BET FOUNDER GOES AFTER OBAMA

NY Times ^ | 1-14-08 | Kathryn Seelye

[TexasKate]

Updated COLUMBIA, S.C. — Robert L. Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television, who is campaigning today in South Carolina with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, just made a suggestion that raised the specter of Barack Obama’s past drug use. He also compared Mr. Obama to Sidney Poitier, the black actor, in “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.”

[TexasKate]

This is my first post, so sorry if I did something wrong. I think things are going to really heat up with the race issue. Read the whole article especially the lame comment by Johnson on what he meant.

[A. Morgan]

Excellent post.

[Enterprise]

"He also compared Mr. Obama to Sidney Poitier, the black actor, in “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.”

Maybe something like a "Magic Negro."

[Andy'smom]

Good post!

[randita]

He then added: “And to me, as an African-American, I am frankly insulted that the Obama campaign would imply that we are so stupid that we would think Hillary and Bill Clinton, who have been deeply and emotionally involved in black issues since Barack Obama was doing something in the neighborhood –­ and I won’t say what he was doing, but he said it in the book –­ when they have been involved.”

What HAS Hillary done for black people? I've never read or heard anything specific she has done. I guess it's just that she has good intentions.

[The Ghost of Rudy McRomney]

Sounds similar to why most blacks don’t like Tina Turner, but prefer Aretha Franklin-Tina isn’t ‘black enough’ and appeals to whites. If Obama were a gangsta rapper before he got into politics, he’d be in his corner.

[apocalypto]

Good post.

[Madame Dufarge]

especially the lame comment by Johnson on what he meant.

Utterly lame.

The Clintons must be stuffing cash by the handful into his pocket.

[jimbo123]

Clinton Racism Flashback:

African-Americans watch the evening news on television--just like normal Americans."--Bill Clinton, interview on BET (Black Entertainment Television), 1993.

[Madame Dufarge]

LOL!

Thanks for the walk down Memory Lane.

Anything can be forgiven for the right price.

[kempo]

Many black leaders believe they will lose their leadership status if a black man is put in the White House.

[Always Right]

What HAS Hillary done for black people?

She married one.

[TexasKate]

She married one.

lol...my kids and I got such a laugh from your comment

[devere]

I love it when the Democrats are nasty to each other!

[Vinomori]

GREAT post...great find....BTTT.

[TigersEye]

Good job on your first post. It looks good all around. ; )

[saquin]

Johnson: "Hillary and Bill Clinton, who have been deeply and emotionally involved in black issues since Barack Obama was doing something in the neighborhood – and I won’t say what he was doing [said with a nudge and a wink], but he said it in the book..."

Johnson (later, in damage control mode): "My comments today were referring to Barack Obama’s time spent as a community organizer, and nothing else."

Suuuuure. Does he really think ANYONE believes that? Why would being a "community organizer" on the south side of Chicago be seen as a negative thing that he needed to cite as a contrast to Bill and Hillary's supposed good works for African Americans?

[Jimmy Valentine]

Wonder what the payoff will be? Head of HUD?

[Fresh Wind]

I wonder how much Hillary paid Johnson for his support? Or, what job he was promised?