CNN is all over Obama for rejecting State of Black Union invitation.

CNN said the campaign offered to send Michelle, but this was turned down.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/23/obama.sobu/index.html

From Sean Callebs
CNN

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- The annual State of the Black Union forum boasts a number of famous names as it gets under way in New Orleans, but this year's event is getting much more attention for who won't be there.


Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama campaigns in New Orleans on February 7.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, was the only major presidential candidate to accept an invitation to attend.

Her rival, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, declined, as did Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

But it's Obama's absence that's prompted both controversy and a backlash against Tavis Smiley, the organizer of the event who has openly criticized Obama's decision.

In a letter to Smiley earlier this month, Obama commended the forum for addressing important issues, but explained he needed to focus on his presidential run ahead of the critical March 4 primaries.

"In the final stretch, I will be on the campaign trail every day in states like Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin talking directly with voters about the causes that are at the heart of my campaign and the State of the Black Union forum," Obama wrote.

"That is why, with regret, I am not able to attend the forum." Watch the candidates stump in Texas »


"I think it's a missed opportunity on Mr. Obama's part," Smiley told CNN. "Now, I am not interested in demonizing him for his choice, but I do disagree with it."

But Smiley's criticism has also prompted many people to come to Obama's defense. The talk show host told The Washington Post he has been inundated with angry e-mails and even death threats.

"I have family in Indianapolis. They are harassing my momma, harassing my brother. It's getting to be crazy," Smiley told the newspaper.

He will be busy despite Obama's absence. Some of the nation's top black activists and politicians attend the State of the Black Union.

Smiley said he picked New Orleans as the 2008 host city to highlight the continued plight of its residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

"We owe it to them, those who survived, those who are still struggling to rebuild their lives," Smiley said. "We owe it to them to raise these issues louder than ever."

New Orleans continues to battle problems, including crime and lack of affordable housing. Entire communities still lack hospitals or emergency care.

Obama campaigned in the city before he easily won Louisiana's Democratic primary on February 9, taking 57 percent of the vote.

But at least one Louisiana lawmaker praised Clinton for being there when the region needed help.


"I don't support people just because they are black," said Democratic state Rep. Juan LaFonta.

"I support people because they are qualified and committed to issues that affect my constituent base.

that's working; why wouldn't Mrs. Obama be good enough? Much ado about nothing.

February 13, 2008


Dear Tavis,

Thank you for the invitation to participate in the 2008 State of the Black Union forum in New Orleans, Louisiana February 21-23. The exchange of ideas raised at this annual symposium are invaluable as our nation strives to address the critical issues facing not just African Americans, but Americans of every race, background and political party.

I especially commend you for hosting this dialogue in New Orleans. On the eve of the Louisiana primary, I visited this great city for the fifth time since declaring my candidacy to share policy proposals for rebuilding the Gulf Coast so that we never experience another Hurricane Katrina. On February 9, I was deeply humbled to win the Louisiana primary with 86 percent of the African American vote and a 14 point lead among all voters who said they were adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Uniting our country and creating a national constituency for fundamental change is why I am running for President of the United States. We have come a long way in this race, but we still have a long road ahead. In the final stretch, I will be on the campaign trail everyday in states like Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin talking directly with voters about the causes that are at the heart of my campaign and the State of the Black Union forum such as affordable healthcare, housing, economic opportunity, civil rights and foreign policy. I am committed to touching every voter, and working to earn their vote.

That is why with regret, I am not able to attend the forum. I understand that you have declined the campaign’s request to have Michelle Obama speak on my behalf. I ask that you reconsider. Michelle is a powerful voice for the type of real change America is hungry for. No one knows my record or my passion for leading America in a new direction more than Michelle Obama.

Tavis, this is our movement and our time. I look forward to working closely with you throughout this election. Thank you for your continued support.


Sincerely,

Barack Obama

of race that come out of the important and relevant conference.

Once again, Obama is choosing the safe, political route; in this case, making certain he's not identified with any of the more vocal and insistent voices which Tavis's conference features. If you think that conference has been about Tavis's publicity for himself, you really know nothing about it at all.

enough?
It's unfortunate, but Obama has a ground game to get through; your candidate? Not so much.

state. They wanted to use him, but he's now a liability.

probably drooling over all the press he's getting.

*quickly bowing out of the room, lest I suffer the indignity and reprisals of the ruling camp's displeasure at my criticism of their icon*

that Michelle Obama's senior thesis at Princeton might be too divisive because of its focus on race and, on the other, that Sen Obama isn't doing enough to focus on race.

FWIW, the campaign offered to send Ms Obama to the conference; Tavis rejected her as a surrogate. She's an amazing woman and, I would say, it's his (and the conference's) loss.

That makes sense to me. The candidates should stand up for themselves

as a surrogate. Tavis has always been a champion of Bill.

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

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

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

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

http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur40959.cfm

contacted him about Ms Obama going, even though I have heard her offer to go on Black radio numerous times. Sorry, Tavis is looking small here, not Sen Obama.

. . . to send his wife. But, Tavis was clear about his reasons for rejecting that substitute.

I don't drink the Tavis kool-aid. He isn't a messiah and I'm not a member of his cult.

I also believe that more than a few speakers will take aim at Mr Smiley today for his effort to divide the community. It's interesting, though, last year I was commenting on a thread about the SOBU and there were maybe 6 of us doing so. This year, oddly, it seems like it has garnered lots of interest. I'm sure none of it is opportunism.

Or, support?

did you miss that?

My claim was not plural.

I think this might have been the first time. So forgive me for fanning the flames and then forgive me again as I bow out.

Joe and many african americans who called in thought Tavis Smiley was out of line and more concerned with himself than that is best for the african american cause. They thought he should have welcomed Michelle Obama. That expecting a presidential candidate in the fight of his life to come off the campaign trail during a heated primary was ridiculous.

Nothing there there...sorry

Hillary agreed to "come off the campaign trail during a heated primary."

that is) Tell me. Where does Tavis Smiley get off telling anybody what is expected of them as a black person? WTF is he??? That's why I cannot tolerate him. He is an insufferable, santimonious, pompous, ass.

with you. Tavis has damaged his own reputation, and Obama's will be just fine. This is just more grandstanding, and self aggrandization on the part of Tavis. He tried to create a media storm around this issue, and it has already begun to backfire on him.

Tavis is first & foremost a businessman, and having the top two Dem Presidential on his panel attracts MEDIA, and that's what Tavis is after...oh, and to sell whatever his newest book will be.

going to a conference sponsored by the major corporations in america or going out and meeting the people..hmmm what`s more effective...standing around in a conference patting each other on the back for making great speeches or meeting and speaking to the people out here in america.if it were me, i would go with meeting and speaking to the people

Tavis Smiley's State of the Black Union

...Spending the day with Tavis and his panelists is vital for Clinton. For Obama, time spent courting Latinos in Texas is more important.

African Americans are asking a lot of Obama, the best chance blacks have ever had of one of their own capturing the White House. I often hear folks say they want to know if he is going to back "their" issues. It is no different than how white women are feeling about Clinton. These are indeed historic firsts.

By the way, when people say that black issues are being ignored in the campaign, they are wrong.

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, the nation's most prestigious think tank devoted to African American issues, released a survey showing that the top issues to blacks are the war in Iraq; healthcare; jobs and the economy; and education.

Sounds to me like the candidates have spent a lot of time on those issues, although they could always do more.

As an aside, when I asked my radio listeners on WVON in Chicago if Obama should skip the event, we got 29 calls in two hours, and only two said he should go. And this is a crowd that is normally in agreement with Smiley....

http://essence.typepad.com/news/2008/02/roland-s-mart-6.html

There is a slew of similar articles available.

he doesn't need to appear at the event.

address the issues at an institutional level. Part of that effort to getting elected is campaigning.

like the topic of the conference?
of course, as a black woman, i understand why he can't appear at this event.

everyone who is honest understands why he can't appear at the event. We see how people are responding to Michelle's relatively tame Senior thesis about the troubles of Blackness within the Ivy League...

I think Sen Obama's life's work has focused on institutional racism, to be truthful. It's one of the things that makes me most proud of him--confronting institutional racism at the community and state levels. I can only hope he can continue it should he get elected.

of life in america circa 2008...on that we agree.

Just kidding :) (About the reason to vote for Hillary part, anyway ...)

Of all the flame wars I've seen in GDP lately, I don't remember seeing one that started as a result of grammar, so I thought I'd give it a shot :rofl:

I love how Hillary supporters can play the victim card.... just by using hypotheticals.

No racism at all

see them. Sounds to me like Clinton supporters inventing "Obama racism cries" in order to play the victim of the fake "racism cries."

:hi:

Bitter...much?

:hi:

they'll forgive him.

I'm going to watch this story.

We, in the black community, know that Obama's running a national campaign, and he is fighting for every vote. Tavis wanted to use Obama to draw media attention to his event, and instead what Tavis has managed to do is alienate a good portion of his black audience.

This tells me that Obama will not allow himself to be intimidated or pidgeon-holed by special interest groups, no matter who they are. Good for him!

They're still running segments titled "What Hillary Clinton Can Do to Still Win."

They don't get it: Obama is going to be the nominee.

I've been watching CNN lately, and Carl Bernstein, Jack Cafferty and the rest of their pundits get their jollies out of eviserating her as often as possible.

with Barack on this as he is trying to win the POTUS. In addition, some of the so called "black leadeers" that will be there have taken shots at him in the past.

that's not an excuse for refusing the invitation.

I actually donate money to this place so that I can express my feelings here.

afford to donate money to this place. I just got out of homelessness--a homelessness that lasted 16 months. I am not a member here, although I have been coming here for almost 5 years, simply because I cannot afford to. I have to get on my feet again and, sadly, even giving $5 to DU right now is a big deal to me.

So you don't know the circumstances of those who haven't donated. Some of them are just bullshitters, but some of us are poor and wish to god we'd have the money to spare instead of using it to try to put our lives back together.

The hypocrisy of many Obama supporters is so transparent.

i'm african american, and i think he should attend.

...and the very notion that he's telling the people of Louisiana to "piss off", as another poster insinuated, is simply false- a lie. Obamas support for Katrina victims is well documented. What bothers me about this, more than anything, is their attempt to "hijack" the process by insisting on Obama being there, when he's in the midst of one of the tightest nomination races in recent history. Why isn't Michelle Obama good enough?

Hillary has an election to win also, if she can spare a couple of hours to attend, so can he. When Michelle throws her hat in the ring, then she'll be good enough.

Oh wait, that's right, she only went to the states that "didn't matter". :eyes:

with BO accepting an invitation that was exclusively intended for him?

she feels obliged to go.

wish that it will. Such a shame that you'll be disappointed again.

attempt to pander to a constituency that has soundly rejected her. This won't change anyone's mind, as a matter of fact, it will probably only increase Obama's favorables. Tavis, for the majority of us, has fallen out of favor for his relentless attacks on Obama.

helped to get civil rights legislation passed.

He's got to campaign in Texas and Ohio to do that. If he dropped everything and went to the forum, CNN would accuse him of pandering. He wants to be the president of all the people, not just people of color.

:P

I double-posted in this area...sorry this thread!

I've followed Obama's decision not to attend for the past week, including reading the articles, listening to audio clips and reading African-American blogs & chats. Most African-Americans agree with Obama's decision. The State of the Black Union has been going on for eight years. Black leaders, pundits, activists get together and discuss the issues and debate how to solve problems. No change has come out of it except a good discussion. Except for Tavis, who's Covenant with Black America book hit the top ten list and he got a tv show out of it. But how much change has happened? What problems have been solved? That's one of the main reasons I'm not spending my day today watching these leaders debate about what the problem is and how to solve them. (The day of service they had yesterday was good, though). Most African-Americans know what the problems are in our community and are working individually, with our churches, with our families, and with other organizations to help solve them. And the desire to work didn't come from watching these leaders, pundits, etc. debate on tv, listening to their radio shows, or reading their books.

Obama went to the State of the Black Union last year. He's given numerous interviews to black media sources (i.e. magazines) and has appeared on numerous tv and radio shows that have a largely black audience. He's worked in the community as an organizer and civil rights lawyer (for all races and ethnicities). At this moment, he needs to be in Texas, Ohio & other states campaigning. If he wins the nomination and wins the general election, he'll be in better position to help all Americans. He can have all the meaningful discussions he wants to have then with all Americans. And, guess what, he'll be in a better position to do something about the problems than just simply sitting on a stage debating about how to solve the problem.

And, he doesn't need another debate with Clinton or other black leaders right now. He needs to be doing exactly what he's doing. On the other hand, Clinton has lost the African-American vote. She's trying to cut into that base of voters. She's also probably trying to "woo" Edwards for an endorsement (although I don't know how much difference that'll make right now). As we know, one of Edwards' main concerns is New Orleans. So, of course Clinton went to the State of the Black Union.

Obama made the right decision for his campaign. As for the black community, the majority of us support his decision. As for Tavis' outrage, is it more about the fact that Obama's not there or that he want get the increased ratings & potentially more money. And as an African-American dem, I agree with Obama's decision (along with many others) and I also agree with Clinton's decision to go. Both made the right decisions for their campaign.

:hi:

every single election people here fret over "the black vote." except this one...curious.

In case you haven't noticed, Barack Obama IS the state of the black union.

:headbang:
rocknation

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

Bush went to Bob Jones U. during the election season of 2000. Why can't Obama bother to show up for this event? This is a pathetic sign of poor judgment and character.

And that's twice. Donnie McClurkin. Now this. Will Obama ditch anyone he needs to in order to get elected?

Or in any previous year.

:rofl:

They barely even mentioned it in years past.

...except if it's Michelle Obama. She's a chick.

:sarcasm:

i'm going to watch this just so i can see whats the big deal.

He has a campaign to run and is in Ohio this weekend working the ground hard which is what he needs to be doing at this critical juncture. There are MANY event invititations, and he can't go to all of them. He offered to send Michelle, and they refused. Why? Why would they refuse Michelle? It's absurd. There is NO story here.

99.5% of black voters are not watching this event and could care less about Smiley's tirade. He is not the center of the universe.

I just don't see him as having the influence he imagines he does.

This is really a non-issue.

what makes you think more white people are familiar than smiley than black people?

They don't know Tavis Smiley. He is significant only in his own mind.

And I'd gather that most working class black people have no idea that there is a "Tavis Smiley State of the Union" going on today.

They don't have time for such nonsense.

smiley is pretty well-known among the african-american i know...friends, family, etc...from california to mississippi.

And it's just NOT happening.

People are trying to survive. Not watch the black guy on PBS.

but it doesn't surprise me that some people don't know that.

They get by.

The older folk are much more likely to be involved politically.

Most young people I work with didn't even bother to vote in the GA primaries.

it's not just a matter of survival either. the cultural narrative that sustained past generations no longer exists, at least not as the motivating force it once was.

of 40+ african-americans. i don't think he is a legend, by any standard. but he is a radio/tv personality with some following.

please give a short 4 paragraph snip then link


sheesh!

to place saint Obama on a pedestal in order to knock him down and prevent Obama from winning.

Don't the realize they are not following orders!?!? How dare they attack saint Obama! Quick, place a call to your local right wing conspiracy office and make a complaint!


Up is down and down is up!

Wonder what the anit-Obama talking points will be tomorrow? *sigh*


Texas is Obama country!

at this stage of the campaign.

:D

if obama attended this event and scolded people for talking about race, that would be comparable.

Listen to black talk radio. The black community is not lining up against Obama on this.

I wonder if this was supposed to be their November 22 moment?

It'd be funny if it weren't so arrogant.

see, we have figured out how this works now.