The candidates' responses to Tavis Smiley's SOTBU...and what it says about leadership

[journalist3072]

I've been thinking a lot about how the remaining presidential candidates: Clinton, Obama, McCain and Huckabee, responded (or in some cases didn't respond) to Tavis Smiley's invention to New Orleans, for the State of the Black Union.

As I mentioned here on DU already (I believe I posted either earlier this week or sometime last week; check my journal:

- Sen. Clinton confirmed her appearance. (And Tavis said this week that she will be appearing at 4:30 PM central; 5:30 PM eastern).

- Obama says he's too busy campaigning.

- Neither McCain nor Huckabee even bothered to respond.

Let's address Obama first. Here he is, trying to become the first Black president of the United States. He didn't mind showing up in the state of Louisiana to campaign, in advance of their primary. Yet, he can't find time to come off the trail and actually address the people of New Orleans who are still reeling after Hurricane Katrina? Not to mention the myriad of other issues facing Black America that will most likely be discussed tomorrow.

Obama never hesitates to talk about his race, when its convenient for him. For example, when he really wants to connect with a Black audience, he'll make a comment (like he did in South Carolina) about needing them to get Pookie and Ray-Ray to vote. And let's not even mention his comment to Tavis Smiley about "consolidating" the Black vote.

So he never hesitates to play up his race when it's convenient for him; yet, he can't find time to show up in New Orleans tomorrow.

Then there's McCain and Huckabee, who don't even have the courtesy or decency to respond to the invitation at all.

Tavis Smiley often says (and I'm paraphrasing here) that in the most diverse and multi-cultural country on the face of this earth, if you can't find the time to address brown and black America, do you really deserve our votes?

And I'm always in agreement with him on that.

I'm an African-American. If you're asking for my vote, and yet you can't even find it within yourself to show up ONE DAY to address major issues of concern in my community, especially Hurricane Katrina, then why on earth should you expect me to vote for you?

I'm not saying that anyone seeking elected office has to kiss up to Tavis Smiley. I'm not always in agreement with Tavis. For example, I was disappointed when he said recently that "we" love Barack Obama and celebrate what he has accomplished. I'm like, huh? Who is "we," Tavis? I felt like he was trying to speak for all of us in Black America, and that was disappointing to me.

Tavis Smiley is not the end-all and be-all of Black America, and there are other forums for candidates to address Black America.

However, I think the way the candidates responded (or didn't) say a lot about their so-called leadership abilities, or lackthereof.

- Sen. Clinton has a 10-point plan for Gulf Coast Recovery. http://www.hillaryclinton.com/feature/katrina/

And, she is the only candidate that has confirmed her appearance tomorrow in New Orleans.

- Barack Obama is too busy campaigning to show up tomorrow. Yet he didn't mind showing up there for photo ops and campaigning, just before the primary. And one of his mouthpieces, Jesse Jackson Jr., used the Katrina tragedy to take a cheap shot at Sen. Clinton. (After her much analyzed and talked about emotional moment in New Hampshire, Jackson said Sen. Clinton never cried for Katrina victims. How does he know?)

- And the most pathetic of all, perhaps: you have McCain and Huckabee not even bothering to respond at all.

I think it's clear to see who the REAL leader in this campaign is. And her name is Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

[KittyWampus]

1. YOUR girl couldn't be bothered campaigning in LA and said they don't count.

she NEEDS to appear. Especially since her campaign's insulting behavior right before SC primary.

And if Tavis really wanted Obama and other POTUS candidates there, he'd have held the damned thing right before the LA primary.

[journalist3072]

2. You really are pathetic. First of all, Tavis is having his annual State of the Black Union

at the same time he holds is every freakin year.

This is the time of the year that he always holds the State of the Black Union.

And it just happens to be in New Orleans this year.

You don't believe he really wantst he canidates there? Why on earth would he invite them, then?

You really have no SHAME.

[ProSense]

3. It's true, but here

Video: Barack Obama on Tavis Smiley

Obama should continue campaigning.

[DURHAM D]

5. If your candidate was headed to N.O. and

Hillary was not attending you would be going crazy. You are a hypocrite.

[journalist3072]

10. Exactly right!!!! You know, if Sen. Clinton refused to show up....I'm sure that many people on here

would be having a Kanye West moment and saying "Hillary Clinton doesn't care about Black people"

Instead, they just say "Barack Obama should continue campaigning."

[DURHAM D]

17. Check my post below -

I didn't see this response before I responded to your OP.

[ProSense]

18. BS! You are desperate. Obama won the LA primary. Hillary blew them off and

then discounted Obama's win there. She's going back to make amends, that's on her.

[DURHAM D]

22. She is not going back to campaign after the fact.

How stupid can one acolyte be?

[ProSense]

24. Who said that? She going back because she screwed up! It's her version of

Bill's mea culpa tour.

[DURHAM D]

32. No thanks - I won't open your links.

Checked one of your links just yesterday and found that you had faked a quote from Wikipedia about Shirley Chisholm. She is one of my personal sheroes and you were changing her history. Shame on you.

I respect anyone who supports their candidate with facts. Anyone who posts lies and fakes sources is dog shit.

Lying to win is Republican.

[ProSense]

35. "Lying to win is Republican." Is that why

you do it?

[SammyWinstonJack]

61. ...

:thumbsup:

[parasim]

48. Wow, that was an awesome link. Thank you.

That video, the blog entry itself and the commentary in the comments were all quite enlightening.

[sniffa]

4. Good stategy for Clinton

She needs to do any and every thing to hopefully cull some votes back from Obama.

ALL HER BASE ARE NOW BELONG TO US

[DURHAM D]

7. Nice grammar. Am I missing the joke? n/t

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SammyWinstonJack]

62. Pretty cocky aren't they, those obama supporters?

[nsd]

75. Yes, the poster is alluding to an Internet joke from 7 years ago.

You can read about it on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_your_base_are_belong_to_us

[yourguide]

73. She has no chance to survive make your time. lol

N/T

[sniffa]

78. YOU ARE NOW ON THE WAY TO DESTRUCTION

MAKE YOUR TIME AND EXIT GRACEFULLY

HA HA HA

[BlackVelvet04]

6. It's really very telling, isn't it? n/t

[NoBorders]

76. No, it isn't.

[zulchzulu]

9. So does Barack Obama HAVE TO GO because he's black?

Perhaps Obama IS busy campaigning.

I wonder what negative thing you would have to say about him if he DID show up. He's not "black" enough?

I was in New Orleans last summer when Obama spoke at the BET convention at the Superdome. He spoke, got great responses and so forth. You make it seem like he doesn't want to go to "black" conventions.

[EffieBlack]

Obama must go wherever black folk gather

Especially if Tavis Smiley tells him to.
:sarcasm:

[journalist3072]

15. You DID NOT read my op/ed, obviously. eom

[journalist3072]

14. What I am saying is that he makes an issue of his race whenever it's convenient for him.

Like I said, he doesn't hesitate to go to South Carolina and tell a Black audience that he needs Pookie and Ray-Ray to get out and vote.

Or he'll chat up with Tavis Smiley about "consolidating" the Black vote.

So he'll play up his race whenever it's convenient for him.

I guess he doesn't think it's a very hip or sexy thing to show up in New Orleans for a Day of Service in connection with the State of the Black Union.

[zulchzulu]

21. It's just never enough for you, is it...

I've seen you trash Obama over the months for not being "black enough", not this or that on issues that frankly are meant to be divisive or non-inclusive of other people who may be another race.

Since when is Tavis Smiley the End-All-Be-All Black Guru that Obama needs to kneel before and bestow how being a black man running for President is something he is doing because of his skin color.

Obama and his message go far beyond the "race" thing. He doesn't "play it up". It's who he is and that is but a small part of his appeal to so many.

Do you hate Oprah too?

Whatever...

[journalist3072]

29. And you have just stated a boldface lie, my friend.

I've never uttered those words anywhere or anytime, including on DU.

I've not once said Obama wasn't Black enough.

If anything, I've taken Obama to task for making his race too much of an issue in this campaign.

I've taken him to task for talking about "consolidating" the black vote, and his "Pookie and Ray-Ray" comment in South Carolina.

And I've taken his supporters like Tom Joyner to task for asking those of us in Black America to engage in group think and simply get behind the Black candidate.

THAT is what I've made an issue of.

So you, my friend, are a boldface liar.

[EffieBlack]

33. So he's "making his race to much of an issue in this campaign" yet you

trash him because he's not "showing up in New Orleans" to attend a "black" event.

Interesting.

[EffieBlack]

28. He was CAMPAIGNING in South Carolina - DURING A PRIMARY

Why should he run to Louisiana now while he is campaigning in Texas and Ohio because Tavis Smiley decided to have a black people meeting there?

Here's a clue - Barack Obama may be black, but that does not mean that he has run around the country going to every event with black in the title. And the insistence that he do so - often from the very same people who CRITICIZE him whenever he suggests that he knows he's black - is ridiculous and narrow-minded and betrays a bigotry and ignorance about African-Americans that I find breathtaking.

Barack Obama is a black man. But he is not THE black man. The sooner people get that through their heads and stop trying to marginalize him and hold him to standards that they wouldn't even CONSIDER applying to white politicians, the better off we will all be.

[Window]

54. Great post!

Peace:thumbsup:

[avrdream]

11. Wise thoughts, but they won't go far around here.

And it won't make it to the news in any way whatsoever.

[goldcanyonaz]

12. Another reason why I'm proud to support Hillary Clinton for President.

[DURHAM D]

13. Apparently -

Obama doesn't care about black people. Oh wait, that's Bush.

[EffieBlack]

16. So, is Obama required to go to every event that has "black" in the title?

No matter where or when it is or whether it interferes with something else he has planned?

He's going to have a hell of a time as president since there's probably an event somewhere in the country that involves a lot of black people and that has "black" in the title every single day. He won't be able to get ANY work done!

Who says that black people don't have a harder time than white folk. All a white president has to do is do their job. A black president would have to do his job AND run around the country showing up at all of the black stuff. - while also proving every second of every day that he has TRANSCENDED race!

No WONDER we haven't had a black president before now - it's too damned hard!

[goldcanyonaz]

19. Imagine what it's like to become a President as a woman.

She's damned if she does, and damned if she doesn't.

[crispini]

27. SNORT.

:spray: :thumbsup:

[sniffa]

72. Yes, and he's required to catch all 6 showings of

Blackula, including the matinee.

[Tarheel_Dem]

20. check this out........

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4718176&mesg_id=4721133

and by the way, I agree with Roland Martin, and I'll wager most of black america does as well.

edit: to credit the research of DU'er EffieBlack

[Coexist]

23. maybe he should've scheduled this for when the LA primary was going on

the media would've been all over it then, too.

[EffieBlack]

30. He could have - but then it wouldn't have been all about Tavis.

Which I think is the point of this whole thing.

[journalist3072]

37. I already mentioned this.....He is holding the State of the Black Union the same time he holds it

every year.

This is the time of the year that he always convenes the State of the Black Union.

I just love the Obama apologists on here...."Well maybe if Tavis had scheduled it for a different time...."

Like the world revolves around Barack Obama and he is not accountable to anything or anyone....We simply live in his universe.

[Coexist]

42. you're right - the world must revolve around Tavis Smiley

these people are in the middle of a very tight race for the office of POTUS.

I am not an apologist because Senator Obama is more concerned with the campaign. After the time and money I have donated to his candidacy, I am glad he made the decision he did.

[JimGinPA]

25. Let's See If She Shows Up Next Year When She's Still A Senator

:dunce:

[FrenchieCat]

26. Here's an email going around in the Black Community.....My Black hubby

forwarded it to me.


Subject: Can you believe this...Tavis Smiley attacking Barack Obama?
Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:43:07 +0000

> Good morning,
>
> Apparently Tavis Smiley went off on Barack Obama this morning because he
> declined an invitation to participate in Tavis Black America symposium.
>

> Tavis Smiley making an issue out of Obama not attending his Covenant with
> Black America Symposium is reckless, thoughtless, and just plain selfish.
> You would think that he is smart enough and progressive enough to realize
> the difference between attending a symposium for Black America and running
> a campaign to run America.
>
> Our self proclaimed leaders can't seem to see that the same old thing is
> gong to get us to the same old place. Jessie Jackson ran on a platform
> that targeted black america, he got real far. Obama can't afford to be
> pigeon holed into being the Black candidate if he wants to win. But he
> does understand he is Black. Look at the facts. His mother is white, and
> his black father left when he was two years old. He was raised by his
> white grand parents. However he still married a Black Wife, and has Black
> Baby's. I am sure he had the opportunity to marry a white woman and
> further separate his later generations from Black america. He has a law
> degree from Harvard, hell even a white father would give their white
> daughter to him. But he married a black woman and proceeded to serve as a
> civil rights lawyer in Chicago.
>
> Tavis, Tom, and Julian have done a lot of great things in our community.
> However, their reactive victim mentalities are continuing to cripple us.
> They have gotten rich off of playing to the black victim role. Yes there
> are tragedies happening to black people in America, but the biggest
> tragedies are the ones that we commit to one another by not telling each
> other the truth.
>
> Bill Cosby told the truth. And the truth is, running America is more
> important than Tavis's meeting. Being able to tell my future son that he
> can be president, is more important than Tavis's meeting and his book.
> Black boys seeing another clean black man that is not rapping, singing, or
> dancing is more important than Tavis's meeting.
>
> Why is Hillary showing up? She has to. Obama is eating into her base,
> therefore she needs to come to the biggest dog and pony show Black Am erica
> is having this year to try and steal potential supporters. And in the
> typical house negro mentality, Tavis and friends give her praises for
> this. All the while Obama is in the field trying to fertilize the land in
> order to grow change.
>
> Your summit is supposed to be about pushing black america forward in
> america. What better example of that is there than the Obama's? Isn't
> the goal to encourage black america, or for Tavis and friends to encourage
> black america.
>
> The civil rights movement was successful because Dr. King understood that
> it had to be about the civil rights of all americans. Black america was
> positively affected, but it would not have been such a movement if it was
> just a black thing. If you want Black america to progress it needs to be
> sold as a benefit to all america. Not just b lack america. Obama seems to
> understand this. Why can't Tavis.
>
> I encourage everyone that gets this email to do what Tom and Tavis do when
> they see injustice. Flood their faxes and e-mails with your thoughts and
> tell them to leave this man alone. They don't have to support him but
> they don't have to hate on him. The crabs in a barrel mentality has to
> cease.
>
> Come on Tavis...don't think so small, especially when you're attempting to self-promote at the expense of others. You are walking on thin ice!

[journalist3072]

34. As an African-American, I think I have more insight on this than you, my friend.

First of all, I listen to Tom Joyner every day, and so I listen to Tavis' commentaries on there.

Allow me to DEBUNK that email, my clueless friend.

- Tavis Smiley DID NOT "go off" on Obama. In fact, Tavis has pretty much had nothing but effusive praise for Obama. IF (and that's a big if) you read my OP, then you would have seen where I wrote about Tavis Smiley saying that "we" love and celebrate Barack Obama and what he's accomplished. I really had a problem with that, because when he said "we," I felt like he was trying to speak for all of us in Black America. And I, for one, as an African-American woman, do not love and celebrate Barack Obama. I love him as a human being, but I don't love him as a politician, and I don't celebrate his accomplishments. Tavis Smiley simply said that he feels like Obama, McCain and Huckabee are missing an opportunity here. And he basically said the same thing about Obama, that he said when many of those Republican Presidential candidates failed to show up at his Republican Presidential Debate in Baltimore last year.

- Secondly, regarding the line in the email that says: "Obama can't afford to be pigeon holed into being the Black candidate if he wants to win." If that is the case, why is he the one making such an issue of his race in this campaign? Him talking about "There's no doubt in my mind that if we consolidate the Black vote, that would cause a profound shift in the national polls." And I believe he was playing into a racial stereotype when he made the comment in South Carolina about needing Pookie and Ray-Ray to vote. There's this perception that every Black person knows a Pookie or Ray-Ray, and I sure don't!

And Obama hasn't been the only one. His supporters have made much of his race too. There was Michelle Obama's comment that "Black America will wake up and get it" when she was asked why the Black vote seemed to be split between Obama and Clinton. Also, recently, in reference to the superdelegates, I read that Obama supporter Congressman Jesse Jackson has been saying to some of the African-American superdelegates "It's the last day, and you're the last superdelegate. Do you really want to be the one standing in the way of an African-American becoming President?"

So the point is that Obama and his minions made his race an issue. They can't have it both ways and now defend him by saying "But he can't be seen as the Black candidate."

Next, I find it downright disgusting that you or anyone else would reduce Hillary's appearance, to "she has to show up." Actually, no she doesn't. If Obama, McCain and Huckabee don't "have to" show up, then why does she? It amazes me that disingenuous, dishonest people like you will call on Sen. Clinton to do things that you don't call on other candidates to do. I think she's showing up because she legitimately and sincerely cares about these issues. If you ever listen to her speak, one of her main talking points is restoring competence in our government, and once again appointing QUALIFIED people to the positions we ask them to hold. In other words, no more heck-of-a-job-Brownies.

I think it speaks volumes that you simply copied and pasted an email that you say your African-American husband received...but you didn't post your own thoughts.

That's because you don't have a clue.

[ProSense]

38. Obama has the support of 80% to 90% of the African American community

Maybe, they know something you don't?

[FrenchieCat]

39. LOL! I'm an African American too! Wadda know!...and that letter is from

The head Deacon from a very prominent Black church!

You must stay in the "house" a lot!

[journalist3072]

46. Why would I care that some Deacon from a prominent church wrote that letter?

I know how to educate myself and think for myself.

And for the most part, I think churches should have a limited role in politics.

I have no problem with pastors letting candidates show up and speak, but I don't believe it is appropriate for any pastor to endorse a candidate. I believe their main role should be to tell their congregation to educate themselves on the issues, and seek the Lord and pray about who to vote for.

Recently, a relative of mine told me her pastor got up in church and said "I can't tell you who to vote for, but I'm voting for Barack Obama."

I asked my relative "Does your pastor have a clue how much trouble he could get into with the IRS for a comment like that?"

[yourguide]

74. I'm afraid many in the black community

dont echo your thoughts - see the article AND the comments. Also, based on the huge cheers and applause for Obama just moments ago at the SOTBU it appears Tavis is on the losing end of this issue.

http://www.theroot.com/id/44840

[Nedsdag]

31. Give it up, journalist3072!

You're candidate is losing. She's desparate!

This same leader's husband and her surrogates didn't show leadership when they went after Obama.

[my3boyz]

36. It is so funny that the Clinton supporters (most likely white)

are so outraged that Obama will not attend when 95% of the blacks on Michael Baisden's website and other places think Obama is doing the right thing. They said he is so close to wrapping this up and he can't take his eye off the ball. Yeah, it would have been nice if Obama could squeeze it in. However, Hillary wins the name recognition game in Texas and Ohio. They know exactly who she is and who she stands for. Some people might know who Barack is but not really know much about him. It is important that he goes out there and tries to reach every single one of those people. So I absolutely understand where Barack is coming from. I'm sure as president he will be there for them. The people in Louisiana know that Barack was there for them after Katrina. They also know that he showed them the respect of campaigning down there to ask them for their vote. Tavis is nothing but an in-the-closet Clinton hack that was looking for a way to paint Barack in a bad light. There were so many blacks on the board that are absolutely FURIOUS with the way Tavis has been acting. Even Tavis' friend (and radio host) was puzzled by the situation with Tavis. He even said on the air he was going to have to call Tavis and try to talk to him.

[FrenchieCat]

43. Amen!

Bamboozled is a word we, in the Black community know very well!

[journalist3072]

44. You are so off-base until it's not even funny.

- First of all, Michael Baisden is a joke. I've tried to listen to his show and just can't. It's a bunch of trash and talk about "pimps in the pulpit" and stuff which does NOT edify my community at all. If I ever wanted to help educate myself about the issues in my community, the Michael Baisden is the absolute LAST place I would go.

- Second of all, I can't believe you and the Obama apologists are still on that name recognition thing. Barack Obama is a household name. He has been since what, August 2004? Everyone knows who he is. But if people still don't know much about him, maybe that's HIS fault. It's hard to take the measure of a person, when all they give you is broad latitudes like "audacity of hope" and "change you can believe in" without even telling you what you're supposed to be hoping for, and what change they are going to bring.

- Your dismissal of Tavis Smiley as a in-the-close Clinton hack couldn't be further from the truth. Do you just make this shit up as you go along?

- Regarding your reference to Tom Joyner at the end.....of course Tom is "puzzled" by the situation. Tom has been every unapologetic in stating that he's voting for the Black candidate. He's made no bones about that. When Rep. Kendrid Meek of Florida came on the show to endorse Sen. Clinton, Tom's very first question to him was "There's a perfectly qualified Black man running for President. Why aren't you supporting Sen. Obama?" Tom Joyner has had Barack Obama on his show countless times. And not one time has he held a serious policy discussion with him. Normally, it's "How's Michelle and the kids" and a bunch of fluff. However, when he had Sen. Clinton on, he took her to task on her health care plan, and asked her why she wasn't offering free health care for everyone. When he had Michelle Obama on his show, he asked her "What is up with Black women." Meaning, he thinks there is something wrong with Black women like me who don't support Obama. So Tom's bias couldn't be more clear. What's more, Tom Joyner is probably still upset that Tavis recently said "Tom Joyner doesn't speak for me." People assume that because they are really good friends (which they are) that they should share the same thoughts. That's ridiculous.

Tavis Smiley has made no bones about his admiration and love for Barack Obama, even going so far as to speak for ALL of Black America (which really disappointed me) and say "We love and celebrate Barack Obama." I'm like, "we?" Please don't include this African-American in that "we," Tavis.

All Tavis Smiley has said is that it's important to still hold people accountable. Right before the South Carolina primary, Tavis Smiley gave a commentary and said that even after you fall in love with someone, you still have to hold that person accountable. And he said that as much as we might love Barack Obama, we have to love Black America more....That's what this is about, Black America and getting our issues addressed.

So for you to paint Tavis as some Obama hating Clinton lover, is an outright lie. You obviously don't have a clue as to what's been going on, and you obviously haven't listened to Tavis' commentaries.

[Window]

55. What I don't understand is why Tavis rejected Michelle attending

as a rep for Obama.



Peace:thumbsup:

[journalist3072]

77. He's explained this....

What he said is that 1) He never, ever received anything from the Obama campaign, offering up Michelle Obama.

But he said that IF he had received something from the Obama camp offering Michelle, he would have respectfully declined.

He said he would have also declined if Sen. Clinton had offered up Bill; if John McCain offered Cindy; or Mike offered up Janet.

During his commentary on Tom Joyner's show, he drew an analogy with the 2 presidential debates he conducted last year. And he said no candidate's spouse subbed for them and stood on stage and debated for them last year. And he didn't think it would be appropriate for candidate's spouses to sub for them at this event.

In this particular event, he wants to hear from the candidates themselves, not their spouses.

So he said he would have rejected any candidate's offer to have their spouse sub for them at this event.

[EffieBlack]

40. Did you know that Obama wrote the Foreword to the National Urban League 2007 State of Black America?

This is certainly not a man who has to engage in symbolic acts to "prove" he's down with the brothers.

And judging from the reaction I've seen from African Americans around the country, most of us completely understand why Obama's not going to New Orleans - everyone seems politically sophisticated enough to fully comprehend that Obama needs to campaign hard in Texas and Ohio to get the nomination and that his time is much better spent in those states this weekend than at Tavis Smiley's talkfest.

[jenmito]

41. How'd you feel about Bill Clinton dismissing Obama's win in SC by saying Jesse Jackson won there,

too? :eyes:

[anigbrowl]

45. What about Michelle?

"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,

Barack"

[journalist3072]

47. Tavis addressed the issue of Michelle. This is what he said, and I totally agree.

Tavis Smiley said that he NEVER received anything from the Obama campaign, offering up Michelle Obama. ( I don't know if the Obama camp pulled that letter out of well, you know where...but Tavis said he NEVER received anything from the Obama camp offering up Michelle).

But he said if he had, he would have respectfully declined. Just like he would have declined if Sen. Clinton offered up Bill Clinton, or McCain offered up Cindy, or Mike Huckabee offered up Janet.

And he drew an analogy with the Democratic and Republican presidential debates he held last year. He said none of the candidate's spouses stood on stage last year and debated on their husband or wife's behalf.

So he said he would have declined ANY of the candidate's invitations to send their spouse in their stead.

[ProSense]

49. "Tavis Smiley said that he NEVER received anything from the Obama campaign" What?

Then reach out to them. Pursue it vigorously. Does Smiley expect Obama to keep trying to make contact with him?

Tavis Smiley does not dictate Obama's schedule. Smiley is not running for president.

[journalist3072]

67. Do you even bother to read anything before posting? I was responding to someone who said " What

about Michelle Obama?" and then that person posted a letter from the Obama camp to Tavis Smiley, in which the letter said "We understand you have declined our invitation to send Michelle Obama" or something like that.

So another poster was mentioning Michelle Obama in all of this, and I was responding to that.

Why don't you just quit posting? You don't have a f&cking clue.

[EffieBlack]

50. Ummm - the SOTBU is not a debate.

Tavis' ego is a little out of control.

[journalist3072]

52. Your intelligence quotient must be -1000%

No one ever said the SOTBU was a debate.

Tavis' whole point was that he doesn't think it's appropriate for the candidate's spouse to sub for them at certain events.

And he was making the point that IF he had ever received anything from the Obama camp offering up Michelle, he would have respectfully declined, just like he would have declined any other candidate's offer to have their spouse sub at something like this.

It has Zero to do w/ Tavis' ego.

[kid a]

51. I get it, so do most people. I don't understand your problem with this.

[journalist3072]

53. So now you speak for the majority of the earth?

You speak for "most people?"

Typical speak from an Obama apologist/cultist.

[cali]

56. if you had even a glimmer of insight into yourself you'd

cop to your faux outrage and recognize you're bashing him for this because it's convenient to. Your rage and out of sight antipathy toward Obama, has been clearly on display for quite some time.

[FrenchieCat]

57. True dat.........

Poster has only posted negatively about Obama since way back.....

so this is just more of it. :eyes:

[journalist3072]

59. Please don't make me tell you what to go do to yourself, my friend. eom

[depakid]

58. McCain and Huckabee didn't respond because they know damn well no one there's going to vote for them

Now, if the Democrats would stop pandering to the far right and the fundies- who'll also never vote for them -and stop alienating their base and selling out their constituents, maybe they'd win the presidency (or at least an important policy battle or two).

[journalist3072]

71. I respectfully disagree with that

When Tavis Smiley first began the journey with the Covenant With Black America, the heads of the Republican and Democratic parties both wrote to Tavis Smiley, and they promised that the issues contained in the Convenant would be addressed by their respective parties, during the 2008 campaign. The lettesr from the party chairmen were posted on the Covenant website.

And I remember very clearly Tavis saying then, that whichever party had truly addressed the issues contained in the covenant, would the the party that would have truly earned the votes of Black Americans.

So for Tavis, this has never been about the Democratic party. It has been about Black America. And he made pretty clear that we should let both parties address the covenant, and let the chips fall where they may....

So I think that if you had seen a Republican candidate address the convenant, that candidate would get support in Black America.

I know that I would certainly vote for the Republican, if I felt that Republican was better than their Democratic counterpart, in addressing the convenant.

That's partly why I'm a registered Independent. It's not about Party for me. It's about America and the issues.

[Vinca]

60. Actually, Obama is showing leadership by continuing his well planned,

brilliantly executed campaign, despite knowing he's going to be on the end of cheap shots for not showing up. The State of the Black Union will be much better if Obama wins over McCain - he has to keep the big picture front and center.

[SKKY]

63. Very well said!

:thumbs:

[journalist3072]

64. I love the Obama apologists....You all will make every excuse in the world for him.

I'll give you this....you're creative.

[GDavis]

65. It's a cult

There is no other word for it

[journalist3072]

69. Exactly! What's so scary is their inability to hold him unaccountable for anything.

I was listening to Tavis Smiley's commentary one day, and he said that after you fall in love with someone, you have to remember to hold them accountable. So he said fall in love if you will...but don't forget to hold the person accountable.

And the cultists went off on him!! They were livid. One person called in and said we need to vote for Obama and elect him, THEN find out what he wants to do for Black America.

I was just astounded. I was like, isn't that backwards? Elect the person then find out what they want to do?

[ElsewheresDaughter]

66. well said!

[Tennessee Gal]

68. The OP has stated quite clear positions and explanations.

I agree with each of them.

If Obama were going to be there, but Hillary was not, we all know what would be happening right here on DU.

[zulchzulu]

70. Tavis Smiley's self-importance is nauseating and will backfire

Michelle Obama isn't good enough for Tavis' little convention in the Big Easy.

He sounds like he's a sexist while trying to imply that Barack Obama isn't black enough because he won't come to his little party. This shit on his part is grandstanding.

Are the black leaders in communities across America that don't go to his party not "black enough" either? Was Oprah invited? If she doesn't go, is she not "black enough"?