I watched the latest Democratic presidential debate with keen interest. Not only am I a fan of presidential politics, but - obviously - with Barack Obama in the race, for me it seems like the stakes are even higher than normal. His candidacy is one of historical proportions - not just in an abstract, academic, way - but in a personal one. I worked for Jesse Jackson when he ran in 1984. That was an opportunity to realize both personal and professional interests for me. I was the president of the Student Afro-American Society at Syracuse University then. I was proud to be able to leverage my leadership position on campus to create an even bigger impact in the broader community. I had grown up around politics, but this was the first time that I got the chance to really get involved in a real campaign.

Fast forward a whole lot of years and now Barack is a "serious candidate" for the presidency. It always perplexes me just what that means. It infers that Barack is, somehow, the first black candidate to be so honored. Jesse won fifteen primaries and caucuses in 1988 - and he wasn't "serious"?

Anyway, I watched the debate that was held at Howard University with a lot of interest. I wanted to gauge the seriousness with which these candidates addressed the issues of one of their parties largest constituencies. In addition, it had been awhile since I had heard any of them together and "debating" (if you can call it that). Who was going to best resonate with the crowd? How was Hillary going to do? What about Barack; would he really shine on what will - no doubt - be the closest thing to 'home court advantage' that he'll probably ever see? What about Edwards; was he going to assert himself? Richardson? Biden? Etc.

In general I was left with a few thoughts:

1) How on Earth can we have "debates" where candidates are supposed to respond thoughtfully on matters of the highest import, yet do so in 30 seconds to a minute? Does that make any sense? All this leads to is the kind of sloganeering and hucksterism that brings about the worst of politics. Actually, it makes this entire process seem to be something of a sham. Fundraising seems to be at the core of the real race at this point. The debates and public aspect of things seem to be a mere secondary facade.

2) With so many candidates at this point, and with the limitations that come from these numbers, these debates really seem to end up only reflecting whatever equity that the candidates have been able to gin up over the course of the campaign. The leaders end up being perceived as doing well; the followers blend in to the pack. With the inherent limitations of the format, it is so difficult to really distinguish oneself. Just ask Mike Gravel!

3) In my opinion there were two clear winners, a number of them bundled together in the middle, and one clear loser. I saw Hillary as a co-winner of the 'All American Debate' at Howard. You may be surprised to read that I thought Dennis Kucinich had a winning performance as well. Both of them spoke powerfully and with detail and conviction. Senator Clinton delivered her answers with both aplomb and with significant detail. She offered policy prescriptions which demonstrated a level of analysis and planning that seemed to be above and beyond her competitors. For example, she won resounding applause when she stated that if middle class white women were infected by AIDS to the degree that black women are - that America would have a wholly different response to it. She's right and it is courageous for her to say it - however politically motivated the comment might be (isn't every comment political in a campaign?).

Rep. Kucinich is in a serious predicament. While his answers are almost consistently spot on - he suffers from something that is profoundly holding him back. Dennis doesn't look the least bit "presidential". It is so hard to take him serious because he looks like someone's 8th grade social studies teacher. Give him the looks of Sen Edwards and he's a player in this race. While that doesn't say much for American political sensibilities, I think it's a reality that perhaps if we embrace, then maybe we can digest him just a bit better!

4) I was slightly disappointed with Sen. Obama. The last few times I've seen him on television he seems to be somewhat . . . muted. Where is the energy and the passion and the charisma that got him noticed to start with? Perhaps he is starting to suffer from the dreaded disease that many presidential candidates do - that of the choreographed, planning, consultant-laden influence of his "handlers". Remember, Al Gore seemed to lose what little personality he had when he ran? I get the sense that, even though Obama continues to do extremely well in the fundraising department, that there is something missing in his last few performances. I sincerely hope he finds it . . . and fast.

Obama's performance put him back in the pack along with Biden, Richardson, Edwards, and Dodd. They all did well - occasionally shining. At moments they were all presidential, insightful, and demonstrating qualities that earned real attention and respect. None, however, really did enough to stand out and push themselves forward into the front pack though.

5) Mike Gravel is doing what he can to try to differentiate himself from the pack and position himself as the maverick of the mavericks. He has no choice but to be aggressive and to 'let it hang out' in the debates. Unfortunately, he doesn't come across as presidential in the least. He seems more like the class clown than anything.

6) Tavis is doing a wonderful job of positioning himself as a leading player in the media - perhaps even a part of the 'New Jack' generation of African American leaders. Whatever you think of him, he is popping up everywhere and he seems to be representing well. Whether the State of Black America or his Covenant book or his radio and TV responsibilities - he seems to be both productive and, at least directionally, on point.

So, in the end, I like the way Hillary is aggressively going after the black vote. Of course, Barack is pushing her to do so, but she could have taken a more passive approach toward us. It could have even been strategically wise for her to just sit back a bit and see how African America embraced Barack over the long term. Instead of that, she is going to the churches and pressing her longstanding political relationships in our community hard to fight for African American support. At the very least, the Obama campaign will certainly force her (and anyone else seriously interested in the nomination) to up the ante for our support. That's a good thing.

That said, Barack has to continue to 'bring it' as well. There is an extraordinary difference between playing to win versus playing to not lose. Barack seems to have edged toward the latter - more conservative - tack. I'm not sure what's driving this shift. Maybe its battle fatigue. Maybe it is succumbing to the influence of others. Maybe its just that Barack is better in longer form speeches than in the staccato incantations of debates. Either way, with rumors that he has significantly surpassed Hillary in the most recent quarter fundraising numbers - he has to realize that he is onto something here. This is probably a once in a lifetime thing and he's got to absolutely and unequivocally GO FOR IT! I doubt he'll get a second chance.

Sorry MBM, Obama is milquetoast...

The qualities which got him noticed are his melting pot there is only one america can't we all get along type qualities...in other words

moderation
middle of the road
reaching across the aisle and whatnot

what are you expecting from this guy?

quote:

Originally posted by negrospiritual:

The qualities which got him noticed are his melting pot there is only one america can't we all get along type qualities...in other words

moderation
middle of the road
reaching across the aisle and whatnot

Those are qualities that have proven to resonate in America. Remember, the public has consistently demonstrated that they reject the kind of rank partisanship that seems to pervade our politics now. Senator Joe Lieberman got the vice presidential nomination based upon that approach as well.

One can be charismatic and a firebrand with that approach. It just seems that Barack needs to continue to 'go for it'. That's all.

I also fear Senator Obama is being 'neutered' by his 'team'.

He is being 'advised' into oblivion.

With that said however, I also see value in not 'gettin' hot' too soon.

It is still sixteen months...SIXTEEN MONTHS...to election day.

I remain hopeful that Senator Obama will remain mindful of 'what time it is'.

I fear his team's mentality is fatal.

He MUST be in-charge of his destiny.

Let's hope.

PEACE

Jim Chester

This message has been edited. Last edited by: James Wesley Chester,

African Americans for African America
http://iaanh2.org


African American
Pledge of Unity

We stand, Together, after left alone in a land we never knew. We Bind ourselves, Together, with the blood and will of Those who have gone before. From the Bodies of our Ancestors thrown away, from the Pieces of Ourselves left to perish, We rise as One, a New Body in a New Land, a New People in a New Nation. Of Common Mind, Body, and Spirit, By Declaration of our Amalgamated Individual and Personal Authorities, We Are African America.

© James Wesley Chester 2004; 2008

You are who you say you are. Your children are who you say you are.

I wonder why Hillary gets all these passes. She says a couple of catch words gets a rise out of the Audience and she somehow wins the debate. Get real. Seems to me all of them were plays safe politics, except Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel they were the only ones who put there necks out there.

quote:

Originally posted by ZAKAR:


I wonder why Hillary gets all these passes. She says a couple of catch words gets a rise out of the Audience and she somehow wins the debate. Get real. Seems to me all of them were plays safe politics, except Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel they were the only ones who put there necks out there.

If you watched the debate she had much more specificity to her answers; she offered policies and solutions where others painted in broad brush strokes. She also communicated as well - if not better - than anyone else.

I'm on the record about how I feel about her. Nevertheless, I appreciate the vigor with which she appears to be going after the African American vote.

What were your specific issues with her in the debate?

what you talking about if I watched the debate. Specific??On what, actually did she give direct answers on. On crime and punishment, crack'vs powder? She was in the white house 8 years with Bill Clinton, what did they do to improve conditions in the inner city, what did they do about poverty, the crack laws mandatory minimums, welfare to work. I mean come on get real.Hillary Clinton is playing to the middle just as much if not more than Obama. People give her a pass cause she Bill's wife and resignates with women. As far as substance, nothing much is there

quote:

Originally posted by ZAKAR:

Hillary Clinton is playing to the middle just as much if not more than Obama.

I agree with everything you've said, but please remember - that's where the votes are: in the middle!

Unfortunately I didn't have an opportunity to see the debates this past Thursday or the replay on C-Span.

Hillary's comment in regards to Black women and Aids is nothing more than a 10:00 news flash and she knew that. I would like to know what she's done in New York for the black women or women in general with HIV/AIDS?

Maybe the reason there's been a shift in Obama's performance is because of a side deal. Maybe he and his camp knowns he won't win the Democratic nomination, and Hillary has offered him an opportunity to be her running mate if she gets the nomination. All of the money that he is raising will be used to fund the Clinton/Obama ticket.

@MBM,

Your being active in a presidential campaign is very interesting. What was a day in the life of a campaign worker like?

quote:

Originally posted by ac9311:
Unfortunately I didn't have an opportunity to see the debates this past Thursday or the replay on C-Span.

Hillary's comment in regards to Black women and Aids is nothing more than a 10:00 news flash and she knew that. I would like to know what she's done in New York for the black women or women in general with HIV/AIDS?

Maybe the reason there's been a shift in Obama's performance is because of a side deal. Maybe he and his camp knowns he won't win the Democratic nomination, and Hillary has offered him an opportunity to be her running mate if she gets the nomination. All of the money that he is raising will be used to fund the Clinton/Obama ticket.

@MBM,

Your being active in a presidential campaign is very interesting. What was a day in the life of a campaign worker like?

I agree with your assessment but only to point that Obama,I believe,is jockeying for the position of Attorney General.

I agree with your assessment but only to point that Obama,I believe,is jockeying for the position of Attorney General.---zodo

Now that is an interesting prospect.

What can the Attorney General do that the President disapproves of?

And...for how long?

PEACE

Jim Chester

quote:

Originally posted by zodo:



I agree with your assessment but only to point that Obama,I believe,is jockeying for the position of Attorney General.

Why Attorney General? I'm just curious.

quote:

Originally posted by ac9311:

quote:

Originally posted by zodo:



I agree with your assessment but only to point that Obama,I believe,is jockeying for the position of Attorney General.

Why Attorney General? I'm just curious.

Obabma has years of legal expereince and is by profession a lawyer. IMO White America will not tolerate a Black as president. He has risen this far solely b/c he has served as a sort of "message candidate" bringing forth issues that "old guard" politicians would be afraid to touch (at least publically). His power base is composed by those whom are tired of the old rigmarole spewed forth by previous presidential contenders of both parties. Should the Democrats win election they'll have to incorporate him at some level; should the Republicans take the prize they'll reluctantly lend an ear to any issue proposed by him.


Obama running for the seat as governor of Illinois in the near future wouldn't be such a bad idea either.

quote:

Originally posted by James Wesley Chester:
I agree with your assessment but only to point that Obama,I believe,is jockeying for the position of Attorney General.---zodo

Now that is an interesting prospect.

What can the Attorney General do that the President disapproves of?

And...for how long?

PEACE

Jim Chester

If the Democrats win they'll have little choice but to employ Barack as attorney general or in some significant position. His power base is enormous and he can't be ignored and even at a minute level all of Black America will judge the Democrats by their treatment of him.

quote:

Originally posted by ac9311:

@MBM,

Your being active in a presidential campaign is very interesting. What was a day in the life of a campaign worker like?

I was involved from my vantage point at Syracuse University. The highlight was hosting and introducing Jackson at an event on campus.