= new reply since forum marked as read
that Warren will pull the entire (non PoC) DU crowd and lose the PoC, because "
h)er main push is economic rather than social because not only is that her specialty, it is fundamental for equality of every race and gender."
. . .but I take your point about specifically addressing that voting bloc and getting and keeping them engaged in the political process - including getting them to the polls. That's an effort that I don't think should be taken for granted, either.
Couple of things . . .I noticed in the other thread that you made a distinction between the fight for economic justice/fairness and the struggle to achieve racial and gender inequality. That's a fair distinction, and I would note that, in the past, many civil rights leaders regarded those needs as inseparable. That's what I think MLK intended by advocating an economic and social bill of rights.
As he once asked, "In years will the right to liberty for the black man mainly mean that he is perfectly free to move from one slum to another and that he can periodically choose among politicians who do nothing?"
That said, someone who may intend to lead the nation does need to focus on and directly speak to issues which have a disproportionate and particular impact on black Americans, like voting rights, work discrimination, sentencing disparities, representation in courts and the legislature.
However, a national campaign will need to do more than just convince black voters that the candidate is on their side - it will need to convince the rest of America that the effort is in their interest. That's what I believe is the value in emphasizing economic issues, because those concerns cross racial lines and it can be argued that 'we're all in it together' and that the solutions to these economic concerns will undeniably embrace more than just one bloc of Americans. In that respect, I think Sen. Warren is correct in her focus.
The other point I have is more specific to Clinton and her relationship with African Americans. I'll let this polling and anecdotal info speak for itself:
Pew Research findings: "HRC's image did suffer among blacks in '08, as @nytimes reports. Fav rating sank 23 pts. But she's recovered since." A Pew Research report from December 2012: "Clinton's favorable ratings among blacks plummeted in the spring of 2008: By May, as Obama secured his hold on the nomination, just 59% of African Americans viewed Clinton favorably...A year after the election, a survey by Pew Social and Demographic Trends found that Clinton’s overall favorability mark...among blacks – 93% — was as high as Obama’s."
Potential African-American support higher since 2008 - Results from a recent HuffPost/YouGov poll yield similar results. Among all potential primary voters (those who say they typically vote in Democratic primaries), 47 percent say they will definitely support Clinton in 2016, another 35 percent say they would consider Clinton, only 4 percent say they would not consider supporting her and 14 percent say it's just too soon to say. The "definitely support" percentage is very close to Clinton's 48 percent of the votes cast in primary states in 2008. However, Clinton's definite support percentage is now just as high among African American as it is among other Democrats. According to a compilation of primary state exit polls produced by ABC News, Clinton won an average of just 15 percent of the black vote in the 2008 primaries against Barack Obama. Obama's narrow delegate lead over Clinton rested on his overwhelming advantage with African Americans. YouGov, RCP 2008 Democratic popular vote, ABC News: exit poll key groups, see also HuffPost: 'Why Hillary Clinton Shouldn't Be Threatened by Elizabeth Warren'
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/02/hillary-clinton-black-dem_n_4374252.html
and this:
In taking a pause from the campaign trail in 2008, Democratic presidential hopeful Senator Hillary Clinton remembered Dr. Martin Luther King.
"While our problems were grave, he saw us not as we were, but as we could and should be," Clinton said about King.
"Dr. King saw the darkness of a nation torn apart by petty human differences, but he imagined one knit back together by our shared humanity," said Clinton.
"But as far as we have come, we know the journey is far form over. Some days when you open up the newspaper and you read the headlines, it feels like we have tumbled right back down that mountaintop."
"I believe that we should appoint a Cabinet-level position that should be solely and fully devoted to ending poverty as were know it in America," Clinton said.
It would be "a position that will focus the attention of our nation on this issue and never let it go," she said. The post would be filled by "a person whom I would see being asked by the president every single day, 'What have you done to end poverty in America?' No more excuses, no more whining -- instead, a concerted effort."
"Isn’t it about time we came together as we have in Memphis to find the solutions to make America what it can and should be?" Clinton asked. "When I say solutions, I mean good jobs. Jobs you can raise a family on. Jobs that give people a shot at the middle class, to be able to stay there and live with dignity and respect. When I say solutions, I mean respecting the role of the American labor movement that has given that dignity and respect to so many. This time, once again, to give back the support we need to those who help workers organize and demand their rights."
"When I say solutions, I mean finally addressing the scourge of poverty that stalks so many," she said." "I believe, mayor, Memphis has about a 25% poverty rate, down over the last years, but still far too high. I believe we should appoint a cabinet level position that will be solely and fully devoted to ending poverty as we know it in America."
"It’s the kind of solution that Dr. King's son Martin has been passionately advocating for," she said. "When I say solutions, I mean schools worthy of our children that give each child a chance to live up to his or her God-given potential. How about appointing Supreme Court justices who will actually uphold Brown versus Board of Education and not reverse the progress that has been made? When I say solutions, I mean quality, affordable health care for every American. No exceptions. Everyone entitled to health insurance."
"I mean restoring America’s moral leadership in the world, leading the fight against AIDS, Malaria and TB, against poverty and genocide. We cannot let our brothers and sisters in Africa and around the world continue to suffer needlessly. And I mean ending the war that has claimed too many of our precious sons and daughters; ending it as quickly and responsibly as humanly possible. And yet we must demand that our government pass laws that reflect our values. Hate crimes laws, anti-discrimination laws, equal pay laws and so much more. But that is not enough. The solutions we seek are not just about what government does or business does or labor unions or even faith-based institutions do. It is what each and every one of us is called to do," she said.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5385218
