Obama! Go to New Orleans tomorrow, PLEASE

[Laura PourMeADrink]

Just heard on CNN that Obama has decided not to attend a meeting of black leaders in NOLA this weekend. Tavis Smiley was on saying how important it was. They will be talking about the state of affairs in the rebirth of NOLA.

Revitalization of New Orleans is my #2 issue, after ending the war. These people have been forgotten.

This just breaks my heart. And I am sure, his not going will probably sway Edwards too.

Please reconsider !

[cbayer]

1. He offered to send his wife, but Tavis really wanted him.

BTW, Clinton is going.

[DURHAM D]

3. Tavis said earlier this week that Michelle was not offered as a sub.

Tavis also said he would not accept Michelle in place of Obama.

[tishaLA]

24. MIchelle herself said in an interview that she would go

in her husband's stead, but Mr Smiley rejected the offer. Ms Obama said that she hoped Mr Smiley would understand that the most important thing right now is for them to win elections and the nomination and, since he sees her as an inappropriate surrogate now, she hopes that she will be able to be an appropriate surrogate sometime in the future.

[cbayer]

26. He did offer to send her, but Tavis decline.

"I will be on the campaign trail every day in states like Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin talking directly to voters about the causes that are at the heart of my campaign and the State of the Black Union forum such as affordable housing, economic opportunity, civil rights and foreign policy," Obama said in his letter. He had offered to have his wife, Michelle, speak in his stead at the State of the Black Union, but Smiley had declined. "I ask that you reconsider," Obama wrote. "Michelle is a powerful voice for the type of reach change America is hungry for."

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/02/16/black_commenter_criticizing_ob.html

[EffieBlack]

33. Obama's Letter to Tavis Smiley

February 13, 2008
 
 
Dear Tavis,   
 
Thank you for the invitation to participate in the 2008 State of the Black Union forum in New Orleans, Louisiana February 21-23. The exchange of ideas raised at this annual symposium are invaluable as our nation strives to address the critical issues facing not just African Americans, but Americans of every race, background and political party.
 
I especially commend you for hosting this dialogue in New Orleans. On the eve of the Louisiana primary, I visited this great city for the fifth time since declaring my candidacy to share policy proposals for rebuilding the Gulf Coast so that we never experience another Hurricane Katrina. On February 9, I was deeply humbled to win the Louisiana primary with 86 percent of the African American vote and a 14 point lead among all voters who said they were adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina.
 
Uniting our country and creating a national constituency for fundamental change is why I am running for President of the United States. We have come a long way in this race, but we still have a long road ahead. In the final stretch, I will be on the campaign trail everyday in states like Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin talking directly with voters about the causes that are at the heart of my campaign and the State of the Black Union forum such as affordable healthcare, housing, economic opportunity, civil rights and foreign policy. I am committed to touching every voter, and working to earn their vote.       

That is why with regret, I am not able to attend the forum. I understand that you have declined the campaign’s request to have Michelle Obama speak on my behalf. I ask that you reconsider. Michelle is a powerful voice for the type of real change America is hungry for. No one knows my record or my passion for leading America in a new direction more than Michelle Obama.

Tavis, this is our movement and our time. I look forward to working closely with you throughout this election. Thank you for your continued support.
  
 
Sincerely,

Barack Obama

[Laura PourMeADrink]

50. thanks for the letter. it was good. but, I still wish he would go.

[RBInMaine]

64. He should have accepted Michelle. Barack needs to campaign.

[TheDonkey]

58. Tavis is trying to create some controversy to BOOST ratings. A little shameless

and it is sad he is trying to go this route. I enjoy the SOTBU but his little ploy is sad.

[jasmine621]

63. The invite was to specifically to "candidates"

Michelle is not a candidate.

[liberalnurse]

22. Maybe his Oprah will go......

O8)

[golddigger]

29. LOL! Your a riot liberalnurse...

Everytime I see that cartoon I bust up laughing.:rofl:

[liberalnurse]

46. Enjoy...

:hug:

[gateley]

2. Did he give a reason for not participating?

I'd hate to think it was politically motivated - e.g. busy elsewhere garnering votes. (no snark)

Even if he can't "help" at this point, we need to let these people know they're NOT forgotten, as you point out.

[IndianaJones]

4. campaigning was the reason he gave in a letter to Tavis. nt.

[goldcanyonaz]

5. Busy campaigning was what was published here last week. That's what I read, they had a link too.

:shrug:

[Laura PourMeADrink]

8. Just that he was addressing issues of the black community while

campaigning in TX and OH. But it's not about black issues - it's about human beings being treated like shit by our government.

I was there not too long ago - The first thing our cab driver said after we arrived was, "Please, please tell everyone to come back -- we are dying here."

It is not the poor (still displaced). It is the middle class - not enough insurance to rebuild their homes so they are having to pay rent. Rents have risen, taxes have risen, and ARM payments have risen. Many think they will have to move.

[stahbrett]

9. Texas and Ohio

The best thing for New Orleans would be for him to win the presidency - talking to a talk-show host may be useful in some ways, but not as much as being in the White House.

[cbayer]

16. It's not just talking to a talk show host.

It's an annual event called "State of the Black Union" and it is a major event.
http://www.covenantwithblackamerica.com/State_of_the_Black_Union_2008_New_Orleans/

[stahbrett]

25. Ah, thanks for the clarification on that.

I still think that if Obama's campaign think that having him out campaigning makes more sense, he should do so - he can and likely will be given copious information from this event, and he'll be able to incorporate it into his policies once he's elected.

[EffieBlack]

37. It's a big event, but it's not THAT big

This is about Tavis Smiley's ego and litle else. Barack Obama does not have to upend his schedule running around the country jumping through hoops on Tavis Smiley's command. Obama is running for president. That's important to millions of Americans. His appearance at Tavis Smiley's all-day media event does little to advance that cause; it does do a lot for Smiley.

Obama is doing just what he needs to do and I'm glad he's doing it. He does not need to twist himself into knots because a talk show host wants him to.

[cbayer]

42. Hi effie! I remember you from the last thread on this.

It's a good debate and one worth having I think. Thanks for your input.

[qanda]

59. Last week I thought that Obama should attend

But after reading what you had to say last week about this and then doing some research on how big of a baby Tavis is being about this whole thing, I have to say that you were right and I was wrong. Tavis should grow up and stop acting like such a spoiled brat. The thing I wonder is if Hillary couldn't attend and they offered Bill Clinton as a surrogate, would Tavis have turned him down?

[EffieBlack]

61. Thanks - and no, I have no doubt that Tavis would have JUMPED to have Clinton there

This isn't about ensuring a strong conversation about the issues facing Louisiana and Black America. This is about Tavis' bragging rights. But he's up against someone who's bigger than he is and it's not working.

[anamandujano]

68. So ridiculous.

[Coexist]

6. Tavis should not expect much when he schedules something like this

in the middle of a Presidential Primary.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

10. That's why he did it - to get the exposure and help NOLA needs

during the campaign - to raise the consciousness. New Orleans is only a very short flight from TX.

I love Obama - but I am very dissappointed with him on this.

[Coexist]

19. He could have scheduled it during LA? That would make more sense.

http://essence.typepad.com/news/2008/02/roland-s-mart-6.html

[cbayer]

36. Thanks for the link.

Both the article and responses were very interesting.

This is a tough one for Obama and I think he loses either way in the end.

[KittyWampus]

39. then he should have done it when the LA primary was held. Obama showed up in NOLA last month

[Cha]

41. It was my understanding that Tavis Smiley

has been harder on Obama than the other candidates..I could be wrong. I don't know the history..just that it surprised me that Tavis wouldn't support Obama.

[cbayer]

48. He has refused to endorse either one. He does not think it is appropriate. nt.

[wndycty]

57. There is no reason to be disappointed in Obama on this

Its much better if he wins the presidency and attend next year as the president.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

87. wow, I feel so torn on this. I am supposed to make 50 calls today

for Obama and I just am so dissappointed in him on this. I don't want to feel this way, I just do. The rebirth of New Orleans is very, very important to me.

[EffieBlack]

88. Why are you disappointed in him?

How would his going in breaking off his campaigning to blow into New Orleans for an hour or two - most of which time would be spent in the Morial Center and in the car going to and from there - in any way advance the rebirth of New Orleans?

Please don't fall into the trap that's been set. The State of the Black Union is a symposium about issues that black people care about. It's not the end-all-and-be-all event for Black America. Obama does not have to be there to be committed to African Americans, to New Orleans or to anyone else.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

92. For two reasons: 1) I want him to stand up a decry the injustice

in New Orleans and 2) His not going seems to smack of some kind of politics.

I am disallusioned right now. I am starting to think that he really may not
care as much about those left behind - than I want him too.

To me, if you cared about the plight of those forgotten in NOLA you would have risen above all politics, found 4 hrs and got down there to raise consciousness.

If I change my mind about him. I will have no candidate. Up shit creek.

[EffieBlack]

93. Why does he have to go to New Orleans today to do Smiley's show to stand up for New Orleans?

FYI, Smiley's event focused very little on New Orleans - it was a about a broad range of issues.

Of course Obama not going is about politics, just as Clinton's going was. They are both in a tough presidential race - a political process. They are both trying to win two major primaries. They each made a decision about what to do today based upon political calculation. Obama's calculation was that his campaign would be better served if he stayed in Texas and Ohio and continued wooing voters he needs in those states. Clinton's calculation was that she needed to go to Tavis' event to reach out to that particular audience.

But I certainly don't think that it was necessary for Obama to go there today to prove that he cares about the plight of people in New Orleans, particularly since his being there onstage at the Convention Center was going to do little to "raise consciousness" about the issue that already wasn't being done today.

I am desperately concerned about the plight of New Orleans and have been working my ass off over the past two and a half years to improve the situation. And I don't for a minute believe that Obama flying into New Orleans, motorcading to the Convention Center, spending an hour or so backstage and then onstage, motorcading back to the airport and leaving town would have improved the life of one single Katrina victim in any way. I DO believe that if he wins the nomination and wins the presidency, he WILL be able to have a tremendous impact on their lives. So I don't fault him in the least for not going to New Orleans because Tavis Smiley wanted him there.

[goclark]

7. Didn't I read that Tavis supports Clinton?

[LSparkle]

14. I've seen her on his TV show twice recently

Probably a repeat the second time but the two airings I caught were within a week of each other. It kind of felt like overkill ...

[cbayer]

20. He has not taken a postion

and has stated that he does not think it is a appropriate to do so. He has had them both on his show.

[carlotta]

11. Hillary will be there

She committed some time ago.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

13. that's good. wish he was going too.

[KittyWampus]

40. Clinton HAS to be there. She ignored the LA primary because it didn't count

[anamandujano]

70. Stupid remark. Why am I not surprised?

[Hutzpa]

12. I'm not sure what to make of this

considering Tavis is a Hillary surrogate, sounds like they are trying to hoodwink him,

if my memory serves me right, he did asked for Michelle Obama to replace him, he(Tavis) turned her

down, so, that tells me he has an agenda, besides Obama was not there last year

why make a big deal this year, because he is running for President.

What a load of Bullshit.

edited: correct Travis to Tavis

[Laura PourMeADrink]

17. You know - I'd like to think this is bigger than politics - the people

there are still hurting. He should know this since he just visited for the LA primary.

[Hutzpa]

23. Why did Tavis turned Michelle down

answer that for me please....:shrug:

[Laura PourMeADrink]

83. He said he thought it was important enough to have the candidate

in person. I can see how people might think this is no big deal. But, it is to me.
I am a precinct captain for Obama. I adore him. But, I can not help but feel
that he is playing some kind of politics with this. And I don't like it. It wouldn't
take him more than say 4 hrs to get there and get back. Hell, NOLA only a 45 min
flight from Houston.

[Tarheel_Dem]

91. simple answer....PUBLICITY!

Can you imagine the media firestorm a name like Obama would attract to Tavis' event? This is nothing more than a PR stunt by Tavis. As an AA myself, trust me...we know the SOTBU, and I'd like to see some concrete results of what these forums have produced for the last eight years other than two best sellers for Tavis.

It's nice to finally see such "concern" for the SOTBU, but in all honesty I'll bet that most DU'ers never even heard of it before this year.

[Hutzpa]

94. You know, Thats exactly how I feel

about this whole thing, I was strongly against this stunt pulled by Tavis,
as you mentioned on your post, he has been doing this for 8yrs yet still, he cannot point
to one good thing he has done for black folks. :shrug:

My question to all of this, is why he did not fuss over Obama last year, why wait this year
to make a deal out of it?

Couple of months ago, Tom Joyner called him on trying to be-little Obama, he quickly back track
and came up with the most ridiculous answer, my conclusion was, he is an Hillary shill.

[cbayer]

31. Please give me an iota of information indicating that Tavis is a Hillary surrogate. nt.

[adoraz]

15. yeah I think he should go

last thing he needs is the media trying to make it into a big deal that Clinton went and Obama didn't. Obama needs to beware the media now that he is ahead.

[KittyWampus]

43. did the media make a big deal of Clinton ignoring LA's primary and saying it doesn't count?

[cbayer]

49. Could you throw me a link on that? nt.

[LadyVT]

18. Yes, this has been going on for weeks. For shame! He doesn't need them,

now that the primary is over. What does that say about him?

[Joshua N]

35. What does that say about him?? It says he wannts to win two states where he is down in the polls.

It says that he is trying to win Texas and Ohio, where he is behind in the polls, so he can secure the nomination to be elected President of the United States. Time is precious now. I know where he stands on the issues they are going to discuss, I don't need to here him say it next to Tavis Smiley and Cornell West, I need him to say it to the people of Ohio and Texas.

[EffieBlack]

44. THANK you!

Frankly, I find it insulting that people seem to think that Barack Obama is required to stop campaigning and run off to Louisiana because Tavis Smiley wants him to. It's particularly galling to see some of the same people who jump all over Obama, accusing him of "playing the race card" whenever he says anything that indicates he might think that he's black now attack him for not dropping his campaign plans because a black talk show host beckoned him.

Amazing.

[KittyWampus]

45. what does it say about Hillary for pretty much ignoring their primary and saying they don't count?

[LadyVT]

47. She is going to the event, despite desperately needing OH and TX

because she wants to show support for the people of New Orleans, and to put pressure on the Bush Administration to speed their recovery. Obama's choosing not to go makes it look like he is more ambitious than he is empathetic. Who knows what the reality is (non of us know him), but that is how it looks.

[anamandujano]

71. It says that she was short on resources as we all found out later.

edit to add--not to mention Obama's campaign and the MSM had everybody all whooped up about a phony racism charge. It was wise not to waste resources fighting the inevitable.

[Johnny__Motown]

21. The best thing he can do for them, and for us all, is to become president

I am sure he has his reasons. He has run a spectacular campaign so far, I must assume he knows what he is doing even if it does look bad in the short run.

[Joshua N]

27. He did not go last year due to campaigning, so why would he go now?

Tavis Smiley is being a little smug here IMO. I watched it last year but must admit that much of it was frustrating and not as helpful as it should and could be.

[Kaylee]

28. I want him to go also. nt.

[EffieBlack]

30. Why should he go?

[goclark]

32. I agree Effie ~ the best place is should be is campaigning

in Texas and Ohio.

Tavis is trying to play some kind of game. He never acts like this before with guest that I can recall.

[Tarheel_Dem]

53. Tavis is very good friends with, and a constituent of Maxine Waters, and guess who

Maxine's supporting for the presidency? For those of you who don't know, Tavis Smiley is a regular on Tues & Thurs on the Tom Joyner Morning Show. His commentaries have been blistering where Obama's concerned. He has been harder on Obama than any other presidential candidate, and I know this for a fact.

I don't know if it's personal, if it's jealousy, or what, but Tom's listeners are not all that happy with Tavis at the moment. Does anyone here really think that Obama wouldn't do everything in his power as POTUS to help the suffering & displaced victims of LA? I don't think so. Most of the "concern" seems to be coming from the anti-Obama contingency, and we all know they have an agenda.

[goclark]

67. Thanks for the heads up ~ now it's all making sense

Maxine and Diane and Tavis need to face facts.

[Joshua N]

81. About Tavis, sometimes we can be that way towards one another, if you know what I mean.

And I don't mean being critical, either. It is good to be critical and aware of someone's action. I mean... for instance, look at the BSOTU last year and the comments that were made about Obama - very careless from people who should know their words as black leaders carry a certain weight. You see it in the ministry, that is for sure... folks trying to sniff each other out as though one person't greatness diminishes the other's.

[golddigger]

34. Yep, since he thinks he has the nom. all wrap-up, who cares about Louisiana.

[Joshua N]

38. It's the exact opposite, read my previous post n/t

[EffieBlack]

60. Obviously he DOESN'T think the nom is all wrapped up - that's why he's campaigning where people are

still voting.

Louisiana's important. But that doesn't mean he has to go there this weekend just because Tavis Smiley is going to be there.

FYI, Tavis' event is not the only "black" thing that happens every year. There are "black" events all over the country all the time. You're buying into Tavis' self-promoting PR stunt - there is absolutely no reason that Barack Obama needs to go to that event if he has something else to do - like run for president in a very tight race. Tavis Smiley is not the King of Black America and he is no position to summon other blacks into his presence because he wants them there.

[judaspriestess]

51. He is so close to NOLA

if he is so busy campaigning then why did he fly to North Carolina to see Edwards? Which is a longer flight? The point is, if you have time to fly to NC then you should be able to show up in NOLA. IMO

[woolldog]

52. Um..

he's actually running for President right now and is behind in Texas and Ohio. I think that's a pretty good excuse for not attending. :shrug:

[monmouth]

54. I read in an earlier thread that Tavis is amongst that black group that

sort of wants to tell Obama what he "needs to do" when he becomes Pres. and Obama doesn't want to get involved. Sorry, I don't have a link but Tavis did not come off as very nice. This group sounds like the DLC in a way. I'm glad Obama is keeping his distance. They want him to commit to various black issues and Obama is an "for all" issues guy.

[anamandujano]

73. Obama is only black when it suits his purpose, like playing the race card.

When he accomplishes what he set out to do, he is back to spoiled white guy.

His skin might be black but he's the epitome of pampered white guy.

[EffieBlack]

79. That's bullshit

He is ALWAYS black. But being black is more than showing up at "black people functions." Opting to not drop everything to dash to New Orleans because a black talk show host wants him there has nothing to do with whether he is black or not and his choice not to attend does not make him any less black any more than Hillary Clinton's choice to attend makes her any less white.

You claim is pure bullshit.

[Joshua N]

82. So far I have been cordial on this board. I will keep it that way. But what you have said is the

most hurtful and ignorant thing I have read on this board. That is saying something because I have read a lot of vitriol. It is apparent that you do not understand the EXTREMELY tight rope that this man has to walk to be where he is. Your comment, frankly, is insulting. Not as an Obama supporter, but as a black person.

[wndycty]

55. This is such a non-issue

Tavis has been roundly condemned in the Black community for making such a big deal out of this.

[Tarheel_Dem]

72. yes he has...

and i am sick to death of his grandstanding. Everyone has to realize that while tavis may indeed care about black issues, he is also a businessman. When he can summon people like the clintons, obama, and oprah into his presence, it only raises HIS profile, and helps him sell his next book.

I have sensed a resentment in tavis' commentaries toward Obama, it's like he feels that if Obama is elected president, it will somehow diminish his standing as the "leader of black america"? I don't know, but something is going on there. As an African American myself, sometimes I think we can be our own worst enemy.

[anamandujano]

75. Got proof? Share please.

[EffieBlack]

80. Read these:

Roland Martin:

Why Obama should skip Tavis Smiley's State of the Black Union

Sen. Barack Obama took a lot of heat last year from participants in Tavis Smiley's State of the Black Union annual confab, which was held in Virginia. To be fair, he was a little busy that day...announcing HE WAS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT! . . . In his commentary, Smiley said he was going to snap on those who don't attend on Tuesday's show, demanding that they own up to black issues and zero in on social justice issues as outlined in the book he edited, "The Covenant with Black America."

Here is my analysis of the situation, and hopefully it will put this presidential campaign and the delicate task of navigating the waters of black politics in perspective.
. . .
2. Obama must look forward, not in the past. The Louisiana primary, which he won handily, was on Saturday. Why go back to Louisiana for an event on Feb. 23? That is not to dismiss the needs of people along the Gulf Coast. But the only way he can truly help them is if he wins the nomination and the White House. Obama needs to be solely focused on Texas and Ohio. . . . If Tavis wanted to have an impact, he should have held his event before Louisiana or before the Mississippi primary. As the saying goes, bad planning on your part doesn't constitute a sense of urgency on mine.

3. He can't be defined again as the black candidate. Some will say he must avoid black folks to be more palatable to whites and Hispanics. I disagree. But you can't deny the reality that he's running for president of the United States and not president of Black America. The week of the South Carolina was all about race, and he knows that is not a winning discussion because of this nation's history. His campaign successfully beat back that issue since South Carolina, winning nearly all-white states like Utah, Idaho, Montana, Minnesota, Delaware, Connecticut, and Nebraska . . . Ask any campaign manager and they will tell you that when it comes to politics, especially in a close race, every minute matters. Candidates are on the phone lines campaigning, trying to raise money, and secure endorsements. . .

As an aside, when I asked my radio listeners on WVON in Chicago if Obama should skip the event, we got 29 calls in two hours, and only two said he should go. And this is a crowd that is normally in agreement with Smiley.

And check out some of the responses to Martin's commentary:
Obama should not attend this event. I don't know what is wrong with Black America; this State of the Union address to Black America is clearly needed because racism still exists. So with that knowledge, why are people still feeling they need to have Obama prove he cares about the Black community. Obama cannot win as the President of Black America- He needs to show other races that he is the president for everyone.
. . .
No he should not attend! Is Tavis CRAZY! Why would he even ask him when he knows that his focus and all of his attention should be on the big states. Tavis is creating havoc for future President Obama.
. . .
WINNING the nomination is far more important at this time than attending the SOBU.

How could anyone think a Presidential candidate like Barack who is 1.a member of the Congressional Black Caucus 2.worked on the south side of Chicago with ministers and community trying to help the disinfranchised with jobs, training programs etc. for three years3.been a long time member of a church that specifically focuses on uplifting the Black community, suddenly be disinterested in Black issues.
. . .. . .
I'm offended that Tavis has the audacity to insist ANY candidate should drop their campaigning to attend his event. The heat is ON and Candidates need to focus their attention, energies and finances on the next primary. I already know both Obama and Clinton ARE committed to addressing issues relative to the African American community. If Tavis really wants to hold politicians accountable.....have a One-on-One interview with John McCain and discuss why he and other Republican Candidates declined to attend the Presidential Forum held in Sept 07 at Morgan State. I'm sure he will decline....again.
. . .
i think that tavis needs to stop hating on obama, he should know that it is really important for barack to concentrate on texas

http://essence.typepad.com/news/2008/02/roland-s-mart-6.html

[Tatiana]

56. I think he should go, personally.

But it won't make much of a difference to his candidacy if he doesn't, in my opinion. Only a small segment of the African-American community cares about this.

Tavis should have tried to reschedule. He really has become obnoxious of late and should slow his roll.

[EffieBlack]

62. It seems that more white people are worried about this than black people

I think that most black folk know that Tavis' event is not THAT big of a deal and that he is not the gatekeeper to Black America that he wants people to think he is. It seems to me that most of the opposition is coming from people who don't really understand this.

[wndycty]

65. EXACTLY!!!

:kick:

[Connie_Corleone]

66. You're right. Tavis Smiley is out of favor right now with his slanted commentaries.

He's been going after Obama for weeks now and Smiley's been getting hammered by listeners of the Tom Joyner Morning Show. He's trying to hold Obama up to some higher standard and giving the other candidates basically a pass. And people are seeing thru his nonsense.

Tavis Smiley wants to be kingmaker, but he's not.

[Tatiana]

76. I agree. Tavis is holding Obama to a higher standard than he ever held Bill Clinton.

Or Al Gore or John Kerry. Though he's a well-read person and I appreciate his dialogues with the great Cornel West, he is NOT the gatekeeper to Black America, and it's ridiculous that he is still peddling that same old "you've got to work twice as hard, be twice as good, and know twice as much as the ___________ person."

Like Hillary said, "let's be real." He needs to hold Obama to the same standard as all the other candidates. And, like Bruce Dixon, he is jealous of Obama's star power and political persuasive skills.

[EffieBlack]

78. Exactly!

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have more than proven their commitment to the African-American community in general and Louisiana in particular. They don't need to run down to Tavis' program to prove this. Why isn't Tavis reading the riot act to John McCain for not coming?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

84. I don't see how it matters one iota what color you are. What

matters is not the fact that it is a black issues conference...Not at all. What matters is the plight of people of all colors who live in New Orleans - their plight. That is what bothers
me about him not going. When I decided to vote for John Edwards it was the day he said that when he becomes president he would appoint a cabinet level position in charge of the recovery of the Gulf Coast and New Orleans. He said, every day he would call that person in his office and say, "What have you done for them today."

I was hoping that Obama would pick up on this and make it a national priority - but haven't heard that.

[goclark]

69. Is this the annual 2 part tv forum? If so I need the time

and channel.
Thanks

Also, Obama has been in New Orleans and they fell in love with him there.

He needs to be in Ohio and Texas etc.

[Tarheel_Dem]

74. it's usually on C-Span, they run it live tomorrow...n/t

[goclark]

77. Thanks!

[NoBorders]

85. If you support Obama, you should want him to be campaigning in Ohio and Tx

[knowledgeispwr]

86. Most of the Panel and the Audience...

is defending Obama and not holding it against him for not coming.

[EffieBlack]

89. Whether they are voting for him or not, most black people are enormously proud of Obam

We are also extremely sophisticated politically and fully understand that a man running for president must be out on the campaign trail, if he expects to win, and must pick and choose where he can be most effective and keep his eyes on the prize. We fully understand that participating in Tavis' symposium will do little if anything to get him closer to the goal and, in fact, will be a big distraction to what he's trying to do.

[knowledgeispwr]

90. As a young black man, I agree

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