Clyburn On Bill Clinton: African Americans Have Lost A Lot Of Respect For Him

New Yorker:

On the Thursday before the Pennsylvania primary, Bill Clinton spoke to a crowd of college students at a gymnasium in Lock Haven. The event was typical of the stops--forty-seven of them--that the former President had made in the state during the seven weeks leading up to the vote. Lock Haven is a small town (pop. 9,000), hours away from Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, and the crowd was modest (half the gym's floor space was empty). Within the campaign, Clinton's enthusiasm for rustling votes in these remote corners was a source of amusement. When I asked what he was doing on Election Day, a Clinton campaign adviser said, "I think he's leading a caravan of Wal-Mart greeters to the polls."...

When Hillary Clinton's Presidential campaign was launched, in January, 2007, her supporters feared that Bill would overshadow her, as he had when they both spoke at the funeral of Coretta Scott King, a year earlier. Now the constant fear is that he will embarrass her. When he makes news, it is rarely a good day for his spouse. Whether he was publicly comparing Barack Obama's primary victory in South Carolina to Jesse Jackson's campaigns in the eighties or privately, and apoplectically, complaining that Bill Richardson broke his word by endorsing Obama, every story has seemed to reinforce an image of Clinton as a sort of ill-tempered coot driven a little mad by Obama's success. "I think this campaign has enraged him," the adviser told me. "He doesn't like Obama." In private conversations, he has been dismissive of his wife's rival. James Clyburn, an African-American congressman from South Carolina, told me that Clinton called him in the middle of the night after Obama won that state's primary and raged at him for fifty minutes. "It's pretty widespread now that African-Americans have lost a whole lot of respect for Bill Clinton," Clyburn said.

Read the whole story: New Yorker

Comments

[vincealy]

Most Americans have lost respect for the Clintons; and rightly so.

[mesuki]

The Clinton's have used the African American vote to their benefit when they needed them,but now since he's had a slip of the tongue during the SC primaries,he's realized that he lost them,so therefore he no longer has any use for them. Older people tend to speak from what's in their heart,so I feel that the things that Bill have said were there all along,and are just now surfacing .The bible says "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" ....and I trully believe that !

[DemocraticRN]

All Obama and Clinton supporters should read this article from start to finish. It explains what is really at stake in this nomination for Democratic Nominee for President of the United States and why we should decide based on anything other than the MSM spin. Click below.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/01/magazine/01axelrod.t.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all

Published: April 1, 2007

Below is the punch line you should take note of. Is this what we, as a nation, have become?

"And this is how politics works: David Axelrod is now dedicated to derailing this woman’s career."

[mesuki]

Oh please.!.b­efore you crown Hillary as the next queen, you really need to google "Clinton's scandals" if that doesn't open your eyes,then you have some issues you need to tend to!

[ItsAllGood4u]

Forget just African-Americans, I’m a "White Female" and I have lost Respect for the Clintons!! It’s tragic, to see an Ex-President behave like this! What I find interesting that Barack is fighting John McCain, Senator Clinton and Bill Clinton and he is handling it extremely well considering everyone is afraid of him because he is more talented, intelligent, and has a better temperament than any one of these three to be President!

I wish the media would Poll White folks so we could tell them how we feel about Bill's divisive behavior!

[Americanium]

Why would anyone think Bill Clinton was not racist?? Do you even know who was this man's personal mentor and role model? why is it a such a shock and surprise?

I would encourage all you blow hards to look up this name >>J. William Fulbright. Then maybe you can revisit your arguments.

[ipitombi]

And what exactly makes people think this "respect" or "regard" from/of African-Americans matters to Bubba.
-- Folks, get this into you thick heads, - it's all about winning to Billary. If they have to step on a few or so many toes in the process, to them the end justify the means. Billary have PhDs in politics, and they've long recognized that Americans have very short memories.

[ALMAL]

how hard to earn respect and how easy to loose it

just compare obama to jessy jeckson and you are anemy of they

is it bad name

[dollars2donuts]

Huh???

[eurydice]

His true Confederate colors have come out.

[paciere]

Barack lied to the black community that he supports them. He didn't even attend 40th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, when both McCain and Hillary Clinton attended the event. It's already a sign that Barack Obama plays race issue, because he's black, and he's exceptional. Barack Obama declined a meeting among African Americans and Hillary accepted it. Barack Obama don't really care whether he's present or not, as long it's race issue against him, he'll get more votes from African-Americans.

[chefrasta]

You know I see your point as a African American I could rejoice lordy when Massers Clinton and McCain came down to grace us with their presence I just knew they was one of us.Obama met with black ,white .and Latino steelworkers when they were laid off their jobs to give them job training and other options so because he dont treat blacks like a dog and pony show when trolling for votes he could care less about lower and middle class concerns.

[CapitalistRebel]

Bob Johnson, is that you? No, wait... Charlie! Charlie Rangel, how are ya?

LOL- great post.

[dollars2donuts]

It must be exhausting to carry that heavy load of hatred and resentment toward African Americans. Is it like dragging around an anvil all day? LOL

[Syco]

so McCain the guy who didnt want his birthday to be a holiday is better how?

[paciere]

the point is, McCain and Hillary showed up. Should there be a good reason for not attending when a person is running for president?

McCain gets the credit to reach out the black community when you're a candidate.

[Rocky4356]

The housing meltdown was started under Clinton it just bared its fruit under Bush. Remember the big show during the Clintons day-Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Two million folks in jail half of high school kids not graduating. did not all happen under Bush. What did Clinton do for Education? True lots of folks made lots of money- but look where all that has led too. I say we have had enough of Bush/Clinton/Bush- 20 years is enough,

[Gasparilla]

Good Grief. Clinton has not been president for over 7 years.

[paciere]

It's a nature thing to back your own color/race/culture. That's what Barack Obama did well. Barack Obama attended the Million Man March. Since he's a politician, he siezed that opportunity to play it on his side when the time is right. So now Barack Obama speaks like a fallen Nazi Hitler when he talks about rebuilding Germany and making Germany a strong country again that's the hope and change, but only Hitler and his closest friends knew what must be done and finally able to execute relocation of the Jews and led them to concentration camp. In other words, since Barack Obama is black, he attacks and provoke the Clinton first and when Clinton fights back, Barack Obama made it look like they're attacking me because "I'm black" and you send that message about the Clinton and what Obama did seemed less. Now Barack Obama is playing a race card if you don't see it. And he'll keep going preaching that's he's half black and white and that he has it all and makes him the true candidate.

[AfroLatina21]

I don't think you want to go there with the race card.

The only people who hve interjected race into this campaign are Billary and their surrogates. Let's not forget Hillary's Hispanic surrogates saying many Hispanic won't vote for a black man( and I find that funny because there are black Hispanics like myself), the Geraldine Ferraro comments and countless others.

[paciere]

it was the obama campaign playing race card.

let me ask you simple couple simple questions. What do you think the reason(s) there's still about 10% African-Americans voting fo Hillary Clinton? And most Hispanics are voting for her, why do you think?

[paciere]

it was the obama campaign playing race card. (part2)

let me ask you simple couple simple questions. What do you think the reason(s) there's still about 10% African-Americans voting fo Hillary Clinton? And most Hispanics are voting for her, why is that before any race card was the issue? (rephrased, mistake on first incomplete)

[chefrasta]

You sir or madam are a idiot.Spew your garbage to like minded bigots you associate with. Equating Obama to Hitler I have heard it all.

[paciere]

I feel sorry for Chefrasta, that you don't know anything about history. Obama would be okay choice if he wasn't guilty of his associations and friends. If you can't take the truth, tell me one good thing that Obama has ever done while he was in the IL State Senate and US Senate? Also anything that Obama said during his campaign and debate are true? Everytime he does debates, 'yes or no' question, he can't make up his mind because he's unsure of himself.

[Countdown09]

The white worker class voter should take note of how the Clinton's threw African American's under the bus. Don't think it can't happen to you same goes for the Latin voters, watch and learn.

[carex]

It's not just African Amercians. It is the entire middle and upper middle class as well. CAFTA, NAFTA, No Kyoto ratification, which he could have done. The Clintons will throw ANYONE under the bus to get where/what they want. They have shown that before and especially in the last few months of this campaign.

Mrs. Clinton should be resoundingly rejected for her ethics (Florida & Michigan, etc.) and tactics (When did Karl Rove hand off that play book?).

Enough. We require legitimate leaders.

[Countdown09]

Obviously Bill was never told "you should never burn bridges". He's shown his true self now, and I think many AA's are feeling they were used by Bill.

[hjo4]

As an American Black man, I never had any respect or admiration for him anyway.He'­s just showing who he really is when he believes his wife isn't getting what they feel she is entitled to.IMO,Mr.­Clinton didn't do anything that have any long lasting positive effects for Blacks or others who blindly love him.Take our education system, if the Clintons wanted to do something to actually improve the lives of Blacks and others,they would 've made education reform,a top priority and we'd be experiencing the benefits today.They 're talking loud and saying nothing.

[Independentjunkie]

BILL CLINTON'S EDUCATION RECORD FOR ill-informed " vote on basis of color AA's"


Making Education A Priority
Under the President's Direct Student Loan program, students can borrow money directly from the government at a lower interest rate and with many flexible repayment options, including the option to repay with a percentage of their after-graduation salary. Taxpayers will save at least $4.3 billion over five years.

In 1994, over 20,000 AmeriCorps members tutored students, immunized children, reclaimed urban parks, and patrolled neighborhoods. In return, they earned $4,725 per year of service towards college tuition or job training.

President Clinton signed into law Goals 2000, a national standard of excellence for our public schools. Already, 41 states and territories have received federal grants to raise academic standards and improve schools.

President Clinton's Safe and Drug Free Schools and Community Act and the Safe Schools Act provide funding to schools to fight violence and drug abuse. Schools can use up to 25 percent of their funds to purchase metal detectors, develop safe zones, and hire school security personnel.

The President's School-to-Work program provides venture capital to spark a nationwide system for moving America's young people from high school to a job with a future. In 1994, all states received planning funds for their school-to-work program.

Charter School legislation signed by President Clinton encourages states and localities to set up public school choice.

[Independentjunkie]

As a non AA i have always felt that black politicans never have done jack for their own people other always blame other races for their woes. 99% of black politicans are corrupt and in every state where they hold majority of candidates-- it is a cespool of corruption.

[dollars2donuts]

Bigots like you is why Black voters are disgusted with this whole primary, all of you Archie Bunker types that sit in your easy chair insulting blacks all day are out in force big time. Sorry that your life is so empty you have to put down a whole group of millions of Americans that were brought here by force and built this country. We have to put up with you every day and we're tired of it. Which is why we're not putting up with Dollar Bill's B.S.

[Syco]

Like Bear the Astronot says "black politicians don't like black people"

[paciere]

hjo4. "they would 've made education reform,a top priority and we'd be experiencing the benefits today"

We've been under Bush Administration till today and the rest of this year. Bush reversed alot of it, that Bill Clinton did when he was the President. The worst of all that Bush Administration did for education was "No Child Left Behind" bill. It's the most deceiving message. You wouldn't know unless you know alot of teachers. It gave less opportunity for people who wants to teach. If you're talking about public school education system, that's your state's responsibility. Why do you think you have internet, if that's not a valuable source of information?

[hank48188]

Obama didn't have support of 90% of the blacks during iowa and N.H. and after his loss in N.H. Obama knew he needed more of the black vote. He went to South Carolina and started using the favorite words of Malcolm and Farrakhan to incite black crowds, BAMBOOZELED, HOODWINKED, and OKIE-DOKE. He was telling blacks that he was "Black Enough", he knew about Malcolm and Farrakhan and his percentage of black support went up to 90%. Obama only uses these words for black crowds, it goes right over the heads of whites but the blacks understand. He brought out those words for Mississippi as well, go check the record when those words are used and see for yourself.

[Testtubebaby]

Since you probably aren't black, you don't know what incites blacks and if you are, you're a self hating damn lie. White people know what Bamboozled means, maybe not the old ones but the younger ones do. The hip-hop generation is largely comprised of suburban whites...t­hey know the lingo. When he dusted off his shoulders, (Jay Z style) I saw a whole lot of white folks understanding and giving high fives. You just wanna talk up some BS. As a politician he speaks to the audience in front of him... just as Hillary went down to Atlanta talking “home girl”...pl­ease.

[lisakaz2]

Bill Clinton bears no responsibility for what he said or how others saw it, huh? It's all Obama's fault? Sounds like George "I'm not responsible for anything that's happened since 2001" Bu$h. It never occurred to you that Bill is jealous, huh? What's up with ripping into Clyburn? Clyburn was supposed to rig the election?

[dollars2donuts]

Wrong, wrong, wrong but nice try. Billary single handedly lost the black vote with repeated dog whistle commments made by their surrogates: Billy Shaheen, Bob Johnson, Geraldine Ferraro, Bob Kerrey, etc etc. You need to stop trying to read our minds and actually go out and talk to some black people you might actually learn something, what a concept!

[dollars2donuts]

One more thing, it seems that unfortunately many whites are very resistant to recognizing dog-whistle subtle racism comments and it is very easy for them to deny it is happening. If you grow up black, recognizing racism in all its forms is part of surviving in America. Just as Bush knows how to use right-wing Christian subtle code words, there exists subtle code words and phrases that people use to incite whites against voting for or liking black candidates, and we they are drug out every election cycle, and we recognize them instantly and feel that kick-in-the-gut feeling because it's like, here we go again. Ferraro's may have been the most egregious of them; or maybe it was the surrogate of Hillary's that suggested that Obama may have sold drugs; or no, maybe it was Bill on eve of PA primary accusing Obama of "playing the race card" out of nowhere...­it's hard to keep up with all their dog whistle comments but you get the idea. If you want to just say, I don't care about black voters and what they think or that we're liars or something, fine, but if you want to take the position we're supposedly equal and you care about us and what we think why not try actually trying to listen and absorb what we're trying to tell you about how we feel and why for a change.

[deekay]

You are exactly correct! What genuinely makes me ill is that 'NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED". How dare you hypocritical African Americans try to pull the freeking race card....AG­AIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN. I am over it! Bill CLinton has done more for the African American community than any other President besides Lincoln. Hillary's first job was to help in the poor African-American communities and children's programs. This entire Obama process is nothing but trying to solidify the black vote. Obama's campaign knows all too well that if they make race the issue, they may win. The reason is that they knew going into South Carolina that they were going to have to change this thing to black vs. white, especially since Hillary won New Hampshire. Democrats, especially liberals, want to be "cool" and self promote their leftist needs to vote for a black man because its politically correct to do so now. Let's not look at Obama's past, let's not consider who he chooses to surround himself with, let's completely overlook how he sold his soul to get into politics by way of corrupt Chicago politics. The most vile and disgusting thing about Obama's campaign is that it is exactly like the "wolf in sheep's clothing" style. Obama goes out and makes these "somewhere over the rainbow" speeches to young voters and appeals to their most naive senitiments and speak of Hope and Change, while his surrogates go out and slash and burn the Clintons.

[dollars2donuts]

Yes, African Americans are wicked and should go away. Buy me a ticket to Barbados and I'll go! Then you can have your precious "Miss HIlary" that done so much for the wretched negroes, I do declare! Fiddle-dee-dee, LOL

[AfroLatina21]

Wow....you seem very angry.

I am tired of people saying Bill Clinton has done so much for the black community. Yes during his term he appointed many blacks to high positions but besides that he hasn't done too much.
More black men were put in prison during his term, he did nothing to help the Rwanda situation. Also, he had the opportunity to change the drug laws that were overwhelmingly against African American men. Yet he did not.

[paciere]

Under 10% African-American remaining that votes for Clinton, are the ones not disregarding what they have done to the black community. He uses his own Church what his church does for the black community. But what has he done really? except donate about $500 a week and let the church do all the work and it also happens that Wright is one crooked man. Wright says media twisted his words, then explain why he have an audicity to use Bill Clinton in one of his sermons and also Hillary Clinton,too.