Showing posts with label democratic primary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label democratic primary. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman endorses Joe Biden for president


Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ 12th District) has endorsed Joe Biden for president. Read her endorsement statement below:

“As a former Chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, I recognize the importance of Primaries in allowing everyone’s voice to be heard, but as the party begins to coalesce around the Vice President, it’s time for us to unify and get on to our first priority as Democrats, which is to beat Donald Trump,” Watson Coleman said. “I am endorsing Joe Biden today because he is the best person to lead our country forward. I am also endorsing now because we cannot afford to allow Donald Trump to have another moment where he is allowed to build momentum unchallenged. The stakes for our nation’s future are simply too great.”

“I have known Vice President Biden for many years and consider him to be a friend and a strong ally in the fight to advance our Party’s progressive values,” said Watson Coleman. “Joe Biden was on the frontlines working for Democrats across the country well before he was Barack Obama’s selection for Vice President and his dedication and commitment to strengthening our middle class and lifting those who need our help has only intensified these past few years.”

Saturday, March 07, 2020

Jim Clyburn: Obama should make an endorsement before the Democratic convention

Rep. Jim Clyburn says former President Barack Obama should “probably” make an endorsement in the race for the Democratic nomination before the party’s convention this July in Milwaukee. 
“At the proper time, probably should,” Clyburn said on Yahoo News’ “Skullduggery” podcast when asked if he would like it if Obama endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden. “If we’re talking about bringing this party together, I think he’s probably part of bringing it together, but not today.” 
When asked if he would like it if Obama endorsed Biden before the Democratic National Convention, Clyburn said, “I would think so.” He also said he had “absolutely not” discussed a possible Biden nomination with the former president. 

Read more: Clyburn says Obama should make an endorsement before the Democratic convention




Deval Patrick endorses Joe Biden for president

Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has endorsed Joe Biden for president.

In his endorsement Patrick gave his resaons for supporting Biden:

"At a time when our democracy is at risk, our economy is not working for many Americans, and our role in the world is unsteady, America needs a unifying and experienced leader, who can and wants to make life better for everyone everywhere. Joe Biden is that leader,"

"I am today proud to endorse him for the Democratic nomination for President," Patrick continued.

"I saw firsthand Joe's essential role in passing historic health care reform, saving the American auto industry and our country from another depression, leading our troops home from war, and championing historic civil rights and LGBTQ equality," Patrick said. He praised Biden's work on a number of other issues, and called the candidate a "genuinely caring and compassionate person."

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Deval Patrick suspends his presidential campaign

Former Massachussetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced Wednesday that he's suspending his presidential campaign after a dismal performance in the New Hampshire primary.

Read his message to his supporters below:

Hello friends,

I believe that America is yearning for two things: better outcomes and a better way. Better outcomes in our citizens lives and a better way of achieving them.

Having delivered health care to 99% of Massachusetts residents, nation leading student achievement and energy efficiency, responsible budgets, and the highest bond rating in Massachusetts history, I believed and still believe we had a strong case to make for being able to deliver better outcomes. And having shown through legislative initiatives, economic recovery, natural and man-made disasters, and a terrorist attack that we can lead by asking people to turn to each other instead of on each other, I thought we had a pretty good case for a better way as well.

But the vote in New Hampshire last night was not enough for us to create the practical wind at the campaign's back to go on to the next round of voting. So I have decided to suspend the campaign, effective immediately.

I am not suspending my commitment to help, and neither should you. We are facing the most consequential election of our lifetime. Our democracy itself, let alone our civic commitments to equality, opportunity and fair play, are at risk.

Americans are hurting. Having to hold two or three low wage jobs to survive, trying to keep up with tuition, the rent or a mortgage, and health care premiums, doubting whether the schools in your neighborhood will prepare your kids for life and work -- these are the challenges too many Americans face. In the midst of such economic anxiety and social unease, some will divide us for political gain. Others will use this moment to unite us. Both paths are, historically speaking, American. Only one is patriotic. I choose patriotism. And so should you.

Patriotism demands, now more than ever, that we reject false choices. Despite our righteous anger, Democrats don't have to hate Republicans to be good Democrats. We don't have to hate business to fight for social justice or to hate police to believe black lives matter. In that same spirit, we don't have to hate moderation to be a good progressive. I say that because, unlike most other candidates, I have actually delivered progressive results using a moderate approach. Leaving room in our plans and our hearts for people who may not agree with us on everything is the only way to make lasting change. I don't fit in an ideological box and most people I meet don't either. We cannot, and will not, defeat Donald Trump by relying exclusively on old labels, poll-tested messages and cable news hits. We must meet people where they are and ask them to do the same for us.

I could see last night in the faces of many of our supporters that this setback is hard. But let's keep our perspective. Hard is choosing between paying the heat or the rent in the same month. Hard is not knowing if you'll be able to afford the prescription drugs that keep you alive. Hard is serving your country in the military and not being able to live off the streets when you come home. Hard is being called the N word by fellow citizens leaving and inspired by a rally for the President of the United States. Hard is trying to vote when your own government doesn't believe you should have a say. Hard is wondering whether you or your family will be deported from the only country you've really ever known, to which you've paid taxes or for which you've worn the uniform, because you once sought refuge from violence or despair. Hard is facing a cancer diagnosis, especially if you don't think you're covered. These and similar questions can only be answered by deciding the character of the country. That's what's at stake right now. I've never been afraid of doing what's hard -- only of missing the opportunity to do what's right.

Doing what's right and fighting for justice are my life's work. That work doesn't end here because it didn't start here. On the South Side of Chicago, where I grew up, people have felt for generations the urgency so many of us feel now. We have a unique opportunity to use our shared pain redemptively to bring the country together. No one can stand on the sidelines at a time like this. I, for one, will not. Failing to engage risks losing a lot more than an election next November.

So, I am grateful to you for your support and will likely call upon you again, because "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice" when you and I and others make that work our own.

Ever forward! Ever thankful!

DLP

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Cory Booker will drop out of presidential race if he can't raise $1.7 million by end of September


Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Cory Booker has told supporters he needs to raise nearly $1.7 million by the end of September or he will drop out of the 2020 presidential race. Watch Cory explain this decision below;

Wednesday, July 03, 2019

Rep. Jahana Hayes endorses Kamala Harris for president

U.S Rep. Jahana Hayes is backing Kamala Harris for president, becoming the seventh member of the Congressional Black Caucus to endorse the California Democrat.

In an op-ed piece published Wednesday in Essence magazine, Hayes called Harris “the perfect antidote to our current President’s false narratives."

"With her intellect, strength and empathy at the helm, we can work to be better together. Senator Harris has laid out a powerful and bold vision for this country that is inclusive of everyone’s lived experience and grounded in the belief that success should not be defined by race, gender, socioeconomic status or zip code,'' Hayes wrote.

Harris was an early supporter of Hayes, backing for the 5th District seat before she won a primary against former Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman to secure the Democratic nomination.

[SOURCE: Hartford Courant]

Tuesday, July 02, 2019

Rep. Bobby Rush endorses Kamala Harris

Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL 1st District) of the Congressional Black Caucus is backing Kamala Harris's bid for the presidency.

Rush has been sharply critical of former Vice President Joe Biden in the wake of comments in which he recalled working alongside two segregationist Southern senators. Rush told Politico that Biden, another Democratic presidential candidate, was "wholly out of touch and woefully ignorant of the nuances of the black American experience." Rush will serve as Harris' Illinois campaign co-chair.

Rush said Harris was "the only candidate prepared to fight for all Americans against a Trump Administration that has left them behind" and that she is a "once-in-a-lifetime leader" who "exemplifies what global leadership is all about."

Endorsements from the caucus, which counts more than 50 members, could be influential in the Democratic presidential primary. With Rush's endorsement, Harris now has six endorsements from the CBC.

[SOURCE: NBC CHICAGO]

Monday, July 01, 2019

Kamala Harris vaults to second in major poll

Kamala Harris has rocketed into the top tier of the Democratic presidential primary, while Joe Biden’s once double-digit lead has crumbled in a national poll taken after last week’s debate.

The CNN/SRSS poll, which was released on Monday and conducted entirely after the first two Democratic presidential primary debates last week, has Harris, the California senator in second place, among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents who are registered to vote, at 17 percent.

Harris' surge places her firmly within the top tier, which now consists of four candidates. Biden still sits at the top of the pack with 22 percent, but his once-commanding lead has eroded significantly. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is in third with 15 percent, followed by Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 14 percent.

Both Harris and Warren saw sizable jumps in their support over a previous CNN national poll, taken at the end of May. Harris went up 9 points, from 8 percent in May, and Warren rose by 8 points, from 7 percent in May.

Biden is still the leader among black voters, 36 percent to 24 percent for Harris, but his advantage with what had been his strongest cohort is diminished.

[SOURCE: POLITICO]

Monday, June 20, 2016

Congressional Black Caucus and Bernie Sanders at odds over open primaries

In a letter sent to both the Sanders and Hillary Clinton campaigns, the Congressional Black Caucus expressed e opposition to two key reforms demanded by Sanders. Those reforms being abolishing the party’s superdelegate system and especially opening Democratic primaries up to independents and Republicans. The CBC feels that would dilute minority voting strength.  Read that letter below.



June 18, 2016 

An Open Letter to our Democratic Colleagues and Party Leaders 

To: Secretary Hillary Clinton 
Senator Bernie Sanders 
Hon. Debbie Wasserman-Shultz, Chair, 
DNC Hon. Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader 
Senator Harry Reid, Senate Democratic Leader 

To Whom It May Concern: The Democratic Members of the Congressional Black Caucus recently voted unanimously to oppose any suggestion or idea to eliminate the category of Unpledged Delegate to the Democratic National Convention (aka Super Delegates) and the creation of uniform open primaries in all states. 

The Democratic Party benefits from the current system of unpledged delegates to the National Convention by virtue of rules that allow members of the House and Senate to be seated as a delegate without the burdensome necessity of competing against constituents for the honor of representing the state during the nominating process. 

The origin of the unpledged delegate selection process authored by Congressman James E. Clyburn, DSC is attached to this letter. It accurately chronicles the use of the unpledged delegate system and sets out with particularity the reasons why this system was enacted many years ago. The system of allowing members of Congress to serve as unpledged delegates has worked quite well. There is no need to succumb to the pressure of a few individuals to make this change. We oppose any change to the current delegate selection process for members of Congress. 

The CBC is opposed to any state nominating system that would allow independent or Republican voters to participate in a Democratic Primary. The Democratic Party primary is the process used by the party to allow political aspirants to compete for their party’s nomination. Allowing independent or Republican voters to participate in the Democratic primary would dilute minority voting strength in many districts across the country. 

Finally, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus respectfully request that we be included in any discussion that will change the system of unpledged delegates. In addition, we should be included in any discussion that would seek to change the nominating rules to open primaries. These are significant issues that directly affects our ability to effectively participate in the political process. 

Thank you. 
Sincerely, G.K. Butterfield 
G. K. Butterfield, Chairman 
Democratic Caucus of the Congressional Black Caucus

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Don't forget, Sanders voted for 1994 crime bill which destroyed African American communities

Don't forget, Sanders voted for 1994 crime bill which destroyed African American communities


By George L. Cook III EMAIL

In the interest of full disclosure I am a Hillary Clinton supporter. So now that we have that out of the way...

Yes, Bill Clinton's 1994 Crime Bill devastated many black families with its mandatory sentencing requirements. Yes, Hillary Clinton spoke out for the law as the First Lady. There is no disputing either point. But what also can't be disputed is that Sen. Bernie Sanders, unlike Hillary Clinton, voted for omnibus crime bill.

Listening to those pundits and Sanders supporters attacking Hillary Clinton over her use of the term "superpredator", you would never know that Sanders voted for the bill as that is often conveniently ignored. (Now to be fair Sanders himself has addressed this issue and fought to get the death penalty component changed to life imprisonment.) Sanders voted to send people to jail for unfairly long sentences whereas Hillary Clinton could not. There is a huge distinction there.

Here are various sources to prove that Sanders voted for the crime bill.

The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/02/12/1994-crime-bill-haunts-clinton-and-sanders-as-criminal-justice-reform-rises-to-top-in-democratic-contest/

The Federalist: http://thefederalist.com/2015/11/03/bernie-sanders-voted-for-criminal-justice-measures-hes-denouncing/

And for those who may think that I am cherry picking sources to back up my writing, here is a post on Sanders own campaign website: https://berniesanders.com/press-release/sanders-voted-for-1994-crime-bill-to-support-assault-weapons-ban-violence-against-women-provisions/

There is plenty of blame to go around when it comes to the 1994 crime bill, but as one who didn't write or vote for the bill, Hillary should get the least of that blame.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Bernie Sanders supporters and the "Snakes on a Plane" fanboy comparison

Right now some of you are wondering what a movie titled Snakes on a Plane has to do with Bernie Sanders and his campaign. Well the comparison between Sanders' supporters and Snakes on a Plane fanboys is not as crazy as you think. Listen to me explain below. George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.com.

Bernie Sanders supporters and the "Snakes on a Plane" fanboy comparisonRight now some of you are wondering what a...

Posted by George L. Cook III on Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Wednesday, March 09, 2016

Support Your Candidate But Be A Democrat First

I recently posted a politically related video. It led to some great debate and vigorous support/defense of both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. It also led to some nastiness and unfortunately some threatening not to vote for the winner of the Democratic Primary if their candidate if didn't win. I believe that's a very bad idea, hear why below. George L. Cook III.

SUPPORT YOUR CANDIDATE BUT BE A DEMOCRAT FIRSTI recently posted a politically related video. It led to some great...

Posted by George L. Cook III on Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Why this Hillary Clinton supporter has much love for Killer Mike

Rapper Killer Mike (His Momma named him Micheal Render) has been a very vocal and active supporter of Bernie Sanders. As a guy who grew up listening to Rakim, Public Enemy, Poor Righteous Teachers, X Clan, and KRS-One, I'm no big fan of his music (I know I come off as a hating old man.). So why you ask would I, a Hillary Clinton supporter have so much respect for this young man?

Because he unlike many celebrity supporters has studied up on things and has a good idea of what is being discussed. When he appears on television, you don't have to worry about this intelligent, well-spoken man embarrassing black people. If you debate this man don't underestimate him and consider him just a rapper because he will destroy you with well thought out arguments.

Killer Mike can intelligently debate the issues and defend his stance on the issues. I can see this young man as a political contributor to a news network or working on or in campaigns one day. And yes, I can see him running for office.

So although I don't agree with him on this current Democratic primary (Go Hillary), I am very proud of these young black man.

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports. Email: georgelcookiii@gmail.com

Monday, October 12, 2015

Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison endorses Bernie Sanders

Rep. Keith Ellison has become the second member of congress to endorse Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders for the 2016 election.

“I’m endorsing Bernie because he is talking about the issues that are important to American families,” Ellison told MSNBC in an email via his spokesperson. “His candidacy is important for many reasons, but I believe the most important part of his candidacy is that it has the ability to create a renaissance in voter participation, which was at its lowest in decades this past election cycle. We’ve all seen the massive crowds he is attracting, and I think that is a testament to his message connecting with people - people we will need to turn out in November.”

Sunday, August 09, 2015

Bernie Sanders Taps African-American As Campaign Press Secretary

The presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced Saturday it had tapped a young, black criminal justice advocate to serve as its national press secretary.

Symone Sanders, who is of no relation to the junior senator, serves as the national youth chair of the Coalition on Juvenile Justice, a nonprofit that focuses on appropriate care of American youth in the justice system.

She introduced the presidential contender at a rally in Seattle on Saturday that drew 12,000 people -- the largest crowd to attend a Sanders event yet -- with remarks about racial inequality.

"You know which candidate for president will shut down the private prison industry," she said, according to CNN. "You know which candidate will have the courage to fight unjust mandatory minimums and the death penalty."

Though Symone Sanders began to interview for the position several weeks ago, her hiring suggests the campaign is working to attune itself more closely with the cause of Black Lives Matter protesters, who interrupted the candidate for a second time at a different Seattle rally on Saturday. Both the senator and his fellow Democratic presidential hopeful Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley were interrupted by Black Lives Matters protesters at a Netroots Nation event in Phoenix last month.

Read more: Bernie Sanders Taps African-American Organizer As Campaign Press Secretary