Clinton, Obama Rhetoric Heats Up in Controversy Over MLK’s Role in Race Rights Fight
Hillary Clinton attends church in Columbia, S.C., on Sunday. (AP Photo)
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton bashed rival Barack Obama on Sunday, suggesting that the black senator from Illinois was trying to prolong a race controversy that bubbled up after Clinton last week said it took a president like Lyndon Johnson to enact the vision presented by race rights fighter Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Dr. King’s dream began to be realized when President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” Clinton told FOX News last week in remarks that sparked the current conflict. “It took a president to get it done.”
On Sunday, Clinton complained that Obama has been misrepresenting her words and their meaning. She said Obama has been comparing himself to King and President John F. Kennedy, who began the process that led to landmark civil rights legislation. But unlike King, who Clinton noted had marched, organized, protested, and was gassed, beaten and jailed, Obama is merely giving speeches about his commitment to racial equality.
“(King) understood he had to move the political process and bring in those who were in political power,” Clinton told NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
“And he campaigned for political leaders, including Lyndon Johnson, because he wanted somebody in the White House who would act on what he had devoted his life to achieving . So I think it’s important to set the record straight. Clearly, we know from media reports that the Obama campaign (is) deliberately distorting this.”
Clinton added that King deserves “the lion share of the credit” for moving the country and political process forward, but he couldn’t have done it without “partners who were in the political system.”
“I think it is such an unfair and unwarranted attempt to misrepresent and mischaracterize what I’ve said,” Clinton added.
In response, Obama held a conference call with reporters to say that he’s fascinated with the way the controversy is playing out, and it helps to explain why Americans are tired of Washington games. But, he added, Clinton “made an unfortunate remark, an ill-advised remark” about King and Johnson, and then wrongly blamed Obama when she was called on it.
“I didn’t make the statement. I haven’t remarked on it and she, I think, offended some folks who felt that somehow diminished King’s role in bringing about the Civil Rights Act. She is free to explain that, but the notion that somehow this is our doing is ludicrous. I have to point out that instead of telling the American people about her positive vision for America, Senator Clinton spent an hour talking about me and my record in a way that was flat-out wrong,” Obama said.
“I have to say that she started this campaign saying that she wanted to make history and lately she has been spending a lot of time rewriting it. I know that in Washington it is acceptable to say or do anything it takes to get elected, but I really don’t think that is the kind of politics that is good for our party, and I don’t think it is good for our country and I think that the American people will reject it in this election,” he continued.
Loading …Sen. John Kerry, who endorsed Obama last week, also spoke Sunday about the argument that played out this week, saying everyone knows it was people like King, who demonstrated and took action on the ground before the outlook changed in Washington. He added that Obama is better poised than Clinton — because of his race — to speak with marginalized African Americans.
“Who better than Barack Obama to talk about — and just by his person signify to the world the difference that it means to get an open door to a good school? Who better than Barack Obama to talk to young blacks in America or disaffected young people or — anybody, and sort of say, you see what happens if you have a dream and you pursue it and you work at it? . … I personally believe, having been 20 years, 24 years on the Foreign Relations Committee, that … Barack Obama can say things to African-American leaders that a white president just can’t say.”
Obama leads Clinton by 13 points in polling for South Carolina, where Clinton campaigned Sunday ahead of the Jan. 26 Democratic primary there. The African American vote is a 50 percent majority of the Democratic vote in the Palmetto State. After Clinton’s original comments, House Majority Whip James Clyburn, the South Carolina representative who is the third-ranking Democrat and the top African American in the House, admonished all the candidates to choose their words carefully when talking about the fights of the 1960s.
Following her appearance bashing Obama on Sunday, Clinton went to church, and praised him repeatedly as a barrier breaker. She also credited her own efforts for breaking through the glass ceiling that had prevented other women from becoming serious contenders for the U.S. presidency.
“For many of us, this place is a refuge, sanctuary from the storms that buffet us,” Clinton told the congregation at the Northminster Presbyterian Church in Columbia, S.C.
“In the noise (of the campaign), we stand at a historic moment worthy of celebration. Many of our grandparents never thought we’d see the day when an African American and a woman were competing for the presidency. … I’m so proud of my party, country, Senator Barack Obama. Together we’ve presented our cases to the people. … As we prepare to mark Dr. King’s birthday, let’s step back and marvel at the place we’re in and the progress we’ve made,” she said.
While the speech was controversy-free, many of the congregants who spoke with FOX News said that they are still undecided on a candidate. Hoping to break through that indecision, Clinton got help at her second campaign stop of the day from Robert Johnson, the billionaire founder of Black Entertainment Television.
Johnson scolded Obama for allowing people in his campaign to twist Clinton’s words, and said Obama is winning the polling in South Carolina because black voters are proud in their hearts. But when they think about the choice to be made, Clinton would be the best president, he said.
Johnson also used another rhetorical device that went badly for the Clinton campaign — seemingly referencing Obama’s past drug use — and compared Obama to a character in a breakthrough film that brought to the surface the discussion on interracial relationships.
“To me, as an African American, I am frankly insulted that the Obama campaign would imply that we are so stupid that we would think Hillary and Bill Clinton, who have been deeply and emotionally involved in black issues when Barack Obama was doing something in the neighborhood that I won’t say he was doing that he said he was doing in his book. … To say these two people would denigrate the accomplishments of civil rights marchers, who bled and some died, and to expect us to now say they are attacking a black man? I mean, that kind of campaign behavior does not resonate with me, for a guy who says I want to be a reasonable, likable Sidney Portier (in) “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?”
Afterward, Obama supporter and former South Carolina state Rep. “I.S.” Leevy Johnson said it was “offensive” for Senator Clinton to stand silently by while Robert Johsnon launched a divisive and personal attack against Senator Obama.
“It’s offensive that Senator Clinton literally stood by and said nothing as another one of her campaign’s top supporters launched a personal, divisive attack on Barack Obama,” said Johnson, noting that former Clinton aide Billy Shaheen was released from the campaign for commenting on Obama’s drug use. “For someone who decries the politics of personal destruction, she should’ve immediately denounced these attacks on the spot.”
But Robert Johnson responded by issuing a statement saying it was flat wrong to suggest he was referring to Obama’s drug use.
“My comments today were referring to Barack Obama’s time spent as a community organizer, and nothing else. Any other suggestion is simply irresponsible and incorrect,” he said.
While Clinton attended a Presbyterian church before her rally with Johnson, John Edwards attended Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Sumter, S.C. There, he celebrated with the predominantly African American congregation the 24th anniversary of Rev. James Bassingame’s service as pastor there.
Edwards, who was born in Seneca, S.C., the same town as Bassingame, said much has changed since the two were boys.
“When we were in Seneca, we weren’t allowed to go to school together,” the 54-year-old candidate said, adding that “as someone who grew up in the segregated South, I feel an enormous amount of pride when I see the success that Senator Barack Obama is having in this campaign.
“And some days, I need to be honest, I wish he were having a little less success,” he said to laughter.
Edwards, who has been arguing the same message as Obama — one of change over experience — said he too was “troubled” by Clinton’s remarks.
“I’m going to say I was troubled recently to see a suggestion that real change came not through the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, but through a Washington politician. I fundamentally disagree with that. Those who believe that real change starts with Washington politicians have been in Washington too long and are living in a fairytale. Real change has never started in Washington. Real change came from those who fought in the trenches … those who shed their blood, sweat, and tears … and those who suffered broken bones,” Edwards said.
FOX News’ Caroline Shively, Aaron Bruns, Cristina Corbin contributed to this report.
Doesn’t matter to me what they do. I’m not voting for Hillary or Obama!
Senator Dick Durbin, the second in line to the Democratic Party was on msnbc today and he said that Bill Clinton is lying if he says that Barack Obama has done anything other than be consistantly against the war. Durbin also says that the Obama campaign has moved on, so lets move on.
The whole thing is that Clinton wants to be the only boss by making racial remarks it looks like; She is always trying to sneak into Obama’s Shoes. Why is it that every thing Obama tries to do she wants to Know. It sounds like she is jelous of something internally.
Oh, what about a pure Hillary who is trying to single out every note from Obama, as if her years of experience made any change upto now. Hillary you should have made the change during your years of.. but not now it’s simply too late for you; unless you want to clean up your Bill’s mess. Let Obama take a chance.
There is nothing that proves her experience over Obama. There fore she should mind her own business and stop putting her head into obama’s shoes.
Hillary has been sending out her goons to use racial politics….Obama has been fighting it without the Mainstream Media’s help. Now tides have turned and we see the country being turned up-side-down from subtle hints of a black man cannot really win the presidency. When all along Hillary plays the gender card up in people’s faces.
32 YEARS OF DOING WHAT ridind Billyboys coat tales give me a break this woman is just so plastic.Now with all of that said I (I mean republicans)hope she gets the nod because she damn sure cant win it will play wright into our hands you go billary we need you to win.(LOL)
Correction: The Clintons should not have to waste precious time clearing up such ugly rumors when their records speak so clearly and positively on Civil Right matters.
I read among these comments about Obama being a Moslem. He’s not. Some people claim he is a racist. I would not go that far; he does not seem to be to me; he seems to personally treat everyone around him with respect regardless of race. However, it is true that he belongs to a racist organization. Anyone running for the Presidency who belonged to the KKK or who were a neo-Nazi would be shouted off stage, as he should be. It appears as though there is a double standard. Obama is getting a free pass. Obama and his wife have long been members of the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. It is a black chuch, which by itself is not a problem. But this particular church steps over the line. It espouses the “Black Value System”, “Allegiance to Africa” and “To Disavow Middleclassness”. This should be enough to disqualify someone in public opinion wanting to be President. If I were white, Asian, or Native American, I would have a problem with anyone having an allegiance to Africa. If I were a successful African-American, I would have a problem with anyone telling me I do not deserve to be middleclass. This man wants to be President. He should have the same hard questions about the people he chooses to associate with as all of the other candidates.
Hillary has 32 years of experience? And what has she done in those 38 years? Oh, I’m sure you’re forgetting the 8 years ole Bill was in presidency, I’m sure she was the one running the prisidency while he was off womanizing during his/her term. I’ve really nothing against a woman president, if she can do the job, but, Hillary??? give me a break. . . too bad politicians can’t be who they are when on camera, as well as when in the public’s eye as they are when off camera, think a lot of people would be shocked with the “real Hillary.” Vote your conscience people, I am.
I read with great humor the comment about Obama not doing his job because he was traveling all over the country ruuning for President. As a New York resident I would like to remind people, that Mrs. Clinton not only is shirking her responsibilities for the State of New York as she runs for President, but would like to remind you folks of her first term when, on the Peoples dime, she flew all over the Country for book signings and promotional tours while ignoring the people whose money she was pocketing for doing nothing, while adding millions to her personal fortune selling her self inflating fictions.
Just another in the real Clinton mold. All for me, no matter what the cost to others.
Friends,
As a Native of Boulder Colorado, I tend to think that Hillary Clinton wants to change the face of America. I know I speak for all of Boulders’ citizens when I say, Hillary is back peddeling. Mrs, Clinton is a Lawyer and is learned of 32 years. She did not give a second thought to what she said bout Martin Luther King. A great man of history. A trail blazer of freedom and cival rights. I am certant all of the African Americans all over North America are upset about her true feelings.
She is repressing the African American. Keeping the man down once again. This is not right. I will not stand on the side of a repressor. The facts speak truth about what she really thinks of our fellow Americans.
I am concernd about what her real intentions are for all of us. This is why Boulder Colorado supports OBOMA. He is true to the citizens of this town. Oboma is Boulders’ number one Democrat.
My hope is that you take into account the Clintons’ History of events from former President Bill and Hillary Clintons’ past performance and now current events. Democrats of Boulder are not lacking in wisdom. We are smart and experienced. We believe in a world of hope and change. However, This is not the change we are looking for.
Hillary Clinton…. Shame on you and Shame on anyone who puts down My fellow Bretheren. I wonder what the Martin Luther King would say if he where alive to hear what this TIRADE.
God Bless America!