Robert Johnson cannot or will not stop sexist, racist language on his own network. Why would Senator Clinton use him as a surrogate and does her doing so indicate a lack of good judgment with regard to the people with whom she surrounds herself?

The reason is because blacks vote democrat! And they both want to win badly so they are pulling out all the stops. Just like the Republicans want the church votes, the dems feel much pasion for the black vote. And my question for you is, why dont the republicans feel the need to even ask or try to get any black votes? They seem as if they could give a damn on what blacks, gays, or any other minoritys think or feel. That is why i will always vote for a deomocrat.

But you see Jack, I don’t think they are — I think the responses and the media are both making something out of nothing. Hillary Clinton was simply talking about how Martin Luther King was a catalyst to the Congress, and then LBJ changing civil rights in this country. MLK couldn’t do it alone, laws needed to be changed, and ultimately, that had to get a President’s signature. But I don’t think anyone is making MLK’s role in it any less signficant than it quite obviously was. It just seems like people are reading something that very much isn’t there.

They use the race card because they have no other platform.

the republicans are danceing in the street that these two are at each others throat.
and just think, are there know better issues that come to mind better than rehashing the sixies. tell me jack that it’s just a flash back and not real.
bowling green, mo.

You know Jack maybe it’s because the Democratic Party has a lot of racially motivated people. When you have the Al Sharpton’s and the Jesse Jackson’s in your party race will alway raise it head.
It’s about time that they looked around themselves and found out that people really are not that motivated by all their race talk. They look for any small thing that Clinton or Edwards might say so that they can make Obama look as though he is being slurred.
It’s about time they took race out of it and look for the best candidate that will help our country out of the mess we’re in right now. If it’s Obama. . . okay that’s fine . . . but if it’s Clinton or Edwards, that’s also fine.

Dear Jack, I am sick of both clinton and obama. I am going to write “none of the above” and write in Lou Dobbs.

Because forty years after the Civil Rights Act and Dr. King’s assassination, race is still a divisive issue in our country. Racism may be less blatant these days, and perhaps our younger citizens are less influenced by it, but it’s still THERE. Senator Obama’s entry into the presidential race was bound to bring to the surface old resentments and prejudices, which are exacerbated by the 24/7 parsing of every utterance of the candidates and their supporters.
The Republicans, on the other hand, don’t have to deal with diverse elements in their party - there are none.

Patricia
Florida

How can you expect Bill Clinton, the first self proclaimed Black President, to give up his mantle to an African American man like Barack Obama? It’s only natural to keep it in the family. First Hillary receieves the mantle, then after two terms she can pass the mantle on to Chelsea.

Must a candidate win at any cost? NO! A presidential candidate should acknowledge at the outset than when and if it becomes clear that a majority prefers another candidate, then that reality has to be recognized and acknowledged. There are many aspects to argument and debate. Does one campaign to get elected at any cost? (In Pakistan or Kenya, perhaps.) Or does one campaign to determine if the voters agree that one should be elected? Should one debate because one MUST sell one’s own ideas, platforms, and values? Or should one debate to bring out and bring about the best ideas and programs? One of the classical distinctions is between the speaker who argues to win the argument and the speaker who argues to get to the truth. While some of truth may be beyond reality, much of the truth is reality itself. There are stages of desperation, no doubt. Nevertheless, if the reality is that the voters prefer candidate A, then candidate B should concede that preference, and for candidate B to insist on one’s own candidacy against that reality is to take a first step (at least within one’s character) toward totalitarianism. We need no more of that!

When did “fairytale” become a racial slur? Listen to the entire speech. He is talking about Obama’s stance on the war. Not his run for presidency. Shame on CNN for fueling this fire. Shame on the Obama’s for capitalizing on it. Is any criticism of Obama going to be a racial slur? This is not how our first black president should be elected. He will win by default because no one wants to get labeled a racist. BTW I usually have CNN all day at work. I switch the channel now whenever this story comes on. QVC is better than listening to the trumped up racist charges

Jack, If the DAMB MEDIA would keep there nose out of those remarks trying
to start a fight MOST people WOULD mever KNOW they were made.
THE DAMN MEDIA WILL DO ENYTHING FAR A STOTY.

I think it’s you all in the press that have made Sen. Obama’s candidacy about race. From the moment that Sen. Obama announced he was running the first thing I saw in the press was a question about whether his race was going to be a problem. Neither Sen. Clinton nor Sen. Edwards said anything about Sen. Obama’s race. But, everytime either Sen. Clinton or her surrogates say anything about any type of stand Sen. Obama took on an issue, the press says that the Clinton campaign are attacking Sen. Obama because of his race, or his youthful dabbling into drugs. Sen. Clinton is not attacking Sen. Obama because of his race or his youthful drug use, she is trying to get him to talk about why he took one stand on a certain issue & then fliped-floped on the same issue. Stop fighting Sen. Obama’s Race War for him & let’s get his answers to the issues he’s being asked about.
Now, I’m not going to be voting for either Sen. Obama or Sen. Clinton, I’m voting for John Edwards, but, I just don’t like how the press has tried to kill Sen. Clinton’s campaign on a non-issue.

What is troubling me most about all of this is how you in the media keep saying that the campaigns are going back and forth when all I see is one campaign making the all the negative statements. I have been watching this whole thing and the Obama campaign has said nothing about Mrs Clinton’s Statements yet she and the media keeps claiming They have. It was Clyburn and Shalayla who had issues with Senator Clintons statements not the Obama campaign. To say that the Obama campaign is playing the race card when Its The Clintons who keep making errors and having to defend them (and in doing so they blame the Obama campaign for their own mistakes) is just unfair and will cause a divide.

I voted for President Clinton twice, but I no longer like the Clintons. I now see their true colors.

Nate
St. Louis

Jack this one is simple. … its politics. Obama needs to divide the Black vote in South Carolina in order to beat Hillary. Republicans are loving this one. You would think Obama and Hillary could figure this one out. So much for the CHANGE we keep hearing about. Same ole politics with a different twist. … This time we have a black man usinig the race card. Somehow I don’t think that is what Martin Luther King Jr. had in mind.

Jack, if the Democrats want to see their candidate elected President, they must choose someone who will be accepted throughout our country. The fire of racism still burns brightly in many of our states, and not just in the South. We are too divided to accept one of a minority race as our President. We can say the same about females too, and we may not be ready to elect a woman as yet, regardlkess of the popularity Hillary enjoys presently.

hey jack it’s not CLINTON being racial. it’s the media trying to make more news by putting her down. you boys just don’t know how to treat a LADY . CLINTON has been put down enough. she can takeanything that comes her way and still hold her head HIGH. do you think it’s strange that oprah has never endorsed a WHITE man for president? if this don’t get the women out to vote for CLINTON they will never be recognized as a person with a voice .just look how good the CLINTONS took care of us when MR. CLINTON WAS PRESIDENT. we can have that again if the people can open their eyes and ears and VOTE CLINTON 08………………….THELMA KY.

First off I would like to begin my comment that I am an African-American and I do not need to be reminded of that fact every time a political conversation comes up.That seems to be the only way the Democratic Party(of which I am a registered member) thinks it has to do to get my vote and attention.Well guess what War,The economy,Healthcare,paying my mortgage,and( tax relief to someone other than Mobile or Chrysler) are all getting my attention.Give me a break these are not urban problems they are American problems.Stop thinking that all Black people need victim rap and some sense of oppression to be mobilized.Clinton has every right to attack Sen.Obama its politics ,but please lets stick to the issues then one day someone might say “thank you Mr./Madam President for remembering America has a voice outside TheFortune 500 club.

I thought you guys (the press) always made it about race. Also, aren’t you stereotyping ALL Democrats when you make that accusation? Certainly a Republican would never make an issue of race….

Well, Jack, I think it’s a little early to tell if the primary campaign has fully degenerated into racial politics…

…or, rather, if the very nature of politics these days is representation by degenerates. Without a clear frontrunner, of course the Democratic party appears to be split among petty lines, whether it be the gender politics of Hilary and the “iron my shirt” debacle, or the debate over whether Senator Obama is “Black enough.” We must remember, though, that the general election is months and months away. Our primary system is designed to give the potential electorate many options in picking a nominee for their party’s presidential ticket. Perhaps you’d be asking whether our system of representative democracy was near death if there were two political parties in this country with two undisputed frontrunners. George Washington wished for a lack of partisanship it total; perhaps we can honor him slightly by at least allowing some diversity among parties. In short, Jack, I’m not worried about racial politics turning this primary season sour. All politics, and all primaries, have got me pretty bitter already.

Jack,
This is exactly why I feel we need a president like Barack Obama that will unite us as a country and not exacerbate the evils of racial divide. This accomplishes nothing but insist that we as Americans are still small minded. I truly hope we can get pass this and move on to the issues that matters, better schools, health care, jobs, etc.

Humbly
Weyata in Gaithersburg, MD

Jack, I think you can answer this question yourself. The media is playing a major role in fueling any potentially “racial” and “sexist” comments by the Democrats. Republicans running are all white males - not much excitement there! Get back to the issues!

This is a race for the highest office in our country. Hillary has a right to defend her-
self! She’s been misquoted-even in your CNN poll question , this morning. It’s the media’s job to report the news, not rewrite it, for your ratings. come on guys,your starting to look an awful lot like the “F” network! Are you trying to help
perpetuate this racial divide? I don’t see this much time being spent on the gender
issue. Could it be that Hillary has not thrown that issue in our faces, unlike Obama and the race issue. HE can’t even keep the issue of church and state
seperate! When did we start giving presisential speeches (preaching) in churches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Democrats have a need to self destruct before they can be beaten by the Republicans. It is shameful and disgusting and they deserve to lose. As an independent my vote now goes to McCain.

The media is not going to be happy until all of the candidates cave into this feeding frenzy, which the media started, and then devour each other. I am so tired of this. Barack Obama whom I support is a great candidate and person. Hillary Clinton is also a good candidate.

If Barack Obama does not become the nominee of the Democratic Party, I can and will vote for her. I can and will vote for John Edwards

Stop! Let the voters decide on the issues, not on contrived non-issues. Collect your pay checks by doing your job, REPORTING THE NEWS, not by making it up.

If Obama would had not insulted the American public by comparing himself to MLK, or JFK, we would not be in the middle of a racial campaign. I, as an American, minority, and an independent voter, found his remarks and those of his camp, insulting. I summit he has been ill-adviced, and mostly has offended me, a undecided voter. Shame on him and his camp. Issues, it’s the issues!

It really troubles me that as a nation we are so black and white along with the rest of the melting pot. As a 50 yr old caucassion I have lived all these past racial differences. When do we say enough is enough memorialize those in the past and forge forward into the future, MAKE CHANGE for we are the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Oh, wasn’t that the platform of Sen.Obama.
JS

Forget History ? Let’s remember that the Civil Rights Bills would never have pass ed except for President Johnson. Without his push of the bills, it might have taken from 5 to 10 years. Seems like we only think of President Johnson and the Viet Nam War. Kind of like GW Bish and the Iraq War. David Skidmore

I think the media is as responsible as anyone. They drag out all their black reporters to cover these ‘black stories’. What do these reporters do the rest of the time? These reporters then call up every crazy black civil rights nut job to give their ‘expert opinion’.

I am sick of hearing about 09/11 and this stupid war and I am darn sure not wanting to listen to race issues for the next four years, nor do I wish to have another four years of the republican extremists trying to tear down another Clinton.

People would find something wrong with The Dalai freakin’ Lama if he ran for President.

I want Obama to win, but I do not want four years of listening to people rant and rave about race. I am just not sure how I will vote now.

Mr. Jack:
It’s the media stupid. You know, the certain media folk that enjoy making the news rather than reporting the news. MSNBC should be fined for it. CNN needs to be very careful and protect your good reputation during this campaign. It far too important to you, me and the world for a respectable news organization to add to the fray. All the American people need is the facts; we are quite capable of making up our own minds.

This is all a tempest in a teapot. No one wants to talk about the real issues anymore,the Iraq war,the economy,the sub-prime meltdown,the environment or anything else. Both Obama and Clinton supporters and detractors spend countless hours looking for anything said or done so they can dissect it and make it into a sound bite taken completely out of context. Al Sharpton,Jesse Jackson and Karl Rove are the masters of this technique,just ask John Kerry,Al Gore and Don Imus!

THE ONLY ONES NOT BEING RACIALLY INVOLVED IN THE DEMOCRATIC TRAIN WRECK OF 2008 IS THE LEGAL, TAXPAYING CITIZEN. WITH A PLATFORM OF IGNORING IT’S BASE BY GOING AFTER THE ILLEGAL VOTE, AND CLAMMORING FOR CHANGE THEY OFFER NOTHING NEW. THE SAME OLD TIRED FACES CHANTING A CHICKEN IN EVERY POT. THE ONLY THING HILLARY HAS GOING FOR HER IS HER VAGINA, FOR THE WOMAN’S VOTE. OBAMA TRIES TO BE BLACK ENOUGH FOR WHITES, BLACK ENOUGH FOR BLACKS, BUT OFFERS NO CHANGE TO THE REAL PROBLEMS OF THIS GOOD OLD BOY SYSTEM. IF ONLY ONE HAD SEPARATED THEMSELF FROM THE PACK BY LISTENING TO AMERICA THE DEMOCRATES WOULD HAVE WON BY A RECORD LANDSLIDE. NOW WE MUST FIND AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE WORTHY OF THE CHALLENGE.

Look in the mirror, Jack. It’s not the Dems who are fanning the flames of racist commentary; it’s people in the media who are blowing throw away comments into a bonfire. Back off. Find another question. This one stinks; it’s the kind that makes Karl Rove smile. Instead why not ask , “Do you think it is indicative of the essence of the Republican Party that none of their front runners is either black or a woman?”

Jack,
It’s all Oprah Winfrey’s fault…

Clintons are using good old Bush politics.
Bringing up divisive issues like race & gender.
Not change just good old Washington politics.
Geezer

It sounds like they’re scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to debating points. Is the only difference between Hillary and Barac race and gender?

Jack

Hillary seems to think from her recent remarks that a former President did more for race equality & civil rights than did Dr. King. Its a shame that she keeps shooting herself in the foot by making racially undertoned remarks, this country needs a change and either it’s gonna be a woman President or a Black President. America has a outstanding, charismatic black man running for President and he’s playing it cool as a cucumber, and not using HIS race as a factor. I am an Independent voter, but am leaning towards Barack and YES I’m white. Hillary should be way out in front but Bill is killing her chances. Barack is formidable now and Ron Paul would be a nice choice for V.P IF Barack should win the Democratic Nomination

Everyone knows the clintons will do anything to win at this point. They tried the drug thing, the religion of his father thing, hinted he was a drug dealer, now the MLK thing. The latest thing I read that really got to me was a Clinton aide told the Guardian u.k on the 10th. “if you want a hip imaginary Black friend and your
young,………………. Also, she has a new Black campaign advisor that started 3 days ago. I wish the advisor luck. She seemed nice enough.

Now her supporters in NV are suing regarding the Nevada caucuses because it is unfair to them.

I think I will vote Edwards or why not Obama.

Can’t wait for the next debates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If Obama acts like a jerk, as the media accused him of at the last one, he certainly has numeous reasons to. I personally could not stand on the same stage with her.

Carole, Charleston, South Carolina

Why is it that the race thing is just coming up now when people have been all over Romney for being Mormon since the beginning? I saw a post on the Political Ticker that said something about Romney and “his band of Merry Mormons.” Would CNN have allowed a post about Obama and “his band of Bubbly Blacks” to get through the filter? I doubt it. It’s not just the Democrats.

From reading the other comments to your question, your question is quickly becoming a case of “asked & answered”.

The cable news outlets are creating much of this country’s divisiveness in their search for the greatest market share! I am beginning to wonder if I have turned on another “reality” show, “Survivor” comes to mind, when I start watching some of the cable “NEWS” networks these days.

Perhaps we could all take a page or two from Senator Obama’s playbook, and rise above issues which do not unite us and keep the focus on things that really matter to this country - the economy, ending the war and the deficit it is leaving our children & grandchildren and restoring our standing in the world.

To coin a smart man’s phrase, “It Sure is Getting Ugly Out There”; but who, exactly, who is mainly responsible for that ‘ugliness’? That is really the question, Jack!

Jack, it’s simple… you’re seeing the same old thing from the same old candidates.

Meanwhile, as the national media is busy covering the Clinton/Obama “spat” something has been silently brewing in Nevada with the real Change candidate, Edwards.

A new poll out today by the Reno-Gazette Journal shows a statistical DEAD HEAT between the top 3 Democratic candidates! Since Iowa, the media has been trying to push the idea that there were only 2 viable candidates… evidently the fine citizens of Nevada didn’t get the memo.

The Clinton campaign has wanted to inject race into this campaign ever since Iowa, where a state that is 95% white chose Obama. But Obama has not commented on any of the Clinton’s recent race-centered attacks. He deserves credit for that. Obama wants to unify the democratic party. The Clintons will only unify the Republican party.

It is obvious after watching Hillary these past months that she will try any slam tactic to reach her objective. Hillarys trash slinging will continue, if she can’t dig it up she will make it up.

It seems that the “Clintons” are always first to make an attack. South Carolina is coming up and they are trying to win over the African-American vote. The Clintons are going to say anything to try and stop Obama. Isn’t this a country that wants “change?” If Bill Clinton is doing as much barking and pointing fingers as Hillary is right now, how is anything going to be any different in the White House? Another 8 years of Clintons? We’ve already seen that before. No thanks.

Sen. Obama should make a clear statement as soon as possible that historical facts cannot be changed to suit the whims of any individual: Without the full support of the most powerful politician in the land, namely Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson, the legistation would never have been passed. Dr. King was wise enough to know this. Why don’t all Democrats take a deep breath and cool it. The race for the presidency doesn’t imply racial!

Jack what the Clinton campaign did was brilliant. They got your attention and with that came all the media attention. As long as you are talking more about them then the other candidates they win. That takes air time away from the republican candidates. There is more then one way to win an election but if no one talks about you you ain’t getting elected.

The Clintons and all of their old school professional campaigners have said from the beginning that it is the nature of a campaign that it degenerates into gutter politics no matter how well intentioned it starts out. Obama is proving them wrong time and again.

Jack,

Well what they need to do is stop this nonsense because there is more important issues to discuss. Let see $9,000.000.000.000 debt that is growing as I am writing this, a war that seems that will not be over anytime soon. People that are loosing there homes and these are more important to talk about.

George

As a Black American born in 1953, I am shocked to see how my fellow Americans have forgotten the events surrounding the fight for equality and justice for the people of color in the United States. There were many important events and players from all walks of life to achieve the goal of ending discrimination in 1964. I am deeply troubled by people who are now slamming Senator Clinton for stating the truth. After JFK was assassinated in 1963 most of the hardcore racist figured that MLK’s mission was now impossible since President Johnson was a stone cold southern, he would most likely drop the Kennedy civil rights bill. Against strong opposition from within his party by Rules Committee, chairman, Howard W. Smith, a Democrat and the Republicans. Senate Judiciary Committee, chairman Senator James O. Eastland, from Mississippi
President Johnson fought hard and pushed for civil rights as well as housing, education reform and public access for minorities. We owe a lot to President Johnson but because of Vietnam. We still overlook how hard he did fight for this bill. I remember 2nd of July 1964 as one of the greatest days in black history. It was the day that paved the way for people like Senator Obama (born August 4, 1961) to have the chance to be where they are today. I was proud that Senator Clinton (Born in 1947) gave President Johnson the credit he was due. Without him, we might still be singing “We shall overcome”. I thank Martin Luther King Jr.. for risking is life by bringing our plight into the open and keeping it on the frontpage Thank you from a 55 year old man who still who remembers what it is to be black and proud.

Dc Salters

Talk about “Parsing”

This whole thing smacks to me as a fight picked by the media that the campaigns are being drawn into.

Now why don’t workout how “Whitewater” was some prophetic code-worded attack cooked up by the Clinton’s to attack Obama.

I swear the media has all the moral and intellectual depth of a buoy. You’re either obtuse or complicit in this insane inventa-scandal. It doesn’t merely discomfort the candidate it does a disservice to the citizenry you nominally “serve” (only reason you have any enshrined guarantees or protections buckos) - just a bunch of well poisoners and corpse carrion.

The Clintons will do anything to Win. The reality is, Hillary and Obama cannot win in November without eachother. The Nation wants to see a OBAMA/CLINTON ticket. and they both better get it together!!!!

So, the Democratic party is the part of the “Big Tent” right? This proves that wrong.

Jack, i dont understand why we still attack our small differences, we are all inherintly the same, we are all human beings, we all want the best for ourselves and our children. Why must we attack our petty differences?

Because if it can’t be “Billary”, it won’t be anyone!

Both leading candidates need to stop the petty pickering — and I mean BOTH of them. They and they’re surrogates.

Another senseless distraction over the real issues.

My adivce to them is end TODAY and concentrate on the REAL ISSUES confronting this country or forfeit their status and possibly hand the White House back over to the Republicans.

Either is stops immediately OR I will look to Senator Edwards or elsewhere!!!

Is this the REAL CHANGE they both profess? If so, they can shove it where the sun don’t shine!!

And, by the way, I think the ultimatum should be put to them by the news media and in every debate forum or news cast/etc. they wish to participate in.

If you guys would stop talking about it, they probably could. You choose what stories to report. You yourself, Jack, have dedicated today’s question to the topic. Why not choose something more productive for us to comment upon? Then we wouldn’t get sidetracked onto stupid, divisive issues like this. Just stop.

Your question is like asking why the scorpion stung the frog even though both would drown. It’s in their nature, Jack.

Your commentary was very good, I would have taken it a step further… I think Obama is taking the high ground in these attacks. It makes me sick how low the Clintons will go for power. I think they underestimate the judgement of the American people if they thing we cannot see through their desperate tactics to win.

Signed,

A White lady for Obama!

Shame on the media for perpetuating on innocent remark from Hillary
Clinton and turning it into racial tension. This remark would not have gained the steam it did, had the media not blown it up to “create” a lead story.
This is completely and utterly shameful. The media should apologize to both the Clinton and Obama camps.

Jack…
Maybe it might be said, that the Media constantly reporting the he said, she said, may have something to help the situation out. Ya Think!!!
Media is complicit in the on going situation..and don’t deny it!

Bill’s got his list. The Obama camp has it’s memo (Huffington Post). Bid deal. The media is making more out of this than the Democratic Party.

Clinton in the lead, tear her down.
Obama in the lead, tear him down.
Dems happy with their candidates, tear them down.

Because if it can’t be “Billary,” then it won’t be anyone.

Jack, your points are well-said, but let’s not ignore the media’s role in this. How about everyone stops ASKING about these stupid comments, hoping for a “gotcha” moment in order to keep the story alive? And let’s take the microphones away from the race-baiters whose careers, as you said, are based on whipping everyone into a frenzy every time someone make an eye-roll worthy comment.

Well Jack, that’s the Democrats for ya! . I think it’s funny, I’m sitting back and watching Bill and Hillary Clinton who claim that their the whitest black people in America and now that we have a black man that could win the Clintons just don’t know what to do. Hillary is so upset because she has planned this to be her year for a long time. I say sit back because it’s going to get even better.

I am a Republican, and this still makes me cringe. I almost feel sorry for both campaigns that they must shoot themselves in the foot for a short-term moral victory. The words of both parties are a nothing but Pyrrhic victories

Maybe the Democrats are the ones who become embroiled in racial politics because they are the ones who have a non-white candidate. The racail divide goes deeper than the Democratic party. I applaud their courage. Perhaps can finally realize, through their openness. that we are as sick of racial ploitics as we are of negative politicking.

If a candidate wants my vote they should stop telling me what they have done for my race and instead tell me what they have done for my whole community. They seem to figure that I make my decision and live my life according to my race when I actually do it as an American.

I’m sure it’s just the vast right-wing conspiracy trying to divide the constituents in North Carolina. I’m sure people there are beginning to feel like Brittany Spears children.

Jack,

I have no idea why Hillary or Bill are being attacked for being racist or racist comments… everyone has known they have been loved by the African American community for years. Bill Clinton even has an office in Harlem for goodness sake!

My question is this though, why are they (the Clintons) being questioned about racists comments when the Pastor (Rev. Wright) at Obama’s church in Chicago has made outrageous statements about “White America” and the September 11th attacks in NY?

This hasn’t been touched by the media and I would like to personally see Obama speak out and denounce his Pastor for his unAmerican comments… then maybe I will listen to anything Obama has to say.

The fact is Obama’s Pastor is a racist… not the Clintons!

Just because there’s one bad Clinton seed in the bunch doesn’t mean the entire party is yielding to racial politics. Obama actually has done pretty well to show respect for the other candidates, and respect for himself, by not stooping low enough to play the race card. Nothing, on the other hand, is off limits to the Clinton camp. (Ahem, staged questions & theatrical answers…)

Actually, the Democrats are doing pretty well when you consider the depth of hatred (and shame) associated with this countries treatment of blacks and women.

Because, idiots (present company not included), continue to fan the flames. Clinton’s statement at best was insensitive at worst a non issue. But I suspect it is a good way to get ratings as we enter the South Carolina primary and upcoming CNN debates. I live in South Carolina and until you media folks stoked the fires it was a nothing moment. Not only do the candidates need to rise above race…the media needs to also…present company included…

Aiken, South Carolina

The Clintons are showing their true colors now. Bill Clinton is a brilliant politician who had the guts to inject race into the heretofore polite campaign, but he may find himself behind the times 15 years after his initial run for president. I am disappointed in them both. Maybe Bill is, after all, just a good ol’ boy from Arkansas with a patronizing attitude towards women and blacks.

The media has made this a story! The idea that the Clinton’s are racist is totally absurd. The democratic party is about to be divided and the cable stations are to blame! I don’t even want to watch TV anymore. Cable is always inventing news to fill their many hours of empty time!! For God’s Sake let’s stop it now!!!

Why can’t people see through the Clintons? They continue to dodge the bullet when they do underhanded things and make disrespectful statements. We have them to thank for the racial divide in this campaigne.

WOW! Slow news day, huh? Time to start stirring up the non-existent race debate between the Clinton and Obama camps. Clinton makes some remarks (taken out of context) about the relative roles of Dr King and LBJ in advancing the cause of civil rights. Somebody gets all wound up about it, press plays it up and Hillary has to back off. Then she comes back and blames Obama for stirring it up. He says he did not do it.

Oh my GOD! This could tear the democratic party apart! Yikes!

Dick Morris was right. He said Hillary would use race like Bill used his Sistah Soljah moment to prop himself up.

The democrats strong opposition to each other only proves that they are more concerned with winning a popularity contest rather than fixing America’s problems. You would think that after Gore vs Bush they would have realized this isn’t a popularity contest, but if this behavior is any indicators on the democratic candidates than I, unfortunately, can’t support them either!

Because they are stupid politicians just like all the rest. They are much more interested in bashing the other candidates rather than addressing the real issues facing this country.

The clinton’s have proven in the past that they can play dirty. Sometimes even with each other. I just hope this wrong turn into racial politics looses “the Clintons” the nomination at least South Carolina.

The Clintons have been and will continue to go by Karl Rove’s playbook.

I think we’re asking the wrong question here. The question is, how can the Republican party avoid discussing racial politics? And the answer is, just look at the field. It’s a bunch of very old, very white, very mail candidates.

Of course issues of gender and race are going to come up when there is a mixed field. It’s a shame when it degenerates into negative campaigning, but it’s new, it’s different, and people aren’t as practiced at discussing race and gender carefully in this sort of forum, so they’re likely to make mistakes. This makes it exciting, especially for the press, who get to stand by, wait for a train wreck, and report it as if it is an indicator of how things are going.

And it’s good to hold the candidates’ feet to the fire; it will ensure that these topics are thought about in a constructive manner. However, it’s not an overall issue. Nobody in their right mind could call the Clintons racist.

Jack, The two front runners for the Presidency did not bring up the race factor. The news media did. The news media feeds it like moths to a flame. I listen to it and get disgusted by the twisted way the media behaves. It has hit an all-time low. I am more interested in the issues that face all of us, instead of the crap Americans are forced to hear not once but twenty times per day.

I simply gave up the news on TV after watching Tim Russet yesterday. My summary of the entire 1 hour show was Bill Clinton ruined the nation and Hillary’s vote alone started this illegal invasion of Iraq.

CNN won’t let the race issue die, It was brought so many times today, I turned the news off.

I would rather watch TV Land

Jack, I totally disagree with you when you say that Obama won with out mentioning race.
Candidate Obama is very good about not mentioning race, however his wife mentions it nearly every time I see her talk.
Whether she says, ” I am a black woman” or “as a blackman Barack has to worry about being shot at the gas station” (both came out of her mouth). Mrs. Obama plays the black card.
I feel this damages their campaign. We all know they are black and most probably dont mind, however we dont have to be told about it over and over.
Plus who did they bring in as a campaign speaker? Oprah!
Jack you cant tell me they are not playing the black card!

Jack:

It is fascinating to me how accurate the polls have been in New Hampshire and Iowa on the Republicah side. I was, however, not surprised at how inaccurate the polls wer eon the Demoncratic side. I say that because this is the first time in US History that an African American and a woman have a legitimate chance to become President of the United States. Given the absolute novelty of these events in America, I believe that :
a. America is more ready for a woman president than it is for an African American president.

b. While droves of people were proclaiming their support for Barack Obama in polls, the proof is in the booth.

The fact is that when the voting curtain was closed, people voted their fears and this is why Hilalry Clinton swept New Hampshire.

Why is this important? it’s important because race has become an issue in the highest levels of american politics and we are experiencing now the pain associated with introducing such a volatile and polarizing subject in the Presidency.

I don’t think there is any way around addressing race because it is so clearly evident…regardless of what the polls might say.

It`s just like the religion thing. The American people have not advanced far enough from their puritanical beginning to understand that all people are just that, (PEOPLE). If you are are different in any way, then you stand out and are a mark for intolerance from many sides. For a country supposedly intellectual, we fall far short of any thing of the sort. Some would still be burning witches if they could get by with it.

I believe Hillary Clinton’s comments really were ill advised but what I couldn’t believe were the remarks I heard from Bob Johnson in his recent speech. It is one thing to negate accusation of a twist on Clinton’s words. However, it is another thing to pull Senator Obama’s words from his book out of context and use his experimenting with drugs as a teen against him. Everyone has done something they were ashamed of at one point in their life and at least Mr. Obama had the courage to admit it. I just wouldn’t expect Bob Johnson, another prominent African American, to become a puppet and surrogate for Clinton’s dirty politics.

Its Simple the clinton campaign knows they have a tough battle against Obama. They are trying to get into the minds of White Americans and turning them against obama just because he is black. They didnt bring up race when hillary was ahead, but have now since Obama is neck and neck. They know the change thing is working well for Obama and they also copied the whole change idea.

Get real guys. If you can’t run a campaign without lowering yourselves into race, how are either one of you going to run this country? Everytime a crisis comes up are you going to find some race or gender to blame or support?

Wouldn’t vote for either one of you Obama or Clinton. You know there are bigger things out there than gender and color. Did you know that?

When the color of your skin has absolutely no impact on your quality of life, maybe no election will “degenerate” into “racial” politics. But while African Americans continue to struggle against structural racism in employment, education, criminal justice, financial services, voting right, and white Americans continue to be blind to the colors of reality, any election has the potential of turning into an argument over race.

The Democrats? Try to imagine an African American being a legitimate contender for the Republican presidential nomination. The southern states would secede from the party and there would probably be a shooting civil war.

Someone call me when the media and candidates and all the sheep shut up about race and gender and give a crap about our men and women in Iraq, the working class people who are still without healthcare and who are scrambling to put food on their tables and keep the roof over their heads, the environment, taxes, etc etc. you know, the REAL ISSUES.

Will Rogers said: “I don’t belong to an organized political party, I’m a Democrat”! Or words to that effect!

The Democratic Party has the innate ability to self destruct when they smell success. Either Obama or Clinton are virtually assured of election to the presidency if the party sticks together.

Smelling success, they enter into the no win pissing match on race. That will polarize the party and give hope to the Republicans,

Clinton is using race in the campaign as a means to attack Obama because she doesn’t have anything more useful in her arsenal against him. He is poetic, inspirational and the kind of leadership that can truly unify the country. If Clinton injects race in the campaign, and spins it to seem that it was Obama that brought it up, then she parses once again, divides and conquers. I don’t want a president who is committed to keeping the American people from realizing a dream, just because she has one to hold the office. That’s my worst nightmare.

It seems like the issue didn’t even come up until the Clinton Attack Machine decided to go into full swing after losing in Iowa. I think it’s especially sad, given the strong unity all the candidates had earlier in the race. Cilnton even answered “yes” during a debate to the question of whether or not she would vote for whomever the democratic candidate was in the general election; but the way she and her camp have been slinging mud in the past couple weeks, I start to doubt the sincerity of that answer.

Jack,
Until this country realizes that “All Men are Created Equal” will we continue to see racial diversity. I cannot posibly imagine what a political campaign will look like if an Asian-American ever decided to run for President

Please keep in mind that this could never happen in a Republican race simply because a black candidate would never get this far in their primary. Wait to see the race issues that come up once the primary is over!

Jack the Clintons have cleverly drawn the media attention away from the more than half dozen high-profile democrats that endorsed Obama over the weekend.It has not been mentioned at all. That would show that Clinton has lost the support many of those she expected to have. It would be interesting to hear about that.

This is becoming a racially charged campaign because Obama’s camp has made it so. Clinton is not wrong to say that it takes more than talk for change to happen. She is not slighting Dr. King one bit in saying this. Obama responds by trying to sound magnanimous, but he is playing the race card now because South Carolina’s vote is coming and he needs those votes. There can be a civil debate about this, but it won’t happen as long as Obama plays orator and keeps using emotion over substance. We need more than talk, but we won’t get that with Obama no matter how clever he thinks he is as a speaker.

Its the 24/7 insistence by the media to create and keep aflame issues that mean nothing that is the problem. Democrats will rally around whoever the nominee is…
Why do the media through polls that don’t relate to what’s happening and pundits who feel they are more important than the candidates drive the train..

REPORT THE NEWS STOP TRYING TO BE THE NEWS.

Dan DeCarlo
Boynton Beach, FL

Jack it’s NOT the Dems who are “stirring up racial tension. With 24 hour news and more “talking heads’ than I can count I think it’s the MEDIA who have nothing else to talk about. And I bet the Republicians are helping you all stir the pot! Give it a rest.

My guess is neither candidate wants this - I will blame the media here for getting this type of things going. They try and try to bait candidates into this by asking the same question thousands of different ways until some one answers one and then it gets twisted into something it wasn’t meant to be then the otherside chimes in trying to get a one up and then it all of a sudden a big racial thing. Kind of been Sharptensized.

Most Democratic primaries haven’t degenerated into racial politics, primarily because, in years past, the only viable candidates were white! This campaign has taken on this new tone because the Clinton machine is so distressed by the rapid rise of Obama that they have gone into full attack mode. The attacks are racial because Clinton has no other way to differentiate herself in a positive light. She could say that she is more divisive, less engaging and has fewer years serving in elected office, but its just easier to have your hit men call Obama an Uncle Tom and then lie about it. But then again, that’s about par for a Clinton’s integrity.

Daniel
Foster City, CA

It’s because the Clintons think that pandering, whether it’s to us African-Americans, or the illegal alien lobby, is actually going to get them somewhere. People are not as stupid as these out-of touch elitist (of both parties) think we are.

By the way, Robert Johnson, founder of BET, is single-handedly responsible for spreading more negative imagery of Black people than any other man in the known universe! He has the nerve to say he’s offended as an African-American by something Obama said? I’m offended that any Democrat would allow this bought-and-sold billionaire sellout to speak for anyone in the Democratic party.

Give me a break!

Jack,

The nature of campaigning dictates that candidates do whatever it takes to win. This is achieved by making the other candidate look as if they have severe character flaws. And you know it’s bad when not even party loyalty is above winning.

Americans are to blame here as well. We feed on adversity more than solutions. We swallow up negative gossip more than we consume trustworthiness and character. We’re getting what we deserve…and, (if Obama and Clinton are not careful) we will ultimately pay for it.

Jack,

There is something very wrong with the Clinton’s. They ask black people to support them, then they (Bill and Hillary) manipulate the media so that race becomes an issue (South Carolina) so that they may somehow get blacks to turn their backs on Obama’s legitimate campaign, or to turn out more white voters. They are polarizing people. Hillary has now defamed the achievements of Dr. King. Bill called Obama’s campaign a fairy tale.

Now today, Hillary has that photo op in New York speaking to a large black audience at a Martin Luther King services. She changed her tone and inflection to somehow give the impression that she is, “one of you.”

Where is the DNC? Black-Americans should make it loud and clear to the Democratic Party, stop taking us for granted, and we will not vote for Hillary Clinton.

Steve

There is a lot of excitement about the possibility to elect the first female or African American President. I’ll be really excited if America is able to elect an honest President. Not perfect just Honest! Maybe another Eisenhower.

Chris
Kelowna, BC
Canada

Jack,

Let’s be honest! Why didn’t Clinton initially just ignore the issue or respond to it in a wise way so as to dismiss it and avoid the heated exchange we are witnessing? On “Meet the Press” last sunday, Clinton spent most of her time defending her stance on the Iraq war back in 2002, and couldn’t admit that Obama had a better judgment back then.

It is clear and more apparent to me that Clinton is resolved to use any means necessary to get to the White House and really thinks of the presidency as something she deserves.

But, I hope America will prove her wrong.

Race? Of course it’s entered into play…it’s the best hope that Obama has to win over Senator Clinton. Without the race card, he can’t motivate the black vote to move from the Clinton camp to his. He makes the black voter feel as if they are betraying the memory of MLKing if they don’t lean in his direction. It’s a powerful card to play, and although Obama has not done much for his brethren, he can still claim that he is black like they are.

Jack,

The way I understand this, Hillary made a mistake by saying something that could, legitimately, be construed by some to be racist, or at least belittling to the power of an historic movement. This happens. But, she should have apologized for that possible interpretation, clarified herself, and then moved on. That she instead twisted/spun it into the fault of the Obama campaign’s playing the race card, is another example that she is a divisive figure in politics. America does not need that. We need a unifying leader.

Don Slowik
New Hampshire

Jack,

Actually it is the media that has initiated and still is perpetuating the race issue. First covering the Oprah Winfrey phenom last month injecting race, and then this week constantly reporting on it. I knew you couldnt wait to trash the Dems rather than take responsibility for some of this. We want to hear about issues, we dont want to hear Wolf and Russert tear down a candidate , talk about MLK and fairy tales and ignore the meaty stuf. How will they fix the economy and the war. Thats what is the story is here.

It’s not that the Clintons are racist; they have a credible record on race relations. However they love power more than any one constituency. Knowing how deeply race affects people on all sides of the political landscape, the Clintons have injected race into the campaign. God forbid anyone look at Obama simply as a candidate of hope or change who is well qualified to be President. The Clintons reminding us he is a BLACK man does two things 1. keeps people uncomfortable discussing race over teh issues and 2. engendering fear in the hearts of teh racist minority. That’s typical Clintonian desperation and vicious strategy.

I am an Independent white Katrina victim in New Orleans. Racial relations are the most important domestic topic the Democrats could focus on. If they are willing to tackle this issue, with all the danger that lies therein, they’ll continue to hold my attention.

I am a Black Female registered Democrat, I did not find Sen. Clinton’s remark offensive in the least bit. The only people who found the remark offensive were those who had something to gain (like a vote). Blowing the remark up the way it has been is petty. I heard the speech and understood exactly where Sen. Clinton was coming from. I was looking to vote for Obama because he is Black , Now i’ll vote with my head and go with Clinton.

I listened to Obamma give his speech after the Iowa caucus and I felt he was playing the race card when he gave that speech. He appeared to be sounding like MLK, and MLK addressed racial issues. I support racial and all equality.

However, the Democrats need unity of all races in order to take back the Presidency and the Congress, and racial issues should not have come into play. The Clinton’s have always supported and assisted in racial equality, and Obamma was the one who appeared to be playing the racial card. I don’t care if the candidate is white, black, brown, yellow or what, they have to be the President for all of us, and they should get the job by appealing to all citizens and not pandering to a particular race. Now, Obamma’s side is decrying Clinton remarks, when he was the one pandering in his speech. I wouldn’t vote for someone because of their race or vote against them because of their race, unless they were attempting to use their race to get elected. Obamma doesn’t want to be judged as an African-America, as a possible leader, but then he used that very thing in an attempt to get support. It sickens me.

Hi Jack. I am a life long democrat and a white middle class middle aged woman who voted for Bill Clinton twice. I am politically aware and have watched this race closely. My impression is that the Clintons have been itching to find something, anything, to jump on Obama for. they have been waiting for him to play the race card - and he hasn’t. When Bill Clinton said the “fairy tale” line is when I lost any of my respect for Bill and therefore Hillary. For me, it was the straw that broke the camels back. Obama has been holding his head high and trying to stay out of this sort of thing for the whole election. All my doubts about the Clintons (and I have tried to give them the benefit of the doubt) were put to rest then. They are willing to do anything to get her elected. Bills efforts to get his foot out of his mouth have failed. I now know why everyone used to call him “slick”. If this keeps up, the Republicans will win the general election.

Margie
Malvern, PA

Race wasn’t even an issue in this race until the Clinton’s decided to make it an issue. Edwards was right on target when he said that Obama didn’t see these kind of attacks from Hilary until he pulled ahead. I seriously hope voters see the despicable, dirty tactics from Hilary & Bill and see they are nothing more than dishonest, power-hungry politicians. They will do anything for power, and I for one am ready for REAL change. And change includes someone who is NOT a Bush OR Clinton.

As ridiculous as I think the racial topic is, the media isn’t any better for reporting on it. The media needs to stop worrying about these tiny little conflicts amongst the campaigners and focus on the ISSUES. Every time I turn on CNN on Fox, they’re debating some sort of obscure, mini-topic in the elections. How about the issues, Jack? Let’s talk about those and less about the race card, who is going to win Michigan, what it will mean if Romney doesn’t win Michigan, and who is stealing who’s campaign slogan. Let’s see some fair and balanced air time for all the candidates, too. Or is that too hard?

It really comes down to votes. Afterall, there aren’t many policies that the Democratic party are talking about, let alone actually going to be able to enforce after the upcoming presidential election. The two things the Democrats have going for them are the minority vote and votes from those who are of ill health. The only way Clinton sees her ability to actually get the black vote is to try and make Obama look as though he’s either an ignorant or racist African American. It’s quite ironic that her spokesman of the week runs a network whose content predominately seems to promote sex, drugs, and violence

Because despite what the candidates appear to be on the outside, everyone is always a little racist whether they like it or not.

Jack maybe I’m living in a ‘fairytale’ but I think the American public is ready to move past race and talk about issues…unfortunately opportunistic political campaigns are just as ready to stir controversy for political gain…hopefully we can get back to talking about real issues before it’s too late

Because the MEDIA - and yes, that includes you too, Jack - keeps fanning the flames by playing it over and over and over. Why don’t you talk about important issues; you know, like the economic problems, and/or something important that has happened in the world today. Maybe the Spears or Hilton families can have another tragic meltdown and you all will have something else to talk about.

Here’s my question to you: Why can’t the Democrats conduct a primary campaign without it degenerating into racial politics?

Why? Because this country remains a white racist society. The racial divide has never gone away, and it never will. We are living in a country that boasts of equality and freedom and yet we built its foundation on the whipped backs of other human beings. And don’t worry, the racism crosses party lines. Why? Jack— give me a break.

Kris of Chicago

I listened to what Bill Clinton said about Obama being a fairy tale; he did not mean his running for President, he meant his take on Iraq. It was very plain English and clearly understandable. There was nothing racial about it. There are always going to be people who will pick every statement their opposition says and try to make something racial out of it. I blame the Obama camp for making this into a race thing. I am nither a Clinton or Obama supporter, but if I were to choose right now, I would not be considering Obama at this time because of this. He talks about the Clintons running a negative campaign; he needs to take a good long look at his own campaign and how it is going. You know what they say, “people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”

Jack, here’s the problem. Americans look at Obama and see a black man; Americans look at Hillary and see a woman; Americans look at Romney and see a Mormon; with Huckabee–a Baptist preacher..Get the picture? America has not come as far as she’d like to think when it comes to race and other prejudiced viewpoints. When we can look and see Hillary, Obama, Huckabee, and Romney all candidates running for the Presidency of the U.S., then we will no longer be a prejudiced nation. Not until we focus on something besides race, gender, or religious differences will this ever change.Arlene, Folsom, Ca.

Jack its time the media stay out of this mess. It is the media that inflames people and most of them believe you. For you to said Obama has an honest and radical free campaign is so stupid. Why can’t you be netural and tell it like it is. Everyone can see you hate the Clintons. Get over it and stop blaming the Democrats and let them work their own problems out without your help.
If they decide to fight it out and they hurt themselves then we can blame them for a campaign that turned people off. Be like Lou Dobbs and be independent and tell it like it is not like you want it.

Paul Minnesota

Jack,

You’d have to ask the Obama campaign for the answer to your question. It must have been his handlers were shocked into realty by the New Hampshire voters and needed to drive a negative wedge in the black vote before the South Carolina primary. Imagine anyone questioning the Clinton’s on the sincerety and committment to the Black community. Absurd!

I would like to think that our society is further along and that we as adults can debate without acting like we’re in the school yard. There are better things to talk about than the color of someones skin. I do not believe in the idea of “race.” Race is a made up term invented by one people to establish dominance over another people. I would like to add, although it should not matter that the color of my skin is white, but my soul is void of pigmentation.

Obama is winning…..that’s why the Dems cant conduct a “clean” campaign. The Clintons are smart and they know the easiest way to stay on top is to “scare” white america. For them to speak out VIA Robert Johnson against Obama and remain silent goes to show their sumbliminal intentions. The Clintons play the game better than anyone but we are smart, we see it clear as day. Johnson is a PAID spokesman, lets not forget BET was BOUGHT BY MTV…Go figure!!! Obama 08

Jack, the reason is pure TERROR.

Jack,

Let’s get this straight, Obama never said anything against Hillary Clinton as a person or the fact that she is a woman, so this is a Clinton problem and
I AM ANGRY!
As far as I’m concerned we’ve had hundreds of years of experience in Washington (D.C.) and it’s about time that we elect someone who can bring people (Black/White, Young/Old, Male/Female, Republican/Democrat) together the best he can.

Does that sound like Hillary Clinton to you?

After reading all of these responses Jack, I hope you are taking notice: The viewers blame Wolf & the rest of your reporters for trying to make the Clinton & Obma campaigns about race. Stop yourselves, because we are getting tired of it!!!

Iowa, New Hampshire you can see that Obama is ready to snatch the democrats ticket. The Clinton campaign sees this and they are ready to do anything to prevent this. including bring up racial issues.This is cheap politic on their part.

This campaign was never about race until Bill and Hillary and their staff astonishingly started saying things about Obama (and Dr. King) that had clear racial overtones. The Obama campaign is simply responding to yet another calculated, dirty, amoral tactic by the Clintons to make this campaign about race. Hillary realizes she is in for a tough fight, but this was never suppose to be tough. She was suppose to be the inevitable candidate, the candidate who sweeped to the nomination without a hiccup. But a young inspiring Senator from Illinois ruined all that for her, and now she can’t stand the fact her sixteen year quest to become President might be derailed by a new comer. The media should expose the hypocricy the Clintons have shown over the years. They never cared about African Americans, they only cared about their votes, and now that they can’t count on them to vote for Hillary, they will do anything they can to win, including making the campaign about race by trying to provoke Obama with infuriating remarks.

I am a democrat. Have been fans of both Obama and Clinton. Was also a Oprah fan until SHE brought RACE into the primary! I was shocked at her speeches and their blatent racial bias!

Someone please call the Republican candidates and tell them they can take the rest of the month off. We the Democrats are a trainwreck, please get out of the way and allow us to crash.

Remember when you were in grade school and some little busybody would tell you “Bobby said such and such about you; isn’t he nasty.” And then the busybody would go to Bobby and embelish and pass on your response. He-said-that-she-said-that-he-said raced (no pun) all over the playground.

Get a life. The supposed racial conflict between Obama and Clinton is largely found in the media’s need to feed a 24/7 news cycle. Both candidates are breaking diversity ground. That’s the story you should be reporting.

Of course we would see this kind of cheap mud slinging happen. They promote change yet were seeing the same desperate attempts to smear an apponents image. Im in favor of Obama regardless of what crap the clinton camp can dig up. In my opinion they are the last group of people who needs to be bringing up any past history. If they really believe in change they both need to back off each other and get back to the issues at hand. The issues people care about rather then what they have done in there past. If what was done in someones past decided who would be elected president we wouldnt have ever had a president.

When a nation sits in silence while being tormented by issues of race, there can be little surprise that this kind of “much ado about nothing” arises. Even more poignantly unfortunate is the media’s coverage of the whole affair. Can we get back to the issues at hand instead of worrying about Clinton’s supposedly ill-advised remarks or Obama’s seemingly opportunistic pounce on her misstep? Their squabbling only shows just how contrived their positions really are. Even more evident is the danger of Obama pretending that race is of little consequence at one electoral event then crying racial insensitivity the moment that someone says that the successes of the longstanding fight for racial equality are not due solely to African-American efforts. It’s all pathetic really. I bet Martin Luther King, Jr, that brilliant, elegant man, would tell both of them to grow up!