DISQUS

The Bag of Health and Politics · 1 year ago

Britney Spears is very relevant to Clinton's latest line of attack. While I'd rather she go away too, the fact is that she is the face of the backwards drug policies that Clinton defends...

The Bag of Health and Politics · 1 year ago

Oops, forgot to say: nice job!

Anonymous · 1 year ago

When you first made the announcement that you and Jesse Jackson were going to be on CNN, my first question was WHY does Rev. Jackson have to be on the show too? Don't get me wrong, I love and admire Rev. Jackson, but i think the media believes they have to go to Jesse for comment so they can rile up the bigots. I understood the point Rev. Jackson was trying to make about the difference between style and substance, but it got lost with Ricky's constant interuptions.
Reading the transcript all I see are Jackson and Sanchez talking. I wish someone had one of those STFU tapes to scream at the two of them. You and Mr. Washington did well, considering this is the network that had Bill (abort black babies) Bennett telling America how black people feel after Obama won the Iowa primary, and gives Glenn Beck an international platform, and got rid of Soledad O'Brian after her reporting on Katrina.



I agree with you about Brittany Spears. I wish the "mainstream media" would leave her the heck alone. Because of them she's lost her children and her mind.



Do you think CNN will invite you to be a guest again and will you accept the invitation if invited? I also am thankful we don't have to depend on the so called mainstream media for news and opinion and for the Blogs like jackandjillpolitics.

Webbuh · 1 year ago

Congrats Baratunde on your 1st NATIONAL Media Appearance! Great Job!


It was kind of funny seeing Jesse Jackson stroll out like a "surprise" guest when you all knew that he was going to be on the panel all along. I also noticed that there were no teases/promos for Jesse even being on the show.



It makes me wonder if the "surprise" aspect was intentional, dare I say, STRATEGIC, in the same way that Sharpton is neutral, quiet about the Iowa results in the national media.



Makes me wonder if Jesse asked to appear somewhat incognegro or the producers planned his "entrance" inkeeping with the style of that show (which I had never seen before). Rick Sanchez tends to over-dramatize.



Also, thanks for not "Bill Oreilly'ing" Jesse! That treatment should be reserved for those who endorsed (and continue to support) Hillary until they finally shut up or come onboard the OBAMA Train.

dnA · 1 year ago

It's really like Jesse knows his time is over. He must have felt like a triceratops looking at you guys.

Matthew · 1 year ago

I've been reading this blog for a couple of months now, and I caught your CNN appearance halfway through without making the connection until I saw this post. I thought you did a great job, but I was pretty disappointed in Jesse Jackson.


Maybe its not fair of me, but I get the impression that he feels Obama is getting the rewards for his (Jackson's) labor, that there is at least a small trace of bitterness. Maybe its that Obama seems to try and distance his campaign from the battle Jackson and people of his generation fought, but its strategically a good move and Jackson should recognize this.

NMP · 1 year ago

Baratunde,


You took the words out of my worth, word-for-word, "It was the first time I felt like an American" rather than American by default. The line of his victory speech that really started the tears rolling was when he said that only in America is my story even possible. It may be thing for all the problems this country has--AND THERE ARE MANY--it really truly is the only place that a minority, son of Black immigrant, could become the free leader of the world. I don't know I this thing is going to end, but I have to admit it felt damn good to feel like an American, EQUAL, just for a moment in time.

Webbuh · 1 year ago

On Friday Morning (The Day After), Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton could have been on any network newscast that they wanted.


There was a vacuum with Obama's team deciding to not do any media appearances on Friday. The team wanted his Victory Speech to "Say it All!" and IT DID SAY IT ALL.



Producers were scrambling to get the "Black" perspective, surely from one our Black "Fathers." But did you see Jesse or AL all over the airwaves? Nope, just a surprise drop-in on CNN, no promos whatsoever.



Jesse and Al have major egos...but whether some of you like it or not, they're SMART. They know that for better-or-worse, they carry a certain type of baggage that could very well play into the hands of the next Rove whoever that may be.



They both had their chance. They both laid groundwork for this achievement. Unlike the Andrew Youngs who never pursued the presidency, they both know that NOW it's Barack's Turn.



I smell a political strategy in play...and it smells good for my candidate, the Next President of the United States - Barack Obama.

Anonymous · 1 year ago

Speaking of CNN, has anyone seen this:
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2008/01/04/bennett/index.html?source=newsletter

Anonymous · 1 year ago

I totally agree. I'm not upset at all that Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton have not endorsed Obama. That would do tremendous harm to his campaign & every smart person knows it. I think it's better that they sit by quietly unlike Andrew Young who feels the need to attack Obama. Young can support his candidate without attacking Obama. But Jesse & Al, I think they're doing absolutely the right thing by not going on the airwaves blasting their support for Obama.

rikyrah · 1 year ago

Baratunde,


You took the words out of my worth, word-for-word, "It was the first time I felt like an American" rather than American by default. The line of his victory speech that really started the tears rolling was when he said that only in America is my story even possible. It may be thing for all the problems this country has--AND THERE ARE MANY--it really truly is the only place that a minority, son of Black immigrant, could become the free leader of the world. I don't know I this thing is going to end, but I have to admit it felt damn good to feel like an American, EQUAL, just for a moment in time.



I'm with both of you on this.



I told you that sometimes, just sometimes, America does live up to its promise...and when it does, it is a beautiful thing.



And, call me hokey, but I still can't stop choking up looking at the picture of that Black FAMILY.



I don't know which picture I loved more:



The picture of him and Michelle - the power of seeing a strong Black COUPLE..



Or



The picture of the entire FAMILY.



Yes, FAMILY.

ronnie b · 1 year ago

Mr. Thurston and Mr. Washington,


Well done, both of you. Personally, I would have rather have heard more from you two than the Rev, but hey, the TV folks are smarter than me.



While I share in the spirit of Obama's pursuits, I can't help but feel that the CNN's of the world will begin to exploit things in a kind of Jerry Springer-esque fashion. And the last thing I want to see is Brother X debating Klansman X over an Obama presidency.



Hopefully, CNN and others will realize that we expect more from them.

faboo · 1 year ago

I missed the show (damn crying kids!), but I did read the transcript on Friday night. Agree that Jackson and Sanchez did way too much talking. I think you made some great points. I only read it, so I didn't have any visual cues, but I completely agree with Matthew's comment. Even reading the transcript you can feel Jackson's bitterness at Obama's success.

RuthDFW · 1 year ago

Actually Rev. Jackson has already endorsed Obama several months ago, but apparently his wife feels differently because she has made a commerical for Hillary in SC reportedly.


He also alluded to the fact that he is smart enough to realize Obama can't use him a great deal. He said "respect the distance and proximity that he wants" and "bridge a delicate gap."



Also I think his son, the congressman has already endorsed Obama.



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