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February 14, 2008

Dirty Tricks?

When I first heard that Michigan and Florida would be stripped of delegates because of the states' decision to hold early primaries in violation of DNC rules, I knew this would come back to haunt Democrats. Understandably, Sen. Hillary Clinton has been quietly calling for the delegates to be seated at the convention since she won both states (her name was the only name on the ballot in Michigan).


What I didn't expect was that the battle over this controversy would be waged by black leaders and politicians.

Civil Rights Chairwoman Mary Frances Berry and Roger Wilkins, a former Justice Department official also wrote Dean asking him to settle the dispute before the convention.

My problem is this: Why didn't these people speak up when this scenario was unfolding? Now it looks like these African-American icons are carrying water for the Clinton camp. Hillary Clinton, who appears to be losing steam in her bid for the White House, presumably would benefit if the delegates in Florida and Michigan were seated.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who has been lukewarm when it comes to Sen. Barack Obama's campaign and hasn't officially declared for either candidate, has jumped on the opposite side of this issue. See press release below:


REV. SHARPTON CALLS ON THE DNC TO NOT SEAT MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA
DELEGATES, CALLING IT A MASSIVE CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION


Dear Governor Dean:

I write this letter as a former Democratic candidate for President of
the United States and a civil rights leader who has fought his entire
life for fairness and justice for all people regardless of the color
of their skin. I firmly believe that changing the rules now, and
seating delegates from Florida and Michigan at this point would not
only violate the Democratic party's rules of fairness, but also would
be a grave injustice.

As former Presidential candidates we both know that, whether we liked
them or not, we adhered to the rules set forth by the Democratic party
to select its nominee for president. For example, I would have much
preferred starting the nominating process with caucuses and primaries
in South Carolina and Washington D.C. than Iowa and New Hampshire.
Nonetheless, I knew the rules, abided by them, and ultimately accepted
the consequences. Changing the rules in the middle of a presidential
contest is patently unfair both to the candidates (including Senator
Edwards) and to Democratic voters everywhere.

Some have said that not seating delegations from Florida and Michigan
disenfranchises Democratic voters -- especially African American
voters -- from those two states. That claim, if true, should have been
made many months ago before the decision was made to strip these
states of their delegates, and, once the decision was made, it should
have been vigorously objected to and contested by those who felt it
disenfranchised voters. To raise that claim now smacks of politics in
its form most raw and undercuts the moral authority behind such an
argument.

As a civil rights leader who is neutral in this presidential primary
season and who highly respects both remaining Democratic candidates, I
think we have a responsibility to protect both candidates from charges
that the process was tainted so that our eventual nominee does not
start the general election campaign under a cloud. Clearly, the
justifiably proud and intense passions of each candidate's supporters
will be on full display in the months leading up to the convention.
However, the Democratic Party and independent voices within must
temper over enthusiasm by either side and the party must be resolute
in ensuring that there is one set of rules by which we select our
nominee.

In Progress,


Reverend Al Sharpton, President of National Action Network

Sen. Barack Obama's letter to Tavis Smiley

The following letter dated February 13, was sent to Tavis Smiley asking him to reconsider his decision not to let Michelle Obama stand in for her husband at the 2008 State of the Black Union forum in New Orleans.

February 13, 2008

Mr. Tavis Smiley

President and CEO

The Smiley Group

3870 Crenshaw Boulevard

Suite 391
Los Angeles, CA 90008

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

Why is Tavis Smiley dissing Sen. Barack Obama?

Why--when Sen. Barack Obama is on a roll in the Democratic Primary,--is talk show host and commentator Tavis Smiley stirring up a debate over Obama's decision not to participate in Smiley's 2008 State of the Black Union forum on February 23?

The blogs are buzzing with opinions on this issue.

Certainly someone as politically astute as Smiley knows how critical it is for Obama to be focused on winning Texas, Wisconsin and Ohio in upcoming contests. So what is Smiley's real motive for not working out a compromise by allowing Michelle Obama to take her husband's place?

Early in the campaign, Obama participated in Tavis Smiley's CNN Presidential Debates, appeared before the National Association of Black Journalists, as well as before the Trotter Group, the NAACP and the National Urban League.

I understand Smiley is trying to be the black Larry King, but his ego is out-of-whack. Obama doesn't have to kiss Smiley's butt in order to attract black voters. In fact, in the Louisiana primary, Obama won 86 percent of the African American vote.

Frankly, Smiley had better watch himself before he wrecks himself.

The 2008 State of the Black Union forum is an important national event for Black America, but some people have been so turned off by Smiley's pompous behavior, they are calling for a boycott of the event.