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Sam Stein

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Sam Stein

The Huffington Post

Obama Backer: Irreparable Breach Between Clinton And Blacks Is Foreseeable

April 25, 2008 01:32 PM

Read More: Butterfield Clinton, Butterfield Irreparable, Butterfield Obama, Clinton Blacks, Clinton Breach, Clyburn Clinton, Obama Clinton, Breaking Politics News
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About Sam Stein

Sam Stein is a Political Reporter at the Huffington Post, based in Washington, D.C. Previously he has worked for Newsweek magazine, the New York Daily News and the investigative journalism group Center for Public Integrity. He has a masters from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and is a graduate of Dartmouth College. Sam can be reached at stein@huffingtonpost.com.


A key Obama supporter in North Carolina said it was "foreseeable" that an "irreparable breach" had been created between the black community and the Clintons as a byproduct of conduct during the Democratic campaign.

Rep. G.K. Butterfield, a African American Democrat from North Carolina, was asked on a conference call to respond to comments reported earlier in the day by Rep Jim Clyburn, in which he qualified former president Bill Clinton's recent primary conduct as "bizarre."

"Jim Clyburn is my very best friend in the U.S. Congress and he and I talk on and off the record every day of the week," said Butterfield, who predicted that the race in North Carolina would ultimately be decided by single-digits. "That said, I had not read his comments... But politics by its very nature is a competitive process and there have been times when Sen. Clinton has walked up to the line and there has been a time or two when she has stepped over the line in terms of her comments... Whether there is an irreparable breach, I don't think we are at the point right now where we are at an irreparable breach, but it is foreseeable and that is why I encourage civility."

In the days leading up to the Pennsylvania primary, Bill Clinton was quoted on a local radio station as blaming the Obama campaign for "playing the race card" on him. A day later, he denied that he had ever made such a remark. In an interview in Friday's New York Times, Clyburn responded to the episode, as well as other Clinton remarks, by saying: "black people are incensed over all of this."

 

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collapse KarateKid See Profile I'm a Fan of KarateKid

What we are witnessing, with the Clintons' as the flashpoint, is a bit of role reversal. For the first time, many white Americans are feeling like they are persecuted. Well, to those who feel that way, welcome to how it has been for people of color throughout this country's history.

It has been almost comical to see the transformation of this campaign. At first, the Clintons and their supporters were afraid to play the race card and attack Obama for fear of a backlash, but after the stunning turnaround in Iowa, which is mainly white and rural, they started to change their tune, beginning slowly in New Hampshire and escalating in So. Carolina.

Then, like the ice being broken, the gloves came off and the Clintons went negative, attacking Obama for guilt by association with Jeremiah Wright and continually harping on his comment in San Francisco. Yet, no matter what they do, they can't gain ground and they get even more negative, joining the Republicans in piling on Obama. Yet, he brushes all this off and continues in the lead with no sign of cracking.

The sense of frustration and bitterness is written all over the Clinton faces, and the same applies to her supporters. One can only wonder how much lower they will go. The lower they go, the more they lose the African American vote, and in November, if they make it that far, they will pay the price. What a paradox.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:30 AM on 04/28/2008
collapse adzeman See Profile I'm a Fan of adzeman

Clinton(both) believe in win at all cost. They don't care about the party, just their own wants.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:33 PM on 04/27/2008
collapse Notapathetic See Profile I'm a Fan of Notapathetic

The Clintons have created an irreparable breach with many people, not just African-Americans. I voted for Bill, gave max donations, defended his (indefensible) conduct in the WH.

I started out supporting Hillary, max'ed donations, defended her hardness as a necessary shield against anti-female prejudice.

Now I am just flat sick of these people and want them to go away forever. They have become as nasty and amoral as any politicians in my memory, and I go back to FDR.

The first great sigh of relief will be when Hillary finally packs it in and hits the road to go plot and scheme for her next rung on the ladder. The second sigh of relief will be when Bush finally gets in his jet and goes down to his cave in Texas.

Goodbye to both of these wierd individuals.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:56 AM on 04/28/2008
collapse ggmome See Profile I'm a Fan of ggmome

Isn't the old addage of 'separate, divide, and conquer' the formula here? That how Rove conducted the Bush/Neo Con wins hertofore. The Clintons have adopted and utilized Rove's book of tricks verbatum. The 20 percenters are drinking that kool ade again.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:02 AM on 04/27/2008
collapse rblackbird See Profile I'm a Fan of rblackbird

Stein, you should place a disclaimer at the beginning of your articles: "WARNING! Obama Bullshit Ahead!"

Obama's campaign fabricated the idea that the Clintons are racists. It was the first to pick up on the remarks and immediately spread the word that the comments WERE racist. This idea was flogged hourly by Obama's campaign throughout the primary.

Hillary's comments that Dr. King needed the help of LBJ to get the Civil Rights Act passed are literally true and did not denigrate Dr. King. Bill Cliton's "fairytale" statement was not aimed at Obama's candidacy and no one who watched the video could honestly say it was.(Emphasis on "honestly.") He, rightly, called Obama's claim of unstinting opposition to the Iraq war a fairytale, which it is. Immediately, Obama's allies distorted Clinton's comments, claiming that Clinton was denigrating a black man's presidential aspirations. The effects of that slander remain. OBAMA has nearly destroyed the historic relation between the Clintons and American blacks, but Maya Angelou continues to support Hillary ("Rise, Hillary, rise.") Is she just some dumb woman? What about the black mayors of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh?

Butterfield and Clyburn are playing a dangerous game that will destroy the relationship. To the advantage of American blacks? Blacks are ceding the primary to middle class whites. Despite all the self-serving propaganda, Hillary can still win the nomination, particularly if she continues winning major primaries. Survey USA has her just nine points behind in North Carolina. Wake up.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:04 AM on 04/27/2008
collapse Notapathetic See Profile I'm a Fan of Notapathetic

Do you realize that you used "Bill Clinton" and "honestly" in the same sentence?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:59 AM on 04/28/2008
collapse uheardme See Profile I'm a Fan of uheardme

Are the Clintons racist? I dunno, but I know a lot of Senator Clinton's supporters are bigots. Their and your disgusting racist remarks about Senator Obama, his black supporters, and his wife have been beyond the pale. But it's ok...I like my enemies out in the open.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:58 PM on 04/27/2008
collapse McFlipFlop1 See Profile I'm a Fan of McFlipFlop1

Your interpretations are so one-sided. Try to be objective. Clyburn is not playing any "game". As for Maya Angelou:

Although committed to Hillary Clinton, Angelou says she would be happy to see Obama become president, the country's first black president, especially after the March 18 speech prompted by his former pastor's racial statements. Obama, a Democrat from Illinois, called upon "the nation to break a racial stalemate we've been stuck in for years.'"

"It was fantastic. It was historic," she says. "I have had people calling me from all over, some of whom said that it's going to be compared to (King's) 'I Have a Dream,' because of what it says about race in the United States.

"The truth is, if Sen. Clinton didn't have such a worthy adversary, she wouldn't be challenged."

http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/867803,angelouhill032908.article

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:20 PM on 04/27/2008
collapse Cyndee1113 See Profile I'm a Fan of Cyndee1113

rblackbird,

Don't you dare put Maya Angelou in this. You don't have the right! She is 80 years old and you should not even be writing her name. You are not black and do not understand what the Clintons have done to blacks. This not about Obama, like your Hillary said this is personal.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:55 AM on 04/27/2008
collapse MRb1000 See Profile I'm a Fan of MRb1000

HILLARY AND BILL CLINTON MADE A COLD CALCULATION IN THE TRADE OFF FOR THE BLACK VOTE FOR THE WHITE WOMEN VOTE. SHE IS DOING THE ANTI BLACK THING TO GET MORE WHITE VOTES. SHE IS MAKING BARACK OBAMA THE BLACK CANDIDATE!! SHE THINKS BILL CAN SMOOTH IT OVER WITH BLACK PEOPLE ONCE SHE GET THE NOMINATION. THEY MADE A BAD DECISION. BLACK PEOPLE WILL NOT VOTE FOR A CLINTON EVER AGAIN. BILL CLINTON WOULD HAVE LEFT OFFICE IF THE BLACK CAUCUS DID NOT COME TO HIS RESCUE. HILLARY AND BILL CLINTON KNOWS THIS IS THE TRUTH.

ALL OF THIS DOSE NOT MATTER BECAUSE IT IS TO LATE. IT IS ALL OVER!!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:55 AM on 04/27/2008
collapse cchatmon See Profile I'm a Fan of cchatmon

I agree MRB1000, I will never vote for any Clinton ever again. She and he made that polictical decision. I WON'T FORGET!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:15 PM on 04/27/2008
collapse Oldtt See Profile I'm a Fan of Oldtt

If it wasn't Hillary Clinton it would have been any other serious challenger to an Obama victory; the Clintons just happened to be the ones in the way.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:38 AM on 04/27/2008
collapse lapinbrim See Profile I'm a Fan of lapinbrim

When Bill and HRC were hosting salons in the 90s did they ever invite their newly found beer drinking, rifle shooting, blue collar friends? Our were they dis-invited after Hillary made her "screw them" remarks (in reference to Reagan Democrats)?

The failed policies of the right hurt this country but it is the thuggish means by which they implemented their policies that makes what they've done all the more reprehensible. It is their willingness to distort reality and to pander to people's fears that makes them completely loathsome. When Bill and Hillary engage in the same tactics, why should they be held any less accountable?

Some people believe Bill and Hillary have changed. They have not. They've always engaged in these tactics. Remember when Bill Clinton flew back to Little Rock to ensure a retarded murderer would be executed? That was done purely for political gain. What about the war they waged against the women Bill "allegedly" sexually harassed?

The party is not at risk of creating a rift; one already exists. There is a rift between those who believe in winning at all cost and those who believe principles matter more than winning. When the party allowed the Clintons to turn the party into crypto-Republicans, the initial fissures of this rift materialized.

if this rift becomes a chasm, who cares? The party is devolving into an amalgam ruthless cowards and those unwilling to stand up to these brutes.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:17 AM on 04/27/2008
collapse tbone99 See Profile I'm a Fan of tbone99

But what good are principles if you can't implement them?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:43 AM on 04/27/2008
collapse Scarllatti See Profile I'm a Fan of Scarllatti

I believe completely with your line of thought. The Democrats, especially, this one under the spineless Howard Dean has proved itself to be America's New Tribesmen. What a shame. The DNC is so spineless to put the Clintons under leash and prevent the PERMANENT damage Hillary and Bill has brought to the party. As an independent leaning democratic these electoral season, I have become so disillusioned with the Democratic party that they are worse than the Republican party. At least one can figure out where the Republicans are on issues even when they are obnoxious.
The Democrats have lost me for ever. THEY ARE COWARDS AND RACISTS!!!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:43 AM on 04/27/2008
collapse hugs4u See Profile I'm a Fan of hugs4u

Hillary will either win the nomination or destroy the party. She is only out for herself at all costs.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:53 PM on 04/26/2008
collapse freshnotbitter See Profile I'm a Fan of freshnotbitter


Dems have consistently chosen Barack over Hillary and the Clintons now see their only hope as having more debates where they will be allowed to come after Obama with everything they've got in a last ditch charge into the battle, guns blazing and ready to sacrifice all for a few votes.

this isn't a primary election anymore, it is fratricide.

We know what the differences are between Hillary and Obama. All that is left for Hillary is to destroy Obama while Obama is left in a quandary: Does he have to go negative on Hillary and create animosity in his own family and jeapordize the dems chances in November because the democratic party machinery is saying they have not choice? This makes no sense at all to me. The point is to win in November.

Of course the Clintons will never get votes again from a huge swath of dems. They could have guaranteed a democratic victory by playing their cards differently but instead of fighting for us they decided to fight for themselves.

Very disappointing.

Obama can't really show his real strengths in this election untill Hillary gets out of the race. So when is it happening? It better happen yesterday, if you ask me.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:17 PM on 04/26/2008
collapse AntonBursch See Profile I'm a Fan of AntonBursch

If Hillary Clinton stopped acting like Karl Rove and respectfully won the rest of the primaries enough to pull ahead of Obama then there is not one single Obama supporter who would not support her in the General Election.

If Obama became unelectable for some reason, but Hillary fought hard to support him, but it was just too much, then not a single Obama supporter would not support her in the General Election as a replacement nominee.

Hillary is making herself unelectable by the way she is treating Obama and his supporters and the entire Democratic party and the whole country. When McCain has Obama's back but Hillary doesn't... then you know that Hillary cares only about Hillary. She should have been defending Obama. Not digging the knife in deeper over fake controversies.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:03 PM on 04/26/2008
collapse Cyndee1113 See Profile I'm a Fan of Cyndee1113

AntonBursch,

So true, I would have voted for her if she did not result to dirty tricks. This has nothing to do with Obama. I would have felt this way if it were Edwards. Sixty percent of Americans feel this way but they want to say it is only blacks.

The reason why Blacks are upset is only because Hillary is trying to steal the election from Obama.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:02 PM on 04/27/2008
collapse mesuki See Profile I'm a Fan of mesuki

I'm sorry but this is one Obama supporter that will never ever support Hillary. At this point the damage she's done is irreversible.She has proven to be a liar,a cheat and a woman of no integrity and I will vote for Nader if she steals this nomination.People have to show Hillary that she cannot get away with this kind of behavior.Her husband has insulted African Americans on more then one occasion and they both have lied to the American people,so there is no way in hell that I will vote for her. Hillary and McCain in my opinion are both republicans,so it makes no difference to me if either one of them wins the presidency.After that comment she made at the debate about obliviating any country that falls under that umbrella of hers,I see no difference between her and McCain. .........This country is screwed with either one of them!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:32 PM on 04/26/2008
collapse lysistrata See Profile I'm a Fan of lysistrata

Some of you come across as snobs with an holier than thou attitude against white blue collar people in PA. Hillary has a strong resume and voting for her does not stand for uneducated, stupid and racist. There are racists on both sides of the ail. When 90% of black people vote for Obama would you call it racist? Obama is a one term Senator, he run against Alan Keyes of all people. He is young and his resume is short, he has no accomplishments like MLK had. Yet you people act as if he is entitled to be president and Hillary should just step aside. If she were far behind in the polls you would not need to worry and you would not ask her to step aside and clear the way for him.

So, don't blame it all on Hillary, just like Obama she wants to win. We can only hope McCain will not win by default and you Obama people stop thinking you are entitled and Hillary people are idiots.

And if Obama wins the presidency please don't be too disappointed when he can't change Washington, because he can't.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:01 PM on 04/26/2008
collapse lordcopper See Profile I'm a Fan of lordcopper

Hillary defeated a couple of "tomato cans" in her Senate contests. Her experience is being married to a Governore and President. Who's "entitled" now?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:49 PM on 04/27/2008
collapse Cyndee1113 See Profile I'm a Fan of Cyndee1113

lysistrata,

My question to you. Why do you think that Hillary is entitled? Hillary had her chance. She has been in the White House. Remember 2 for 1? Why would they be entitled a second time.

Can you give us a break here, Obama is a serous candidate, he is not just African American but White as well. For the first time, AA can see some of their blood going into the white house. Your blood has had decades of it.

What do you want from Obama? He is the front runner. He is entitled because he is the front runner.

You say don't be disappointed if Obama cannot change Washington. Don't you be disappointed if he does.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:15 PM on 04/27/2008
collapse ann1 See Profile I'm a Fan of ann1

If the DNC doesn't do something real soon, I'm thinking about bringing a lawsuit against them for EMOTIONAL DISTRESS!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:01 PM on 04/26/2008
collapse Cyndee1113 See Profile I'm a Fan of Cyndee1113

ann1

ROFLMAO

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:17 PM on 04/27/2008
collapse tbone99 See Profile I'm a Fan of tbone99

I hear ya..
I don't care who gets it - I don't see big differences in their policies, these HUGE racisrs slurs people see from the Clintons seem like petty chaffe in the wind to me.

Wait til we see what the Repugs roll out. there's something to be said for picking your battles.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:48 AM on 04/27/2008
collapse Eddee49 See Profile I'm a Fan of Eddee49

You know what you can do.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:04 PM on 04/26/2008
collapse cramos See Profile I'm a Fan of cramos

We can all thank Howard Dean for the predicament we are in!!!!!!!!!

His inability to avoid the difficulties and fpredict the issues has caused this problem.

How did he ever think that to disenfranchise the voters of Florida and Michigan was OK!!!!!!

And I for one resent that IOWA along with New Hampshire should have as much influence as to who should be candidate for our party.

They are not representative of who this party represents

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:24 PM on 04/26/2008
collapse EvoMan See Profile I'm a Fan of EvoMan

You're new to primary politics, huh?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:00 PM on 04/26/2008
collapse Eddee49 See Profile I'm a Fan of Eddee49

I'm concerned about his judgment. I cannot have my mother, father, children, my grandchildren, my siblings, nieces, nephews and their children under the moral guidance of Obama. His association with JEREMIAH WRIGHT concerns me immensely. He stated that he received guidance from this man, a preacher, who uses profanity in a place of worship. Such PROFANITY as "f**king", "God damn", etc., have no place in a House of Worship, no matter what context it's in. He says he did not know about the preacher's radical views. He's either a liar or very dumb. He associated with this person for seventeen (17) years, attended his church, listened to his sermon, considers him family, calls him uncle and doesn't know his radical views. What's he take us for, stupid. He maybe able to fool the gullible, morons and some of the people but not this one. If he cannot discern a person's view in seventeen years, how's he going to deal with international problems, a country's intent, if it's good or bad. How can he decide what's good for the country. What policies are good or bad. What bill to approve or veto. I'm very concerned not because his black but because he will be making decisions that will affect me, my family and friends, my beloved country and the world that we live in.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:05 PM on 04/26/2008
collapse Cyndee1113 See Profile I'm a Fan of Cyndee1113

Eddee49,

But yet you are living through what Bush has done and you say that you are concerned for your family? Obama has shown more wisdom then Bush and Hillary put together.

We are in a recession and you can thank George and Hillary for it. That woman signed for this war. She is going to nuke Iran if they do anything to Israel. She has got the whole world in panic.

Do you really want this woman in there at 3am when Monica for some other woman calls to say I got your man tonight?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:31 PM on 04/27/2008
collapse pacats See Profile I'm a Fan of pacats

You are making assumptions about Obama based on what the cable networks, right wing conservatives and the Clinton campaign want you to believe. They are made up stories, like the sniper fire. Showing 30 sec sound bites of Rev. Wright is designed to incite the racial fears people have. Most fair thinking individuals listened to the PBS, Bill Moyers program with Rev. Wright. on 4/25/08. Or they searched out full sermons on the web to form their own opinions. You state your reasons for not voting for Obama is not because his is black, but every reson you provide is based on false information provided from FOX, RNP, right wing conservatives, or the hill campaign. Google Hillary's religious group,"Fellowship'' It's leader, Douglas E. Coe admires the skills of Hitler. Yet, no media 30 sec sound bites on this scary fact. Should I believe that the media supports this mindset? Vote Obama and put a stop to the tricks played in Washington.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:14 PM on 04/27/2008
collapse abromber See Profile I'm a Fan of abromber

Actually, this is true. I did look up many of the sermons and they are nothing like they are portrayed. And the PBS interview revealed that the most upsetting comments were not even Wright's; he was merely quoting people who had appeared on Fox News!

Hillary, in her desire to get power, has done America a grave disservice. Now her only strategy is to trash Obama so he loses and she can run again in four years. I'm a white guy, middle class, and I supported Bill and Hillary in 92 and 96. But not this time around.

Hillary lost me when she voted for the invasion of Iraq instead of going after Al-Quaeda in Afghanistan-- even though it was obvious that was a mistake. She made a political calculation and it turned out to be wrong. Now 4,000 troops are dead and America is despised the world over. That kind of leadership I can live without.

The race is over and Obama has won. The only thing Clinton supporters get to decide now is whether they will support Obama or hand the Presidency to McCain.

Obama '08! Let's take back our country!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:22 PM on 04/27/2008
collapse lizr See Profile I'm a Fan of lizr

Oh how totally ridiculous is this?Let me count the ways.

Ooops. I dont have the patience.

Let's start with this one:

MI and FL made their own bed; now they can lie in it.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:30 PM on 04/26/2008
collapse S1m0n See Profile I'm a Fan of S1m0n

"In the days leading up to the Pennsylvania primary, Bill Clinton was quoted on a local radio station as blaming the Obama campaign for "playing the race card" on him. A day later, he denied that he had ever made such a remark."

Bill's "race card' remarks had only one purpose: the repetition of the word "race" right before the PA primary.

Whatever he was suipposedly saying about race at the time was completely unimportant, which was why he was entirely prepared to say something one day and deny it the next. All that accomplished was to enable him to say 'race' again and get yet more yummy coverage.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:18 PM on 04/26/2008