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Posted Monday, June 30, 2008 12:00 PM

Unity? [Response]

Marc Lamont Hill

Melissa,

As much as I enjoy a good Obama-bash, I have to disagree with youon this one. Given your penchant for calling me idealistic and naïve about therealpolitik of presidential campaigns, I’m surprised that you're tripping about UnityFest 2008.

I agree that, ideally, their joint message should center around policyconvergences rather than empty symbolism. The reality, however, is that theDemocratic primary was never really about policy disputes in the first place. In truth, Clinton and Obama are political twins who have no major differences regarding “universal” (snicker)health care, No Child Left Behind (which they both passively endorse), Housing (although Clinton’s plan was more robust), or bringing down oil prices (yeah, right). In essence, to paraphrase Henry Kissinger, their primary battle was so bitter because there was so little at stake. Given this reality, their reconciliation work has less to do with policy and more to do with personality. In order to deliver Clintonites to the Obamaphiles, the two rivals must tour the country engaging in the same superficial symbolism that shaped their primary battles.

Don’t get me wrong, some of Hillary’s remarks were over-the-top and downright dangerous to the party. Still, were her tactics any more vicious than what took place between Johnson and Kennedy? Was her “commander-in-chief”remark any more treacherous than George H.W. Bush’s infamous “voodoo economics”snipe at Ronald Reagan? Not really. In both cases, their constituencies quickly forgot about the internecine beefs and refocused their competitive energy across the aisle.

As long as Hillary continues to advocate for Barack --and Bill Clinton goes into hibernation-- all will be forgiven amongst much of her base. Is this true unity or reconciliation? No, but it just may make for a winning campaign.

Marc

P.S. I thought the matching outfit thing was kinda fly! The only thing better would've been if they'd played Queen Latifah's "U.N.I.T.Y." Too bad that song makes a reference to loving black men...

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Member Comments

Posted By: Mulloverthis (June 30, 2008 at 3:33 PM)

Okay, I like YOU (just for the "Obamaphiles" branding)!  To all Obamaites who think that he can win without the support of Clintonites, think again.  Obama BARELY won the popular vote.  According to presidential history, he did not prevail in enough key states to beat McCain in the delegate counts either.  Hilary moreso prevailed in the "major" states.  Unity--or at least settling for best of the least-- is a prerequiste for Obama to be our next president.  So, Obama and his deluded champions need to calm down and figure out how to secure Hilary supporter votes and those of non-war non-Bush republicans.  That is the only way Obama has a chance.  Remember, he hardly beat Hilary, who could follow the leads of the other democratic presidential campaign drop-outs:  Hold a press conference, endorse Barack, and go on vacation.  


Posted By: Dantresomi (June 30, 2008 at 4:46 PM)

I agree Mr. Hill. these "beefs" happen all the time

when will we realize that politics has always been dirty. People hurl insults and pull up dirt all the time. I have always told folks that Clinton and Obama's policies have been identical with a few minor details that may be different.

Do i think that Clinton voters would not have voted for Obama come November? no, they are democrats so they will vote for a democrat. A few might have voted for McCain, but i don't think you can change those people's minds.


Posted By: MisterWyatt (July 1, 2008 at 3:23 PM)

Mulloverthis,

You cannot equate Obama's victory over Clinton to a general election with McCain.  We already see, based on the ever present polls, that Obama is doing better than McCain amongst Latino voters which he was not doing against Clinton.  We see he is winning in swing states that he lost to Clinton.  We see he is getting more women in the fold than he did during the Democratic primary.  Those perceived weaknesses you point out were due in large measure to the historic nature of the Democratic primary.  In a choice between Clinton and Obama the difference in constituencies was stark.  Now that we have arrived to the general election, those constituencies, with the exception of "blue collar" whites seem to be gravitating toward Obama in a choice between him and McCain.  Yes, it is still close, but Obama is winning at this time.  Many of Hillary's supporters, now that they are faced with reality, and by supporters I do not mean the one's who would never vote for Obama anyway, realize that McCain is diametrically opposed to their agenda.  If Obama stays away from serious mistakes and no more Reverend Wright's pop up, Obama is the next President of the United States. Clinton or no Clinton.  Although Clinton's support would be an added bonus.


Posted By: test » Blog Archive » Unity? [Response] (July 2, 2008 at 1:12 PM)

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Posted By: mochabella (July 3, 2008 at 3:02 AM)

As an unfortunate Arizonan I can see why the Latino vote would be in favor of Obama.  This state is a hot mess.  The border issue needs to be solved! I can't not just sneak into China and not pay a price.  Hell, they'd put me in a sweat shop for Christ's sake.  The border issue is vehemently destroying the education system (as an ex-teacher I know this), the justice system is overloaded with illegal immigrant criminals and not just Mexicans either, the crime rate is outrageous, not to mention the poverty rate.  I was walking down town the other day and suddenly it dawned on me.  This IS about money.  We have politician either without balls or whom are out to to see their name in lights.  Why haven't we sat down and talked with our neighbor Mexico and work on a democratic policy like we're doing in Iraq??? huh??? I sympthathize with these people, I do but damn, if you lived here you would probably be an opponent of illegal immigration.  The health system sucks.  I find something utterly odd with how our system is set up, for instance I was thinking about how I paid a hell of a lot of taxes in medicare/medicaid, the last ten years, but now that I'm unemployed, these country folks want even give me and my children legitimate coverage, if that ain't an injustice then I don't know what is.  If I was an illegal immigrant who before I gave birth stepped acrossed the border with no insurance; they'd pick me up, put me in an ambulance, take me to the hospital, give me the best medical care, and guess what, I get to leave scott free. No bill no nothing,  Why don't we reform that system.  The two hundred dollars taken out of my check for the last 10 years x 52 weeks is a hell of a lot of money about $104,000.  At that rate I COULD HAVE AFFORDED MY OWN health insurance policy, or maybe a house? but no I have to make sure everyone else have theirs instead of my own kids. Jacked up huh? Tell me about it. I think both candidate suck, we have lowered the bar for Obama, I don't care if he's black, I care about the content of his character.  The same for McCain.


Posted By: unionave (July 4, 2008 at 9:28 PM)

We do have a choice in candidates . We look for words said by this candidate to pick apart . Our other candidate cheats on all his wifes . He and present wife were involved in theft against the AMERICAN PEOPLE by using his office to join in the theft and cover up of money from an American bank . (Ala John Dillinger) During his tenture 100’s of thousands of American jobs have been out sourced . Over 50 million Americans are without health care . Our cost of living has risen dramatically . Thousands of our young people have died while in the process of killing probably 1/2 million people while protecting corporations that are stealing another country’s resources . His campaign will not tell us what he plans to do to fix these problems he helped create . He only offers critism of his opponent . The other candidate doesn’t have enough experience in being unfaithfull to his wife or larceny or taking bribes to out source jobs or in preventing the American people from having the same health care he has . JM is our man . A patriot . He has the experience .


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