Edward Kennedy, the liberal media, and the rest of the democratic elite in Washington are playing a very risky game with the Clintons. It is clear they all want the Clintons to go away, lose, etc, but they are forgetting one very important thing: The Clintons are still very popular in the Democratic Party.
It is one thing to want the Clintons to go away, but to start backstabbing and badmouthing them is crossing the line. You then allow the Clintons to be viewed as victims and we all know what happens then, the Clintons win. I think a lot of elitist Democrats and the out of touch media are under the impression that blacks are angry with the Clintons, that they will never vote for Hillary, somehow Bill has destroyed the his relationship with black America, therefore it is the perfect time to pile on. WRONG. Well for some very young, black Obama supporters, this may be true, but for the vast majority of us we understand what’s going here. For instance back in Harlem, NY. Omega Nelson had this to say:
"Look," said Mr. Nelson, who was sitting at the curb near Mr. Clinton’s office on 125th Street, "all he’s doing is what any man would do. When your woman tries to get somewhere, you got to help her. His wife is running for president and, being his woman is involved, so he got involved, too."
Mr. Nelson, 61 and unemployed, was not alone in his forgiving stance toward Mr. Clinton, who, by the sound of things on Monday, is as popular in Harlem now as he was when he opened his office there in July 2001.
What I have been trying tell people on Kos is that black America is not stupid, sure they are going to vote for Obama in SC, but that doesn’t mean it was because they somehow hate Bill Clinton now. Of course Obama supporters, and the media will try it to make it seem like Bill is wearing white sheets now, but:
While the blogosphere and commentariat rang this weekend with angry declarations that he had crossed a line in his criticism of Barack Obama, many in Harlem seemed to mull it over, shrug their shoulders and say they understood, even if they didn’t quite agree.
"What Bill Clinton said — well, his wife is running for office," said Tonya Burnett .... "He’s got to represent just like she represented when he was running. I don’t think it’s such a big deal."
And of course the media is once again clueless on what goes in real America:
Many in Harlem were overjoyed when he moved in. A crowd of 2,000 — chanting "We love Bill!" — gathered on the streets, serenaded by a violin rendition of "We Shall Overcome."
Nonetheless, it was somewhat odd —and perhaps unexpected — to hear so many passing through the doors on Monday suggest that Mr. Clinton’s comments were a natural reaction in support of his wife.
"It ain’t about race and it ain’t about issues," said Guy Wellington, 48. "It’s about his wife. He wants Hillary to follow in his footsteps. That’s what husbands do."
As a husband I totally agree, ex-President or not, I am going to defend my wife. As far as blacks supporting Hillary if she is the nominee:
"A lot of black people aren’t really looking at race; they’re looking at who does good and who doesn’t," said Tasha Wilson, 27. Many in the crowd suggested they would happily vote for Mrs. Clinton (or her husband, if he were running). As for Mr. Clinton’s jabs at Senator Obama, "it’s not going to affect the impression of him, not in the black community or not outside the political offices among the general people," Ms. Wilson said.
As far as attacking Obama goes:
"You got to attack," said Spencer Wilson, 63. "You got to. It’s ridiculous, but it’s politics. He’s not doing it because of racial stuff. He’s doing it for his wife so they can have another turn up in the White House."
Of course there was a warning for Bill and then some respect shown for his talents:
"He ought to be careful what he’s saying," said Tyrone Rose, 41, "but the fact is he wants his wife to win. The campaign’s going to get nasty and I think Bill Clinton has a good chance whenever he wants to win."
Finally, Bruce Gordon added a more commonsense with a little humor:
"These questions have to come up. If Obama gets the nomination, folks will ask, ‘So who are you?’ So far, he’s a nice white middle-class guy," said Mr. Gordon, acknowledging the cheekiness of his remark with a cagey little smile. "You try to pull a black thing on Bill Clinton, he’s going to say, ‘Now wait a minute now.’ "
This is not only the thoughts of Harlem, but all across the country. Bill and Hillary are like family to black America. Sure we will get upset with them, but other people piling on will backfire. And yes Washington Elitist Democrats, liberal media, etc...blacks will most certainly vote for Hillary if when she becomes the nominee.
With all due respect to Edward Kennedy, who I have long said was out of touch and completely lost me and a lot of blacks with his comprehensive immigration bill, what mantle are you passing on to Barack Obama? I do not mean to be disrespectful, but you ran in 1980 and lost. The only Democrat to win the White House in the past 30 years is Bill Clinton, so if there is a Presidential mantle to pass...I believe he will be doing that. So please stop it with the passing the mantle nonsense. Now if you talking about the "liberal icon" mantle, then fine. Other than that...I think you are wishing.