A Clinton Cabinet Rerun?
George on Barack Obama's possible cabinet picks.
When Barack Obama spoke on election night, he made famous a woman named Ann Nixon Cooper, a 106 year old Atlanta resident who now compares Obama to Dr. King.
Oh no he didn’t! Al Qaeda leader calls Obama a ‘House Negro’
The No. 2 man in Al-Qaida, Ayman al-Zawahri, launched into an attack on newly elected US President Barack Obama today, calling him a "house negro."
Eric Holder Could Be Obama’s Top Justice Pick
President-elect Barack Obama's top choice for US attorney general seems to be Eric Holder. Holder was the No. 2 official in the Justice Department under President Bill Clinton. The Obama team says no final decision has been made.
The Buzz: Hillary now a no-go?
Will Clinton be Barack Obama’s secretary of state? The buzz this week has insiders saying the NY senator might reject the job.
Oh Hell No! Al Qaida’s No. 2 Calls Barack Obama a “House Negro”
Filed under: BlackSpin , Barack Obama , Breaking News , Malcolm X
In his latest audio, Ayman al-Zawahiri Al-Qaida's number 2, has the gall to call President-elect Barack Obama "dishonorable" and a "house negro." According to the Associated Press: CAIRO,Egypt (AP) - Al-Qaida No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri insulted Barack Obama in the terror group's first reaction to his election, calling him a demeaning racial term implying that the president-elect is a black American who does the bidding of whites.Clearly this is a cynical attempt to dampen the renewed global optimism about America's role in the world going forward. Al-Qaida operatives know that if there is hope and not simply desperation, it will be harder for Al-Qaida to raise funds and tactical support for its terrorist expeditions.
The message appeared chiefly aimed at persuading Muslims and Arabs that Obama does not represent a change in US policies. Al-Zawahri said in the message, which appeared on militant Web sites Wednesday, that Obama is "the direct opposite of honorable black Americans" like Malcolm X, the 1960s African-American rights leader.
Al-Zawahri also called Obama-along with secretaries of state Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice-"house negroes."
Speaking in Arabic, al-Zawahri uses the term "abeed al-beit," which literally translates as "house slaves." But al-Qaida supplied English subtitles of his speech that included the translation as "house negroes."
The message also includes old footage of speeches by Malcolm X in which he explains the term, saying black slaves who worked in their white masters' house were more servile than those who worked in the fields. Malcolm X used the term to criticize black leaders he accused of not standing up to whites.
The 11-minute 23-second video features the audio message by al-Zawahri, who appears only in a still image, along with other images, including one of Obama wearing a Jewish skullcap as he meets with Jewish leaders. In his speech, al-Zawahri refers to a Nov. 5 US airstrike attack in Afghanistan, meaning the video was made after that date.
Al-Zawahri said Obama's election has not changed American policies he said are aimed at oppressing Muslims and others.
Further, Ayman al-Zawahiri must not fully understand Malcolm X and the spiritual journey he traveled once he returned to the United States from his pilgrimage to Mecca .
True Islam taught me that it takes all of the religious, political, economic, psychological, and racial ingredients, or characteristics, to make the Human Family and the Human Society complete.
Since I learned the truth in Mecca, my dearest friends have come to include all kinds -- some Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, agnostics, and even atheists! I have friends who are called capitalists, Socialists, and Communists! Some of my friends are moderates, conservatives, extremists -- some are even Uncle Toms! My friends today are black, brown, red, yellow, and white!
I said to my Harlem street audiences that only when mankind would submit to the One God who created all -- only then would mankind even approach the "peace" of which so much talk could be heard...but toward which so little action was seen. Adapted from the pamphlet - Malcolm X: Why I Embraced Islam by Yusuf Siddiqui.
So it is hard to understand why al-Zawahiri would believe Malcolm X's views of 'True Islam' would condone blowing up innocent men, women and children just going about their daily lives. How dare al-Zawahiri take an American icon so dear to many of us and attempt to link Malcolm X to al-Qaida. It is disgusting and it reeks of some kind of scrambling, sloppy attempt to grab attention and goodwill away from Barack Obama.
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Obama’s dream team
I was on the phone with an old Clinton friend this afternoon and we picked out President-elect Barack Obama's ideal cabinet. Spoiler alert : Hillary Clinton is Secretary of State.
As Election Spotlight Dims, Ayers The Author Speaks
During the presidential election campaign, the Republican ticket tried to make an issue out of Barack Obama's association with William Ayers, a 1960s-era radical who later served on a charitable board with Obama. Ayers wasn't heard from much during the campaign. Now the nationally known scholar on urban education is on a book tour.
Obama, McCain meet in Chicago
For the first time since the election, President-elect Barack Obama met with his former rival, Senator John McCain.
Cabinet May Indicate Obama’s Governing Philosophy
President-elect Barack Obama is putting together his Cabinet. He has said the Republican Party would be represented. Obama's choices may reveal a lot about his governing philosophy.
Ethics Rules May Limit Makeup Of Transition Team
Barack Obama ran for president promising to change the way Washington works. Now that he's won, he is indeed starting to change the rules. His transition team has imposed tighter ethics restrictions, and that might affect the appointment of officials for the new administration.
Obama Wants Seamless Security Transition
President-elect Barack Obama says national security and the economy will be priorities when he takes office in January. He tells CBS' 60 Minutes that it's important to get a national security team in place because transition periods can be vulnerable. For a portion of the interview, he was joined by future first lady Michelle Obama.
Obama Won’t Tip-Toe Into The White House
Filed under: BlackSpin , Barack Obama , Politics , News
I get the feeling most Americans would like to say an early good bye to the current White House resident and get an early start with President-elect Obama . And it's no surprise - given how vacant the White House has been the past year as the nation has tumbled into a financial ditch.I think President-elect Obama feels the same way.
For a nation crying out for leadership and change, just having a president-elect who seems fully engaged for the difficult tasks ahead is a breath of fresh air and will should provide a needed psychological boost for us all during these dreary times. ...
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I heard a conservative radio talk show host earlier this week say that Obama's ego is what led him to pay an early call on President Bush at the White House to begin serious talks about the transition of power.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The sense of urgency displayed by Obama is driven less by ego and more by need because the current economic crisis is threatening to swallow this country whole.
Obama will likely enjoy a shorter honeymoon period than other recent presidents because the challenges he faces are so serious and so great in number. So why not hit the ground running?
You would need a crystal ball to tell the ultimate look of Obama's cabinet and appointees but viewing the highest official he has placed to date, the president-elect has sent the clear message that he wants to get the job done and isn't worried if a few egos are bruised along the way.
Illinois Congressman and Chief of Staff designee Rahm Emanuel is a hard charger who is well versed from his days in the Clinton White House in how to pass out sugar or lashes to get his agenda passed.
It seems a lot of Americans want to sign on to help.
Obama's transition team website, Change.gov, has already received more than 150,000 applications from job seekers, according to published reports.
A couple of websites offer some interesting perspectives on the Obama transition.
The first is which offers policy recommendations from progressive non-profits in the areas of health care, economy, education, energy and the environment and foreign policy.
Another is from the New York Times that allows readers to pick Obama's cabinet nominees for defense secretary (Robert Gates is the current leader), secretary of state (Bill Richardson) , homeland security chief (Richard Clarke) , attorney general (Janet Napolitano) , and treasury secretary (Paul A. Volker).
+ Hillary Clinton Eyed as Secretary of State
_________________
Paul Shepard blogs the Democrat side of politics for BlackVoices. He has been a journalist for 16 years; on the national urban/minority affairs beat for The Cleveland Plain Dealer and for The AP in Washington, DC Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
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Barack Obama, Ward Connerly and affirmative action
With a new black president, we still need affirmative action. No matter what Ward Connerly and the racial apologists have to say.
60 Minutes with Barack and Michelle Obama
In his first interview since the election, President-elect Barack Obama said he is reading Lincoln, selecting a national security team and preparing to bring a puppy--and maybe his mother-in-law--to the White House.
Obama’s ball as G-20 punts on global market
Little was accomplished at the much-hyped summit of world leaders last week besides passing the buck to incoming president Barack Obama.
Farrakhan breaks his silence on Obama in interview with Al Jazeera
After months of silence, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan has finally spoken out about Barack Obama's election as president.
And now a message from the President-elect
President-elect Barack Obama became the first US President-elect to deliver a weekly address by video on Saturday.
Obama, Blacks and Latinos
Filed under: BlackSpin , Politics , News
Is Barack Obama the needed bridge between blacks and Latinos? Maybe.One of the most "YES!" inducing moments of last Tuesday's election dissection, was learning that my Latino hermanas y hermanos had come out in a large majority (2 to 1) to support Barack Obama.
In 2004, President George Bush garnered 44% of the Latino vote and pundits everywhere declared that "Hispanics" were conservative, and might provide a growing base of support for the Republican party going forward. It was a reasonable hypothesis, I guess. But what no one saw coming in 2004 is how sharply a first effort at immigration reform would be excoriated and then vetoed by both members of the Republican party and the right wing electorate.
The call to stop all efforts toward immigration reform "until we secured our borders" left a foul taste in the gut of many who were surprised at how quickly John McCain dropped his rather mavericky effort and lurched as close as one could get to the Minutemen without walking a shift on the border.
There were a few expressions of bigotry coming from high profile Latinos , that seemed to be signaling a skepticism, even within the brown community, that Latinos in high numbers would support a black candidate. The encouraging observation, however, is that every time this fractured narrative was advanced during the primary and general election season, other members of the Latino community pushed back in loud and forceful voices.
It was so good to see Antonio Villaraigosa, the mayor of Los Angeles, my home city, lined up behind Obama as a member of his super nova caliber economic team. Villaraigosa was a chair of Hillary Clinton's campaign so I am glad to know that bygones are bygones. And I believe Obama is sending a signal to Latino people that his administration will recognize and honor their contribution to his victory.
To be honest, there is a detectable tension between blacks and Latinos here. It is pronounced in certain areas of the city where there is underemployment, high gang activity and a lack of job and educational opportunities. Not surprising, right? But my view of the tension is that it's rooted in a sense of lack and an inability to see the power in working together across the color spectrum to push for expanded opportunities and fairness for everyone. I believe that if Barack Obama, while he works on fixing the economy and keeping us 'safe', is steadfast in pursuit of smart and humane immigration reform coupled with strategic, high level Latino appointments, his administration can proffer the profound sense of "hope" for little Latino girl and boys, their big brothers and sisters and their moms and dads that was instantly instilled in black children and their families on November 4th.
Yes he can. I hope he will.
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Obama econ team filled with Clintonites
President-elect Barack Obama’s economic team is packed with advisers from the Clinton era, including at least two major fundraisers.
Obama Documentary Needs Emanuel Brothers
Hollywood is buzzing about a documentary on Barack Obama. A film crew has been following Obama for two years. One of the talent agents involved with the project is Ari Emanuel. He's the brother of Congressman Rahm Emanuel, who has been chosen as White House chief of staff to Barack Obama. So far, the third Emanuel brother has not been involved with the project. Zeke Emanuel is a doctor at the NIH Clinical Center.
Obama Resigns Senate Seat Sunday
President-Elect Barack Obama has announced he'll resign his Senate seat, effective Sunday. Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, will appoint Obama's successor. Should the governor name an African American to replace the Senate's only African-American member?
Analysis points to 5 key debate moments
Analysis shows a spike in Internet viewership for either goof-ups by John McCain or scores by Barack Obama.
Anti-Obama racial incidents reported in several cities
From North Carolina to New York, reports have come in of racially motivated incidents since Barack Obama was elected president.
Closing Detention Center Easier Said Than Done
One of the initiatives President-elect Barack Obama discussed during his campaign was closing the US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. But it's not that simple. Many of the detainees' home countries don't want to take them back, and creating a new infrastructure to deal with enemy combatants might just push the problem elsewhere.
Letters: Churches Pray For Obama; Veterans Day
A listener in Bellingham, Wash., was surprised that a Monday story only mentioned black churches praying for Barack Obama. She says her pretty much all-white church prayed for the president-elect and his family, too. A Veterans Day commentary on coming home from Vietnam reminded one listener in Kentucky of bringing his entire team home from Iraq safely.
The man who would be senator
With plenty of people vying for Barack Obama's US Senate seat, speculation has focused on Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who could become the state's third African American senator.
Bankruptcy Could Help Fix Automakers’ Problems
President-elect Barack Obama wants to give US automakers federal funds. Critics say funding without conditions would be like pouring gas into a broken-down clunker. Paul Ingrassia, a former Detroit bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal, says bankrupty might be a better option.
British observers cheer Obama election
Many British observers were ecstatic about Barack Obama's election as president last week. Reuters Video interviewed some of them.
Obama Looks To Harness Grass-Roots Support
When President-elect Barack Obama takes office in January, he'll have expanded majorities of Democrats in both houses of Congress — and the support of a big grass-roots movement. Millions of people helped him beat Sen. John McCain, and Obama must be as innovative in utilizing their power postelection as he was during the campaign.
Beyonce: ’so proud’ of America, Obama
Pop star Beyoncé Knowles is among the many celebrities expressing her joy about the election of Barack Obama as president.
Obama: The Need to Separate Church and State
Filed under: BlackSpin , Elections , News
Here is an example of why President-elect Barack Obama may be the perfect fit for a country too often swayed by religious bias. In this video from June 2006, he explains his religious perspective and comments on the... gasp , dangers of sectarianism!!! For those who still question his religious association, this video is for you.Some highlights from his speech include:
"Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translates their concerns into universal rather than religion-specific values. What do I mean by this? It requires that their proposals be subject to argument and amenable to reason"
"I may be opposed to abortion for religious reasons, to take one example, but if I seek to pass a law banning the practice, I can't simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God's will. I have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all. Now this is going to be difficult for some who believe in the inerrancy of the Bible as many evangelicals do. But in a pluralistic society, we have no choice."
As far as I'm concerned, Obama's speech should be applied across the board (I'm talking to you Californians who overturned Proposition 8 ). While we're at it, the Ten Commandments should not be displayed in judicial buildings, there shouldn't be prayer in schools, and the United States shouldn't be governed by individuals whose actions are dictated by their religious inclinations. Imagine that...
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Obama transition sets a new tone for Washington
President-elect Barack Obama observed Veterans Day on Tuesday as most presidents have, by laying a wreath at a memorial. But in many ways, he's setting a new tone for Washington.
Barber Makes House Call For Barack Obama
Haircuts have figured prominently in Democratic presidential politics. John Edwards has never lived down his $400 'do. President Clinton spawned the legend that planes were delayed at Los Angeles International Airport while a celebrity stylist snipped away on Air Force One. On Tuesday, Barack Obama's barber came to him — at a friend's apartment in Chicago. But except for the president-elect's new motorcade, there was nothing fancy about the cut.
Poundstone: We Should Help Obama Fix Problems
Commentator and comedian Paula Poundstone was a Barack Obama supporter, but she's not satisfied with Tuesday's win. She wants an assignment to help fix the country's problems — the way her parents, members of the "Greatest Generation," repeatedly pitched in.
Anti-war camp urges Obama to dump Gates
Pressure mounts on President-elect Barack Obama to dump Defense Secretary Robert Gates and replace him with a more strident anti-war voice.
Obama Effect Trumps Bradley Effect
Filed under: BlackSpin , Elections , Barack Obama , News
The Bradley Effect was supposed to be the ace in the hole for Republicans during this presidential election -- a dirty little Election Day factor steeped in white mistrust of a black candidate.But a funny thing happened on the way to the 2008 presidential election results.
The Bradley Effect had no effect. Voting in the election pretty much mirrored what pollsters had predicted. Whites who told pollsters they were going to vote for Obama, in fact, did.
So for now, the Bradley Effect, the theory that says in elections between a black and white candidate that some white voters will express a willingness to vote for a black candidate to pollsters before the election but will ultimately vote for the white nominee, is left in tatters. ...
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The theory was born when Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, an African-American, led in the polls, but lost his 1982 bid for governor.
And it has been witnessed in more than a dozen major elections in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and Virginia since then where a black candidate either lost an election after polls forecast their victory or a black candidate eked out a narrow win after a landslide victory was predicted.
Some believe Obama may have suffered from the Bradley Effect in his California primary battle with Hillary Clinton. Obama lost by a landslide 10 percentage points despite one late survey showing him ahead by 13 points and two others giving him a one-point lead.
One thing is certain. If any election was going to exhibit the Bradley Effect, this sure seemed to be the one.
First of all, it marked the first time a man of African descent was so close to winning a presidential election. Other observers predicted white voters would be scared off by Barack Obama's unusual name or perhaps the unsubstantiated yet widely spread rumors about him being a Muslim.
But Obama defanged many of the worries raised by his opponents because he never allowed race to become a defining characteristic of his campaign. In fact, the only time race became an issue was when his association with his former pastor Jeremiah Wright was unearthed.
And then, Obama handled the situation with poise and honesty in a speech on race which seemed to put the issue to bed for most Americans.
So while Obama took race out as a factor in the election, the poorly-run McCain campaign and its selection of the not-ready-for primetime vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin gave voters of all colors sufficient reason to say they would vote Democratic - and to follow through.
_________________
Paul Shepard blogs the Democrat side of the election for BlackVoices. He has been a journalist for 16 years; on the national urban/minority affairs beat for The Cleveland Plain Dealer and for The AP in Washington, DC Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
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Inauguration: DC Hotels Booked Up
Good luck getting a hotel room if you're coming to Washington in January to watch President-elect Barack Obama be inaugurated. Hotels in the area are already booked.
Obama campaign releases photos from election night
The Barack Obama campaign has released dozens of new behind-the-scenes photos of the candidate, now president-elect, and his family on election night.
A Place Where Obama Didn’t Make Front Page News
Filed under: BlackSpin , Elections , Barack Obama , News
Far be it from me to criticize the decisions made by another editor in his own paper.I've been in this business for a minute and I know people make news decisions based on the needs and demands of his readers. With that said, I've never heard of a news outlet actually deciding not to publish a story of international interest like the election of the US president.
Well, as it turns out, some goober journalists, if you can call them journalists, in Oklahoma decided to do just that. ...
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It seems that the Sapulpa Herald in Oklahoma decided to leave that news tidbit out. But watch this video , and check out the excuse this mental giant (insert facetious tone here) gives for omitting one of the biggest historical events of the last ten years. As Sarah Palin would say, what a bunch of "jerks!!"
My own editors at BlackVoices.com gave me permission to call these people a$$wipes just this once. Let's leave it at that.
The sad thing is, this is NOT the only newspaper in America that either made this same call or downplayed the significance of Obama's win. Meanwhile, copies of other post-election newspapers, including the New York Times and the Amsterdam News , are being sold on eBay for a profit.
Check out newspapers, in the gallery above, that decide to bask in this historic moment with the rest of civilized society.
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