POLITICS: BET FOUNDER SLAMS OBAMA
Sunday, January 13, 2008
BET founder and Hillary Clinton supporter Bob Johnson, said Sunday he is “insulted” with the Obama campaign’s latest criticism of Clinton and appeared to take aim at the Illinois senator for his admitted drug use as a young man.
“As an African American, I’m frankly insulted that the Obama campaign would imply that we are so stupid that we would think Bill and Hillary 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 what he was doing but he said it in his book,” Johnson said while campaigning with Clinton in Columbia, South Carolina.
Moments later, he added: “That kind of campaign behavior does not resonate with me, for a guy who says, ‘I want to be a reasonable, likable, Sidney Poitier ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.’ And I’m thinking, I’m thinking to myself, this ain’t a movie, Sidney. This is real life.”
At a rally for Clinton at Columbia College, Mr. Johnson was defending recent comments that Mrs. Clinton made regarding Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She did not mean to take any credit away from him, Mr. Johnson said, when she said that it took President Johnson to sign the civil rights legislation he fought for.
Dr. King had led a “moral crusade,” Mr. Johnson said, but such crusades have to be “written into law.”
“That is the way the legislative process works in this nation and that takes political leadership,” he said. “That’s all Hillary was saying.”
In a statement released by Obama’s campaign Sunday afternoon, former South Carolina State Rep. “I.S.” Leevy Johnson, an Obama supporter, said he was offended Clinton did not condemn Johnson’s comments.
“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,” he said. “For someone who decries the politics of personal destruction, she should’ve immediately denounced these attacks on the spot.”
Clinton’s campaign says Johnson was not referring to Obama’s past drug use, but rather his career as an organizer and state legislator. Meanwhile, Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, another African-American supporter of Clinton, said of the comments, “Sometimes people say things that aren’t sanctioned … I can’t speak for Bob.”
Later Sunday, Johnson maintained the comments were not in reference to Obama’s drug use: “My comments today were referring to Barack Obama’s time spent as a community organizer, and nothing else,” he said in an issued statement. “Any other suggestion is simply irresponsible and incorrect.”
In Obama’s 1995 book Dreams of My Father — a book that was little read at the time, but recently reprinted — the future presidential candidate writes he was once headed in the direction of a “junkie” and a “pothead.”
Referring to his emotional struggles as a young man, Obama writes, “Pot had helped, and booze; maybe a little blow when you could afford it. Not smack, though.”
Last month, Clinton New Hampshire co-chairman Bill Shaheen resigned his post after suggesting Republicans would likely raise the issue in a general election.
“The Republicans are not going to give up without a fight … and one of the things they’re certainly going to jump on is his drug use,” Shaheen said then. “It’ll be, ‘When was the last time? Did you ever give drugs to anyone? Did you sell them to anyone?’”
Both campaigns are locked in a heated back and forth over recent remarks from the New York Democrat and her husband that have touched off concerns among some African-American voters. Clinton has alleged Obama’s campaign is distorting the remarks — an accusation Obama has called “ludicrous.”
392 Comments
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376.
@ #372 AND TO ANYONE ELSE
Thursday, January 17, 2008 /
SHE MUST BE ANOINTED BY SATAN BECAUSE THE ANOINTING OF GOD WOULD NEVER HAVE ANYONE DOING THINGS THIS WAY IN ORDER TO GET ELECTED INTO AN OFFICE OR POSITION THAT HE ORDAINED….NEVER…………
AND SINCE YOU SO FOR HELLARY…JUST BECAUSE SHE FORGAVE BILL AND MOST OF US BALCK FOLK TOO AND HE DID NTO GET IMPEACHED DOES NOT MEAN THAT GOD HAS CHANGED HIS MIND ABOUT ADULTERY AND HOW HE EXPECTS A LEADER TO CONDUCT HIMSELF…….I AM JUST GOING TO POINT BLANK TELL YOU AND YOU CAN TAKE THIS TOO THE BANK……I DON’T KNOW WHO THE NEXT PRESISDENT WILL BE BUT I PROMISE YOU THIS ON THE AUTHORITY OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS THAT HELLARY AND BILL WILL NOT BE MOVING INTO THE WHIT E HOUSE AGAIN…..ANY DOOR THAT GOD HAS CLOSED NO MAN CAN OPEN…LET GOD BE TRUE AND EVERY MAN A LIAR…THE DEVIL IS LIAR!!!!!
THIS IS NOT ABOUT BARACK OBAMA THOUGH IT IS NO CONINCIDENCE THAT HE IS RUNNING AT SUCH A TIME AS THIS…THIS IS ABOUT THE WAY GOD ORDAINED THINGS TO BE…….GOD IS PROGRESSIVE. …..HE MAKES ALL THINGS NEW…..HE IS DOING A NEW THING.
THAT IS WHY BILL TRIED TO CONVINCE OBAMA NOT TO RUN, BUT TO WAIT BUT THANK GOD HE (OBAMA) AND HIS WIFE HAD ENOUGH SENSE TO GO TO PRAY TO GOD AND SEEK OTHER COUNSEL AND GO FORWARD IN FAITH AND NOT FEAR AND DECLARE HIS CANDIDACY…..BILL AND HELLARY WERE AFTER THE BLACK VOTE BECAUSE THEY KNEW IT WAS WHAT PUT THEM OVER BEFORE AND IF A BLACK MAN RAN THEN THEY KNEW THAT MANY IF NOT ALL BLACKS WOULD VOTE FOR HIM…THEY KNOW OUR HISTORY AND THEY KNOW HOW LONG WE AS A PEOPLE HAVE WAITED FOR THIS DAY TO COME.
YOU ALL BETTER KNOW AND RECOGNIZE THE CLINTON STRATEGY…THAT’S ALL THIS HAS BEEN TO THEM A STATEGIC PLAN TO GET BACK INTO THE WHITE HOUSE AND I AM NOT VOTING FOR THAM AGAIN EITHER!!!!! I WILL NOT HAVE MY GRANDCHILDRENS BLOOD ON MY HANDS FOR LOOKING OR GOING BACK. YOU ALL CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT BUT THE TRUTH IS A PLAIN AS THE NOSES ON YOUR FACE!!!!
377.
VERACITY
Thursday, January 17, 2008 /
I’m fairly certain that any one with enough intellectual inclination to not only be interested in this issue, but to read through this forum and also post in it - is not, has not, can not and will not be fooled by Uncle Bob’s thinly veiled rhetoric fissiparously aimed at Obama in particular, and the black populace at large.
Here’s what Bob 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”
Bob, Bob, Bob, the Obama campaign did not imply that WE (black people) are stupid, YOU on the other hand have overtly, even explicitly implied that YOU are stupid. And here’s why:
1. If it is true that what you were really alluding to about Obama was his community work, then your failed attempt at inspirational oratory would have read thus: “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 COMMUNITY WORK for and on behalf of the black people…in other words, while Bill & hillary were TALKING & THINKING about it, OBAMA was actually DOING it…and umm…I just realised how much of a contradictory, confused, pointless sell-out moron I must sound like as I’m saying this…so umm…err…nope that’s it, I’ve lost my train of thought…(Maybe they’ll be too busy smoking pot to realise that I never said Obama or anyone for that matter had ever said that Billary hadn’t been involved in the first place)…so I’m just gonna go on ahead and say - when they have been involved. Yeah, that sounds like a good way to end it. Hehehe, stupid people”
2. Your alleged intelligence actually lead you to use eighteen words were only two would have sufficed. But then again I guess it’s understandable why a black billionaire sell-out would consider the words “community work” so dirty and beneath him to even mention in his speech.
In summary, Bob, you just managed to use and attempt to re-inforce a black stereotype far more viciously, invidiously, nefariously, and perhaps efficiently than any white man ever could. Shame on you. And all for what? You are already a billionaire are you not? It cant be about the money! So pure logic must conclude that you did this out of an innate hatred for your own kind (yourself included by implication). Again, shame on you! I know, love, and believe in my people enough to know that they wont listen to this guy. Success does NOT have to come at the price of YOUR SOUL.
OBAMA 2008!
378.
UPDATE!!!!!!
Thursday, January 17, 2008 /
Everyone guess what Hillary (I like Hellary as some have posted), is up to today. She played the role of a flight attendant at the airlines….this woman will do anything to get phones…reported on the news this morning…she has heard the word stupid from Bob Johnson so much she actually thinks we are stupid.
By the way she and Bill are as much as fault as Bob Johnson he was just the mouth piece but I guarantee you they strategized on his speech and knew what he was goiong to say, they are just as guilty. They can’t stand Barack and they really don’t give a flip about us.
@# 376 You are so right it is plain as the noses on our faca,just last night my husband said maybe God allowed us to see the Clintons at their worst because many of us needed a wake up call in regards to the Clintons it was like black folk had made them some kind of Gods.
379.
Brianna
Thursday, January 17, 2008 /
I saw that on the news this morning too about her being a flight attendant for the day, they call it retail politics and CNN saying she is trying to rebuild her image.
You are either a real or you are not. The woman is so full of pretense and gimmicks everything is strategy she is obsesse with winning for the sake of winning. I wonder if she ever sleeps at night just stays awake thinking of ways to get votes.
I wonder what kind of conversation she, Bill and Bob Johnson have had behind closed doors about Obama, because if they been dropping dimes in the open man, i wish I was the fly on the wall.
I am so sick of this woman and Barack didn’t make me sick of her she and her husband did and they way she runs her campaign always some gimmick.
I wish the Clintons would just go away, just be gone!!!! Has anyone else ever been tired of someone, its like Enough already.
380.
Cmeez
Thursday, January 17, 2008 /
@376 and anyone else:
Yes God does make all things new, but things but must die to themselves first before they can be made new again. And that’s exactly what this world is doing, dying, in preparation for a new one. That being said, if we look around we can tell that we are living in the end times. The things that are going on now, and especially the damage that has been done under the Bush administration, are irreversible. Do you all really honestly see things getting better? Look at our dollar…it’s damn near worthless. Everybody is struggling, from the housing crisis to the closing of many small businesses. You might be doing “okay” right now, but trust, the way things are headed if you are not filthy rich you will enter into the struggle as well. Then look at the world outside of the U.S. Look at the genocides happening overseas. If we dont intervene, we have their blood on our hands, if do intervene, we taking away from our own homeland security, leaving us more vulnerable. If we support Israel we will be blessed but eventually as other nations rise against them, we will make more enemies. Damned if we do, damned if we don’t. If we read the bible, it talks about earthquakes in desolate places and wars, it’s all coming into fruition people. Personally, I knew the world was coming to an end a few weeks ago, when I saw that a black man (in America) had killed and ate another human being. Since when did we get down like that? All this time, these elections and debates have been going on and I thought something was wrong with me for not having hope for the future. But it is was it is. HIStory has already been written and there’s no changing it. All we can do is ask the True and Living God for grace and mercy while we’re here on this earth and then prepare our souls for the next life time. Bless.
381.
Cliff
Thursday, January 17, 2008 /
Man, I did not know exactly all that was going on, a friend at work told me about this site and I been getting bits and pieces from Tom Joyners show and I have read all the comments and I have gotten a lot of information, the Clintons ain’t s_ _ _.
I registered through the Tom Joyner show. I am 20 will be 21 by the time of the election first time voting in National election and I am going to hit my friends up about this site so they can be informed and talk to their parents too I will be speaking to my grandparents, they are so afraid to change the yway they think.
Keep this up so they can find it. Thanks have a good day everyone.
382.
@ 376
Thursday, January 17, 2008 /
Look I feel what yo are saying and I am totally ignoring this fool. It is time for something new and it is as plain as the nose on our faces….Mr.Obama did not kill any child and eat them, and should he be penalized for what another black man did….we are juding the Clintons by their own actions and their words and by your words you are condemned.
@380 Go straight to HELL and don’t collect one penny when you pass go!!!!!
Leave us alone!!!!!!!
383.
HOODBOY
Thursday, January 17, 2008 /
@ 376 I feel you last night a bunch of my homeboys and myself were having a discussion and we were saying some of the same things, my Mom said some of this too she said I an’t voting for no Hillary and Bill to be no president, she said I had to get an extra job when they asses were in office.
So you on the money, it’s like people are stupid and the Clintons been banking on our stupidity.I always wondered why black folks so loyal to these crackers cause I can’r see shit they did for us?
384.
HOODBOY
Thursday, January 17, 2008 /
By the way I never voted but I registered last week and I am voting for Obama with my moms and my sisters we don’t care who don’t like it.
385.
Cmeez
Thursday, January 17, 2008 /
@382 why did I deserve that comment? Wow.
386.
JUDAH
Thursday, January 17, 2008 /
@376
Have another drink, lol. When did I ever say that I was for Hillary or any of these other candidates? You read my post but you didn’t comprehend it because you’re so damn emotional you were looking for a reason to go on a religious tangent with no references for you nonsense. Any leader of America is of Satan because the fabric of America is of Satan; whether it be “Hellary” (lol), Obama, Ron Paul, or whoever. There is not one ounce of integrity in any aspect of this empire and the Most High will not build anything new here. This land, and this entire world, is under Satan’s authority by orders of the Most High until Christ comes back to destroy it and create the new earth in righteousness. Just you wanting to vote shows that you have the mark of the beast on you.
@380
You’re on point sis, as usual. This is why everything is slowly deteriorating on this planet. It is in preparation for the world to come in which order will be set and maintained.
387.
NEGATIVITY, blah, blah, blah.
Thursday, January 17, 2008 /
That’s exactly why blcak folks can’t get anywhere the so call religious crowd hates everybody and no one wants to admit this is racist country and if obama was a white man no one at anytime would be having these conversations and if all the candiates were white Hellary’s ass wouldn’t have a chance because everyon in their right mind knows that this country in the state that it is not ready for a woman president and a white one at that.
But you rather put a white woman in office than vote for a black man.
My pastor prohesied she is not called of God to lead this country, he didn’t say who was but he sur esiad who wasn’t. She is decieving people and the ones who don’t want a black man in will vote for her for that reason.
That’s when i see this country will go to the dogs.
I’m not saying a woman can’t be president but now is not the time and Hellary is not the chosen one.
388.
» POLITICAL ROUND UP: BET FOUNDER APOLOGIZES / OBAMA SPLITS BLACK CAUCUS // 'CONCRETELOOP.COM' YOU BETTER ACT LIKE YOU KNOW!
Thursday, January 17, 2008 /
[...] Johnson drew criticism following remarks he made Sunday at a Clinton campaign stop in Columbia, South Carolina. [...]
389.
Sharonda
Friday, January 18, 2008 /
This is getting ugly.I’m not voting for Obama because he is black.I’m voting because I think he can change the face of how African Americans are viewed in this country.Hillary doesn’t have experience except that her husband was caught cheating.If you call that experience than oh well.Can someone tell me the experience HIllary has?I’m still lost on that.
390.
Sharonda
Friday, January 18, 2008 /
And wouldn’t be nice that we can kill some the stereotypes of black boys and men?Little boys would look up to an educated black man such a Obama instead of wanting to either go pro or be a rapper?Wouldn’t that be nice?It’ so hard for any man, especially blacks to support someone who wants a change.Can we rise on something?
391.
PLEASE!!!
Friday, January 18, 2008 /
WOW! I need to go out and get this book!
Blow? Weed? That “Brown?”
Wow!
392.
» NEWS ROUND UP: BOB JOHNSON AT IT AGAIN / TAVIS SMILEY UPDATE // 'CONCRETELOOP.COM' YOU BETTER ACT LIKE YOU KNOW!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 /
[...] a Clinton supporter, in January, slammed Obama and mentioned “what he was doing in the neighborhood” which appeared to take aim at the [...]
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