THE HUTCHINSON REPORT: Obama's Farrakhan Dilemma

By Earl Ofari Hutchinson











Here's what a spokesperson for Democratic Presidential contender Barack Obama said when he got wind of former Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan's virtual endorsement of Obama's White House bid, "Senator Obama has been clear in his objections to Minister Farrakhan's past pronouncements and has not solicited the minister's support."

Farrakhan made the glowing tout of Obama at the NOI's annual Savior's Day confab in Chicago. Obama's denunciation of Farrakhan was blunt and pointed. But he did not reject Farrakhan's implied endorsement.

Even after Hillary Clinton publicly demanded that he forcefully reject Farrakhan's endorsement, Obama waffled. He weakly said after more Clinton cajoling that he rejected the endorsement. He still did not mention Farrakhan by name.

A candidate shouldn't need to be prodded by his opponent to emphatically reject the endorsement of a controversial, and in the case of Farrakhan, much vilified figure. Obama, of course, does not endorse Farrakhan's views, politics, or his organization, and he has made that clear on more than one occasion.

Yet his failure to flatly say he does not want his endorsement is no surprise. Farrakhan may be a controversial and much vilified figure but he is not a fringe figure within black communities. He is still cheered and admired by thousands of blacks. They are also voters too and most have embraced Obama with almost messianic zeal. This zeal has been a driving force in powering Obama's surge past Clinton. Many blacks are exhilarated by the prospect that a black man will sit in the Oval office. In other words, Obama is a racial fantasy come true for many blacks.

Few blacks publicly demand that he assume the role of a black leader. They have made no demand that he tell what he'll do to boost civil rights protections, fight the HIV/AIDS plague, or take strong positions on the other pressing social issues. It's just as well they haven't since his image is that of the new generation African-American elected official who thinks and speaks as a unifier and consensus builder, not a racial crusader.

However, many blacks quietly expect or at least hope that if he's elected it will be more than a historic first for blacks. They hope that he will be a vigorous proponent of civil rights and social programs. As long as that hope is there their impassioned zeal be for him will be there too. If Obama denounces Farrakhan too strongly that would raise the eyebrows of the thousands of blacks who admire Farrakhan and his organization.

But, if Obama doesn't blast Farrakhan as an anti-white hate monger that could raise questioning eyebrows with many white voters. He can't afford that. He's far exceeded the predictions of many who questioned whether whites would vote for an African-American for president. They have and he has even done what was thought to be even more implausible and that's net considerable backing from white males. They have been rock solid backers of GOP presidents going back to Ronald Reagan. Obama got their support with his open-ended message of change and unity. Farrakhan, then, is the absolute last thing that Obama needs now that he's on a roll with so many diverse voters.

Obama isn't the first politician to face the Farrakhan dilemma. It got Jesse Jackson into momentary hot water during his presidential bid in 1984. Jackson rashly agreed to let the NOI briefly handle some of his security. That drew howls that Jackson was in bed with the Farrakhan. Jackson backpedaled fast and dropped the NOI as part of his security. That didn't stop the loud grumbles that Jackson as a presidential candidate was too cozy with Farrakhan. But Jackson did not denounce Farrakhan. He stayed mute in part out of his stubborn insistence that no one should tell him who could support him, and in bigger part with an eye on the black vote.

Obama is closing in on a place in history. If he wins the March 4 Texas and Ohio primaries, his fierce nomination battle with Clinton will be virtually over. The movement will be irresistible among Democrats to nominate him and that will evaporate the Democrat's worst fear, namely a fractured convention, split between the two warring Obama and Clinton factions. A divided party would be a lethal blow to the Democrat's chances to take back the White House.

But Obama also knows that he doesn't just need black votes. Any Democratic presidential contender will get the majority of black votes. That was the case with Democratic presidential contenders Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004. Both still lost. He needs blacks to turn his drive to the White House into a crusade. They must make a spirited and massive rush to the polls. Farrakhan can help insure that some of that spirit and some of those numbers are there. Obama can't publicly applaud him for doing that. But he can't totally reject him either. That's Obama's Farrakhan dilemma.

FELLOWSHIP TARGETS MINORITIES FOR INT'L AFFAIRS

The United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation (UNCFSP) and its Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP) has introduced a five-year fellowship program aimed at increasing the number of minority college students choosing careers in international affairs.


The fellowship was inspired by the triumphs of Ralph Bunche, a diplomat and political scientist who was a key figure on the world stage when Jim Crow ruled America.


However, more than half a century after Bunche became the first black man to win the Nobel Prize, it’s still uncommon to find people of color in careers impacting the global stage. Few members of minority groups work for humanitarian relief organizations or train to become leaders in international careers, such as banking, policymaking, and education.

Now entering its 14th year, the IIPP has placed almost 300 minority students in over 50 countries across the world to study global issues and gain hands-on experience through a series of activities, such as summer international policy institutes, foreign language instruction, study abroad, internships and funding for a master’s degree in international affairs; each fellowship is valued at nearly $100,000.

IIPP Director, Darryl Crompton, says: “The field of international affairs and public policy has never been more exciting, or more important. We’re helping tomorrow's minority leaders in global affairs to define their goals and acquire the skills they need to achieve them.”

Recently, the IIPP kicked off an initiative to increase the number of applicants currently attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Applications must be submitted no later than March 15th for the program beginning in early June. For more information on the IIPP Fellowship Program and to apply online, please visit www.UNCFSP.org/IIPP.

C. VIVIAN STRINGER GETS 800TH VICTORY

Rutgers University women's basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer is back in the news again, but this time for achieving a rare feat.


Stringer joined Pat Summitt and Jody Conradt as the only women's basketball coaches in history to win 800 games as No. 4 Rutgers beat DePaul 60-46 on Wednesday night.

"No one is more respected than Pat and Jody," Stringer said. "To be mentioned in the same breath is humbling."

DePaul coach Doug Bruno had his entire team shake Stringer's hand during warmups, sensing the outcome would be historic. Bruno also coached DePaul when Summitt beat the Blue Demons for her 800th.

"Eight hundred isn't about a number. It's about the players from Cheney, Iowa, Rutgers and how special they were," said Stringer.

Essence Carson, the unofficial spokeswoman for the team in the wake of the Don Imus incident, had 20 points Wednesday to lead her team in scoring. Epiphanny Prince added 15. Rutgers (23-4, 13-1 Big East), moves into a tie with UConn atop the Conference.

Everyone in the crowd was given signs marking the 800th victory. With 30 seconds left they gave the Hall of Fame coach a standing ovation and chanted her initials. When the clock reached zero, Carson threw her coach the game ball.

"It was her ball, she deserved it," Carson said.

Afterward, each player gave Stringer a single red rose, which made her tear up.


Addressing the crowd, Stringer said: "I've been blessed with great players and coaches. Not only from the players that are here, but the players over the years. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I've been the most fortunate person in the world, because every day I wake up and I'm so excited to coach basketball."

REP. JOHN LEWIS DROPS CLINTON FOR OBAMA

Georgia Congressman John Lewis had been a steadfast supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton and enthusiastically announced his endorsement of her presidential run in October. But that backing officially ended Wednesday with the announcement that he has switched his support to her Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama.


Lewis told NBC News that his decision to end his support for Sen. Clinton was "tougher" than leading the 1965 "Bloody Sunday" march from Selma to Montgomery, when police nearly beat him to death on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

In a written statement, Lewis said Obama's campaign "represents the beginning of a new movement in American political history" and that he wants "to be on the side of the people."

Lewis, a superdelegate who gets a vote at this summer's national convention in Denver, faced tremendous pressure to back Obama after his constituents supported the Illinois senator roughly 3-to-1 in Georgia's Feb. 5 primary, and about 90 percent of black voters statewide voted for Obama, according to exit polls.

"After taking some time for serious reflection on this issue, I have decided that when I cast my vote as a superdelegate at the Democratic convention, it is my duty ... to express the will of the people," Lewis' statement said.

"John Lewis is an American hero and a giant of the civil rights movement, and I am deeply honored to have his support," Obama said in a statement.

Clinton, questioned about Lewis during a satellite interview with Houston television station KTRK, said: "I understand he's been under tremendous pressure. He's been my friend. He will always be my friend. At the end of the day it's not about who is supporting us, it's about what we're presenting, what our positions are, what our experiences and qualifications are and I think that's voters are going to decide."

STORE DISCRIMINATES AGAINST BETHUNE COOKMAN COEDS

Students at Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Fla. are offended by a sign at a nearby Citgo Gas station/convenience store that reads "Only 1 BCU Student Allowed At Once."


The effort is an attempt by the owner to prevent shoplifting, however, students from other colleges in the area are apparently exempt.


"Every student from Bethune Cookman University does not steal," one frustrated student told local NBC news affiliate WESH.


BCU senior Superior Jones added: "It's very ignorant of him to single us out. There are other universities and colleges in Daytona Beach, Florida. Bethune Cookman University is not the only college in this town."


The Citgo is just a stone's throw from Bethune Cookman and it is convenient and popular with students, according to WESH. A university coach said the students are probably the store's biggest patrons.

"The sign never said that the kids can't come in. I said one at a time, that's it," said the store operator, who did not want to be identified.

Several students have contacted the NAACP seeking help to possibly boycott the store. An NAACP spokesman said they are investigating why BCU students are being singled out. BCU Security said the store has complained about thefts, but has never offered any proof that the problem is Bethune Cookman students.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 02.27.08

Obama and Clinton square off in Ohio.

Democratic presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama went head to head in Cleveland last night. The two had their final debate before the primaries in Texas and Ohio next week. Obama took on Clinton for her past position on the Iraq war, while Clinton attacked the Illinois senator on health care mailings and NAFTA. She also said Obama was unprepared to handle foreign policy crises. Clinton has upped her attacks on her opponent recently, after he took 11 states in a row.

The European Union is fining Microsoft for failing to obey an antitrust order. The EU is fining the corporation a record 1.3 billon dollars for charging its rivals too much for software information. Microsoft says the fine refers to past problems, and they're now working to make their product more open. This is the largest fine the EU has ever issued to a single company for this issue.

The U.S. dollar has hit a new low in Europe today. The euro reportedly soared to more than $1.50 and the British pound reached $1.99...making it more expensive for Americans to travel in Europe. This comes as reports released show the U.S. economy is slowing and predicts the Federal Reserve will continue cutting interest rates. Meanwhile the sliding dollar caused oil prices hit a new high today...at $102 dollars a barrel.

Today is day three in the trial for the shooting of Sean Bell. Bell was killed on his wedding day by New York detectives last November...the 3 officials accused of the shooting say they thought Bell was reaching for a gun. The young man's father William testified in court yesterday, emotionally recalling the night of his death. Bell's father was with him celebrating his bachelor party, shortly before his death. The defense claims Bell was drunk and disorderly on that night.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 02.26.08

NY Philharmonic gives concert in North Korea.

The New York Philharmonic is now the first major American cultural group to have performed in North Korea. The orchestra began the performance earlier today with North Korea's national anthem and continued with The Star-Spangled Banner. Both reportedly received standing ovations. North Korean leader Kim Jong Il apparently wasn't in attendance. The U.S. government agreed on the Philharmonic's visit when there was major progress to end the country's nuclear weapons program.

Thousands of Palestinian protesters are calling for an end to an Israeli blockade on Gaza. They're burning tires and forming a human chain with nearly 40 thousand people along the strip's 25-mile length. Israel has threatened to use deadly force if the march became an attempt to surge across the border into Israeli territory. Israel imposed the blockade after Hamas violently took control of Gaza in June.

The number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan is projected to grow as more soldiers leave Iraq. That's according to the Defense Department that says 4 thousand more soldiers will be deployed there by last summer. The move would bring U.S. troops levels in Afghanistan to an all-time high...about 32 thousand forces. Government officials say forces in Iraq will start to leave this summer because the temporary troop buildup is over there in July. About 140 thousand troops are predicted after the drawdown happens.

Baseball pitcher Roger Clemens could learn by the end of the week whether he'll be referred to the Justice Department for a perjury investigation. Clemens has testified before a House committee saying he never used steroids or human growth hormone. But his words contradict the testimony of his former trainer Brian McNamee. It's unclear whether the Justice Department would be asked to investigate only Clemens or also McNamee.

Russert Plays the Farrakhan Card

Tim Russert moderating the Democratic presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, February 26, 2008.

OBAMA PHOTO CAUSES MORE CLINTON FRICTION

A photograph of Democratic Sen. Barack Obama dressed in traditional local garments during a visit to Kenya in 2006 is making its way around the Internet and has caused yet another flare up with rival Sen. Hillary Clinton.


The picture shows Obama wearing a white turban and a wraparound white robe presented to him by elders in Wajir, in northeastern Kenya, the home of his estranged late father.


The Drudge Report posted the photo Monday and said it was being circulated by "Clinton staffers."

It also quoted an e-mail from an unidentified aide from the Clinton campaign.

Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson denied that Clinton was involved in the dissemination of the photo.


"I just want to make it very clear that we were not aware of it, the campaign didn't sanction it and don't know anything about it," said Wolfson. "None of us have seen the e-mail in question. If anybody has independent reporting that they've done on it I would welcome it."


During an interview with WOAI radio in San Antonio, Obama addressed the issue by saying voters are "saddened when they see these kind of politics."


"Everybody knows that whether it's me or Senator Clinton or Bill Clinton that when you travel to other countries they ask you to try on traditional garb that you have been given as a gift," said Obama. "The notion that the Clinton campaign would be trying to circulate this as a negative on the same day that Senator Clinton was giving a speech about how we repair our relationships around the world is sad."

BARACK AND HILLARY TANGLE IN OHIO

and Texas. For Clinton, who absolutely must win to have any kind of chance at getting the Democratic presidential nomination, last night's debate isn't likely to help her cause, the consensus seems to say.

The two US Senators sparred over health care, the war in Iraq and trade, particularly the North American Free Trade Agreement which was negotiated in her husband's first term — but is seen by labor and other critics as a chief culprit in the loss of manufacturing jobs in Ohio and other industrial Midwestern states.


Both candidates have called for renegotiating parts of the trade pact, but in different terms.


It was their final debate before next Tuesday's contests, which also include races in Vermont and Rhode Island.


Clinton needs big wins after 11 successive Obama victories and after Obama's steady increase in gathering delegates. It seemed unlikely the debate at Cleveland State University would provide that lift.


Neither one seemed to knock the other off stride.


"I don't think the debate changes a lot. Both came across as strong in the ways they've always been seen as strong," said Wayne Fields, a professor at Washington University in St. Louis who studies political rhetoric. Neither one managed to seriously erode the other's credibility.

OBAMA SUPPORTERS FEAR FOR HIS SAFETY

The New York Times has brought to the forefront a concern that many supporters of Barack Obama are thinking about in hushed tones. Is security properly protecting the Illinois senator as he moves through the campaign?

The article points out several Americans who fear that the presidential hopeful is in constant danger of being fatally wounded. Jeff Zeleny writes: "In Colorado, two sisters say they pray daily for his safety. In New Mexico, a daughter says she persuaded her mother to still vote for Mr. Obama, even though the mother feared that winning would put him in danger. And at a rally here [in Dallas], a woman expressed worries that a message of hope and change, in addition to his race, made him more vulnerable to violence.

"I've got the best protection in the world," Obama told the paper, reprising a line he tells supporters who raise the issue with him. "So stop worrying."

But those who lived through the spring of 1968, when the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Robert F. Kennedy were assassinated in a span of two months, are a little more apprehensive about Obama's well being. Still, Obama says there's no need to worry. In fact, he rarely brings up the issue at all.

"It's not something that I'm spending time thinking about day to day," he said. "I made a decision to get into this race. I think anybody who decides to run for president recognizes that there are some risks involved, just like there are risks in anything."


Representative Bennie Thompson, Democrat of Mississippi and chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, wrote Secret Service officials in January to express concern over Obama's safety and to ensure that he and the other candidates were offered adequate security.

"The national and international profile of Senator Barack Obama gives rise to unique challenges that merit special concern," Thompson wrote, according to the Times. "As an African-American who was witness to some of this nation's most shameful days during the civil rights movement, I know personally that the hatred of some of our fellow citizens can lead to heinous acts of violence. We need only to look to the assassinations of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and 1968 presidential candidate Robert Kennedy as examples."


Obama has had Secret Service guarding his every move since May 3, the earliest a candidate has ever been provided protection. (He reluctantly gave in to the insistent urging of Senator Richard J. Durbin , Democrat of Illinois, and others in Congress.) As his rallies have swelled in size, his security has increased, coming close to rivaling that given to a sitting president.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 02.25.08

Nader jumps into presidential race.

Consumer advocate Ralph Nader says he's running for president again. This run would be Nader's fifth consecutive bid for the White House. Many Democrats fear that Nader could draw votes from whoever gets the party's nomination. That move could help the nearly-cemented Republican nominee John McCain win the White House in November.

Meanwhile, Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama traded sharp words over trade this weekend while campaigning in Ohio. The rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination have blamed trade agreements for the loss of manufacturing jobs. Clinton accused the Illinois senator of misrepresenting her record on the North American Free Trade Agreement. The New York Senator has said she's hesitant about NAFTA, blaming countries for shipping jobs overseas. But, Obama accused the New York Senator for supporting NAFTA when her husband was president.

The brother of former Cuban president Fidel Castro is the new president of the communist country. Raul Castro took to his post yesterday after running Cuba's military for at least 50 years. The news came five days after the 81-year-old elder announced his resignation, citing his critical health condition.

Classes are resuming today at Northern Illinois University where six students were killed nearly two weeks ago. But there won't be any meetings in Cole Hall this semester where a gunman burst in and shot five students before taking his own life. Officials haven't decided what to do about the building yet. Since the incident, memorial services have been held to honor the slain and the 16 others who were wounded.

NAACP INNER CIRCLE IN TURMOIL

There is reported infighting among high-ranking members of the nation's oldest civil rights organization and it's threatening to affect the process of selecting a new president and CEO, reports the Baltimore Sun.


The NAACP's national base in Baltimore has been mired in disagreements over CEO selection, the group's direction, and local chapters' funds, the newspaper reports.


Calling itself the "Leadership of Conscience," a group of about a dozen NAACP board members made their objections known last weekend at the board's annual meeting in New York. During board elections, the group waged an unsuccessful effort to unseat Chairman Julian Bond, the Sun reports.


"There is a significant coalition of opposition formed to push the NAACP forward and to reject the status quo," said J. Whyatt Mondesire of Philadelphia, who was elected to the board last year. "People want to change the agenda and be in the forefront of the civil rights struggle."


Bond contends that board members approved the very selection process to which some now object.


"Of course it worries me if a single member of the board feels that way, but I don't think it is a common feeling," said Bond, 68, the veteran civil rights activist and former Georgia state senator who has been chairman since 1998.


The NAACP continues to reel from the sudden resignation last March of President Bruce S. Gordon after 19 months at the helm. Board members selected the former Verizon executive hoping for a fresh approach and that his corporate connections would boost fundraising. But Gordon and the 64-member board that hired him clashed over philosophy and civil rights strategy.

A POSSIBLE (BIG) PROBLEM FOR OBAMA

We're sure Barack Obama is saying thanks but NO thanks to Louis Farrakhan. That's because the Nation of Islam leader said Sunday that the presidential candidate is the "hope of the entire world" that the U.S. will change for the better.

Farrakhan, 74, who spoke to an estimated crowd of 20,000 people at the annual Saviours' Day celebration, never outrightly endorsed Obama but spent most of the nearly two-hour speech praising the Illinois senator.


The appearance was Farrakhan's first major public address since his cancer crisis.


"This young man is the hope of the entire world that America will change and be made better," he said. "This young man is capturing audiences of black and brown and red and yellow. If you look at Barack Obama's audiences and look at the effect of his words, those people are being transformed."

Farrakhan compared Obama to the religion's founder, Fard Muhammad, who also had a white mother and black father.


"A black man with a white mother became a savior to us," he told the crowd of mostly followers. "A black man with a white mother could turn out to be one who can lift America from her fall."


Farrakhan also leveled small jabs at Hillary Rodham Clinton, Obama's rival for the Democratic nomination, suggesting that she represents the politics of the past and has been engaging in dirty politics.


Meanwhile, Obama's camp was quick to respond. Campaign spokesman Bill Burton told the Associated Press:


"Sen. Obama has been clear in his objections to Minister Farrakhan's past pronouncements and has not solicited the minister's support."


Critics and haters of Obama have been trying to link him with Farrakhan and anything that appear Muslim. This could be just the ticket.


Farrakhan has drawn attention for calling Judaism a "gutter religion" and suggesting crack cocaine might have been a CIA plot to enslave blacks.


In recent years, however, officials with the Nation of Islam have promoted unity and tolerance among religions. Farrakhan now often quotes the texts of other religions, such as the Bible, in his speeches.


Farrakhan's keynote address at McCormick Place, the city's convention center, wrapped up three days of events geared at unifying followers and targeting youth.


UPDATE ... In the wake of his statements Sunday, NOI leader, Louis Farrakhan has issued the following press release


"The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan speaking today in his annual Nation of Islam Saviours' Day address commented extensively on the U.S. presidential race, which included remarks specifically concerning the candidacy of Democratic hopeful Sen. Barack Obama. Min. Farrakhan spoke to an estimated 20,000 people at McCormick Place Convention Center.


Although the Minister did speak complimentary of Sen. Obama, he said he would not tell any one of his followers how to cast their vote, but he did say they should vote "their own self-interest."


Min. Farrakhan went on to say that the litmus test concerning himself given to Sen. Obama should also be given to Sen. Hillary Clinton and other presidential candidates.


The Minister said he did not want the 'mischief makers' to use his words to try to hurt Mr. Obama or himself.


Min. Farrakhan is expected to accept invitations that he has received to talk to certain members of the press in the near future."

STATE OF THE BLACK UNION 2008

By Kam Williams

Senator Barack Obama opted to remain on the campaign trail in Ohio rather than accept an invite to address the convention of African-American intellectuals who had gathered to participate in the 9th Annual State of the Black Union.

Curiously, despite the fact that Senator Hillary Clinton did attend, Obama had enough advocates on hand to counterbalance any potential blowback generated by his conspicuous absence.


In fact, some of the speakers opted to lobby openly on his behalf, such as Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. who warned the audience not to “miss this moment,” which he euphorically referred to as “Obamarama!”


The event was staged in New Orleans at the Convention Center, the site where Hurricane Katrina refugees were stranded without food, water or any essential services for days on end.


Mayor Ray Nagin was on the dais during the morning session, alongside such luminaries as Reverend Jackson, Congresswomen Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Memphis high school student Darrin Keith Boyce, Bush administration rep and EEOC Chairman Naomi Churchill, Former Congressman Cleo Fields (D-LA), New Orleans Pastor Melvin Jones, Professor Michael Eric Dyson, Xavier University President Dr. Norman Francis and PolicyLink’s Angela Glover Blackwell.


The afternoon portion of the program featured Princeton University Professors Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Eddie Glaude, comedian Dick Gregory, Democratic National Committee member Donna Brazile, Florida State University Professor Na’im Akbar, Morehouse College President Robert Franklin, former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX), Dillard University student Stephanie Woodward, Katrina Survivor Herreast Harrison and TransAfrica Forum Executive Director Nicole Lee.


Besides Obama generally getting a pass, Mayor Nagin seemed to be treated with kid gloves, too, in light of the ostensible gentrification of what he once promised would remain a “Chocolate City.” Dick Gregory vehemently defended Ray’s embrace of the controversial nickname, pointing out that nobody ever complained when New Orleans was called “Sin City,” yet everybody unfairly got bent out of shape over the relatively benign sobriquet “Chocolate City.”


In fact, Mr. Gregory enjoyed the most memorable moments, primarily because he repeatedly went for the joke, this in sharp contrast to his colleagues who were soberly focusing on the social, political and economic concerns of the black community.


As for Hillary, she appeared onstage alone with host Tavis Smiley at the very end of a very long day. However, her brief comments amounted to an anti-climatic uphill battle, because she had to follow a long line of inspirational speakers who had long since whipped the probably already pro-Obama crowd into a frenzy over her opponent. More a Barack pep rally than a critical assessment of African-American issues.


The State of the Black Union? Impatiently anticipating the arrival of the Black Messiah.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 02.22.08

Clinton attacks Obama for plagiarizing.

Senator Hillary Clinton questioned her rival Barack Obama's readiness to become commander-in-chief at last night's Democratic presidential debate in Texas. She criticized the Illinois senator for borrowing rhetoric for his campaign speeches and said he had a weak resume. Obama responded, calling her accusations "silly season" politics. Texas will hold its primary on March 4. Analysts say Clinton must win in that state in order to stay in the race.

But Clinton ended the debate much differently than she began. The emotional New York Senator made reference to her past political battles when her husband was in the White House. She said she had lived through some challenging moments in her life, but they're nothing compared to what goes on everyday in the lives of others across the country. Clinton added saying whatever happens, we're going to be fine.

Serb protestors who are enraged by Kosovo's independence attacked U.N. police in northern Kosovo today with stones, glass bottles and firecrackers. The police were guarding a key bridge in the divided city of Mitrovica (Mee-tro-veet-suh). This comes one day after demonstrators attacked the U.S. embassy in the capital of Belgrade. Protests have occurred ever since Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leaders declared independence from Serbia on Sunday. The U.S., Britain, France and Germany have formally recognized Kosovo.

A 28-mile virtual fence designed for the U.S.-Mexican border has been ok'd by the government. The fence will use radars and surveillance cameras to try to catch people entering the country illegally. The cameras are powerful enough to distinguish group sizes and see whether people are carrying backpacks that may contain weapons or drugs. Parts of the virtual fence have been constructed and are already working. More fences are expected to be built as early as this summer.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 02.21.08

McCain denies improper relationship with lobbyist.

Republican presidential hopeful John McCain is denying he gave special treatment to a lobbyist. Last night, the New York Times published an online piece that accuses the Arizona Senator of having a close relationship with a woman, Vicki Iseman, whose clients had business before his Senate Committee. McCain responded saying he had never done anything that would betray the public trust or make a decision that would favor a particular group. According to the paper, Iseman said she never received special treatment.

The Pentagon says it's confident that the Navy destroyed a toxic fuel tank of a dead spy satellite, eliminating a threat to people on Earth. That satellite hasn't worked properly since its launch two years ago, but has been orbiting with a full tank of toxic propellant. Without intervention, the satellite would have fallen to Earth by early March. Officials say the missile hit destroyed the satellite into small pieces of debris, which they say will burn up in the atmosphere over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will face off in a Democratic presidential debate this evening in Austin, Texas. It's the first time in three weeks that the two remaining Democratic White House hopefuls have debated. Since then, Obama has been on a winning streak, capturing 10 straight contests. That momentum has forced Clinton into a position where she must win contests in Texas and Ohio next month in order to stay in the race.

A famous piece of art that's a fixture in Washington, DC is moving to a new home. J. Seward Johnson's sculpture called "The Awakening" was disassembled yesterday at Haines Point where it sat for nearly 30 years. The five-piece, cast aluminum piece will take up residency at the National Harbor in Prince George's Country, Maryland. The statue, which had been on loan to the National Park Service, gives the impression of a bearded man rising from the ground.

HANK AARON SAYS BASEBALL WILL BOUNCE BACK

Baseball's former home run king "Hammerin'" Hank Aaron says he has no opinion on whether or not Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens deserve to be in the Hall of Fame, but he firmly believes that the sport will eventually move past the current Steroids Era.

"I think baseball is trying to clean up its act," Aaron said, sitting in the Atlanta Braves' dugout during batting practice Tuesday. "It's unfortunate for baseball, but baseball has been through some tough times. It went through the White Sox scandal and survived. It went through a lot of things and survived. It's going to survive this, too."

Aaron, in the ATL for Braves executive meetings, said he tuned in to watch Clemens testify before Congress last week and deny using human growth hormone as alleged by his former trainer. Aaron says it was good that the testimony took place before the regular season gets underway.

"I'm glad it happened, and I'm glad it happened before spring training, before the season started," Aaron said. "We can get it over and done with. You'll see. When the season starts, we'll again be drawing fans. People will come out to watch these kids play."

The former Braves slugger declined to say whether he found Clemens' testimony believable, taking the same tact he consistently followed when similar charges were leveled against Barry Bonds, the guy who broke the Hammer's home run record last season.

"Only Roger can answer to that," Aaron said. "I can't answer to that. I can't say what happened."

NBC SCOLDS STAFFER BEHIND OBAMA/OSAMA GAFFE

Heads didn't necessarily roll at MSNBC after video of terrorist Osama bin Laden mistakenly accompanied copy about Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. However, the head responsible for the mistake was slapped on the wrist.

Without naming names, NBC News announced Tuesday that it has reprimanded the employee responsible for the mixup, which took place as Matthews was previewing a story on the controversy over Obama's use of another politician's words. A picture of bin Laden briefly flashed on the screen with the headline "Words About Words."

"This mistake was inexcusable," MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines said.


The Obama campaign immediately called NBC to complain, prompting Matthews to issue an on-air apology minutes later. When "Hardball" was rerun later that night, a picture of Obama replaced the picture of the terrorist leader.

Someone in the network's graphics department was responsible for the mistake, but MSNBC will not release the person's name, nor would the network explain exactly how the mistake was made. The exact nature of the employee's "reprimand" was also kept under wraps.

Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor noted the apology and said the campaign had no other comment.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 02.20.08

Obama's momentum grows after two state wins.

Senator Barack Obama is surging ahead in the Democractic presidential race after winning contests in Wisconsin and Hawaii yesterday. Those wins have solidified Obama's lead over rival Senator Hillary Clinton. That makes the contests in Texas and Ohio next month must-win battles for the New York Senator. On the Republican side, John McCain widened his lead yesterday in the GOP race for the presidential nomination. The Arizona senator won victories in Wisconsin and Washington State as expected.

White House hopefuls on both sides are taking a stance on Cuba following President Fidel Castro's resignation yesterday. Democratic Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton say the U.S. should be ready to respond to reforms in that country if the new regime indicates a willingness to change. Castro's brother Raul, who's expected to take over, has raised expectations for modest reforms. But Republicans are insisting that significant benchmarks be met before there's any response from the U.S.

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf says he intends to stay in office and work with the newly elected government. That's despite calls by the opposition to step down. The Pakistan People's Party of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto won most national assembly seats. The party affiliated with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif came in second. If those two big opposition parties form a coalition and grab the support of smaller groups and independents, they could gain the two-thirds majority needed to impeach Musharraf.

Space Shuttle Atlantis and its crew are back on the ground. The shuttles touched down earlier today after a 13-day journey to deliver a new European space station lab. NASA wanted Atlantis to return as soon as possible to clear the way for the Navy to shoot down a dying space satellite. That could happen as early as tomorrow.

CHURCH PUSHES SEX TASK FOR MEMBERS

The Gospel News Wire reports that in Ybor City, Florida, three year-old Relevant Church offered a unique challenge to its members: "30 straight days of sex or no sex at all." They call it the "30-Day Sex Challenge."

Married couples are expected to have sex at last once a day, every day, for a month. Single people are to abstain from any sexual activity for the same period.

Head pastor Paul Wirth, 39, delivered the challenge to the married couples, citing the statistics that show about half of all marriages end in divorce.

"We wanted to be able to help couples both married and single to really refocus their sex lives around what God's principles are," says Pastor Wirth.

Wirth says he came up with the idea because so many people have told him they have "no time for sex."

Participants are invited to share their thoughts about the challenge on the church's web site, www.30daysexchallenge.com.

BUSH BUDGET PLAN CUTS HBCU FUNDING

President Bush's 2009 education budget proposal would slash $85 million in funds earmarked for historically black colleges and universities, reports Amanda Lehmert of North Carolina-based news-record.com.

The budget proposal essentially cancels an increase for those schools provided by the 2007 College Cost Reduction Act in September. That was the first increase in funding the Department of Education's Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities program has received since 2005.


Higher education leaders said they will wait out the legislative process to see how the schools fare once the budget moves through the Democrat-controlled Congress. They wonder what the cut could mean for the grant program's future.

"The HBCU community, it's safe to say, they would be disappointed but not necessarily surprised," said Edith Bartley, director of government affairs at the United Negro College Fund.


The $238 million grant program provides funding to 96 federally recognized schools that have historically served black students. The money is allocated based on a school's amount of recent graduates, the number of low-income students and how many students go on to graduate programs. The federal funds may be used to for campus facilities, improve academics or enhance a school's endowment.

HE DID IT AGAIN

In spite of the flack he's getting from critics about plagiarizing his "Words" speech from his friend and Massachusetts Governor, Deval Patrick, Barack Obama was won yet again in Wisconsin and Hawaii.

Obama's broad-based victory in Wisconsin's Democratic presidential primary Tuesday shows he's attracting a widening coalition to his candidacy.

Of course his support base of the well-educated, the young and African-Americans were there for him, but he also showed he can appeal to white blue-collar workers.

The Illinois senator's extremely strong showing in Wisconsin is also important because it shows strength in a Midwestern state similar to Ohio, where along with Texas, his opponent, New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, is concentrating her resources for an all-out effort to stop Obama's momentum in the next series of primaries on March 4.

Meanwhile, in Hawaii's Democratic caucuses, with about half of the vote counted at EUR's press time, Hawaii born Obama led Clinton by more than a 3-1 margin.

On the Republican side - like Obama in Hawaii and in Wisconsin - Sen. John McCain also cruised to another win. And in his victory speech, it was obvious that he believes Obama will probably be his opponent in the big showdown.

"I will work hard to make sure Americans aren't deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change," said McCain.

But his dig at Obama didn't stop there. McCain also knocked his likely Democratic opponent by taking a shot at the "confused leadership of an inexperienced candidate." Of course the Obama camp quickly responded.

"John McCain's remarks tonight shows why he's offering nothing more than a third term of George Bush's policies -- more fear-mongering, more than a century of war in Iraq, and more budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthiest few at the expense of hardworking Americans," said Obama campaign spokesperson Bill Burton.

It's worth noting that Obama's strong showing in Wisconsin demonstrated to those who hold the balance of power as superdelegates to the Democratic convention that he can do well in a battleground state that Democrats must win to capture the White House. Keep in mind that in the last two presidential elections, Al Gore and John Kerry only won Wisconsin narrowly.

Here's a breakdown of how Obama did with voters in Wisconsin:

Women (51-49)
All age groups under 65
All education levels
All regions of the state -- urban, suburban and rural
Voters without college degrees (50-48)
Democrats (50-49)
Whites (53-46)
White men (59-38)
Voters who decided in the last week (58-42)

Won or tied voters of all income levels
Tied among white women
Tied among union members
Tied among union households

Obama shared news of his victory with an enthusiastic crowd of 18,000 at a rally in Houston.

"I am grateful to the people of Wisconsin for their friendship and their support and their extraordinary civic pride," Obama said. "The change we seek is still months and miles away and we need the good people of Texas to help us get there."

UPI VIDEO NEWS 02.19.08

Castro resigns as president.

Fidel Castro is reportedly stepping down as president of Cuba. That's according to a letter he published in a state-run newspaper. Castro says his critical health condition is the main reason for his resignation. The 81-year-old commander in chief was treated for intestinal problems two years ago. Cuban leaders plan to elect a president in the next few days. Castro's brother, Raul, has been publicly named as his successor.

Early poll results indicate the rival party of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has won in yesterday's parliamentary election. The opposition parties of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appear to have grabbed the majority of votes. As results trickled in, thousands of ecstatic Pakistanis took to the streets, waving signs and singing. Musharraf has said he would accept the results and work with the winner to build democracy in the country.

Senator John McCain got a President's Day endorsement from former President George Bush. Bush defended the Arizona senator's conservative positions, calling any attacks on his record absurd and grossly unfair. Many conservatives oppose McCain's stance on issues like immigration and campaign finance. McCain responded to the former president's backing, saying his endorsement would help him enormously to unite the party and move forward.

For many yesterday, it was just a day off from work. But for others, it was a day to celebrate George Washington's birthday. Mount Vernon, which is home to Washington's estate, held a number of events, including tours and a wreath-laying ceremony to honor America's first president. Washington would have been 276 years old.

BREAKING DOWN THE ECONOMIC STIMULUS PROGRAM

Congress has passed and President Bush has signed into law the much discussed $168 billion economic stimulus package designed to prevent the nation from falling into a job-destroying recession.

Here is what that package will most likely mean for the average citizen.

First, you will need to have filed your 2007 income tax return. If you file by April, you will be looking at a tax rebate check from the government ranging between $300 and $1,200.

However, if you earned more than $75,000 last year as an individual or $150,000 as a couple, your tax rebate will be smaller - roughly $50 smaller for every $1,000 you earned above the $75,000 and $150,000 thresholds.

Meanwhile, the government will probably start distributing those rebate checks to the public around July. However, if you are low-income or a senior citizen, you could receive your rebate check as soon as May.

More specifically, most taxpayers can expect to receive a rebate check of close to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for couples. In addition, you can also expect an additional $300 for each child. The stimulus package is designed to stimulate spending and thus keep businesses humming and people employed. Will it work? Some economists doubt it. Several polls show a majority of taxpayers intending to save (not spend) the rebates. Others have indicated they plan to pay down debts and not undertake new spending.

OBAMA UPDATE

Reports out of New York City say Illinois Senator Barack Obama's primary night results were greatly undercounted in several areas ... in some cases leaving him with zero votes when, in fact, he had pulled in hundreds, said the Board of Elections.

Unofficial primary results gave Obama no votes in nearly 80 districts, including Harlem's 94th and other historically black areas - but many of those initial tallies proved to be wildly off the mark, the board said.


Because of recounts, in some districts, Obama may end up in a tie or even defeating Hillary Clinton, the Democratic senator from New York.


"Outrageous" is what Brooklyn City Councilman Charles Barron called the understated figures


"I think this is an all-out effort to stop a campaign that is about to make history and render America's first black president," he said. "We need some kind of independent or federal agency to investigate this."


In other Obama news, the Democratic presidential candidate met in secret with John Edwards on Sunday. The meeting was confirmed by his campaign managers, but wouldn't say if won an endorsement.


Edwards dropped out of the presidential race after failing to win any of the earlier state races. Both Obama & Clinton are actively seeking his support because of his appeal to working-class Democrats who are heavily represented in Ohio's primary and Pennsylvania's April 22 contest.


Finally, it appears that Obama's winning ways are causing Bill Clinton to come apart at the seams. He's starting to lose his cool - in public - more and more. The latest case was in Canton, Ohio when the former US President got in the face of Robert Holeman an Obama supporter.


"I think he even hit me in the face with his hand," Holeman said. "He did give me a little pop. It was okay, because I understand his tenacity for his wife."


Some staffers from the Clinton camp expressed to reporters that Holeman was an Obama plant, however that was categorically denied by the Obama spokesperson Ben LaBolt. Also, a spokesperson for President Clinton who was near the confrontation, said there was no physical contact.

ELECTION ANALYSIS: 'Super Delegates' positioned to decide Democratic presidential race.

The way the race for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination is shaping up, a select group of less than 1,000 people could determine whether the party's presidential nominee is Illinois Senator Barack Obama or New York Senator Hillary Clinton.

This select group is composed of the party's so-called super delegates - lawmakers and party officials who can vote for anyone they choose regardless of the outcomes in their state primary or caucus.

The magic number of delegates needed to win the Democratic presidential nomination is 2,025. Currently, Obama leads Clinton by roughly 100 delegates.

However, if the latest polls are to be believed, Clinton is expected to win in the delegate rich states of Texas and Ohio on March 4th. If she does, she will draw even or pull ahead of Obama and throw the race into a virtual dead heat with the two expected to split the remaining states relatively evenly.

Thus, by the time the Democratic Party convention rounds around in August, it will be the super delegates who will be in the position to determine the winner. Currently, both Obama and Clinton are vigorously courting the super delegates. Both former President Bill Clinton and his daughter Chelsea have been on the phones for Mrs. Clinton. But Obama supporters have not been shy about calling the super delegates either.

Currently, Clinton is thought to be leading among the super delegates but Obama has been gaining support and few are prepared to predict how the votes will flow in August.

IN OTHER SUPER DELEGATE NEWS ...

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) refused to say Saturday if he plans to vote for Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination at the party's national convention in August.

Lewis turned a lot of heads on Thursday when he apparently told a New York Times reporter that he would cast his ballot at the convention for Obama, rather than Hillary Clinton, whom he has endorsed.

On Friday it was a different story as Lewis' office told the AJC that the Times' story was "inaccurate," but refused to give any other details and has not responded to requests for clarification.

Jeff Zeleny, the reporter for the Times who wrote the original story, told the Atlanta paper that Lewis was clear in his support for Obama.

BLACKS, HISPANICS HIT HARDEST BY DIGITAL TV SWITCH

If TV's big switch from analog to digital broadcasts were to happen today instead of the scheduled Feb. 17, 2009, a large percentage of African-American and Hispanic households would be left in the dark, according to a new report released Friday by Nielsen research.


According to the study, 13 million households would be without any service, and another 6 million households would have at least one set that would not be able to receive digital signals.

The report suggested that African-American and Hispanic households are the least prepared for the switch -- with 17.3 percent of Hispanic households unable to receive digital signals on any set in their homes.

Affected households can get a digital converter box, buy a new television or sign up for cable or satellite service or one of the newer cable-like services being offered by phone companies.


Most U.S. TV stations already broadcast digital signals as well as analog. What's happening a year from Sunday is they'll switch off the analog signals. No one with cable or satellite service will be affected, nor will anyone who gets stations over the air with a newer TV with a digital tuner.

Those who will be affected are the 13 million or so households that get TV broadcasts exclusively over the air and have a TV more than a few years old — or even a newer TV that's relatively small. Also affected are TVs not connected to cable, even if a home has cable.


A government program said Friday that it will begin sending out coupons tomorrow (Feb. 19) worth $40 each to any U.S. household that requests them to subsidize buying a box. Each household is entitled to two coupons for the boxes, which are just coming into stores now, start at $40 or $50, making this option easy and practically free. The government says it has funds for 33 million coupons. To get one, go to http://www.dtv2009.gov or call 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009).

UPI VIDEO NEWS 02.15.08

Shooting leaves seven dead at Illinois university.

Seven people are dead following a shooting rampage at Northern Illinois University yesterday. More than a dozen others are wounded. The alleged gunman, Steven Kazmierczak, opened fire on a geology class before turning the gun on himself. Kazmierczak was reportedly a former graduate and undergraduate student at the university. A preliminary investigation shows the man had no contact with university police while he was a student there.

Former President George H.W. Bush will endorse John McCain in his bid for the Oval Office. This comes just one day after former Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney endorsed the Arizona senator. McCain will most likely travel to Texas next week to accept Bush's nod. The endorsement is reportedly aimed especially at Texas where voters will weigh in next month.

The House has failed to renew a surveillance measure that President Bush says is vital to tracking terrorists. The Senate approved the measure earlier this week, but it's set to expire Saturday at midnight without the House's vote. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi refused to schedule a vote on the legislation before breaking yesterday for a week's recess. The bill would give government the ability to work with telecommunications companies to eavesdrop on suspected terrorists calls and emails. Under the legislation, those companies would receive retroactive protection from lawsuits over wiretapping and privacy. Many House Democrats oppose that immunity.

However, the House did vote to issue contempt citations to two Bush aides. White House chief of staff Josh Bolten and former White House lawyer Harriet Miers refused to cooperate in an investigation into the controversial firings of those U.S. attorneys, citing President Bush's executive privilege. Bush has invoked the privilege that protects all former and current White House officials from testifying about this issue. The contempt citations were the first approved by Congress against the executive branch since the Reagan administration.

UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 02.15.08

"The Great Debaters" wins big at NAACP Awards.

"The Great Debaters" took top honors at last night's NAACP Image Awards. The film, starring and directed by Denzel Washington grabbed four awards including best motion picture. Washington scored best actor and his co-star Jurnee Smolett took best actress. Denzel Whitaker was honored with best supporting actor. But it was Janet Jackson who took best supporting actress for " Why Did I Get Married."

In TV, Tyler Perry's "House of Paine" took the trophy for best comedy and "Grey's Anatomy" won best drama. "Ugly Betty" stars also did well with America Ferrera taking best actress in a comedy and Vanessa Williams winning best supporting actress. And in the music category, Alicia Keys won best female artist and former "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks took best new artist. Special honors also went to Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and actress Rubie Dee.

Britney Spears' family is holding onto control of her finances for now. A Los Angeles court reportedly extended her father's role as co-conservator yesterday...that means he'll share control with an attorney over her estimated 100 million dollar fortune. Her brother Bryan has also been ordered to monitor her day to day spending, including her food, medicine and psychiatric treatment.

Beyonce's Dad is firing back at Aretha Franklin following her comments about his daughter. Matthew Knowles called Franklin's remarks at the Grammy's "ridiculous." Franklin was reportedly upset that Beyonce referred to Tina Turner as the queen during the pairs' performance at the awards ceremony. Franklin has long been referred to as The Queen of Soul.

Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher has tied the knot. The singer reportedly married his longtime girlfriend singer Nicole Appleton on Thursday. It was apparently a secret wedding. There's no word on any of the details. The pair have been together 8 years and have a six year old son named Gene.

TAVIS ACCUSED OF BARACK-BASHING

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama turned down an invitation from Tavis Smiley to attend his "State of the Black Union 2008" conference on Feb. 23 in New Orleans – and all hell has broken loose.


The controversy was been played yesterday across black radio, with Smiley's regular appearance on "The Tom Joyner Morning Show" directly addressing the situation.

It all started when Sen. Obama sent a letter to Smiley explaining that his hectic campaign schedule in advance of critical primaries in the coming weeks will not allow him to make the annual conference, but Michelle Obama would attend in his place.


Smiley wasn't having that.

"I believe this is a critical miscalculation and a missed opportunity," Smiley reiterated Thursday on "The Tom Joyner Morning Show."

Furthermore, Smiley says he was never contacted by the Obama camp with an offer to send Michelle Obama to the conference.


"It never happened," Smiley said. "No letter, no fax, no e-mail, no phone call, no document whatsoever to my office ever regarding Michelle Obama. She was never offered, it was never discussed."


Smiley said he would've respectfully declined the Michelle Obama offer anyway.

"Just as we would have declined had Hillary Clinton offered Bill Clinton, had John McCain offered Cindy McCain, had Mike Huckabee suggested Janet Huckabee," Smiley said.


Meanwhile, Michelle Obama appeared on the "Michael Baisden Show" to address Smiley's comments and explain her husband's decision to remain on the campaign trail.


"We believe in what Tavis has been doing and are obviously supportive, but as people know, we're at a critical juncture in this bid for Barack to become the next President of the United States. He's in a position that no one could've ever anticipated. But it's not over, and every single vote and every delegate is going to count. That's why Barack has made the decision to spend every minute that he has trying to reach voters who don't know him in states that have still remaining primaries."


As for Smiley's decision to turn down Michelle Obama's offer to stand in for her husband at the conference, she says: "All I can do is respect his decision not to accept my participation, but I think that Barack can do far more in moving the principals of the covenant forward by becoming the next President of the United States."


Out of all the presidential candidates, including Republicans Sen. John McCain and Mike Huckabee, only Sen. Hillary Clinton has accepted Smiley's invitation to appear.