Confederate Flag Boycott Tests Presidential Candidates' Resolve

The New York Times ^ | Friday, February 7, 2003 | ADAM NAGOURNEY

[dixie sass]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 — The Democratic candidates for president are struggling these days to work their way through a bit of a headache: How to campaign in South Carolina, a state with a pivotal primary, without running afoul of an economic boycott intended to force the removal of a Confederate flag from the State House grounds.

The state N.A.A.C.P. has for two years urged Americans who oppose the flying of the Confederate battle flag, including the six Democratic presidential candidates, to refrain from spending in South Carolina until the flag is removed. The prohibition, said James Gallman, the president of the state's chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, applies to hotel rooms, caterers and restaurants, not to mention business conventions and family reunions.

"If it is possible to cook their own food, stay in homes rather than staying in hotels, or eating in hotels, that's what we would prefer," Mr. Gallman said.

After a few fits and starts, three Democratic presidential candidates said they would spend campaign money in South Carolina anyway, arguing that it would be hard to win the state's Democratic primary without doing so, and that it would be hard to win the nomination without competing in South Carolina.

One candidate, Dr. Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont, said Wednesday that he was still deciding what to do and would defer to black advisers in South Carolina.

Two candidates — Senator John Edwards of North Carolina and the Rev. Al Sharpton of New York, the only black candidate — have said they would honor the boycott.

Mr. Edwards is heading for South Carolina on Saturday, on a campaign excursion that is stirring much curiosity, and a little bit of sniggering, from Democrats in opposing camps anxious to see just how this first-term senator from neighboring North Carolina can pull it off.

"It is incredibly difficult," said Erik Smith, an aide to Representative Richard A. Gephardt, a Missouri Democrat who said he would not abide by the boycott. "No one has given a plausible explanation of how you can run an effective campaign. The boycott is more than sleeping in hotels. The boycott is everything from eating in restaurants to paying car services."

He added: "Perhaps being so close to North Carolina, you don't need a lot of staff or infrastructure in the state. You can bring bag lunches in from North Carolina. Follow your motorcade with a tanker truck so you don't have to stop for gas?"

Jennifer Palmieri, Mr. Edwards's spokeswoman, described Mr. Edwards's position in limited terms Wednesday, saying that while he would honor the boycott, that did not mean he necessarily supported it.

What that meant, Ms. Palmieri said, was that Mr. Edwards would refuse to sleep in any hotels while campaigning in South Carolina, though he would not refrain from eating, renting cars, buying gas, hiring staff or doing anything else that might pertain to running for the White House. When he needs to sleep there, she said, he would rely on the couches and extra bedrooms of supporters, or leave by nightfall.

"John Edwards will run an aggressive, well-funded and fully staffed campaign in South Carolina," Ms. Palmieri said.

Mr. Sharpton said that he would honor the boycott but that he had not figured out how to do so.

As suggested by Mr. Edwards's maneuverings, this is a difficult issue to negotiate, and it has inspired a number of flips over the past month.

Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, for example, said in January while he was in South Carolina that he would instruct his staff not to stay in hotels. Earlier this week, he announced that while he supported the "goals and aspirations" of the boycott, he could not run for president "if I can't campaign effectively."

Mr. Gephardt switched speeds on the issue of the flag itself. After first declining to take a position on it, he issued a statement the next day saying he had been "too cautious in stating my views in regard to the Confederate flag."

"The Confederate flag is a hurtful, divisive symbol and in my view, has no place flying anywhere in any state in this country," he said.

Dr. Dean, who early on described it as a state issue, expressed irritation that the issue had become so large in South Carolina.

"I don't like it, and it ought to come down, but it's not a presidential issue," he said. "I'm a little annoyed with the local press. I went down there and gave a speech on health care, and they all wrote" about the flag.

The South Carolina primary could prove to be critical, coming immediately after the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary next year. Blacks are likely to make up 50 percent of the Democratic electorate.

But there is anything but unanimity — either by party or by race — about the boycott. Representative James E. Clyburn, a senior member of the state's Congressional delegation, who is black, said he thought it was a bad idea that could harm the state's economy.

"It is absolutely of no significance to the presidential primary at all," Mr. Clyburn said.

Mr. Clyburn has told candidates that he does not expect them to honor the boycott, and three of them — Mr. Kerry, Mr. Gephardt and Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut — have taken the cover of his position in declining to honor the boycott.

Aides to Mr. Edwards said Wednesday that their candidate, who is making a major effort to appeal to black voters in the South, would be helped by his position. "If that distinguishes us from the other candidates in the eyes of South Carolina voters, we certainly welcome that distinction," an Edwards adviser said.

Mr. Gallman said the N.A.A.C.P. would not tell candidates what to do. "We would prefer that they did not — but we are not going to take it that they are dissing us or they are disrespecting us by not following every condition we set down," he said.

[dixie sass]

It looks like the racist card is being played early. Why can't the NAACP seem to remember that the placement of the flag on the State House Grounds WAS THEIR IDEA and THEY ARE THE ONES WHO URGED THE COMPROMISE TO HAVE IT PLACED THERE.

[TonyRo76]

The NAACP is a racist hate group!

[TonyRo76]

Dixie ping, y'all!

[Lee Heggy]

"dissing us or they are disrespecting us"

Is there a difference? Ebonics strikes again!

[dixie sass]

That's not the point. The point is that we in South Carolina, ALL CITIZENS of the state are being cast in a bad light.

We need to remind the press that this was a compromise promoted by the NAACP and show the duplicity of the organization.

We need to let the American people know that South Carolinians are not backwoods redneck idiots.

We cannot play the games that the groups like the NAACP or individuals like Jesse Jackson and others want to play.

We have to rise above this crap and show them who we are.

[TonyRo76]

I think it's patently absurd for any state to be held hostage, in effect, to the radical agenda of a spiteful, venomous group of barbarian malcontents like the NAACP.

If I lived in SC, I'd relish the fact the NAACP wants to boycott me. I'd say "bring it on, you b*st*rds!" Alot can be learned about you by who your enemies are.

As it is, I live in Ohio and I love South Carolina—would really like to come visit for my next vacation, and spend all the money I can there!

I know fullwell that Carolinians are not just "backwoods redneck idiots" as you say. And most people (even up north) know it too. What most people see in this, I think, is a charming and friendly state that's under fire from a bunch of angry, sleazy, loudmouth race-pimps. Our sympathies are with y'all and we love ya!

And besides, what's so bad about rednecks anyway? In the immortal words of Alan Jackson, "it's allright to be a Redneck!" ;-)

[TonyRo76]

BTW, if the 'Rat presidential wannabes are willing to buckle to the race-tauning NAACP, then we should let them. All it will do is energize the conservative Southern base of the GOP, and the 'Rats won't win another election there for decades!

[NC Conservative]

"The legal definition, no," Hartwright said

Liberals are silly.

[Verginius Rufus]

There is room for a compromise here--the NAACP can issue exemptions for Democrat Presidential candidates and their staffs, as long as they are strong supporters of the boycott for everyone else.

I think Howard Dean's comments show him to be racially insensitive. He should be castigated as "the Trent Lott of the Democratic Party" until he apologizes profusely for suggesting that what he wanted to say about some other topic was more important than the flag issue.

[stainlessbanner]

Latest Poll on the History Channel website. Go vote!

Should Confederate symbols be removed from modern state flags?
Yes 28% 5698 votes
No 72% 14557 votes

Total: Total Votes: 20,255

[stainlessbanner]

See post #10.

[Tax-chick]

Stainless, do you or any of our other Dixie FReepers know what's up with the Southern Partisan? We haven't received one forever! Not that that's unusual for them, but I just wondered if anyone else had a recent issue, like the last 6 months(?), in which case SP lost my subscription (when we didn't even move!) and I'll write them a gently worded reminder with a little more money!

Thanks for your help,

Cy

[Colt .45]

I went and voted ....

NO!

Let the flags fly!

[vetvetdoug]

Confederate symbols are no more racist than is BLACK history month.

[dixie sass]

Well, yeah - that too!

[dixie sass]

We need to get past the racism in this country and realize that we are Americans, not hypenated anythings.

[stainlessbanner]

Mr. Sharpton said that he would honor the boycott but that he had not figured out how to do so.

That's a jewel. More boycott than brains.

[dixie sass]

It's a typical "Sharpism" isn't it?

[TonyRo76]

We're gaining on 'em...

Whiners and race-baiters who voted yes = 27% 6792 votes
Freedom lovers who say NO! = 73% 18652 votes

[TonyRo76]

We need to get past the racism in this country and realize that we are Americans, not hypenated anythings.

Amen!! Thank you dixie sass. That's one of my biggest pet peeves about today's "liberals"—their insistence on classifying everybody by group identity. [Whatever]-hyphen-Americans always focus on what's before the hyphen, as if American identity doesn't matter. It's total BS! I don't need or want any hyphen to detract from my root identity as an American.

As for "sectionalism" (Southerners/Northerners/Midwesterners/Easterners/Westerners) well, geography has always been a factor for Americans as long as we've been a nation. But none of that is as important as our American nationality itself.

My admiration for the Southern Cause stems largely from the fact the Rebs fought for states' rights (true federalism) and self-determination—totally opposing centralized, Big Government control of individual citizens' lives. Very Jeffersonian and freedom-oriented, IMO.

[the_rightside]

"We need to get past the racism in this country and realize that we are Americans, not hypenated anythings."

Would this include Confederate-American?

[dixie sass]

Exactly, and I believe that is the main adgenda for most people in the south and a lot of others across the country.

We no longer have a government "by the people, for the people and of the people" as Lincoln so eloquently put it. What a shame! Most people don't realize the the Constitution of the Confederacy is virtually word for word as the United States Constitution, nor that their states even have a Constitution. Have many people have read the Articles of Confederation that was the FIRST binding document for the US of A?

If they would go back and read, scan or whatever the Articles of Confederation, The Constitution and the Bill of Rights and then their own States Constitution, I think they would be surprised.

If they would read the history of the country, they would find out some amazing things that pertain to what is going on in our country today. They might even discover a few things they didn't know! It's isn't as straight forward as they think it is!

[dixie sass]

I never heard that term before. I don't believe there is any such animal. The Confederacy is no longer in existence, though there are many who would like to see the Country reformed and that is what it was - a separate country that was forming at the time of the Northern Agression. We had seceeded and formed our own government and elected officialsl, had our own currency and etc. We were invaded by a foreign power and our country disbanded.

[stand watie]

TRUE!

FRee dixie,sw

[stand watie]

ALSO TRUE!

the leaders are money-hungry CREEPS; the membership is composed of useful idiots.

FRee dixie,sw

[stand watie]

my understanding is that the Soutern Partisan is toast.

look for the inaugral issue of the SOUTHERN MERCURY!

it will make the SP look anemic AND we'll publish on time too!

FRee dixie,sw

[stand watie]

WELL SAID!

FRee the southland,sw

[TonyRo76]

Thank you, sw!

FReegards,
TonyRo

[Tax-chick]

Thanks, I'll stop looking for it.

[SCDogPapa]

"The Confederacy is no longer in existence",

It still exists, I think.
If memory serves,,it still exists. The North was so intent on dragging the South back into the Union, they forgot the legal steps to abolish the Confederacy. Our Coustitution is only suspended.

[stand watie]

i would!

i would also look for the announcement of the first issue of the Southern Mercury!

you'll like our new magazine, especially since the Quinn's are NOT involved.

FRee dixie,sw

[Tax-chick]

Make sure you announce it on FR ... the only news I see!

cy

[TonyRo76]

In some ways, the Constitution of the Confederate States of America adopted on March 11, 1861 is in fact a superior document even to the Constitution drafted by our Founders in 1787.

Check out its Preamble:

We, the people of the Confederate States, each State acting in its sovereign and independent character, in order to form a permanent federal government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Confederate States of America.

Boldface mine. Just a couple concepts the 1787 Federal Constitution seems to be missing.

For those interested, the entire Confederate Constitution can be found here.

[SCDogPapa]

Article I is a nice piece of work by itself.
I have seen the entire CSA Constitution before and LIKE IT!!

[dixie sass]

Are you sure? How can it be researched. If so...

[dixie sass]

Tony, thanks for the link to the Avolon Project. It is the best respository for documents in their entirety and also accuracy.

[TonyRo76]

No problem ds! Yeah, when I first stumbled on that site, I was fascinated with all the info available :)

[al_possum39]

[dixie sass]

ROTFL!!!!!

[al_possum39]

If you consider:

1. A possum looks like a fat rat.
2. One of my grandmothers was a Kennedy.
3. The bumpersticker that says: "Eat mo' possum"

I should be able to blend in except for the cap.

[Trueblackman]

The truth of the matter is that if Edwards had been a Republican the outrage(just like with Lott) would have been so loud and Republicans would have been smeared as Klansmen ready to ride forht and put blacks on plantation(Oops skip that they have already pretty much smeared us that way anyway)on the covers of Newsweek and Time. This thing with Edwards and Byrd should show any fair and opened minded person out there that Democrats will throw any with anyone or anybody as long as they can get elected.

[SCDogPapa]

"Are you sure? How can it be researched. If so..."

If I was sure OR I knew how to research it, I would have done so. I remember reading that somewhere, but don't remember where. There is a name for the procedure, I don't remember that either.

[mhking]

Black conservative ping

If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)

Extra warning: this is a high-volume ping list.

[stand watie]

WILL DO!

FRee dixie,sw

[stand watie]

so what else is new?

FRee dixie,sw

[stand watie]

YEP, it is.

FRee dixie,sw

[billhilly]

He's cuter than New York Al.

[dixie sass]

Hi stranger! You are absolutely correct in your assessment! I have a sneaky suspicion that the dems and the NAACP's usual appeal to the masses isn't going to work this time. They have overplayed can't come into the current century an realize that Americans are tired of being lead around like sheep(le)no matter their background.

They should take the hint from the voters that we aren't going to be herded anymore. That we can think and do for ourselves. That we don't need "mommy and daddy" in Washington or our own state houses. That we are demanding accountability now and that they had damn well better be prepared to answer to you and me 'cause we are aren't taking it anymore!!!!

[dixie sass]

Hello MH. How are you and Mrs King doing? Good to see you again. This article is a little stale now but the issue is still out there.