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Clyburn

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Other Politics
Posted on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 06:45:55 PM EST
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A disgrace:

Lewis’ role in tonight’s program “shows the magnanimity of Barack Obama,” said House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina, who is the highest ranking African-American in Congress. Clyburn, who like Lewis was jailed as a civil rights activist in his younger days, acknowledged Lewis’ significance to African-Americans’ battle for equality.

An utter disgrace.

Speaking for me only

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    Clyburn | 23 comments (23 topical)

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    didn't they run someone against Lewis (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by athyrio on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 06:51:37 PM EST
    for his seat because he supported Hillary?? I seem to remember something about that..

    They threatened to do so (5.00 / 4) (#4)
    by Cream City on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 06:58:27 PM EST
    and you speak for me on this, BTD.  If others disagree and continue to support those who did not speak up for him and against this cabal, they are embracing Clyburn, too.  

    And I will judge them by the company they keep.

    I tuned in to listen to the great John Lewis tonight, but then hit the mute again.  I'm just occasionally casting my eye at the screen to see if there's anybody else worth my time.

    And anyone who did not speak up to defend him, after all he has done, is not worth my time.  That's a long list of Dems who are not worth my time.

    Parent

    Yes (5.00 / 5) (#6)
    by michitucky on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 06:58:30 PM EST
    He did have a primary challenger.  

    I can't remember who he was speaking with the other night, but they asked him if he'd spoken with Bill Clinton...He said that Bill called him on primary night to congratulate him.  When asked if Bill Clinton was a racist, he responded that Bill Clinton didn't have a racist hair on his head and that he considered Bill Clinton his brother.

    Parent

    No, "they" didn't (3.00 / 2) (#8)
    by Michael Masinter on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:09:18 PM EST
    Markel Hutchins, a 30-year-old minister with no following outside his church ran against Lewis in the July primary and predictably was swamped.  There is no evidence that "they" sponsored or otherwise played any role in Hutchins' ill conceived fifteen minutes of fame.

    Lewis is an authentic hero; he nearly lost his life on the Edmund Pettus bridge.  Whatever his reasons for switching his endorsement, you can bet that nobody intimidated him.  He proved long ago that he doesn't back down.

    Parent

    Of course not (5.00 / 4) (#10)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:16:33 PM EST
    They, Jesse Jackson, Jr., blackmailed Lewis to switch his endorsement.

    An incredibly disgraceful episode.

    Parent

    Evidence, please (3.00 / 2) (#21)
    by Michael Masinter on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:20:37 PM EST
    What evidence do you have to substantiate the claim that Jesse Jackson, Jr. blackmailed John Lewis?  John Lewis is an honorable man who has done nothing for which he could be blackmailed.  As you surely know, blackmail is a felony; even supposing the accusation to be a metaphor, it belongs in a PUMA blog.  

    Like I said before, nobody could intimidate John Lewis; he has put his life on the line for his beliefs and for the ideals for which the democratic party stands in ways few of us can imagine.  

    You can do better than this.


    Parent

    Evidence? (none / 0) (#22)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:28:33 PM EST
    Are you a freaking buffoon?

    I wrote about it in REAL TIME at this blog.

    That you are ignorant of this is not my freaking problem.

    Do not ever comment in my threads again.

    Ever. I am damn serious.


    Parent

    Let it be known (none / 0) (#23)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:42:36 PM EST
    that if you do not know WTF you are talking about, do not challenge my integrity:

    In an interview, Cleaver offered a glimpse of private conversations. He said Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois had recently asked him "if it comes down to the last day and you're the only superdelegate? ... Do you want to go down in history as the one to prevent a black from winning the White House? "I told him I'd think about it," Cleaver concluded.

    Jackson, an Obama supporter, confirmed the conversation, and said the dilemma may pose a career risk for some black politicians. "Many of these guys have offered their support to Mrs. Clinton, but Obama has won their districts. So you wake up without the carpet under your feet. You might find some young primary challenger placing you in a difficult position" in the future, he added.

    Disgraceful.

    Obama and Clinton are in a competitive race for convention delegates. Overall, he has 1,276 in The Associated Press count, and she has 1,220. It takes 2,025 to clinch the nomination.

    Parent

    Clyburn is entirely out of control. (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by oculus on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 06:55:16 PM EST
    Thank you for posting the details of Lewis's fight for equality.  Quite impressive.

    Also, thank you for posting Martin Luther King's entire speech.  Not sure I've ever heard the entire speech before.  Also not sure how much recognition this historic speech is getting today in light of the upcoming Obama speech, in which Axelrod says Obama may not need to specifically reference King's speech, as the parallel is "obvious."  

    Agree--something has clicked on--or off--in him (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by jawbone on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:20:24 PM EST
    and he has lost control or perspective or something.

    That was a sad a sickening thing to say.

    If he knows something about Obama that makes him say that, it's sad and unwise. If it's Jim Clyburn talking for himself it's also sad and pretty ugly.

    And where is Obama when he says these things? (Does that count as a criticism or does it count as a request for information?).

    Parent

    Axelrod had to say something (none / 0) (#3)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 06:57:36 PM EST
    As I predicted in my post this morning, we would be referencing it more than Obama. I think it is the smart play by Obama.

    Parent
    I don't know (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by Valhalla on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:01:56 PM EST
    I think it's great to make the reference if it can be done with some humility -- eg, acknowledging he's standing on the shoulders of giants sort of thing.  That's better than just letting others make the connection for you.

    But if that can't be managed, then yes, it's better to let others speak for you.  Except Clyburne of course.

    Parent

    Wow, that's impressive (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by Valhalla on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 06:58:28 PM EST
    Not only is he trying to alienate Clinton supporters from the Democratic Party still, now he's trying to alienate Obama supporters themselves.

    Clyburn has gone insane! (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by Robot Porter on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:13:00 PM EST
    John Lewis deserves to stand on any stage tonight.

    Lewis was at the "I Have a Dream" speech.  He was one of the speakers. Lewis was also badly beaten during the "bloody Sunday" march on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

    And those are just the highlights of Lewis's connection to the Civil Rights movement.

    Clyburn's record is not so stellar.

    If I never hear (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by Bluesage on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:43:53 PM EST
    Another word spoken by Clyburn or Jesse Jr. it will be appreciated.  These two don't belong in the same space as John Lewis.  He is a true hero of mine and they are definately not.  John Lewis holds significance for all of us who lived through those horrible times, even little white girls in MS like me who hated the bigotry and the hate all my life.  There were many of us that stood with people like John Lewis when it was not acceptable to do so but he, like Martin Luther King, was a giant in that struggle.  Clyburn will never hold a candle to those great men.  He has gone insane during this primary. He needs to just STFU.

    Envy, ambition and resentment. (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by oldpro on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:45:40 PM EST
    An ugly combination.

    Yes.  A disgrace...again.

    John McCain Lied About John Lewis (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by john horse on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:53:00 PM EST
    The reason that John Lewis is speaking in support of Barak Obama is because we cannot have another 4 more years of Bush/McCain/GOP policies and he knows that the way that the only way the GOP can win is by divide and conquer.  

    I'm sure that another reason John Lewis supports Obama is because he does not appreciate McCain citing him as one of the three people that he would rely on as a role model and potential advisor at a recent political event.  This was pure BS.  As Lewis pointed out, in the 22 years that they have served in Congress together McCain has never established any type of relationship with Lewis, much less asked for his advice.

     

    Title (none / 0) (#17)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:54:45 PM EST
    Clyburn. A disgrace.

    Your comment is off topic.

    Parent

    Anybody who doesn't see (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by Prabhata on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:18:00 PM EST
    clearly Clyburn's role needs to pay more attention.  Clyburn has gotten a prominent place in the Obama campaign and lots of support from Pelosi.  Clyburn's role is not happenstance but symptomatic of Obama and his campaign. Obama is petty, and so are the people who surround him.  I don't want anyone like that in the House.  Bush was enough.  I want McCain.

    "Magnaminity" (none / 0) (#11)
    by rilkefan on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:16:52 PM EST
    I don't like him, but Clyburn probably thinks the word means "historic importance" and not "greatness of spirit" or "generosity in forgiving".  And "acknowledged" is on the reporter or editor until he's quoted begrudging Lewis's appearance.

    To replay with friends like these (none / 0) (#12)
    by Redshoes on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 07:17:07 PM EST
    earlier heard Jesse Jackson Jr. compare Obama to Jackie Robinson (something to the effect that Obama has to take the hits but can't complain or hit back).

    Obama and his people have (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by Prabhata on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 08:20:37 PM EST
    a "fogged up" perception. Obama has never taken any real hits from anyone, except from McCain.

    Parent
    I will send money (none / 0) (#25)
    by caseyOR on Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 09:43:47 PM EST
    I will gladly send money to any credible candidate who challenges Jim Clyburn in the next primary. Let's not forget that Clyburn is not just a disgraceful surrogate for Obama. He is also the Majority Whip in the House of Representatives. Only Nancy and Steny outrank him. Could we have worse leadership in the House?

    Clyburn | 23 comments (23 topical)

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