History has been made in the election of the 44th President of the United States of America: Barack Hussein Obama, a Black man. This fete is especially noteworthy as it was in 1865 that slavery officially ended in this nation. And now, 143 years later, an African American man will take the reins as the leader of the most powerful country in the free world.
Regardless of political persuasions, Republican or Democrat, the night of November 4, 2008 ushers in a new era of pride for people of color everywhere. Black Americans can stand tall, head held high, because once and for all the door to equality has been kicked opened, allowing Black men, women, boys and girls to take their rightful place at the table of prosperity and recognition.
Around the world, the symbolism of an Obama-win is meaningful and will be viewed for years to come as most significant. Without a doubt, an Obama presidency finally elevates brown men from all the nations in South America, throughout the mid-East, and within the rich continent of Africa, to their rightful places of power and respect––par with their European brothers and sisters.
President Obama’s message of change will now be actualized.
As he now moves toward the monumental job of governing and delivering on his campaign promises… particularly ending the unpopular war in Iraq and bringing the troops home… the stakes for Obama are high and the preverbal honeymoon between him and the nation may be short-lived.
But, the nation has spoken… and the world is celebrating. Best wishes and congratulations to the new President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama!
Showing posts with label African American voters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label African American voters. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
McKinney Poised to Challenge Obama For Left-Wing and Black Voters
As Senator Barack Obama continues pivoting away from those primary-election positions and promises that once galvanized his Democratic base, he may have a new worry looming on the horizon in the person of Cynthia McKinney. A former Georgia Congresswoman, McKinney is said to be a shoo-in as the Green Party's 2008 presidential nominee when their convention is held in Chicago, July 10-12.
Securing the Green Party's 2008 standard-bearer position would bestow on McKinney the historic title of 'first' African American woman to be on the ballot as a viable candidate of a major party for President of the United States. That title alone will not only lessen the aura surrounding Barack Obama's position as the 'first' African American male presidential nominee, but she may also siphon off just-enough left-wing, African American, and women voters, to sink both their chances for victory in the Fall.
Obama, in his quest to appeal to Reagan Republicans and Independents, is gravitating toward a more 'centrist' position of late, which is causing serious ire among many of his followers, and those who supported and believed in his pre-General election message. And McKinney, being the shrewed politician she has always been, is set to capitalize on the Obama backlash. Recently issuing the following statement, McKinney's camp unashamedly challenges progressives/liberals who are disappointed in Obama:
It appears that, barring any unforeseen political calamity, McKinney should lock-down the Green Party nomination this week. No doubt she will immediately begin calling attention to and "disrobing" Obama's about-face on those core left-wing issues... in addition to aggressively courting the disgruntled Obama-primary-voters who voice their discontent of the presumptive Democratic nominee (daily and by the thousands) where it counts most: Bloggersville.
Will Obama be forced to scoot-back to the left and keep his base, as Arianna Huffington recommended recently on the Huffington Post site? Or will he continue down the path of appealing to the right... and land somewhere in the center before November? He needs to make that decision sooner rather than later (and perhaps before he casts his controversial FISA vote] as Cynthia McKinney––whose 'say anything' political attacks by-the-way, will make Obama wish for the days when Hillary Clinton was his competitor.
Keep an eye on McKinney. She is poised to challenge Obama for a share of his voters, and... will indeed give him a run for his money!
Securing the Green Party's 2008 standard-bearer position would bestow on McKinney the historic title of 'first' African American woman to be on the ballot as a viable candidate of a major party for President of the United States. That title alone will not only lessen the aura surrounding Barack Obama's position as the 'first' African American male presidential nominee, but she may also siphon off just-enough left-wing, African American, and women voters, to sink both their chances for victory in the Fall.
Obama, in his quest to appeal to Reagan Republicans and Independents, is gravitating toward a more 'centrist' position of late, which is causing serious ire among many of his followers, and those who supported and believed in his pre-General election message. And McKinney, being the shrewed politician she has always been, is set to capitalize on the Obama backlash. Recently issuing the following statement, McKinney's camp unashamedly challenges progressives/liberals who are disappointed in Obama:
"There can be no effective reasoning with those African Americans who want only that a member of 'The Race' occupy the Oval Office - no matter the character and politics of that Black individual. But self-described progressives of all races cannot excuse their own docility in the face of Obama's rightward lunge - especially when there exists one last opportunity to threaten the Democratic nominee-to-be with a backlash against his betrayals of progressive principles - one last chance to affect Obama's behavior before Election Day, November 4, and beyond. Cynthia McKinney.
It's time for people claiming to be progressives who supported Obama, to accept that they were bamboozled by a champion slickster. Actually, that's putting the best face on the situation, since most of Obama's progressive credentials were simply wished into existence by folks who were tired of even pretending to fight. Obama now dares to drop all pretense of progressivism, trusting that there will be no ramifications on the Left, especially among the otherwise most dependable progressive constituency, African Americans".
[http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?
option=com_content&task=view&id=681&Itemid=1]
It appears that, barring any unforeseen political calamity, McKinney should lock-down the Green Party nomination this week. No doubt she will immediately begin calling attention to and "disrobing" Obama's about-face on those core left-wing issues... in addition to aggressively courting the disgruntled Obama-primary-voters who voice their discontent of the presumptive Democratic nominee (daily and by the thousands) where it counts most: Bloggersville.
Will Obama be forced to scoot-back to the left and keep his base, as Arianna Huffington recommended recently on the Huffington Post site? Or will he continue down the path of appealing to the right... and land somewhere in the center before November? He needs to make that decision sooner rather than later (and perhaps before he casts his controversial FISA vote] as Cynthia McKinney––whose 'say anything' political attacks by-the-way, will make Obama wish for the days when Hillary Clinton was his competitor.
Keep an eye on McKinney. She is poised to challenge Obama for a share of his voters, and... will indeed give him a run for his money!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Nader Hits Obama Between the Eyes!
Firing a direct political salvo at presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama... Ralph Nader 'outs' Obama––hitting him right between the eyes.
Whether or not one agrees with the policies or political positions of Nader the 2008 independent presidential candidate, you have to give him credit for calling Obama out and not backing down on his 'call out'. And that boldness is the mark of a true leader!
Like it or not, Nader is one of the few––if not the only–– politician this entire 16-month election process who has had the guts to 'in-your-face' challenge the soon-to-be-Democratic candidate in the arena he [Obama] has dominated... and has rendered unspeakable by anyone else: RACE.
Now, what is unfortunate is that it took a white man [Nader] to actuate the conversation, and to place (front and center in the political debate) these core issues that plague African-Americans in rural and urban communities coast-to-coast. But more disturbing is 'why' Senator Obama fails to address those important issues, as raised here by Nader, i.e.:
Instead of responding to these legitimate questions from Nader, Obama chose to pooh-pooh his response by saying: "Ralph Nader is trying to get attention. ... It's a shame, because if you look at his legacy in terms of consumer protection, it's an extraordinary one. But at this point, he's somebody who's trying to get attention."
So, let's take the 'need-to-get-attention' aspect off the table. Now, Obama needs to answer Nader's questions–– especially with over 95% of Obama's expected votes-to-victory in the Fall coming from African Americans. What is being demanded by Blacks from him for this support? What kinds of promises will he give to African Americans for this overwhelming backing?
Here of late, the junior Senator from Illinois has made his rounds–– making promises to the Jewish community to lay U.S. lives on the line (if need be) for Israel's security. He continues to meet with, and make commitments to white women–– assuring he will be sensitive to equal pay, abortion rights, and other white women issues if they will come back to the Democratic fold. And, what about Michelle Obama, who is on record pledging to the Gay and Lesbian voter base that Barack will unabashedly fight for equal rights for the Gay community.
Well and good, as nobody is 'hating' on what he has to say to other groups to get their votes! But, Nader's right... and his brazen comments should tweak interest in the Black community. Why has Obama been so silent on what Blacks can realistically expect to receive from an Obama presidency? Surely the reason for his silence is not––as Nader has doggedly thrown onto the political landscape, and refuses to back-up-off-this statement:
Nader's challenge to Obama cannot, and should not, be dismissed as the debate which leads to the road to the White House transpires in coffee houses, living rooms and social gatherings across America.
Senator Obama... Black America needs your response.
RELATED ARTICLE TO READ:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/06/27/grim_proving_ground_for_
obamas_housing_policy/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed5
Comments welcomed!
Whether or not one agrees with the policies or political positions of Nader the 2008 independent presidential candidate, you have to give him credit for calling Obama out and not backing down on his 'call out'. And that boldness is the mark of a true leader!
Like it or not, Nader is one of the few––if not the only–– politician this entire 16-month election process who has had the guts to 'in-your-face' challenge the soon-to-be-Democratic candidate in the arena he [Obama] has dominated... and has rendered unspeakable by anyone else: RACE.
Now, what is unfortunate is that it took a white man [Nader] to actuate the conversation, and to place (front and center in the political debate) these core issues that plague African-Americans in rural and urban communities coast-to-coast. But more disturbing is 'why' Senator Obama fails to address those important issues, as raised here by Nader, i.e.:
"I haven't heard him [Senator Obama] have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that?" [And...
"...why don't you support single-payer national health insurance, which is supported by a majority of doctors and the American people? Why do you favor expanding the military budget which is replete with waste, fraud and abuse?" [And...
"...why don't you come out and support an immediate increase of the minimum wage to $10 an hour? [And for Obama to address...
"...'cracking down on corporate crime, curbing the violence of toxic environmental racism, and extending clean, affordable public transit, among other issues'. When can we expect the authenticity of hope and change?"
Instead of responding to these legitimate questions from Nader, Obama chose to pooh-pooh his response by saying: "Ralph Nader is trying to get attention. ... It's a shame, because if you look at his legacy in terms of consumer protection, it's an extraordinary one. But at this point, he's somebody who's trying to get attention."
So, let's take the 'need-to-get-attention' aspect off the table. Now, Obama needs to answer Nader's questions–– especially with over 95% of Obama's expected votes-to-victory in the Fall coming from African Americans. What is being demanded by Blacks from him for this support? What kinds of promises will he give to African Americans for this overwhelming backing?
Here of late, the junior Senator from Illinois has made his rounds–– making promises to the Jewish community to lay U.S. lives on the line (if need be) for Israel's security. He continues to meet with, and make commitments to white women–– assuring he will be sensitive to equal pay, abortion rights, and other white women issues if they will come back to the Democratic fold. And, what about Michelle Obama, who is on record pledging to the Gay and Lesbian voter base that Barack will unabashedly fight for equal rights for the Gay community.
Well and good, as nobody is 'hating' on what he has to say to other groups to get their votes! But, Nader's right... and his brazen comments should tweak interest in the Black community. Why has Obama been so silent on what Blacks can realistically expect to receive from an Obama presidency? Surely the reason for his silence is not––as Nader has doggedly thrown onto the political landscape, and refuses to back-up-off-this statement:
"Obama is talking white. "He wants to show that he is not a threatening . . . another politically threatening African-American politician," Nader said. "He wants to appeal to white guilt. You appeal to white guilt not by coming on as black is beautiful, black is powerful. Basically he's coming on as someone who is not going to threaten the white power structure, whether it's corporate or whether it's simply oligarchic. And they love it. Whites just eat it up."
Nader's challenge to Obama cannot, and should not, be dismissed as the debate which leads to the road to the White House transpires in coffee houses, living rooms and social gatherings across America.
Senator Obama... Black America needs your response.
RELATED ARTICLE TO READ:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/06/27/grim_proving_ground_for_
obamas_housing_policy/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed5
Comments welcomed!
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