TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Respite In Clinton-Obama Racial Row

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 16, 2008

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have called a well-advised truce in their war of words over racial issues. But the lull will be temporary unless Clinton reins in surrogates eager to take cheap shots at Obama.

Obama is smart enough to know he does not benefit by pushing the matter, but Clinton should own up to having started this clash.

When Robert L. Johnson, one of Clinton's most prominent African-American supporters, hints at Obama's drug use as a young man, it is not by accident. This is the second time the former first lady's tightly run campaign has raised such innuendo, suggesting she's either a poor campaign leader or she's insincere about ending the "politics of personal destruction."

The incident began last week after Clinton made a statement that political commentators thought demeaned Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership on civil rights. "I would point to the fact that Dr. King's dreams were realized when President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.When he was able to get through Congress something that President Kennedy was hopeful to do, the president before had not even tried. But it took a president to get it done."

Now Clinton says her remarks are being "deliberately distorted."

Here's the sharp difference between Clinton and Obama: When challenged, Clinton resorts to the role of victim, a role that Obama refuses to embrace, even when justified.

With Clinton, it's always someone trying to do her in - be it the vast right-wing conspiracy, male chauvinists or snarky fashion writers. She is so quick to blame others that she ignores her own role in casting the first stone.

She plays the most pathetic gender stereotype of all: women as perpetual victims.

By contrast, Obama doesn't snipe or whine when blindsided by those aligned against him. As one example, he refused to respond after conservative radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh played a parody called "Barack, The Magic Negro." Can you imagine Clinton finding the fortitude to stay silent?

Like the peacemaker he is, Obama called for an end to the tit-for-tat and Clinton hastily issued a statement of agreement. He knows he won't win over voters by acting insulted, offended or wounded every time someone takes a verbal shot - even low ones - at him.

He gets what Clinton fails to grasp: Americans are looking for a president, not a victim.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT