Secretary of State Rice speaks forcefully about race in America

Sen. Barack Obama has called for a national discussion on race in America, and one of the folks who sure didn't hold back when asked was Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

In a discussion with the editorial board of the Washington Times on Thursday, Rice called racism a "birth defect" of America, and said that black Americans have loved the nation even when it didn't love us.

The Times reported:

“Black Americans were a founding population," she said. "Africans and Europeans came here and founded this country together — Europeans by choice and Africans in chains. That's not a very pretty reality of our founding.”

“As a result, Miss Rice told editors and reporters at The Washington Times, "descendants of slaves did not get much of a head start, and I think you continue to see some of the effects of that."

"That particular birth defect makes it hard for us to confront it, hard for us to talk about it, and hard for us to realize that it has continuing relevance for who we are today," she said.

She later said: "America doesn't have an easy time dealing with race," Miss Rice said, adding that members of her family have "endured terrible humiliations."

"What I would like understood as a black American is that black Americans loved and had faith in this country even when this country didn't love and have faith in them — and that's our legacy," she said.

Wow was all I could say to that.

What was even more stunning was the relative lack of coverage on this issue.

I sent an email out to my folks at CNN, and was told that "The Situation Room" did a piece on her comments on Friday. But when I surfed the Net to see follow-up stories in other papers, it has pretty much been ignored, except for some briefs.

Why would the mainstream media be so dismissive of Rice's comments? Imagine if Rev. Al Sharpton or Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. said such a thing. Do you think they would have gotten ripped?

The fact of the matter is that Rice was right on the money with her comments, and should be commended. She spoke honestly and openly about the issue, and deserves credit for speaking the truth.

I just wish my colleagues in the media would do a better job at advancing the issue of race in America and our sordid history.

We went bonkers about the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, but when Rice, the nation’s chief diplomat, spoke truthfully, it barely made a ripple.

Click here to read the Washington Times report.

Comments

[Callie, Cleveland OH]

Hi Roland,
I am with you on this one! I was looking for the same response! I checked on CNN, MSNBC, I don't watch FOX NEWS not good for anger managment! LOL I thought her response was right on!!
You know what I was thinking that was weird but nothing to do with this blog? If Barack Obama wins, then the United States could possibly have another Rice as Secretary of State or Foreign Policy Advisor. Ms Susan Rice!!

[Jody Gaddy]

Roland, you wrote and I quote:

“In a discussion with the editorial board of the Washington Times, Rice called racism a "birth defect" of America, and said that black Americans have loved the nation even when it didn't love us.”

The problem with your take on this is the sequence of events that led to her eventual remarks.

Before I continuing, let me say this about Rice: She is smart because she has a PhD. I respect her for that.

BUT

Why did she wait this long to make the remarks? When did she realize that racism is a birth defect of America – during or before or after Katrina and genocide in Darfur? Find for us another statement about race from her since she started working for the Bush family. Try also to locate her statements or inputs on Katrina.

To me, Rice is like Andrew Young, James Manning, Bob Johnson, Clearance Thomas, John Lewis, Charles Rangel, and the rest of them.

To these people, ideology and self-interests are more important than the collective well-being of Black people or the nation. If they cared about Blacks or America, they would have done more with their opportunities and positions to uplift this nation. They are simply reactionaries waiting for somebody else to lead them. Yes, they have PhD’s and were Mayors and Secretary of State, but what did they do with their skills and positions? Why is she talking now that she has less than 8 months to go? How does she look in the mirror to see her image as a Black woman?

I am not deceived. You should not be deceived either.

These people are not leaders but followers with no vision for anything. When you care for people, your words, actions, and inactions will show that state of mind. When you are useless, everything you say and do or not do will show the same. Rice is one of those intelligent Black people who are self-absorbed. Whether she is the President of US or President of Africa will never change a damn thing for anybody in this world because she is a typical follower with no creative wit to know how to change anything.

If Obama had not given a speech on race relations, Rice would have continued to the end of her term and America would have moved on with the same old habit on race. Therefore do not be shocked that no news network is talking about her views on race because they are used to her silence on race.

[candygirl, Illinois]

Regardless as to when Condi Rice gave the comments, I'm glad she said it. It didn't receive such press because she is apart of the Bush administration. Bush was strong enough to fix an election and takeover control of the country, so you know he's strong enough to squash this right quick.

She spoke the truth because she's about to leave the white house and let's face it, being a Black woman in politics is truly difficult. Condi doesn't have any real control under this administration; she's just a puppet for the Republican diversity program. I don't blame her for taking her opportunity and becoming the first black female Sec. of State.

Even though I knew Condi was more of a puppet, ironically, I never viewed her as a Clarence Thomas. I think she keeps her mouth shut and does the best that she can given the circumstances just like Collin Powell.

I am not surprised that she felt this way.

[OOO]

The media's fear is that her comments would assist in allaying the Wright controversy and help reinforce the positive backlash against them from Senator Obama's speech. In short, her comments indicate that both men have justifiable generational views; so how can a conservative argue against one of their most heralded political figures, especially when they are courting her for veep. They may get around to it when they figure out a way to make it a negative for the senator.

[Reecie]

I was surprised that she actually had something thoughtful to say on this matter. I expected something very watered down from her, so kudos for keeping it real. I guess she can kiss her VP nod possibilities goodbye though...oh wait, who am I kidding, she would've never gotten the offer anyway. Racism is the Republican trump card so the likelihood of them ever putting her in the VP spot is zero.

I don't know if anyone here heard about it...but in response to Condi's comments, CNN's Lou Dobbs said he is tired of these "cotton....telling me how to talk about race"...and you know he was about to say "cotton picking ni99ers"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y0W19-N3Ik

Damn shame...but what else is new.

[Jody Gaddy]

“I don't know if anyone here heard about it...but in response to Condi's comments, CNN's Lou Dobbs said he is tired of these "cotton....telling me how to talk about race"...and you know he was about to say "cotton picking ni99ers"”

I used to think that Lou Dobbs loves this nation with his rants and ganger on immigration until Harldo put things in a proper perspective for me. Since Obama started running for the nomination, I have heard enough from Dobbs to conclusively know that he is a racist.

Another person who surprised in the Black guy called Juan Williams. Williams always appear on Fox News. I used to think that he is objective on his analysis until he began to show his hate for Obama and his love for Hillary. I do not know if I am the only person with this discovery.

Even if Obama loses, many things have been made clearer to many people. The reason why Blacks are behind in everything, from Harlem to Haiti to African nations, has been exposed to the world to understand.

Today, I have more appreciation for such people as Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson; they have shown where their words and minds are. When next you see a Black person on TV acting as if she or he is fighting for you, be careful how to receive their words.

Imagine the current President, Bush. He has no brains, but he is your president. He had C’s and D’s in his college courses, but he is more qualified to be Governor and President than Condi Rice. He stumbles all over the place when he opens his mouth, but he has more intelligence to lead America than you and me because he is white. People like him will continue to be our leaders too, because they are ordained by God to use our tax money to lead us to the Promised Land of destruction and racism against Black people. They understand why we should use our tax revenues to help the Iraqis in distant Iraq while the victims of Katrina should lift themselves by their own bootstraps.

One thing I know for sure is this:
No progress has ever happened in the America society without some people fighting and dying for it. Thousands of slaves and whites died trying to end the inhumanity of slavery. If you think that this pattern for social change is no longer valid, then you are living in a dreamland. If you thought that Africa is still backward because of lack of intelligence among Black Africans rather than because of well-orchestrated efforts of Black traitors and their white accomplices, then you have been duped by people like Lou Dobbs and Andrew Young and James Manning.

[nic]

That's probably the closest thing to a truth I've heard from her in a long time.
HOWEVER, if we're going to talk about this, let's NOT pull any punches.

"black Americans have loved the nation even when it didn't love us."
That statement doesn't apply to all of us.
I've never loved this nation, period.

Let's keep it really real, huh?

[js]

Hey Roland,
Did you notice that John McCain's tag line in his new commercial "The American President that America has been waiting for" is very similar to what Obama said in his speech he gave on Super Tuesday's election night which was "We are the one's that we have been waiting for!".

js

[nic]

RE: Jody's comment....yeah Roland, whatchu know about Mr. Dobbs? I've had the same questions myself lately!

[Reecie]

"Did you notice that John McCain's tag line in his new commercial "The American President that America has been waiting for" is very similar to what Obama said in his speech he gave on Super Tuesday's election night which was "We are the one's that we have been waiting for!".

I don't think that was meant to be a rip off of Obama's statement rather an insinuation that the Presidential race will be between an "American" and non-American. Of course we all know that Obama is America as well, but it's just another one of those comments meant to sow a seed of doubt.

[qayt]

McCain was not born in America. Obama was born side this nation. Further, McCain is a damaged good, and we will prove this with the ads we will borrow from Bush.

[llas]

McCain will never win because he is a mad man with ties to lobbysts. I agree that he was damaged during his hostage in vietnam - Bush proved this with his TV ads during the last Republican nomination. Obama's 527 groups have already positioned the ads waiting to play them for the American public.

[NPC from Columbia SC]

Thanks Roland for your reporting. I haven't heard these remarks from Condeleeza yet. Great job, Dr. Rice for speaking out! The truth shall begin to set us free, no matter when or by whom it's spoken.

[NPC from Columbia SC]

Yep Jody, I must agree with you on Juan Williams, I thought he was at one time very objective. I remember watching him as a substitue on Crossfire.

[NPC from Columbia SC]

Yep Jody, I must agree with you on Juan Williams, I thought he was at one time very objective. I remember watching him as a substitue on Crossfire.

[OOO]

llas wrote "Obama's 527 groups have already positioned the ads waiting to play them for the American public."

Senator Obama has NO 527 groups.

[Yvonne]

Hi Roland I am so glad that Ms. rice spoke out on this issue. I hope that oneday white america will wake up and understand where african americans are coming from. P.S thank you for being a civalized voice on cnn for us.

[simplycharming47]

Ms. Rice is NO fool by any strength of the imagination, she just PLAYS one!!!
Maybe she felt the need to Keep it Real with whitey (for a change), Oh well I guess better LATE than NEVER!!

[simplycharming47]

CORRECTION!!
Ms. Rice is NO Fool by any STRETCH of the imagination, she just PLAYS one!!
Maybe she felt the need to KEEP IT REAL with WHITEY (for a change), Oh well I guess better LATE than NEVER!!

[Jay]

Oh my! I just watched that video of Lou Dobbs. He was really getting ready to say Cotton picking you know what! Roland have you seen this? Why is this crazy racist old man still on TV?

[Niko]

Okay....A comment on each person mentioned above...

Dr. Rice - {Dick Gregory brought correction during the 2008 State of the Black Union Synposioum about how common people address Condelezza Rice and she's a Doctor. I will respect what he had to say, and respect her by adressing her as we all should, ad Dr. Rice} I'm pleasantly surprised to hear her speak up and speak out, and I agree with what she had to say. I know a lot of African American people speak ill of her, ut most of them don't know her. She should not be scandalized for all of the Bush administration's failures.

Lou Dobbs- He is a for certain RACIST BIGOT, and he can't hide it.

Juan Williams - Is a JERK and hates the truth aout the African American experience.

John McCain - Asleep at the wheel. Barack is going to give him a run for his money.

Bob Johnson - Such a great disappointment to the African American community. He was one of Hillary's financial backers that sent the threat letter to Nancy Pelosi. He had the nerve to criticize Barack, he is is no position. I have lost all resect for him.

Andrew Young - I cannot believe he had the audacity to say thta Bill Clinton was every bit as black as Barack, and that he should wait is turn to be president. Andre Young really let a lot of us down. I thought he was a real leader, my level of trust, respect and adoration has surely decreased.

Charles Rangel - He is one of the folks that Barack spoke to about a possible run for the presidency before he annouced his candidacy. He told Barack, that if he did not run now, that he would hate himself for it later. Okay, every since Barack announced his candidacy, Charles Rangel has called him every name in tha book. Charles Rangel is a true hater, but his wife supports Barack.

Dr. David Manning - Is the bama of the week, as Huggy would say. He has said the most ridiculous and scandalous things that I have ever heard about Barack and others. Beware he is a false prophet and a priest of OURE hate.

[Pamela]

I am not suprised that there wasn't any coverage in MSM on the truth that Condi Rice spoke in regards to race other than the blurbs here and there. It is what black people have known all along and that is that the majority of white people don't want to have a real discussion about race! Most white people are uncomfortable being reminded of the indignity suffered by blacks in AMERICA at the hands of white people, so much so, that not acknowledging it or the undeniable negative impact on the black community because of slavery is better--Hear no evil, See no evil--than actually addressing it. Racism still exists, as most non-white groups are painfully aware; whether it is thinly veiled or as overt as the disgusting article written by Pat Buchanan in which he compared Barack Obama to a "black hustler" and said that black people should be thanking whites for slavery because we got a better life in America. Everyone, thank Pat Buchanan for proving that racism is not America's only problem--ignorance--reigns supreme!

[BrotherJR]

I must say that I agree with what Secretary said. She spoke some truths, though uncomfortable to some, that needed to be said. All I can say is amen!! My only wish is that more African American conservatives/republicans had the courage to publicly speak the same truth to power and speak that truth in the face of white conservatives and republicans in the media. Unfortunately, too many are afraid to do so.

[rikyrah]

Roland -HUGE HUGE PROPS for your appearance on Lou Dobbs. You had all their mouths agape when you praised Dr. Rice and said that she had NAILED IT.

And, then, when you REFUSED to let them forget about Jim Crow and threw down, speaking truth to power about how Black folk in this country have only been Full Legal Citizens for a little over 40 YEARS in the 400 YEAR HISTORY of America, I cheered.

They were stunned into silence.

Throw-it-down, Roland!

You kicked butt.

As for Dr. Rice's words, I had to re-read them in order to absorb them,because they were so elegant.

She called Black folk - ' A Founding Population'. I had never heard it referred to like that, but it was on point, and quite wonderful.

The conservative blogosphere, which ripped to pieces Obama's speech, has said JACK about Dr. Rice's comments.

[Connie Briscoe]

Sorry I missed the show with Roland on Lou Dobbs. I have been itching to see someone put that arrogant man in his place when it comes to the trash he talks about race. It seems the blacks Dobbs normally has on the show haven't got a single original thought of their own. I guess I missed Roland because I've taken to changing the channel when Lou Dobbs comes on. Thanks, Roland, for telling some hard truths on the show.

[Angela]

Roland, please give us heads up when you plan to be on Lou Dobb's show. I can't bear to watch him, but I will if I know you are on...

Dr. Rice grew up in Birmingham, AL. Her friend Denise McNair was one of four Black girls killed in the 1963 bombing at the 16th Street Baptist Church. So she truly knows racism at the heart.

[Jody Gaddy]

Candygirl wrote:
“Condi doesn't have any real control under this administration; she's just a puppet for the Republican diversity program. I don't blame her for taking her opportunity and becoming the first black female Sec. of State.

Even though I knew Condi was more of a puppet, ironically, I never viewed her as a Clarence Thomas. I think she keeps her mouth shut and does the best that she can given the circumstances just like Collin Powell.”

The above captures what I wanted to say about some of these Black traitors. I wanted somebody here to catch on the thoughts of candygirl. Since none has commented on this line of thoughts, here I come.

YES, I agree that Candi, Thomas, and Powell were all chosen by Republicans for the same function – to act as puppets for the Republican Party, to do their dirty work against Black people. What EXACTLY does this mean and did these traitors fulfill the function for which they were selected?

Clarence Thomas has been described by the Fox News as a good judge in the Supreme Court. Condi Rice has been described by the Fox News as a good Secretary of State. They said the same about Powell in Fox News, that he was a good servant until he was he resigned and began to criticize Bush’s Administration.

A thing is good when it performs its intended function well. A harmer is good when it nails well. A person is good when he reasons well and achieves his/her duties.

Condi Rice has been good because she has done the work of her puppeteers well. She had remained quiet on important issues affecting Blacks while showing her Black face as “the first Secretary of State”. She has done her work well while doing nothing against racism or speaking her mind about certain issues. This was the intended function and she did it very well. Fox News believes so until she deviates from the intended function.

She deviated from her intended function ONLY because Obama spoke out in his recent speech on race. If she was put in the same predicament by Wright, she would not have spoken out like Obama because the Republicans who planted her as a puppet would not have approved the same level of honesty and openness as we saw in Obama’s speech. This was the case with Powell when he disagreed with the fabricated evidence for war in Iraq. Recall that it was widely reported that Powell was angry with the evidence given to him to present to UN. The initial evidence had to be watered down, but still what he presented to UN was completely full of lies. And he paid the price for this. They used him and discarded him.

Clearance Thomas is in the same predicament today. He is been used to do their dirty work against the entire Black population in USA.

To say that Candi Rice is a puppet is true. I agree with that. But to say that she is different from Thomas or Powell is misguided. To say that you do not blame her for doing the intended function is also misguided because no human being, Black or White, has been born, to muster enough REASONS and ARGUMENTS to dupe me into being a Judas for my own people. If you are capable of being duped like this, then you are a fool – an ignorant fool.

If Rice knew that racism was a birth defect of America and still allowed herself to be used like this, then this makes the situation more painful to accept and to defend. This also explains why nothing will change soon for Blacks because there are many of us lined up waiting to be used from today until thy-kingdom-come.

[MONIQUE VOLPE]

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/80919/

here is a link to Lou Dobbs statement - ROLAND WE EXPECT YOU TO CALL HIM ON HIS COMMENTS AND ALSO ASK THE NETWORK HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT GIVING A RACIST AIR TIME.

i REALLY THINK YOU SHOULD STOP WORKING FOR CNN AS IT IS ONE OF THE MOST RACIST NETWORKS - JUST LIKE FOX BUT INSTEAD DOES IT SOFTLY BUT WE KNOW WHAT THERE POINT IS TO KEEP ALL AFRICAN AMERICAN DOWN

[Kit]

I think we have to celebrate African Americans who have made strides in the racially charged environment. Dr. Rice and Colin Powell are very respected individuals in their field and while I don't agree with their ideology, I believe they are aware of the racial tone in this country and they have made accomplishments in spite.

Then we have African Americans who have made great monetary strides in our racially charged environment without earning any respect - Bob Johnson, Juan Williams, Ken Blackwell, etc... These are the ones who seem to have made a conscious decision to ignore the racial injustices in our society. I don't think that we have to be monolithic, but we should always remember that "birth defect" that Dr. Rice spoke too.

[Jehova]

The situation in which Rice, Thomas, and Powell found themselves speaks to two important issues:

1) Christianity
Republicans are known for their use of Bible for their wickedness and racism. They preach Christian Nation and Christian Love and Christian foundation for this nation. But they hate with gusto. They practice racism down to the wire. They use other people as means to their political and racist ends. This is the Christian way baby.

2)Islam
If Osama Bin Laden was a Christian from Harlem or New Orleans or Nigeria, he would have be found and murdered with the help of Black or African Christians . Because he is a Muslim, he will never be found - he will be protected in hidings in Pakistan or Saudi Arabia, among other Muslims because these other people understand that Bush and USA government do not treat Muslims with clean hands and equity. These Muslims will never give up Bin Laden even if USA spends all her national resources seeking for this man. Muslims stick together to fight their oppressors while brainwashed Christians are easily used as Judas and traitors against their own people.

This is why haters and racists like Buchanan and Lou Dobbs will spit on our faces on TV and still keep their jobs. They speak the truth about how White Christians see us – people to be used and dumped according to the same American Christian principles contained in “King James” Bible.

Remember that James Manning is a good Christian to Hannity and Fox News. This is why thy invite him many times to preach the true words of the American God. This is also why they hate pastor Wright.

[Reality]

The thoughts from “Jehova” are interesting and reveling. About 99 percent of African-Americans are Christians. Most Africans in Africa are Christians.

The people of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia get more respect and love from Bush and White racists than from African-Americans in New Orleans or Harlem of Africa. They love and respect Muslims more than they respect and love African people, the reason being what?

Notice another important angle to the Christian love: If you develop and build nuclear bombs and WMD, you get more respect and love from these people. Think of Pakistan, South Korea, China, and India. These are nations with nuclear bombs.

It appears then that if you are capable of defending yourself or if you can challenge the war mongers, you are respected and loved. But if you are weak in amazing WMD and nuclear bombs, you are at their mercy for hate and despised by them.

Hate and guns get their attention and determine their attitude toward you!

[Michael7]

I guess Dr. Rice decided to make her remarks after Sen. Obama's speech on race made such an impression on America. Her words ring true and bring to the forefront that the "so-called founders" of this nation did not build this nation by themselves. If not for our ancestors working for free for hundreds of years to make whites rich, then this nation would not have been where it is today.

The really sad part is that if not for slavery, Jim Crow and the just plain hatred of the majority of whites towards Blacks in this land, America would be light years ahead of any country in the world in all areas of our lives.

Think about it for a second. What if one of the thousands of Black people that were lynched in the early 1900's could have been the one to discover the cure for cancer? Or discovered a fuel that could power space ships to distant planets? Or found a way to take salt water and turn it into fresh water for mass consumption at a reasonable price? What if?

Sen. Obama would not be the first Black candidate for the Presidency, more likely the 10th or 20th.

I guess the majority media would rather play clips of Rev. Wright over and over and over, so it can have a tantilizing story to report, as opposed to the comments of the Secretary of State for the nation that bring validation to Rev. Wright's sermons.

[New Yorker]

Callie, Cleveland OH writes:

"If they "Rice is like Andrew Young, James Manning, Bob Johnson, Clearance Thomas, John Lewis, Charles Rangel, and the rest of them." cared about Blacks or America, they would have done more with their opportunities and positions to uplift this nation."

lol

How do you supposed that they able to gain/retain "their opportunities and positions"?

Callie, many of those people are able to gain/retain their positions precisely because they SHOULD NOT show too much care for African Americans.

Rice serves the devil; so who cares what she says.

She will hate on the African Hero, Mugabe, by calling his a 'disgrace'; yet the devil worshiper would not dare say even the same of the bush devil, who has slaughtered hundreds of thousands of humans in Iraq.

America has a 'birth defect' PURPOSESLY inflicted!

Yet Rice can't accept that 'the powers that be' in the US has a responsibility to consciously repair the US 'birth defect' they willfully created.
And so she opposed affirmative actions and the like.

[Tanya (Georgia)]

Roland, Please if you have time go to theyoungturks.com website and listen to their video broadcast about Sean Hannity's favorite Pastor entitled "Hannity's Pastor-Jessie Lee Peterson. When you see and hear such ignorance, nothing Pastor Jeremiah Wright has said is this bad!! Do me a huge favor and comment after you have heard this particular video broadcast.

[L Jewell]

HMM, Has Hey Roland, is CONDI really that sister like in the movie "Undercover Brotha" that's on the inside of the White House, on the low feeding information to us from the MAN himself. Damn, I had to give her back her playa card after that. Is there any video coverage of this. Hey we need to rename the White House since it will be occupied by a black family in a minute. Heck and I thought that when I used to say to my wife, "We Aint the Cosby's, Yet". I thought I was really saying something, but now it's the OBAMAS, All I need now are two little girls. naw I'm cool.
06.

[g.ken patton]

roland- i have been trying to track down video of rice's remarks-- only the audio is available at the wash times and the video there is not on this protion of her talk. if we can dig that up, we can be sure to make sure that this does not get buried.

thanks & peace
gkp

[g.ken patton]

roland- i have been trying to track down video of rice's remarks-- only the audio is available at the wash times and the video there is not on this protion of her talk. if we can dig that up, we can be sure to make sure that this does not get buried.

thanks & peace
gkp

[g.ken patton]

roland- i have been trying to track down video of rice's remarks-- only the audio is available at the wash times and the video there is not on this protion of her talk. if we can dig that up, we can be sure to make sure that this does not get buried.

thanks & peace
gkp

[april]

for all of her flaws, dr. rice said the right words at the right time. she'll probably cast her vote for barack in the general! ;-)

here are some interesting links to check out:

http://www.bodyofwar.com/

http://www.jedreport.com/2008/04/new-video-hilla.html

[txdimond]

I understand dr.rice veiw on this.when your in a position or job (all that has one can relate) something you have to hold your tongue.

She has no reason to ,in my view,and also rev.wright to have to hold her remarks shes done what she was assigned to do and now, just as rev.wright had served his country, she has the right to her remarks.

by the way please read her bio, she is black history.

[Jody Gaddy]

Here we go again. Another Black on Black hate and violence!

Obama has managed his campaign well; he has intelligence and skills to raise money and to manage the money well. He paid his bills to the workers and firms when due. He has no outstanding debts due to this nomination.

Hillary has managed her campaign very poorly; she lacks the management skills necessary to attract and handle money; she could not pay her bills to both the workers and firms helping her campaign. She even refused to take calls from some of the firms she owes money. She owes more than $10 million to many people as a result of this campaign.

One candidate has shown that he is able to manage one of the biggest events in his life. The other failed woefully. If a person does not know how to manage something like campaign, how can she manage the economy of USA? Add to this: If a person has been thru many presidential campaigns in the past and claims experience as her biggest asset and yet failed to manage well, then what does this say about her intelligence?

BUT read from another Black traitor and self-hater:

=======================
"For White Americans, it's like, this guy can speak”
"If you put him on a level with a lot of other African-American public speakers, he may not even measure up."

"If I had to make a prediction right now, I'd say Barack Obama is going to be the next president"
"I will be stunned if he's not the next president of the United States."

In the interview, [he] insisted he would not back away from his endorsement of Clinton. He claims much of the support for Obama is driven by a sense that his election will prove the country has solved its problems with race.

"I think for many white Americans, they are looking at Barack Obama and saying 'This is our chance to demonstrate that we have been able to get this boogeyman called race behind us,'" Cleaver said. "And so they are going to vote for him, whether he has credentials or not, whether he has any experience - I think all that's out the window."
==================

This is your brother, Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver
Here is the link for the entire article:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080401/ap_on_el_pr/clinton_backer_race;_ylt=Ah72PhqcFHwYEnSaWlylKaCpg9IF

[Kevin Facey]

I am glad that Dr. Rice said what she has said. However, you have many people, in particular white Americans, that do not want to hear what she, and many other black folks, with a conscience, have to say. I believe that some think that racism, is just a thing in the past.

[Songbird, SC]

Better late than never, Condi.

...and eloquently spoken.

Roland, push your cronies at CNN to give this more play.