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New Obama Radio Ad Courts Black Voters
The Democratic National Committee today debuted its latest attempt to court black voters for the midterm elections, this one a radio spot featuring President Obama. Titled “Vote,” the ad sticks tightly to what’s become the main Democratic talking point in the lead-up to Nov. 2: If the Democrats don’t win and keep both houses, the…
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The Root Interview: Valerie Jarrett on Blacks and Obama
Valerie Jarrett, who has known Barack Obama for nearly 20 years, is not only one of the president’s senior-most advisers but also one of his closest friends. Formerly a Chicago attorney, Jarrett, 53, co-chaired Obama’s transition team in 2008, and she now serves as the assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs and public engagement.…
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Tough Questions for Obama During Youth Town Hall
By Cord Jefferson In Bill Clinton’s now infamous 1994 introduction to the youth of America, he took center stage at a Viacom-sponsored young-voter forum and was asked if he wore boxers or briefs and if, were he gifted a second chance, he would inhale pot. Today, at an event hosted by MTV’s Sway Calloway and…
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Fear of a Black Candidate
As black Republican congressional candidate Tim Scott’s impending victory draws nearer in South Carolina’s First District, Scott detractors from both sides of the political spectrum are making their anger known in the most craven yet modern way possible: via the Internet. Just this week, on the white supremacist message board Chimpout—to which I’ll not link—commenters…
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Obama Goes After DOMA, Ponders DADT
An internal argument is brewing among the nation’s top Democrats, who are divided about what to do now that a federal judge has ordered the military to stop enforcing its controversial Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. Following the ruling on Tuesday night, Barney Frank, the openly gay congressman from Massachusetts, said he was “very pleased.”…
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The White House Black Web Summit
I attended at the White House yesterday an event billed as a “black web summit.” Along with 20 others from outlets like Jack & Jill politics and The Grio, The Root was present for what could best be described as a meeting seeking to foster dialogue between the Obama administration and African American online media…
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White House Praises Swift Injustice
E-mails released Friday morning confirm unequivocally that White House officials praised USDA executives for their swift firing of Shirley Sherrod, the former Agriculture employee forced to resign in July on bogus charges of racism. There’s still no proof that President Obama or his close advisors ordered Sherrod to be dispatched, as Sherrod has claimed, but…
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Why I'll Continue to Say 'Illegal Immigrant'
A controversial new campaign called Drop the I-Word seeks to eliminate the use of the word “illegal” in discussions about immigration. Sponsored by the website ColorLines, and its publisher, the Applied Research Center, Drop the I-Word’s website says using the term “illegal” to describe undocumented immigrants “creates an environment of hate by exploiting racial fear…
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Obama's Town Hall Casting Call
A casting call went out today for Barack Obama’s upcoming youth town hall. This is from Backstage.com: PRESIDENT OBAMA TOWN HALL, MTV MTV, BET and CMT are casting the audience for town hall meeting with President Obama. Shooting Oct. 14, 4 p.m. in Washington, D.C. Seeking—Audience Members: males & females, 18+. To apply, email [email protected] and put…
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Clyburn Rips Republicans, Says Black Caucus Open to Republicans
In a conference call with journalists today, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) harshly derided GOP leadership before vowing to work with any black Republican congressman seeking to join the Congressional Black Caucus. In a notably gloomy address, Clyburn warned of the Republicans’ Pledge to America, an ambitious legislative agenda for the next Congress that…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
