Clinton or Obama? Many backing both - Urban League debate shows it's tough decision for blacks
Clinton or Obama? Many backing both - Urban League debate shows it's tough decision for blacks
BY MARY MITCHELL
Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times
July 29, 2007
ST. LOUIS -- More than any other debate thus far, the National Urban League's presidential forum illustrated how sharply the Democratic primary is dividing the African-American community's political allegiances.
Although the National Urban League doesn't endorse political candidates, the presidential forum gave the front-runners -- Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and his closest rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) -- their best chance yet to compete head-up for the urban black vote. There were a lot of signs that many of the Urban Leaguers -- who tend to be solidly middle-class entrepreneurs and professionals -- haven't made up their minds about whom they will support in 2008.
Four days after a bruising dust-up between Obama and Clinton over foreign policy, many of them wore Hillary buttons on one side of their tops and Barack's stickers on the other.
Similar to past debates, Rep. Dennis Kucinich -- who trails badly in the polls -- scored the most applause for his remarks, while former Sen. John Edwards stumbled into a round of audible "boos" when he criticized Obama and Clinton for their ongoing war of words over foreign policy.
The four Democratic candidates were warmly received (none of the Republican primary candidates appeared), and the audience rose to its feet at the end of each presentation.
Clinton continues to be a dominating presence in the debate arena. Although Obama has gotten better at delivering snappy sound bites, Hillary's oratory -- as one observer remarked -- had many in the audience on the "edge of their seats."
All of the candidates pledged to support the National Urban League's ambitious "Opportunity Compact" that lays out a blueprint for moving black America closer to parity in education, housing, entrepreneurship and employment. Of course, it isn't likely any of these candidates would disagree with an urban agenda presented by one of the nation's premier civil rights groups.
But in the end, black voters will have to decide which candidate will be their best advocate in the White House on issues closest to home.
That's why the spat between Clinton and Obama about the proper way to conduct diplomacy with hostile nations can only elevate Obama's standing among black voters. Like most African Americans, Obama vigorously opposed the Iraq war, even though those who disagreed with the Bush administration were labeled "unpatriotic." Also, black leaders have long argued that America's foreign policy toward Cuba is outmoded and unjust.
Except for Edwards, the presidential candidates stayed away from foreign policy, concentrating instead on trying to convince the audience that each is committed to fixing the long-neglected urban centers in America.
Obama trumpeted his experience as a community organizer, civil rights lawyer and state legislator who helped Illinois become the first state to require videotaped confessions in homicide cases.
"I have continued to fight to make sure those neighborhoods are paid attention to. That is how we reformed the death penalty in Illinois and passed racial-profiling legislation to bring some fairness to the criminal justice system. When I talk about hope and change, this is not just the rhetoric of a campaign, it is the cause of my life, the cause I will work for every single day of my life," he said.
The Urban League forum also gave Obama an opportunity to directly address the thorny issue of racial polarization when he was asked how he would improve race relations.
"The day a minority becomes president, the country looks at itself differently," Obama said, raising his right hand as if taking the oath of office.
Clinton, who spoke first, opened her remarks with an issue that pierces the hearts of many African Americans.
"I have never met a child without potential, and these 1.4 million [incarcerated] young men are no different. When we write them off and leave them behind, we squander their potential. We squander America's potential," she said.
While many gave Clinton points for her presentation, they still appeared to be leaning toward Obama.
"He not only has charisma, but he's a leader," said John Anderson of Brooklyn, N.Y. "The point is, he knows how to bring people together."
Highlighting the difficulty of the Clinton/Obama decision for the African-American community were the comments of National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial at a post-debate press conference.
Morial wouldn't even declare a clear winner: "I'm staying away from that question," he said.
BY MARY MITCHELL
Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times
July 29, 2007
ST. LOUIS -- More than any other debate thus far, the National Urban League's presidential forum illustrated how sharply the Democratic primary is dividing the African-American community's political allegiances.
Although the National Urban League doesn't endorse political candidates, the presidential forum gave the front-runners -- Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and his closest rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) -- their best chance yet to compete head-up for the urban black vote. There were a lot of signs that many of the Urban Leaguers -- who tend to be solidly middle-class entrepreneurs and professionals -- haven't made up their minds about whom they will support in 2008.
Four days after a bruising dust-up between Obama and Clinton over foreign policy, many of them wore Hillary buttons on one side of their tops and Barack's stickers on the other.
Similar to past debates, Rep. Dennis Kucinich -- who trails badly in the polls -- scored the most applause for his remarks, while former Sen. John Edwards stumbled into a round of audible "boos" when he criticized Obama and Clinton for their ongoing war of words over foreign policy.
The four Democratic candidates were warmly received (none of the Republican primary candidates appeared), and the audience rose to its feet at the end of each presentation.
Clinton continues to be a dominating presence in the debate arena. Although Obama has gotten better at delivering snappy sound bites, Hillary's oratory -- as one observer remarked -- had many in the audience on the "edge of their seats."
All of the candidates pledged to support the National Urban League's ambitious "Opportunity Compact" that lays out a blueprint for moving black America closer to parity in education, housing, entrepreneurship and employment. Of course, it isn't likely any of these candidates would disagree with an urban agenda presented by one of the nation's premier civil rights groups.
But in the end, black voters will have to decide which candidate will be their best advocate in the White House on issues closest to home.
That's why the spat between Clinton and Obama about the proper way to conduct diplomacy with hostile nations can only elevate Obama's standing among black voters. Like most African Americans, Obama vigorously opposed the Iraq war, even though those who disagreed with the Bush administration were labeled "unpatriotic." Also, black leaders have long argued that America's foreign policy toward Cuba is outmoded and unjust.
Except for Edwards, the presidential candidates stayed away from foreign policy, concentrating instead on trying to convince the audience that each is committed to fixing the long-neglected urban centers in America.
Obama trumpeted his experience as a community organizer, civil rights lawyer and state legislator who helped Illinois become the first state to require videotaped confessions in homicide cases.
"I have continued to fight to make sure those neighborhoods are paid attention to. That is how we reformed the death penalty in Illinois and passed racial-profiling legislation to bring some fairness to the criminal justice system. When I talk about hope and change, this is not just the rhetoric of a campaign, it is the cause of my life, the cause I will work for every single day of my life," he said.
The Urban League forum also gave Obama an opportunity to directly address the thorny issue of racial polarization when he was asked how he would improve race relations.
"The day a minority becomes president, the country looks at itself differently," Obama said, raising his right hand as if taking the oath of office.
Clinton, who spoke first, opened her remarks with an issue that pierces the hearts of many African Americans.
"I have never met a child without potential, and these 1.4 million [incarcerated] young men are no different. When we write them off and leave them behind, we squander their potential. We squander America's potential," she said.
While many gave Clinton points for her presentation, they still appeared to be leaning toward Obama.
"He not only has charisma, but he's a leader," said John Anderson of Brooklyn, N.Y. "The point is, he knows how to bring people together."
Highlighting the difficulty of the Clinton/Obama decision for the African-American community were the comments of National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial at a post-debate press conference.
Morial wouldn't even declare a clear winner: "I'm staying away from that question," he said.
posted by Carlos T Mock @ 8:20 AM
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