Howard Debate Blog Roundup

The presidential debate at Howard yesterday took on special significance after the Supreme Court verdict yesterday that essentially laid the way for the resegregation of public schools. What follows is a brief roundup from the distinguished group of bloggers credentialed for the event.

Pam was impressed with Obama's statements on homophobia in the black community. Keep in mind that Howard (DC! ) Is a traditionally black university, and the debate itself was meant to focus on issues of concern to the black community.

On a question about the scourge of HIV/AIDS and its disproportionate impact on young black people -- black teens represent 17% of the population by make up 69% of teenagers diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, Barack Obama took on the issue of homophobia in the black community.

He brought it out of the closet in front of the mostly black audience there at Howard and for those watching at home.

One of the things we've got to overcome is a stigma that still exists in our communities. We don't talk about this. We don't talk about it in schools. Sometimes we don't talk about it in churches. It has been an aspect sometimes of our homophobia that we don't address this issue as clearly as it needs to be.

This was long overdue -- a presidential candidate calling out the silence that is killing people -- black women are 25 times as likely to be infected with HIV than white women, as Hillary Clinton noted. If the situations were reversed it would be a national health and education emergency commanding the attention of the MSM and government. But that is not the case -- there is a pitiful silence on too many levels -- but not last night.

Obama's short, but powerful statement on black homophobia is one that none of the other candidates mentioned. Is this a surprise? No -- addressing the responsibility of the black community to open its eyes regarding its reticence to take on an internal bias that has allowed HIV/AIDS to ravage it touches the third rail of race. The candidates fear perceptions of a paternalistic white finger being waved at the community will result in blowback from black voters.

I'm grateful that there was a black man up on that stage to broach the subject of homophobia in this community, but the fear of the other pols needs to be overcome, all bridges need to be crossed when the statistics are this stark and horrifying.

Oliver Willis thought Hillary came out on top:

-- Dems on Katrina: could this question possibly be any easier? Remotely?
-- Outsourcing is bad. We need American jobs. Water is wet. Friction, damn it. Dodd, use that giant hair and hammer someone with it.
-- If there's a winner so far it's HRC. But its kind of like Martyball - you hold the ball when you have the lead and don't make any sudden moves.

Sherrilyn Ifill catches an exchange between Michael Eric Dyson and Clarence Page:

Dyson, clearly is feelin' Obama. When asked by columnist Clarence Page to react to the fact that Hillary Clinton seemed to get the biggest applause of the night, Dyson said slowly, "Hillary is extremely poised and practiced." And then the zinger: "she doesn't live with Bill Clinton for nothin'. She knows her way around a sound bite." I asked him whether he felt that Obama was coming up on a Cosby moment when he started talking about "valuing achievement." He was candid. Say yes, he was concerned about where Obama was going, but felt that Obama is willing "to work on social construction (I don't really know what that means)." We'll ask him to explain more when he guestblogs.

Terrence at Republic of T is concerned about results on some of the issues discussed regarding Africa:

On Darfur, definitely agree with everything said re: Africa. And if we get a Democrat in office can we finally do away with the “abstinence-only” debacle we’ve been exporting to Africa, which in its own way a kind of slow genocide? And once we “stop the rapes” can we also restore funding to the women’s clinics that offer care to women who end up with fistulas as a result of multiple rapes? The funding that the Bush administration cut?

As impressed as I am by Obama addressing the issue of homophobia, it should be remembered that Obama is, like almost all the other candidates on both sides of the aisle, against Gay Marriage. I don't know how convincing one can be at adressing homophobia if you don't believe gay people should have the same rights as the rest of us. That said, he deserves props for being the only one with the courage to bring it up at all.

But I also have to highlight this moment from Chris Cilizza:

Speaking of nice moments, Obama showed his ease in the debate a few minutes ago. After Sen. Joe Biden (Del.) said that both he and Obama had been tested for AIDS, Obama jumped in to note that he had been tested with his wife, Michelle -- jokingly adding that he didn't want anyone to think anything "funny" was going on. The crowd laughed as PBS showed Michelle on screen. The moment showed how Obama has grown in the first three debates; he appears relaxed and comfortable tonight.

Holla.

Impressions of Tavis Smiley's All-American Presidential Forum

So I watched the All-American Presidential Forum on PBS tonight. All in all, I thought it was well-run, though there were some significant audio problems. It had a well-structured pacing to it that prevented the normal boring speechification. Tavis kept a tight rein. I thought the questions were great. Tavis'recognition of 4 schoolchildren from Memphis who saved up to travel to the Forum was moving. It would have been inspiring had one of them been able to ask an actual question.

In general, it would have been great to have some audience participation of some kind. There were a lot of VIPs in the audience -- many members of Congress especially your CBC members, Donna Brazile, Cornel West, Sidney Poitier (I think). Many black and latino bloggers were on hand as well (see a feed of credentialed bloggers here). It would have been interesting to hear their thoughts either before or after on the TV. Clearly though it was more of a See and Be Seen (but not Heard) style event, ya dig?

That said, I am not sure if there were any big winners. Clinton in particular did not receive the love that her husband would have had he been there and she would have been smart to bring him. Her answers were well-received in general and I particularly appreciated her take on AIDS and its impact on African-American women which received a standing ovation from some black female attendees. You'll be hearing more about this later.

Edwards did very well in most of his answers and I was certainly impressed at his thoughtful, practical and on-point responses. The Edwards campaign reached out to me and sent me a document with his answers to the Covenant for Black America best-selling book. I especially liked #2:

Covenant #2: Education

The Covenant recommends investing in child and parental development, federal support for all levels of education, a well-rounded curriculum, well-paid and culturally sensitive teachers with small teacher-student ratios, and improved school facilities.

John Edwards believes we all pay a price when young people who could someday find the cure for AIDS or make a fuel cell work are sitting on a stoop because they didn't get the education they needed. More than 50 years after Brown v. Board of Education, our education system remains shockingly unequal. African-American and Latino students have only about a 50 percent chance of graduating high school with a diploma. States spend $900 less per student in their most diverse school districts.

To make our system of public education the sturdy ladder of opportunity it should be, Edwards will invest more in teacher pay and training to attract the best and brightest to be teachers where we need them most while reducing class size. Edwards will also invest in preschool, fund special education, and strengthen high schools with a more challenging curriculum. Edwards will also create second-chance schools to help former dropouts get back on track.

As the first person in his family to go to college, Edwards knows firsthand the difference a college degree can make-and it is more true now than ever. That's why in 2005, he helped start a pilot program in Greene County, North Carolina, that will help more than 125 students enroll in college next fall. It pays for one year of public-college tuition, fees, and books for anyone willing to work part-time in college, take a college-prep curriculum in high school, and stay out of trouble. Edwards has proposed expanding the College for Everyone program nationwide. As president, he will also simplify the process of applying for student aid and increase access to college counselors in high-poverty high schools.

Biden, Richardson and Dodd - sadly weak. Richardson seemed quite unprepared to discuss HIV/AIDS which was odd. Did no one tell him this is a big deal for African-Americans? Gravel played his usual role saying what no one else has the courage to say. I love that guy.

Kucinich did very well. He's always been the sleeper candidate. The crowd loved his answers. The big three candidates would do well to pay attention to why people like him -- he talks about the things people care about in ways that are compelling, down-to-earth and stunningly sensible.

And then there's Obama. He did so well in tapping his fingers on the touchstones of our culture in thanking Howard, its president, Thurgood Marshall, the Covenant with Black America authors, etc. He referenced history and put himself in that context. He mentioned that justice in America should not be about "just us" - a well-known black in-joke. He was certainly the hometown hero. At the beginning of the session, there was a call-and-response, so intrinsic to our culture. A deep male voice rang out: "OBAMA!" And the crowd roared back in welcome and jubilation. That was a heart-stirring moment.

Still that early advantage was eroded with overall lackluster answers. He was fine, but I can't think of many standout moments where he electrified the audience. I'm so proud of him - it's true. But I can't help but expect more from him.

In terms of topics, I thought Katrina, AIDS, education and today's terrible Supreme Court decision, Darfur, and inequities in criminal justice were covered well. I am confused why Iraq which is such a strong issue in the African-American community did not receive more attention, leaving the candidates to bring the issue up themselves in their responses. Immigration also seemed to receive only a light touch with the focus instead on NAFTA and trade.

I'm looking forward to seeing some really insightful commentary and more clips online from the debate. (PBS says video will be available at 7am EST on their site Friday.)

In the meantime, here's Tavis Smiley and his planned debate questions being attacked yesterday (using Hillary Clinton as a trope) by Fox News and Hannity & Colmes. Why did he go on their show knowing their agenda, one asks oneself at the end of the clip...Enjoy.

Immigration Bill Goes Down To Defeat

The 'Comprehensive' Immigration Bill that would have granted amnesty to 12-20 million illegal immigrants, has gone down to defeat.

From CNN.com:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Opponents effectively killed President Bush's long-fought and emotion-laden Senate immigration bill Thursday when members voted against advancing the controversial legislation.

The tally was 46 to 53, 14 votes shy of the 60 needed to end debate.

My answer: GOOD.

This legislation was a nightmare all the way around.
1. It didn't have anything close to what could be called Border Security.
2. Nothing about securing our Ports.
3. It would have hurt workers on the low end of the socio-economic spectrum.
4. And, it would have hurt workers, due to the High End Visa SCAM, on the higher end of the socio-economic spectrum.

The only ones this would help were the illegals and Corporations who wanted endless supply of cheap labor, all the way around.


Despite being called bigots, and other names (yeah, I've gotten the names thrown at me), we either are a nation of laws, or we are not. And since laws seem to always find their way when it comes to Black folk, I'll be frank - others should have to follow them too.

You want 'immigration reform'?

How about take away a HUGE lobbying point of the opposition:
1. Secure the Border
2. Fully fund the Border Patrol while you expand it.
3. Secure the Ports
4. Take care of the backlog of applicants already in the system. Do you know how ludicrous it was to watch folks talk about granting amnesty to 12 million folks in one hand, and in the next news report, having anchors tell us that the Government has suspended the passport requirements for Canada and Mexico, BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY COULDN'T FILL THE PASSPORT APPLICATIONS IN TIME? They can't fill PASSPORT APPLICATIONS in a timely fashion, and have a backlog of over 600,000 LEGAL immigrant applications that have been on hold -SOME FOR YEARS - but we're supposed to believe that this agency is ready for 12 million new applicants for citizenship? Come on!!


IF these 4 things are done, then guess what, you take away a huge platform of the opposition.

Cross posted on: Mirror On America

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