Ed Rendell, Clinton Surrogate, Passionately Praised Farrakhan In 1997

At last Tuesday's Democratic debate, Sen. Hillary Clinton drew out her objections to Sen. Barack Obama's relationship with his former pastor Reverend Jeremiah Wright, saying that what troubled her was not just Wright's incendiary language, but his past praise for Louis Farrakhan, the controversial head of the Nation of Islam.

"It is clear that, as leaders, we have a choice who we associate with and who we apparently give some kind of seal of approval to," said Clinton. "And I think that it wasn't only the specific remarks but some of the relationships with Reverend Farrakhan, with giving the church bulletin over to the leader of Hamas, to put a message in."

But if an association to Farrakhan troubles Clinton, she may need to focus her attention and criticisms on one of her most prominent Pennsylvania supporters.

In April 1997, Ed Rendell -- then the mayor of Philadelphia and currently the governor of Pennsylvania and a major Clinton surrogate -- delivered a passion-filled speech lauding the work of Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam.

"I would like to thank the Nation of Islam here in Philadelphia," Rendell said to the crowd, as Farrakhan looked on approvingly. "To thank you for what you stand for and what you stand for all the good it does to so many people in Philadelphia. And if there is anybody out here... who doesn't know, this is a faith that has as its principles, the family. This is a faith that doesn't just talk about family values, it lives family values. This is a faith where men respect their women and children and they manifest that faith by staying in the home with them. This is a faith that doesn't just talk about being against drugs but is out there every single day and night fighting against drugs. This is a faith that just doesn't talk about the value of education, it imbues in their children and schools that education is the way to opportunity."

Those words strike a similar tone to the compliments that Wright himself bestowed upon Farrakhan in a Trumpet Magazine article in November and December of 2007.

"When Minister Farrakhan speaks, Black America listens," said the Reverend. "Everybody may not agree with him, but they listen ... His depth on analysis when it comes to the racial ills of this nation is astounding and eye opening. He brings a perspective that is helpful and honest... Minister Farrakhan will be remembered as one of the 20th and 21st century giants of the African American religious experience."

Of course, Clinton's issue with Farrakhan is not merely that the Nation of Islam leader has a relationship to Obama's old pastor and church. It's that Farrakhan himself has publicly praised the Illinois Democrat. But when Clinton held this over Obama's head during a late February Democratic debate, she again used words and phrasing that could very well apply to Rendell.

"There's a difference between denouncing and rejecting," she said. "And I think when it comes to this sort of, you know, inflammatory -- I have no doubt that everything that Barack just said is absolutely sincere. But I just think, we've got to be even stronger. We cannot let anyone in any way say these things because of the implications that they have, which can be so far reaching."

At issue is Farrakhan past remarks which have been widely criticized as anti-Semitic, including calling Judaism a "gutter religion." Obama has both "denounced and rejected" Farrakhan's praise for his candidacy. While, in contrast, Rendell, back in 1997, touted the need to reach out to the Nation of Islam so as to bridge the cultural and racial divides within cities.

"There were many people," Rendell proclaimed, "who [said] we were running a great risk by sharing this platform with the National of Islam. But you know, I know and everyone here knows the terrible toll that racism has taken in our city. And we know that the real risk is not being able to talk about our differences and try and make progress. And if everyone cares about ending racism and I believe they do, if anyone cares they should have been here. They should have been ready to talk and they should have been read to listen."

Comments

[US55588144]

Ed Rendell is entitled to his opinion. Hillary Clinton is entitled to her opinion. This is only one issue that they differ on. I'm sure there are others. What's your point? They are not carbon copies of one another!

[jac66]

Sure, everyone is entitled BUT when it comes to Obama it's a different story. All I can say is Hillary is a big LIAR, Rendell is a closet Muslin and they both need to be run out of PA on a rail. Good thing Obama doesn't go negative, he has more moxey than me, I would have nailed both of them with this. WHERE WAS THE PRESS ON THIS, SURELY THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS. ABC EAT YOUR WORDS.

[Toonbytes07]

The point is that Hillary is attacking Obama on the same exact - and I can't underestimate that enough - associations she herself has. In many cases, her associations are much closer than the ones she alleges Obama has.

That type of straw-man argument isn't just disingenuous, it is unseemly and despicable.

[naijaman]

I'm a catholic man whose mother is portuguese and my father is from Senegal. I attended the million man march as a 19 year old, and there were others there who were not muslims or even black. It was the million MAN march, not the million black man march.

Hannity is an ass.

[Toonbytes07]

I disagree. Hannity is correct that Obama should be called out on this! After all, wasn't the million man march all about men taking responsibility for themselves and each other? I find Obama's attendance commendable.

[pacats]

Sean Hannity spent most of last week announcing that Senator Obama attended the Million Man March organized by Minister Farrakhan. Obama was among the million men who attended, but was not a part of the program. I wonder if Hannity discussed this story tonight after the Rendell speech came out? We need a set of news networks with standards..

[realtalk]

Just as Barack rejects the teachings and opinions of Farakhann, so do MOST of the black community in America. Black People in the US more readily following the teachings and beliefs of Martin Luther King, just as Obama does.
The million man march was a moment in time, when Farrakhan was able to deliver a positive, ISSUES driven speech, as oppossed to theology driven message, to large number of people. Farrakhan's message at the million man march was not geared to any particular religious affiliation, he was not trying to promote a religion. Farakhann was simply speaking from one man to another about the issues people were facing, and encouraging them to get in school, get jobs, work toward non-violence in their communities, work toward POSITIVITY in their communities, work toward providing a POSITIVE environment for both themselves, their family, and for their children.

[msemper]

for the record Farrakhan is not a evil person like the MSM with try to make you think. He did a lot for people in general. however farrakhan focus on black people to stop blaming the white man for their trouble. He tried to teach black men to take care of their family and invest in their communities. such as start business and buy products in their neighborhood.

Also the million man march was no the million black march. Men of all races was there.

the big problem was that Hillary when out of her we to mention farrakhan during the debate.

[OldSchoolLegend]

That's great. But do you really think that chaining the Democrats closer to Farrakhan will help put a D in the White House?

[OldSchoolLegend]

Screaming for publicity for this story... that's a great idea.

Another prominent Democrat espousing the virtues of Farrakhan. Enormous publicity for this story will certainly help us win in the Fall. Especially since Rendell promised to work his butt off for Obama if he wins the nomination.

People, please focus on the big picture.

[goodtomeetyou]

Hillary gets another pass! Dan Abrams mentioned this story on his show tonight but it won't hit MSM like wildfire because it doesn't diminish Obama. If the story resurfaces again, it will be after the PA primary where it would have had the most impact.

[Sfelders]

It shouldn't surprise anyone about how the clinton's opperate, the media is really on her side everything obama says or does is negetive. i haven't heard anything on the news about the "screw em- you don't owe them anything" remarks that hillary made durning bill's run for the president. also her husband pardon 2 members of the weather underground, and there's the cover-up of the death of vince foster. she's always talking about what the republicians will do to obama, she got tons of baggage and garbage i hope it's over for her, she's also a big liar you can't believe anything she says. now when you look at the big picture she's guilty of the same things that she acuse obama of and i'm sure there are things we don't know about that will come out later.

[Testtubebaby]

Where are the 527's for Obama?

[messstower]

HRC has used advise from the Pittsburgh newspaper polls, RACE will be 15% of the vote against Obama

[marthlois]

HOLY CRAP!
HRC = just lost my vote!

[BDunne]

Isn't Rendell the guy that said white people in PA wouldn't vote for a black man?

I joined the Obama campaign in Harrisburg, PA on Saturday and had cocktails with a Hillary supporter following the huge rally. While HRC supporters typically dislike Obama supporters -- and visa versa, I had a civilized conversation with this supporter and I was optimistic when she said Rendell did not share her views when he made that comment months ago.

While we both walked away still supporting our respective candidates, I felt relived to know that "we can" rally at the end to support the democratic candidate who survives the primaries -- no matter if she is a woman or he is a black man.

Obama 08!

[rosal]

Is the MSM, or the midget George, going to bring this up? Of course not. The corporate own media is pimping for McInsane. The want Hell-ary to win. They know McInsane and his minions would shred her to pieces on the general.

[pattyfish]

looks, like lots of those political types.... have angry black man in their closet...

But when your a middle aged white politican....

it is calls the pandering of the past coming back to haunt you.....

[December7]

Farrakhan has his place and a lot of people will not agree with his views, just like so many Americans put up with Trent Lott, a racist senate majority leader - up to Dec 2007, but there was no outrage, why? This is a competition we cannot afford to have on which American is more evil than another when there are real enemies out there. I support Obama but I believe each candidate maintains a core decency and integrity, no matter who they associate with. Everyone can subscribe to the candidates ideas, from KKK to panthers, that does not mean any candidate subscribes to their supporters views. But they will be presidents of ALL Americans who are ALL equal under the law.

[JanKees]

So Rendell saw some good in what Farrakhan did for Philly. What's the problem? That Farrakhan did some good? That Rendell recognized it?

Or is this a story because "everyone knows" that Farrakhan CANNOT do good? Under this assumption, if Rendell thinks he did something good, then Rendell must be evil too. The problem here is not Clinton's hypocrisy (i.e. that her friends have praised the Evil One just as Obama's have) but her simplistic coding of Farrakhan as so evil that merely touching him makes one evil-by-association.

All politicians dichotomize, but the tendency is growing in this country. Go to the White House website and Google "evil." I just got 929 results! Do we trust Bush's ability to recognize evil when he sees it? What does he know about good and evil? Did we elect him prophet? Priest? How much of this is projection of our own guilt and shortcomings onto others?

Why shouldn't Rendell, or Wright for that matter, praise anyone who has done good work? Who does good work without doing some bad? Clinton? Obama? Listen to Rendell's speech. Does anyone really want to denounce the things he notes that Farrakhan has accomplished?

Wouldn't we prefer to find a different track, instead of dividing the political world starkly into a wholly innocent "us" and a very scary "them"?

[karaplanet]

The problem is simple. The blatant hypocrisy of Hillary Clinton using Farrakhan as a scare tool, all while her biggest supporter and mouthpiece in PA has embraced him publicly in the past.

[UrbanRevolution]

NO. You missed the point. The problem is that Obama has not played the McCarthyism game. Clinton has become an expert at it -- yet her own allies have dealt and PRAISED the evil ones. At the last debate she mentioned Farrakhan in relation to Rev. Wright AGAIN. Yet her main supporter in PA has this glowing report. How come she had not rejected and denounced him? The fact that she hasn't and will not shows her hypocrisy.

[BigBen]

hypocrisy?See below....
"I am absolutely certain Connecticut is going to have the good sense to send Joe Lieberman back to the U.S. Senate so he can continue to serve on our behalf." Barack Obama, March 30, 2006,
http://boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2006/03/31/obama_rallies_state_democrats_throws_support_behind_lieberman//

[JanKees]

Urban Rev:

I partly agree -- she is being hypocritical, but that's not new and that's not the whole story here. From the tape presented with Stein's story, Farrakhan deserved the praise and gratitude Rendell gave him.

We disagree over whether Hillary should denounce Rendell. There's nothing to denounce. Rendell recognized the public good Farrakhan had done for Philly. A denunciation is necessary only if we want to continue demonizing Farrakhan, and there's no good reason to. Recognize his good as good and disagree with the rest. But don't turn him into a super-human devil that he's not.

To redeem her hypocrisy maybe Clinton should apologize to Wright, saying that Rendell has helped her understand that it was appropriate to recognize the good that Farrakhan has actually done. But there's no chance of that, of course, any more than we could have expected Bill to apologize to Sister Soul Jah.

And I partly agree with your other point -- Obama hasn't gone after her about this and is too decent to do so. But Obama-supporting blogs here and elsewhere are repeating what you're saying. The logic is: Clinton is as bad as Obama because she does not denounce Rendell, who is as bad as Wright. Rendell and Wright both had fair points to make, and neither should be ashamed or intimidated for having made them. Piling on just continues the bad game.

[AlwaysFairDem]

Rendell association with Farrakhan tells you that it is the media that makes Farrakhan to be the devil when in fact what Farrakhan had done to many low income Black communities has changed many lives much more than the Clinton's had done in their entire lives.

Well, here is the truth...watch this video.

http://www.foxnews.com/video2/video08.html?videoId=1fd1c0cf-5c80-4d75-996f-bd53b2461ae0&sMPlaylistID

[mesuki]

If Fox News would actualy let this intelligent man talk on their show ,they wouldn't be half bad ..............Thanks for the link it was great!

[Obama08Supporter]

Thank you, that is awesome! I hope everyone listens to this.

[UrbanRevolution]

Farrakhan has rejected the allegation that he is anti-Semitic and in a June 18, 1997 letter to a former Wall Street Journal editor, Jude Wanniski, stated:

Countless times over the years I have explained that I never referred to Judaism as a gutter religion, but, clearly referred to the machinations of those who hide behind the shield of Judaism while using unjust political means to achieve their objectives. This was distilled in the New York tabloids and other media saying, "Farrakhan calls Judaism a gutter religion." As a Muslim, I revere Abraham, Moses, and all the Prophets who Allah (God) sent to the children of Israel. I believe in the scriptures brought by these Prophets and the Laws of Allah (God) as expressed in the Torah. I would never refer to the Revealed Word of Allah (God) -- the basis of Jewish Faith -- as "dirty" or "gutter." You know, Jude, as well as I, that the Revealed Word of Allah (God) comes as a Message from Allah (God) to purify us from our evil that has divided us and caused us to fall into the gutter. Over the centuries, the evils of Christians, Jews and Muslims have dirtied their respective religions. True Faith in the laws and Teaching of Abraham, Jesus and Muhammad is not dirty, but, practices in the name of these religions can be unclean and can cause people to look upon the misrepresented religion as being unclean.[21]

[grimp]

Way to go I also sent a email to Abrams and Overman on msnbc and HANNITY from fox. I sure hope people see the video before people go to the poles tommorrow. GO GO BARACK

[heavencent]

Olberman missed a great opportunity to question HRC about Rendell's praise of Farrakhan on a YOUTUBE video that lasted over 6 minutes.I'm sure he knew of it,because on the Abrams show in the next hour he mentioned and showed some of the clips.This just further illustrates that the media is biased.Obama was crucified just for being endorsed by Farrakhan by Hillary every chance she got. This may have caused a few people to question their vote for Hillary,but because of the feckless media they won't even see this until the damage is done in Pa.(Hrc wins). Maybe the local media in Pa will have more balls and run this video all day tomorrow,so the people can see just how hypocritical Hillary is.