Dear Senator Clinton Please Apologize (w/ 2 Updates)
Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:39:59 AM PDT
Here's a simple piece of unsolicited advice from someone who admittedly someone else as the Democratic nominee for president. I think you could do your campaign a world of good, and even more importantly, your country a great service, if you would do call a press conference and:
- Make a Public Apology. No excuses, no qualifications. No, "my supporters went off the reservation and I can't be held responsible for what they say" remarks. Just a flat out straightforward "I and my supporters who made these racially insensitive remarks were wrong and I apologize to Senator Obama, his family, his supporters and to the American people." And promise it will not happen again. Ever.
(cont.)
Update 1 and 2 below fold.
- Make the same apology privately to Senator Obama, in person if possible.
- Fire anyone in your campaign who recommended, made or supported these race baiting tactics. That includes your husband.
That's all. If it was good enough for your husband regarding the lies he told about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, it should be good enough for you. You say you found your own voice. Start by using that voice to do the right thing as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Steven D
For those of you who would like to make a more direct complaint to Senator Clinton, her campaign phone number is (703) 469-2008. I just called and spoke to one of the campaign's volunteers/staffers and she assured me that any such complaints/comments will be passed along to the Senator. I recommend being polite. I also recommend stating specific instances of conduct from her surrogates that you found offensive. I specifically referred to Andrew Cuomo's "shuck and jive" comment, but I know there are many others which could also be mentioned.
Update [2008-1-11 12:0:58 by Steven D]: I'm having trouble posting responsive comments to this diary, and I am also having trouble seeing all the comments posted. My comment keeps coming back as "post failed" and despite what I do it won't register. So much as I would like to respond to every comment I am unable to do so. Which is frustrating.
So for the record, I am not an Obama supporter. Frankly I would prefer Kucinich or Edwards, but neither is likely to become the Democratic nominee. Secondly, if Senator Obama has members of his campaign whose conduct or remarks justify an apology and firing, he should do so. Immediately. I don't think it benefits either Obama or Clinton to go negative in this manner. And by negative I don't mean references to their political experience, or their records. I mean what I have been seeing from Clinton surrogates/supporters like Bob Kerrey and Andrew Cuomo. If Obama's campaign spokespersons or supporters are guilty of sexist remarks against Senator Clinton then Obama should also apologize for those and fire/denounce the people responsible.
Update [2008-1-11 12:14:2 by Steven D]: Just for comparison's sake, I thought it might be relevant to look at what a prominent African American blogger, the field negro has to say about the recent use of racially coded language against Obama. I give you the following excerpt from his post dated January 9, 2008:
The truth of the matter is that the more powerful Barrack's movement becomes, the more irrelevant angry and cynical black men like the field Negro will become. A-merry-ca could shut the field up tomorrow by rising above petty racial and gender politics and and embracing a truly unifying change in her politics. But it ain't happening; you know it, and so do I.
So you all are angry now, and you are turning on your first black Prez. Just read this from Donna Brazile:
" I could understand his frustration at this moment. But, look, he shouldn't take out all his pain on Barrack Obama. It's time that they regroup. Figure out what Hillary needs to do to get her campaign back on track. It sounds like sour grapes coming from the former commander in chief. Someone that many Democrats hold in high esteem. For him to go after Obama, using a fairy tale, calling him as he did last week. It's an insult. And I will tell you, as an African-American, I find his tone and his words to be very depressing..."
She was talking about BJ Bill of course, and her sentiments are being echoed by quite a few African American bloggers and others out there. Bill and Hilary Clinton can use code words with the best of them, and they know what buttons to push to bring out the racial bogeyman lurking behind every corner in A-merry-ca. And in case you were wondering, there is no gender bogeyman. Yes women have been discriminated against in this country, and they have suffered mightily at the hands of the all powerful white male. But don't for a minute think there is a fear of women out there. There isn't. But ask me if there is a fear of black men and you know what I will tell you.
