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Booing A Black lawmaker
Published by Pamela Gentry on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 11:32 am.
By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer
Posted April 2, 2008 – I really hate to say, “I told you so,” but the reception Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) received from her own constituents last weekend during the Texas Democratic Convention isn’t surprising.
Lee is an ardent and vocal supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), but the folks she “reps” don’t agree with her presidential pick. They, like most African Americans, are for the freshman Democratic senator from Illinois, Barack Obama.
On Feb. 11, I predicted that this is precisely what would happen. I warned that Black lawmakers who were out of step with their constituents at this historic time in American politics might just see their voter base dwindle and lose their seats in the future.
Some Black lawmakers, realizing that their political futures are far more important than their allegiance to Clintons, quickly changed their endorsements from Hillary to the popular candidate of their constituents, Obama. Georgia Congressmen David Scott and John Lewis were among the first to flip-flop for the sake of the people they represent – and for their own political lives.
Lewis, a longtime friend of the Clintons, said when he switched, “”Something’s happening in America, something some of us did not see coming. Barack Obama has tapped into something that is extraordinary. “
Lee, one of Clinton’s national co-chairs, is seen as having a disconnect with the folks who sent her to Washington. During an interview on Fox News earlier this month, she confirmed she was sticking with Clinton – regardless of her constituents’ choice.
The booing began the moment Lee rose during the Texas Democratic Convention to speak to the crowd. The 18th district, which is predominantly Black, delivered 90 percent of its vote for the Illinois senator in the Texas primary.
KHOU’s Web site has video and sound of the audience’s boos and chants for the Illinois senator. You can hear Obama supporters calling out Obama’s name as she tries to address the convention.
I doubt this reaction was expected by Lee, but it could be a sign of things to come. Lee is the first to get feedback so quickly, and this could signal to her and other elected “super delegates” just how big the stakes are if they decide not to follow the wishes of the folks who put them in office.
Following this latest development, she told reporters, “What would I be if I went back on my word to an individual that I’ve worked with for more than a decade and who sat down talked to me about her vision for America?”
The answer: politically brilliant.
I can’t believe the ignorance of some black people. I guess Represesntative Lee should have sold her sould to the devil and changed her heartfelt choice and switched to
Barack Obama just because he’s the BLACK candidate? I can’t wait to see “IF” Obama becomes President what he’s going to do for all the African-Americans who voted for him just because he’s black. As soon as he’s forced to make descisions that Black people don’t agree with they’ll be calling him a sell out too….GET OVER YOUR RACISOM BLACK FOLK!
Hats off to you Brother Charles
Where is my comment, Is there some restriction on how a comment is worded or who it is from. I have had this problem before. Stop sending me emails if you are not going to post my comments
My Comment PLEASE
Go Obama!
Tyrone is right, I personally at different times, left up to FOUR comments which were not posted. Then I typed GO OBAMA on the comment that has Talishs’a name on it to see if that would get posted. It did. I guess BET shows their bias again since my other comments were Pro-Hillary.
HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT REP, LEE WAS AN UNCLE TOM! HOW SHE CAN BACK THESE PHONY PEOPLE WHO ARE OR SHOULD I SAY WERE TRYING TO USE THE BLACK VOTE IN UNBELIEVABLE! PEOPLE LIKE THIS ONLY CARE ABOUT THEMSELVES AND WHAT THEY CAN GET OUT OF WHO THEIR CATERING TO!
Charles get off your high horse and face reality,how mwny people in the polls have indicated they would not vote for Barack because he is black and they would vote for Hilary or Mcain coz of their color,and on the other hand you have blacks like you(that is if you are even black)saying they will not even consider Obama’s color.The blacks in France are watching and we say to you bro that is reality,so you have a choice to bury your own or continue what has been done for the 500 yrs blacks have been in the country,uphold the white man as superior just becoz they have programmed you to think so.With this kind of mentality the so called advanced USA will for ever lag behind all developed nations when it comes to following their own professed equality for all.They need to do what they preach to other nations coz the world is watching!!!
Let’s tell the truth, Hillary Rodman Clinton has been using Bill Clinton’S Presendecy for her political gains;she was not from New York,but she won that senate seat.Now,she is running for Presidency of the United States.When will she stop, riding on Bill’s shirt tails.I personally think being married to a former President should disqualify you from running-especially when he is still alive,because it really destroys his(President)legacy,when he has to be out campaigning and Scrutinized on what ever he says…Poor Bill:-(…and I use to like the guy..BUT NOBODY TALKS ABOUT OBAMA…
I think its a sad time in American History when so many young people of color Brown, Hispanic, Asia etc must feel pressured to vote based on color, relatives or friends. I am Young, Female and Afrian American and proud to be a supporter of Hilary Clinton. I’m also proud that so many of us (people of color) are trying to understand politics and why its important to vote but we should also understand that it is our personal vote, NOT THE VOTE OF OUR PEERS!
This is disappointing to me. This is America and people can vote for and support whoever they want. Every black person does not have to vote for Barack Obama. Just because an African American does not vote for Obama does not mean they are a Uncle Tom. Regardless of who we choose to vote for we have to stand together as a people because we are going to have to support whoever wins…which may not even be Obama. Frankly I have more respect for Lee for sticking to what she believes.
Why is that everytime, a black man or black woman do or say something which is their right,against the grain of other black people. Most of us are supporting Obama. If others are not please they are not uncle Toms. Just individual with their own opinions.
Yes, she should be ashamed,were does she think the clintons machine is going to but her, anywhere but the front of the bus. More like the back of a police car. then she might remeber that she is actully black?
She is doing what is righ im black and i personally like the Clintons and im supporting Hillary Rodham Clinton for President. Let me see you boo Robert Johnson for supporting Hillary Clinton.
I’m not getting all the arguing over Clinton/Obama. Calling people Unclue Toms and sell outs if they don’t vote this way or that.
I could maybe understand if they were in different parties but they are both democrats and in the end they will both use blacks and other people of color to get what they want because that is their prime voter base.
And NO I’m not saying jump ship and vote for the white guy but stop trying to act like Obama is the great black hope. He’s just a man with an agenda to get ahead like everybody else in politics.
I REALLY hope THIS gets posted cause i like tyrone have written important issues with me and its not posted other people write books on here and it is posted!!! People do have the right to VOTE 4 who they want but no Election should be based on favoritism from other elected officials just because of their relationships with the Clintons in the past!~!It isnt because Obama is a black man that many people are rooting for him! He offers a NEW Vision which i believe would not have been truly recognized or possible if it were not for the increase in young people now registered to vote and still registering because of this historic moment. REMEMBER: OBAMA is taking alot of flack and he still stands, for ALL the people not just black!
Right Mr.DJ we have tried everything else we might as well try the great black hope as well.
Can’t be any worst than what we have now.
Get over this black thing and let’s get America Back from what they intended it to be. go forward and let’s live again, where everybody can work and have whatever they can afford. We are tired of this government. Let’s change it.
Brother Charles needs to learn how to spell before he can comment on who is a racist or not.
RACISOM is not spelled that way my brother, it is spelled RACISM……
Maybe with a black president you will get a better education.
All of the Aunt Jemimas and Uncle Toms ( Charles, Gwen, John, Mai Robertson, Phil-Up, Daqavise and DJ ) are for the lying deceitful clintons in “08″. Go Obama go,Black Power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hey, I’m “white”,
but it’s just so obvious that Obama is the best canidate..(by far!!)
..whether, he was Black or White…….it wouldn’t matter…he’s the best: he’s intelligent, kind, and decent……..and America (and the world) would be blessed to have him as president.
Clinton & McCain are the same… the same old, same old…
This country needs a change.
This country needs Obama!