Friday, March 28, 2008

Race Matters

I am re-reading Cornel West's 1994 "Race Matters". Is the end of the introduction just as relevant to today?

"We need leaders -- neither saints nor sparkling television personalities -- who can situate themselves within a larger historical narrative of this country and our world, who can grasp the complex dynamics of our peoplehood and image a future grounded in the best of our past, yet who are attuned to the frightening obstacles that now perplex us. This new leadership must be grounded in grassroots organizing that highlights democratic accountability. Whoever our leaders will be, their challenge will be to help Americans determine whether a genuine multiracial democracy can be created and sustained in an era of global economy. Let us hope and prey that the vast intelligence, imagination, humor, and courage of Americans will not fail us. Either we learn a new language of empathy and compassion, or the fire this time will consume us all."

Will Obama fill this description?

Michael H. Drucker
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Thursday, March 27, 2008

Bloomberg Introduces Obama

Mayor Bloomberg remains neutral in the '08 race, but appears with Obama in NY on March 27, 2008. Obama gets nice words and an introduction from Hizzoner at New York economic speech.

Use the above link to view the introduction.

Michael H. Drucker
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Friday, March 21, 2008

Obama's Speech

Here are some comments by readers of Politico.com:

"The reality is that Senator Obama and his campaign didn't want to deal with Rev. Wright's hate speech until they had to. Doing so at the height of Obama's strength kept them from enduring the backlash during early primaries and caucuses, which would have left him weaker than he is today. Obviously the campaign knew his Democratic rivals would never raise the Wright issue. Obama deserves abounding credit for the candid speech he gave today, which also revealed the reality of a man in deep turmoil, talking about issues he didn't want to address in a delivery that was tight and even a bit resentful, if for no other reason than his candidacy has been based on something other. The conflict between the speech he had to give and the message of his campaign showed throughout Obama's presentation, revealing a man in deep conflict with being forced to confront issues publicly that he wanted to rise above, or maybe just wish would go away. No doubt Barack Obama wants us all to move on now. However, that's not quite how presidential politics works."

"Senator Obama delivered a powerful speech on the roots and state of Black-White relations in America. Every politician should deal with the divide between African-Americans and Whites in this country. However, because Mr. Obama had to speak before the background of the Reverend Wright's divisive statements, I doubt whether he was able to remove doubts about his candidacy and agenda. While I believe that he has a good chance to win the nomination of his party, he cannot win the general election against Senator McCain. The Republicans will play and replay segments of his long-time pastor's sermons and thereby kill his chances for the White House. Unfortunately, this is what politics is about."

"We as American's need to face the reality of racial tension in our society. It is there. We can't deny it. I think this is a bold move on Sen. Obama's part. It is more than a simple political maneuver. In fact, I'm sure most political analysts would advise against the candor and specificity shown in his speech. But he has raised the bar for politicians in my opinion. He has said it's not enough to just use race as a political tool. You have to be willing to face it head on when it is politically inconvenient and work to overcome it. As far as the comments of Pastor Wright. No they were not warranted, no Sen. Obama does not agree with them. Honestly, if he thought that poorly of our country why would he run for president? But as the Clinton campaign often notes words are just words...and these words aren't even Sen. Obama's. So I will continue to let his actions, his character, his ability to speak truth to power, and his willingness to acknowledge his mistakes serve as the basis of my judgment."

"Aren't these racial problems ours? After listening to his speech today, I am convinced that Barack Obama will be an important figure in American life regardless of the outcome of this race. I believe he already towers above Hillary and McCain as a public figure. He has leadership and authenticity that becomes more and more apparent as the weeks go by. As things stand today, a Clinton nomination will surely diminish her because she will get it in a very unconventional way. That way being via backroom deals with super delegates. Barack Obama is showing that he has the right stuff. Ironically, it is those who seek to prove he does not who are enabling him to show it. Barack Obama is the right man for our times."

For me it was a great speech from a biracial man with the understanding of each side of the issues. But he is running for President of the Unitede States and is still a Democrat and will have to deal with a Congress that will not be easy to sway.

What do you think of the speech?

Michael H. Drucker
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Monday, March 17, 2008

Independents Fighting On - Call for Candidates

In general third party watchers still see a great opportunity for a surging independent movement in 2008. As Lou Dobbs wrote, it will take “nothing less than an independent voter rebellion” to wrest control of the two establishment parties from their corporate underwriters. But with the challenge of gathering petition signatures to make the ballot, deadlines are nearing and time is running short.

Use the above link to read Joseph Oddo's (founding director of the Committee to Draft Michael Bloomberg) article.

Michael H. Drucker
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Friday, March 14, 2008

Ramblings

When MN and FL decided to move up their voting the RNC and DNC took notice. The RNC made a logical decision by cutting the number of delegates in half. But the disfunctional DNC caused its own problem by ignoring their voters.

I think what people say in support of a candidate is their opinion. Then it is up to the candidate to agree or disagree. But when your long time Paster say things over a long period, it is different.

Some say this is not Obama's time. But maybe it is a turning point for the Black Community. In the near future they may become the third force and Hispanics the second. So it may be Obama's time.

Obama talks about change and turning the page. Maybe he will have the chance to change the entire book on how this nation deals with race.

I wonder what it is like raising a biracial child in a world that still sees people by race and color, not individuality?

What do you think?

Michael H. Drucker
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Wednesday, March 12, 2008

MARCH 2008 - NATIONAL INDEPENDENT CONFERENCE CALL

Independents have defined the presidential race. Listen to Jackie Salit, editor of the Neo-Independent Magainze and President of CUIP talk about how independents have impacted and where we're going. Also includes reports from around the country, including Linda Curtis of Independent Texans on the March 4th outcome.

 


Michael H. Drucker
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Sunday, March 9, 2008

Is It The Right Message?

When Obama talks about "change, turn the page or a new politic," is he really addressing what is needed? As an independent and an elected official in NY I do not think the message is addressing the real needs.

He is bringing in new voters but is not preparing them for what will happen if he is the president. He can not do anything if he does not change Congress. That is where his message has a stronger meaning. The House and Senate needs to be changed first before his "turn the page" can work. It is in the weeds at the state level where it starts. Look at what happened in the 2006 midterm elections. We did not go far enough with the change of congress to affect anything. I think it will happen again by not explaining to those new voters what is needed to have a true CHANGE.

What do you think?

Michael H. Drucker
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Friday, March 7, 2008

Puerto Rico to Hold Democratic Primary

Seizing on a rare opportunity to influence U.S. politics, Puerto Rico's Democratic Party has chosen to hold a presidential primary instead of a caucus to encourage more islanders to participate in the June 1 contest, an official said Friday.

Roberto Prats, party chairman in the U.S. territory, said the switch approved Thursday by the central committee will put pressure on Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama to campaign in the Caribbean island.

Michael H. Drucker
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Wednesday, March 5, 2008

VT. Indicts Pres. & VP

Voters in two southern Vermont towns passed articles Tuesday calling for the indictment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney for violating the Constitution. More symbolic than substantive, the items sought to have police arrest Bush and Cheney if they ever visit Brattleboro or nearby Marlboro or to extradite them for prosecution elsewhere — if they’re not impeached first.

Michael H. Drucker
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Sunday, March 2, 2008

FL. Second Primary

Florida Governor Charlie Crist said he'd support a repeat of the Democratic presidential primary so the state's delegates can be counted at the party's national convention.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said he's open to the possibility. Primary elections are paid for by a state's taxpayers, so the offer from Crist, a Republican, is ``very helpful'' because money is an issue, Dean said.

Dean said the dispute over seating delegates is the fault of party leaders, not Florida voters. ``If they would like to fix that problem so that we can seat Florida without any problems, and pay for it, of course we would like to seat Florida,'' he said.

What do you think about a FL. do-over?

Michael H. Drucker
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