By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer

Posted Feb. 28, 2008 – Earlier this week during the Democratic presidential debate the candidates were asked to describe why their challenger was “worthy” of becoming the president of the United States.

Of course, they both were somewhat puzzled why they were being asked to promote their opponent, but they answered; no one recalls or reported their response. 

But defining “worthy” isn’t easy. 

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has been trying to prove himself “worthy” since he tossed his hat in the ring for Commander and Chief.  First he had to prove he was “Black” enough; then “experienced” enough; and then “capable” enough to lead. 

It looked like Obama had cleared all hurtles, until the “gotcha” question during the debate.  When Obama was asked one fo the two litmus test questions often posed to Black folks; Do you denounce Minister Louis Farrakhan, and did O.J. Simpson do it? 

Obama even went a step further and “rejected and denounce,” the controversially and outspoken leader, now only the Simpson question remains.  Why is it Black folks have to be responsible for every Black person who does or says something offensive, illegal or just plain stupid?   It hardly seems fair.

It looks Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton (N.Y) will get a pass on the question now troubling the most likely Republican challenger Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.).  McCain’s worthyness  is under scrutiny regarding his birth status as a “natural-born citizen.”  A story in The New York Times questions McCain’s birth in the Panama Canal Zone in 1936.  McCain was born off shore, so does he meet the intent of the founder’s language “natural born?”

McCain’s parents were stationed in Panama when he was born, so the issue is being researched and legal experts are debating whether the letter of the law means only folks delivered on American soil meet the criteria.

We’ll have to wait and see what happens with McCain. I’m sure Obama, born in Hawaii and Clinton, born in Illinois are relieved the stork dropped them state side.
 

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer

Posted Feb. 27, 2008 – Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) has made it official and switched his endorsement and super delegate support from New York Sen. Hillary Clinton to his fellow Black lawmaker Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

You may recall (my blog on Feb. 15) Lewis was already contemplating following the wishes of his constituents and supporting Obama with his “super” delegate vote, but keeping his loyalty and long time friendship with the Clinton’s in tact with his personal endorsement.

That was far too complicated, so today he told his hometown paper,  The Atlanta Journal Constitution, he would officially endorse the freshman senator.  “Something’s happening in America, something some of us did not see coming,” Lewis told the paper.

Lewis isn’t the only Georgia lawmaker making the switch.  Rep. David Scott (D- Ga.) has also jumped ship and is now in the Obama camp. Like Lewis’s district, Scott’s congressional district voted 80 percent for Obama.  “You’ve got to represent the wishes of your constituency,” Scott told the Associated Press on February 14.

While I’m not sure about the timing of this announcement, the question now is, who’s next?
 
 

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer

Posted Feb. 26, 2008 – The 90 minute Democratic debate tonight was packed with detailed policy positioning by Senators Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.), but no one landed a decisive knock-out punch. 

The only thing certain by the end of the debate - 20 debates are enough.

 With the primaries in Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island and Vermont just a week away, the two spared over their health care plans, exiting the war in Iraq and trade.  But no new ground was covered on policy, and even they admitted how similar their positions really are.  

There were a few memorable exchanges.  One came when Clinton balked about the order of question in recent debates, “I find it quit curious I always get the first question,” she noted. “I’m glad to answer,” she added. 

Another came when, Obama hinted the New York senator was over reacting to a recent political mailing sent to folks in Ohio by his campaign comparing their health care plans. “Senator Clinton has … constantly sent out negative attacks on us, e-mail, robo-calls, flyers, television ads, radio calls, and we haven’t whined about it because I understand that’s the nature of these campaigns,” he said.

Clinton who fielded the first question of the debate, was able to chat up the topic of health care.  The back and forth with Obama gave her an opportunity to highlight her passion on the topic, and gave Obama some of the longest rebuttals of the night.  

“It’s been unfortunate that Senator Obama has consistently said that I would force people to have health care whether they could afford it or no,” Clinton said. 

Things did get a little tense when Clinton was asked, when she would release her tax returns so folks could see how her campaign was being financed.  Clinton loaned her campaign five million dollars leading up to Super Tuesday, and the campaign has since paid her back. She said, donations were the main source of financing, but would release her returns in the near future - nothing firm. 

Obama has already turned over his tax returns,  so he got a pass on that question.  But he was asked if he would be sticking to his pledge for a “publicly financed campaign” if he received the nomination. He didn’t committee one way or the other, and said, if he gets the nomination, he’ll sit down with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and work out what’s “fair” for both candidates.   

But mincing words really became evident when the Illinois senator was asked about the recent announcement by Nation of Islam leader, Minister Louis Farrakhan that  he supported Obama’s candidacy for president.  Obama responded, that he “denounced” Farrakhan’s anti-Semitic comments and in no way supports the views of the outspoken religious leader.     

 Clinton chimed in about a similar endorsement she received during her senate race from an anti-Semitic group in New York, citing that she that she “rejected” their  support.

“If Senator Clinton feels that ‘reject’ is stronger than the word ‘denounce,’ then I’m happy to concede the point, and I would reject and denounce” Farrakhan’s support,” Obama said.

At the end of the debate each was asked if they had any regrets during their years of public service; Clinton for the first time admitted regretting her vote to support the war in Iraq. 

Obama said he regretted his in-action to stop the Senate’s involvement in Terri Schiavo case.  Shiavo is the women who had been in a coma for close to a decade when her husband wanted to have her removed from life support.  Congress stepped in and approved legislation that would allow a federal court to intervene in the medical decision by Schiavo’s family that would end her life.

This debate could be the last the candidates will face off and was important for them as they lead up to the March 4 primaries.  Clinton’s goal was to curb Obama’s  momentum. Obama has won the last 11 contest and new polls are  giving him an added advantage.  A national survey by CBS News/New York Times has Obama leading Clinton 54 percent to 38 percent among Democrats.

A Rasmussen Reports survey released on Tuesday showed Obama cutting into Clinton’s lead in Ohio, and last week polls in Texas showed the two tied.  Clinton’s once double digit lead among Ohio Democrats is now only five points with 48 percent to Obama’s 43 percent.

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Poltical Producer

Posted Feb. 26, 2008 – Until this recent stunt by the Clinton campaign, I had hoped folks would see a contest waged without getting low down and dangerously dirty by Democratic rivals.

But today’s alledged actions by the Clinton campaign, tells me they want a win and they’ll do just about anything to do so.  I’m sure Black Americans will be in no mood to forgive and forget this recent stunt so closely on the heels of a discussion about the safety of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)

The release of a photo of Obama in traditional Somali clothing during a 2006 trip to African was sent to the conservative website Drudgereport.com  (without explanation) to get the policy conversation off of NAFTA.  The website says the picture came from the Clinton campaign. 

Maggie Williams, who’s Black, wouldn’t even deny leaking the photo, and released a statement saying, “If Barack Obama’s campaign wants to suggest that a photo of him wearing traditional Somali clothing is divisive, they should be ashamed.  Hillary Clinton has worn the traditional clothing of countries she has visited and had those photos published widely.”

They knew the photo could and would be misunderstood, just what they wanted. This dirty little trick could cost the Clinton campaign more than they ever imagined.

 I can’t wait to see what Williams has in store next.

Posted Feb. 27, 2008 – On Tuesday afternoon, I received a call followed by an email from one of the folks at Clinton camp whom I have worked with for a long  time expressing  concern about this blog.  She said the campaign has no proof this photo of Obama was sent to the Drudgereport by a member of their team, and asked that information be shared with my readers.  Here’s what she had to say; 

“Hey Pamela …

Just wanted to follow up with you on today’s blog posting … as we discussed earlier …the first sentence implies that the campaign has put out this photo. Senator Clinton (and the campaign doesn’t condone this type of practice). No one at the campaign had seen this alleged Email or this photo until we saw it on the Drudge Report along with the rest of the media (and at this moment no one has yet to see it). That being said, can you update your blog to reflect that the campaign did not have anything to do with this “stunt” — this, as I said, does not do anything positive for our campaign so the question for you would be “why would we engage in this type of tactic?” Thanks for your attention to this matter.

Best, TRACI”

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer

Posted Feb. 25, 2008 – There may be no need to worry about the role of “super delegates” in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination Michigan Congressman John Conyers (D) told me.  He predicts that if Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) winning streak continues,  “Someone may concede the whole thing.”

The only “someone” to concede is Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), who is betting on primaries in Ohio and Texas to revive her campaign.

Conyers wants Democrats to stop the infighting and start focusing on the presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).      

Clinton (D-N.Y.) hasn’t given any indication she would concede, so what if it comes down to the super delegates and a battle to seat those delegates in Florida and Michigan?

 Clinton wants those votes to count of course, because she “won” those contests.  There were no other candidates’ names on the ballot and no one campaigned in those states, as was agreed upon by all parties before the primary season started. 

 Conyers, a super delegate from Michigan, won’t be able to cast his vote either.  The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and dean of the Congressional Black Caucus will have to forfeit his super status because Michigan ignored the rules set forth by the Democratic National Committee (DNC).  

Conyers said that if there is a compromise for the delegates in the states that were disqualified,  it should be done fairly, before the convention; and that no one should be rewarded who “violated” the rules.  “We have to either have a caucus or an agreement with the candidates.” he said.

Conyers isn’t the only Black lawmaker whose super status hangs in the balance.  Florida Congressmen Kendrick Meek and Alcee Hastings also forfeited their standing. In October 2007, Hasting and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) filed a lawsuit in federal court against the DNC and the chairman, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.

The lawsuit charges the DNC with imposing “disenfranchisement on a massive scale,” for voters in Florida by stripping away its delegates and its representation at the national convention in Denver.  No decision on this yet.

But Conyers thinks the contest between Obama and Clinton will be over soon. “We may not have to do anything,” he said. “It’s looking difficult [for Clinton] to get more delegates than Barack Obama.”

And the question of whether super delegates will make the call, Conyers said, “no one is going to stand for that.” We can’t go back to the days of smoke-filled rooms, where a few party heavyweights would decide who the nominee would be. That won’t work in 2008.”
 
 

Posted Feb. 22, 2008 – According to the Star-Telegraph Newspaper in Dallas, the federal agency responsible for protecting Sen. Barack Obama decided to allow thousands of people into a political rally without going through any security screening.  The reason for this lapse of good judgment: the lines were long and the process was taking too long.

Duh!

The folks who made this call were lucky the crowd was  “friendly.”  I hope this isn’t the kind of protection the Secret Service will offer up if Obama becomes the Commander-in-Chief.

The Dallas Police were worried and let the cat out of the bag.  

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Poltical Producer

Posted Feb. 22, 2008 – It was clear that both candidates were on a mission last night.  Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) wanted to show folks he had substance, not just flowery words, and Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) wanted to remind folks she’s in the race.

Both accomplished their goals.

The two candidates cordially debated the differences in their health care plans, their plans to improve the economy and foreign policy solutions, including the war in Iraq.  Both took shots at what they called the “failed policies” of the Bush administration.   

But sparks did fly when Obama was asked about the accusation he plagiarized part of a recent speech.  Obama called the attention to this “the silly season in politics.”  Clinton responded that he wasn’t offering real change but “change you can Xerox,” bringing boos from the audience.

Another memorable moment came when Clinton implied Obama was all talk with few notable accomplishments.  In response, Obama offered a laundry list of his achievements in his professional and political life and then declined to “denigrate” Clinton’s record.  “I do think there is a fundamental difference between us in terms of how change comes about,” he said.

Obama said that Clinton’s comments gave the “implication” the folks who have voted or worked on his campaign are “somehow delusional” and somehow being “duped,”  a clear reference to his current frontrunner status.

Obama appeared calm throughout and didn’t let much ruffle his feathers and both looked thoughtful and made notes while the other was speaking.  The air conditioning fans on stage required them both to cover their notes.

Clinton’s remarks were pointed, and again focused on her experience.  She wanted to show voters as much contrast as possible, a hard task in the policy arena, so style and execution were the hot bottons. 

The candidates will go before voters in Texas and Ohio on March 4. Obama with 10 straight wins since Super Tuesday leads Clinton in pledged delegates with an estimated 1319 to her 1250, without including super delegates.

The University of Texas Austin debate wrapped up with each candidate being asked to tell of a “defining moment” in their lives. Both had a composite of events in their lives they credited for shaping who they are now. 

Obama talked about his childhood, being raised by a single mother and the influence of his up bringing.  “What was most important, in my life, was learning to take responsibility for my own actions, learning to take responsibility for not only my own actions but how I can bring people together to actually have an impact on the world,” he said.
Clinton’s last remarks were her best of the night, because they sounded sincere.  She told the audience as if her campaign could end any moment, “You know, whatever happens, we’re going to be fine. You know, we have strong support from our families and our friends. I just hope that we’ll be able to say the same thing about the American people. And that’s what this election should be about.”

This could be a sign the Dems have their “dream ticket” now the order on the ticket  could be decided in Ohio and Texas. 

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer

Posted Feb. 21, 2008 – The two Democratic presidential candidates have made it through the first half of the debate tonight with polite banter and stately respect.  Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) appears confident and comfortable, and has offered a few light moments of humor.

The two candidates appear to be agreeing on most policy issues, so folks will have to decide who says it best. 

The first “boos” of the night came for Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) when she once again accused Obama of plagiarism during a recent speech in Wisconsin.  Obama called this attack the “silly season in politics.”

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer

Posted Feb. 20, 2008 – Could former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards (D) be ready to endorse Sen. Barack Obama?   I spoke with Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) earlier today and he told me, “I know them both well, and their good friends, the issue isn’t if he’s going to do it, it’s when.”

Conyers the dean of the Congressional Black Caucus signed on early to support the freshman senator’s run for the White House.

Conyers told me, he hopes it happens before March 4, “For two reasons – Ohio and Texas.”

Do you think an Edwards endorsement would help Obama?

By Pamela Gentry

 Posted Jan. 20, 2008 – Sen. Barack Obama continues his winning streak, netting his 10th straight victory Tuesday in the  Democratic Wisconsin primary and Hawaii state caucus.  Early this morning, the results in Hawaii showed that state’s ”favorite son” won with 75 percent of the vote.  

Wisconsin had 74 national convention delegates up for grabs, and Hawaii had 20.  These wins will allow Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) to keep his lead of pledged delegates over Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.).

Obama went into the contest in Wisconsin and Hawaii with an estimated 1,281 delegates and Clinton with 1.218, according to Associated Press.  To secure the nomination it takes 2,025 of the party’s delegates.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won the Republican Primary in Wisconsin, besting his only remaining rival,  former Arkansa Gov. Mike Huckabee.  McCain won with 56 percent of the vote, to Huckabee’s 36 percent.  Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.)  also on the ballot received five percent of the vote.  To seal the Republican nomination McCain with 894 will need 1,191 delegates.

Why do you think folks are backing the junior senator Obama over the more  experienced Clinton?