The 100th Day Threat to Voting Rights

While the press was reviewing President Obama’s scorecard and Senate Democrats were welcoming Arlen Specter, the Supreme Court was weighing scaling back voter protections. Here’s why the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is in serious jeopardy.

By: Sherrilyn A. Ifill

On the 100th day of the first term of the first black president of the United States, lawyers for a small utility district in Travis County, Texas, walked up the steps of the Supreme Court Building to ask the nine justices of the court to dismantle a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Ironies abound.

Without the Voting Rights Act, there would be no President Obama. When it was passed, the Voting Rights Act, known as “the crown jewel of the civil rights movement,” began the process of fully realizing the promise of the 15th Amendment of the Constitution, which in 1870 extended the right to vote to African Americans, or at least to African-American men. In the years between 1870 and 1965, however, the vast majority of blacks were largely disenfranchised by Southern legislators and jurisdictions that used intimidation, arcane registration practices, gerrymandering, poll taxes and violence to keep the black population from exercising the franchise. The Voting Rights Act was a result of the literal blood, sweat and tears of civil rights activists, among them Medgar Evers; Fannie Lou Hamer; Andrew Goodman, James Cheney and Michael Schwerner; and a young John Lewis, who nearly lost his life on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., in 1965.

The enactment and enforcement of the Voting Rights Act ensured the enfranchisement of black voters across the South and, over the years, made possible the election of over 10,000 black officials at every level of public office, from school boards to Congress, including Lewis. Over the past 40 years, black elected officials have become an integral part of the political landscape of the country. Consequently, white voters have become accustomed to the experience of black political leadership, and black voters have been organized and mobilized at unprecedented levels. These key developments laid the groundwork for the impressive, if unsuccessful, runs of Jesse Jackson for president in the 1980s and the ultimately successful candidacy of Barack Obama last year.

The 100th Day Threat to Voting Rights....

4/18/09: Your Weekly Address

With the process of going through the budget line by line in full swing, the President uses his Weekly Address to give some examples, big and small, of how the Administration is working to cut costs and eliminate waste. The President also announces two new key appointments, Jeffrey Zients as Chief Performance Officer and Aneesh Chopra as Chief Technology Officer, who will be invaluable in streamlining the way government functions through efficiency and innovation.

NAACP President: US Minorities Still Suffer

In a meeting with the Associated Press, NAACP President Benjamin Jealous says, despite the election of President Barack Obama, there is still a lot of work to be done to help minorities in the United States.

Obama Turns To Building a Presidency

By: TERENCE HUNT

WASHINGTON His storied election behind him and weighty problems in his face, Barack Obama turned Wednesday to the task of building an administration in times of crisis as Americans and the world absorbed his history-shattering achievement as the first black leader ascending to the presidency.

Obama enjoyed an everyman day-after in his hometown of Chicago on Wednesday after an electric night of celebration, anchored by his victory rally of 125,000 in Chicago and joyful outpourings of his supporters across the country. The president-elect saw his two young daughters off to school, a simple pleasure he's missed during nearly two years of virtually nonstop travel, then had a gym workout.

Pressing business came at him fast, with just 76 days until his inauguration as the 44th president.

Obama Turns To Building a Presidency....

Barack Obama Makes History, Becomes Nation’s First Black President

By: Michael H. Cottman and Deborah Douglas

CHICAGO – Tears rolled from the faces of black people in Grant Park Tuesday and grown men succumbed to pent-up emotion as America made history by electing Barack Obama as the first black president of the United States.

In a profound and defining moment in American history, black people waved American flags and shouted “We Have Overcome,” in what will certainly begin a debate about race in America and the sudden shift in racial politics.

Once a nation that once embraced slavery, nearly 50 years after the civil rights movement, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and the Montgomery bus boycott, Obama, a black lawyer from Illinois, combined a high-tech campaign with a sophisticated, unprecedented grass-roots movement and mobilized a multicultural electorate to defeat Republican John McCain and win the White House, becoming America’s 44th president.

For many, Obama is an immediate symbol of hope for African-Americans who have suffered under what many feel was an insensitive Bush administration. For others, Obama’s words to black fathers about participating in the lives of their children could serve to uplift black communities from coast to coast.

And for some, the strength of Obama’s character may motivate more African-American men and women to run for public office in local, state and national elections. Obama is a former community activist from humble beginnings who has a vision to inspire a nation of civic activists.

An odyssey that began 20 months ago on a cold day in Springfield, Illinois and included a contentious primary battle with New York Sen. Hillary Clinton culminated Tuesday in an emotion-filled evening during which Obama, 47, outlined his vision for the country.

Barack Obama Makes History, Becomes Nation’s First Black President....

Commentary: Is Barack Obama Tough Enough to Be President?

By: Gregory P. Kane

Is Barack Obama, the junior senator from Illinois and likely the next president of the United States, tough enough for the job?

Obama may be too darned nice to be president. Do you have to be a raging S.O.B. to be president? Well, no, but it sure does help.

President Lyndon Johnson -- whom Obama never mentioned in his acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination -- was one mean S.O.B. when he was in the White House. But, with some help from people like Clarence Mitchell Jr. of the NAACP, Johnson was able to get the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act through Congress, over the opposition of many of his fellow Southern Democrats.

Johnson also crammed through Congress much of his “Great Society,” anti-poverty legislation that led to programs like Head Start, Upward Bound and the Job Corps. His predecessor, President Kennedy -- whom Obama mentioned quite a bit in his acceptance speech -- wasn’t the mean S.O.B. Johnson was. Kennedy couldn’t get the civil rights legislation passed. He let Southern Democrats intimidate him so much that when whites rioted in Oxford, Miss., in 1962 to keep James Meredith out of the University of Mississippi, Kennedy actually desegregated an integrated U.S. Army military police battalion to appease the racists. Through his brother, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, President Kennedy ordered battalion commanders to leave their black troops home.

You can look that up.

COMMENTARY....

Are You Experienced?

By Alan Ehrenhalt

We are in the opening days of a presidential campaign that pits youth against age, the virtues of experience against the freshness and riskiness of the new arrival.

I'm not here to refute all of that: John McCain is 25 years older than Barack Obama, and he always will be. But here's something I bet you didn't know: If Obama becomes president, he will have spent more time serving as a state legislator (eight years) than anyone who has occupied the White House since Abraham Lincoln.

You're thinking that's kind of irrelevant. John McCain has been a member of the U.S. Senate since 1986; do I really mean to suggest that Obama's eight years in the Illinois Senate (not the most august deliberative body, as anyone who has seen it will attest) provide the same preparation for the presidency? Well, not exactly. But looking back on quite a few years covering Congress, and an almost equal number of years following legislatures, I'm drawn to some slightly curmudgeonly comments about what it is that U.S. senators do, and what it is that state legislators do.

Twenty-first century U.S. senators are, virtually by the nature of the job, gadflies. They flit from one issue to another, generally developing little expertise on any of them; devote a large portion of their day to press conferences and other publicity opportunities; follow a daily schedule printed on a 3x5 card that a member of their staff has prepared; depend even more heavily on staff for detailed and time-consuming legislative negotiation that they are too busy to attend; and develop few close relationships with colleagues, nearly all of whom are as busy as they are. There are exceptions, of course—senators who beat the odds and develop an encyclopedic knowledge of topics that interest them—but they are the minority. I don't doubt McCain's instinct for global strategy, but a few months ago, when he had to be corrected on his statement that Iran was training Al Qaeda operatives, I wasn't surprised at all. I'm surprised this doesn't happen to senators more often.

Are You Experienced?....

Hillary Clinton's Concession Speech

Barack Obama Goes on Fox News Sunday

Barack Obama on Fox News Sunday, April 27, 2008

UPI VIDEO NEWS 01.25.08

Egpyt closes off parts of border to Gaza.

Egypt is now sealing off parts of its border with Gaza. That's after tens of thousands of Palestinians have crossed back and forth with little interference for the past two days. Earlier this week, Palestinians breached a border crossing, allowing them to get supplies since Israel sealed its border with Gaza a week ago. Egyptian soldiers in riot gear formed a human chain today while other soldiers rolled out barbed wire. The U.S. and Israel have been pressuring the country to close open border areas because they're worried that terrorists with weapons could travel undetected from Egypt into the Palestinian territory.

Washington leaders have agreed on a stimulus plan to give American taxpayers rebates of $600 or more, but people may not see that money for a while. Government officials say it could be May or June before Americans get any real cash. That's because the IRS has to cut the checks, and the agency is now in the middle of the '07 tax-filing season. However, nothing can get started until the bill is passed by the House and Senate. Congressional leaders say they hope to have legislation on the President's desk by the middle of next month.

Democrat Dennis Kucinich is reportedly dropping out of the presidential race. The congressman from Cleveland told a newspaper yesterday that he would make his withdrawal announcement today. The 61 year old has been an outspoken Iraq war critic who's consistently voted against funding the war and led anti-war efforts in Congress. Kucinich has said he won't endorse another candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.

An explosion in Beirut today has killed four people, including Lebanon's top anti-terror investigating officer. The attack, which wounded 38 others, happened in a Christian neighborhood northeast of the capital. Violence has escalated in Lebanon as pro and anti-Syrian lawmakers in parliament are locked in a battle to elect a president. The country has been without a leader since November when pro-Syrian Emile Lahoud (a-meel la-hood) stepped down at the end of his term.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 01.23.08

Palestinians breach wall, flood into Egypt

Tens of thousands of people from Gaza are reaching food and fuel in Egypt after militants destroyed a border wall earlier today. Last week, Israel closed all border crossings with Gaza to punish Hamas for days of rocket attacks on the southern part of the country. Since then, food and other necessities in Gaza have been in short supply and residents there have struggled with major power cuts. Egyptian guards reportedly didn't intervene as scores of people washed over the fences.

Former Senator Fred Thompson is abandoning his bid for the White House. His decision follows a disappointing third-place finish in South Carolina's GOP primary last Saturday. Thompson entered the race in September, long after his Republican rivals had announced their candidacies and began raising money. Analysts say the late entry may have hurt the former "Law and Order" actor.

And yesterday's rate cut by the Fed is giving borrowers immediate relief. Analysts say the average borrower could save hundreds of dollars in just a few months. The nation's 75 million homeowners are reportedly likely to feel the most significant and immediate benefits. But the rate cut could hurt those who save. Rates on money market accounts and certificates of deposits have been dropping in recent weeks.

President Bush says that common ground can be reached on an economic stimulus package. Last week, Bush proposed a temporary, broad-based tax relief package aimed at spurring the nation's slowing economy. That package would infuse about $140 billion into the economy. The Democratic congressional leadership has vowed to pass a stimulus bill quickly. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says their hope is to have something on the President's desk before President's Day, which is Feb. 18.

WHY IS OBAMA HAVING DIFFICULTY CONNECTING WITH BLACK FEMALE VOTERS?

One of the most surprising developments of the current campaigns to be elected president in 2008, has been the apparent inability of Illinois Senator Barack Obama to sway a majority of Black female voters to his effort to become the first Black president in American history.

A superficial analysis would suggest that Black women would be the most natural base of support for Obama.

However, if national polls represent a true depiction of reality, Obama has failed to convince Black women that he should be president.

A series of polls support this fact, but the most detailed was released last month by the Washington Post and ABC News.

It showed Black women supporting New York Senator Hillary Clinton over Obama by 52 percent to 35 percent. Meanwhile, Black men were evenly divided between Clinton and Obama (44 percent for each one). A CBC News poll came up with similar results.

The Black female support for Clinton has been labeled by some analysts "the sista factor" suggesting that Black women are more interested in seeing a woman elected president than another man - even if the man happens to be African American.

Democratic Party strategist Donna Brazille (a Black woman) echoed this view when she was recently quoted as saying, "Most Black women simply believe Clinton can win. They loved her husband Bill and would like to see a woman elected first."

[Taylor Media Services, a Black news gathering organization, is collecting views on this topic. Interested persons can share their thoughts via email TaylorMediaPrime@yahoo.com or by leaving a brief message at 202-657-8872.]

What Oprah Can't and Shouldn't Do For Obama.

THE HUTCHINSON REORT



Oprah can't help Barack Obama nail Hillary Clinton in Iowa, New Hampshire, or even South Carolina.

The throng of Oprah groupies that pitched camp in front of the Obama campaign headquarters in Columbia, South Carolina to get free tickets to her and Obama's appearance at the Colonial Center in that city were there to ogle, and if they are lucky, touch the garments of America’s favorite TV earth mother at the auditorium.

But after the ogling and touching Oprah, it doesn’t mean they’ll vote for Obama. A Pew Research Center poll after a big Oprah fundraising bash in September found that by a crushing margin respondents said that Oprah’s tout of Obama won’t sway them the least bit.

And it shouldn’t, at least not because, Oprah says so. Despite all the talk about Oprah being a transcendental force that supersedes mere celebrity mortals she’s still just that, a celebrity. The thousands that clawed for tickets to rub shoulders with her at her Obama pep rally in Columbia, South Carolina were there precisely because of her star power and the insatiable celebrity mania that grips far to many star struck Americans.

Yet, celebrities fail miserably every time to do much for their political picks. Willie Nelson, Madonna, Jon Bovi, Martin Sheen, and in reverse, George Clooney are big money celebrities and virtual household names. They all endorsed Democratic presidential candidates in 2004. Nelson endorsed Dennis Kucinich. Bon Jovi endorsed John Kerry. Sheen endorsed Howard Dean. Madonna backed Wesley Clark. One of their picks went down to flaming defeat. The other three never came close to getting the Democratic presidential nomination.

As for Clooney, he publicly declared that he hoped that his non-endorsement of Kerry probably helped him at the polls. It didn't. Though Clooney now backs Obama he’s still very mindful of the potential liability of celebrity hood and has publicly said that he thinks campaigning for a candidate hurts a candidate. Clooney recognized a political truism that's etched in stone. That's that a celebrity pump of a presidential candidate does little to boost the candidate.

The one group that Obama hopes is the rare exception to the rule is black women. He banks heavily that Oprah can help him smash through the Hillary fest that many black women have with Clinton. In South Carolina, black voters make up nearly half of the Democratic voters, a greater proportion than any other state, and black women make up a significant proportion of that vote. Though most adore Oprah and are well aware of her long standing backing of Obama, that hasn't shaken their support of Clinton the least bit. Nearly three times more black women say they'll back Hillary over him, and that’s especially true among lower income, working class black women. She is a woman, mother, and most importantly is regarded by many black women as a strong advocate for health care and women's interests.

Selling Obama is not like selling one of Oprah’s handpicked authors that the mere mention of on her show will send their book hurtling to the top of the charts. Voters make their decisions about politicians on a combination of factors, party affiliation, their stance on the issues, their political beliefs, and their experience at getting the job done. Few will rely on Oprah’s word that Obama is the best to handle global warming, tax policy, the Iraq war, terrorism, job creation and inflation, failing public schools, criminal justice issues and judicial appointments.

A candidate, and only the candidate, has to sell his or herself that they have a sound grasp of the issues, and can forcefully and clearly articulate them, and most importantly, are the most experienced. That’s the glaring Achilles Heel for Obama. In every poll, even the most rabid Clinton loathers, rank Hillary at the top of the pile in experience in dealing with foreign and domestic issues. Voters got burned badly with Bush. His gross inexperience in statecraft before grabbing the White House cost Americans dearly in eight years of his disastrous bumbles and fumbles on everything from the Iraq war to domestic policy. Many voters won’t make that mistake again.

That's not to say that endorsements don't help a candidate. But they have to be the right endorsements. The right ones come from seasoned politicians and respected industry, labor, or public interest groups that have the trust and confidence of voters, and a solid track record in fighting for legislation and public policy change. That’s also not to say that Oprah’s endorsement will hurt Obama. The hype, promotion, and allure of Oprah have some value in bumping even higher Obama’s media visibility.

The O and O show has caused the tongues to wag, eyebrows to rise and they will draw legions to their campaign stops. But it won’t be the knock out wallop Obama counts on to floor Hillary. Celebrities simply don’t and shouldn’t pack that kind of political punch. And neither does Oprah.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson (hutchinsonreport@aol) is an author and political analyst. His new book is The Latino Challenge to Black America: Towards a Conversation between African-Americans and Hispanics (Middle Passage Press)

UPI VIDEO NEWS 12.05.07

Bush says Iran is still a danger.

President Bush says there'll be no change in U.S. policy on Iran. That's after a report was released this week saying the country halted a secret nuclear weapons program four years ago and hadn't resumed work as of this year. Bush said he still believes Iran is dangerous and the international community must remain vigilant.

Meanwhile, Iran has welcomed that new U.S. intelligence report. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the report a "declaration of victory" for the country's nuclear program. Another government official said that his government would welcome any countries wanting to correct their views toward Iran. Officials didn't address the intelligence report's finding Iran was actively trying to build nuclear weapons before 2003.

Republican Presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee is calling on his supporters to end what's known as "push-polling." Push-polling is a tactic that offers negative information about a candidate's rivals in ads. A group founded by some of Huckabee's supporters launched a series of automated calls to Iowa Republican voters over the weekend. But the group's executive director says he doesn't plan on stopping since the effort is completely independent from Huckabee for president campaign. The former Arkansas governor oftentimes boasts about running an above-the-mud campaign that doesn't smear his GOP rivals.

A staff member of Senator Maria Cantwell is facing child sex charges. The 28-year-old staffer was arrested by federal agents last Friday after he allegedly tried to arrange to have sex with a 13-year-old boy. A spokesman for the Democratic Washington Senator said the man was immediately fired. He added that Cantwell has zero tolerance for crimes against children.