Jack & Jill Politics

Thanks to SG for passing me this article. Down at the bottom, it appears that some Members of the Congressional Black Caucus who supported Clinton are worried about the wrath of their pro-Obama constituents. God forbid folks like Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones have to take some responsibility for their own decisions to buck the will of their districts. You may recall Color of Change’s petition signed by 20,000 people to persuade superdelegates to vote with their district and some of these folks went on TV to complain that folks were asking questions about their judgment.

From the HuffPo article:

The most potentially sensitive matter in the negotiations may very well be about how to handle Clinton’s high-profile political supporters. According to a source with knowledge of the Clinton campaign’s machinations, there is concern among some members of Congress, particularly those in the Congressional Black Caucus, that Obama won’t aggressively support their reelection efforts because of their alliances with Clinton. A few black House members fear primary challenges.

“These members are already facing some heat for backing [Clinton],” said a source close to the New York Democrat’s campaign. “But that has been going on for a while. In some place in these negotiations between the Clinton and Obama campaigns, there will be a discussion of them providing not just economic help but moral support. That will be limited to the places where they have primaries.”

“I’m sure,” said the source, “that [Clinton] is saying, ‘Please do what you can to make sure that the people supporting me aren’t punished.”

So let’s get this straight so we’re all clear. The Congressional Black Caucus was strong in its support, coddling and protection of Dollar Bill Jefferson, the New Orleans area CBC member who was caught with $90,000 cash hidden in his freezer. Yet when it came to supporting the candidacy of a fellow CBC member — the only senator – among them — some CBC superdelegates decided to back another candidate. Loudly. In many cases, in direct opposition to their constituents’ overwhelming support for Obama.

So, they weren’t there for Obama. And now all is forgiven? Obama is supposed to bend over backward to help folks get re-elected who valued their own cozy insider relationships over and above the will of their district? Nah, son. I don’t think so. I say, if primary challengers emerge to some of these folks and their message is compelling to the voters, then let it roll. They all had the chance to do what Rep. John Lewis did which was switch his superdelegate vote based on his district’s support of Obama. It’s called democracy.

Many CBC Members have come out for Obama and that’s great. There are now 424 superdelegates for Obama. Here’s a list of the original 14 CBC superdelegate Clinton backers according to this BlackAmericaWeb article from mid-May and whether or not they switched in time to Obama (courtesy of the Superdelegate Transparency Project where info is available):

Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio (agrees with voters in district: No)
Rep. Donald Payne of New Jersey (switched to Obama)
Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida
Rep. Corrine Brown of Florida
Del. Donna Christensen of the Virgin Islands
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri (agrees with voters in district: No)
Rep. Kendrick Meek of Florida
Rep. Maxine Waters of California (switched to Obama)
Rep. Diane Watson of California (agrees with voters in district: No)
Rep. Edolphus Towns of New York (agrees with voters in district: No)
Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York (agrees with voters in district: No)
Rep. Laura Richardson of California (agrees with voters in district: No)
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and
Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York (agrees with voters in district: No)

Those African-American Members of Congress who used their superdelegate vote in favor of a candidate who used racially divisive tactics and against the wishes of their districts? Well, I say if they are replaced by other candidates who better reflect their constituents, maybe that’s aiight. It’s up to the voters whether or not they will accept the Clinton backers’ begging and shuffling for forgiveness. I don’t think Obama should do them any favors since, like Joe Lieberman, chances are those favors might not be returned.