Legal Commentary

Turning Obama Into The Black Candidate

By Big Tent Democrat

By Big Tent Democrat

This will undoubtedly be a very controversial post. But I always speak my mind. And I am speaking for me only here.

Jeralyn highlighted in a previous post that the great John Lewis is switching his endorsement from Clinton to Obama. Not surprising in that Obama has had great momentum. Easily justifiable for Lewis in that his district voted overwhelmingly for Obama and he is indeed a fine candidate. But the reasons given for switching are not helpful. Indeed, in my view, they are divisive:

More...

“In recent days, there is a sense of movement and a sense of spirit,” said Mr. Lewis, a Georgia Democrat who endorsed Mrs. Clinton last fall. “Something is happening in America and people are prepared and ready to make that great leap.” . . . “I’ve been very impressed with the campaign of Senator Obama,” Mr. Lewis said. “He’s getting better and better every single day.”

His comments came as fresh signs emerged that Mrs. Clinton’s support was beginning to erode from some other African-American lawmakers who also serve as superdelegates. . . .

If Lewis and others limited the comments to respecting the wishes of their constituents, that would have been fine. But now we hear of Obama's historic candidacy as the reason for the switch. Translation -- it is because Obama is an African-American. This is an invitation for divisiveness. And the behavior of Obama campaign co-chairman Jesse Jackson, Jr. is a big part of the problem:

In an interview, Cleaver offered a glimpse of private conversations.

He said Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois had recently asked him "if it comes down to the last day and you're the only superdelegate? ... Do you want to go down in history as the one to prevent a black from winning the White House?

"I told him I'd think about it," Cleaver concluded. Jackson, an Obama supporter, confirmed the conversation, and said the dilemma may pose a career risk for some black politicians. "Many of these guys have offered their support to Mrs. Clinton, but Obama has won their districts. So you wake up without the carpet under your feet. You might find some young primary challenger placing you in a difficult position" in the future, he added.

(Emphasis supplied.) Race baiting and express threats to their office from the co-chair of the Obama campaign is not only incredibly unseemly and divisive, it HURTS Obama. Yes, it hurts Obama by making him the "black candidate." I condemned Bill Clinton for trying to do this after South Carolina with his comparisons of Obama to Jesse Jackson. But now it seems Obama's campaign is fully embracing this approach.

This is ugly stuff, as ugly as I have seen in this campaign. Obama needs to disavow Jackson's actions. Indeed, it seems time for Jackson, Jr. to step down after this. This is truly ugly.

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Full post as published by TalkLeft on February 14, 2008 (boomark / email).