More proof of what Kerry was up against, part II

[politicasista]

and proof that people were punch-drunk with spin and fear: :(

Black Voters Remain Skeptical of Kerry but want Bush Out
Date: Monday, September 20, 2004
By: Michael H. Cottman, Special to BlackAmericaWeb.com

CLEVELAND – Inside Cuyahoga Community College, where black congressional leaders voiced their enthusiasm for Sen. John F. Kerry, Bilal A. al-Amin walked slowly to the front of the room, leaned into the microphone and told a small audience that he plans vote for Kerry – reluctantly.

"John Kerry does not connect with me," said al-Amin, 66, a frail, soft-spoken grandfather who said he's seen many presidents come and go, but felt compelled to attend the evening rally and speak out. "Kerry doesn't reach me. He came here and quoted all white folks in his speech. We need John Kerry to connect with us. He won't win if he doesn't talk to us."

The straightforward comments from al-Amin are consistent with what many black voters across the country have articulated about Kerry. Some view Kerry as a New England elitist who they say lacks the charisma, willingness and civil rights perspective to galvanize black voters around his candidacy.

Some black voters who were interviewed this weekend said they will vote for Kerry, but are not excited about it, while others said their vote for Kerry is more about their opposition to President George W. Bush. Still, there were many voters who were excited about Kerry's presidential candidacy.

Alfre Woodard said she also understands that some black Americans still compare Kerry to former President Bill Clinton.

"I know people want Kerry to walk with a swagger and they want flavor in his speech, but we have to take people for who they are and listen to their words," Woodard said..

The actress paused for a moment to glance out the window. "We can't wait for someone to come along and rock our souls," she said. "This is a vote for our future."

http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/cottman2919

CBC Flies Around to Fire Up Black Voters
Date: Monday, September 20, 2004
By: Michael H. Cottman

SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN – Six weeks before Election Day, black congressional leaders concerned about voter apathy dashed from rally to rally this weekend in four battleground states to meet black Americans face-to-face and urge them to support Sen. John F. Kerry's campaign for the White House.

Black leaders heard comments from a range of black voters on the trail, many of whom saying they intend to support Kerry in November. Others, however, and many who did not want to be identified, said they are clearly disenchanted with Kerry's aloof persona and feel no connection to his campaign.

Several Kerry campaign volunteers this weekend said that outreach to black Americans in battleground states has been inconsistent. Said one campaign worker from Philadelphia who was reminded of a poignant quotation: "I'm not part of an organized political party," she said, "I'm a Democrat."

Ron Walters, professor of political science at the University of Maryland, told BlackAmericaWeb that sending black congressional surrogates around the country to stump for Kerry is an interesting campaign strategy that may invigorate black Americans who "are not feeling Kerry."

Walters added that black voters have to look beyond Kerry and focus more on voting for issues that will empower their communities, put money in their pockets and safeguard the future of their children.

Caucus members also acknowledged that some black voters are comparing Kerry to former President Bill Clinton, whose close relationship with black Americans is legendary.

"There's nothing we can do about that," Elijah Cummings, chairman of the black caucus, said in an interview. "Very few whites can connect to black people like Clinton. We just have to get out here and give people a reason to vote. We have to remind people how important this election is for our communities."

http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/cbc919

The first interview on Tom Joyner (Nice interview. :)):

Snip:

John Kerry Talks With the Tom Joyner Morning Show
Date: Friday, September 10, 2004
By: BlackAmericaWeb.com

Tom: Okay. Now, let’s get right down to it. Bush and Chaney, sir, are constantly beating up on you and it just doesn’t seem like you’re fighting back.

JK: Well, we are, we’re going right at ‘em . . . and I’m not gonna allow. Believe me, I said it yesterday. What they are saying is outrageous, it’s shameful and I’m not going to let a guy who got five deferments turn around and define security for me. I defended our country when I was a young man and I’ll defend it as the president of the United States. These guys have completely failed four years. The reasons they are attacking is they don’t have anything positive to say, America. But what they’ve done, they’ve lost 1.6 million jobs. They are outsourcing jobs overseas. The jobs they are replacing are paying less by nine thousand dollars than the jobs that are going overseas.
And I tell ya. . . people in the African American community oughta be furious. We need people to come out and vote in record numbers. This year, we have a legal team in place . . that’s not only going to make sure people can vote . . . but their votes are going to be counted. And people have to come out. I mean the unemployment rate for African Americans has increased almost 10 percent since 2000.

Tom: How’s your wife . . . how’s your African American wife doing?

JK: Awe, she’s doing great.

Tom: I heard she got sick.

JK: Oh, she’s feeling better. She’s been out on the trail all week. I’m very proud of her.
She just came right back and out she went.

Tom: Alright, Senator, alright.

Sybil: Thank you for your time.

http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/johnkerry99

I know I may get flamed (or slammed) for pointing out the negatives, but this is what Kerry was up against. It was all about NOT being Bill Clinton, which I am glad he isn't, but it is very unfortunate that these folks never got to know the good side of him and Momma T.

[beachmom]

1. No, this is informative -- style vs. substance

Kerry actually would have been substantively much better than Clinton, but the AA community seemed to like Clinton's style better. Surprise, surprise -- the AA community is just like the rest of America -- just a slightly different take on the prom king/queen contest. White America ended up swinging to Bush because they liked his style. I swear, few people seem to vote on issues, character, or past record. It's a sad place for us to be in, but it is what it is.

[politicasista]

2. Thanks

It's also the "humble beginnings" factor that connects Clinton with them. Bill may have been desperate for press in 1992, but playing the sax on the Arsenio Hall Show was a smart move in their eyes.

I know some will disagree with me on this, but they don't care about Bill covering up for Bush I and Bush II. They don't care about BCCI or if Hillary is waffling on Iraq. They don't care if he executed a mentally retarded man or got head. They don't care if his policies hurt them or cost Democrats control of Congress in 1994 and the presidency in 2000 and 2004.

Like it or not, despite the low votes and the so-so campaign, Clinton was elected twice, the only Democratic president since FDR to claim that distinction. That's why people are buying into the line that only a Clinton is electable, and they are the only ones that can fix the disaster after eight years of Bush. People like Hillary because she stood by her man during the most difficult time and has a lot to offer. It was grandstanding, but there has to be a reason she and Bill got the reception they got at CSK's funeral last year.

The bottom line is that Billary is still popular for a reason, and hanging out with the Bush Cabel or being silent on Iraq, Alito, or waiting to come out fighting after 9/11 will not change that.

[MBS]

4. but I don't see that Hillary has the same connection

other than Bill's coattails. At some point, people are going to have to evaluate her on her own terms.

[politicasista]

7. I agree n/t

[Island Blue]

20. I agree, I don't see that happening either.

I understand the Bill had a bit of a "soul" thing going on - there are after all common cultural elements between Southern whites and blacks that I think are often overlooked. Hillary did not grow up in the same environment that Bill did, and it will be disastrous (for her) if she tries to "fake it" to be more like her husband so she can appeal to the black community.

[blm]

3. The black people who put Clinton on a pedestal after CIA drugrunning story are the ones

who FAILED the black community by putting a silky tongued white president's reputation above the interests of the black community.

They failed by being so uninformed. All of them. Smiley, Joyner, and everyone lelse who bends over for Clinton, while complaining they don't 'feel' the one nominee who sided with THEM over the powerful elite who were trying to KILL THEM and destroy their communities all over the country.

[politicasista]

8. Yes they did

Goes to show you that they dig style over substance. They don't even know that Kerry was (is) on their side cause the media never told them and they were too busy wishing for Clinton again.

[blm]

10. Wishing for the white man who SIDED WITH BUSH over their black community.

Sided with Bush to destroy the investigative reporter who told the TRUTH about the project that TARGETTED the black community for destruction.

[politicasista]

12. And the sad part about that

Is they don't even know. They can only remember that Clinton played the sax, smoked weed, loved women, and gave us 8 years of peace and prosperity. But, they rather defend him than a war hero. Sick. :grr:

[blm]

13. except he didn't inhale - and he gave us 8 more years of Bush and 9-11 and Iraq war.

So there was never any REAL peace was there?

Covering up for Bush1 assured there would never be justice OR peace AND the black community was nearly destroyed by CIA drugrunning that Bill helped cover up. Thanks Bill Clinton.

I hope you can persist with the spreading of the truth to counter the persistent hoisting of Clinton on a pedestal that is undeserved.

[politicasista]

18. I will

I remind folks that everyday. Promise.

[MH1]

5. Is it really true that he only "quoted all white folks" in his speech?

He has certainly quoted non-white folks plenty of times and I know he did in the campaign. It seems unlikely that in that particular speech he wouldn't have. Politically, Kerry would have known better.

I am so used to people just making things up to support their predetermined view (which was probably sold to them by the media), that I would have to see the transcript of the speech before believing that statement.

[politicasista]

6. Couldn't find a speech he did

but I know he quoted Langston Hughes on the campaign trail. :shrug:

[MBS]

9. then there's his wonderful wonderful eulogy for Rosa Parks n/t

[politicasista]

11. Yes, that one, MLK Day speeches

Jackie Robinson and more. I don't know what speech he gave that had the reaction in that other article. :shrug:

[Mass]

14. Amusingly, and FWIW, it is Obama who gets articles like that these days.

I would not pay too much attention to this. Just remember that inside the African American community just as elsewhere, there are powerplays. All these testimonies have to be understood within this context.

One of the biggest claims was that the Kerry campaign was mostly white (meaning that some people did not get the job they expected). I have no clue whether this was more or less true for him than for Clinton or Gore, but I would not blame Kerry not to hire people like Donna Brazile.

I also laughed because of the "African American wife" comment. Though I understand how this comment, though true, may have seemed absurd to many, remember than some African American activists are also saying Obama is not an African-American.

I do not know what these articles are about, but they have to be considered with a bit of caution. It is about as absurd to consider that the African-American community agrees on everything as to consider that Democrats in MA agree on everything.

[karynnj]

15. Teresa is techically African American

She was born in Africa. More importantly, Teresa had the guts to march against appartheid in South Africa. You can't beat credentials like that.

I think Mass is right - te Obama is not black enough nonsense is this years blacks don't really like Kerry. The root may be unwillingness to move from Clinton - who gulps up more oxygen than anyone in the universe.

[Mass]

16. ...

Part of it concerning Obama seems to be that he is not a descendant of slaves. I have heard several debates on NPR stating that only those whose ancestors were slaves could call themselves "African Americans".

I will not interfere in this debate because I do not have the beginning of a clue about this issue, but if this is the case, I can understand why some would be shocked by the fact that Teresa called herself "African American".

[politicasista]

19. "gulps up more oxygen than anyone in the universe" (LOL!)

:rofl:

[politicasista]

17. The "African-American wife" comment came from an RNC radio ad

that said THK called herself and African-America (she was born in Mozambique) and they were accusing her of using that for race reasons (to get votes?)

I thought the comment by Tom was funny too. And JK didn't seem offended either, neither did the voters that were interviewed in another article about the ad. They liked THK for her "Shove it" and speaking her mind, no matter what anyone thinks. They just think it was too bad that Kerry couldn't do the same.

I have noticed they have started on Obama about this same issue and saying the reason Hil has AA support is because of Bill. Therefore, people don't know much about Obama and assume that he doesn't understand "our struggle."

Donna Brazille was poison. She never gave a hoot about Gore or his campaign. But I will proced with caution. I just feel this is one of the things that hurt Kerry in 04, and though I am not a hindsight person, had the media reported fairly on him and Momma T, they would be in the WH and people's perceptions would have been different.

[karynnj]

23. What you are doing is important and it is real

The perception is important because that is what drives opinion which drives votes. It is very insightful that - what seemed too stupid to even contemplate - that somehow Obama can't get black support because in some fundamental way he is less black than Hillary's husband - is a 2008 version of that.

I would guess that had we been here in 2003, the MA people would reference Kerry's record, mention he knew blacks in the service, He has blacks on his staff. All true, but you are right - they needed to see Kerry unfiltered more - with people. What I saw in Boston the times I've seen Kerry is that he relates to everyone, of any race, age, or whether they have mental or pysical disabilities in the same very respectul way.

You are 100% right that Obama needs to do exactly what you said Kerry needed to do in 2004 - find a way that the blck committee knows who he really is and sees him as someone who cares and can relate to them. I would go further and say they need to reach all communities. The fact is the normal way of doing this -the media- was not very open to Kerry in 2004.

[politicasista]

24. Thanks

"What I saw in Boston the times I've seen Kerry is that he relates to everyone, of any race, age, or whether they have mental or pysical disabilities in the same very respectul way."


That's what I appreciate about him so much. :patriot:

[fedupinBushcountry]

29. Al Sharpton brought up a very important point

after Barbara Bush made this comment :"What I'm hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas. Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them."

The point Al brought up was that Hillary and Bill Clinton were right there when those words were spoken, and what did we hear from them on this disgusting comment, not a word. To me that is not supporting African Americans. It proves that their masks were off that day, and that staying close to the Bushies is much more important to them.

[politicasista]

30. Exactly n/t

[ProSense]

21. Really time to get beyond this.

African Americans liked Kerry, they trusted him. He's not Bill Clinton, but he got millions more votes from the AA community (Kerry got 2.5 million more than Gore, who bested Clinton by 8% among AA voters).

Like all the other Clinton myths, this will fade, especially given that neither Hillary or Bill have been able to speak out strongly against the war in Iraq and commit to ending it.

Kerry puts conviction ahead of politics on many issues. This is what people will continue to learn about Kerry. I can't say the same for the Clintons or other politicians.

Now is the time to end the war in Iraq.

[politicasista]

25. It is time, but

the way he got shafted by the urban media is one I haven't gotten over. It's not fair but that's the way it is.


And I agree with everything you have said, it is not time to end the war in Iraq.

[ProSense]

27. But it didn't matter, he got the votes! n/t

[politicasista]

28. True, but what came with the votes?

A lot of bitching and moaning about "Well, he doesn't inspire me, but I'll vote for him" or the same garbage in GD "He doesn't fight back" (he did, but the media ignored it), it's just "the lesser of two evils" talk. And the question Tavis wanted Tom to so badly ask JK in that interview was how come JK didn't stand with the Congressional Black Caucus in 2000 when the Florida vote was disenfranchised, even though Gore asked that no one contest. Like Boxer, I know deep down he regrets it.

I strongly feel like others do that ABB (and unfair media coverage, stolen election) is what gave us four more years of Bush, but it's easy to blame the candidate instead of the people that were responsible for protecting the vote and DNC infrastructure.

[MarjorieG]

32. Somebody needs to confirm this

But I heard that the CBC didn't want Kerry to interfere with his perceived sour grapes stance, onto the principles of disenfranchisement suffered for years. Their choice, and Kerry traveled to Europe and the mideast. Just like the president he knew he was.

[emulatorloo]

22. Nobody is Bill Clinton, except Bill Clinton.

Clinton is an incredibly charismatic speaker. It is a waste of time denigrating politicians because they aren't Bill Clinton.

(PS I think these articles reflect more about Media framing than actual voters)

[politicasista]

26. Yep they are

But they do expose Democratic Party's biggest problem. They are too busy waiting on a Messiah, rock star, the next JFK or RFK, or the second coming of Clinton instead of embracing the ones they have.

That's my problem with all of this.

[karynnj]

31. I agree

If they weren't so busy mourning the loss of the good things about Clinton, while forgiving things that made his Presidency a disaster for the party, they could have seen that Kerry was not guilty of those flaws and was inspirational in a different - actually far more traditional way.

Kerry was the strong, emotionally mature, caring father figure a nation in distress could have respected and loved. Teresa, once people got past her not being American born, could have been one of the most inspirational, comforting first ladies ever.

Other than being intelligent, Kerry and Clinton are as different as 2 Democrats can be - Kerry is exceptionally honest and very principled. Kerry is not vindictive and very hard to anger. Kerry was an athlete and a war hero. (There is nothing in Kerry's history like Clinton's trashing the ROTC guy who0 helped him. In fact, there is the almost opposite case where Kerry didn't run for DA against his mentor - though he could have and per the opponent who lost would have won.)

Clinton was charismatic, charming and fun, but extremely unreliable and unprincipled when it came down to it. Kerry is genuine, hard working and full of integrity. He is also far more eloquent and as a leader has far more capacity to be great.

[MarjorieG]

33. Perfect Clinton-Kerry comparison