Jackson Free Press

I returned to Jackson this week to discover that the Barack Obama campaign, assisted by local Democrats, tightly controlled his quick visit to Jackson last week. The media were allowed to follow him into Peaches restaurant (where Kate Medley and I took Joe Biden last year, for the record), and then were banned from his fund-raising event at the TelCom center, leading at least one JFP blogger to believe the media had ignored his visit. Unfortunately, the problem is that the media weren't really invited.

This level of campaign control is a mistake, and it's not something many of us expect out of a candidate like Obama--who presents himself as a man of the people. We urge the Obama campaign, and anyone else listening, to get off the high horse(race), and get the candidates in front of the people, even in a state like Mississippi, which they don't believe will be important to their campaign. Such an assumption guarantees that that prophecy will be fulfilled. Oh, and it's an insult to progressive Mississippians.

Meantime, there are other potential candidates out there eschewing the horse race.

To this day, one of the reasons I don't like Hillary Clinton is because the way her campaign staff tried to control her campaign from on high. A person of the people does not allow themselves to be handled in such a way. I urge the Obama folks to listen up. I also urge the Mississippi Democratic Party to discourage candidates from playing power games on our soil.

Previous Comments

ID

113248

Comment

Who's really in charge of these campaigns? The staff or the candidate? I heard that his staff put out a memo dissing Clinton for something, and he's been putting out fires ever since. Maybe Obama needs to do some restructuring and get rid of the folks who aren't doing him any good.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-06-19T17:24:47-06:00

ID

113249

Comment

A woman president. What an awesome idea! Who could go against that? I plan to split my vote between Hillary and Obama.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-19T17:35:40-06:00

ID

113250

Comment

And Obama was clearly rushing and sounding rote, not electrifying and fresh or different as he was initially. I don't want my star player making a layup when it's time to slamdunk to send a message. If Obama or the Democrats win Mississippi or the south in the next presidential race, I'm running 4 years later since miracles will then be possible. I'm not pessimistic either. Am I?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-19T17:44:45-06:00

ID

113251

Comment

I remember when Bill Clinton came to town when he was running for office- they blocked off State Street, and thousands of people came to hear his speech. I don't even remember what he said, but afterward was the last time that I wasn't afraid to put a bumper sticker pushing a Democratic candidate on my car.

Author

Rico

Date

2007-06-19T20:30:03-06:00

ID

113252

Comment

I was there for Obama's visit on Friday (I'll post pictures soon). Those of us who weren't invited couldn't go into Peaches. Though I do like Obama and would vote for him, I expected more from him. I also remember when Bill Clinton came to town. I was a part of the Young Democrats chapter at Forest Hill and we all went down there. A classmate of mine (not part of the YDs) got to meet him.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-06-19T20:36:44-06:00

ID

113253

Comment

Let me also add that the media did an extremely poor job of publicizing Obama's visit. I remember hearing about it about two or three weeks before, but never heard anything more about his visit until the morning of on WAPT. I had started to wonder if he was even coming. Even his website didn't mention a visit to Jackson (it made a mention of visit to Greenville, SC, that day, which he flown from prior to coming to Jackson).

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-06-19T20:42:40-06:00

ID

113254

Comment

I was a freshman at Tougaloo when Clinton was here. We came by the busload hear him speak. Although his head was about the size of a mini-marshmallow from where I was standing, I was still able to make out his face. Also, a Tougaloo student was in the Mississippi Mass Choir and sung the national album. I thought about something else with the whole Obama thing: Could it be that his staff was afraid that if he got a lot of publicity for coming down here, some crazed white supremacist would try to blow his brains out? There's no telling what stereotypes they believe about Mississippi.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-06-19T20:48:48-06:00

ID

113255

Comment

I thought about something else with the whole Obama thing: Could it be that his staff was afraid that if he got a lot of publicity for coming down here, some crazed white supremacist would try to blow his brains out? There's no telling what stereotypes they believe about Mississippi. Wouldn't surprise me a bit- I almost think that the people who staff democratic campaigns are nothing but a bunch of republican shills...

Author

Rico

Date

2007-06-19T21:05:48-06:00

ID

113256

Comment

A woman president. What an awesome idea! Who could go against that? Ha! I'm against it if that woman is Hillary! I'd love to see a woman president, but she does NOT represent the type of strong female leader that I want to see in the oval office. Not at all.

Author

music chick

Date

2007-06-20T07:50:02-06:00

ID

113257

Comment

A stand by your man woman would also stand by her daughter, siblings, parents and country. Sure, she appears to be a woman of many faces, images and souls. Even I'm not sure who she really is. However, she's smart and has been influenced by one of the smartest men alive. She even snagged him as a husband. A major accomplishment in the eyes of many. Stop the hate ladies. In fact, don't hate, emulate instead. No need to curse me out. I've already received that countless times in the past.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-20T08:07:15-06:00

ID

113258

Comment

LOL Ray... hey I didn't curse at you! Hill may be "smart," but that ain't enough to be president in my eyes!

Author

music chick

Date

2007-06-20T08:11:11-06:00

ID

113259

Comment

The first woman with a good chance at being president is rejected mostly or alarmingly by womankind. What accidentally socialization into believing that the first woman likely to be president has to have some ingredients or make-up unlike those men have. If being smart, talented, experienced and surrounded by like-minded people aren't enough then I wonder what a woman has to do to get accepted by men and women. Music could you, Donna or some other smart and knowing woman enlighten poor dumb me and likeminded men what make up and characteristics a women need to be supported as president by women. I think I know the big problem men have with her no matter the feigned excuses. How can women vote for a moron like Bush or Kerry yet reject Hillaru outright?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-20T08:20:59-06:00

ID

113260

Comment

Also, while I'm on a roll. How many women would dislike a man who stuck with his cheating wife? Would women be endeared to a man who allowed love to rule the day and kept his wife who couldn't stand to see a willing man without showing him she was also willing? Is there a double standard here? Yeah!

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-20T08:33:49-06:00

ID

113261

Comment

I don't know about anyone else, but if she can do the job and be fair, I don't see a problem.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-06-20T08:40:46-06:00

ID

113263

Comment

How many women would dislike a man who stuck with his cheating wife? Would women be endeared to a man who allowed love to rule the day and kept his wife who couldn't stand to see a willing man without showing him she was also willing? Is there a double standard here? Yeah! I'll do my best to enlighten you, Ray. First of all, I don't have much respect for Hillary. And her sticking by her husband has very little to do with it, although I do think she did that for strictly political reasons, but that's another topic altogether. There are a lot of male candidates that I also don't have much respect for, so I don't think that is a double standard. The things I don't like about Hillary could easily be applied to a male candidate, too. Talking out both sides of her mouth, contradicting herself, having views that I just plain don't agree with, not seeming to be very accessible to the common person, etc. etc. etc.... when I think of a strong female role model/leader that I would like to see as president, Hillary is not the kind of person that comes to mind. I picture someone levelheaded and fair like my mother. Or wise and discerning like some former teachers I have had. Hills just doesn't measure up to women like that in my mind. Likewise, with male candidates I also need someone I can respect, who says what he means and means what he says, who is levelheaded and fair, wise and discerning, and is accessible. I haven't found many male candidates who really fit that bill in the past or present, either. So, no I do not think it is a double standard, not for me anyway. As the BF says, a leader is someone I'd follow into a burning building. Hillary is not someone I'd trust leading me into the fire, and neither are most of the other candidates I've seen so far. Sad, but true!

Author

music chick

Date

2007-06-20T08:49:22-06:00

ID

113262

Comment

Ray, I'm beginning to side with you vis a vis Hillary C. I read her book and I found it impressive. To me she is just playing the very same politics as men are, but she gets slammed for it a lot more.

Author

Izzy

Date

2007-06-20T08:49:24-06:00

ID

113264

Comment

Thanks LW. To the other ladies, we men are waiting and eager to learn. It's often said we don't listen to y'all. Trust me, we're all EARS on this.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-20T08:49:32-06:00

ID

113265

Comment

Thanks Izzy.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-20T08:50:39-06:00

ID

113266

Comment

All EYES too.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-20T08:51:23-06:00

ID

113267

Comment

Wonderful comments, Music. Yo get the award for being the first woman to answer those questions substantively and with some details without running or trying to deceive, in my opinion. I could be wrong on this. However, could a wonderful person like the ones you described get herself into the position that Hillary is in? Politic is a dirty game that you can hardly play without getting dirty too. Hillary may be the best women we will ever get for a long while. Doesn't her good outweights her bad? I don't claim to have the answer to this question. I wonder if regionalism isn't playing a part in this too. Is he looked upon the same in all regions of the country? I don't have the answer for this either. As to the double standard thing, since few men (or none) seem to reach the high level you discussed, why would you vote for them and not Hillary also? Just wondering? Does the country have lower expectations of us?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-20T09:06:25-06:00

ID

113268

Comment

could a wonderful person like the ones you described get herself into the position that Hillary is in? Politic is a dirty game that you can hardly play without getting dirty too. good question. probably not, unfortunately, and that is why i have a hard time backing up any politicians these days. it seems they all have to play dirty here and there, and i don't like that. as for why would i vote for a guy and not hillary, i haven't decided yet who i would vote for in this race. i know that it won't be hillary, but the reason that i'm not voting for her is the same that i won't vote for some of the other male candidates. and in the past there has not been a female candidate, so the only way i could vote was for a male. i think it's great for a female to be up there in the ranks with the other presidential candidates -- i will give her that. however, just because she is female doesn't merit me automatically voting for her. i'd like to see some more female candidates in the running, but that is not likely to happen this time around.

Author

music chick

Date

2007-06-20T09:11:50-06:00

ID

113269

Comment

Looks like I need to visit a club or social setting with women drinking and having a good time in order to do an informal survey on the unstated reasons women dislkike Hillary so much. Despite the unusually engaging commentary, it would be most interesting to see if anything else, other than stated here, would slip out. He, he, he. Just wondering since I get more definite nos to voting for Hillary than "I'm open to the person with the best platform" which Hillary could conceivably come up with. Thanks ladies.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-06-20T09:21:40-06:00

ID

113270

Comment

Ray, a lot of people, women especially but also men, have said to me, I wouldn't mind voting for a woman, but not for Hillary. I hate to say it but I think that attitude is maybe more misogynist than people admit. There are so few women at her level in politics adn polls show she's leading Obama right now (at least, the poll numbers I heard on NPR last week). I think she will be the next president, with Obama as VP. But it's cool with me if others disagree, that's what this forum is for, debating. We'll have MORE than enough time to hash all this out ad infinitum as the candidates start campaigning so dang early these days. What a waste of precious time and money!!! I believe the house is debating campaign finance reform again today, actually. Too bad it probably won't pass.

Author

Izzy

Date

2007-06-20T09:36:18-06:00

ID

113271

Comment

Ray, a lot of people, women especially but also men, have said to me, I wouldn't mind voting for a woman, but not for Hillary. I hate to say it but I think that attitude is maybe more misogynist than people admit. There are so few women at her level in politics adn polls show she's leading Obama right now (at least, the poll numbers I heard on NPR last week). I think she will be the next president, with Obama as VP. But it's cool with me if others disagree, that's what this forum is for, debating. We'll have MORE than enough time to hash all this out ad infinitum as the candidates start campaigning so dang early these days. What a waste of precious time and money!!! I believe the house is debating campaign finance reform again today, actually. Too bad it probably won't pass.

Author

Izzy

Date

2007-06-20T09:36:58-06:00

ID

113272

Comment

Johnny Patton, wife of Judge Houston Patton, was one of the key players in charge of the Obama visit. Patton was a BIG melton supporter, undercover and for her support was given a position on the Airport Board. As Margaret Walker Alexander said many years ago: "There are too many people with little minds in BIG places doing LITTLE things." Each day I live, I am able to appreciate more and more this analogy. I criticized the media for their absence in Obama's visit. Little did I know that this was a stupid control issue. When I heard the price of the tickets and the different divisions at the TelCom center, I was speachless. I agree with the blogger who mentioned the Clinton visit. More exposure and votes could come out of people being put with people - not hauling him away from the general public as if we all had TB. Someone might want to send this blog sheet to Sanders who runs the office for the Democratic Party. They really screwed this one up. And again, my apology for dogging the media for their absence in the Obama visit.

Author

justjess

Date

2007-06-20T10:08:26-06:00