Charlie Rose

James  01/22/2008 10:11 PM Report

Anghiari, your comments were beyond ignorant. I thought Smith's argument represented what should be the mainstream: namely, the Democrats have a chance to make history with whatever candidate they choose. The primary focus should not be on the race of the candidate, but on the validity of their ideas. You seem to be on the other extreme going so far as to suggest that a person should be crucified because they are Black and don't support Obama. Laughable. Dr. King fought so that we wouldn't be judged on the color of our skin. Every African American who died for the right to vote, also died so that each individual African American could vote based on his or her beliefs and values. Black people, contrary to what you think, are not people who have a tribal instinct in politics. Blacks are capable of rational thought and do go beyond looking at the color of candidates' skin when choosing whom to vote for.

Anghiari  01/15/2008 12:27 AM Report

Charlie,

I did not hear James Clyburn...but I did catch Meacham, Smith, Williams and Marcus. Fletcher Smith was a huge disappointment. He is obviously a Clinton supporter and apologist. Women have suffered more than blacks? What an odd statement. He supports Golda Mier, Thatcher and Indiri Gandhi...Charlie even you must have fallen on the ground laughing. The fawning pandering statements by Rep Smith were beyond odd. First Johnson and now Smith. And, that's fine, but his arguments for Clinton were a balatant effort to explain her to the public...no such person on your show for Senator Obama...Why??? Even Professor Williams ended up being highly supportive of Hillary Clinton in ways that she was merely marginal for Senator Obama...Perhaps you have had another program on which you have invited people who speak of Senator obama in a positive light. Did not agree this was a fair show. Marcus was really an odd choice and Meacham was working hard to explain and not be seen to be taking sides.

Charlie for goodness sakes not all black people had to wait for Iowa to believe Obama had a chance. I for one thought he was extraordinary and I thought it was time to make America tell us who it is? This is the 21st century and if we are still a racist country I want to know. I also think the world wants to know especially since more and more the countries with people who look like Obama are who we are dealing with. I know Patricia wants us not to isolate Obama as some transcendent Negro. But Charlie, Obama is the black guy that white America always told black folks that if we got ourselves together we could be. Folks were ready for a black man to run when Colin Powell's popularity was at its highest. He didn't run and now we have Obama.

For some of us Charlie who are black...we do think and have always thought that the last resort for white folks if they are not winning is race...because they know there are racists out there who will buy the innuendo. There are plenty of us who are savvy, who have run elections and who know the dirty tricks of campaign elections. We know that Shaheen doesn't step out there with those innuendos about Barack selling drugs without somebody high up in Clinton's team giving the ok. Senior staff never ever make those moves unless it has been agreed and they know if there is blowback ..they eat the bullet and quit or are publicly fired. Bob Kerrey shows up and makes such demeaning statements that even he cannot stand himself and apologizes. Both Bill and Hillary have lied about his personal life and no one can demand of me that I cannot believe that they wouldn't lie about what they have been doing in this campaign. I don't for a minute believe they are racist, but I also believe that this is the only time Hillary will be a viable candidate for President and they want, nay no need to win. They will do anything. I have been in to many campaigns and seen to many candidates do the unthinkable if they think they can win by doing it. Beside cynic that I am, who better than do race politics than people who are not racist?

The other thing that shows me the Clintons are out of touch...Robert Johnson is a joke to the black community. Go read black blogs...Bob is now a billionaire and Hillary and Bill see him socially, but they don't have a clue how he is despised for the images of blacks he delivered up nightly on BET for years before it was sold to viacom. Hillary is more popular in black communities than Johnson and she saw his ego at play and he made her problem even worse. None of these men are politically savvy nor activists in any way that would show they give a damn about anything but a buck. These guys hate a guy like Obama...they think he got a free ride because he's biracial. Can you imagine a white man beating up another white man for a black guy or even a white woman? Here's probably what went down with Fletcher Smith who should probably be crucified on blogs tomorrow. He owes the Clinton's that is clear...He hyped Clinton, but tried to save grace by saying his younger son and wife? were voting for Obama. His older son at Yale (Hillary's school) was voting for Hillary and while he attempted to hedge, he is clearly coming out for Hillary. It may not be fair...but I find it a joke that any elected black man in this country can look at himself in the mirror and vote for Hillary? It hasn't much to do with her ...it has to do with the hundreds maybe thousands of black men who were lynched, beaten and murdered in this country just because their skin was black...how do you not vote for yourself. If the country did not have the history it has then this would not be in anyone's thoughts...I am deeply ashamed of both Johnson and Smith. Not because they are supporting Hillary, but why they are supporting her. They are not supporting her because they think she is the best bet...they are supporting her because they are paying an IOU...that is why Obama is a breath of fresh air...nobody owes him a damn thing...so those who show up for him...do not have an agenda.

Victoria Morris jee

and just to be just a bit mean...perhaps Hillary would get why some of us were so offended by her statement about MLK/LBJ> I know Bob and Fletcher have assured us that she meant it in the best possible way.

....It's sorta like someone telling Hillary Clinton...well honey we know you toiled in the household as Bill's wife for years....but it took Gennifer Flowers to get the job done!...

Mary from Boston  01/14/2008 11:37 PM Report

I haven't heard anyone speak on the topics of race and gender more eloquently than Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina. His comments were the most rational and reasonable that I have heard in many many years. I am so disturbed by the media, and by folks like Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton, creating race issues when anyone says something that offends someone instead of rationally discussing what was said. Kudos to Rep. Clyburn. You are my new hero, a man of reason. Thank you so much.