Bob Johnson~ Uncle Tom

Clinton, Obama Clash Over Race Issue

LAS VEGAS - Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama have become embroiled in racially tinged disputes as large numbers of black voters prepare to get their first say in the Democratic presidential campaign.

The candidates and their surrogates are heating up their rhetoric, and it could prove to be combustible beyond South Carolina's Jan. 26 primary.

Clinton, on defense over comments that she and her husband made regarding Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy and Obama's fitness for the White House, tried to turn the tables on her top primary rival. She accused his campaign of looking to score political points by distorting their words.

Hillary Clinton had said King's dream of racial equality was realized only when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, while Bill Clinton said Illinois Sen. Obama was telling a "fairy tale" about his opposition to the Iraq war. Black leaders have criticized their comments, and Obama said Sunday her comment about King was "ill-advised."

"I think it offended some folks who felt that somehow diminished King's role in bringing about the Civil Rights Act," he told reporters on a conference call. "She is free to explain that, but the notion that somehow this is our doing is ludicrous."

As evidence the Obama campaign had pushed the story, Clinton advisers pointed to a memo written by an Obama staffer compiling examples of comments by Clinton and her surrogates that could be construed as racially insensitive. The memo later surfaced on some political Web sites.

"This is an unfortunate story line the Obama campaign has pushed very successfully," the former first lady said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I don't think this campaign is about gender, and I sure hope it's not about race."

Clinton taped the show before appearances in South Carolina, where at least half the primary voters are expected to be black. On Monday, she planned to attend a union event honoring King's legacy in New York City.

But no sooner had Clinton said she hoped the campaign would not be about race than it got even more heated. A prominent black Clinton supporter, Black Entertainment Television founder Bob Johnson, criticized Obama and seemed to refer to his acknowledged teenage drug use while introducing Clinton at her next event.

"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," Johnson said.

Obama wrote about his youthful drug use - marijuana, alcohol and sometimes cocaine - in his memoir, "Dreams from My Father."

Johnson later said in a statement released by the Clinton campaign that his comments referred to Obama's work as a community organizer in Chicago "and nothing else. Any other suggestion is simply irresponsible and incorrect."

Another Clinton campaign official, Bill Shaheen, resigned last month after suggesting Democrats should be wary of nominating Obama because his past drug use could be used against him in the campaign.

Obama, campaigning in Las Vegas, declined to respond to Johnson.

"I'm not going to spend all my time running downlash Over Race

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[alyquegroup]

Bob Johnson should be ashamed for the exploitation of an entire black generation when he had the opportunity to have made a real contribution. I've never considered him to be my "voice" in black america. He's latest actions concerning Senator Obama should not be a surprise to anyone. It will be a great day when Black America will stand up and hold the "so called" black leadership accountable for their actions.

[randcentral]

anyone paying attention knows Obama's always advised his supporters to lay off the race card and focus on issues. they attack him, using prominent black figures, and when he clarifies his positions, or if others get outraged at the dirty tricks, he gets accused of race-baiting. Hillary suggested "you may think you're a dreamer and inspirational, but i'm presidential (LBJ) and you're not". His response? "that was ill-advised and unfortunate". Yet he gets accused of race-baiting!

[YungCyfe]

how is he racist. do tell and explain how

[waveali]

Bob. How President's Obama's ass taste like!

[01090909090909090909]

bitch

[KEVINBMORE]

house slave(Bob Johnson)sound like a slave , he exposed his trueself to the world and who he love more than his self. he,ll burn in hell with them and we won,t throw a bottle of water to him . burn Bitch..fucin sell out and your sellout BET TV. u have no respect for self or our race. u and jessie can suc each other u peice of Sht. all sellouts Die, off with their heads.

[EXTRABLK]

Bob Johnson is a House Nigga, He loves is Master more than he loves himself! This COON is the Devils Advocate ! For old times sake, Lynch this Sellout !!

[rosey10880]

Who cares about what other members did we are discussing obama who sat in that church for twenty years and became personel friends with this racist. And more than likely obama is just as bitter and racist as rev wright.

[southbobby]

rev wright is a preacher. im pretty sure he has witnessed countless church members come and go for what ever reasons.nothing personal.

[rosey10880]

From what I see friends usually share the same views especially radicals like rev wright. Who else would tolerate such racism.

[southbobby]

Do you think is friends have the same views as Obama?Was he associated with them for nonpersonal reasons? Where they family members?I don't think so.