Cameron27]

20. Both Clinton and Obama were invited,

it's not opportunistic to accept the invitation.

[robbedvoter]

23. Yeah, she's after their votes..Oh, wait...Which part of "readily accepted"

did you miss? And was she supposed to demur - to make BO's absence look better? How gauche of her!

In fact, I can see now: this is her fault entirely! She wanted to remind people BO is black! Before the Texas primary! Dirty, dirty trick!

[KoKo]

61. So Hillary's after the Black Votes and Obama is avoiding Back Votes by not coming?

Huh? :shrug:

[NashVegas]

31. How DARE She Accept That Invitation to Speak to Her Potential Electorate!

..

[robbedvoter]

42. It's those dirty XKlintoons, I tell ya!

[SKKY]

44. Especially one that didn't vote for her and that "doesn't really matter!"...

:P

[Little Star]

46. Hillary is a true american. She knows how important it is that we address

the mess GWB has ignored in NOLA. Smiley doing that event there in NO is a good thing.

[Danger Mouse]

53. Haha, then why didn't she visit NOLA before the LA primary?

[Buzz Clik]

21. How is this a reflection on Obama's attitudes toward New Orleans?

The desperation of the Clinton campaign grows daily.

[1776Forever]

37. I agree - I think this was something that has to be placed in perspective - Who will do more?

Who will end up doing more for NOLA then Barack? No one! I think this was a big power play to demand his presence and people/groups like this need to start being part of the solution and not bring up problems that will make it harder to get these things accomplished. As for me I can see the BIG picture and would hope that Smiley will reconsider his attitude about Barack's decision. I think it was a very professional and competent one to continue to work for the main goal that will give NOLA the help they have needed so long!

:grouphug:

[oviedodem]

24. Some of the people that will be there have taken shots at Barack

in the past, plus he campaigning in states where he was behind and needs to pick off one or two of them. I don't know why MO is not enough but that may be a reflection of Tavis Smiley who in my opinion talks through both sides of his mouth on MANY issues.

[yourguide]

25. WOW

This annoys the hell out of me, and I am glad many in the african american community are pissed at Tavis.

He needs to check his friggin ego. This is IT, it's down to the wire, and what happens on March 4th will not only impact New Orleans but the entire nation.

Tavis' tantrum reminds me a bit of FL/MI. Who the hell is he to say right this moment your agenda is larger than the overall agenda of this nation.

WTF.

I bet after March 4, Barack would have been there with bells on, right now he's got to try and lock down this nomination.

[high density]

26. Well I think he'd be more influential as president

than he would as an attender of a "black forum"-- and for that to happen he needs to campaign in the places where people haven't voted yet. If this Tavis Smiley fellow can't get over his own ego about it: Tough shit.

[faithfulcitizen]

27. "notion is that I should only be talking to black people, then I'm not going to win the presidency"

I agree.

Yes, I too think he would actually tell the people of New Orleans to "piss off." :sarcasm:

[yourguide]

29. The only candidate that essentially

told New Orleans to piss was HRC, she didnt set foot to campaign ONCE in louisiana

[BeyondGeography]

28. There was a big protest march about this earlier this week

[Danger Mouse]

32. Ah, the smell of desperation in the morning!

Keep throwing shit, and hoping it sticks!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

34. he doesn't need them now he got the momentum...moving on

[Vinca]

36. A snarky person might say Hillary is going because she's got

nothing to lose at this point and it doesn't matter if she campaigns in Texas or Ohio or speaks to a forum in New Orleans.

[localroger]

41. Speaking as a resident of New Orleans...

I have to say this is ridiculous. It's obvious that Obama is kind of busy and he offered to send Michelle, who has acted as his stand-in in a number of similar situations for exactly the same reason. That is a completely reasonable response and every single person who has claimed otherwise has an obvious agenda showing.

[zulchzulu]

39. Tavis turns down Michelle Obama to speak on behalf of her husband

Sounds sexist to me... since we're throwing labels around like Mardi Gras beads...

[robbedvoter]

43. And only McClatchky news is covering it - how telling is that?

[workinclasszero]

45. Its sad to see the utter desperation of Hillery

backers now. I guess they see the writing on the wall and can't handle it.

[Seabiscuit]

47. It looks like Hillary is the only one who's kept her promise to John Edwards re: poverty. n/t

[GarbagemanLB]

49. she cared so much about NOLA before the Louisiana primary. nt

[Danger Mouse]

52. How many times did Hillary visit NO before the LA primary?

I'm waiting.

[Connie_Corleone]

50. Where was Hillary before the Louisiana Primary?

Obama campaigned in New Orleans and gave a policy speech on rebuilding the area.

[Unsane]

51. This is Obama's Sister Soulja moment. I like it politically.

[CTLawGuy]

55. Obama = black new orleanians

Hillary = people in caucus states, people in red states, people in small states, higher income people, young people,

Yup the piss off contest is certainly a blow out.

[kiva]

57. Not a slur toward Michelle, just not taking substitutes.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=4652165

In this commentary by Tavis Smiley on February 14, he says his office hadn't been contacted by the Obama campaign about sending Michelle--perhaps the offer was made later--but makes it clear that he was uninterested in "stand-ins" from ANY candidate:

"While I have great admiration and affection for Michelle Obama, had she been offered to us
I would have respectfully declined. Just as we would have declined had Hillary Clinton offered Bill
Clinton; had John McCain offered Cindy McCain; had Mike Huckabee suggested Janet Huckabee."

So please, back off on the insulting Michelle comments.

[EffieBlack]

59. So, if a "black" event is held tomorrow in Wisconsin, Obama must attend that, too or be accused

of telling Wisconsin, "Thanks for the votes, now piss off?"

I find it absolutely amazing - and quite repulsive - how arrogant some people are in assuming that they have a right to dictate to Obama that he must participate in "black" events, no matter what his schedule.

Black politicians don't have to every event that black people attend. Black folk are just as diverse as any other group and don't all move together in one big lump.

[noiretextatique]

62. this is a farily high-profile event held once a year

with a lot of black politicians in attendance. obama also would have been criticized if he attended, and probably more than he's being criticized for not attending.

[EffieBlack]

67. There are lots of high profile annual events with black politicians in attendance

It's just that such events aren't as "high profile" among white people as this one has been made to be because of those trying to make political hay out of Obama not attending. There are plenty of important black events held every year - every black politican doesn't attend every one.

I will tell you that in the last year, Barack Obama attended several "high profile" black events.

NAACP Convention
Essence Festival
National Urban League Convention
Congressional Black Caucus Brain Trust (which he hosted)
Congressional Black Caucus Dinner
National Urban League Legislative Policy Conference

He wrote the Foreword to the National Urban League's State of Black America report.
He went to Houston to spend time with the Katrina victims who had evacuated to the AstroDome.

And this is just off the top of my head.

To her credit, Hillary also attended many (although not all) of these events.

So it's time to get off of the "Barack Obama doesn't like black people because he didn't go Tavis Smiley's event today" obsession.

[noiretextatique]

68. where did *i* say that he doesn't like black people?

i said he probably would have gotten more criticism for attending. some people are calling this his "sistah souljah" moment.

[NDambi]

63. Bull shit...As a black woman...

the majority of black people I know and have spoken with, don't see where it's necessary for Obama to attend--there are plenty of other blacks in leadership that can speak on the issues of the state of the black America; without him getting in the cake batter.

I believe, Barack should stay away, he's running for president of the United States not Black America. Hillary attending the event will be viewed completely different than if Obama attended. People will say, oh look Hillary cares about the issues in AA community, while Barack will be inundated with subliminal "he's only concerned about black issues" do you see him attending Latino, Native American, Asian, Pakistani or Caucasion synposiums!

So, he's damned if do..damned if he don't by some.

But the AA community is strongly behind him not attending..as evidenced by the numerous calls on Tom Joyner and Steve Harvey morning shows, Michael Baisden's afternoon radio call in show...and other places like Black America web that's been discussing the issue for sometime.

In addition, anyone that has listened to Tavis Smiley on Tom's show, as I have consistently done for the last 15 years, will know he's a huge Bill Clinton fan, always has been. Does that mean, he's on the attack because of it...I don't know..I only know, he's been in the Clinton corner for sometime..and has often spoken of his fondness for the Clintons' (esp Bill on morning radio).

[Baby Snooks]

64. Oh please...

Barack Obama can do far more for New Orleans by winning the White House than by attending a forum. And the New Orleanians know it.

What has Hillary Clinton done for them? About as much as she's done for the 9/11 survivors and first responders in Manhattan.

Which is absolutely nothing.

[Name removed]

66. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jillan]

65. I love this quote --

"Obama's campaign is unraveling," a reader named Jean wrote in a response to a Smiley-Obama post on McClatchy's Election 2008 blog. "His followers act like a cult. Tavis is a very respected broadcaster and has a right to expect cordiality."

lol.