TPM: Black Hillary Backers in South Carolina Tried to Block Obama Invite

[flpoljunkie]

Black Hillary Backers In South Carolina Tried To Block Obama Invite

By Eric Kleefeld

This is interesting: It looks as if two of Hillary Clinton's most powerful black supporters in South Carolina are playing hardball with Barack Obama.

State Senators Robert Ford and Darrell Jackson, who have both endorsed Hillary, attempted to block an invitation for Obama to give a speech at the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus annual fundraiser — and tried to use their clout as members of the caucus to arrange a speaking engagement for Hillary instead, The Associated Press reports.

Making this power-play particularly notable, the speaking slot is generally offered to a black person — so if they'd succeeded in shuffling out Obama and putting in Hillary, it would have been perceived as a major snub to African Americans. The event's organizers, however, ultimately agreed to go ahead with the invitaiton to Obama after Jackson and Ford backed down.

Ford has previously stated in no uncertain terms his opposition to the party nominating a black person for President: "Every Democratic candidate running on that ticket would lose because he's black and he's at the top of the ticket — we'd lose the House, the Senate and the governors and everything." The Hillary camp has denounced Ford's remarks.

http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/mar/07/black_hillary_backers_in_south_carolina_tried_to_block_obama_invite

[bigdarryl]

1. this kind of tactics can't win her over any votes or love for her. If she keeps it up she's....

going to loose the primary. this type of bulling tactics on Obama isn't going to get her most of the black votes

[Tellurian]

4. The very last line in the OP says Hillary denounces the charges

she had anything to do with stopping Obama from attending the event.

So There!

[Dr Fate]

9. Is she demanding they let him speak?

If not then it is not unlike it when Bush "denounced" the leakers- words but no action.

We can assume she is opposed to robust debate- and that she does not want folks to here what Obama has to say- unless she demands that her supporters take the block off Obama

[flpoljunkie]

17. You need to reread the original post. You are wrong.

[Tellurian]

2. Hillary Picks Up Endorsements From South Carolina Black Pols

Hillary Picks Up Endorsements From South Carolina Black Pols

By Eric Kleefeld

In a sign that Barack Obama perhaps can't take the black vote for granted in the crucial primary state of South Carolina, Hillary Clinton has picked up critical endorsements from two of the state's leading African-American pols, the Associated Press reports.

State Sens. Robert Ford and Darrell Jackson told the AP that they're supporting Clinton because they believe her to be the most electable candidate. In Ford's case, it may have helped that he was personally lobbied not just by Hillary, but by her husband, too. In words that sound surprisingly harsh coming from a black pol, Ford did not mince words about his worries of nominating Obama: "Every Democratic candidate running on that ticket would lose because he's black and he's at the top of the ticket — we'd lose the House, the Senate and the governors and everything."

Conventional wisdom would suggest that South Carolina is a must-win for Obama, because about half the voters in the 2004 South Carolina Democratic primary were black. But a victory there is anything but assured. Beyond the fact that Hillary's now beginning to make inroads in the state, it should be noted that another Obama rival — John Edwards — is competitive for South Carolina voters. After all, he handily won the primary there in 2004.

http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/feb/13/hillary_picks_up_endorsements_from_south_carolina_black_pols

.

...as reported, Hillary denounces the OP's assertion..

[Dr Fate]

5. We know that part- the OP acknowledges her endorsements. That's not the issue...

...the issue is whether Team Hillary is for robust debate & free speech. It appears that by blocking Obama, they are trying to keep folks from hearing his take on the issues.

Why would they do that in the first place?

[Tellurian]

14. AND_ What has that got to do with Hillary..

It's their SHOW...she has no control over their event!

[Dr Fate]

15. She supports the fact that they are trying to block Obama.

If she doesnt, then she would demand that they stop this type of behavior.

[elizm]

19. She is PAYING them for that behavior...

They were hired as consultants on her campaign!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dr Fate]

21. They are on her payroll? Makes sense. If that is true, do you have a link? n/t

n/t

[elizm]

22. Absolutely they are on her payroll...

I will find the link and post it.

[flpoljunkie]

24. Here's an AP link on the story from CNN: Clinton Endorser to Get Consulting Contract

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) -- A key black Democratic leader in South Carolina has negotiated a $10,000 per month consulting contract with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign, a development that came to light when the lawmaker endorsed the presidential hopeful.

The contract with state Sen. Darrell Jackson's firm, Sunrise Enterprises, is not yet signed but will run through the first Southern primary in the state next January, Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee confirmed Thursday.

Elleithee denied there was any deal made for Jackson's endorsement.

"Not at all. ... We told him, 'We'd love your support as a community leader and love your help as a respected political consultant inside the state,' " Elleithee said.

Jackson did not return messages Thursday. He has told several media outlets that he turned down more money from other candidates.

Jackson's firm will advise Clinton's campaign on "political matters in South Carolina, outreach, organizing issues" and purchasing advertising, Elleithee said.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/02/16/clinton.campaign.ap/index.html

[elizm]

23. Here is a link for you...

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/02/16/clinton.campaign.ap/index.html

[flpoljunkie]

7. Jackson and Ford's consulting firm is coincidentally receiving $10k monthly from Clinton campaign

[bigdarryl]

8. She's playing the good cop bad cop

[elizm]

13. Notice the date on your article...

That was BEFORE Obama came to South Carolina and WOWed us all. I live here. She WILL not get the black vote...especially after this latest stupid stunt.

[Dr Fate]

3. In other words, Team Hillary opposes robust speech and honest debate.

I'll give her the benefit of the doubt- if she apologizes & demands that they let Obmama speak his mind, then I will take it back.

[Tellurian]

6. She doesn't need to apologize..

Maybe you do for falsely accusing her of something she had nothing to do with..

How about it!

[Dr Fate]

11. Then why did she "denounce" it then? Is she demanding they let him speak?

n/t

[Tellurian]

16. Because people like you are quick to accuse her of being behind it! nm

[Dr Fate]

18. She might be behind it- I'm not sure. She does seem to support the move though.

Unless she demands that they stop trying to block Obama, that is.

I have a feeling this wont be the only time Team Hillary tries this kind of thing- that is why we will never hear her make such a demand.

[hughee99]

25. Exactly...

Hillary understands that a candidate is not responsible for what someone working for their campaign says or does. That's why she didn't ask that Obama denounce the comments from Geffen a few weeks back, nor did she ask that Obama cut ties with Geffen and return the money he raised.

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=1344

[Dr Fate]

28. LOL! Good one. n/t

n/t

[SCDem]

10. And all I have to say is

Ford didn't deliver on the GOTV efforts that he was responsible for in 2006. So I don't take anything he says or does to heart.

[flpoljunkie]

12. Very interesting...

[Labors of Hercules]

20. Way to go people...

Fuck both your campaigns fighting over who gets to court the Black vote.

Thats just smart that is...

[Colobo]

26. Both? What did Obama do?

[snowbear]

27. That's what I'd like to know. Hillary is paying Jackson $10K a month !!

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/02/15/clinton_offers_contract_to_sc_endorser/

WHY does she have to (((( BUY )))) support ???

[Labors of Hercules]

29. You're absolutely right. I just see it negatively affecting his campaign as well...

Dammit Hillary. Cut this shit out!