Obama Backer: Irreparable Breach Between Clinton And Blacks Is Foreseeable

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."

Comments

[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.

[adzeman]

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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[Notapathetic]

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

[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!!

[cchatmon]

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

[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.

[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.

[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!!!

[tbone99]

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

[hugs4u]

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

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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?

[ann1]

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

[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.

[Cyndee1113]

ann1

ROFLMAO

[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

[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.

[EvoMan]

You're new to primary politics, huh?

[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.

[tbone99]

You've got a point but not sure its a valid one. Either way, B.O. must have known racism would be an issue or he's not experienced enough to to run for national office. Scrutinizing every word and the day on which it's uttered, for racist implications when they're as ambiguous as this, doesn't really seem worth the effort.It might win the battle but lose the war, considering he's trying to appeal to all races of voters, not just blacks

[kamldp]

Add me to the people who are heading toward an "irreparable breach" with the Dem Party, the breach with the Clinton's has already been accomplished. Just for the record, I'm not black so stop leaving us liberals out of the mix :) Starting to feel like nobody cares about us except for my candidate!

[ann1]

kamldp- you are cared about!

[dollars2donuts]

NOt true...every post I have said it's youth, AA's and progressive/educated whites....who need to consider starting a new party, a more progressive party which unlike the Dems don't tolerate bigotry and GOP-lite and genocidal threats against Iran, etc... Get on board, waiting for you!

[ObamaSuperDelegate]

Kamldp - believe me this process would not be this far along it there weren't good people like you, we THANK YOU everyday.

For all of these weeks now, the media and pollsters have acted like it was only the blue collar workers that mattered, and Hillary was winning them. And? For awhile it was the Latinos, didn't hear a peep about them in PA and there are loads of them here, especially around Hazleton. She didn't think she needed them in PA, so she dismissed their azzes. Goes to show! The media has done everything it could to build Hillary up and dismissed the fact that she lost an entire bloc of the voting population. A bloc that she had from the beginning. Did the media talk about that, NOT, they just kept on acting like we did not exist.

We are not a stupid people, we can see what's going on and the best thing that could have happened was that Clyburn and this Rep in NC were able to speak out about it, otherwise the media would have kept on ignoring the problem that The Clintons have with Blacks. That's right, I forgot, only blue collar workers count. We all also know that blue collar is code speak!

Again, thank you and all good people like you, we could not go down this journey without you and we know it, we may not always acknowledge it!

[Cyndee1113]

kamldp,

Sorry! lol