Tavis Smiley Reportedly Quits Radio Show Over Obama Hate

Update: Tavis Smiley has posted a statement on Huffington Post regarding his decision to leave the "Tom Joyner Morning Show." The statement reveals that he did not quit effective immediately and will, as mentioned below, more fully address the situation on Tuesday morning. Read the statement here.

Original Post: Richard Prince reports that Tavis Smiley is leaving the "Tom Joyner Morning Show":

"He called me yesterday and said, 'I quit,'" Joyner said.

Joyner said Smiley told him he was working on too many projects, but believed the real reason was that "he can't take the hate.

"He can't take the hate he's taken over Barack Obama. He's always busting Barack Obama's chops. They call. They e-mail. They joke. You know Tavis like I do. He needs to feel loved"...

Smiley had been critical of Obama for not attending Smiley's annual "State of the Black Union" symposium on Feb. 23. Of the presidential candidates, only Sen. Hillary Clinton accepted the invitation. Obama said he would send his wife, Michelle, but Smiley insisted that was not good enough.

"I'm catching hell," Smiley acknowledged in an interview then with Michael H. Cottman of BlackAmericaWeb.com.

Tavis acknowledged the situation on his website and told readers that he will address the situation on Tuesday:

Friends and Supporters:

By now, you may have heard of my departure from the Tom Joyner Morning Show.

Story continues below

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I am traveling today and am not available to respond directly. I will address what you heard on the Tom Joyner Morning Show next Tuesday at 8:25 AM EST, during my normal commentary on the show.

Warmest Regards,

Tavis

Read the rest of the article here, or read Smiley's HuffPost blogs here.

Selections:
Tavis Smiley: Gen. Colin Powell on the Obama Moment
Tavis Smiley: My Conversation with Hillary Clinton
Tavis Smiley: My Conversation with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Comments

[ObGyn]

If Travis is the example of a black leader, you guys are in more trouble than you realize. Travis is an uneducated fool. He got a B.A. studying mostly Black Grievances – er – I mean, Black History. He is not qualified to fetch me a cup of water. And he is a rich media commentator? Well, in the land of the blind, I guess the one eyed man has to be the king.

[Lap48]

Uh, its "Tavis" not "Travis." That sort of mistake, inadvertant or not, might lead one to be open to an attack along the lines of not knowing what one is "talking" about.

[Actionmac]

Well, he doesn't... and neither does Tavis. Maybe they can get together and exercise their right to BE SILENT.

[sunzen]

I watched that Black forum thingy on cspan with Taxi moderating and thought he was more interested in protecting his point of view (ego) than actually moderating.

He loves talking...taxi or as i call him Mr. Smiley has a lot to say.

[Edmond08]

Tavis nobody's leader. He thinks he is, but he is only a pimp. Whenever he opens he mouth, he sounds like a fool. He makes one statement and then contradicts himself in another statement.

The man is a typical hate-monger you find in every black neighborhood. He is probably a crack dealer and crack user like Charles Rangel, Andrew Young, John Lewis, and Bob Johnson.

If these are leaders that blacks can produce, then give me Dubya Bush any time any where. At least Bush knows and admits that he has some problems. But these other crack heads pretend as if they are Moses of the world, but they got no brains and no intelligence to know how to clean their noses.

Tavis should be ignored for he is nothing. He is a leader for his mama alone.

[gerireig]

Edmondo8: I'm guessing Edmondos 1 through 7 were no great shakes either. You're obviously dim with or without the racism. If you want to engage in adult conversation, at least wait until your intellect surpasses that of a 9 year old.

[Senella]

Vicious Hate!!

[domdella]

Black Grievances " er " I mean, Black History.
Is that what you've learned from reading 5 stories in your history book? that black history is black grievances....so there has been no type of progress made, from your comments, among blacks....and we wonder y the country has such a problem with a black man running for president "er" the close-minded views of the Americans......hes got to be with the GOP that type of attitude is prominent among republicans.....and if your not a republican, you got that close-mindedness (thats not a word lol) from a conservative.....

[melann830]

To all of you ignorant people who post, continue to disavow and reject those who have paved the way for others. So now, not only are some responsible for black on black crimes in society, but you will be responsible for the demise of those black leaders who have made substantlal contributions in the journalism field and in our colleges, people like Dr. Cornell West and Tavis Smiley and Oprah W. Her numbers are so down in the ratings. You need to open your eyes and see that you are destroying yourselves over a man that could care less about where you sleep, how you pay your heating costs or gas at the pump and how you will feed your families. Nor does he care about the troops in Iraq or their families. The media has you all snowed because they have more to gain from Obama than any of you. Wake up before you dessimate your own leaders and have no one viable that is left to defend your rights.

[ObGyn]

You really are an idiot.

[Lap48]

I'd be inclined to second ObGyn's appraisal. For instance, Oprah's numbers are down because many white, progressive women of a certain age demographic have excoriated her for backing Obama and have reportedly organised boycotts around that opprobrium. Mind you, it wasn't a problem when Obama was being patronised by the media, clinton and others as an exotic curiosity but when he started winning, all hell broke loose. Apparently, Winfrey gave him a helluva boost around Iowa and S.C. and exposed Clinton's campaign, so people got upset. How, then, could you blame Barack and/or his followers for any problem she may have?

Again, as to Oprah, I'm not surprised her numbers are down and I'm not surprised that I'm seeing a corresponding drop-off of in-studio enthusiasm and numbers of her audience. Even Oprah, herself, and weight gain aside, seems to have slackened off in her usual brio and studio appearance. From what I hear she's gotten alot of hate e-mail from those who were part of the high end of her "loyal" audience. That can dampen even a billionaire's enthusiasm.

[Sylmason]

AND? What's your unarticulate point ?

[Edmond08]

Please shut your mouth. Tavis should be classed with Bob Johnson, Andrew Young, John Lewis, James Manning, and Charles Rangel. Never include Oprah next to the ignorant Tavis. Rather, classify Tavis and Andrew Young and Bob Johnson and John Lewis and Charles Rangel with Pastor James Manning of Atlah Devil Church in Harlem

If you want to understand Tavis and his family of haters, please watch these videos CAREFULLY (Note how they hate blacks, whites, Jesus, Jews, and Gentiles):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khuu-RhOBDU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY-to8M4hCI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgtIqeV-6mk

[sunzen]

You have a very paranoid mind...cut back on the meds and your mobile phone is shooting radiation into your brain...People like Bob Johnson, Tavis Smiley, and Oprah Winfrey are in a long line of materialistic self promoters...they are very good at it yes very talented and business minded. But they are not leaders...I lived in DC and yes the idea for BET was great and the timing perfect for that network...I heard so many horror stories from the people that worked there. Johnson created a terrible culture in that organization. After seing bob johnson talk about obama that time now i understand what they were talking about...he is a nut job

[Ndri789]

If the general level of commentaries from Obama's supporters here reflect anything is that one should probe this BO very deeply indeed.
It's scary that his following seems to be comprised of largely hate-filled ignorant fanatics who CANNOT support constructive debate and criticism.
IF BO is so very superior why is he being SO shielded and walled off, same as GWB in his grotesque bid for POTUS.
Also, one wonders if BO's attitude towards small town folks in PA is so VERY demeaning and condescending, what exactly would be his intimate opinions on the 99.99% of blacks who support him so blindly and unconditionally?
But as actions do speak louder than words, the question is indeed rhetorical....he knows he has them IN HIS POCKET....he did not even think it useful to personally attend the ceremonies for MLK in Tennessee. Thanks to the legacy of MLK he can run for POTUS, and he benefits from the unconditional support of Af-Ams.

[Edmond08]

Travis has nothing to offer anybody. He hates Obama because Hillary promised him a position.
He is a typical traitor of the black community, who goes around preaching hate against himself.

If anybody here knows one accomplishment from Travis for the black people, please share it with us.
His angry rants and raves are for his personal gains. He is a known hustler and a pimp.

He deserves no job from any single sane American.

[melann830]

Shut up, sicko! The only reason they hate Smiley is because he spoke the truth about the issue of the primaries on Bill Maher. You Obama lovers have been so connived by his campaign that anyone with a brain who questions his actions is an automatic traitor to you. Smiley is wonderful. He would make a better president than Obama anyday.

[Sylmason]

First, teach him how to talk please!

[Edmond08]

Tavis speaks the truth like his father, James Manning.

The truths to Tavis are these:

Hate yourself. Hate whites who tell you the truth about Hillary. Hate Obama because he is wining and Hillary is losing. Use Jesus for money-making schemes. Love Bill because he gave you some change money. These truths for Tavis are documented here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khuu-RhOBDU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY-to8M4hCI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgtIqeV-6mk

[Actionmac]

You would vote for him either... and Tavis had an opportunity to prove his worth as a BLACK LEADER, when he could have questioned clinton regarding she and her husband regarding their race bating and belittling African American Achievements. And get a REAL apology and not that regret BS. He didn't therefore has NO creditability to question Obama regarding what will he do for the African American community. Then to infer that Obama missed an opportunity by not attending Tavis' forum is the EPIDEMY of ARROGANCE.

Tavis shut up and join the rest of the clinton porch ornaments that couldn't turn the black vote BACK to her favor. John Lewis (sad), David Dinkins, Andrew Young (sad), Charles Rangal, Shelia Jackson Lee, Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and now Tavis Smiley can join Ralph Abernathy in the HALL OF SHAME.

[Edmond08]

Tavis will never win an office for dogcatchers because his mentor is James Manning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khuu-RhOBDU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgtIqeV-6mk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY-to8M4hCI

[Changeizgood]

Oh BS! We AA knew when Tavis did it, it was wrong.
We finally have a true contender for the White House and we're supposed to stop the campaign, Tavis is calling. I don't think so.


Barack has been in the communities, lived in them while grown. tAvis should have known better. If he wouldn't have taken it personal, it would have been better. It ain't personal Tavis, It's Public future.

[Sylmason]

Tavis has ver close ties to Walmart>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> wink wink.

[Edmond08]

Here is the father of Tavis:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khuu-RhOBDU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgtIqeV-6mk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY-to8M4hCI

[NURREDIN]

TAVIS SMILEY=UNCLE REMUS. Both turned out to be cartoons. Tavis is toast unless he signs on with Fox. He lost his base, and his benefactors (advertisers) will soon see he has a voice with no audience. Maybe he can go on Bill O'Reilly and shout "YASSUH BOSS" whenever O'Reilly makes another insane point. Another Stepin Fetchit shows his true colors when people disagree with him. At least O'Reilly has the guts to stand his ground whether you agree with him or not. Tavis just has another case of overblown self importance and he blew it. He should have taken the heat and stated his case. Instead he chose to run. Who wants a talk show host that's gonna run everytime people disagree with him? To quote Shakespeare,"Methinks he doth protest too much".

[gnostic19]

So Tavis is the watershed for black presidential candidates to clear?

[FJRinLA]

I like Tavis.

I strongly disagreed with him in not accepting Michelle Obama in that event.
He killed his credibility.

Michelle Obama has much more substance than Tavis. Bill Clinton is accepted as a surrogate and he wouldn't have declined if Hillary asked to send Bill instead. Michelle is positioned to be the first Black First Lady and she also approaches the position with much more substance than Hillary Clinton did in '92 and better judgement than Senator Clinton has now.

Why/How......look at their choice in men and how they have managed career and their households. Michelle Obama would not have suffered a CAD like Bill Clinton for 5 minutes....he would have been lucky to get a one-liner off before he saw the back of her neck forever.

I just regret that Tavis, the Mayor of Philadelphia and so many others have played it this way and then blamed us for their bad choices.

Many DEM Superdelegates are still undecided and are sitting pretty. These Black Superdelegates should have kept their powder dry.

I just wish Tavis had let Michelle Obama appear because she needs to face off with Hillary just like Bill Clinton gets to challenge Obama one-on-one.

I wouldn't be surprised if The Clintons in fact asked him to maintain some type of protocol about candidates so Michelle could not attend; because I know they don't want Hillary on the same stage with Michelle Obama without media advisers.

[Lap48]

"...Why/How......look at their choice in men and how they have managed career and their households. Michelle Obama would not have suffered a CAD like Bill Clinton for 5 minutes....he would have been lucky to get a one-liner off before he saw the back of her neck forever...."

Not to mention she would have had both of her hands tightly wrapped around his.

[Hilleluiah]

He clearly said on the Tom Joyner show that he would not accept Bill Clinton as a surrogate because he asked the CANDIDATES to attend. No one cares about what the spouses have to say, because I'm not electing them to be president. I think Michelle weighed in when she asked How can Hillary Clinton run the Whtie House, when she can't run her own house? Sounds like a challenge to me.

[codergrrl]

She wouldn't last 2 seconds with a man who wasn't afraid of her. She demeans him in public by making statements like, "I'm a big fan of accessories, I'm married to one". Michelle Obama is an embarrassment to strong, intelligent, independent women everywhere.

You can be intelligent without beating everyone over the head with it, she is like one of those people who jump up and down and go, "Look at me, I have a Harvard degree, too. Why are you paying him all of that attention?" Yick.

[messstower]

obviously you're 'ole school' and don't get the youth and/or cultural, their manner of speaking, in the voice of a youthful person, an accessory IS A FAVORABLE statement.

[brabra]

Hillary makes mistakes to?..


http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/17/clinton.plantation/index.html

[brabra]

To everyone who feel that Brack Obama is being unfairly pounced on, lets pounce on this information to make it fair........send this information to everyone who supports Obama.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/17/clinton.plantation/index.html

[brabra]

Interesting reading for African Americans please pass it on and don't t let this remain hidden, http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/17/clinton.plantation/index.htmlex.html

[brabra]

Tavis Smiley has always been full of himself. I'm glad he is going or gone. "CRABS IN A BUCKET" mentality.

[brabra]

Interesting reading for African Americans, This went under the radar

Clinton's 'plantation' remark draws fire Wednesday, January 18, 2006; Posted: 3:37 a.m. EST (08:37 GMT) Sen. Hillary Clinton said the Bush administration is "one of the worst" in U.S. history. QUICKVOTE Whose statements were more surprising? Sen. Hillary Clinton New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin or View Results YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS Hillary Rodham Clinton House of Representatives Senate or Create Your Own Manage Alerts | What Is This? WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Hillary Clinton drew criticism Tuesday for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day speech in which she told a mostly black audience at a Harlem church that Republican leaders have run the House "like a plantation" and the Bush administration will go down as "one of the worst" in U.S. history. Responding to the speech, House Speaker Dennis Hastert called her remarks "a little bit over the top." "I've never run a plantation before. I'm not even sure of what kind of association she's trying to make," said the speaker, a Republican from Illinois. "If she's trying to be racist, I think that's unfortunate, but I'm not going to comment any further on that."

[brabra]

Interesting reading for African Americans. This went under the radar.......... Clinton's 'plantation' remark draws fire Wednesday, January 18, 2006; Posted: 3:37 a.m. EST (08:37 GMT) Sen. Hillary Clinton said the Bush administration is "one of the worst" in U.S. history. QUICKVOTE Whose statements were more surprising? Sen. Hillary Clinton New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin or View Results YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS Hillary Rodham Clinton House of Representatives Senate or Create Your Own Manage Alerts | What Is This? WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Hillary Clinton drew criticism Tuesday for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day speech in which she told a mostly black audience at a Harlem church that Republican leaders have run the House "like a plantation" and the Bush administration will go down as "one of the worst" in U.S. history. Responding to the speech, House Speaker Dennis Hastert called her remarks "a little bit over the top." "I've never run a plantation before. I'm not even sure of what kind of association she's trying to make," said the speaker, a Republican from Illinois. "If she's trying to be racist, I think that's unfortunate, but I'm not going to comment any further on that."

[Obama08Supporter]

Continued reasons I support Obama:

* Fight for Fair Trade: Obama will fight for a trade policy that opens up foreign markets to support good American jobs. He will use trade agreements to spread good labor and environmental standards around the world and stand firm against agreements like the Central American Free Trade Agreement that fail to live up to those important benchmarks. Obama will also pressure the World Trade Organization to enforce trade agreements and stop countries from continuing unfair government subsidies to foreign exporters and nontariff barriers on U.S. exports.
* Amend the North American Free Trade Agreement: Obama believes that NAFTA and its potential were oversold to the American people. Obama will work with the leaders of Canada and Mexico to fix NAFTA so that it works for American workers.
* Improve Transition Assistance: To help all workers adapt to a rapidly changing economy, Obama would update the existing system of Trade Adjustment Assistance by extending it to service industries, creating flexible education accounts to help workers retrain, and providing retraining assistance for workers in sectors of the economy vulnerable to dislocation before they lose their jobs.

Technology, Innovation and Creating Jobs

Obama will encourage the deployment of the most modern communications infrastructure to reduce the costs of health care, help solve our energy crisis, create new jobs, and fuel our economic growth.

* Support Job Creation: Barack Obama believes we need to double federal funding for basic research and make the research and development tax ....

[anniecl]

Mr. Smiley is an arrogant fool, who is love with himself. He mistakenly believes that he is a leader, which is the same mistake Sharpton has. At last we have someone we hope will be a great leader. Obama makes you want to see the common good in people. Sharpton, Jackson, and other self-appointed leaders make us weary with their negative rhetoric. That is especially the case if you don't say or think what they think...guess what......it's because you aren't black enough. That is one of the problems that will always cause harm to black people and those fools don't seeit.

[AlligatorShuz]

I am tired of Tavis Smiley, I have been to is State of the Black Union Forums and they don't have any solutions to the problems that face the black community. He is arrogant idiot like Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick! Tavis is jealous of Barack Obama success! I don't understand why he thinks someone has to come and see him to become ligit? Who does he think he is? When Hillary Clinton came to his forum in February you could tell he was for Hillary Clinton! Even Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton seemed upset about what Tavis was saying about Barack Obama.

[Sylmason]

Maybe he should come out of the closet and openly join the 'movement'.

[Edmond08]

Tavis is an egomaniac who believes that God chose him to lord it over all black folks.
He is only looking out for his bank accounts, and he lacks the intellectual capacity to understand any given issue. Nobody should worry about the hustler, for he is only a hustler.

[naturesway]

............................and your links to all this trashing?
What back up for this libelous talk.
Travis is distinguished and well read. He is reasonable and learned.
You could learn from him.

[Edmond08]

If you have factual evidence to believe that Travis is not an educated e-diot and no-good pimp of Hillary, then share your evidence here.

1) Hillary and Bill are racists (Their race-bettings are well documented).

2) Hillary lied about NAFTA in Ohio and Texas (This is documented in her White House documents).

3) Hillary lied about her experience in Bosnia (on many occasions).

4) Mark Pen and Bill were caught planning another trade deal with Columbia.

Provide one statement of criticism from Travis about one of the above and I will provide evidence to show that both Travis and you are "typical" educated e-diots.