He pointed to outcome in Nevada, New Hampshire and Iowa, where he said "if you count up all the votes ... you're going to see that Obama has gotten nine or ten times more white votes than black votes."

--this doesn't make sense...of course Obama will have gotten 9 or 10 times more white votes than black votes...there were more white voters!!!

who wrote this? Jack Mehoff?
What was the point?

"Obama is the white candidates"
What is he talking about? I thought we were through that discussion.

your blog is one of the best, if not the best, on washingtonpost.com, definitely a must read.

Clyburn is strategic and also very sly in a way that may work to Obama's benefit.

***Clyburn said he doesn't really see Obama as the "black candidate" polls are making him out to be. If anything, Clyburn argued, Obama is the white candidate.***

God Obama is such a good candidate that it's a shame to see how the Clintons have tried to tarnish this good soul. I'll say things are looking bleak for Obama at this point to win the nomination, but knowing how wise and good the American people are I still have hope that democrats will see he's the best candidate to carry us to the promise land of universal health, a reformed educational system and ending a senseless war and bridging a gap between both parties. OBAMA 08! Wev still believe in the dream.

We the American people are not wise as history has shown over and over, we fall same old Washington politics every time. We are conservative society, looking to go backward again and again. Negative campaigning works on us, our population cannot think on their own. We have history of listening to establishment for direction, every time we vote for what establishment promotes. Name me one president that was selected on its merit other than JFK, Lincoln.

"Name me one president that was selected on its merit other than JFK, Lincoln."

JFK and Lincoln were two candidates WHO WERE NOT SELECTED ON THE MERITS. Each was the LEAST accomplished and experienced politician in both the nomination fight and general election. Each won on the basis of powerful oratory.

The last, and possibly the only President every elected on the "merits," was Thomas Jefferson. If by merits you mean proven experience, intelligence, etc. versus that of his opponent. The only other President who arguably won on such "merits" was Herbert Hoover. Every other winner of every other election was arguably inferior to his opponent in experience and/or intelligence.

It appears to me that Clyburn is one smart fellow. By calling Obama the white candidate, Clyburn is trying to soften the edge of Obama's possibly victory with a black majority (which opens him up to the charge as the candidate only for blacks). By saying the race will be very tight, he is lowering expectations for Obama: so if he wins, it will be a bigger deal. Its clear that Clyburn is trying to help Obama and therefore will likely support him. However, I believe that the best possible chance for a democratic victory, in the general election will be an Edwards/Obama ticket. Its unfortunate that Hillary didn't divorce Bill when she could have, then she could have run on her own...the prospect of Bill and Hillary in for 8 years is not appealing--not to any Republican I know and not to many democrats as well.

Its good politics to appear you are debating with yourself.

http://p2plendingwithprosper.blogspot.com/

I have to point out the fact that Congressman Clyburn is wrong. According to Senator Obama's website, Kay Patterson, a SC State Senator and an prominent African American leader, has endorsed Senator Obama, along with over 100 African American ministers and other community leaders. Maybe Congressman Clyburn should ask a few people who aren't his cousins.

Clyburn is typical Clinton supporter but a little sly. He claims to be neutral while he sleazily bashes away. Like saying that Obama has no SC endorsements, not thinking that anyone will check or know better.

"I have to point out the fact that Congressman Clyburn is wrong. According to Senator Obama's website, Kay Patterson, a SC State Senator and an prominent African American leader, has endorsed Senator Obama, along with over 100 African American ministers and other community leaders. Maybe Congressman Clyburn should ask a few people who aren't his cousins."

That's not a mistake. That is a deliberate lie. Plus Clyburn has been going to the Rose and Smiley shows and just drooling all over Clinton and her vast experience. We know whose experience he's talking about: Bill's.

There is no law against Bill Clinton serving as VP. Why else is he working so furiously and wrecking his legacy -- as well as the Democratic Party. Welcome to another Cheney style presidency.

sam

A DEMOCRATIC CALL TO CONSCIENCE ...

"The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting."

--Milan Kundera

In the 1960s, Mississippi sharecroppers facing nightsticks and police dogs stirred the conscience of a nation by wearing signs that said simply: "I am a man."

Later, Cesar Chavez's United Farmworkers Union, facing a television debate with a slick corporate spokesperson, offered up a poor woman who picked grapes to feed her family as their representative--and she wiped the floor with the growers' shill.

Truth, simple truth, can still win the field.

A party of change should not also be a party to corruption.

Government accountability starts with personal responsibiity.

Today, the Clinton machine is eyeball to eyeball with an America that does not want to re-live the 1990s, the scandals, the shame, the spectacle of our White House transformed into a bordello.

If you are tired of the Clintons' lying, race coding and defaming and distorting the record of some of the party's best and brightest, there is a solution.

We can take back the party ... by drawing on the direct action lessons community activists taught us in the 1960s and 1970s during the heyday of the civil rights movement.

All it will take is a zerox machine, a tape recorder, or a video set-up.

And a willingness to stand up and be counted.

Go to your next Democratic Party meeting.

Bring with you copies of Nation magazine Katha Pollitt's article on Bill Clinton's alleged involvement in the Juanita Broaddrick sexual assault scandal (http://www.thenation.com/doc/19990322/pollitt).

Take too, one of the original Washington Post stories on the same subject (www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/broaddrick022599.htm).

Also, bring a tape recording or DVD of the Juanita Broaddrick interview in which she talks of her personal experiences with the Clintons. ... And make sure you can play it loudly. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KZ8ICvutc0) posted 01/24/2008 at 21:30:20
A DEMOCRATIC CALL TO CONSCIENCE (II)

Just for giggles, also take with you a paperback version of the book "No One Left To Lie to" by British-American writer and human rights activist Christopher Hitchens'--and make a lot of copies of the chapter on "Is There a Rapist in the Oval Office?"

Recently Hitchens reminded that the essay "has never been challenged by anybody in the fabled Clinton 'rapid response' team.)

"Yet one constantly reads that both Clintons, including the female who helped intensify the slanders against her mistreated sisters, are excellent on women's 'issues.'"

Share these with your fellow Democrats at party meetings before your state holds a caucus or primary.

Ask them to listen to their consciences.

Ask them if they want the divisiveness, examples of disrepect for women, and union busting friendships (Wal-Mart, Marc Rich, you know the drill), that would surely come with another Clinton presidency.

Ask them if the country can afford such a spectacle as the economy tanks and young men and women are fighting and dying for our freedom many miles from our shores.

Once a lone voice from the back of the U.S. Senate chamber, that of Daniel Patrick Moynihan, called out to remind a body that was about to rubber stamp Clarence Thomas' elevation to the Supreme Court about their responsibilities.

Anita Hill came forward and the rest was history. Unfortunately, that time it was too late to make a difference.

It was Moynihan who once said that everyone is entitled to his own opinion but not his own facts.

Take ... the ... party ... back!!!

---
Martin Edwin Andersen is the 2001 winner of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel's "Public Servant Award" for uncovering what the U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General later called "egregious misconduct" and "willful disregard for national security" by senior Janet Reno aides in a major national security and corruption scandal.

Bottom Line:

Like all of you. I know that health care is the most critical, and important issue facing the American people. Now, and in the coming elections. And like the vast majority of the American people, I want HR 676 (Medicare For All) passed into law NOW! "Single payer, Tax Supported, Not For Profit, True Universal Health Care" free for all as a right. Like every other developed country in the world has. See: http://www.house.gov/conyers/news_hr676.htm

"HR 676:
For church goers: less money to insur. companies and more to the church- lots more.
Srs on Medicare: save way over $100/wk. Because no more medigap, long term care & dental insur. needed. No more drug bills."

But if we the American people fail to bring enough pressure on our current politicians to get HR 676 passed into law before the elections. We will have to identify, and replace all the politicians standing in the way of passage of HR 676. And, I think the best first place to start is with the politicians that blocked the bipartisan SCHIP bills for the kids. Passed by congress twice.

But what about the President. It was Bush after all that blocked the bipartisan SCHIP bill passed by congress to assure more health coverage for Americas kids. So which of the presidential hopefuls do I think will be most supportive of implementing the demand of the majority of the American people to have HR 676 (Medicare For All) passed into law immediately!

We have some very fine presidential candidates who would make good presidents. But none of the top Presidential candidates directly support HR 676, the only true Universal Health Care plan. So I am supporting Hillary Clinton. She is the only top candidate that has ever actually fought for universal health care before.

I have enormous admiration, and respect for Hillary Clinton. She fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds back in 1993. To prevent this disastrous health care crisis that is now devastating the American people, and America. She fought so hard for the American people that she risk almost completely destroying her husbands presidency. I haven't forgotten her heroic effort. If any Presidential hopeful for universal health care deserves my support, it's her.

Also, if we the American people fail to bring enough pressure on our government to give us HR 676 which we all so desperately need NOW! Then we will need the most skilled politician we can get on our side to broker the best health care plan for the American people that we can get. Though it will be less than we need, and less than we deserve. The politician I think to best do this is Hillary Clinton. The Clinton's are probably the most skilled politicians in American history.

The insurance industry, and medical industry that has been ripping you off, and killing you has given Hillary Clinton so much money because they fear her. They have also given Barack Obama so much money because they fear Hillary Clinton. They think they can manipulate Barack Obama against the best interest of the American people better than they can manipulate Hillary Clinton. There is no race issue with Hillary Clinton. The Clinton's are the poster family for how African Americans want white people to be towards African Americans.

As always, African Americans are suffering, and dieing in this health care crisis at a much higher rate than any other group in America. The last time there was any significant drop in the African American death rate was when Bill Clinton was president.

My fellow Americans, you are dieing needlessly at an astounding rate. In higher numbers than any other people in the developed world. Rich, and poor a like. Insured, and uninsured. Men, women, children, and babies. And we the American people must stop it. And fix it NOW! Keep Fighting!!! Never! give up hope. There are millions of lives at stake. Bless you all... You are doing great!

Its clear that Obama is now a black candidate so Congressman Clyburn is wrong. Even the Congress man will vote for Obama.
After winning South Carolina, the whole Country is going to see why Obama introduce race to his campaigne. Where is his politics of "HOPE"? Give me a break this guy is like any other politician... he lacks the experience and he is desperate to be President at all cost. American change can be for the worst!!

Maybe Clyburn and the rest of the Democrats need to finally come to the understand that Clinton and Obama are both all the "FODDER" that the "enemy" (GOP) needs.

Republican operatives have made no secret about the fact that they are perfectly fine running against Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, one being a candidate that half of the country cannot stand (Clinton) and the other being a one-term black Senator whose name is Barack HUSSEIN ObAMA in a country where only TWO states have elected by popular vote 3 black U.S. Senators in its 220 years of existence. Yeah, Obama's going to win enough "STATES" to become President...NOT.

The Republican "PARTY" does not want to run against John Edwards.

That is something that the Democratic Party may as well come to grips with, and stop daydreaming about "FIRSTS." If the two potential "FIRSTS" weren't so flawed of candidates, beyond what I just spoke of, they might have a chance.

Neither Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama have ANY CHANCE of winning a General Election in 2008.

Lol at Clyburn.

Very slippery fellow. However, it isnt going to work. Obama will CRUSH clinton in the african american vote, and lose badly in the white vote, polarizing him and it will cost him the nomination. He is losing in the national polls. He is losing in the latino vote by a large margin.

Clyburn is hillarious.

....Ok Ok Ok, I wont endorse Obama for now. I will stay neutral......blah blah blah

Yes we get it. African leaders in south carolina wont endorse obama because it will cost them the white vote from then on. It doesnt matter. The african american voters will prove the racism anyways. Especially african american women.

Women vote for clinton. African american women voting for Obama in such a lopsided way is about RACE.

Obama was concieved in a white womb and raised by his white grand parents .When Iowans voted for him ,it was no big deal .Now the black voters are encouraged to vote for him, it is now viewed with suspicion,and he has suddenly become a black candidate.Can't whites and blacks support the same candidate.This political smear will backfire against the Clintons who have cleverly injected race in this campaign.Obama is such an inspirational candidate ,who should be supported ,not brought down. Have Black voters now lost the right to vote and support who they want to vote for. The talk about race is indeed very shameful and senseless. We should look at the candidates based on the issues

Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama made an appearance -- via satellite while campaigning in Beaufort, South Carolina -- on David Letterman's "Late Show" on Thursday to read the show's traditional "Top 10″ list.

The Top 10 Barack Obama campaign promises:
10. To keep the budget balanced, I'll rent the Situation Room for sweet 16s.
9. I will double your tax money at the craps table.
8. Appoint Mitt Romney secretary of lookin' good.
7. If you bring a gator to the White House, I'll wrassle it.
6. I'll put Regis on the nickel.
5. I'll rename the 10th month of the year "Barack-tober."
4. I won't let Apple release the new and improved iPod the day after you bought the previous model.
3. I'll find money in the budget to buy Letterman a decent hairpiece.
2. Pronounce the word nuclear, nuclear.
1. Three words: Vice President Oprah.

When the Top 10 was finished, Letterman said, "Sen. Barack Obama, thank you very much for helping us out, senator. Good luck with the campaign."
Obama replied, "Thank you so much, David, but you can't muss my hair" -- a reference to Letterman messing up rival John Edwards hair during his Late Show appearance on Tuesday.
Said Letterman, "OK, whatever you say."

Actually, I'm almost 100% sure that he's not supporting Clinton. (I'm pretty sure he's voting for Obama but would support Edwards over Clinton). His continued admonishment of the Clintons, and his disappointed in their comments, would suggest otherwise. Couple that with the fact that he was reconsidering his decision not to endorse after the MLK comment backlash.

Here's what I'm pretty sure is going on: Congressman Clyburn supports Obama and knows that Obama is going to get the majority of the black vote, probably propelling him to a win in SC. If there's one consistent factor in all of the recent SC polls, it's that Obama is at least 2:1 over Clinton among African-Americans. But Clyburn fears that the race-baiting has worked, eroding Obama's white support, which also can be seen in Obama's support among SC whites slipping dramatically. Realizing the consequences of of a huge racial split in SC for future primaries, he's trying to do damage control to limit the polarization along racial lines of the electorate. That is probably his intent in being so forceful in his assertions of Obama's support with whites.

Mrs. Clinton will not win Saturday, who knows, maybe Mr. Edwards has a shot at a strong second place. Hopefully Mrs. Clinton will remain in the second spot.
Now...I believe in the power of human beings and their capacity to be altruistic and able to serve their fellow brothers and sisters. Yet, think of some of the extraordinary human beings that have existed on the face of this earth, some in the 20th century like, say: Ghandi, Martin Luther King... Mother Theresa of Calcutta, even. These people WERE NOT politicians neither were they running for a political position. And probably, had they taken a public office they would have been a disaster.
You cannot be in politics and not get your hands dirty, especially in a capitalist, powerful, consumer driven country like the US. So this assumption about Mr. Obama of truth and change will be devastating if he does get the nomination. The Republicans will bring him tumbling down that mountain top quicker than a quarter falling from a skyscraper.
Accusations and innuendos will start coming out of the woodworks. It will NOT be pretty and a Republican will win. I think it has been wrong for the Obama camp to sell this Lily White image of their candidate and this unrealistic vision of unity. Wake up, the United States is deeply divided about so many issues: abortion, gay marriage, immigration. These are important, personal issues to many people.

About Clinton...it's all out there and it is repeated constantly. This is not good enough to some, but it's the truth.

So I would suggest to LISTEN to what they are proposing, how they are going to go about it and HOW they are going to BEAT the Republican nominee. I am sorry, but this is politics. Whoever gives you the strongest stance, then go with that one.

By the way...this is a foreigner's humble opinion. One who has been through the process a couple of times and been disenchanted by many Obamas and they didn't have the pressure of being the president of the richest, most powerful nation of earth...still.

Obama doesnt have the time to go afte the latino vote, which is MORE than the african amereican vote. He got crushed in Nevada on the latino vote.

He has been pinned down in South Carolina defending supposed 'attacks' by President Clinton.

Obamas biggest strength is his ability to give speeches. He cant do that in 22 states on super tuesday.

Tom wrote "Women vote for Clinton."
Oh yeah? I'm a middle aged woman who grew up in the Chicago suburbs. Does that mean I have no choice?
Is that what brought us two terms of BW Bush: i.e. ignorant beer-swilling Christian men voting for their guy?
Give me a break. Identity politics is counterproductive whether practiced by a girl named Hillary or a boy named Tom.

Thank you to "wetheleaders" and martin edward anderson for making your points clearly and strongly. I am certain that the GOP's biggest fear is that John Edwards will become the democratic nominee. In my opinion, he is the only democratic candidate who has the incisive intelligence, moral strength, and executive experience to both handle the job and extinguish the political corruption that has become like a chronic disease. Thank you to Martin Edwards Anderson for providing specific links and guidance to facilitate the uncovering of the truth.

While I like Obama's passion and ability to inspire, he lacks the solidity of experience to be presidential; vice president would be my choice. And, finally, I don't trust Hillary AT ALL about anything. She and Bill are both only seeking to satisfy HIS ego, and frankly, are starting to look a lot like "leftovers".

Clyburn, on "The Morning Joe" show, MSNBC, made a statement that the race issue came up when Huckabee!!! brought up the flag issue. Give me a break. It looks like Clyburn in trying to remain neutral is giving into the Clinton machine. We all know it was Clinton who started this. Let's have some honesty out there, a spade is a spade.... The Clinton's, in the name of caring for our country, is dividing our party. We cannot allow this divisiveness to continue. Barack is a strong viable candidate. The national polls are showing Barack beating McCain by 2%, Hillary dead heat. It is all relative I know. The Clinton's are part of the establishment - we need to turn the page.

Why didn't Clyburn condemn the Obama camp's comparison of Clinton to Lee Atwater. No comparison, no basis in fact, and it's an insult to Clinton?

Clyburn is an Obama supporter. The first time he came on television during this primary season is after Clinton made the "fairy tale" comment and Clyburn after expressing his annoyance with Bill Clinton said that although he had promised to remain officially neutral he would back away from that promise if Clinton didn't chill. It was clear that he was warning Clinton that he would come out for Obama if he didn't shut up.

The reason Clyburn is not supporting Clinton or Obama personally is becasue his old buddies that now lobby for payday lenders and nuclear waste are bank rolling both of the candidates. It will not suprise me a bit if Jim Clyburn votes for John Edwards in the Saturday SC Democratic Primary because he knows in his heart the other two not only have less of chance of winning in November but they also are taking money from the people that are preying on the poor and the blacks in his state while John Edwards refuses to take the payday lobby and chem-nuclear money!

congressmen have majors?

can't wait until comprehensive immigration reform is passed and his behind is on the pavement looking for a new job. do you know how many latinos are in your district?

Has Bill Clinton ever done a "mea culpa?"
Well, maybe once when the DNA evidence was so convincing.
Doesn't he think that anything he does is okay? And isn't Hillary the same.