How the Clinton-Obama Fairy Tale Turned Into a Nightmare

It was supposed to be a fairy tale come true for our country. Finally, after more than two centuries it looked like America's most exclusive club just might be ready to admit a woman and an African-American. Only membership benefits at this particular club offer a lot more than access to fabulous golf courses, but access to the most powerful address in our nation. While the club's founders are likely rolling in their graves at the possibility, Club White House (aka The President's Club) has moved closer than ever to admitting members who actually look more like America's increasingly diverse (and increasingly female) population, and less like members from a reunion of Yale's Skull and Bones fraternity. Others before had tried and failed to gain admission. But this year seemed different. It looked like it may actually happen.

But I guess some fairy tales really are just too good to be true.

The two leading contenders for finally breaking through one of America's last great barriers, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, vowed early on not to allow their competition to devolve into yet another sad example of political mudslinging. Well in the last week their sparring has actually sounded more like the verbal equivalent of mud-wrestling. Typically it's hard to pin down exactly "who started it," in this type of situation. After all, when do one's attempts to legitimately "contrast" their record from their opponent officially become full-fledged political warfare? For me the answer is much like Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart's assessment of porn. "I know it when I see it."

In this primary, a line has officially been crossed in the tone, and tenor of the campaign. The line may not be visible, but I knew it when I saw it. And clearly I am not the only one. Congressman James Clyburn, the elder statesman of South Carolina politics recently made it known in the pages of the New York Times that in spite of his initial plans to remain neutral in the primary race, recent comments by former President Clinton and Sen. Clinton have him reconsidering his neutrality.

President Clinton irked Clyburn and some other black Americans with his statement in reference to Obama, "This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I've ever seen." The former President, who was affectionately dubbed "the first black president" by Toni Morrison, quickly worked to clarify his remarks and called in to Al Sharpton's radio show to do so. (Apparently under the mistaken assumption that Al Sharpton's seal of approval is relevant to a majority of black Americans.) He then explained that he was referring to Obama's characterization of his positions on the Iraq War and added for good measure, that "There's nothing fairy tale about his [Obama's] campaign. . . he might win. "I think he's a very impressive man, and he's run a great campaign." As I noted yesterday on CNN, if there is anyone that black Americans are willing to give the benefit of the doubt to, it is the "first black president" and his wife.

But then came the Dr. King debacle. Sen. Clinton, attempting to take the wind out of Barack Obama's King and Kennedy-esque sails, said the following: "Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964...It took a president to get it done."

Now the Clintons are learning a tough, yet valuable lesson: That there are some things that no white American--even the first black president--gets a free pass on saying. And this happens to be one of them.

While candidate Clinton has worked to explain her remarks in recent days (and has also accused the Obama campaign of trying to inject race into the presidential race, which is odd since she brought it up), the damage has largely been done. And not just damage to the Clinton campaign, but damage to the Democratic Party. After all, part of the fairy tale was the idea of this rainbow coalition working together to make history since everyone is supposed to be on the same side. Now this fairy tale has turned a lot less Disney and a lot more Brothers Grimm.

If Rep. Clyburn endorses Obama, it will be hugely significant, with national implications. Much of the division in the black community between Clinton supporters and Obama supporters has been split along generational lines, with older black elected officials such as Congressman Charles Rangel and Congressman John Lewis supporting Clinton, and younger officials like Mayor Cory Booker and Congressman Artur Davis supporting Obama. If Clyburn were to support Obama, it would send a message to some older African-Americans who are unsure that our country's ready to elect a black president that he thinks we are. It would also signal just how seriously he took the Clintons' recent comments.

If Clinton loses in South Carolina, but even more, if she becomes the nominee and loses the general election, she will look back on this moment as her own Swift Boat veterans ad; the defining moment that sunk her campaign. Only in this case she and her husband were the ones driving the boat. For those who think I'm overstating the possibilities, just ask Mark Green. You may have just asked yourself "Mark who?" which is precisely the point. Mark Green was supposed to be the Mayor of New York City. He was supposed to easily cruise to victory past an unknown billionaire businessman no one had ever heard of. Then two things happened. 9/11 was one of them, but the other was a racially charged controversy in which Green's campaign was accused of disseminating a racially inflammatory flier during the Democratic primary. While Green disavowed the incident (and was cleared of any direct knowledge) he lost a substantial portion of the Latino and black vote in the general election. As a result, he became "Mark who?," and the unknown billionaire businessman became Mike Bloomberg, mayor turned possible presidential candidate.

If the Democrats aren't careful, this once promising presidential fairy tale could have a similar ending and Mike Bloomberg could find himself becoming the accidental crown prince once again.

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Comments

[ariadne1]

i don't believe that hillary is a racist but that does not mean she will not use race nor any other tactic necessary to win the white house.

her break the momentum drive appears to be working...

rove in drag.

[frankp37]

These comments are no big deal, but Clinton has been hostile towards Obama all along. She thinks the nomination belongs to her. She could win if she just kept her mouth shut cause people vote for Clinton cause they voted for Clinton before. But you know she's not going to shut up. And if she wins she's not going to have much reason to keep her mouth shut at all. The Democrats will be finished.

[Camel54]

Honestly, I don't understand where the offense came from regarding Clinton's MLK/Johnson remark. I don't think for a second she intended to downplay MLK or his contributions. I think she thought she had a clever point about there being a difference between those who inspire and those who officiate. It was a bad premise but not a racist one. It seems like there are always those who are looking for Weapons of Race Destruction and will use any little lack of intelligence as their motivation. It speaks little of us that we are always looking for a reason to be offended; as if the offense gives us authority of some kind.

I agree with the article at least as much as the fairy tale has ended. This distracting, baseless back and forth between Obama and Clinton is infuriating because it reminds me we always retain the right to throw an important election.

[StillAmused]

As I began reading, it seemed this might be the most rational commentary on this controversy I'd seen from an African-American.

Then, I finished reading it.

You state Sen. Clinton "accused the Obama campaign of trying to inject race into the presidential race, which is odd since she brought it up."

How, precisely, did she "bring it up"? Clinton isn't running for leadership of the civil rights movement... she's running for President, and she was commenting upon the critical role of a particular PRESIDENT in enacting into law elements Dr. King's vision.

Ergo, "Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964...It took a president to get it done."

... or didn't Clinton, as a white woman, have a right to even CITE Dr. King's immeasurable contribution -- making a point about President Johnson -- without attributing to him EXCLUSIVE credit for the '64 Act? As I remember it, many put their butts on the line on the Edmund Pettis Bridge, and some are today Clinton supporters.

Then:

"... there are some things that no white American--even the first black president--gets a free pass on saying".

As a 'white' American, I'm not entitled to pass judgement on your visceral, subjective reactions as an African-American. I do not, however, have to surrender access to my neocortex! I can still decode specious reasoning, stacked arguments and false constructs.

There are some worrisome characters scurrying around, purporting to (or erroneously perceived and reported to) speak "for" BOTH campaigns. Bob Johnson is the most recent -- and egregious -- example. You might take it up with Johnson who is, oddly enough, African-American (or does HE get "a free pass"?).

Finally, you proffer:

"... she will look back on this moment as her own Swift Boat veterans ad; the defining moment that sunk her campaign. Only in this case she and her husband were the ones driving the boat."

Wrong, captain... but you won't have to look beyond the nearest mirror to identify someone who IS.

How disappointing.

[BigBen]

So the Press has taken over the role of the Swift Boaters and are going after Clinton.And for free.What irony.Kerry was not really a hero, he was in fact a coward. Clinton is not a supporter of African Americans. In fact both she and her husband really opposed their rights.I never thought I would see the day.

[MRb1000]

PLEASE AMERICA TELL THE CLINTON TO GO AWAY. OBAMA AND EDWARDS COULD DEBATE.

[johnnyjust]

Clinton, Obama...either one of these boobs becoming President is a fairy tale.

[Kungfublood]

We may not know who started it but it is easy to see who counted the votes!

[Justtellthetruth]

I have to agree with Senator Obama. the Clintons are not racist. But Hillarys analogy IS quite telling nonetheless.
It belittles the sacrifices and ultimate sacrifice made by Dr.King, and puts LBJs use of a pen ahead of one of the greatest achievements in modern american History.
Hillary sees HERSELF as LBJ, in her mind, reigning over the all of the lesser minds and talents, (including you, me, Obama, Dr. King, and everybody else) helping their weak and unfocused aspirations come to fruition, apparently through no sacrifice of her own, or through leadership, or inspiration, but through her ability to see the obvious and use a pen, something that the rest of us, regardless of how inspired, talented, or dedicated, are unable to do without her.
Because of her "experience", she knows better than all of us, including Obama, you, I, and Dr. King. Race has nothing to do with it. She feels superior and more entitled than EVERYBODY else.

[mikey683]

As a white person I'm offended that the role of LBJ in the civil rights movement is being ridiculed! lol Relax folks even republicans had to vote for it other wise it never would have passed.

[cseper]

I have a question:

What did Obama do to try to stop the war in 2002?
What did Obama do to try to stop the war in 2003?
What did Obama do to try to stop the war in 2004?
What did Obama do to try to stop the war in 2005? (He voted for more war funds)
What did Obama do to try to stop the war in 2006? (He voted for more war funds)
What did Obama do to try to stop the war in 2007? (He voted for more war funds)

Is it enough to say "I was against the war" and give a few speeches about it?

Why didn't Senator Obama use the filibuster?


He claims he wanted to stop the war, but not enough to stand up?

[Justtellthetruth]

I have to agree with Senator Obama. the Clintons are not racist. But Hillarys analogy IS quite telling nonetheless.

It belittles the sacrifices and ultimate sacrifice made by Dr.King, and puts LBJs use of a pen ahead of one of the greatest achievements in modern american History.

Hillary sees HERSELF as LBJ, in her mind, reigning over the all of the lesser minds and talents, (including you, me, Obama, Dr. King, and everybody else) helping their weak and unfocused aspirations come to fruition, apparently through no sacrifice of her own, or through leadership, or inspiration, but through her ability to see the obvious and use a pen, something that the rest of us, regardless of how inspired, talented, or dedicated, are unable to do without her.

Because of her "experience", she knows better than all of us, including Obama, you, I, and Dr. King. Race has nothing to do with it. She feels superior and more entitled than EVERYBODY else.

[realityrules]

Keli,
Is it really that fragile? Do we not have more in common than that? When Obama won Iowa I was elated. When Hillary won New Hampshire I was elated. Please, we have history (or, at least recent history) on our side. I heard the President's remarks, and I encourage you to listen to the entire segment. I heard Hillary's remarks, and I cringe, yet I know it was not about race but power. Let's get back together.

[coolkraft]

Oh Billary you have really stepped in it this time...we were all waiting to see how far the Clintons would go when they realized they were not swooping into the White House. God help us if she is the nominee I will vote Republican

[bluefruity]

I back OBAMA 100%