So was Johnson lying when he said that his remarks were about Obama's time as a community organizer?

I am very glad that Mr. Johnson made this apology. This will go a long way to clear the air. I feel better already.

Obama'08

Why is it that an allusion to Barack Obama's past is something that a public supporter of another candidate must apologize for? (Obviously Sen. Clinton wants to put as much room between herself and the drama as possible, but come on!)...I don't understand why it is wrong for anyone to refer to his past, as he openly refers to it himself. Yes, he did make poor choices. Sure, he is not defined by the choices that he once made, but then again aren't we all to some degree? Why can we hold some people accountable for their past decisions/actions and not others? Just because he is a black man and we don't want it to look like we associate drug use with race? I am just curious...Heck, even Bill (Clinton) tried it ONCE (haha), he just didn't inhale... (Yes, this is sarcasm!)

Can we drop it now? No someone will fall for the media's bait and to try and create division between black people. Lets see who it will be!!

Four days after he made an unmistakable allusion to Obama's teenage drug use and even referred to him as Sidney Poitier, Clinton supporter Bob Johnson apologized to Obama for those remarks.

LOL...
Guess Bill made a phone call.....


At Tuesday's Democratic debate on MSNBC, Clinton said she took Johnson at his word. "Well, Bob has put out a statement saying what he was trying to say and what he thought he had said. We accept him on his word on that."

When NBC's Tim Russert asked whether Johnson's comments were out of bounds, Clinton replied, "Yes, they were. And he has said that."

Well, not until today.

Like I said, Bill must have made a call....

"I'm writing to apologize to you and your family personally for the un-called-for comments ..."
--What did he send one apology letter to Obama and one to the media?  I am seriously confused, an apology seems, to me, to be personal.  Unless, of course, he was trying to keep this information in the media or selfishly untarnish his reputation.  I'm not sure which, I hope there is a better explanation.


"Clinton said she took Johnson at his word."
--Nothing stronger than a politician taking someone at his or her word, and asking to be taken at his or her word.  I feel galvanized and empowered.  Hoo-Yah!

Bob Johnson is a fraud as an activist. All one has to do is watch BET to see that his network perpetuates the African-American as a criminal misconception. It may sell advertising, but it certainly doesn’t help the Civil Rights cause.

It’s time to end The Divisive Bush/Clinton Era.

Bob Johnson  we don't need your money but we accept your apology because OBAMA is a very decent guy and the only one who can heal this Nation.

Go Barack

The press was screaming crying that Mr. Johnson apologize to Obama.  He has, but now it's too late?
Agree it was a faut pas, and if you Mrs. Clinton's face, she was not happy about it, at all.  Do we forget this is all disgusting politics and it is the world we have created and YES WITH THE HELP OF THE ALMIGHTY PRESS/MEDIA.

to little to late

All my respect to Obama he is dignified in a matter that reveals the smallness of other, just remember how many people that you respected have shown themselves to lack dignity, and Bob Johnson just goes to show that stupid sycophants who will fall on their swords for Hillary are not white like (bob Kerry and Bill Sheehan) but also black like (Rangel and Johnson) she is the unifier of the eunuchs

How many times is this now? If these incidents aren't being facilitated at the top levels of the campaign, they are at least a reflection of the leadership that Senator Clinton is providing. Either way, it's not in line with what she pretends to be about.

Sorry, this will not cut it, Bill and Hillary are really showing their "true colors", just as Bob did. I will never watch BET again. I believe it was all planned etc. just to get Hillary or Bill in front of a Black audience to respond and win over. My vote is not for sale. Gender and race should never be a factor. Be the person we expect you to be, just as we expect Obama to be the person we expect. Hillary, you lost my vote, you don't have to play dirty. It now proves you are part of the same old same old Washington, you say you want to change. Blah! Bob you knew what you were saying, you did it on purpose. Wake up, it is 2008. We want a change, you know Hillary will not bring the change we need, get your priorities straight. Hope is alive, we have to go for it. Vote for Obama.

Well, it's TRUE that Obama was doing stuff in the neighborhood back then.  Why should it be off-limits for someone to bring it back up from time to time.   No one ever hesitates to bring up Bill Clinton's past indiscretions.  I think Obama's past DOES speak to his character, just as Bill Clinton's past speaks to his character.  I don't think an apology should have been issued.....I think Bob Johnson meant exactly what he said, and if Obama and his supporters can't take it, Obama won't get my vote.  And until this very moment, I planned to vote for Obama.  I'll have to give Hillary another look.  

You comments were worth 0 cents. And your apology is worth 2 cents. Thanks.
Did you know Senator Obama is
Harvard Law School, J.D. 1991, Magna Cum Laude.
President, Harvard Law Review
Illinois State Senator - 13th Legislative District, Chicago, 1996 - 2004
US Senator 2004-Present
Member Senate Foreign Relations Commitee,
Senate Commitee on Veterans' Affairs,
Senate Commitee on Health, Education, Labor, Pensions,
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

My heart broke when I heard Bob Johnson discredit Mr.Obama for political gain of his friends. Mr. Obama is a Harvard law school graduate, president of their law review, Senator elected by the people of Illinois, and been nothing but gracious to Mrs Clinton.
This has bothered me so, that even though I am a Black republican, I will register as a Democrat this year so I can vote for Mr. Obama,and I hope and pray that many others will

Is it me or am I the only one tired of these politician making comments, then 24hrs later issuing  a statement saying, "what I was really trying to say was.....". Thats the problem with politics, say what you mean, mean what you say, if you want me to vote for you. At the end of the day 99% of the stuff that comes out of politician mouths is crap anyway. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARENT IDIOTS!

Too late. This is old news - Obama has moved on and Hillary has waffled on the comment.

It is clear the Clinton campaign will do anything to win this race.  If no one is noticing, this woman would roll out anyone to smear her opponents.

As a female "boomer" generation voter, I am finding it increasingly clear the Clinton people are using the tactics they have accused Republicans using.  I find this behavior unacceptable and hypocritical.

Hillary Clinton knew exactly what Bob Johnson meant when he said what he said about "the neighborhood," but, when questioned about it in the Nevada debate, she said "We accept him on his word on that."  This was the height of dishonesty at a time when she was supposedly "mending fences" about race.

The Clintons used to be against the politics of personal destruction, but they are more adept and cagey in dishing it out than being on the receiving end.  They are out to win, at any expense.

I am begining to think that some prominent members of the black community see Obama Barack as an outside because caucasian/african heritage. Implying that any recent immigrant of african decent who does not have a slave  lineage has no connection with African American experience. Look at the Governor of California, Arnold and support your own. Obama represents all people and that resonates to all intelligent American

How many times can they say "I'm Sorry" and not be called on it?  "I will not bring up his drug use," "Oh, I'm sorry."

Hillary better get control of her campaign or she'll never have the support of Obama's supporters when she needs us.

Obamas praise of Ronnie Reagan as his most admired caused me to stop and think"is this guy for real?Is he a republican in democratic clothing?Or did he make this remark to get the reagan admirers to vote for him?Why didn't he just praise George Bush?Did he forget the air controller firings?Did he forget Iran-Contra?Did he forget ketchup called a vegetable for children?Did he forget Reagens denying that aids existed?Did he forget all the cabinet members that were criminally indicted?Pretty sad statement coming from his lips.

What Mr. Johnson stated was below being a person and Mrs. Clinton has lost more of the respect of a lot of the people that was looking at her. Mr. Johnson said what he believes in his heart and the Clintons agreed. She made the statement that what Dr King accomp. did nothing to the world if it was not for President Johnson but their is not any holidays, Noble Peace Prize that former President Johnson has received is their. Some change is good for everyone and the change Senator Obm. brings is good for the country lets not miss the train this time and wait another 100 years for the next change.

This is akin to an attorney making a statement in court that they know is misleading, and having a judge instruct the jury to disregard. The intended damage is done, with little consequence to the offending party.

Politics as usual for the Clinton camp, who will stop at nothing to gain or retain political power. This is exactly what has been wrong with this country for the last 28 years (starting with Reagan's political hacks). It is a perfect illustration of why we need an Obama presidency so desperately!

As the Great Rudyard Kippling wrote" It is better to keep your mouth shut, and be thought a fool, than to open it and remove all doubts" We don't even want to go to Mr. Johnsons closet, to rattle his skeltons. He ment just what he said.

You have to ask, why is Johnson so zealous in his support of Clinton? We can see why she wants his support, but what's in it for him?  There's something; guys like Johnson don't do this kind of act for free.

Even if Obama did use drugs, we can't try to expect a completely clean record to run this country right -- In fact, we NEED an actual PERSON to get it done right.

Besides, which of the following would you rather have?

A) A leader who did drugs in his youth, when half the country was doing them to, who admitted his choices and asks you to overlook them.

B) A leader who has earned a fortune, technically legally, by living in the pockets of lobbyists and CEOs and who has never thought twice about taking advantage of the common person's naivete.

By the way, Hillary Clinton was in college... in the 60s... as a women's rights activist... if you think she didn't do drugs you're an idiot.

Who cares about Bob Johnson and what he has to say.  He is as relevant to my life as the filthy, miscogynictic videos he gave a platform on BET.

Apology unaccepted. An African-American, I am disgusted, saddened and livid that a Black person, Bob Johnson, would assassinate the character of another Black person, presidential hopeful Barack Obama. It shows Bob Johnson lacks integrty, that he will say anything to help another win and that he would take the national stage and insult the senator in order to help another campaign. Bob Johnson is an enemy of the African American community.

Who cares about Bob Johnson and what he has to say.  He is as relevant to my life as the filthy, miscogynictic videos he gave a platform on BET.

I really think bob johnson needs to check himself. Im real tired of blacks in leadership positions having conflict with one another. Mr. Johnson can back any one he wants for presidency, but to salt a black man who is presidential candidate is absurd. I understand he is a billionare and he is set for generations. There are plenty of us who are poor or fighting to progress. We cannot keep pushing our brothers and sisters down. Thats why we are the only group of people in the united states, thats been in this country just as long as white people, generations of us, babyboomers, generation x what have you, and we are still called minorities.We are classically  conditioned not to stick together. Imagine if obama had the support of the powerful Mr. Johnson.

No Bob Johnson, AKA Bojangle meant everyword of it to do whatever is necessary to support people who care little if any about african americans.  Bob Johnson should be ashamed of himself.  Bob Johnson displayed a cruelty jealousy to Obama and his family.  I stopped watching BET and lost all respect for him.  When a black man attempt to deface another blackman you wonder why God says he repent he made man.  It was an outraged and it will forever resonnate and forever cause the African American people to dislike the Clintons and especially dislike Bob JOhnson, Mr. Bojanle.  or should we say the spook who sat by the door.

Independent 08

Hillary caught lying ?
What, again ?
Re: Bob Johnson of BET

From Salon.com:

Fair enough. Johnson did in fact put out a statement
-- he said that when he referred derogatively to Obama "doing something in the neighborhood," he was
referring to Obama's work as a community organizer.
And in saying she'd "accept" Johnson's "word on that," Clinton tracked the line that her husband had used -- for better or for worse -- in defending Johnson Monday.

But when Russert pressed, asking Clinton whether
Johnson's comments had been "out of bounds," she
responded by saying, "Yes, they were. And he has said
that."

Help us out here. If Clinton really takes Johnson at
his word -- that is, if she believes that he was
simply comparing the Clintons' commitment to civil
rights with Obama's early work as a community
organizer -- then how can she also believe that
Johnson's comments were "out of bounds"? And if
Johnson's comments were "out of bounds," why won't she bar him from future campaign events, as her Sunday pledge might suggest?

'...One more thing: When, exactly, did Johnson himself say that his comments were out of bounds? In the statement the Clinton campaign distributed Sunday, Johnson insisted that it would be "irresponsible and incorrect" to interpret his remarks as referring to Obama's drug use. And the last time we heard from Johnson, he was reiterating that defense in an interview with the Washington Post.

We've asked the Clinton campaign if we're missing
something here; we'll let you know if we hear back.

¯ Tim Grieve....'

Doesn't THIS sound like the BUSH White House ?
Doesn't this sound like KARL ROVE ?
Hillary was caught in a bald face lie
Watch her try to spin this....

The 'Politics of Personal Destruction'

Do we want 4 more years of THIS ?

This is typical slash and burn technique by the Clintons,  The Pattern is accuse and then apologize consistently.  I can't figure out why normal people don't see thru all the Clintons dirty tricks.  This gets very frustrating for me.  I am a republican who just voted for Obama through the mail.

what a sad commentary on the political process in general and the win at all costs Clinton campaign machine.  Bob Johnson's words and actions reveal him to be the sort of man I would not be proud to be associated with in any regard, whether publicly or privately.

OK, now that we know what Johnson really meant, will MSNBC hold Sen. Clinton accountable to her pledge to get rid of him from the campaign?

It should have happened in the debate, but didn't. Will it happen now? The credibility of MSNBC and Sen. Clinton  is at stake here.

Hillary Clinton knew all along that Bob Johnson's explanation was false. What did David Geffen, former very loyal supporter and friend of the Clintons, say about them,  " Everybody in politics lies, but they do it with such ease, it's troubling."

Hillary really must bring her people under control.  Everytime one of them attacks Obama, it works against her.  Obama has a highly unusual aura about him that makes Americans feel better about things...check Chris Matthews interview with Jay Leno, Jan. 16, 2008.  Whether or not he wins the Democratic nomination I don't know, but it is a bad decision for the Clinton camp to make any negative personal remarks about him.

Sadly, the damage is done. By making statements such as these, and then retracting them, it still harms the others campaign and more importantly the other individual. When the candidates were asked about the race issue that has arisen in the last week, they dodged them, especially Clinton. My theory, Clinton knows she could not win the African-American vote if she publicly chastized Johnson, therefore she did what she does best... dodge questions.

Jan. 17 (Bloomberg) -- At approximately 6 p.m. on Jan. 15, three hours before a Kumbaya interlude at the Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas, I saw Al Sharpton defending Senator Barack Obama from charges of youthful drug abuse.

As we all know by now, the accusation arises from Obama's own admission in his modern Horatio Alger tale, ``Dreams From My Father,'' published long before he became a presidential candidate, that he tried cocaine as a teenager.

The hoopla over this has validated the judgment of George W. Bush eight years ago to refuse to answer questions about his own alleged drug use, which many believe continued well beyond his teen years. This is why honesty isn't considered the best policy by political consultants. But I digress.

Sharpton has done things to redeem himself in recent years, but his presence is a one-way ticket back to Tawana Brawley, boycotts, shakedowns and good old-fashioned, in-your-face confrontational race-based politics. Seeing him in that box on TV, I realized that the Clintons had done what they needed to do to stop Obama's historic surge in its tracks.

From the start of his career, Obama wanted, and needed, to remove the race card from the political deck. While it isn't clear from whose sleeve the card was pulled, it is likely it wasn't from the person with the most to lose.

If Hillary Clinton's campaign had taken only one shot at Obama, it might have been blown off as a mistake. But four shots constitutes a pattern, with Clinton's former New Hampshire chairman, Bill Shaheen, Representative Charles Rangel, Clinton pollster Mark Penn and Black Entertainment Television founder Bob Johnson all getting into the act.

Going Too Far

Surrogates don't take printed instructions, but neither do they want to upset the candidate they've traveled to the hinterlands to please. And Penn isn't even a surrogate. He's the campaign's top strategist.

In the middle of the drug pile-on, Clinton, desperate after her Iowa defeat, went too far when trying to imprint the message that Obama is all talk and no action. She infelicitously compared Martin Luther King Jr. to former President Lyndon Johnson.

``Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964,'' she said.

In fairness to the Clintons, even masters of the game trip up when the crown believed to be theirs slips out of reach. They had just hours to convince folks in New Hampshire that the guy who Iowans had fallen in love with was wrong for them.

Red-Faced Rant

Bill Clinton, in particular, was furious at Hillary's loss, indulging in the kind of red-faced rants vividly described in George Stephanopoulos's tale of White House life, ``All Too Human.''

How dare this upstart backbencher steal this election from Hillary! The press? What a lazy bunch of enablers swallowing this &%*# fairy tale, all this hooey about what we share being so much greater than our differences.

Any thought that Bill would be less active in New Hampshire was shelved. In 1992 Hillary helped Bill become the Comeback Kid in the Granite State after a lounge singer gave a press conference about an affair. Now it was his chance to return the favor.

But they were a bit off in choosing to mention an African- American idealist (King as Obama) in juxtaposition with a tough pragmatist who can get things done (LBJ as herself). The two campaigns fanned the flames and cable TV poured on the kerosene, booking the usual suspects to chew it all over. By Monday morning, the Democrats were in danger of becoming as divided as Republicans.

Convenient Cease-fire

A cease-fire initiated by Obama was formalized into a peace agreement during a love fest at the debate. And why not? For Clinton's campaign, it was Mission Accomplished, intentional or not. Obama was now the black candidate. There had been minimal blowback and only a minor casualty (Shaheen resigned).

For Obama, he lost the essence of his candidacy as the first black man to run as himself. Once the race card is on the table, no matter who puts it there, it's impossible to put it back up anyone's sleeve. Obama may look back on the first two weeks of 2008 as the time when he lost the nomination to Clinton.

At the height of the controversy on Sunday, Clinton repeated her paean to King from her book ``Living History.'' She'd been taken to hear ``this phenomenon known as Dr. King'' by her youth minister and remembered his plea to awaken to ``the great revolution that the civil rights pioneers were waging.''

No one's doubting Clinton's belief in equality, but however much she was moved, Hillary became a Goldwater Girl. And Senator Barry Goldwater voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Her journey to embrace civil rights is proof that anyone can grow up. But maybe not to be president.

(Margaret Carlson, author of ``Anyone Can Grow Up: How George Bush and I Made It to the White House'' and former White House correspondent for Time magazine, is a Bloomberg News columnist. The opinions expressed are her own.)

The Clinton would do any thing to get back back power.I guess Senator John Kerry was right"the Clintons care only for themselves and power"
Sheer desperation on her part has put many people off politics..

I want an apology from Bob Johnson, too. For insulting my intelligence.

I have no problem with either candidates, because I am a Democrat also. But, I feel as though we as a Black race have the obligation to see something amazing happen in our lifetime by voting for the first African American for President in our nation's history. Isn't that what our forefather's and mothers, and activist struggled so hard for? Think about it, They always say it is not your time, When will it ever be our time? Well, we as Black people have a chance now. Must we wait another 200 years?

As an African American woman I am extremely offended by Bob Johnson's comments. His personal attack of Senator Obama was unwarranted and tactless. His apology is long overdue!

Moving forward Senator Obama should be judged on his  legislative accomplishments, ability to reach across the aisle to end partisanship, and the hope he inspires in each of us. Obama'08

He was fearing the boycott of his businesses that was quickly approaching.

I say again, what a crock, these Clintons.  I tell you if 'they' get back in the white house again, I will again feel sorry for our nation!

Great....more word bending and backtracking from both candidates, can't wait till the "democratic process" is over.....Tired of hearing the same "misquotes" and "I didn't mean that"

He (Bob Johnson) is laughable.  He is of very little importance and infact did not do any damage to Obama's character.

Now will Obama and campaign workers apologise for the 4 page memo to play the race card.  I would like to see Obama make a public announcement and apologise for playing the race card.  It seems Obama has become someone who can not take comments that are negative, however he sure can make the negative comments about Hillary.  Can anyone out there tell what the Black Value System is? This is the relegion that his church believes and goes by.  We really need to know what this is about.

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