Obama’s been in enough debates already. He can just say no: I really think that people are tired of all the debates.

Hillary DOES NOT HAVE OHIO LOCKED UP ! In fact, this past Sunday, Ohio’s Largest Newspaper (Cleveland Plain Dealer) gave a wonderful endorsement to Barack Obama. Below are a few excepts. Funny….we’re not hearing that on the news at all…..So it’s up to you…The Obama Warriors to SPREAD THE WORD !

Ohio’s Largest Newspaper Endorses Obama !

…Given these similarities, Ohio Democrats have to ask themselves which candidate is more likely, first, to win the White House, and, then, to persuade a closely divided country to embrace his or her vision of change. Put even more pointedly: Who is more likely to change the world of a child born in 2008?…

…The answer, we think, is Barack Obama.
Although Obama stands on the precipice of a historic breakthrough, his personal story is a classic only-in-America saga: A white mother from Kansas. A black father from Kenya. A childhood in multi-ethnic Hawaii. Scholarships to Ivy League schools. Work as a community organizer and later a law professor in Chicago. Two terms in the Illinois Senate, then a landslide election to the U.S. Senate. An electrifying keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
That speech laid out the template for this campaign. He has challenged America to move beyond rigid racial, religious or partisan divides to focus instead on shared, national goals. It’s a message that appeals to young voters and independents, to disillusioned Democrats eager to regain a sense of possibility and, yes, hope.

Hillary Clinton is an exceptionally bright and accomplished woman. Only a fool could dispute that. It would be nice if Obama’s policy proposals were as meaty as those she has put forward. It’s no wonder she wants Democrats to see this race as a choice between résumés.
But in a campaign where history matters, she carries an inordinate amount of baggage. Who wants to relive the soap operas of the 1990s?
America needs a fresh start. Barack Obama is the Democrat to provide it.

Cleveland Plain Dealer Feb.10,

Visit: http://www.Blacks4Barack.homestead.com (A Multi-Racial Organization)

Hillary Clinton on Monday explained away Barack Obama’s clean sweep of the weekend’s caucuses and primaries as a product of a caucus system that favors “activists” and, in the case of the Louisiana primary, an energized African-American community.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/11/clinton-dismisses-weekend-losses/

Wonder if the media would turn such a blind eye if Obama dismissed her win in California to “enthusiastic” Mexicans?

He can talk to whoever he wants. He just doesn’t have to jump to Tavis’ orders/threats. And I wouldn’t necessarily call Sharpton and Farrakhan “extremists” (well, maybe in their earlier days, but they’ve mellowed with age). But we all know that white folk view Sharpton as the devil and Farrakhan as . . . well . . .whatever’s worse than the devil. lol!

The stakes aren’t that high. This ain’t “President Smiley” that we’re talking about here. Maybe someone should tell him as much. This is Tavis Smiley, a (beloved) talk show host who appears to be suffering from a case of the “HNIC” syndrome. Respectfully, this is not about foreign policy. No one’s going to die because Obama didn’t talk to Tavis. This is about Smiley’s ego.

To be fair, as far as I know, Tavis hasn’t called anyone out at this time. Tavis hasn’t necessarily crossed the line yet (in my book). But he’s coming very close.

I think its time for folks to start a concerted effort to put the pressure on these super-delegates to follow the will of the people in their respective constituencies (excuse ms).

On either NPR’s News and Notes or Tell Me More, Con. Eleanor Holmes Norton reminds us to not sleep on this issue and to start mobilizing the troops NOW.

There needs to be massive email campaigns to these folks whose constituencies have clearly endorsed Obama, but the super delegate expresses a contrary will like in Con. Maxine Waters district where folks overwhelmingly voted for Obama while she has endorsed Clinton.

If anyone can find a link to Tavis Smiley’s comments on Roland’s show, please post it. He needs to be “called out”.

BTW, how much is HRC paying Paul Krugman?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/11/opinion/11krugman.html

Say it!

Over the years as I watched the State of Black America conversations with these “learned” academics, intellectuals, politicians and others representing Black America, it appeared that they were only talking to each other, did not provide enough time for adequate feedback from the audience, and many were there to incur the favor of Tavis Smiley as the “place” to have been invited.

Many times, their conversations amounted to no more than self-serving talking to myself litanies of crap that did nothing to move us on what we need to do.

Many of the intellectuals and academics can spin stories and pontificate on what’s wrong with Black America, but what have they done to improve the conditions under then talk, and talk, and talk, and talk — ad nauseum.

Its tiring, yet Tavis has a right to his opinion, and should not dare either Hillary or Barack to intend based on a threat.

It makes me wonder, if Tavis is about the Black community or is he worried about his book sales and his own perceived self-importance and anything he considers a slight to him.

I can see this lunacy now. Obama, having to ride that fine line, while Hillary gets to spout free one-liners that get cheap cheers.

Make no mistake, this is about turning Obama into the BLACK CANDIDATE.

Don’t ever forget – Black folk were forgotten and expendable, because she had that Hispanic firewall…remember?

But, suddenly, Obama’s gaining in the White vote, specifically pulling away from her with White men, pulling up strong with White women, the Black vote is voting against her like she’s George Bush, and the LOWEST percentage of Hispanic vote Obama received on Super Tuesday was 35%.

That was the LOWEST.

He won HALF of it in Connecticut.
60% in Illinois
40% in Colorado, New Mexico, AND Arizona.

Listening to Roland Martin, who is from Texas, he totally believes that Obama can get 40% of Hispanics in Texas…..IF Obama seriously campaigns there.

This Tavis garbage is hateration on steroids. Obama already set out his plan for New Orleans…get your Black butt to a computer, Tavis, and download it.

I agree with your point. And I don’t think Michelle should debate Clinton, I just think she should be there to make her points.

From what I hear about Michelle and her ability as a campaigner she would probably be a more powerful weapon in that crowd then Barack would be.

But either way Tavis is really close to crossing lines that he can’t cross back over. All this “Obama doesn’t talk about black issues” is both stupid and transparent in its motives.

Barack mentioned during Tom Joyner’s show that he was going to call Tavis and “straighten him out.” I would donate $500 to his campaign in a second to be in on that call.

HELL NO

Obama shouldn’t go.

Maybe Michelle should, but even that’s iffy for me.

I agree with the solution many of the callers offered, send Michelle Obama. She can go ahead and break Sen. Clinton apart while Barack Obama goes about the business of winning Texas and Ohio.

The Clinton’s have been runnin’ the double team of Barack for months. Now we can see how Hilary likes it.

And if Tavis beefs about it, so what? Barack is constantly getting nearly 80% of the black vote. By the time his event rolls around, most of the states with heavy black pops. will have voted.

I have loved Obama’s campaign for many reasons, none bigger then the fact that he has shown a strong black candidate doesn’t have to kiss the ring of Jesse, Al, or anybody else to get the black vote. If Tavis wants to jump on the wrong side of history, that’s his call.

I get the feeling that she’ll try and use Tavis as a vehicle to do this (don’t go for it Tavis!). Just think of it. She doesn’t have a lot to do this month. She’s consceding defeat in the next round of contests. Why not use that time to stir up some controversy?

I’ll probably have a tough time watching the State of the Black Union this year. I don’t know who’s scheduled to speak. But I can’t shake the idea that I’ll see a panel full of “leading blacks” singing the praises of Bill and Hillary Clinton while the audience sits in palpable frustration.

I also have a problem with Tavis’ approach. I love his commitment to The Covenant. But it’s not the be-all-end-all of black politics. Both Democratic candidates showed up at his debate a few months ago. I have the feeling that he’ll crucify Obama if he doesn’t dance to his tune.

Obama walks a very fine line on race. He has to. Everyone knows this. He wouldn’t get so much support if people saw him as the “black candidate.” I’m not saying that it’s right, but that’s just the way it is. I’ll give you Clintons’ biggest dream scenario for Tavis’ event:

Obama sitting right between Al Sharpton and Louis Farrakhan.

I’d love to see Obama at the State of the Black Union. But you gotta figure that this photo-op plays in his mind.

And no, Obama doesn’t have to debate Hillary just because she wants free air time.

If you havent heard Smiley has sold what was left of his soul to the clinton machine!

He is openly challenging Obama to a debate with clinton at the state of the black union address on feb 25th.

Now the clintons are trying to use smiley to paint Obama as the BLACK only candidate and effectively take him off target of campaigning for the Texas primary.

I’ve heard rumors that smiley really doesnt like Obama but to hear this guy say that”im calling him out,if you want to represent black america you better NOT miss this address,I want to see them go at it ONE MO GIN”?

I dont have a link to the actual transcript but it was disgusting listening to smiley and realizing how far this guy has fallen.

Define Is?