Top Clinton Aide: Wright Is Key Issue In My Talks With Superdels

Talking Points Memo:

In an interview with me this morning, senior Hillary adviser Harold Ickes confirmed that Reverend Jeremiah Wright is a key topic in his discussions with uncommitted super-delegates over whether Obama is electable in a general election.

The comments from Ickes, who is Hillary's chief delegate hunter, are to my knowledge the first on-the-record confirmation that the Wright controversy is a central subject in conversations between the Hillary campaign and the super-delegates her advisers are trying to win over to Hillary's side.

In the wide-ranging interview, Ickes also:

Read the whole story: Talking Points Memo

Comments

[FJRinLA]

GOD DAMN AMERICA

Come now. So much of African-American history really warrants a little "God Damn America", doesn't it?

The Founding Fathers thought so. Many spoke and wrote of their fears that continuing slavery would bring God's damnation on this country. Read your history or just watch the John Adams HBO miniseries. Well we not only continued it, we took it to another level applying false biblical and biological rationalizations to it as if to stave off damnation.

For example, when Obama says his grandfather fought in Patton's Army he's signaling he has a white grandfather because Blacks fought in segregated ALL-BLACK regiments in WWII as they had since The Civil War; so there were no Blacks in Patton's Army. Sadly, there's never mention of the Black Supply Regiment that got GASOLINE through to Patton's Army in France in any movies and most Americans remain ignorant because history that highlights Black patriotism, military expertise, or self-sacrifice is rarely seen on TV even in February and never taught to whites in public school curriculums. Moreover, when we demand it's taught to our own children in school we're criticized for wanting special treatment.

Tell me, does not that warrant a little "god damn america"?

NO,... you know there's millions of other transgressions I could cite...

The Founding Fathers thought so. As did Rev. Wright, and so do I and most people, if they're honest and not afraid of false patriotism demagoguery now advanced by The Clintons of all people.

[apresdeluge]

Why shouldn't the Rev Wright debacle be considered by superdelegates any less than it should be considered by the voters. It is THE issue which will sink Obama and the Democratic party in November if Obama becomes the nominee. It's called reality.

[Cedman]

I bet the Super Delegates have been taking real long showers after these conversations. Maybe Wright "misspoke".

[S1m0n]

"Top Clinton Aide: Wright Is Key Issue In My Talks With Superdels..."

...I keep mentioning his name, over and over and over.

[PragmaticProgressive]

*Ring Ring*

Anonymous Superdelegate: Hello

Ickes: Hey, we want you to support Clinton. Have you heard about this Wright thing? It's craazy.

AS: Wright, huh. So, how much cash can you contribute to my campaign to re-election?

Ickes: Um. We're sort of strapped for cash right now. How about we catch you after the nomination?

*Click**Dial tone*

End scene

[marinade]

As an American, I know that lots of blacks hate whites and say bad things about them. I know that lots of whites hate blacks and say bad things about them. If you think this is outrageous, then get a grip. It's reality.

[LanosIceland]

Dear Reverend Wright, it is also not surprising that everyone is tearing Obama apart for things you said. It is also not surprising that you said what you said, after all, it is common practise, and tradition, in the evangelical church, that preachers use their position to chastise the nation when they think the nation has sinned. Okay, you got a little carried away, but what I find most shameful and rather disappointing, is your silence on this issue. This will not go away, especially in an election season, yet you remain silent, standing on the sidelines while others fight your battles. A man is indeed judged by his words, but in this case another man, a good man, is being judged by your words. We know you love America, in spite of her past and present sins toward her citizens and citizens of other countries, your ministry is testimony to this fact, but your words have caused hurt, and fear, in many people, and those who do not know you are not obligated to understand you, and now one half of the nation has a false impression of you. Every news network in America will be on go, if and when you finally decide to call a news conference. So, with much humility and great respect towards you Mr Wright, I dutifully request that you finally get off your ass, call a news conference and resolve this issue.

[FreedomLoverX]

As a Jew, believe me, I am not in love with Fahrakan. I also know that none of these things happen in a vacuum. I think George Bush is a criminal tyrant. I thought Arafat, who got the Nobel Peace Prize, was nothing but a low-life terrorist. Why would Bill Clinton embrace this man, and shake his hand?

All these people do what they do, because they, in their hearts, think they are right and justified.

I believe that Obama is not Fahrakan. I do not think he is an anti-semite, anti-white, anti-christian, anti-muslim, anti-black. I think he has been exposed to many things, many sides, many views, many angles, and came out of it a fine person who I would be proud to have represent me as an American, and I would be proud to see in the Whitehouse. He has dedicated his life to helping people, and studying and teaching the Constitution of the United States. I will vote for him.

By the way, I have taken the time to listen to some of Wright's speaches. I like him. These people did not come to being in a vacuum! It is always easy to criticize. It is harder to put yourself in the shoes of another.

[ApolloniaCreed]

I'd like to shake your hand...

[billrott]

Ok, this leak is just another attempt to keep this story in the headlines. SHAME ON YOU HILLARY CLINTON!!! It is another attempt to hide the headlines that Hillary is losing ground in PA, that Hillary's campaign is in the red, that Hillary is not paying healthcare premiums for her employees, that Hillary is lying about NAFTA again, that Hillary won't admit she lied about Bosnia, etc.

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

what do you mean by leak? It was an interview. He said what he said. He meant it . Whether you like it or not, whether you agree with it or not, the Rev Wright issue is something the super delegates should and will consider in making their decision. they would be derelict in their duty to the party if they don't consider it.

Oh, BTW, it was reported Mon eve that the healthcare premiums have been paid. And, the campaign staff's insurance never lapsed. You should try to keep current.

Hillary has not lied about NAFTA. She has several people who were there at the time who verify what she says. The fact that you choose not to believe them doesn't mean she lied. There isn't anyone who could vouche for her on issues like NAFTA, N. Ireland etc that you would believe. So, what difference does it make?

[Najam]

Does the followers of the rhetoric know that the Wright & Farrakhan went to Libya and met Muammar Qaddafi, his church gave Farrakhan a “lifetime achievement award.”?

Obama said “I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother, a woman who helped raise me, a woman who sacrificed again and again for me, a woman who loves me as much as she loves anything in this world, but a woman who once confessed her fear of black men who passed by her on the street, and who on more than one occasion has uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe.”
Jesse Jackson made similar comments in 1993 as Obama's GrandMa. According to Chicago Sun Times, he said, "We must face the No. 1 critical issue of our day. It is youth crime in general and black-on-black crime in particular. There is nothing more painful to me at this stage in my life than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery. Then look around and see somebody white and feel relieved . . . After all we have been through. Just to think we can’t walk down our own streets, how humiliating."

As students of law, both Obama and I know the difference between the "freedom of speech" and "hateful speech." It is the arrogant followers who need to see the difference.

Najam, NJ

[DGregory]

i follow the rhetoric but the trip to libya is the most half truth sean hannity and all those right wing commentator's seem to love to exploit.

The 1984 trip Wright was referring to was when he traveled to Libya and Syria on a peace mission along with an ecumenical body of ministers.
Chaired by Rev. M. William Howard and led on the ground by Rev. Jesse Jackson who brought about a dozen other ministers including Minister Louis Farrakhan, the trip resulted in the freeing of United States Navy pilot Lt. Robert Goodman, who was captured after his fighter jet had been shot down over Lebanon.
At a January 4, 1984 White House ceremony welcoming Lt. Goodman home, U.S. President Ronald Reagan stated, "Reverend Jackson's mission was a personal mission of mercy, and he has earned our gratitude and our admiration."

[geobushono]

Back 'in the day', the Communists would Purge the Party top-to-bot­tom.......­......The Democratic Party is ripe for this solution of the neocons and repugs who have infiltrated MY Democratic Party.
Money and power affect different people in different ways......­.......the clintons, for example, are hoping we all still think of them as those folksy, down home common people who never even owned their own home.
When your A list includes murdoch and mellon scaife, your not a Democrat......spin it however you wish, but it's clear to the base...those of us who WORK, rather than INVEST to survive.

[Northlite]

Us educated folks may not be interested in Hillary's daily blather, but she is not appealing to us. Her focus is on her base, around half the Dem voters, white working class and poor whites and white elderly folks and white women. A fair number of these folks are hurting and they are frightened for themselves and their families. Some significant number of them have a tendency to blame others for their plight, categorically.

If they have any doubts about Obama, all they hear is from the Clinton campaign, sometimes with drum flourishes and sometimes with a whisper or a wink: "He's trying to steal votes." "Obama's Minister, who he is very close to, is a hatemonger." "Black Man." "Plagarist" "Elitist."(As if Hill and Bill haven"t become greatly affectionate with the perks of higher office and wealth), "Obama"s not to be trusted." "The Rs will use Wright to defeat Obama and we"ll all lose." "Muslim?" "Muslim"?

Negative campaigning works! But can and has splashed back big time on Hillary.

If Hillary had courage and real confidence in her core values, she would demonstrate her character and Presidential strength and fitness by condemning the racists and denouncing the fear mongers. This is the only way she could win and win fairly. It appears that she will not rise to the occasion.

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

For many people, myself included, Obama's answers to questions about Rev Wright have been both changing from one interview to the next and also incomplete. The incomplete part may be more the fault of the questioners than of Obama. I found an article Monday that has a list of questions that shed some light on where the inconsistencies and incompleteness lies

http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=ZGVkY2NhYTkzZjIyYzRkYTIxNTU3MjBiMDVmZmE2Y2Y=

The most redent statement by Obama that troubles me is one he made on "The View"

On ABC’s The View you said “had the Reverend [Wright] not retired and had he not acknowledged what he had said had deeply offended people and [was] inappropriate and mischaracterized what I believe is the greatness of this country, for all its flaws, then I wouldn't have felt comfortable staying there at the church.”

Since Rev Wright has made no public statements since this issue came to light, what is Obama talking about with his claim that Wright has acknowledged what he said was inappropriate?

[JMS11302]

Why does Wright have to publicly denouce his own statements - to make you feel better?

I'm sure what Obama was speaking about was a conversation that he had with him and I'm fine with that.

What I don't understand about all you people concerned about Rev. Wright is the fact that Rev. Wright is not running for president. Barack Obama is and if you would actually step back and listen to what he has to say and what he has to offer - instead of judging him on what his former pastor said then you might actually be able to educate yourself on the REAL differences between the two canidates.

People should be judge by who they are not by who someone they know is. I know I wouldn't want to be judge by the stupid things my family or friends do, how about you is that how you want to be judged?

[DGregory]

He said "he just had recently talked to reverend wright about the ordeal " after he came back from his cruise. Which reverend wright was sadden

[FreedomLoverX]

Your shallow viewpoint has been noted. Those who know Wright - white, black, christian, jewish, think he is a good man. Your inability to understand his point of view does not make him bad. Wright loves this country, and your inability to see that doesn't make it less so. You would rather listen to a 2 minute soundbite over and over again, and dismiss his 30 + years of helping people who really needed it. Too bad. Have you done for your community even one percent of what Wright has done for his?

[trinity29]

Harold Ickes is delusional to think that Hillary will not be attacked by the Republican machine just as brutally as Obama would be. Thats what the Republicans do. Operating from a state of fear does not keep anyone on their top A game. If that were the case then Obama would have not dared to run. Moreover, Hillary couldn't even handle a softball like Bosnia effectively and had mud on her face now. Chelsey seems to say none of your business to everyone who wants to talk about Monica Lewinsky. Guess what? The Republicans will make Monica Lewinsky the whole country's business if Clinton is the candidate.

And in terms of being electable, Clinton actually has to be elected by the popular vote and the pledged delegate in a little thing called the Primaries instead of hijacking the election. If you cannot withstand a political freshman like Obama in the primaries, then how can you handle the Republican attack machine, especially when you claim that this has been a "genteel" primary?

[billrott]

Here is something the super delegates should discuss with Ickes: Do you think the continued polarization of the nomination process with race will cause democrats to lose the African American voting block? Do you think the fact that everyone can youtube and see Hillary's lies in Bosnia and lies about not supporting NAFTA will hurt her in a general election? In all seriousness, Hillary will be ripped apart by the Republicans simply utilizing her you tube footage.