January 21, 2008
Please, Please, Please Let Obama Continue To Lead Among Blacks
From CNN:
MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (CNN) -- The top three Democratic presidential candidates face off in a Monday night debate in South Carolina, with the hearts and minds of African-American voters on the line.Sen. Barack Obama addresses Ebenezer Baptist Church, where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once preached.
Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina share the stage at Myrtle Beach's Palace Theatre in a showdown as the nation honors the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with a federal holiday.
The debate, put together by CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, comes five days before the Democratic primary in South Carolina, where almost half of the Democratic primary voters are African-Americans.
These voters will be crucial to the outcome of Saturday's primary in South Carolina. They now appear to be leaning heavily toward Obama, who if elected would become the country's first black president.
A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll released Friday suggested that nearly 60 percent of black registered Democrats were backing Obama as the presidential nominee, with 31 percent supporting Clinton. That's a major shift from October, when African-Americans backed Clinton over Obama, 57 percent to 33 percent.
After Clinton's remarks the past few weeks introducing race into this campaign and dismissing Obama and blacks in the civil-rigths movement. I hope the black voters in SC and other states send her a strong message: "we know you're just using blacks to get into office."
I hate the fact that black churches let politicians speak at their churches on Sunday. Obama is at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where MLK preached.
Hey, wait, what is that? Preachers wearing robes? Hmmm.
Posted by anthony at January 21, 2008 11:10 AM | TrackBackI too am annoyed at the notion of black churches allowing politicians to speak in Sunday Services. Well, I guess it sort of balances out the ideas of many white evangelicals. What do I mean? Well, this idea that people like Pat Robertson, and others speak for all Christians, and that somehow if you arent a Republican, you are somehow anti-christian.... because God doesnt support democrats. Of course its insane... but it happens. I guess thats my point. It happens. Its unfortunate that we believers get such distorted ideas about who Gods candidate is, and even worse, who isnt. By the way. I hope Obama goes all the way. Its not just about him being black.. but it is about change...then maybe no one can claim a moral victory on the grounds of their faith.... I guess well just have to wait and see!
Posted by: miles at January 21, 2008 03:06 PMThanks Anthony for saying something about the pulpit being used by politicians on Sunday's. I don't know the history but in the past wasn't the political change that was spoken of in the pulpits fueled by the changing power of the gospel? Where is the power for what Obama, Clinton or Edwards would talk about in these same churches? When you feel better I would be curious on your thoughts.
Miles- change can be good but I want someone with ideas that work and are not socialism light. We changed from Ford to Carter and that worked out glowlingly. Also, if Obama wins on a "change" platform then do we still want change when he wants to get re-elected? Oh what a dilemma.
Posted by: Kevin B. at January 21, 2008 07:12 PMAnthony; I too hope Obama prevails against the evil Clintons. I have been a life long republican, not all that conservative though.I still do not not know who I will vote for in November, but I sure do want Obama as a choice. He is the model of grace under fire. One thing I really like about him is that he tries to draw people in rather than divide. The Clintons indulge in that tired old game of polarizing folks, we need something better than that as Americans at this point in time. Harry
Posted by: Harry at January 22, 2008 08:51 AMI completely agree with Harry. The Clintons continue to be polarizing. Their leadership is not healthy for our country. Ten years ago, I thought that they were targets of staunch republican partisianship. Today, I now see the Clintons from a different lens. I cannot erase the image I have of Bill Clinton delivering the comment, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman." I was naive enough then to find his indignation convincing. Today, I see him exactly for who he is; the Clintons have ZERO credibility with me.
Posted by: Carol at January 22, 2008 01:26 PMWhy don't they just strip down to their underoos and jello-wrestle...
Its getting so outlandish and MADE FOR TV !!!!
...and they both want to be PRESIDENT...this isn't a comic strip... this is AMERICA ! ! !
Posted by: Just Meee~ at January 22, 2008 04:29 PMI'm so glad my church doesn't allow the use of the pulpit for this. Ebenezer's leaders seriously need to consider that allowing a Unitarian to take the pulpit says about their commitment to good theology here.
And the Democratic primaries? Meh. I'm hoping that blacks--and for that matter a LOT of people--eventually realize that the politics of Hillebeast and Obama hold nothing but despair and poverty for them. Good luck hoping that GOP'ers with "Potomac fever" will be able to make a case, though.
Posted by: Bike Bubba at January 23, 2008 05:39 PM