At the same time, Obama said: "I have no doubt that I can get the people who vote for Senator Clinton. ... It's not clear that Senator Clinton can get all the people I'm getting." ...
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If Obama is referring to black voters, he needs to get a grip. Black folks voted long before he hit the campaign trail. There was a record turnout in Georgia in1988 as black voters flocked to the polls to support their candidate of choice, Jesse Jackson. Black voters propelled Jackson to victory in Alabama, Delaware and Georgia. Still, in the general election, Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis received 88 percent of the black vote.In a conference call, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said: "By winning a majority of delegates and a majority of the states, Barack Obama won an important Super Tuesday victory over Senator Clinton in the closest thing we have to a national primary. From Colorado and Utah in the west to Georgia and Alabama in the south to Senator Clinton's backyard in Connecticut, Obama showed that he can win the support of Americans of every race, gender, and political party in every region of the country."
Plouffe concluded: "That's why he's on track to win the Democratic nomination, and that's why he's the best candidate to defeat John McCain in November."
Get real. Obama was the choice of Democratic primary voters in states that no Democrat will win in the general election. States like Georgia, Alabama and Utah.
As one Black Voices community member pointed out: "Obama is an inspiration for blacks and whites. He is picking up momentum and is very presidential. However, when I review the votes, I have some concerns. He had a good night, but many of those states will be red states in a general election and that could be a set up for a Democratic disaster."
The late Ossie Davis cautioned: "It's not the man, it's the plan." The New York Times likewise editorialized against the "cult of personality."
Black voters overwhelmingly support Obama out of racial pride. But they plan to win in November.
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+ Obama Changes The Game (maybe)
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+ Barack Obama: New Music Video Sensation
Comments: (112)
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By: rob on 2/09/2008 3:34PM
BV writes, Obama said: "I have no doubt that I can get the people who vote for Senator Clinton. ... It's not clear that Senator Clinton can get all the people I'm getting." ...
BV presumptuously presses that:
"If Obama is referring to black voters, he needs to get a grip. Black folks voted long before he hit the campaign trail."
How "small" as Oprah put it. The reality is that Obama will get the female vote in November; or, the Supreme Ct will fall victim to anti-Rowe politics.
It is not so evident Hillary and Bill will get newly inspired, Independents, males (black, white or Hispanic) or, cross-over Republicans.
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By: benny on 2/11/2008 2:17PM
Finally someone looking behind the sensation of him solely being black.
He didn't win in key states. He won Alaska for example with a wopping 400 votes, while mccain took thousands.
People are not looking at the big picture.
Look at the history. Look at both sides of the election results. The republicans are already setting themselves up to unite behind mccain, no longer splitting that vote and giving him months to sway republican voters.
wake up people. stop being fooled.
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By: KT on 2/09/2008 4:44PM
THANK YOU, Rob! My sentiments exactly! That broad cross section of people was what Obama was talking about. Even some Republicans respect and voted for Obama. He brings people TOGETHER. That AOL-BV writer should read Newsweek and check CNN.com to get informed.
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By: Carol on 2/07/2008 2:49PM
I am Black first, and a woman second. Hillary blew it when she down played Martin Luther King's importance in the civil rights movement 1 day before the anniversary of his birthday. It was an insult to all the people suffered under Jim Crow until Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King convinced Johnson to push for the law abolishing it in the South. I'm old enough to have been born on a segregated Air Force Base. Just last year, people were hanging nooses on trees, in Jena. So as far as I'm concerned Jim Crow is alive and well. Whether he wins the nomination or not, I wish my father, an Original Tuskeegee Airman was alive to see this day. It took congress 60 years to recognize the 300 who are still alive. Black people always have to struggle for what immigrants get handed to them. My family fought in the revolutionary war, but still had to step off the sidewalk when a white person wanted to pass. The wounds are still deep, and not healed as far as I'm concerned.
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By: Frank Tillery on 2/07/2008 2:55PM
It is unlikely that Mrs. Clinton would accept the Vice-Presidential role for any President after spending eight years witnessing Al Gore’s plight. Also, Mr. Obama would probably not be able to endure eight years of being Vice-President to the Co-Presidency of Bill and Hillary Clinton. By the way, does a co-presidency even have or acknowledge a vice-president?
OBAMA-HAGEL ‘08
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By: girlking on 2/07/2008 6:06PM
Faye, I don't think Senator Obama was intimating that African Americans haven't voted before. I think he was saying that Senator Clinton would have a problem getting white males, Reagan Democrats and
Independents to vote for her. Maybe you should revise your article so that it doesn't sound confusing.
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By: chrismosley on 2/07/2008 9:46PM
Your comment that Obama is not going to win Alabama is totally wrong. I bet you any amount of money that Obama will win Alabama in the general election in a very bruising election war. Want to bet?
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By: Mary Stephens on 2/08/2008 7:17PM
Thanks God, we have someone who is working for the people and not just for himself. I met Obama in Dillion, South Carolina. I love him. He can do just what he said he can do. He is freindly, intellegent. warm and he cares about people, not just the vote. Obama, you have my vote. Continue the good works. I shook your hand, I held a conversation with you and I like your style. God bless you. You said you would sign my poster. But I did not want to fight the crowd. I left to get out before the rush. Love you and Michelle. Blessings.
Mary Stephens3@aol.com
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By: Tiny on 2/08/2008 12:08AM
I can't say that I am surprised at the negativity in some of the blogs here and on other media mogul blogs, but I am disappointed to say the least. I expect that the powerbrokers would do and say anything in their power to try and make sure that Obama does not get elected, but to hear the shameful things that are being said shall we say outside the camp being said inside the camp is disgraceful. I am not suggesting that you vote for him because of color, but I am saying that should not be the reason that you don't vote for him. I have heard some of the most ridiculous reasons for not voting for him, such as, he's muslim, a closet terrorist, he's not all black, he changed his name; got to be something wrong with that, I guess there was something wrong with Bob Hope doing it too. Then he's doesn't have any experience in the white house. No candidate that was ever elected to the Presidency had any experience of that office unless they had been re-elected for a second term and some of them that were are still not exprienced in running this country. Don't vote for him if you don't believe he can do what he says, don't vote for him if you believe the myth that you have to be experienced the first day you get in the White House. But please, don't be among the populice that is not voting for him because of his color, his name,his biological makeup or his alleged muslim/christian religion.
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By: michelle on 2/08/2008 12:30AM
Hillary Clinton for President !!! YOU GO GIRL !!!
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