Angry Clinton supporters flood Majority Whip Clyburn's office with racist calls-staff devastated

[Politics_Guy25]

This is outrageous. I hate having to use up another post on this but this is just beyond the pale.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/06/04/clyburn-clinton-supporters-flood-office-with-hate-calls/

An angry and upset Rep. James Clyburn said Wednesday that his office has been deluged with nasty phone calls with racial overtones since his endorsement of Barack Obama a day earlier.

Clyburn told FOX News Radio’s “Brian and the Judge” that the callers identified themselves as Hillary Clinton supporters. Clyburn, an African-American and the third ranking House Democrat, said a white intern in his office was so upset by the calls that she had to be consoled by other workers and left the office early.

More excerpts:

Clyburn said some of the callers used “names that I would not repeat on this show today.”

“I was absolutely shocked, could not believe that this happened. I could understand people saying, ‘Why are you doing this or why would you not support Hillary Clinton?’ but to call me the kinds of names I have not heard since the ’40s and ’50s,” he said.

When's the last time Senator Obama's supporters flooded a congressional office with sexist calls? How about never.

This says a LOT. In the interests of party unity, I'll keep quiet but all I can say is I'm glad this race is over!

[Name removed]

1. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[RainDog]

2. Clinton really needs to do the right thing

She screwed up last night by not acknowledging Obama's win. She once again fed the haters in her camp - some of whom are probably republicans anyway.

In any case, she is responsible because she did not graciously concede last night.

Rather than ending her campaign on a high note, she continues to drag her name into the gutter. Just proof, to me, that she would have been a disaster as the nominee.

[Why Syzygy]

56. The only person she has endorsed so far is McCain.

Thus the loony wing of the Clinton brand is voting for him! Makes perfect sense to me.

[OzarkDem]

3. Got proof?

The dirty tricks to divide Dems continue and probably will all the way through til November.

[HeraldSquare212]

7. I wouldn't be surprised....

[LowerManhattanite]

19. Clyburn is a lifetime Clinton supporter...

...who got pissed at them for the whole South Carolina mishegas.

He warned them to cool out, but of course they didn't.

I'm pretty sure he's got some of that awfulness recorded and transcribed, but would rather not release it lest it tarnish the Clintons forever.

Though if Senator Clinton doesn't do the right thing soon, I could see that evidence “leaking out” somehow.

Sad, really.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

10. The OP included a link, genius. nt

[OzarkDem]

25. Proof that they were really Clinton supporters

[mrreowwr_kittty]

27. As far as I know they are.

I take them at their word.


:rofl:

[OzarkDem]

30. You would

[mrreowwr_kittty]

33. What's the matter?

I was just using your own candidate's words there. :shrug:

[EFerrari]

48. Well, did Rush call this action today?

[VeraAgnes]

75. Thank You Ozark.

The members here are not prepared for the battle ahead. When a clue has been sniffed out.......they attack the thinker. Jeepers, we can't win with this behavior.

[Happyhippychick]

4. Gee, sounds just like Republicans who are claiming to be Hillary supporters are screwing with us.

[GaYellowDawg]

34. That was the first thing I thought.

This is the same party of the "illegitimate black child" push poll.

[jgraz]

Republicans aren't that smart

But, sadly, some Clintonists ARE that stupid.

[cascadiance]

55. Whether they are or not, her campaign has made it so them doing so would be believable!

... which is why she should concede now!

It may be too late to restore to a big chunk of our party the notions that she's a person to be trusted and not someone who would engage in activities like these, but if she did run her own campaign more honorably, then right wing thugs wouldn't have the opportunity to do this sort of thing and be believed.

The fact that she has run such a crappy campaign gives them the opportunity to amplify the foul rhetoric/tactics instead of have them go away.

[Politics_Guy25]

57. That's very true-n/t

[Why Syzygy]

58. Right. She gives it plausability.

[VeraAgnes]

79. That indeed was my first instict as well.

:hi: :thumbsup: :kick:

[Howler]

109. There you go!!!

I agree with HappyHippichick. Thats exactly what I thought as I read this story.
This is a bunch of rabid republicans who slipped their leash.
(Shiver) Their going to get even uglier has Obama steam rolls over the ancient madman.
:scared:

[bullimiami]

5. sounds like something rove might cook up.

[americanstranger]

6. Nice. thanks, Hillary.

She better concede before this gets even more ugly.

- as

[geckosfeet]

8. Any right-wing-nut can call his office and say whatever they want.

[vaberella]

True, but one can't say EVERYONE who called is a right wing nut.

I'm not prone to believe FoxNews but if it's coming from the SD himself...well there's nothing else to say.

[lastliberalintexas]

29. One can believe the Congressman and still believe that this was a Rove

style republican operation of Clinton "supporters" phoning his office. I believe that this actualy happened, but I truly doubt the vast majority of those people were actually Dems.

[VeraAgnes]

84. I always look first at who

actually has something to gain. Well, Fox always wants to divide the DNC as they are in love with the GOP....they are an extension actually.....The GOP will use race divide and incite infighting without hesitation.

McCain has been swooning scorned Hillary supporters all week! This only feeds the fire.

[quiet.american]

9. I truly wonder if the Democratic Party can survive what Clinton hath wrought.

So much damage has been done.

[Politics_Guy25]

12. Clyburn himself said all of these things

That's my proof.

Senator Clinton has work to do to heal the wounds that she inflicted on Obama and his supporters as well not just vice versa.

[McCamy Taylor]

11. And we know that this is not just another GOP dirty trick how? Grow up and wise up Dems.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

22. Harriet Christian was no GOP plant. Neither were the others shouting "McCain" at the RCB.

These calls could be a GOP stunt but, sad to say, they could just as easily be bona fide Clinton supporters judging from the behavior I've seen from some of them.

[cali]

51. you need to face reality. you seem incapable of taking off the tin foil

you sport. Go to HillaryClinton.Forum or Hillary is 44, or no quarter. There are loads of racist hill supporters, and no, sorry, dear, it strains the limits of credibility to believe they're all repukes playing games.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

63. They're not. I know people just like them IRL. nt

[cbc5g]

13. And I'm positive Clinton Superdelegates got vicious sexist misogynist insults

NOT!

[Joe the Revelator]

14. Go look at Hillaryclintonforum.net. Their new motto is "Vote Mac not Black"

The deadenders are sick sick people and I for one don't want them in the party.

[LowerManhattanite]

26. “"Vote Mac not Black"...

Are. You. Fucking. Serious?

Damn. It IS a hate site.

[Joe the Revelator]

31. I'm as serious as dick cancer. Like i said, those types, we're better off without.

[KamaAina]

77. I haven't found it there, but placing the vile phrase into Mr. Search Engine

yields 800 hits. :puke:

Many are for T-shirts and the like. Who'd want to been in public with that? :scared:

[redqueen]

32. Well I'm sure those are just Republican moles.

It's probably all Rove's doing.

[Joe the Revelator]

36. The entire site? Either way, they are disillusioned dead enders.

Fuck 'em

[redqueen]

60. Heh... sorry... I forgot this...

:sarcasm:

[Why Syzygy]

61. These are the people Clinton is using as a wedge. I call bullshit.

Obama doesn't cave to wedgies. Clinton still delights in them.

[Irishonly]

15. Why is Faux News the only one reporting it n/t

[Adelante]

16. Disgusting behavior nt

[KamaAina]

17. Why is James Clyburn speaking to Faux Noise?

Clyburn told FOX News Radio’s "Brian and the Judge"

Why wouldn't he tell this to an actual news outlet?

[jgraz]

37. He was a Hillary supporter. Old habits die hard.

[Stephanie]

18. The first angry call came from Bill - WSJ >

Not sure if this link will work - came from email.

Clinton's Road to Second Place
By JACKIE CALMES
June 4, 2008; Page A1

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB121252558317842545-lMyQjAxMDI4MTAyNDUwMjQ1Wj.html

Among the party leaders Mr. Clinton alienated over time by his angry tirades was South Carolina's Rep. Jim Clyburn, the third-ranking House leader and a civil-rights-movement veteran.

Before South Carolina's primary, Mr. Clyburn admonished Sen. Clinton for suggesting President Johnson deserved more credit than Martin Luther King Jr. for civil-rights laws. On primary night, Mr. Clinton called Mr. Clyburn and they spoke for 50 minutes. "Let's just say it wasn't pleasant," Mr. Clyburn says.

Mr. Clinton called Mr. Clyburn an expletive, say Democrats familiar with the exchange. Mr. Clyburn's office would confirm only that the former president used "offensive" words. Some day soon, the congressman says, he'll write about the incident. On Tuesday, he endorsed Mr. Obama for president.

[Politics_Guy25]

23. Once Hillary graciously concedes and hits the trail for Obama,

I'll ease up entirely. Right now, I'm still very upset with her and her supporters and antics like this.

[renate]

49. wow, that was dumb of Bill

Wildly inappropriate too, of course, but strategically just plain dumb.

I still think it must be the aftereffects of his heart surgery, like several doctors have suggested, but the fact remains: DUMB.

[RoseMead]

108. Is somone now going to say

that wasn't actually Bill Clinton, but a republican mole in disguise? :shrug:

If Bill Clinton himself isn't above using offensive language, what makes you think his wife's supporters are immune? I'm sure there are many good people who support Clinton, but to act like there couldn't possibly be any bad ones - that's just silly.

[Why Syzygy]

20. huh. Meanwhile Obama supporters are getting keyboard bashed

at DU. The irony continues.

[tpsbmam]

21. I need a report that isn't Fox News. Sorry, but they have too much invested in

keeping this nasty and making sure that Obama & Clinton supporters remain divided.

[depakid]

24. Fox "news" recitations belong on another website....

Then again, seeing how so many have chosen this year to behave like they were on another website, maybe this shouldn't be surprising....

[Inuca]

43. Fox is what it is

but as you and all the others well know many democrats give interviews to Fox (remember Clinton on O'Reilly?). Clyburn seems to have given them an interview, and I doubt that the quotes are incorrect, you do not play that kind of game with somebody in Clyburn's position, even when you are Fox.

[OzarkDem]

28. Clyburn has been an Obama supporter for months

It seems a stretch that anyone would just now begin to criticize him.

[babylonsister]

40. He endorsed him yesterday; uncommitted prior to that. nt

[Forkboy]

52. LOL

facts and Ozark don't get along.

[babylonsister]

59. I've noticed. nt

[OzarkDem]

69. He's spoken out in support of Obama many times

in recent months. The "endorsement" is just a formality. The public perception has been of him as a strong Obama supporter for quite some time.

[babylonsister]

86. Actually, he's spoken out about the Clintons' racebaiting. Get your

facts straight.

[OzarkDem]

88. Same thing, working to support Obama

[babylonsister]

89. Too bad you can't handle the truth. nt

[gaspee]

35. You actually believe

What strangers on a phone say? You honestly believe Clinton supporters are behind this? Is so, you need help.

Psychological help.

In case I have to spell it out for you, it's most likely Limbaugh listening assholes doing this.

Geeze - delusional, much?

[dsc]

38. actually both Stephanie Tubbs Jones

and Emmanuel Cleaver got death threats for endorsing Hillary (or at least they said they did).

[lastliberalintexas]

44. I doubt those were actually from Dems either

I believe the Congresspeople have actually received such threatening calls, I just don't believe the vast majority of them were from Dems.

I was born at night, but it wasn't last night. :shrug:

[jgraz]

45. Ms Jones is, sadly, no longer a reliable source.

When she goes on Fox to comment on the picture of Obama in his "native garb", she loses all credibility.

Another person Powelling herself for Hillary. Sickening.

[redqueen]

66. Jesus God... really? "Native garb"?

:wtf:

:puke:

What the hell is wrong with these assholes?

[jgraz]

68. And the "costume of his homeland". I just about threw something through my TV

[redqueen]

72. It's honestly hard to believe these elected people can be so fucking stupid.

So blindingly eye-wateringly astoundinlgy fuckwitted and dense and just fucking malicious and bad.

:banghead:

[Raine]

39. This is really sad to hear...

and these people are Democrats not are reTHUGs. :-(

[PoliticalAmazon]

41. The source is unreliable. Has anyone called Clyburn's office for verification? n/t

[jgraz]

42. Before your post, I had no idea Clyburn was black.

We need to kick these fucking racists to the curb. We do NOT need these POS's to win in November.

[Why Syzygy]

46. I'm watching hillaryforum net

and they have moved this topic to the "secret" part of the forum. They are hornets, and their racism is evident. There is no reason to doubt the report.

[Politics_Guy25]

50. What do you mean "secret"?

That website has a "secret" forum? No message board I've ever visited has had one except for forums for moderators. Wow.

[Joe the Revelator]

53. Yesterday a guy on that site was joking about the similarities between this year and 1968

Some asked if he meant the riots, and he said "no, the other thing LOL".

I hate them

[redqueen]

62. God how disgusting. That kind of trash is not human.

Animals. That's what they are.

[kevinbgoode]

85. Why don't they just rename it:

White Supremacists for Hillary

[AZBlue]

114. I like looking at the screen names there - so many are so similiar to their name here.

It's funny to watch them roll in the slime there. I'd say hi, but I've successfully flown under the radar for months, I'm not quitting now! ;)

[Why Syzygy]

47. ..

traffic

[chill_wind]

54. Follow the money. It's a divide and conquer campaign to squeeze the Black Caucus.

Bob's takin' it to James Clyburn: Squeeze the Caucus. "Unite the party". (letter).

http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/06/04/johnson.letter.pdf

Robert Johnston and Hillary hatch a plan:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6272350#6276513

[Midlodemocrat]

64. Fox News. Now THERE's an entity we can trust.

:eyes:

[redqueen]

67. Would they make it all up? Clyburn said nothing of the sort?

[Midlodemocrat]

70. I don't know. I wasn't there. But I can't imagine

that many disgruntled Hillary supporters using racial epithets.

[redqueen]

73. Yeah... I have to hope they were "Limbeciles" (heh)

as the poster below opines... but honestly I've seen some long-time DUers come out with some astoundingly nasty stuff over the past long while.

I'll just assume it's mostly Operation Mentally Challenged assholes... much more comforting.

[Kool Kitty]

112. "Limbeciles"?!

I love that! :rofl: Perfect name for Rush's followers.

[tpsbmam]

95. Hours later and nothing after a Google search.....

Fox News is the only news organization or legit blog (i.e., one that doesn't parrot Fox) reporting this.

Fox has plenty of reasons to make this up, and we all know they make shit up. Can't you imagine why they would think it's in their best interest (thus the Republican best interest) to keep Democrats divided? Why the hell would they want the Dem Party to heal and unify? Why wouldn't they want the perceived color divide in this election (one that, BTW, I don't buy for the most part) to continue?

I'm not saying this absolutely didn't happen, I'm saying I don't believe it until it's reported by someone legit, and there's no one who is legit at Fox.

[redqueen]

97. I just can't believe they'd make up quotes out of whole cloth...

if that's the case I hope this isn't the end of it. Heads should roll.

[tpsbmam]

104. You may be right.....

I just need to hear it from another source. Their podcasts aren't free (except the first hour) -- sure as hell won't pay them for a podcast! I'd hate to waste my time for an hour listening to that swill only to find out that he was in hour 3. I'd just like some confirmation, someone with some credibility to confirm this is what he said.

There is also the distinct possibility that there were angry Clinton supporters mixed in with Rethugs posing as Clinton supporters -- it's not like this would be a novel thing for Rethugs to do.

Fox News make up quotes? Oh yeah. Check this out -- I'd find you more but I have a dog whining to go out -- he means business!

Fox News pulls reporter's item with fake Kerry quotes

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-10-02-fox-kerry_x.htm

It ain't the first time and won't be the last they've done that.

[movonne]

92. I guess that is only when hillary is on faux news that it is trustworthy...

[Midlodemocrat]

111. HAHAHAHA.

You can't make this shit up.

:rofl:

[Doctor_J]

65. These could be a lot of Limbeciles

let's all breathe for a few days and then get focussed.

[Forkboy]

71. "Limbeciles"

:rofl:

That's a new one to me. :)

[Prophet 451]

74. In fairness

Firstly, while Clyburn's honesty is above reproach, he only has teh caller's word that they were Clinton supporters. Maybe a few were but I suspect it's more likely that the majority of them were Rethugs stirring the pot.

Secondly, even if they were all Clinton supporters, Hillary can't be held responsible for the ranting of idiots who've chosen to attach themselves to her campaign.

Also, it's FAUX! It would not be beyond them to exagerate, twist or just make the whole thing up.

[redqueen]

76. Hillary is responsible for not dropping out and telling the few

genuine (but fucking LOONY) supporters to join her in recognizing the writing on the fucking wall.

[Peacetrain]

78. Usually the first thought that would come to my mind

when I read something like that,.. would be operation Chaos.. but there are a few.. and I had a couple of interactions in this forum this morning .. who were attacking Michelle Obama, and attacking how she looked of all things.. but they were so wrapped up in their anger towards Barack over this election, that they could not see what they were posting and how utterly off the charts it was.. By the way, Michelle Obama will be one of the most beautiful First Ladies that has ever graced the White House

[Politics_Guy25]

83. That is so true-Michelle is radiant-n/t

[Peacetrain]

87. I think she is too...

just a lovely person.. and you know when she smiles, it is one of those genuine smiles, with the eyes, her whole face lights up.. not just from the nose down..not saying angthing negative against Laura Bush.. but she is one of those smilers from the nose down.. comem to think of it so was Nancy Reagan..must be a republican thing :P

[Celebration]

80. think its mostly Operation Chaos types BUT

Hillary needs to concede, ASAP.

The *only* chance she had to be VEEP, she has already blown. Unless she wants 60% of her party hating her, she needs to "get real" and quit this.

[PolNewf]

101. I agree we can't assume these were really Hillary supporters

No more than we can about random trolls posting here.

[Arkana]

81. It's possible it was just Republicans masquerading as Clinton supporters.

[jasmine621]

82. Great way for the GOP to ensure that AA's never vote for another white guy or gal.

I hope Clyburn doe not believe this stuff. He should not repeat it if he wants party unity.

[kdmorris]

90. Are you serious?

If people are calling his office and calling him racist names, he should just shut up and take it for party unity?

Really? Is that what you are saying?

[VeraAgnes]

94. I totally agree.........

he apparently was in a reactionary mode, which is reasonable but careless.

[CakeGrrl]

91. Sounds like Clinton supporters took a cue from Bill himself

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/04/wsj-clinton-used-expletiv_n_105161.html

Ugh. Showing their asses over this.

[TeamsterDem]

93. Utterly sickening. "Beyond the pale" is an accurate way to describe it. n/t

[MiniMe]

96. Operation Chaos, it wouldn't surprise me at all if it was Rushbots

[DerekJ]

98. Disgusting!!!

[no name no slogan]

99. Using FoxNews as as source on DU is like...

bringing ham sandwiches to the Bar Mitzvah.

[SoCalDem]

100. If he recorded what Bill said to him. he should just play it for them

but he probably did not record it..

[ampad]

102. I love how some of you Clinton supporters

and even some of you who are not Clinton supporters are putting on the blinders on this issue. You act as if Dems cannot be racist and if this race has shown us anything thus far it is that we have some ugly people claiming to be Democrats. Yea, I honestly believe that these people are Hilly supporters and I will not make excuses for the Dem party any longer on this issue. Some dumb fucks need to be purged from the party simple as that. We have seen and heard evidence that Hilly has supporters that are just fucking dumb racist, I'm not gonna minx my words. You had people in KY saying they would never vote for a black man and they were gleeful about saying so. If you Hilly supporters want to cry fucking sexism every single time Hilly is criticized, if you truly believe we have sexist Dems then why not racist dems? Yea they are out there people and I'm quite sure that they didn't vote for Obama. That working white class vote was code speak so stop trying to pretend it means something fucking noble. There are people out there that are racist to the core that claim to be dems, deal with it, they are out there. Obama and his supporters are not to blame for that. If these fucking people are so deranged that they would call this man up, calling him all kinds of names then it needs to be put out in the open. It's time for them to go towards the dark side where they would more than likely feel comfortable. I'm sick and tired of folks making excuses for these shit heads, calling them repigs and such. Yea I'm sure some of them are repigs but I find it hard to believe that they all are. Why would a repig care when they can vote against the black man by voting their own party? Do you honestly think Operation Chaos has gone this far? I know some of you Hilly supporters want to dismiss operation chaos when it comes to certain Hilly wins but now all of a sudden that the ugliness that was once the Clinton campaign has come to light you want to blame operation chaos? Whatever, these assholes need to leave this man alone. He has probably done more for this country then half their crazy asses will ever do.

[ampad]

103. Oh and one more thing

Yea I blame Hilly because she was banking on these people to help her win this nomination. Telling the super D's that Obama cannot win because he is black. Touting the white working class vote AKA racist vote. I hope she loses her fucking senate seat. Oh and you Hilly supporters know what you can do for me. My extreme dislike for this woman has nothing to do with what is between her legs, or the fact that she WAS Obama's opponent. She took a great opportunity for women and flushed in down the toilet all the while dividing the party for her own selfish gains. Yea, I hope someone does challenge her swarmy ass for the senate seat. Let's see how that white working class vote works out for her in the most diverse place in America, New York.

[Auntie Bush]

105. Please Obama supporters...that this with a grain of salt.

What's to prevent KKKarl and his buddies from making most of those sickening calls? :shug: Think about it. Who does it benefit? Certainly not Hillary Clinton!!!!
Please remember who and what Rove and his cohorts do best...cause trouble amongst Democrats. Don't be gullible!

I realize some people probably said some disgusting things but there are disgusting people in all walks of life.

[AtomicKitten]

106. This is the trickle-down effect of poor sportsmanship.

[eridani]

107. Just because they said they were "Clinton supporters" doesn't make it true n/t

[McCamy Taylor]

110. I was gonna do a thread "Do they think we were born yesterday?" about RNC dirty tricks but on 2nd

thought, some of us were born yesterday. And some people at DU are those suckers that you can fool all of the time. And some people at DU are working for the RNC and they are the very first ones every single time to holler "This is outrageous! Outrageous I tell you! when someone else posts flamebait.

By their acts you shall know them.

So know the people at DU that are trying to divide and conquer Democrats. Some of them claim to be the most loyal Obama and Clinton supporters around.

[jonestonesusa]

117. Election aside, though, retain your capacity for outrage.

I would hope that people on DU and fellow Dems would be fair and just enough to criticize racism and sexism whenever it occurs. No, we don't know for sure what happenend based on this report, but it was apparently reported by Clyburn and we will know in a few days if other news outlets pick it up. This news comes one day after there was mention of Bill Clinton cursing at Clyburn.

I agree with ampad that it would be nice to see more concern by DUers and Republicans alike over racist statements - if they come from within the Democratic party or anywhere else. Given how many Dems were perfectly comfortable with Hillary Clinton's appeals to "hardworking Americans, white Americans" and who see no problem calling Michelle Obama "uppity" and "angry," I'm no longer surprised at the lack of instant outrage from all DUers that the majority whip of the party, for god's sake, would receive such racist abuse from anyone - it doesn't make it any better, really, if it was Rush Limbaugh himself, although we'd expect it more. Maybe.

I think you really underestimate how much the Clinton campaign has broken faith with black voters this time. We all are lucky that Barack Obama won, because I don't think we could count on a lot of black folks voting for Clinton in the GE after this campaign.

[LordJFT]

113. those scumbags don't belong in our party

[Cha]

115. hilary fomented this with her divisive racist

overtones thinking it would get her loser sorry ass over the finish line.

Nice guys finish first hilary..too bad you didn't learn that at a young age.

[Azathoth]

116. Normally, I'd say it was just Rush's goons...but after looking at the pro-Hillary blogs/websites

I'm not so sure. Those sites are literally saturated with thinly veiled racism.

[Beacool]

118. The fact that they identified themselves as Clinton supporters

doesn't mean that they were, at least all of them. There are plenty of people out there trying to cause mischief.