Bob Johnson, the nation's first black billionaire and founder of the BET cable television network, and One of Hillary Rodham Clinton's most prominent black supporters said Sunday he was insulted by the characterization by rival Barack Obama's presidential campaign of her remarks about the civil rights movement.While introducing Clinton at Columbia College on Sunday, Johnson criticized Obama's camp. he said Obama's campaign had acted dishonestly and had distorted Clinton's remarks about Martin Luther King Jr.
Clinton was quoted just before the New Hampshire primary as saying King's dream of racial equality was realized only when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Some black leaders have criticized senator Clinton's remark as suggesting Johnson deserved more credit than the slain civil rights leader for the passage and enactment of major civil rights legislation.
Johnson also said Obama's own record should give voters pause.
"To me, as an African American, I am frankly insulted 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; I won't say what he was doing, but he said it in his book - when they have been involved," 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 reasonable. Johnson said.
"To me, as an African American, I am frankly insulted 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; I won't say what he was doing, but he said it in his book - when they have been involved," 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 reasonable. Johnson said.
I don't in any way see how this will help Senator Obama in the long run, if he continues to use the race card like he is doing now, it will hurt him especially with the white vote down the road.
it seems to me that this is clearly a black candidate using race as a way to inflame passion to get more black vote by intellectually dishonest means. it’s clear that Senator Clinton’s remarks were simply pointing out that the blood, sweat, tears, and grassroots movement of Dr. King required political allies to help effect the change. To dispute or spin that in any way is utterly dishonest.
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emmanuel- I saw this over the weekend, but it's getting very little play in the media. When I watched Tim Russert continue to distort that speech about MLK,I was so angry. She did a good job of setting him straight, but it didn't matter. The Obama camp knows that all they have to do is sling the mud and it will stick. Honestly, that man is the most dishonest guy in this campaign and no one realizes it because they are listening to his pretty speeches about hope and unity. I wish more people could see what I've seen since this guy has been in public office. He's as right wing as Lieberman and he's great at hiding it with his orations. He doesn't want anyone looking behind the curtain and seeing his voting record, though.
I'd take Hillary over Obama any day. I'm not enamored with her, but I think she's a much smarter candidate.
While I've seen no mudslinging from Hillary herself, there are abundant examples of it coming from her camp as well. Both candidates need to get their campaigns in line and get back to the issues.
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