Who stole the show last night? Post your comment.

 Posted Oct. 31, 2007 – There’s one thing for sure about last night’s Democratic presidential debate in Philadelphia: It was about getting and keeping Sen. Hillary Clinton on the ropes. She was pummeled by her rivals for her stance on the war in Iraq, her support for belligerent policies toward Iran and her apparent inconsistencies on Social Security. And, one after the other, her challengers questioned her character, trustworthiness and experience.

“The American people … deserve a president of the United States that they know will tell them the truth and won’t say one thing one time and something different at a different time,” railed former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.), who’s trailing Clinton and Obama by some 20 points in recent polls.

And Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), whom most pundits agree needed a strong showing in the debate to wrest some of the juice from he Clinton juggernaut, never let up on his fellow U.S. senator.  When he wasn’t blasting her for giving Bush authority to wage an illegal war against Iraq and then supporting the recent Senate measure to give credence to President Bush’s saber-rattling against Iran, he took her to task for not supporting a speedy release of writings and documents relating to her correspondence with President Clinton in the ’90s.  He likened her behavior to the “secrecy” of the Bush administration, saying that the American people need to be brought back into the political process and that “we need to build trust.”
But, for the most part, Clinton, who as one of her aids said underwent “two hours of attacks” by her opponents for the Democratic nomination, maintained her cool under pressure.  She defended her positions and never let them see her sweat.  After one heated exchange about her ablitty to make tough decission, Clinton counted, “Courage is just a word, if you don’t have the strength and courage to make it happen.”

This was the first debate in which the contenders actually raised their voices and practiced a little more “plain speak.”   Obama finally stepped it up and made some noise.   When asked if he thought there was life on other planets, his witty reply was that he’s sure about he lives on this planet. “As president,” he said, “those are the people I’ll be attending to first.”  

Of the other five candidates, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was the only one to shy away from the Hillary smack-down. “I think it’s important we save the ammunition for the Republicans,” he said. “We need to stay positive.” 

Obama got the last word last night, and he did go after a Rebublican.  When asked if he had a costume for tonight he said, “Yes, a Mitt Romney mask,” noting that it has two sides to speak from. 
 

Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer

Posted Oct. 30, 2007 – It’s a statistical dead heat in Iowa between the two Democratic frontrunners.

In fact, Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) are running so close in Iowa that they’ve both decided to make the Midwest state their new home for awhile. 

Tonight they’ll be in Philadelphia with the other Democratic presidential candidates to participate in a live television debate. 

The stakes get higher each time the candidates square off.  Tonight, I’ll be watching to see if Obama can hit a homerun.  He’s overdue and can’t let another opportunity go by.    This week, he stepped up the heat on Clinton by openly attacking her plan for Social Security. Social Security may not be a sexy topic, but it’s the kind of issue that has given Obama some traction in early primary states.  He accused Clinton of failing to delineate a clear plan on how to fix the program.
 
I’ve been to Iowa for the caucuses,  and traveled with candidates across college campuses, corn fields and church services.  Campaigning in Iowa is no joke, and folks there aren’t always predictable.  You have to earn their support the hard way, one vote at a time.
 
The University of Iowa Hawkeye poll, released on Monday, showed that among likely Democratic caucus-goers Clinton was slightly ahead of Obama, 29 percent to 27 percent.  If you know anything about polls, you know that’s a statistical draw. Obama started running a new television ad in Iowa in which he says, “I don’t want to just put my finger out to the wind and see what the polls say. I want to bring the country together to solve a problem.”

Tonight, folks will be waiting to hear just how he plans to do that.  

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer 

Posted Oct. 29, 2007 –Most Black women can recall every romantic moment of a relationship whether it last 30 days or 30 years.  So when I read that Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) was hard-pressed to come up with a “romantic moment” in her marriage, it told me a couple of things about the woman who wants to be the commander in chief: first, that her ideal of romance and mine are completely different; second, that she’s a politician above anything else.

I’m not expert on either topic, and she isn’t the first person to come under scrutiny on a relationship question.  But for Black women who read this article, they may have more questions than answers about her relationship with their beloved Bill Clinton.

Her responses to some of the touchy-feely questions remind me of the lack of  passion  Democratic Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis during the 1988 presidential campaign when he was asked how he would respond if his wife were raped. Dukakis botched the response to the question because it was thoughtful, stoic and politically correct but displayed little emotion or compassion for his wife.
  
I found the same lack of passion in Clinton’s response.
 
In the upcoming issue of Essence magazine, Clinton was asked, “What was the most romantic thing her husband had done for her. After hesitating for an uncomfortably long time, she responded, “Oh he’s so romantic. He’s always bringing me back things from his trips. He brought me a giant wooden giraffe from Africa. Oh, he bought me this watch,” she said, holding out her left wrist to show off a Chanel watch, its bracelet made of white cubes shaped like elegant dentures, if you can picture it. “I had dental surgery, and he said it reminded him of teeth.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but if my husband brought me a gift related to dental surgery, I’d be a little pissed.  Let’s say nothing of the giant wooden giraffe.

Now in all fairness to Clinton, maybe her staff hadn’t prepped her on the romance questions, but should they have to?  Relationship questions are important; they give voters insight and often something they can relate to.
 
  Women love to talk and hear about romance, relationships, and if candidates want to appeal to them for their vote, they need to grasp the concept. 

Since Dukakis’ blunder, the men get it.  They’ve all embraced the delicate balance between strength against our enemy and passion for their spouses.
 
Just last week, at  a fundraiser honoring Hillary’s 60th birthday, in front of  some 3,000 folks, her husband, Bill, and their daughter, Chelsea, joined her on stage. .He said, “We love you, and I am proud of you – Happy Birthday.”

When asked about her marriage, she told Essence, “I know the truth of my life and of my marriage, my relationship and partnership, my deep abiding friendship with my husband. “

Where’s the love?
 
All relationships change, and Clinton’s romantic recall was much better going back to their first meeting:  “I would see him in the hallway, and I would look at him, but I had never met him. And I thought he was very attractive. I mean, he was tall. At that time, he had long hair and a red beard. His hair was much more red-gold, and it was curly, and he had this Vikingesque beard.”

Now, that sounds like a woman in love.  

By Senior Political Producer, Pamela Gentry 

Posted Oct. 26, 2007  – A grassroots effort to bring Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) campaign to South Carolinians with music and song has hit a sour note, as the controversy surrounding the events host, pastor/gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, has taken center stage. 

A concert tour scheduled to kick off today was designed to introduce Obama to Black folks in the first southern primary state.  “Embrace the Change” is the theme and folks would hear the story of how Obama’s family values and faith have shaped his leadership.

But the selection of McClurkin as the host has taken the spotlight off the candidate and onto the issue of homosexuality.  McClurkin’s reputation as anti-homosexual has riled gay rights activists.  They charge that McClurkin, who they say is an outspoken critic of homosexuality, sends the wrong message for Obama, who touts his inclusiveness and ability to unite disparate communities. 

 This controversy has put the Obama camp on the defensive.  In an effort to calm the controvesery surrounding the “40 Days of Faith and Family” tour, Obama’s campaign is seeking middle ground in hopes of not isolating any support or any votes – emphasis on “any.”

In an open letter, Obama’s supporters urge voters to recognize him as the best alternative among the candidates running for the White House.  

The letter states: “It is clear that Barack Obama is the only candidate who has made bringing these two often disparate groups together a goal. In gatherings of LGBT Americans and African Americans of faith, Obama has stated that all individuals should be afforded full civil rights regardless of their sexual orientation, and that homophobia must be eradicated in every corner of our nation. If we are to end homophobia and secure full civil rights for gay Americans, then we need an advocate within the Black community like Barack Obama.

“At the same time, while Obama has said that he “strongly disagrees” with Pastor McClurkin’s comments, he will not exclude from his campaign the many Americans including many in the African American community who believe the same as Pastor McClurkin.

“We believe that Barack Obama is constructing a tent big enough for LGBT Americans who know that their sexual orientation is an innate and treasured part of their being, and for African American ministers and citizens who believe that their religion prevents them from fully embracing their gay brothers and sisters. And if we are to confront our shared challenges we have to join together, build on common ground, and engage in a civil dialogue even when we disagree.”

If the tour goes forward as planned, it will begin in Charleston and move through Greenwood and Columbia. Gospel stars include Mary Mary, Byron Cage, Fred Hammond, and the gospel quartet the Mighty Clouds of Joy.

Do you think  Obama is doing the right thing by trying to keep everybody happy?

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Reporter  

How much do you think has changed since Hurricans Katrina and Rita? 

Posted Oct. 24, 2007 – For four days now, wildfires have raced through Southern California, burning up everything in their path from Los Angeles to San Diego. So far, San Diego County officials estimate, the angry blazes have caused more than $1 billion in damage, forcing thousands to flee their homes and find shelter elsewhere.

The devastation, sense of helplessness and overall social trauma bring to mind another recent example of Mother Nature’s wrath: Hurricane Katrina.

But there are some noticeable differences this time around.

For example, unlike in August and September of 2005, the federal government was well prepared for the worse. On Tuesday – one day after the flames moved into residential areas – President Bush held a cabinet meeting to coordinate and maximize federal relief efforts. By Tuesday afternoon, he had dispatched his disaster relief chief, Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff, to the West Coast to oversee operations, and he immediately declared a state of emergency in California.

This morning, Bush left Washington to see firsthand the destruction on the ground.
“Americans all across this land care deeply about them. We’re concerned about their safety. We’re concerned about their property,” the president said, stressing the urgency of the crisis.

Contrast that to two years ago.
Bush was in Washington relying on hurricane updates from Chertoff and Michael Brown, the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It took him five days before he actually arrived in devastated Gulf region to witness the devastation for himself.

When Bush got word that the levees were breached, he was in the midst of a photo-op with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for his birthday in Ariz., and later that day he flew to California, to deliver a speech on Medicare.

Two days after floodwaters engulfed the Gulf Coast – which of course was two days late – the National Guard finally arrived. That was the same day FEMA Director Michael Brown said he learned that people were trapped at the New Orleans Super Dome.

That was also the same day that Bush checked out the destruction from the window of Air Force One, as he was returning home from the West Coast.
 
Things have changed, and the folks in California are first to put the feds to the test. 
The wildfires have burned about 410,000 acres; the damage is staggering by all accounts.
 Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Congress would consider sending more aid to her home state.

 “So far, [state officials] have been able to avail themselves of whatever is available from the federal government. We may have to expand on that as the fires continue to rage,” she said from the House floor. 
  
Today the president will visit a San Diego neighborhood, hold a news conference and have lunch with first responders during a five-hour visit.
 
Lessons learned from Katrina, I think so.
 
If Katrina were to happen today, would the federal response be different?  I think so; the embarrassment shamed the administration into doing better, and it paid off for the folks in California.
What do you think?   

What’s the Hip Hop factor for young voters?

by Senior Political Reporter Pamela Gentry 

Posted Oct. 21, 2007 – The hip-hop world has granted its rhythm and rhyme to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.  The Illinois senator has graced the cover of hip hop’s Vibe magazine, and he’s earned mentions in chart-topping songs by such artists as Common and Ludacris.

Obama is “B-Rock.” …

… And the beat goes on.

The latest hip-hop ode to the presidential contender comes from rapper Rem Stelle. His online video touts Obama as the man for the job, and encouraging listeners to make it happen. 

“My people we fail from lack of wisdom/My people in jail it brings division/Division is clearer let’s  seize the moment/The world is ours and someday we”ll know it,” he raps. 

The song is titled “Young Barack Obama,” and it gives a brief bio on Obama, all set to a slow rhythmic beat. The refrain: “Get your guard up/ I’m ready to start up/I’m a young Barack Obama.” 

Obama has welcomed the interest and support of the artists.  His Web site has the “Hip Hop for Obama Blog.”  Users can log on and share their views about his candidacy, and check out where he stands on issues they care about.

The artists have given Obama a gift.  It would be much tougher for Obama to register blips on the “Blackness meter” if hip-hoppers weren’t giving him the high five.

Obama has been critical of the some rappers and hip-hop music in the past, but it looks like it hasn’t discouraged artists from giving him some dap.

The video’s message on brightcove.com, isn’t “free style,” but it offers some free advice: “You better get out to the polls this time baby.” 

Posted Oct. 19, 2007 – For what the United States spends in a little over a month in Iraq, the Democrats want to spend to ensure that 10 million American children have health care each year.

That’s the point that Rep. Kendrick Meek(D-Fla.) was attempting to make on Thursday when he rose to the House floor with charts and photographs to illustrate the contradiction of Bush’s willingness to spend outside our borders but not at home. “What bothers me,” he said in an impassioned speech, “is that we can do something for children thousands of miles a way but nothing for the kids right here.” 

His comments came moments after Democrats failed to muster the 13 Republican votes needed to override the president’s veto of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Two hundred and seventy-three members stood up for America’s children, but it takes two-thirds of the House to overturn a presidential veto.

The president has argued that the bill would bring children under the program who don’t need the coverage – those who are now covered by private insurance; he says he is also concerned that the S-CHIP bill would lead to federalization of healthcare, with a huge cost to taxpayers.  
The president’s campaign against this bill was misleading and boarded on deception.

Some of the children added, like in the state of New Jersey, are already covered in a program just like S-CHIP, all made possible by the Bush administration.  These kids were approved when governors came to the feds and asked for a waiver.   The waiver gave them permission to add families with higher incomes who couldn’t afford the cost of private insurance.  

These are families often refereed to as the “working poor,” and who were buying insurance, often independent of their employers.

So when Congress drafted the bill, it included these kids. So why did Bush want to stop S-CHIP?   To slow the roll on comprehensive healthcare reform or anything that appeared like steps toward universal healthcare.

 “I made it clear that if putting poor children first requires more than the 20-percent increase in funding I proposed, we’ll work with Congress to find the money we need,” Bush said.   I’m confident we can work out our differences and reauthorize S-CHIP.”

While more funding sounds great, the problem is that the administration is limiting the folks who are actually able to qualify.  All of tactics are smoke and mirrors, but could clear up in the minds of Americans left out of program in time for the 2008 elections.

“The president should send a hand-written note [to the 13 Republican], that says, “Thanks for standing with me and not the poor children who need health care,” Meek said.

Polls leading up the vote indicated overwhelming support for the program.  Which underscores that healthcare is needed by all children, and they’re in both parties. 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said, “Each Republican who voted to uphold President Bush’s heartless veto should be embarrassed that he chose to stand in the way of improving the lives of millions of America’s poorest children.” 

 No good news with these relations.

Posted Oct. 17, 2007 – I have a theory about Lynne Cheney’s recent revelation that her vice president husband, Dick, and Sen. Barack Obama are distant cousins: The Cheneys are starving for a headline. I also haven’t ruled out the notion of political sabotage.

Just last week, Sen. Fred Thompson announced that Cheney’s daughter was joining his campaign for the White House, but the Tennessee Republican’s big news barely registered a blip on the political radar screen.

Yesterday, Lynne Cheney announced the astonishing “Obama connection.”  What impeccable timing. And what an incredible political strategy. Having Black lineage – fairly recent African roots, no less – certainly doesn’t earn you “Brownee” points in the Grand Old Party, but it can’t hurt Dick or Lynne’s political aspirations, since it’s clear they aren’t running for anything. 

But it sure can’t help Obama’s either. Remember, the Illinois Democrat already has folks asking if he’s Black enough – because of his mixed heritage and toned-down message on issues of race. While his father was born in Nyanza Province, Kenya, his mother, Ann Dunham, is a White woman from Wichita, Kan.; his parents met at the University of Hawaii and got married. For many Blacks, all you need is a couple drops of Cheney’s blood to automatically qualify you as a Caucasian. And shrewd politicos like the Cheneys certainly know that.

Lynne Cheney, who described the connection as “amazing,” said she “discovered” the family tie while working on her new book.  Her research led her to two French men who came to America from France in the 17th century.

You can bet that no family reunion is being planned at the Obama camp.  When notified of the purported relationship, Obama spokesman Bill Burton said, “Every family has a black sheep.” 

When asked if she would change her presidential pick, she quipped, “I should list it as evidence than I’m not a Clinton supporter.”

 For some, the connection might seem “amazing.” I find it suspect.

What do you think?  
 

How important is healthcare to you?  Should Black lawmakers settle for less?

Posted Oct. 16, 2007 – Black lawmakers sent letters to the Democratic Leadership Friday calling for them to avoid “compromise” with Republican on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, commonly called SCHIP.

The Congressional Black Caucus said its members “will not support a compromise SCHIP proposal that is both medically and socially irresponsible.”    Thirty of the 43 members of the caucus signed letters sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.),  House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)

Del. Donna M. Christensen (D-Virgin Islands) told me, “We’re unwilling to compromise if it means covering fewer children. We’ve already compromised when we went from covering 6 million additional children to 4 million.” 

A vote to override President Bush’s veto is scheduled for later this week. 

White House Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto told reporters Monday that the president has made “an overture” toward compromise.  “He made an offer to sit down and find common ground,” but was met with “a certain negative reaction from Sen. Reid and Speaker Pelosi,” Fratto said.  

Democrats are hoping they have enough votes to overturn the president’s veto.

The one-page letter to Democratic party leaders on Congressional Black Caucus stationery, dated Oct. 11, says health insurance “is urgently important to the African American Community.”

But Black lawmakers aren’t alone. Christensen said, the Tri-Caucus, composed of the Black, Latino and Asian Pacific Islander lawmakers, is also drafting a letter that will go to the congressional leadership this week. 

“We’re already not covering legal immigrant children,” Christensen said.  Her concern is that there aren’t any more poor kids to cut.   

Fratto said the goal of the White House is threefold: Get the policy right; examine the principles behind the policy; and then see what it will cost.

Since the Oct. 2 veto by Bush, Democrats have been standing firm on securing coverage of 10 million poor children. 
Christensen said Black lawmakers may consider an authorization for a shorter time period but not for fewer children. 

“This is an alternative being considered but has not been offered because we’re supporting the override,” Christensen said.

Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer 

Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Reporter

Posted Oct. 12, 2007 – Georgia Congressman John Lewis, a longtime friend and loyal supporter of the first Clinton Administration, announced today he’s endorsing Sen. Hillary Clinton’s (D-N.Y.). In doing so, he denies Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), a fellow member of the Congressional Black Caucus, the honor.

It’s been suspected he would, and now it’s official.  Lewis pushed back when I asked him earlier this year if he’d had decided whom to support, which feed hopes Obama might get his endorsement.

No such luck. 
  
“I have looked at all the candidates, and I believe that Hillary Clinton is the best prepared to lead this country at a time when we are in desperate need of strong leadership,”  Lewis said.
“I am proud and deeply honored to have the support of John Lewis, a great American hero.  John helped transform this nation, and his vital role in establishing civil rights for all Americans will never be forgotten,” Clinton said.

This comes at a bad time for Obama.  Clinton is leading in national polls by double digits. In recent months,she surged ahead in fundraising, and they are only separated by a few points in Iowa and New Hampshire polls.

It’s not clear how Obama will play in the south so adding Lewis to fellow Black Georgia congressmen Sanford Bishop and freshman Hank Johnson wouldn’t have hurt.

Now that Lewis has signed on with Clinton, the “big get” will be House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D- S.C.).   He’s one of the most powerful men in Congress, and he’s from the first southern state with a primary.  He may opt to stay neutral until the pack of candidates is smaller.  

Lewis joins the list of lawmakers,  Rep. Charles Rangel(D-N.Y.), and the newest member, Laura Richardson (D-Calif.).  Obama has secured his home state members of the Congressional Black Caucus and now has about a dozen Black lawmakers in his camp.  

 With 43 members in the Black caucus, the number of undecided lawmakers is shrinking.

Do you think friendship or poltical loyalty should determine who lawmakers support?