Prometheus 6

Obama didn't take the bait. And it doesn't matter how much the media (and some suspect Negroes) cover for her, black peoople KNOW what she was doing. She not only turned off blacks, but the youth vote as well.

 The divide between Obama and Clinton isn't racial or even base on gender, it's generational. She has the solid backing of older Democrats. The older we get the more conservative we get. Less accpeting of change and more comfortable with the same ol', same ol'.  The youth is more subject to want and desire something fresher, different, futuristic...and that is Obama.

Hillary has put herself in a position that even IF she wins the nomination, she'll lose the general because she has permanently turned-off blacks and young people. I know I won't be voting for her. She'll have to beg Obama to get on the ticket and if I were that brotha, I'd tell her to go sit-n-spin somewhere. 

I think the "generational" divide is very much operational in this conflict. Good point!

The dividing line between Clinton and Obama and Clinton's and Obama's supporters is not generational. It appears to be generational but it is not. Don't believe the hype.

So bad that "Anybody Else" beat Ms. Clinton among black voters in Michigan by almost 3-to-1.

That's pretty bad.

"It appears to be generational but it is not. Don't believe the hype."

PT, I've been reading this thing as younger people trending for Obama because they are looking forward, and Clinton's support coming from the boomer generation and their parents who are looking to the past. I don't for a minute believe this generational divide explains everything, but I do believe it is a factor in the campaigns. I think it is especially noteworthy if Obama continues to attract young people and first-timers to the polls.

But, you're my political guru PT. I value your analysis and would appreciate any thoughts you care to share on this subject.

I believe the generational divide is a factor but I intentionally overstated my objection in order to call attention to the fact that far too much is being made of this issue. There is in the African American polity, as you are well aware, many of us who are tagged as being part of the Civil Rights Generation (or baby boomers) solely because of our ages. A closer examination of us, however, would reveal that our values and beliefs   varies widely from those who emerged from this movement as elected and appointed poliitcal leaders.

This is the group who I have identified here as being secondary inheritors of the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement. There are some obvious exceptions to this broad brush stroke - John Lewis and Councilman Larry Gossett of Seattle are two who immediately come to mind - but in general this description is appropriate. These secondary inheritors were not part of the line of march and their sacrifices and struggles as a result of particpating in the movement were minimal. Nonetheless, they succeeded in converting (and diverting) the movement's most progressive impulses into jobs and sinecures for themselves and their families and friends.

Many of us in the black community have chafed for years under their leadership and we have watched our communities lose ground as a result of their ineffectiveness. Look, for example, at the moribund state that the Congressional Black Caucus has fallen into. Its major claim to fame is a huge corporate sponsored party it throws every September in Washington, D.C. 

I see Obama's candidacy and his campaign as an opportunity to begin to identify, recruit and promote a new generation of progressive black leaders. Many, if not all of them, will be younger than those of us who are seen as being part of the Civil Rights Generation but our differences are more the result of natality than differences in values, standards and goals. 

I see Obama's candidacy and his campaign as an opportunity to begin to identify, recruit and promote a new generation of progressive black leaders.

But wait! That's not all you get with this limited time offer! In addition to a new generation of black leadership, you ALSO get a whole new set of progressive leaders for all your friends and even FOR YOUR ENTIRE COUNTRY!

It's not just black leadership that has fallen into a moribund state, ptc. It's leadership, period. I think that's why Mr. Obama's campaign has been so successful to this point--he represents the promise of a revitalized leadership across the board!

Of course, any upgrade to an entirely new version comes with the expectation of some bugs, but that's the price of admission.

"There is in the African American polity, as you are well aware, many of us who are tagged as being part of the Civil Rights Generation (or baby boomers) solely because of our ages. A closer examination of us, however, would reveal that our values and beliefs varies widely from those who emerged from this movement as elected and appointed poliitcal leaders."

I fully concur PT, as I do with QB's call for new progressive leadership in general. It's certainly clear the "old guard" does not want to make way for new blood. Charles Rangel, John Lewis, Andy Young, Sharpton and Jesse, are upset because Obama did not emerge from the ranks of the ring-kissing toadies that comprise professional negrodom. Hopefully, many others will soon emerge on the scene to shove those gatekeepers and sell-outs to the curb. This is one "baby boomer" who delights in seeing educated and motivated young'uns take charge.