Baseless accusations of racism in a political campaign? Against a beloved Democrat? All I have to say to Bill Clinton here is go ahead and feel the pain of conservative America:
Chicago mayoral hopeful Congressman Danny Davis (D-Ill.) insisted that he is not playing the race card as he threatens to turn the African American community against former President Bill Clinton, if he comes to the city of the big shoulders to stump for Rahm Emanuel.”It’s a friendship card,” Davis said, emphasizing the long relationship between himself and Clinton, who once wore the label “the First Black President.”You can read the language and judge for yourself.”The African American community has enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with the Clintons, however it appears as though some of that relationship may be fractured and perhaps even broken should former President Clinton come to town and participate overtly in efforts to thwart the legitimate political aspirations of Chicago’s Black Community,” Davis said in this morning’s release.
Gird your loins now for the onslaught of liberal critics lining up for 2012 to decry any legitimate criticism of Obama as racist dogwhistling…
UPDATE — Lynn Sweet reports Carl Mosley Braun is now warning Bill Clinton to stay out of the Chicago mayor’s race lest he damage his relationship with black voters:
Though Clinton appointed Braun as ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa after she lost her Senate re-election bid, a statement from her campaign issued Wednesday morning was strongly worded:Said Braun,”Bill Clinton is an outsider parachuting in to support another outsider. Rahm’s residency status continues to be challenged in court. It’s not yet clear that he will be on the ballot. At the same time former president Clinton risks his legacy and the great respect that he has enjoyed among African Americans by coming to Chicago to endorse Rahm Emanuel who is running for mayor against two black candidates.
There’s something to be said about interlopers coming in from out of state and weighing in on local elections. That’s a VERY valid criticism. But, again, I’m not sure all the racial accusations are necessary or warranted.
