BET Founder WARNS Dems: Lose Jim Clyburn, LOSE BLACK VOTERS

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" The founder of Black Entertainment Television is warning Democrats that pushing Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) out of leadership means losing black voters.


Robert L. Johnson sent a letter to the House leadership and the Congressional Black Caucus underscoring why Clyburn should be whip over House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).


To be clear, Johnson has no vote, and this leadership position will be determined by private ballot in a closed Democratic caucus meeting. But the Johnson letter seems to be more of a public relations effort on Clyburn’s behalf.


“He is a steadfast advocate for issues that have a direct impact on the African-American community, and his voice must remain at the forefront of the 112th Congress,” Johnson wrote. “To diminish his leadership role in Congress would run the risk of losing a significant part of the black vote, a decision the Democratic Party cannot afford at this most critical time in history.”


The letter from the country’s first black billionaire reminds Democrats that blacks have continuously backed them at the polls.


“Black voters are the strongest voting bloc and have continuously shown their dedication to the Democratic Party. As a constituency, African-Americans are engaged in our country’s political process now more than ever and Congressman Clyburn is the voice and face that we need to lead the Democratic Party in the Congress.”


Johnson has supported several CBC members, including Democratic Reps. G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina, Edolphus Towns of New York, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, and Donald Payne of New Jersey and D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton. Johnson donated to Clyburn’s campaign committee in 2007 and 2009, and his leadership PAC in 2009.


Some Democrats want Clyburn to stay in leadership by moving down to caucus chairman, but Clyburn has said he doesn’t want that position. The current caucus vice chairman, Rep. Xavier Becerra, and Congressional Progressive Caucus leader Lynn Woolsey, both of California, are voicing support for Clyburn. But Hoyer got the backing of seven committee chairmen Tuesday morning.


<http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/1110/BET_founder_endorses_Clyburn.html?showall>

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[PBS Poll-435]

1. Am I crazy or was Johnson for McCain/Palin? nt

[babylonsister]

2. No-Hillary, I think. He's a dirtbag imo; I imagine he doesn't

speak for everyone.

[JonLP24]

3. I'm not sure about the General

but he was Clinton supporter in the primary. I remember a few controversies involving him and comments about Obama. I doubt he supported McCain though.

[Segami]

4. I believe it was Hillary

" The Clinton campaign then produced this comment from Johnson: "My comments today were referring to Barack Obama's time spent as a community organizer, and nothing else. Any other suggestion is simply irresponsible and incorrect. When Hillary Clinton was in her twenties she worked to provide protections for abused and battered children and helped ensure that children with disabilities could attend public school. That results oriented leadership -- even as a young person -- is the reason I am supporting Hillary Clinton."

<http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2008/01/13/4436136-bob-johnsons-shot-at-obama>

[Roselma]

9. You're not crazy ...

You might just be misremembering. Johnson leans a bit rightward and supported George Bush. He supported Hillary Clinton during the primaries in 2008.

He spreads his money around to both parties, primarily Democrats:

http://www.newsmeat.com/billionaire_political_donations/Robert_L_Johnson.php




http://www.blackcommentator.com/127/127_cover_bob_johnson.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/13/proclinton-bet-founder-at_n_81286.html

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11. Thanks guys... Electoral Memory Lapse nt

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

5. The one thing I can agree with this Charlatan on. I think it's a mistake to diss Clyburn after he

delivered the votes. Clyburn is one of the most effective Whips in recent memory. He and Pelosi work well together.

I have students who work for Clyburn and they absolutely love him. They are also overworked, but happy, even though they are interns. :)

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8. I would like to see Clyburn as WHIP over Steny Hoyer

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

10. When I was a grad student at University of Maryland, Steny

was my congressman. I didn't like him then and I don't like him now!

[Canuckistanian]

6. Steny Hoyer for Whip?

Now THAT's a joke.

[bigtree]

7. that may well be

. . . but that shouldn't be the consideration.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd like to think that there's something more that Jim Clyburn has to offer other than his race. He's definitely more progressive than my state's Hoyer. That would be my criteria, to keep the conservatives from bending too far to the House republicans.

[xultar]

12. I will admit to not feeling all that warm and fuzzy about Clyburn

[FarCenter]

13. Clyburn, 70; Hoyer, 71; Pelosi, 70 are all too old

We need some younger leadership instead of these old fossils.

[mfcorey1]

14. I don't know who appointed him keeper of the vote key. Most African Americans that I talked to

don't even know who he is.

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16. He believes (in his own mind) that his wealth and social status allows him the right to influence

party politics.

[ProSense]

15. Johnson is a

smoke-blowing ass.