Hillary Picks Up Endorsements From South Carolina Black Pols
In a sign that Barack Obama perhaps can't take the black vote for granted in the crucial primary state of South Carolina, Hillary Clinton has picked up critical endorsements from two of the state's leading African-American pols, the Associated Press reports.
State Sens. Robert Ford and Darrell Jackson told the AP that they're supporting Clinton because they believe her to be the most electable candidate. In Ford's case, it may have helped that he was personally lobbied not just by Hillary, but by her husband, too. In words that sound surprisingly harsh coming from a black pol, Ford did not mince words about his worries of nominating Obama: "Every Democratic candidate running on that ticket would lose because he's black and he's at the top of the ticket — we'd lose the House, the Senate and the governors and everything."
Conventional wisdom would suggest that South Carolina is a must-win for Obama, because about half the voters in the 2004 South Carolina Democratic primary were black. But a victory there is anything but assured. Beyond the fact that Hillary's now beginning to make inroads in the state, it should be noted that another Obama rival — John Edwards — is competitive for South Carolina voters. After all, he handily won the primary there in 2004.
Comments (9)
markg8 wrote on February 13, 2007 5:26 PM:I would think SC is more important for Edwards being right next door. If he can't win in the South
in a neighboring state in the 4th primary when can he?
Moreover, he was born in Seneca, SC. If Edwards hasn't one a caucus before South Carolina, a loss here would surely be the final nail in his coffin.
Ann H wrote on February 13, 2007 6:53 PM:Regardless of your choice for presidential nominee, this is a very sad statement coming from an African-American elected official. Wow. No black man could win, and what's more, if anyone tries, he will take everyone down with him. And to say this over a year before the actual election. I wonder what the reaction of the black voters will be, particularly younger voters. "Shut up and vote for the white person." Wow again. That's great leadership for you, huh. I'm not sure if I was HRC if I would want to be associated with this position.
martin wrote on February 13, 2007 10:17 PM:My initial reaction to the news was the same as Anne H.'s: It is a sad state of affairs when African Americans say that a black candidate can't win. The endorsement is indeed a small blow to both Edwards and Obama, but for the nomination to be given to Hillary is far from certain. I personally think the ministers are wrongheaded in thinking that Hillary is the most electable candidate of the field; that, for my money, would be Edwards, who can unite various Democratic factions and draw strongly from independents.
markg8 wrote on February 13, 2007 10:29 PM:I agree that Ford sounds pathetic. This man is a leader?
rmrd0000 wrote on February 13, 2007 11:47 PM:The good Senator Ford was instrumental in the passage of a SC license plate with a Sons Of Confederate Veterans (SCV) logo in 1999. He proudly stated that he attended Confederate meetings in Charleston. One event had 25K SCV members and two(2) Blacks. One was Ford, the other was some Black guy portraying a slave.
Here' the link to verify I'm not taking hallucinogens.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~tx1250/ford.htm
I have no clue as to Ford's thought process. I have a family member who is a pastor in Charleston SC. I'm going to call him tomorrow. To find out his take on State Senator Ford.
UPDATE
I should mention that Ford's comments about lost votes were previously published in the LA Times on 01/19/2007.
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-obama19jan19,0,2365075.story?coll=la-home-headlines
Ann H wrote on February 14, 2007 10:52 AM:Very interesting, thanks for the info. I'd be interested in what else you find out.
I repeat, if I were HRC, I don't think I'd want to be associated with this guy.
rmrd0000 wrote on February 14, 2007 3:37 PM:When I mentioned Sen Ford's name, my relative said: "opportunist"
He's a minister, so he wouldn't say anymore.
He did mention the following info.
From Raleigh NC KTVU news outlet on 02/10/2007 concerning Southern voting patterns. Note who he was leaning towards.
http://www.ktvu.com/news/10980148/detail.html
The history is pretty simple. Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, who headlined the Democratic ticket along with Edwards in 2004, didn't win in any of the 11 states that made up the Confederacy. Neither did Al Gore, who entered the 2000 election with equal roots in Tennessee and Washington D.C.
Neither did former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis in 1988, former Minnesota Sen. Walter Mondale in 1984 and former South Dakota Sen. George McGovern in 1972.
But former Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton, former Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter and former Texas Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson -- the last three Democratic presidents -- all picked up victories in Southern states on their way to the White House.
That's why Democrats like South Carolina state Sen. Robert Ford will only support party candidates with roots below the Mason-Dixon line.
"I'm just being realistic," said Ford, a black lawmaker who added he doesn't believe Americans will vote for an African-American candidate such as Obama. "I know Southern voters ain't going to vote for Northeasterners. It's just the truth."
Ford, a 14-year veteran of South Carolina's state senate, is leaning toward supporting Edwards over former first lady Clinton, who has a history with her husband in Arkansas but now represents New York in the Senate. Ford doesn't believe any of the other Democratic candidates -- who hail from parts nationwide -- can compete in 2008.
"Once you get that Northeastern brand on you, you're doomed," he said.
Remarkable change isn't it. All after a phone call from former President Bill Clinton.
markg8 wrote on February 15, 2007 12:30 PM:Bill Clinton can be pretty persuasive. But Ford needs a geography lesson if he thinks Obama is northeastern.
