Posted on May 8, 2008 by thestateofblog
Do you regret referring to Bill Clinton as the first black President? —Justin Dews, Cambridge, Mass.
People misunderstood that phrase. I was deploring the way in which President Clinton was being treated, vis-à-vis the sex scandal that was surrounding him. I said he was being treated like a black on the street, already guilty, already a perp. I have no idea what his real instincts are, in terms of race.
Why did you endorse Barack Obama for the presidency? —Chris Francis Lightbourne, Long Island, N.Y.
I thought about voting for Hillary at the beginning. I don’t care that she is a woman. I need more than that. Neither his race, his gender, her race or her gender was enough. I needed something else, and the something else was his wisdom.
Filed under: Quotes
I’m glad Toni has come around but she’s totally back tracking on the Bill Clinton is the first black president thing.
You’re right RJ. I wish people would start saying “i meant it back then when i said. Since that time, i’ve learned some things that have since changed my perspective.” or something like that.
I could respect that more because basically you’re saying that you no longer stand by what you said.
So 3 years from now when the powers that be are blaiming Obama for all the wrongs in the world, will you take back your endorsement and say we ‘misunderstood’ what you said about his wisdom?
I completely agree Cookie. Folks seem to have lost all ability to make an affirmative statement these days. Everyone is such a mush mouth. It makes me sick to hear/read sometimes.