More on John Lewis' endorsement

Posted: Friday, October 12, 2007 2:10 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Athena Jones and NBC's Chris Donovan
ATLANTA, GA -- Rep. John Lewis (D), a leader in the Civil Rights movement, endorsed Hillary Clinton today here at Paschal's Restaurant. "I believe Hillary Clinton will be a strong leader," he said. "I am convinced that with Hillary Clinton as president, no one will be left out or left behind."

"I am so grateful and I feel so blessed and profoundly honored to be standing here with one of the people I admire most," Clinton said in accepting the endorsement. She called Lewis a hero and said she saw her campaign as a continuation of his life's work.

The New York senator also took the opportunity the congratulate Al Gore on his Nobel Peace prize win.

Clinton's arrival created a media frenzy. She greeted supporters outside and chatted with diners inside, before Lewis made the announcement. The crowd inside applauded and chanted "Hillary, Hillary, Hillary!"

Morehouse University senior Isaiah Wilson, 21, was ecstatic as he stood outside waiting for the senator to arrive. He said he had supported Clinton since her White House years and saw her speak years ago. "I love her," Wilson said. "She spoke at the NAACP convention in Baltimore and she came and spoke to the youth before going on stage. She's a very inspiring person."

With Lewis endorsing Clinton, it's worth pointing out Bill Clinton's possible influence here. In March, the New York Times wrote, "Representative John Lewis, whose political career grew out of the civil rights movement, had longed for the day he could vote for someone that he believed could become the nation's first black president. So when Senator Barack Obama entered the race, he was on the cusp of declaring his support."

"Until Bill Clinton called. Now, Mr. Lewis said, he is agonizing over whether to choose Mr. Obama, whom he once described as 'the future of the Democratic Party,' or Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton."

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Comments

He sold out for Hillary.

Rob (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 2:16 PM)

Rob,
Yes, he did. One phone call and he changed his mind. What did they promise?

BajanLuv, Newport News, VA (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 2:19 PM)

She called Lewis a hero and said she saw her campaign as a continuation of his life's work

NO SHE DIDN'T say that..... How dare she conflat the two. This is why despise this woman. Walk over the line Hillary...you are getting there. I wonder if other Black people will hear this the way I did.

BTW Lewis is a very eleoquent speaker...that was a very flat endorsement. Where was that oratory flair? Didn't you really feel it John?

Tom GA (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 2:23 PM)

I live in Atlanta, and we are ashamed, John Lewis is a sell out because Obama will not cow tow to him, Jesse or Al. Mr. Lewis reminds me of the slave traders. The ones who used Africans to round up other Africans to sell them into bondage.

sonya, atlanta, ga (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 2:28 PM)

John Lewis Sucks! He paid his debt to Clinton's

Larry, Toronto (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 2:34 PM)

he is just showing the black vote is for sale

truth and honesty in Congress (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 2:36 PM)

sure , you all suddenly live in atlanta....

just like the extremely high proportion of MDs and PHDs on forums.

Next, we'll have 50% of the posters claim to be Africa-Americans.

LOL...

Tuck, Realityville, Kansas (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 2:43 PM)

Sonya,

I'm black and I really wish our people would organize and protestagainst some of these so-called Black caucus members. The ones supporting Hillary are only looking out for themselves not the people who fought to put them there. All of those who died in the civil-right movement must be shouting from heaven! We need to protest against our so-called leaders who are selling us down the river for their own benefit!

Erik (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 2:48 PM)

I think it's really disgraceful how some (not all) of Obama supporters are reacting to this John Lewis endorsement. It's no wonder that Obama is doing so poorly among elderly voters if the posts here from his supporters are any indication. Instead of lauding the wonderful contributions that John Lewis has made and saying good for HRC, you have to disrespect him and others of that generation. When I grew up, my parents taught me to be respectful of my elders. It's apparent in the arrogance of Obama and his supporters that neither have learned that trait. It should be no wonder that Obama hasn't attracted enough support from the elderly with this attitude. Just a little tip for you Obama supporters if you're not aware of it. But Obama needs to attract the support of elderly voters in order to win not only the Dem nomination but also the White House. He can't just rely on the youth voters to get him to the "promise land." Oh, well, forget it. Why bother telling you anything since you're SO smart? I guess you'll have to figure it out the hard way....

ademption, land (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 2:51 PM)

I won't go as far as Sonya but it's situations like these that cause the older set of civil rights leaders to seem out of touch despite their sacrifices. The idea of his work continuing on in the Clintons is a questionable notion. If anything Obama symbolically represents exactly what civil rights strived for. But that is his personal preference and I won't hold it against him. The Clintons and the Democratic party by nature has an amicable relationship with African Americans but there is a fine line that can be crossed and it can be viewed pure political gamesmanship.

CJ (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 2:52 PM)

Tuck it could be just readers who rarely post but wish to speak on the subject.

CJ (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 2:54 PM)

If you read Obama's lastest book, you will see what he said about the Black Caucus and it was not pretty.
He's honest and it might cost him. Voters say they want honesty, but they really don't. He does not owe them, Jesse or Al anything. So they can endorse Hillary.

I am Black but I am not from Atlanta.

BajanLuv, Newport News, VA (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 3:04 PM)

ademption, land (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 2:51 PM)

Well said.

Van

vanreuter, NY NY (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 3:06 PM)

sure CJ, or it could be that because some of the regular posters 'suddenly' become black..

excellent post ademption.. the obama posters.. if you aren't for obama, we don't care about you.

Tuck, Realityville, Kansas (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 3:07 PM)

All this talk of endorsements. Can anyone point out a time in history where they really mattered in an election?

Nick (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 3:26 PM)

Can't speak for the others but I'm behind whomever the Democratic nominee is.

CJ (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 3:28 PM)

Tuck,

Not true. I care about all the candidates. I hate that Clinton keeps bringing up the polls. She doesn't watch the polls, so how would she know what they say? I think she has the publicity machine going because she has all the connection and she is calling in favors, lots of them. They are all good candidates--some more corrupt than others.

Obama '08

BajanLuv, Newport News, VA (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 3:43 PM)

CJ, I'm with ya. I'll go with either one. By the time it gets to my state, it will be decided. Unfortunately for me.

Amazed, Atlanta (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 4:16 PM)

Bajan, did you hate it when obama kept bring up that HRC isn't electable?

Tuck, Realityville, Kansas (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 4:21 PM)

Hurray!!! black vote are for sale. It goes to the highest bidder. Black folks should get ready for another round of slavery under clinton's administration. Since Bill Clinton sold you to the prison, perhaps, Hillary can sell you to generational poverty

juan, Alabama (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 5:48 PM)

The actual votes cast may provide some clue regarding whether this endorsement had any impact. Until that time (which may be as early as November the way things keep moving forward on the campaign schedule), I will reserve judgment and urge others to consider doing so as well (even though rushing to judgment seems so much easier).

MIke RC, Rockwall, Texas (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 5:54 PM)

I think John Lewis and the rest of the Black Caucus who refuse to give Barack Obama a chance are really looking out after their own fannies, or possible favors in a Clinton Whitehouse.

Why don't they look at the fact that the country does not need to be run by a 2 family dynasty. Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton. As far as experience goes, Hilliary does not have any more experience than any of the other candidates. They can get off the bus on that excuse.

They should take a look at a young Bill Clinton facing Bush SR. on "You Tube" during a Presidential Debate and see what he had to say about experience when he first ran for President. I hope that they realize that African Americans appreciate all that they have done to advance the cause of African Americans. But, with this endorsement and any others to follow, they have just lost the young people who find them, Jesse, and Al irrelevant. It makes no difference that the Mainstream Media gives them the bully pulpit, they have become dinosaurs to the young Generation of African Americans behind them. I wish they would wake up and realize it, and start looking at the future leaders coming behind them, that THEY are suppose to be paving the way FOR.

Instead they have become clogs in the road.

Rosemary, Simi Valley (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 6:36 PM)

Tuck,
Yes, I believe that she is electable, but nothing will get done in DC. I also hate that she called Obama naive. We all know that if you have a fight with your neigbor, you talk to them. In the end, you might still disagree but you gave each other a chance.
Make no mistake, I am an Obama supporter. I loved Bill but I have some doubts about Hillary and the Republicans after the election. We do need a fresh start. Just my opion.

BajanLuv, Newport News (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 8:32 PM)

BajanLuv, Newport News (Sent Friday, October 12, 2007 8:33 PM)

WE SHOULDNT HAVE A PRESIDENT WHOSE HUSBAND HAS TO BAIL HER OUT OF TROUBLE ALL OF THE TIME........AND PROBABLY BLACKMAILED LEWIS TO GET HIM TO STOP ENDORSING OBAMA...........THE CLINTONS ARE AS CLASSLESS AND DISGUSTING AND OPPORTUNISTIC AS THEY COME AND THEY DISGUST ME AND MUCH OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WHO WANTS TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE POLL COUNTING, CALCULATING DEMONIZING RHETORIC OF THE CLINTONISTAS.

FRED (Sent Saturday, October 13, 2007 12:46 AM)

John Lewis made a MAJOR mistake. I'm sure Hillary promised him an appointment to some committee or something. Just like some of these other black "leaders," John Lewis is going to regret supporting Hillary in an attempt to hold on to his "spot."

Bobby, Raleigh, NC (Sent Saturday, October 13, 2007 1:46 AM)

Chertoff, leaders discuss America post Sept. 11
By InFocus News Staff

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Michael Chertoff, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, met with more than 40 community leaders here in July to discuss their views about issues facing the country.
The participants, ages 18-25, were American Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, Sikh and South Asian.

"This was a tremendous opportunity to engage young leaders and discuss some of the most significant issues that our country is confronting," said Daniel Sutherland, the Department of Homeland Security’s officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, who also took part in the event.

"We had a frank and constructive conversation on the challenges young Americans from ethnic and religious communities face, the importance of protecting civil rights, the potential for alienation and radicalization in our society, and the best ways to encourage public service," he said.

The two-day roundtable, focused on the leaders’ perspectives post 9/11, was organized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in collaboration with George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute.

It was held at the George Washington University Law School.

Roundtable members described the challenges facing young individuals from their communities, including concerns about restrictive government policies, employment discrimination and general misunderstanding among the public. They also discussed how the media stereotypes their communities.
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Aslam, Corona, California (Sent Saturday, October 13, 2007 4:41 AM)

what happend john barack didnt go to your district and take pictures didnt make you a advisor... its okay let hillary use you and toss you to the side like they did for 8yrs....

kenny,orlando,fl (Sent Saturday, October 13, 2007 7:06 AM)

Obama is losing because Hillary is out campaigning him and has a better message for all the citizens. Obama is running a two state race while Hillary is running a general election race.

He made his mistake early on and he keep making them...which show me he is not ready......yet.

Jeanette C, Pacoima, CA (Sent Sunday, October 14, 2007 6:24 PM)

Rep John Lewis is doing no more than a racial move for "Hussein" Obama. I am so tired of hearing every other word ' black this, black that", when anything is not just right for the Afro-American folks. This was planned from the start. Isn't the timing just perfect. I hope "Hussein" really doesn't have a problem saying the "Pledge of Allegience" to our flag, as I heard, and also saluting the flag, and putting his hand on the Bible. Remember our country was started with the beliefs of the "Bible".

While we are at it....stop illegal immigration and giving it all away. The laws are written, enforce them. Listen to the American people.

Ed Gray, Covington, Ga (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:45 AM)

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