I Won't Be Covering the Republican National Convention, But You Could Win an ALL EXPENSE PAID TRIP TO DENVER!!

As, y'all know, this blog is nonpartisan. We don't endorse and we don't hold racial loyalty litmus tests around here based on who you choose to vote for. Plus, I know I have a ton of readers from every political party or no party identification at all. Black women need to have a seat at the table no matter which party is in power. So, I applied for credentials to the Republican National Convention at the same time that I applied to the DNCC.

I'm sorry to all of my Republican readers who have been emailing me asking me to cover the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, but I was not granted credentials :(

Dear Special Press Credential Applicant:

Thank you for applying for credentials to cover the 2008 Republican National Convention. We appreciate your interest in covering this historic event.

Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming interest in covering our convention, we are unable to accommodate your request for Special Press Credentials.

We hope you choose to follow our proceedings through other means, including our live-stream at www.GOPConvention2008.com.

Sincerely,

Special Press Credentials Office

2008 Republican National Convention

I tried y'all. But alas, twas not meant to be . So don't email me about a lack of coverage, you can go to www.GOPConvention2008.com to watch the live stream, I know I will be. I am sure some other Black bloggers who don't run a website called Michelle Obama Watch will be there. BWAHAHAHA! I'll be sure to let you know who they are because for all the talk about protesters at the DNCC, the platform fight at the Republican National Convention is lining up to be off the chain.

But seriously, I am one of those people who will be watching the conventions on every night regardless. I'm a political junkie. Political conventions are like the Olympics for political junkies. Doesn't matter which party, we just enjoy watching the sport being played. This only happens once every four years and even if it is a large production of the political parties, it is still an important part of our political process and we should all know more than ever that elections have consequences.

With gas approaching $7 a gallon, the stock market looking as if it is about to head sub 10,000, foreclosures headed up and last I heard, one dollar was worth 2/3 of a Euro ( the last time I was in Europe I want to say 1 Euro was like $0.95), who we select to be our next president is a very important decision. So whatever your choice, let it be an informed and wise choice because I might have to break out a bicycle if gas prices go as high as is being predicted... and did I mention that we have not made it through hurricane season yet?

But on another note.... I'LL BE DENVER!!!! On the same day that the Republicans gave us "THE HAND, " the Democrats, announced that Barack Obama will be giving his acceptance speech at INVESCO Field in front of about 75,000 people. It is the first outdoor acceptance since JFK in 1960. The speech will be given on the 40th anniversary of MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech and each and every one of you will have a ring side seat... hopefully, I haven't heard how this will affect press logistics, but wherever I am, YOU ARE!

If you want to enter a lottery to get inside of INVESCO Field, you can enter for $5. The Obama campaign will select 10 people who contribute at least $5 to the campaign between now and July 31, 2008. They are going to fly you and a guest to Denver AND you get to meet Barack Obama backstage.

At the Democratic National Convention next month, Barack will deliver his acceptance speech in front of 75,000 people at a free, open event in Denver, Colorado.

Make a donation of $5 or more between now and midnight on July 31st, and you could be one of 10 supporters chosen to meet Barack backstage and watch his acceptance speech in person.

Each of the 10 selected supporters can bring a guest, and will be flown to Denver to spend two days at the convention, culminating in Barack's speech on Thursday, August 28th. Barack Obama.com

Now that right there is a heck of a deal for $5. $2.50 per plane ticket. I am assuming they are throwing in hotel as well because hotel room rates are a MILE HIGH in the Mile High city and I got what is supposed to be a "deal" through the housing block. Let me know if one of y'all is chosen. I can be your "guest" and save a grip on airfare. Let them know WAOD sent you!

I am also happy to announce that we will be bringing a photographer with us to Denver as photography not one of my strong points. Keep hitting that PayPal button!


What About Our Daughters has received credentials to cover the 2008 Democratic National Convention. We are asking for your support in making sure that the voices, stories, and perspectives of African American women and girls are woven into the fabric of this historic event!Please consider donating by clicking our donate button in the sidebar.

Michelle Obama and Barack Resign Church: Rev. A. Larm Clock Sr. Responds

Michelle, the weeMichelle's and Barack have resigned from Trinity United Church, and I can say I blame them all that much for doing it after the comments from the pulpit over the past week:

The resignation comes days after the Rev. Michael Pfleger, a visiting Catholic priest, mocked Obama's Democratic rival during a sermon at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois.In the video, Pfleger wipes his eyes with a handkerchief and suggests that Sen. Hillary Clinton wept because she thought that as a white person and the wife of a former president, she was entitled to the presidency."And then, out of nowhere, came 'Hey, I'm Barack Obama,' " Pfleger said "And [Clinton] said, 'Oh, damn, where did you come from? I'm white! I'm entitled! There's a black man stealing my show!' " cnn.com

If I was held responsible for every word that came out of someone else's mouth and they continued to say stuff that kept me constantly embroiled in controversy, I'd bounce too.

Barack Obama has resigned his 20 year membership in the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago in the aftermath of inflammatory remarks by his longtime pastor the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and more recent fiery remarks at the church by another minister. MSNBC

Monroe Anderson passed on the story to reporters according to Roland Martin.

Not only that, but the members of the church have been catching Hell ( pardon the pun) as well. This is America, people have the right to worship or not worship the God or Goddess of their choice without their congregation being descended upon by outsiders taking notes.

My pastor, the Rev. Dr. A. Larm Clock Sr., just sent me an email extending an invitation for Michelle the weeMichelle's and Barack to join us each Sunday at Bedside Baptist Church. Bedside Baptist is the first church in the country to have an award winning distance education Sunday School program. Just kidding Mama, I will be at 8:00 service bright and early tmr!

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed by Rev. A. Larm Clock, Sr. are not necessarily my own or the Lord Almighty's for that matter.

In addition to the Democrats finally reserving the Florida and Michigan Delegate situation, they are going halfsies and awarding each delegate from those states a half vote. I haven't had time to digest the numbers yet.

What About Our Daughters has received credentials to cover the 2008 Democratic National Convention. We are asking for your support in making sure that the voices, stories, and perspectives of African American women and girls are woven into the fabric of this historic event!Please consider donating by clicking our donate button in the sidebar.

Michelle Obama Depicted Being Tortured: Liberal Bloggers Lose Their Ever Loving Minds

UPDATE(5/25): The creator of this foolishness has responded to critics. If you thought this image was a demonstration of his absolute ignorance, wait until you read his response to criticism.

What was going to your mind when you imagined a Michelle Obama being hung from a tree right before being branded with a hot branding iron that reads "Uppity Liberal?" How did you fix your mind to convince yourself that putting this image up was a smart or persuasive thing to do
No your eyes are not deceiving you, that is Michelle Obama's photoshopped face in that photo. A DailyKos diarist named ONECITIZEN created this. I get the point they were trying to make, Michelle Obama is being criticized by the GOP for numerous things, but really what was going to your mind when you imagined Michelle Obama being tortured by the Klan? SECURITY CALLING SECURITY! To be clear, REPUBLICANS did not create this,a liberal "progressive" blogger created this foolishness.

You can see the original screen capture from Dailykos by going here. It has since been taken down by the site's owner, but not before 155 people commented on the lunacy.

Barack Obama finally stepped up and told folks to leave his wife alone this week, about three months after the "proud of my country" flap where I quite frankly didn't think he defended her enough. In fact, I think he kind of left her hanging OUT THERE.
To recap, this is what Michelle said


Here is Michelle explaining her comments in further detail

First we have Bill O' Reilly trying to "decide" if he is going to "lynch" Michelle. Now this foolishness.

Dear liberal "progressive" bloggers, you don't have to create fictionalized depictions of Black women being tortured. How about you spend some time talking about the Black women in this country that are ACTUALLY being tortured. Not in Africa or Asia, or South America, but right here in THIS country. Romona Moore, Ebony Dorsey, Daniyah Jackson, Dunbar Village, and Dorothy Dixon among many others.

I have the feeling we'll have our hands full just covering Michelle Obama incidents just like this Dailykos foolishness all summer long.

Hat Tip to WAOD Reader RB who never fails to raise my blood pressure with her email tips.

MIchelle Obama on Pastor Wright: They Finally Let Her Out of That Undisclosed Location

They finally let Michelle Obama out from that undisclosed location after she said she was proud of her country and Bill O'Reiley said he would consider whether to lynch her or not. She spoke with CNN's Suzanne Malveaux, another sister, about Pastor Jeremiah Wright's Pre-Book Tour:

During several appearances this week, Wright seemed to suggest the U.S. government might be responsible for the spread of AIDS and said Obama had only distanced himself from the minister for political reasons.

"That wasn't the speech of a political opportunist," Michelle Obama said of her husband's widely praised speech on race relations, made when Wright's controversial sermons first came to light. "Barack has been trying to bridge gaps all his life."

She said it's time for the campaign to move forward from the controversy and return the focus to issues like the economy and health care.

"With all due respect, we're moving forward," she said. "Barack was so clear, and he's been so open about this issue, and he speaks for me as well." CNN.com

Watch the video. Y'all didn't think Obama was going to coast right into the White House did you? I've been telling some of the Obama acolytes in my Black blogger Google Group ( The AfroSpear) that they need to commence psychological counseling because if they think this is bad, its going to get a lot worse once the Democratic party ratifies that he is the official nominee. I have previously spoken about why it would be political suicide for the Democrats to hand the nomination to Hillary. Tis better to lose the White House to McCain for 4 years and to lose their rock solid Black voter base for a generation...or two.

So Michelle, it is good to see they let you out of that undisclosed location. We were beginning to wonder.

Bob "Beelzebub" Johnson Calls Barack Obama Bourgie

"I don't think he has that common -- what I call `I-want-to-go-out-and-have-a-drink-with-you -- touch," Bob Johnson on Barack Obama.

Hold on a second while I pick myself up off the floor. Hold on another sec I'm back on the floor laughing.Talking about pots calling kettles "BLACK!." Bob "my kinds don't watch BET" Johnson had the nervie to call Barack Obama "bourgie" ( alternate spelling bougie).

bourgie (boo'-zhee) adj. an adjective form of bourgeoisie or alternate for bourgeois (as used in Marxist analysis, rather than its French origin) usually employed in a pejorative sense. alt. spelling bougie. That new bourgie coffee shop is just full of people drinking double skinny lattes.The Urban Dictionary

Oh look, HIllary Clinton let Bob Johnson come from out of the bunker she threw him in after his wildly popular comments he made about Barack Obama doing drugs from a South Carolina pulpit back in January. He is at it again saying Obama does not have "ze common touch."

[B]illionaire businessman Bob Johnson said Monday that Sen. Barack Obama would not be his party's leading candidate if he were white. "Geraldine Ferraro said it right. The problem is, Geraldine Ferraro is white. This campaign has such a hair-trigger on anything racial ... it is almost impossible for anybody to say anything....So Obama comes in and runs a smart campaign. But that's not the Second Coming, in my opinion, of John F. Kennedy, FDR or the world's greatest leaders." Charlotte Observer

NO seriously, how much does Johnson stand to gain if Hillary is elected, how much does he stand to lose if Obama wins because y'all know the only thing Bob Beelzebub Johnson cares about is money. The man who made his money off of being Black and Black people.

"Bitter-GATE"
Well for those of you who have been under a rock, last week Obama was attending a swanky fund raiser in San Francisco and he went "off prompter". We have previously discussed the dangers of Obama going off script on the podcast ("Barack Obama's Church", March 20, 2008)

Well Barack went off and said that the White working class voters in Pennsylvania are "bitter" and cling to God and guns. OUCH! Well of course Hillary and McCain have pounced on that.
A couple of weeks ago, Obama talked about teenage girls being "punished with a baby". So he has some issues with word choice:

"I said people were bitter," Obama said. "People seemed to misunderstand. Yes, people are angry. If you've been filling up your gas tank, you're angry."You've got to feel some frustration. You've got to feel some anger," he said, "when you get the sense that the ...American way of life for so many people is slipping away." Source

But again, of all the people to speak about Obama being out of touch, Bob Johnson is the LAAAAST person to say a word.

Here is the deal. Obama is the Democratic nominee. Short of a miracle or the apocalypse, Clinton can't beat him in pledged delegates and the Supers are not so idiotic and stupid that they will sacrifice the party to stop John McCain. It isn't necessary considering they may very well be increasing their margin in the Senate and with the help of moderate republicans, they could keep McCain on the ropes of four years. So making lemons out of Bittergate by continuing to make sure that you alienate White rural voters and assist the Republicans in painting him as the second coming of John Kerry is helpful how? Oh yeah, it stops people from talking about that whole " you weren't really fired at on that Trip to Bosnia after all" scandal. P.S. Expect Bob Johnson to go BACK in the bunker.

What Happens When Johnson Tries to Make Money Off Of Someone Other Than Black folk

You see I've previously covered that BET was a success because it was the first and only. You can't take that away from the man, he built a business empire, but so have arms dealers, moonshine men, sex traffickers, and drug dealers (oops did I just say Bob Johnson and drug dealer in the same sentence?...He won't mind, he talks about drug dealers and Obama all the time!) Well anyway, he is having yet another problem with professional sports teams in Charlotte. Things aren't going well apparently:

Charlotte's business community has fallen short in its support of the Charlotte Bobcats, majority owner Bob Johnson said Monday, leading him to ask executives across the region to pony up more money for tickets, suites and sponsorships.

"I am absolutely concerned," Johnson told the Observer in an interview. "I am doing everything I can to make this team work, including writing a lot of checks." Charlotte Observer

Um Bob, you are a good capitalist. Isn't that what you are always saying in response to criticisms that your entertainment empire was built by glorifying B*tches, Bullets and Bling.? Capitalists and entrepreneurs can go it alone without government subsidies, set asides, or guilt money. You'll be fine, you've built businesses in the past without relying on those things...oh sorry, no you haven't. Yes, yes. Keep writing checks. while you are at it, you should buy a Major League Soccer team as well and name that team after yourself too.

A self-made billionaire who founded Black Entertainment Television network -- then became a candidate to own an NBA expansion team in Charlotte. When he went back to the same Charlotte business leaders for help with the $300 million expansion fee, he said, none would commit. That made him question if there was ever enough local ownership interest to make up the other 49 percent in the two Hornets bids. "It really wasn't the reception I thought I was going to get," he said. Source

AAAAW That hurts my heart. Don't worry y'all he is still one of Viacom's largest shareholders, he has plenty of money. Well if you think we are harsh with Johnson on THIS Blog, wait until you read what some Charlotte sports fans have to say:

First of all Johnson is not a billionaire.Second of all, Johnson also proves that a person does not need to be smart to make a lot of money.Johnson needs to stop whining about his losses. No city is going to support a losing team. He got off on the wrong foot by allowing Jordan to run his basketball operations. Just because Jordan could jump high and make players look stupid on the court does not mean that he can run a basketball team. Go ask the Wizards. They have been a decent team since Jordan was "let go". I have not given the Bobcats a dime and I will not be giving them a dime until they get their act together. One more thing - people stop making this a racial issue. Johnson just happens to be a black man who made millions of dollars with BET showing exploitive music videos. Now he is a black man who cannot make any money with an NBA team because he has allowed another black man with no success in the front office to run it. Now he has black and white fans who do not want to spend a bunch of money to watch a sorry product on the floor.
Comment from the Charlotte Observer.

Previous Posts on Bob Johnson's Obama Jabs:
Am I Going To Have to Get An "Obama" T-shirt? - Bob Johnson is Still The DeviL
YouTubers Beating the Crap Out of Bob Beelzebub Johnson
News Roundup-Clinton Obama Call for Truce- Bob Johnson STILL Thinks Black Folks and Everbody Else is STUPID!

Baracky The Movie
We aren't Obama acolytes around here, but I thought this was a hysterical YouTube. I was actually wondering if it was a neutral video until the end because it showed both of the candidates giving as good as they got.

Join Us Tomorrow (Thursdsay, April 17th) For the Podcast

This week on the podcast, (Thursday at 8:00PM CST) We will be talking about this week's campaign developments. The topic will be "Bitter-GATE". We'll talk about Hillary suddenly becoming a duck hunter, Bob Johnson's comments AND we'll also be talking about Tavis Smiley quitting the tom Joyner morning show allegedly because he has been catching fire/ hateration behind his Barack Obama comments. So Join us from 8 to 9:00 on tomorrow night on our internet radio show and podcast,The Black Women's Roundtable. You can participate as a guest by calling 646-478-4750 or join us in the chat room.

Chris Rock: "A Black Woman Can't Be First Lady of the United States"

Yes yes. It was a joke. When is it ever NOT a joke when it comes to Black women. We're always good for a laugh and a paycheck. Apparently Chris Rock thinks having a Black wife is a Black mark when it comes to running for high office

Barack has a handicap the other candidates don't have: Barack Obama has a black wife. And I don't think a black woman can be first lady of the United States. Yeah, I said it! A black woman can be president, no problem. First lady? Can't do it. You know why? Because a black woman cannot play the background of a relationship. Just imagine telling your black wife that you're president? 'Honey, I did it! I won! I'm the president.' 'No, we the president! And I want my girlfriends in the Cabinet! I want Kiki to be secretary of state! She can fight!' " Rolling Stone

Actually, Chris is describing Hillary, not Michelle.Now folks say comedy is rooted in truth. I say comedy is rooted in the personal delusions of the comic. Maybe if Chris had spent more time with his BLACK WIFE he wouldn't have been sweating bullets over a rape charge. (I'm just joking :)) Thanks Brother!Let me stop. I don't want to appear to be an angry Black woman.

Reverends Gone Wild- Tonight at 8:00PM CST Dunbar Village, Obama and The Black Church

Whew! this week has been a doozy! We started out the week discussing the fallout from mainstream media's examination of selected portions of the sermons of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama's Pastor. Well we ended the week with the infamous Pastor Manning calling Barack Obama a long-legged pimp and "trash."

Goodness! Catch up on all of the craziness on tonight's Podcast, The Black Women's Roundtable. We'll be joined by a fomer member of Barack Obama's church and we'll be discussing The Black Church, Obama, and The Press and what is Hillary Clinton up to these days with Michigan and Florida? Speaking of Florida, we'll be talking about Al Sharpton and the West Palm Beach NAACP's hyporcisy related to Dunbar Village.

Our Political shows are always a blast!

You can participate in the live chat or you can call in to add your opinion into the mix.
8:00PM (Central)
646-478-4750

The White House or the Church House? Obama Says He Would Have Quit His Church-

I have imposed a moratorium on any election posts except for some extraordinary events. This Democratic primary is going to go to the convention so why get burned out on it, but I believe we are witnessing an extraordinary event. --Nixon sweating on camera. Regan saying "I paid for this microphone!", George H.W.Bush looking at his watch during a debate or not knowing the price of milk, Michael Dukakis riding in a tank. Al Gore's sigh, Howard Dean's scream, Swift Boat Veterans For Truth, this would constitute one of those moments for Barack
Obama.

For well over a year Fox News, bloggers, and radio talk shows have been focussed on barack Obama's church. Trinity United Church of God in Chicago. They've called it a racist cult among other things, but Mainstream media, the big networks didn't touch the story. But then comes along ABC's Brian Ross and packages the story as an "investigative report", except this time, they present video .
And folks have run with it.

So last night on Anderson Cooper 360, Obama was asked "So you have no problem singing "God Bless America?" Now that was from liberal leaning Anderson Cooper so you know it has go to be baaaad. The folks over at Jack and Jill Politics are saying that people are trying to attack Obama through his Church, Trinity United Church of God and Christ. Well Jack and Jill, I would say that they aren't trying, they are succeeding. But none of this should be a surprise, this has been out there for over a year, especially over at Fox News. Why wasn't the campaign bettered prepared to deal with this?

To reporters who had followed the campaign, it was an old, oft-written story. But this time it had video of Wright saying things like “U.S. of K.K.K.A.,” available on YouTube and played endlessly by cable news channels. Politico, The Story behind the Story

Well after over a year of being targeted by Fox News, Jeremiah Wright decided to go on Hannity and Colmes... check it out...

I have one question...WHY??? What possessed him to go on Hannity and Colmes? What possessed him to give that Christmas sermon when he knew one of his congregants was running for President? How did this end up on You Tube?And what does the Obama campaign appear to have not had a battle plan ready to explain why Rev. Wright was on Barack Obama's African American Religious Leadership Committee? If you go and look at his round of interviews from last night, he looked pained and offered this explanation:

"If I had thought that was the tenor or tone on an ongoing basis of his sermons, then yes, I don't think it would've been reflective of my values or my faith experience...If I had heard them repeated, I would've quit."

SIGH. So does this mean that he was not a regular attendee? Or when he was in attendance, was he snoozing? Right now there are probably thousands of people scouring video from Obama's church waiting to find a shot of Barack or Michelle Obama applauding furiously to something Pastor Wright said. The explanation is being met with some incredulity:

From Ann Althouse's Comments

So Obama went to this guy's church for 20 years and never heard him preach anything but sweetness and light? For some reason, I don't think that story is going to hold up. -- Maguro

What he's said so far is weak sauce, and it's being compared to extremely fiery rhetoric — rhetoric for which the word "inflammatory" is inadequate. He doesn't need to match Wright's own venom. But he needs to feel, and show, some passion and some detail of his own to even begin to offset the impression that's left by his close ties to this "man of the cloth." Failing that, I think it's fair to conclude that his mild disassociation is simply insincere. --beldar

What sort of Christian minister shouts "G*d damn" and "sh*t" from the pulpit...in front of children?What sort of United States Senator respects such a man or even wants his children to hear such vulgarity?17 years as a church member x 52 weeks = 884 sermons --George

To all of you who say that the You Tube clips of Wright's sermons are no big deal, this is NOT playing well at the margins. You may think all this "Obama is a muslim" talk is nonsense, but that whispering campaign has legs and is more widespread than some people realize and this just plays into those sentiments.

That fact will not help countering the claim that Sen. Obama is "an undercover Muslim" bent on destroying America from within by joining with anti-American forces. The rhetoric from folks close to Sen. Obama (his pastor, his wife) is not matching the one-America rhetoric that he is putting out there, and opponents will exploit that fact. When even my Grandma, a moderate Florida Democrat backing Sen. Obama's campaign who is in Chicago right now, is crying foul about Rev. Wright's comments, arguing that he is not Christocentric, and that Sen. Obama should leave his church then I know something is up. Booker Rising

Is it fair to be held responsible for what comes out of your pastor's mouth on any given Sunday? no. But even among supporters, it causes doubts regarding the handling of an issue that is pretty old.

I don’t deny being troubled by all this. I am glad Barack is distancing himself from the “Rev.” It somewhat calls his judgement into question. Until recently, Rev. Wright served on a council for Obama. (I gather that the council was advisory in nature) Strategically, it’s not good. People have been fixated on the question of Barack’s religious affiliation. When it became clear that he was a Christian there were questions about the nature of this church. These questions were minimized by Barack and his people. Makes them look quite foolish now. Jeff's Poems and Deep Thoughts

Maybe they didn't deal with this issue before because it would have imploded his campaign before it began.

How bad is the damage? I think Pennsylvania will tell us. He wasn't going to win Pennsylvania anyway, but how bad will he lose is the question? To all those wondering why Hillary has stayed in even though she can't win without super delegates... THIS is why. IF Obama collapses in the national polls when pitted against McCain, and I think you might see that next week or so, trust that many Super D's are going to ponder going with Billary. Oh and we haven't even gotten into the digging on Rezko. It is going to be a LONG hot summer.

What Other Black Bloggers Are Saying:
Electronic Village- "My Church and My Faith"
Cobb - Black Church vs. Black Politics, The Double Duty Dilemma
Jack and Jill Politics - "Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church"
Booker Rising "Angela Winters on Pastor Problems"

WAOD Mailbag and News You Can Use: Michelle Obama Makes 'Em Mad- Oprah Starts a Class

Where Are All the Good Black Women?- Of Course Its a Man Asking

"Where Are All The Good Black Women?" I am sure some of you will enjoy this article from across the pond. Read this article and then we can play "Count the Contradictions" in the comments section. Better yet, feel free to respond to Phinn:

Are you a professional woman who thinks Phinn is talking nonsense? Email us your views at: yourviews@gvmedia.co.uk

Oh I love the British!

The Campaign That Never Ends.Continues Never Ending

Machinists Union President Tom Buffenbarger, introducing Clinton, hit Obama in...colorful...terms

"Yes we can? Give me a break," he said.

He also compared Obama with "Janus, the two-faced god" of Roman mythology. He called him "silver tongued" and a "thespian" and "the man in love with the microphone."

"He’s not just a trained thespian, he’s a terrific shadow boxer. You know the type. Outside the ring, he pretends he can float like a butterfly and sting like a bee," he said. "But Barack Obama is no Muhammad Ali. He took a walk every time there was a tough vote in the Illinois state Senate. He took a walk more than 130 times. That’s what a shadow boxer does. All the right moves, all the right combinations, all the right footwork, but he never steps into the ring. He walks away from the fight.” Politico.com

.Despite a plagiarism "scandal" that erupted over whether Obama was lifting language from Massachusetts's Governor, Deval Patrick, Barack Obama won his ninth election in a row in Wisconsin. Texas and Ohio are tightening up. My goal is to collect as much campaign paraphernalia as possible from all four remaining candidates. There are some really cool posters floating around. If you want the 411 on the Texas race, Burnt Orange Report is a good place to start. There isn't another primary like Texas. Clinton can't just beat Obama, she has to clobber him throughout all of the state senate districts to win Texas... MSM will point that out in about two weeks.

Michelle's National Pride Problems

Don't shoot the messenger. Y'all know I am a Michell fan, but this won't be the last time this happens during the campaign, but a portion of a Michelle Obama speech cause a big kerfluffle yesterday. Here is what she said:

"What we have learned over this year is that hope is making a comeback. It is making a comeback. And let me tell you something -- for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment. I've seen people who are hungry to be unified around some basic common issues, and it's made me proud."

Well Cindi McCain ( That is John's wife) responded:'

“I am proud of my country,” [she] said at a campaign stop in Brookfield, Wis., Tuesday. “I don’t know if you heard those words earlier … but I am very proud of my country.”

During a follow up press conference, the Arizona senator was asked if they were responding to Michelle Obama and he deferred to his wife.
She responded: “I just wanted to make the statement that I have and always will be proud of my country.” Wonkette.com

OH this will be a fun fun fun general election race if it is the battle of the wives. I know Cindy has a Stepford wife vibe going, but I detected a subtle near head snap-her husband almost appeared afraid of what she would say next. Don't sleep on Cindy. If Bill Clinton will just issue a statement regarding national pride, we'll have a complete set. I expect comments from Bill any moment now. He can't resist!

Well Michelle, y'all ain't the insurgency anymore, y'all are the presumptive front runner. I get what she was saying, but that comment opened you up to analysis like this where the go through all of the stuff that has happened in the years since Michelle became an adult. Yeah, they broke it down like a fraction.Parsing words? Absolutely! Its called the meat grinder that is the campaign to become the leader of the free world.

Oprah Hosting the World's Largest Classroom

I already signed up, but beginning March 3, 2008 for ten weeks, Oprah is going to be hosting an online telecourse covering Eckhart Tolle's, "A New Earth."

For the first time ever, you can join Oprah and Eckhart Tolle, the best-selling author of The Power of Now, as they teach A New Earth in Oprah's worldwide classroom live Monday nights on Oprah.com.

I am going to try to make it to the end of this class, but I can already tell this is going to be TOUGH. I tried reading the first excerpt on the Oprah.com website and it was rough going. Maybe I am too cynical :( I will give it a go and report back every Tuesday morning about my online classroom experience with Oprah. I'm going in with an open mind.

Al Sharpton Bails on Dunbar Village Townhall Meeting

We all can miss a plane or two, but how about calling your grassroots organizer to let them know you are canceling the meeting they worked side by side with you to plan? Not to mention canceling their own planned meeting to accommodate yours.

They were promised a visit from a famous activist who vowed to come to "Dunbar Village" to fight for better conditions. But Monday night, after Reverend Al Sharpton canceled his appearance at the last minute, residents left what was supposed to be a town hall meeting saying there's little left to complain about. WPTV.com

Uh yeah right. Nothing left to complain about. (there is a back story there). I want to say that I am shocked an horrified, but I ain't . Working with members of the Civil Rights Industrial Complex is a very tricky affair- Like juggling rattle snakes blindfolded while riding a unicycle. I've got the bite marks to prove it- some nearly fatal to this blog. When things settle down, I'll break down some of the behind the scenes shenanigans, but as you can imagine, those most connected to the planning are extremely beat down and disappointed.

I fielded a call in the middle of what was left of the chaos that was created. This "changing the world" thing ain't easy. If it was, it would have already been done. There will be setbacks and miscalculations and changes in course. There will be times when you may, understandably want to give up- like when you are surrounded by a bunch of news cameras and residents asking “where in the world is Rev. Al?” Know that your cause is noble and it is as noble now as it was before the meeting and the ensuing chaos. Keep your head up! See, I can be restrained. Aren't y'all proud? Cause you know I can produce a Sharpton diatribe on demand.

John McCain's Campaign Slogan

“I will fight to make sure that Americans are not deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change”

Wasn't that Bob Dole's campaign slogan? You gone have to come up with something better than that IMHO the optimist typically beats the pessimist.

In Other News

In other news,Ivory coast women want medical treatment for bigger bottoms. Speaking of book club selections, I am sure many of you can't wait to go out and grab this one. “Stupid Black Men” by Larry Elder. For real, y'all need to keep beating me about the head until I finish my first book because clearly you can get published writing about anything. Here is an interesting post called “Where are the Roles for Black Women In Black leadership". It was all going good until they went an mentioned Tiny Tot as an example of Black women in leadership. WAOD readers know how she likes to “lead.” WE'RE DOOMED!!! JK

Superdelegate Super Drama!: John Lewis Switches,Might BE Switching to Obama- Al Sharpton Threatens to March on DNC Headquarters

Remember last week when I posted about the Tyranny of the Super delegate: Disaster Looms for the Democratic Party?

Here's the problem many of these CBC members are from heavily African American districts. The black vote is tilting heavily towards Obama something like 80-90%. This thing might come down to superdelegates and these CBC members supporting Clinton would be placed in the position of being responsible for thwarting the will of 90% of their constituency AND being held responsible for thwarting an African American to get to the White House. Can you say primary challenger in 2010?

People are passionate about this year's campaign. I could easily see a crop of young pro-Obama democrats running against every CBC member that cast their vote for Hillary Clinton with the campaign slogan "Remember 2008!" You can almost guarantee that there are some young turks out there who would be able to make a strong argument that these CBC members are out of touch. Just this past week, Al Wynn to his Democratic primary opponent, Donna Edwards, whose campaign was given a boost by bloggers and online activists. You can bet that every CBC member casting a super delegate vote for Clinton will find themselves similarly targeted in 2010. So whether Obama wins or loses, he's already changed the game. You've got more young people engaged and interested in a political campaign than I can remember in my lifetime. Do all of the super delegates think that these folks are just going to fade away and say "oh well"? No, they are going to be highly ticked off. Ticked off enough to organize and campaign and aided by the internet, they can probably pull it off.

John Lewis Switches His Support to Barack Obama
Last night I read a post over at Politico.com called "Black superdelegates, torn". They were citing sources from within Representative John Lewis' camp who were saying he was rethinking his early support of Hillary Clinton. Well this morning, the NY times is reporting that John Lewis has switched and will be casting his superdelegate vote for Barack Obama.

“In recent days, there is a sense of movement and a sense of spirit,” said Mr. Lewis, a Georgia Democrat who endorsed Mrs. Clinton last fall. “Something is happening in America, and people are prepared and ready to make that great leap.”

“I’ve been very impressed with the campaign of Senator Obama,” Mr. Lewis said. “He’s getting better and better every single day.”

His comments came as fresh signs emerged that Mrs. Clinton’s support was beginning to erode from some other African-American lawmakers who also serve as superdelegates. Representative David Scott of Georgia, who was among the first to defect, said he, too, would not go against the will of voters in his district.

I predict the same will happen for several CBC members. Jim Clayburn says folks are being moved to tears:

I've seen a superdelegate driven to tears over this. It's a very emotional thing. People who have been waiting for years to vote for a woman or a black find themselves conflicted having to make a choice between the two at one time. That's very, very tough, especially on African American women." ABCNEWS.com

They really don't have much choice. To cast a superdelegate vote for Hillary Clinton when 80-90% of your constituents are not only voting for the other candidate, but emotionally invested in his winning or losing, your asking for a primary challenge, a real one, in 2010. For those who want to lamblast Lewis for supporting Hillary in the first place, in his defense, EVERYBODY was droning on and on about inevitability and whatnot when Hillary was locking in these superdelegate votes. Lewis is a politician, he went where there appeared to be less risk. Now he's re assessed his risk and figured out win or lose, casting a superdelegate vote in favor of Hillary Clinton, despite his constituent's risks is political folly. How are your elected superdelegates going to vote? Have you called to ask them?

Al Sharpton Threatens to March on DNC Headquarters over Michigan and Florida
Man, I said that this thing was headed for disaster last week. One of my friends laughed and said that there would be riots in Denver at the Democratic National Convention...they might be right. Rev. Sharpton says he is going to march on the DNC headquarters in Washington, DC if they seat the Florida and Michigan delegates at the convention. Last week, Julian Bond of the NAACP complained to Howard Dean that not seating the delegates would disenfranchise minority voters. Al Sharpton responded to the contrary kjhgkjh

Yesterday, Clinton's side of the argument got a boost when NAACP chairman Julian Bond wrote to DNC chair Howard Dean to express "great concern at the prospect that million of voters in Michigan and Florida could ultimately have their votes completely discounted." Not seating the Michigan and Florida delegations would remind Americans of the "sordid history of racially discriminatory primaries," Bond said.

This morning, Rev. Al Sharpton sided with Obama, writing to Dean to express the opposite sentiment.

"I firmly believe that changing the rules now, and seating delegates from Florida and Michigan at this point would not only violate the Democratic party's rules of fairness, but also would be a grave injustice," Sharpton wrote. "Changing the rules in the middle of a presidential contest is patently unfair both to the candidates (including Senator Edwards) and to Democratic voters everywhere."

Sharpton said that Bond's argument of disenfranchisement "should have been made many months ago before the decision was made to strip these states of their delegates, and, once the decision was made, it should have been vigorously objected to and contested by those who felt it disenfranchised voters. To raise that claim now smacks of politics in its form most raw and undercuts the moral authority behind such an argument."Political Punch

Now Rev. Al is planning a march...SOMEBODY HAS BEEN READING THIS BLOG!!! For Rev. Al, this is ingenious. IF you recall, I commented on how his window to endorse, or have an endorsement that had any clout had passed. With Julian Bond's letter and this issue over Florida and Michigan, he has found a way to make himself relevant. Before you poo poo and dismiss that statement. Think about this. Neither the DNC nor Barack Obama want the spectacle of thousands of Black folks marching on DNC headquarters so I can imagine folks will be calling him. OF course he will have thousands marching on DNC headquarters with him because he has tapped into the intensity of Black folks enthusiasm over a potential Obama nomination. Al Sharpton can't lose in this case. If he marches, he's the champion of the Black voter. If he doesn't, he is the pragmatic elder statesman who negotiated a compromise. I'm not saying that is why he's doing it, but that is the position he has successfully carved out for himself.

UPDATE: Now Lewis' spokesperson is backtracking:

spokeswoman for Lewis, Brenda Jones, said the Times story and a similar one by
the Associated Press, saying he was contemplating such a switch,
were inaccurate. Both the Times and AP stories quoted Lewis directly after
speaking with him; he was not available for comment later Thursday. The Obama
campaign also said that Lewis and Obama had not talked recently about a change
of heart. SOURCE

Can Hillary Make a Comeback? Julian Bond of the NAACP Wants to Do His best To Help Her

File this under HUH? You know this pledged delegate count is going down to the wire. I just saw Obama and Hillary ads last night. We haven't had democratic primary ads since 1988. So that was odd. Well anyway for those of you following this election drama, last spring all the states were in a mad dash to have their primaries and caucuses early so that their citizens could have a say in the presidential nomination process. Back then the group think was that by Super Tuesday the nomination would be decided so if your state fell later in the rounds, the votes there wouldn't matter. We can now see that that did not play out as we are basically at a tie, although Obama is now winning or competitive in every single demographic that there is. He is now beating Hillary across the board so if Texas and Ohio fall his way which is a strong possibility, all this may be a moot point.

Anyway, the DNC has rules about which states can hold their primaries when. Michigan and Florida up and broke the rules and the penalty was that their delegates would not be seated. Each party gets to make up its own rules about how its nomination process will work. Now all the Democratic candidates pulled their names off the ballot in Michigan except Hillary and I want to say that there was an agreement not to campaign in Florida, again, Hillary campaigned anyway. So lo and behold, she won Michigan, as she had no other competition other than "uncommitted" and she won Florida. Now she wants those delegates seated. Mind you the proclamation about the delegates came out MONTHS ago, but now Julian bond from the NAACP is weighing in.

In a Feb. 8 letter to DNC Chairman Howard Dean, NAACP chairman Julian Bond expressed "great concern at the prospect that million of voters in Michigan and Florida could ultimately have their votes completely discounted." Refusing to seat the states' delegations could remind voters of the "sordid history of racially discriminatory primaries," he said.

Since then, facing the prospect of a drawn-out delegate battle with Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign has pushed hard for both states' delegations to be seated. Clinton won Florida's primary Jan. 29 and Michigan's Jan. 15, but was the only candidate to appear on the Michigan ballot after the other candidates removed their names. SOURCE

Voters in Michigan and Florida Were Disenfranchised Months Ago
The voters of Michgan and Florida were disenfranchised when their state parties decided to flout DNC rules and hold their primaries early. I could make an equally strong argument that Minority voters were disenfranchised the moment the DNC announced that it was not going to seat any delegates. Now Hillary was the only Democrat on the ticket in Michigan and I am sure there were a bunch of Black folks ( who by the way are leaning 90% in favor of Obama) who would have voted in both Florida and Michigan had they known that the party wouldn't follow its own pronouncements.

This sounds so much like the poll tests that Black folks had to pass in order to get the right to vote. Black folks conquer one barrier and then the segregationists move the chains. First you need to own property then you needed to be able to read then you needed to pass a ridiculous multiple choice examination then you needed to somehow manage to register to vote without swinging from a tree. Its dangerous to go changing the rules AFTER the election has taken place. Can't you see how that could be used against minority voters?

Why is he coming out NOW?
My biggest HUH is based on the timing of his pronouncement. Now that the states matter, he is coming out. Maybe he spoke out earlier, but I haven't found the quote online. Feel free to post it in the comments. The DNC made this ruling MONTHS ago. I know this means nothing in the world of politics, but this is UNFAIR. You can't change the rules of an election after the fact. Can you say lawuit? There are rumblings about a caucus or something later in the summer. the only way to lay this to rest if for one of the candidates to blow out the other in Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania if this thing goes that long.

I don't disagree with his argument that you basically allow the state legislature controlled by another party to make your state meaningless in the opposing party's primary, however, there are not new facts which would warrant this new plea other than the fact that this bad boy was not sewn up on Super Tuesday as predicted. But for the fact that the nomination battle is going to be within a hair, Bond probably wouldn't be sending any letters.

I don't have a problem with allowing the two states to "re-vote", but it looks ridiculous and undermines the party's chances in November because instead of voters deciding the outcome of this election, it looks to be party officials.

Also, this highlights that this may be the last Presidential go round for the Civil Rights Industrial Complex.

On a funny note, y'all remember the Obama Will.I.Am video, "Yes We Can"? Well there is a parody out for John McCain. Hysterical. I can't figure out who gets skewered more- the candidate or the celebs who appeared in the original. I love that some aspects of popular culture are reflecting what the heck is going on in the world.

"Black on Black LOVE" Who Tells Our Daughters What To Dream?

Black on Black LOVE
Apparently somebody has declared that tomorrow is Black Love Day. Lord knows we need one. We talk a lot about Black on Black crime around here. We seem to always be at each other's throats in the blogosphere, probably because we tend to focus on all the things that go terribly, tragically wrong. The violence, the sexism, the misogyny, but out there in the real world, we still are managing to get along ( although in dwindling numbers).

Who knew that there is an entire blog dedicated to Black love? Unfortunately the four or five most recent storys about Black love are about Eddie Murphy and TraceyEdmonds, Kwame "Textual Healing" Kilpatrick, and the Juanita Bynum and Thomas Weeks. Oh well my quest continued.

ESSENCE is doing a special "Will You Marry Me" contest where you can vote for your favorite couple. I want to say that they are also running a televised version on TV One. I've seen some of the proposals. Sweet.

MrsGrapevine has a great post about Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. She psychoanalyzes photographs of the Obamas vs. the Clintons:

Not since the Reagans, have I seen a political couple that seems so in love. Say what you will about Ronald Reagan, but he was in love with his wife. Well, I have found a new couple that has that same energy, at least in picture they do… Michelle and Barack Obama...I just couldn’t find that same passion with the Clintons or Billary as they are now known. In the first picture I can’t tell if they are huggin or if Hillary is trying to brush some lint off his suit. MrsGrapevine

Who Tells Our Daughters What To Dream?
Somebody asked me yesterday what it would mean to have Michelle and the weeMichelle's in the White House-Having a Black woman and little Black girls basically live in the most high profile address in the country. Probably two of the most powerful little Black girls on the planet to the extent that little Black girls can have power. What it would mean to young Black girls all over the country who are being bombarded by stripper culture to see another representation of what it means to BE. I don't think all the ABC After School Specials in the world would do more. It would do more than legislation. Not because of any policy or platform, but because they would provide an alternative to aspire to- a competing vision that we lack. What is beautiful or glamorous has become perverted and squashed down into the narrow spectrum. Sure, young Black girls see their mother's carrying out their daily lives, surviving, but when it comes to dreaming, popular culture tells us what to dream.

I don't care how many of y'all are going to claim that you are "training your children." I double dog dare you to quiz them! What is beautiful? What makes them special? Who do they admire most in the world? Do they think that they are beautiful? What about their siblings? Why? Why not? What is the most important thing in life? I can assure you that I have heard story after story in the comments and emails of parents thinking that they are controlling their children's thoughts and impressions by "talking" and "monitoring", but the culture still manages to grab hold of the imaginations of their children.

Sure you may have been one of those unique little girls who came out of the womb well-versed in feminist critical race theory, but for all the rest of us, we got our cues from popular culture. Every February, our church librarian, Sister Robinson (she died last week-rest her soul), would line the walls from the Sunday School classrooms to the sanctuary with pictures of famous Black people. She put up just as many women as men and there might have been more women than men. There was Barbara Jordan, but also Jane Kennedy Smith. (Sister Robinson snuck in Lola Falana) Later we had pre-crack Whitney Houston, pre-Super Bowl Janet Jackson, and Anita Baker fighting for musical domination. Wasn't there an Ebony cover when Janet, Whitney, and Anita were on that together? In the 90's we had Claire Huxtable and the ladies from "A Different World",the mother from "Family Matters" even "Living Single."

Who dominates the culture now? Well now there are about two Black women who sell records- Alicia Keyes, Rihanna, and Beyonce and they aren't even in heavy rotation. Black girl groups like Envouge, Jade, SWV, the Supremes, Labelle are non existent - Nah Cherish doesn't count I haven't heard them on the radio in months. Women MC's??? They might not have sold a lot of records, but they still had a presence in the culture. I can name five off the top of my head from 15 years ago. Can't think of a single one now other than Missy Elliot. When did her last album drop?

The truth is that there is no yen to the yang. There is no significant counter balance to the "I Love New York"'s and "Flavor of Love" or the "angry violent Black women" that is now a reality show staple. There is no counter balance to the stripper- groupie culture of mainstream music. Sure we have characters like Miranda Bailey on Grey's Anatomy, but last time I checked, even she was having a hard time. Sure there's the Black women law enforcement agent character from CSI, Law and Order, and Without a Trace, but we don't ever really get a glimpse of what life is like for her when she isn't killing herself at work and when was the last time they had a romantic interest story line? We do have Girlfriends and The Game, but even they have issues. Melony, the lead character on The Game became a vengeful, duplicitous and promiscuous after a break up with the boyfriend this season. But there is hope that Joan might finally get married this season on Girlfriends, if she doesn't manage to mess things all up because we all know that every failed relationship that Joan has ever had has broken into pieces because there is something inherently wrong with Joan. She is just too demanding, too insecure, too overbearing, too unfaithful. Joan is just too.(NOT!)

So anyway, it would be nice to have a drama-free set of images of Black women and girls living a relatively glamorous life, free from the limits of Hollywood screenwriters. Where they can define themselves instead of being defined by typecasting and stereotyping. Dream if you will about what the world would be live if we got to see Black on Black love daily at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Of course that isn't a reason to vote for a candidate, just something to dream about.

Lord I hope so anyway. Because I would hate to see the weeMichelles turn out like Reagan's kids during his presidency. They calmed down with old age, but they had to have given him heartburn.

WSJ Profile of Michelle Obama and Weekend Capaign Happenings- Dems Still Headed for Disaster

Man this weekend was a doozy!

The Wall Street Journal did an interesting profile on Michelle Obama. My meh-ness about her candidate spouse not withstanding, I have always been a Michelle Obama fan.

A young woman asked Mrs. Obama what her "First Lady platform" would be. "To make sure my kids have their heads on straight," Mrs. Obama said. "We can talk about the high-falutin' notion of a First Spouse platform, but here I am, a woman professional who has to work on top of my first job as a mother."

Taken aback, the young woman said, "I'm sorry."

Sensing that this recent college graduate hadn't experienced first-hand the same kind of work-family conflicts, Mrs. Obama grabbed her hand and softened her tone. "It's personal," said Mrs. Obama. Wall Street Journal

They had to get that one in didn't they. SMH. Barack made the March cover of Ebony.
Here is another Michelle video-"Meet Michelle"

Hillary Switches Campaign Managers
After getting CRUSHED by Barack Obama in every single election held this weekend, Hillary Clinton has changed campaign managers. She has selected Maggie Williams(happens to be African American) as her campaign manager. Maggie Williams, for those of you who remember the Clinton White House, was Hillary's chief-of-staff- She ran the East Wing and some would say the West as well. Before you go all "She picked her because she is Black", go over to the Dallas South Blog and read her resume. Maggie Williams is a true believer, but as with all people who were let in the Clinton inner circle, she has baggage.

Obama Dominates February- Can Hillary Survive until March?
Um in case you didn't notice, Obama has won every contest since Super Tuesday and there isn't another win in sight for Hillary until March 4th in Texas and Ohio. On Tuesday, Maryland, DC, and Virginia vote. Obama can go all the way based on money alone. Hillary will stay in and grind it out based on iron will alone. Where did she get 5 million dollars from? For the first time in a long time, voters from all over the country get a say in the nomination process. It is looking like this thing is going all the way to the convention.

Jefferson Jackson Dinner Speech


Democrats headed for Civil War?

Remember last week when I wrote about how disastrous it will be if the Democrats have to decide this thing at the convention (Will Barack Obama Pull a "Fannie Lou Hamer" Or Will He Take One for the Team?--Disaster Looms for Dems- The Tyranny of the SUPER DELEGATE). I don't care what Howard Dean says. So again, the Clintons are not going to back down. Will Obama? August is really close to November. Nine weeks. Will any wounds opened or deepened heal by early November?

Frank Rich doesn't think so and he discusses what he believes to be the Clinton's cold calculations about pitted African Americans against Hispanic voters and how it is now backfiring. He also appears to agree that a "brokered" convention will be nightmarish. I ain't a Frank rich fan, but it is an interesting article.

Reporter Suspended for Calling Chelsea Clinton a Whore
David Shuster decided that he would say that the Clintons are "pimping out" their daughter.

He's been suspended for two weeks. Um what is unseemly about a candidate's child campaigning? Now if Chelsea was a manchild, he never would have said that. It would have been, "the strapping young lad is taking up the family business how long until he launches his own political conquests and we have ourselves a honest to goodness dynasty?" On this one, I gotta give it to the Clintons for beating him about the head. Now if only Black women can get folks suspended for actually calling us "h@'s" on a daily basis. Urban radio would have to go silent.

Finally! Music IThat Reflects What the Heck is Going on Right Now!

We're a nation at war, but you wouldn't know it listening to the radio. In fact listening to the radio, you would have no clue about what is going on in the world at all. Yes, there are people living a bling bling strip club and drugs lifestyle, but what happened to our version of folk music, message music?

Now some folks would say that "I'm So Hood" is reflecting what is going on in the world. Yeah, but what else is going on? Music is important. It matters.

I remember "We Are the World". I remember raising money in the third grade to send to USA For Africa. I really did feel part of the world. I want to say i even sang a part in some public rendition of the song. I think it was the Cindy lauper part or the Tina Turner part I forget.

Music is so powerful. Its beautiful. It can be haunting. It can break your heart or give you the resolve to keep moving forward. It moves the soul. A good song can keep you company on a long drive home or calm you when the rain is coming down in sheets.

To be sure, there is plenty of music out there talking about what is going on in the world beyond the club and the shopping mall, but you have to go looking for it. We aren't going to have "We Are the World" blaring on the half hour.

Here is Will.I.Am's song inspired by Obama. Here is the back story.

Celebrity-filled music videos have been used to support many social movements, from famine relief for Africa, to support for American farmers, to opposition to apartheid in South Africa.

It ain't "We Are The World"- But we really do need a song to describe what is going on right now. Um let me just say that I did my presidential election song first...but it was roundly panned(HATERS!- It was genius!). AT LEAST I TRIED!!!!I think I played it during the New Hampshire primary podcast.


In fairness, if somebody does a Hillary, Mitt, or McCain-inspired song, leave it in the comments and I may include it.

I May Have Caught a Case of Obama Stan-icitis: Did Y'all See that DebateLast Night.? Don't Worry Hillary Fans, the Obama Acolytes Will Cure Me Of It!

WHY? Because of this opening statement.... Watch!

Y'all know we aren't enamored with Senator Barack Obama. Mainly for his comments on Genarlow Wilson and his silence about Dunbar Village after his office said he was going to release a statement. I know he knows about Dunbar Village because I confronted a member of his national finance committee on the radio, I've stood outside Obama fund raisers holding a sign and handing out Dunbar Village Flyers, BlkSeagoat hs spoken directly with some of his high ranking staffers, and much much more so It bothers me that he will speak out on behalf of Black criminal defendants (Jean 6 and Genarlow Wilson), but silent about this horrific crime against humanity--- not on another continent, but right here in this country.
That being said, I thought his debate performance was impressive. Jesse Jackson is right (GASP) Politics is about choices. It is about options. We're down to four ( yeas green party and libertarian party stans I know you are out there too).

Anyway, I thought his debate performance was good. and look, he pulled out the chair for Hillary.

Don't worry Hilary fans. I promise you that I will be cured of any Obama Stan-icitis by this afternoon. How? The quickest way to cure a budding case of Obama Stan-icitis is to encounter a true blue Obama Stan. Second only to Ron Paul supporters, they have to be some of the most insufferable readers ever and have been a burr in this blog's backside ever since I merely asked the question "Michelle Obama Wants Black Women to Vote For Her Husband: Why the Heck Should We" Then all hell broke loose on this blog for about a week. These folks have made African Americans enjoying discussing one of the most exciting political campaigns EVER miserable. But Hillary fans have lost their minds too (read "NOW Head Described Treatment Of Clinton A "Gang Bang"), but they haven't been irritating without end. Watch. And know that even as I say they annoy me to no end, they will post lengthy comments ANYWAY.... Why? Well because they have Obama Stan-icitis. Persuasion or increasing his support beyond THEM is unimportant. Their most important objective is to tar and feather anyone who isn't also an Obama stan.

People vote for who you want to. Just make sure you vote.

Christine Beatty, WAOD Wagging Finger of Shame Recipient, Resigns-- Toni Morrison Endorses Obama

Last week we gave Christine Beatty, the Chief of Staff to perpetually scandal-plagued Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, the Wagging Finger of Shame Award. Ms. Beatty shared the award with Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Not because they both lied under oath, but because they chronicled their affair in embarrassing detail in 14,000 txt msgs on city-issued Blackberries.

Some people said "why is this news?". It is news because the arrogance and decision-making these two engaged in while carrying out the affair and again while covering it up led to the City of Detroit, already in a financial pinch, to hand out 9 MILLION Dollars to two wrongfully terminated police officers. What the verdict meant was that even without knowing about these 14,000 text messages, the jury didn't believe Ms. Beatty or the Mayor of Detroit. The jury thought they were both liars, and it turns out they were right.

This is also a WAOD story because of all of the Black women who are now in the spotlight as a result of the textual healing going on. And now, the cast of characters in ....

"AS DETROIT TURNS"

Christine Beatty, the Gifted Paramour and Protector
Ms. Beatty, despite her utter complete stupidity in the world of personal relationships is a very bright woman who has run successful, successive election campaigns for Kilpatrick. If you knew what a mess Kwame was, you would recognize how gifted this woman is as a political strategist. I give her some credit for having the self awareness to do what Kwame will not do, resign. Or maybe she is just resigning to help out her love. Who cares. Once again, she did the smartest thing she could do. I'd hire her. I just wouldn't let her have a Blackberry..or email...or pen and paper...or anything with which she could memorialize her thoughts or ideas.

Carlita Kilpatrick, the Devoted and Betrayed Spouse
Carlita Kilpatrick, the mayor's wife is certainly at the center of this mess. Right now she appears to be behaving in character. She's come out and done a kiss for the cameras and appears to be standing by her man, but how will she react to reports that just last week, Kwame was cuddled up in an Asheville, NC resort getting couples massages and eating chocolate covered strawberries with someone other than Carlita.

Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, the Doting Mother and Chief Enabler
Carolyn Cheeks Kilptrick, Kwame's everloving and enabling mother. Mothers are supposed to love their children unconditionally so I understand Kwame's mama repeatedly coming to her baby's rescue. But her Baby invoked her name, his aunt, his wife and all the other "strong women in his life" while lying on the witness stand abut whether he was having relations with Ms. Beatty. Mama Kilpatrick, he used you to cover his dirt. Check out Mama Kilpatrick defending her baby. Hysterical!!!! IF YOU NEVER CLICK ANOTHER LINK ON THIS BLOG, YOU MUST WATCH THE FOOTAGE OF MAMA KILPATRICK!

Mother's are supposed to love their male children, but Mama Kilpatrick needs to take lil' Kwame to the woodshed. Not for being a tramp and a trollop and causing untold anguish to her grand babies, not for dishonoring the family name, not for being arrogant with the use of money, goods and services he has access to as the Mayor of Detroit, but she need to pull out a green switch for documenting his utter complete stupidity. Mama Kilpatrick, you child is gifted, but he is indeed spoiled and your constantly enabling isn't helping.

Kim Worthy, the Prosecutor
Kym Worthy, many of you have heard of Kym from back in the days when she was an ADA. She went on to be a judge and now she is the Wayne County Prosecutor. She is investigating whether Beatty and Kilpatrick committed perjury among other things. Kwame called her days before the story broke (out of the blue- they are not close) and said he promised to be neutral in her upcoming race for reelection. I don't know if he was trying to pacify her in anticipation of any investigation or not, but in her appearance on Friday, I think she took just the right tone. She's in charge. There will be an investigation. She will be making the call. She won't be influences by "anyone or anything." Um Kwame, I think she was talking to you. Look out.

Toni Morrison Endorses Obama

On another note, Toni Morrison endorsed Barack Obama in one of the most eloquent endorsements I have ever read. I ain't an Obama stan, but she put forth a good articulation for why some folks might be. A better explanation than the Obama acolytes who routinely visit this blog with vague ramblings and accusations. She ain't Toni Morrison for nothing. I am still mad she started this "Bill Clinton is a Black man" foolishness.

Congrats Obama Stans: Can Black Women Get Their "Black Card" Back Now?

Whew! That was a close call. I was afraid I was go to an undisclosed location if he didn't pull South Carolina out.

The real story was that Black women voters took center stage for the first time in recent memory in the coverage leading up to South Carolina. This should have been a moment of glory, but somehow Black women got boiled down to their reproductive organs and their skin. It wasn't just the white progressive blogosphere and media joining in on the foolishness which at its core assumed we had no brains. That we were less than. Caricatures, simple-minded and child-like. No, it wasn't just White media.

All of the commentors and pontificators who said that if black women didn't vote for Obama, they were self-hating, race traitors who had deep seeded issues with Black men can now rest easy. For those who were using Obama's South Carolina results as some kind of litmus test for how much Black women love Black men you have your answer. Who knew that Black women's loyalty to their race was conditional? I must have missed that memo, but for the past three months ever since I asked a simple question (Why should Black women vote for candidate X)- we've been besieged by overzealous Obama acolytes questioning our "loyalty."

I found it laughable from the beginning that folks ( one black male blogger in particular) basically declared that any Black woman who didn't vote for Obama was child like and self-hating. One male guest on the podcast said that any Black woman who didn't vote for Obama was "lost."Your comments about Black women's "loyalty" over the past four months have been sexist, racist, and downright ignorant. Black is who we are, not something we are trying to be and our loyalty isn't conditional on voting the way that a few myopic, fascist Black folks declare we must. This conditional loyalty some ignorant folks tried to inject into the discussion is laughable considering that Black women are raising almost 70% of Black children in this country ALONE. Loyalty Litmus test my arse.

There is no more loyal group of women on the PLANET than Black women, however, we aren't just reproductive organs and skin. We also have brains. Occasionally we use them. You wouldn't know that from the news coverage. With all the countless TV shots from barbershops and beauty shops you would think that all the Black folks in South Carolina lived there.

Four years from now, I hope that Black women, who the news media have shallowly dissected for months inside the beauty shops of South Carolina, have an agenda and ask for something in return from candidates. Yes, I believe that public SERVANT means exactly what it says. If we have this much voting power, we should wield it instead of letting mainstream media declare what our choices are. And we ought to be free to have a discussion about politics without the Black Thought Police descending declaring that our "thoughts" are impermissible. The idea that I can't ask a question (Why should Black women vote for candidate X) because of the color of my skin is morally repugnant. If anything Black folks need to be asking more questions and not fewer and anyone who wants to police your thoughts and ruminations is the traitorous one- an enemy of free thought and undemocratic and that is why we should all continue to stand up to them wherever they rear their ugly heads and rebuke their foolishness loudly and consistently.

Here is a round up of the analysis of the voting patterns of Black women. We're getting the credit now that Barack Obama won, but TRUST that if he had not, we would also be getting the BLAME and I would be fending off the Black Thought Police and men with low self-esteem living vicariously through Barack Obama- If you are using our votes as a litmus test for our love then something is wrong:

What Black Women's Votes Mean for the Presidential Race

So to have someone acknowledge, in such a matter of fact way -- and with the nodding assent of her white, male and female peers on set -- that we black women not only have a stake in this primary, but also may be the deciding factor, was an incredible departure from the status quo, whether few who are not us noticed it or not.,

Black women, young voters key to Obama's success

Black women had a historic choice to make in Saturday's Democratic presidential primary: vote for a woman or an African-American? Gender or race?Nearly all black women surveyed by exit pollsters picked a candidate of their race, giving Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois an overwhelming share of their support.

Black women gain power in this election

Black women have more power in this election than they've ever had before. (Interview with Black women that did NOT take place in a Beauty shop)

The exit polls: Why Obama won

It’s the demographics, stupid: The black candidate won the black vote. The white woman won white women. The white man won white men.

The Election: What Do Black Women Think?

When faced with a choice between Clinton and Obama, what do black women do? Do they vote their race? Do they vote their gender? All the reporters want to know...What? Huh? They talk about the issues? If only somebody would listen.

Commentary: Issues -- not gender or race -- on minds of voters

You can't turn on a 24-hour news channel or your nightly news this week without seeing a feature on African-American women voters. It makes sense, being that the South Carolina Democratic primary is only one day away and African-American women will make up approximately one-third of the voters.

The angle in these news features is virtually identical. The commentators wonder and marvel at the extraordinarily difficult choice for African-American women in this primary -- will we vote for the woman candidate or the African-American candidate? Reporters have been busying themselves traveling to crowded beauty shops all over the state to answer this question.

OBAMA TAKES SOUTH CAROLINA!

Well the count is in.... and Sen Barack Obama handily won the South Carolina primary! This is very good news for black women, mostly because it keeps the Democratic nomination from becoming a coronation ceremony. When there is still a question about who will ultimately get the nomination, all candidates are forced to listen closely to the voters (isn't it a shame that they have to be forced into it?)

Black Women at Hair Salon Weigh in on Obama, Hillary and Edwards

Amy Holmes took a camera crew to a women's hair salon (Oh! My Nappy Hair studio) in Los Angeles and asked them what they thought of the Democratic candidates, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards. It sounds like Obama has a lot of fans, Edwards is gaining momentum and Hillary is in trouble. (Contains yet more footage of Black women getting their hair done)

An insult to black women?

Reporters have gone into hair salons, and shopping centers and interviewed black women on the question; Will they vote for a black man, or a white woman and how are they dealing with this dilemma? I believe the question to be seriously insulting to black women - it presumes that they can not vote based on the candidate's position on issues, but will decide solely on race or gender. Am I the only one that finds this repugnant?

NOPE! You aren't the only one that found it all repugnant.

Looks like someone is starting a pack to target black voters...

Group Looks to Boost Black Turnout

A group called PowerPAC has filed two reports with the Federal Election Committee in the past week revealing that the group spent $43,000 for phone banking efforts in California on Obama's behalf, and another $16,000 for fliers and newspaper ads in publications targeting African American voters.

Black women should consider doing the same.

Let the caterwauling begin!