Obama Ducks State of the Black Union Forum

by Taylor Marsh

Yep, Barack Obama is doing it again, this time on his own community. He's ducking the State of the Black Union forum in New Orleans, as is John McCain. Hillary Clinton will be there.

I've been a Hillary Clinton partisan since last fall. This is not one of those posts. Because contrary to everyone's belief, not everything I write has to do with Hillary Clinton. Criticism of Barack Obama can actually be just about the type of politician he is, having nothing to do with Hillary Clinton. This is one of those posts.

Today we find Barack Obama skipping out again. You know, like he did on Kyl-Lieberman, as well as the vote on MoveOn.org when they were taking fire on their General Petraeus ad. He's skipping the annual State of the Black Union forum in New Orleans so he can campaign. Besides, why should Mr. Obama feel pressured to attend a forum about his own community, especially when he believes there will be no consequences. After all, he ducked out on MoveOn.org when they needed him, but they endorsed him anyway. African Americans have helped Mr. Obama get this far to the Democratic nomination, so why should he feel compelled to actually speak to the annual State of the Black Union forum in New Orleans?

Meanwhile, Tavis Smiley is registering minor criticism of Obama for his decision, so what's happening? His family is getting besieged by Obama supporters, people who will not allow any criticism of their candidate.

But Smiley's criticism has also prompted many people to come to Obama's defense. The talk show host told The Washington Post he has been inundated with angry e-mails and even death threats.

"I have family in Indianapolis. They are harassing my momma, harassing my brother. It's getting to be crazy," Smiley told the newspaper.

He will be busy despite Obama's absence. Some of the nation's top black activists and politicians attend the State of the Black Union. ... ..

Obama takes heat for skipping State of the Black Union

The threats and hate mail comes as no surprise to me, because I've been receiving them for months and months. But Obama ducking this forum will come as a surprise to some. Not to me and I'm not alone.

Follow Taylor Marsh on Twitter: www.twitter.com/taylormarsh

Comments

[ntmessage]

Clearly Barack is pandering to whatever constituency in order to get their vote. Once he converted the black voters by conflating statements made by the very people that supported black issues all these years prove it.

Now that he has the vote, he is gone. Like a one night stand.

Next target for pandering? The NAFTA issue in Ohio and the Health Care issue in Texas which is incredulous on the facts and the details.

[Ides]

Clearly Hillary is pandering to whatever constituency in order to get their vote. Once she lost the black voters by allowing statements made by the very people that we assume supported black issues all these years but aren't exactly sure how proves it.


Now she lost the vote, she is back. Like a penitent ex.


Next target for pandering? The NAFTA issue in Ohio and the Health Care issue in Texas, which is incredulous on the facts and the details.

[LoveTruth]

Was it the refusal to even out drug sentencing or welfare reform...which one?? Obama has actually acted on trying to fix issues in the black community. Not just show up to show face.

[Phife]

Did Hillary show up for the State of the Black Union Forum?

Should I care about that too?

[argyle]

There is only the union of the several states. It is not perfect, but it is not white, brown or black. I am proud of Obama for having the good sense not to go.

[JimR]

"You know, like he did on Kyl-Lieberman,"

If you had bothered to do any reporting, you would find in the Congressional Record that Harry Reid stated there would be no vote on that amendment in the foreseeable future. Obama left to campaign. The very next day, Reid suddenly changed his mind and called for a vote later that day.

"as well as the vote on MoveOn.org when they were taking fire on their General Petraeus ad."

Yes, and THAT was a good use of Congressional time, wasn't it?

[BrooklynLager]

Harry Reid's son works for the Clinton campaign, although I wouldn't read too much into it.

As far as the moveOn vote goes, "present" is actually the correct vote in my opinion. It's like "I don't have time for this".

[CondisNightmare]

Oh, will you STFU!!!!! You HillBillary partisans would like nothing better than to have Obama leave Texas and Ohio. Every minute he stays there he takes more votes away from that shrew. Anyone suggesting that Obama is ducking this forum is being disengenuous at best. Why should be duck people who support him by 80 - 90 % ? He needs to be in TX and OH and the people in New Orleans know hat as well and understand. My question is, will Shillary get booed or not ;-) Hope so......

[OverIt]

Dear Ms. Marsh,

Perhaps you've been to preoccupied of late to notice that Sen. Obama is in the middle of a very competitive campaign. He had rallies schedule throughout Ohio already and could not make it to the New Orleans event. In any case, Sen. Obama's record of service is proof positive that he is dedicated to the many issues that are of urgent concern to the African Americans in this country, from unemployment, to lack of access to adequate and affordable healthcare, to bias in the justice system that often results in inequitable treatment of African American defendants as opposed to their white counterparts. If you don't know... you better ask somebody! Or better yet, do your job and conduct some background research before you put out baseless attacks on Senator Obama. And by the way, although a VERY PROUD African-American, I think you've missed a point that is central to Sen. Obama's philosophy --- his "own community" is the United States of America, nothing less.

[neworleanslady68]

Hey, um, hey, Taylor? Back when Louisana had its primary three weeks ago, you know, here in New Orleans, site of the massive Federal Flood of 2005, where 1500 of my brothers and sisters died, from where my schoolteacher mother remains an unemployed refugee within her own country, where neighborhoods are still in ruins and liveable public housing boarded up, where my mother-in-law and grandparents have been exposed to cancer-causing formadehyde in FEMA trailers, where public schools and hospitals remain unopen, where most shrinks have fled to richer pastures while most of us suffer from PTSD, where the levees still aren't fixed, um, yeah, THAT New Orleans...where was Hillary Clinton before the Louisiana primary?

She never came here. Not once. Will you be blogging about that, about it being a slap in the face and all?

Actually, I didn't blame Hillary for not making it. I figured that, like most politicians, she looked at the polls, figured out where her presence might do the most good as far as winning votes, and scheduled accordingly. It's how the business works. But if you're going to rag on Obama for not getting here, please DO be sure to point out that Hillary didn't campaign here even ONCE before our primary, k????

[shano]

I hope everyone saw the Charlie Rose program with Samantha Power, one of Obamas advisors on foreign policy. She states Obama already has a task force working on a study how to effectively withdraw from Iraq.

I dont see Hillary being as pro-active on this issue, or any other issue in this campaign.

And she accuses Obama of empty words, when he is always behind the scene, working dilligently to get something of substance done.

That is real leadership.

Obama '08

[seepee]

She’s is serving on several of the armed services committees in the senate, and therefore has a plan on bringing our troops home safely which she could implement right away
We need a fighter who fight for us-
It’s time to make a real difference
YES, WE DID, AND WE WILL
Go Hillary08

[shano]

Really? What is Clintons stance on gitmo? Restoring habeas corpus? Because Obama is the only candidate saying he will act on these issues by closing gitmo and restoring habeas corpus.

Another way he shows leadership on the issues while Hillary slings ineffective barbs.

What is her plan and who is working on it? she does not say...
Like how you appropriate Obamas campaign slogan, btw. Both Hillary and McCain are doing this.

[FreedomLoverX]

Taylor, are you just a paid shill for Hillary? Or, are you just too lazy to compare actual records and votes of these two candidates? Nothing you say makes any sense.

[snidesnickers]

Taylor: Why don`t you just admit that you`re a paid lackey for Hillary? If you`re not on the payroll you should be. Your rantings against anyone who challenges your dear Hillary are becoming tiresome, boring and very predictable.

[nihilon x]

Something tells me this is the only time in your entire life that you've ever cared about the Black State of the Union.

Some people call it "stuck on stupid" -- its time for you to shift gears and move on.

[Lisette]

Give it a rest Taylor, Obama will be the nominee.

[shano]

So, how many pieces is Obama supposed to split into so he can be at all places every time someone wants him?

The Kyle/Lieberman vote was because of Harry Reed, telling everyone it would be the next week, then putting it on the schedule one morning for that afternoon. Then calling Obama and telling him they were voting. Harry Reed has a lot to answer for, imho.

Are these diaries really reporting? Because here is a writer critical of Obama who is distorting many, many facts. At least get your facts straight if you are going to be critical-that is all this Obama supporter requests.

As for Hillary, I hope she will concede with some dignity left, she would be a great Supreme Court Justice or Majority Leader.

Obama is an exceptional person and a very funny guy, a great mix. He will be a wonderful president. I hope the Hillary supporters will learn more about him, they will come to the same conclusion when they explore his excellent record of accomplishments.

Obama will close gitmo and restore habeus corpus, a great start, and certainly expected from one who taught Constitutional Law. Why do I think that is another great qualification, after what this country has been through?

[jungpatawan]

Who the fuck is Tavis Smiley?
Who the fuck is Taylor Marsh?

And what the fuck do either of them know about anything? Hey, I'm sure they're the heroes of their own saga. I'm sure they're passionate advocates of narrow-minded ideologies as they each seek to ahieve Angela Davis-ness. But Barack Obama can lead effective societal change without being Huey Newton, and that drives them nuts.

Taylor, we need you like a fish needs a bicycle.

JP

[BigBen]

Barackm did not duck out on Joe Lieberman. He endorsed him.You don't believe me? Keep reading..
"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//
> How about that. And Joe is such a peace lover!

[doschi]

He backed Lieberman in the primaries, as did nearly every other high-profile Democrat. When Lamont won the primary, Obama campaigned for him.

Get your facts straight.