John Lewis, a civil rights icon, knows the importance of choosing the right candidate……
In an about face, Representative John Lewis, an elder statesman from the civil rights movement and one of Senator Hillary Clinton’s most prominent black supporters has said that he planned to cast his vote as a superdelegate for Senator Barack Obama. That’s right, his state, Georgia voted overwhelmingly for Obama and he really did not have a choice but to vote accordingly. I can guarantee that he would lose his seat in his next election. “In recent days, there is a sense of movement and a sense of spirit,” said Lewis, a Georgia Democrat who endorsed Clinton last fall. “Something is happening in America and people are prepared and ready to make that great
leap.” Rep. David Scott, who was the first to defect the Clinton grip, echoed the same sentiments and said he would not go against the will of voters in his district. Hillary Clinton is facing an uphill battle and her campaign, to put it bluntly, is in a mess. There is no way she should get the nomination after losing so many states.
Lewis carries great influence among other members of Congress and disclosed his decision in an interview as the Service Employees International Union was on the brink of endorsing Obama. His comments came as fresh signs emerged that Clinton’s support was beginning to erode from some other African-American lawmakers who also serve as superdelegates. The developments came on a day in which Clinton set out anew to prove that the fight for the Democratic nomination was far from over. Campaigning in Ohio, she pursued a new strategy of biting attack lines against Obama, while adopting a newly populist tone as she courted blue-collar voters.
As I have pointed out before, Obama is able to transcend racial, social and geographic lines. That in and of itself is a great feat and must be applauded. Lewis also echoed these sentiments by saying that he and other prominent African American party leaders had been moved by Obama’s recent victories and this ability, which is severely lacking in the Clinton camp. Bill Clinton has lost his mojo or was he pretending to be cool and calculating for a reason? Though Lewis had praise for Clinton and for her historic candidacy, he said he would decide within days whether to formally endorse Obama. He also said he and other lawmakers would meet in the coming days to decide how they intended to weigh into the nominating fight. There is only one way to weigh this nomination fight and that is to vote with the popular vote. If they don’t there will be chaos in the Democratic party and a surefire victory for John McCain.
Jay Carson, a spokesman for Clinton, said on Thursday: “Congressman Lewis is a true American hero and we have the utmost respect for him and understand the great pressure he faced. And Senator Clinton enjoys incredibly strong support from superdelegates around the country from all regions and races.” I guarantee that Hillary Clinton is totally unnerved by the crumbling support of black leaders. Tears will start flowing again before the upcoming primaries.
Clinton is taking a risky gamble by believing that she will carry Texas, Pennsylvania and Ohio. That may very well backfire, especially in light of comments made by Pennsylvania Governor Rendell who basically stated that whites will not vote for Obama. I beg to differ, many have and many will. That statement may have an adverse effect on the race in his state.
“My opponent gives speeches,” she added. “I offer solutions.” Hillary, I won’t count you out just yet, but your “solutions” platform, which is yet another change in your strategy, may have come a little too late.
“Hold on, Barack, you can make it. Don’t worry about a thing. Hold on. A change is gonna come…..”
Filed under: Barack Obama, delegates, Hillary Clinton, John Lewis, John McCain, superdelegates
Black Political Thought 