by BAR executive editor Glen FordPeople who remember the days when Black elected officials were scarce and low-ranked, might conclude that last week's spectacle is a good problem to have: A Black president carrying out the “political execution” of a Black state governor. But what does this episode say about Black voting strategies and the value of role models?
White House vs. Gov Paterson: Is That Any Way to Treat a Brother?
by BAR executive editor Glen Ford
“Race loyalty without reciprocity isn’t much of a deal.”
The nation’s First Black President has made it abundantly clear that he wants New York’s First Black Governor to forgo election next year. In choreographed leaks to the press, the White House threw its weight to David Paterson’s most prominent Democratic challenger, state attorney general Andrew Cuomo, who maintains close ties to the Administration and has raised twice as much campaign money as the incumbent. (Then Lt. Gov. Paterson assumed the top spot when Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned amid a sex scandal in 2008.)
BAR has no favorite in this dispute, since Paterson and Obama are ideologically indistinguishable. Rather, the president’s unprecedented bullying of Paterson should represent a challenge to those African Americans that supported Obama because, in the words of crusading New York City councilman Charles Barron, “I just want to give a brother a shot.” Now, the only “shot” that “brother” Paterson will get at election in his own right is the coup de grace to his temple administered by President Obama.
When the white people have left the room, most African Americans on the Left, Right and in-between will confess that their support for Obama is rooted in race – a default position that has become dysfunctional with the advent of Obama and a whole crop of corporate-friendly Black politicos.In the past, race-based electoral loyalty served Black people rather well – when it was reciprocal. But Barack Obama harbors no such loyalties; Paterson was deemed a weak candidate, so he had to go.
“Race-loyal electoral politics has become dysfunctional with the advent of Obama and a whole crop of corporate-friendly Black politicos.”
No doubt there were strong hints to Paterson from on-high that he should bow out of the 2010 primary race, but they apparently didn’t register. So the White House sent an operative to transmit the president’s demand, and then delegated anonymous politicians to inform the press. It was an exercise in sheer political brutality. The New York Times gave the following version of the White House operative’s ultimatum to the governor:
“He said, ‘I am here at the direction of the president, and we have lost confidence in your ability to run for re-election and win, and we would strongly like you to reconsider. And if you decide to go ahead, you will not have our support.’”
Another rendition of the political execution went: “We want you to stand down. There is no path to success.”
Race Men and Women might ask, “Is that any way to treat a brother?”
Of course, Obama is like the character played by cable TV’s Stephen Colbert: he doesn’t see race. The point is, most of his Black supporters certainly do. Race loyalty without reciprocity isn’t much of a deal.
“Role model” politics is a variation on the racial loyalty theme. Black kids, the rational goes, need to see Black faces in high places – like governor and president – so their aspirations will soar. Paterson is not only Black, but legally blind, and thus doubly inspirational.
No matter. As far as the Obama White House is concerned, the president is Black role model enough. The rest are extraneous. Just ask Van Jones, and now, David Paterson, and other jettisoned “role models.”
“It was an exercise in sheer political brutality.”
It appears Black role modeling is in triage mode, with some role models being sacrificed for the sake of the uber-model in the White House.
Since role modeling is all about hierarchy – that is, Black upward mobility in various hierarchies – it is beyond question that higher-ranking role models are inherently more valuable than models of lower rank. That makes things simpler, since there is no discernible political difference between Gov. Paterson and President Obama. Both can be counted on to buttress the Right at critical junctures, and seem to share an antipathy to the Left. In Paterson’s case, this tendency was most dramatically observed in his appointment of upstate Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, the most right-wing member of the New York congressional delegation, to fill Hillary Clinton’s senate seat. That was a jaw-dropper, seemingly inexplicable and politically unnecessary – unless one was aware that the Obama White House had exercised its muscles to discouraged other Democrats from actively vying for the seat.
So, the two brothers came together to elevate – a right-wing white woman! Somehow, the role model/race loyalty chemistry isn’t working well, these days. Certainly not for David Paterson. Probably not for most African Americans.
No one that has grown up Black in American can fail to appreciate the internal logic of electoral race loyalty and the potential potency of racial role-modeling. The problem is, Barack Obama does not play by these rules. It is, for him, a one-sided game in which he takes, but never gives.
BAR executive editor Glen Ford can be contacted at Glen.Ford@BlackAgendaReport.com.
Comments
Dress has a huge selection of
Dress has a huge selection of womens dresses for every occassion - prom dresses, homecoming dresses, quinceanera dresses, summer dresses and more! Evening Dressesbfdfb
Obama's only loyalty is to his quest for power.
To that end, he can and will throw literally anyone under the proverbial bus — even if the people set to be flattened are political stooges. Paterson may be such a right-wing stooge, indistinguishable from Obama on matter of policy, but his defeat in next year's gubernatorial election might jeopardize the dictator's agenda at the state level (the agenda being to ensure right-wing dominance at all levels of the Democratic Party establishment).
Why Am I Not Surprised!
The pattern of political gamesmanship and expediency is undeniable, going way back in the campaign. Maybe that is why we see so few contempary black leaders working to help Obama get his agenda accomplished.
Just stop and look at the wreckage along the highway to the White House (Rev. Wright, Farrakhan, Jesse etc.). Barack seems to have no use for black people unless it is to lecture or talk down to them, but whites on the other hand are given a pass (Lieberman, The Hartford Cop, Congressman Johnson and many others).
Black people need to wake-up and see that politically speaking we are being duped into thinking that just because we have a black in the highest office, we have reached the promised land. The hard truth is that our enthusiasm, euphoria, and fear of making demands on "the first black president" will leave us on the side of the highway asking what happened. Politics is a shrewd and tough game and if we want to advance the black agenda we better realize it and play some offense regardless of the color of the opposition.
Patterson fires back
This shit is gonna be entertaining because...well... F**k em both! Bullshit, wannabe white boys in cafe au lait skin. Patterson has fired back at Boy Wonder. I would hope a "brother" from NY had some moxie. Patterson, "don't f/u the NY street cred Bro." Obama might just have bitten off more than he can chew, (doubt it)check out Patterson's retort, of course Faux News is right on top of it: New York Democratic Governor David Paterson is firing back at the Obama White House after reports the president does not want Paterson to run for election next year. The governor said: "They haven't exactly been able to govern in the first year of their administration the way other administrations have." No shit Patterson. Score: 1 for Obama, 1 for Patterson. A Paterson aide is downplaying the remarks, saying the governor was not demeaning Obama's record." (Two can play that game Mr. President" lol).
On another note ANOTHER CAPITULATION by the Democrats, Pana Semita will no doubt just love: Another one of the president's "czars" is in hot water for past comments. Federal Communication Commission diversity "czar" Mark Lloyd is being criticized for saying that Venezuelan socialist President Hugo Chavez led an incredible and democratic revolution. Lloyd tells The Washington Times that his comment was misinterpreted." Poor wittle fella, he just misunderstood.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,554700,00.html
Why the hell does Obama care
Why the hell does Obama care if Patterson loses and NY gets a Republican governor? He adheres to a right wing agenda even with a Democratic congressional majority. I'm certain he'll get along rosily with Guiliani or whatever Repub who may win the NY governorship. Further, doesn't Obama have more pressing matters to attend than meddling in New York's governor's race?
Councilman Barron's "I want to give the brother a shot" train of thought speaks volumes about the futility of race loyalty. Patterson has had "a shot" at running the state and he's done a piss poor job. He appears to be similar to GW Bush - happened to be in the right place at right time, not one who had a passion for running for office. Time is long past for sticking with the ethnocentric choice. If brother man or sister girl ain't doing squat for you/community/city/state/nation - their asses gotta go. Otherwise, we'll keep being inundated with Pattersons, Obamas, and assorted CBC examples.
That role model thing needs to take a rest too. Stop looking to the celebrity culture (this includes the political class) for inspiration and look within yourself and among your own family and community. Many of these big name role models aren't exactly what is best to emulate. Glamour magazine is always touting as role models women such as Madeliene Albright, Hillary, Pelosi, and Condi. Do we really need anymore of these warmongering, imperialist pigettes? Do we need anymore budding Obamas grinning while stabbing one in the back with his kowtowing to all things military and corporate?
What just desserts. Obama is trying to oust a less effective version of himself. I hope Patterson stays in the race and loses to some right wing reactionary.
THIS is why:
Obama wants right-wingers in public office he can be sure of controlling. It does his aspirations of power (both winning and consolidating it) if someone from a political party bent on his complete destruction obtains a position of power.
THE NEGRO PROBLEM!
WOW..2009 AND WE'RE STILL STUCK IN THE ELECTORAL POLITICS PARADIGM,HOW DEPRESSING....IF WE MUST STAY THERE HOW ABOUT A DIFFERENT STRATEGY...WHAT IF WE ORGANIZED OUR PEOPLE AROUND CORPORATE STRUCTURES WHEREBY WE BEGIN TO TAKE CONTROL OF OUR COMMUNITIES NATIONALLY...WE MAKE AS A PRECONDITION TO EMPLOYMENT MANDATORY REPROGRAMMING THE PEOPLE FROM AN AFROCENTRIC PERSPECTIVE AND INCLUDE IT IN THE PAID WORK WEEK...WE COULD IMPACT THE VIOLENCE IN THE HOOD FROM A VERY BASIC LEVEL...WE WOULD ALSO REMOVE DISRESPECTFUL PEOPLE FROM OUR HOOD WITHOUT PICKETING AND MARCHING WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY DEALING WITH SEVERE UNEMPLOYMENT...WE COULD SET UP FOUNDATIONS (LIKE GATES,FORD,ETC.)AS TAX HAVENS TO FINANCE 501C3'S WHO OUTNUMBER BLACK BUSINESSES 2 TO 1,BUT CAN'T DEAL WITH OUR PROBLEMS BECAUSE THE PUPPETMASTERS WON'T FINANCE PROBLEM SOLVING.....WE CAN THEN CHOOSE PEOPLE WHO COME FROM US AS OPPOSED TO BEING CHOSEN BY OUR ENEMIES(CHECK OBAMA'S HISTORY).....I SEE THIS PROBLEM WITH THE GOV AND OBAMA AS A CONTINUATION OF MISDIRECTED PRIORITIES...THE GOV HASN'T SHOWN ANY ALLEGIANCE TOWARDS OUR PEOPLE AND OBAMA RUNS FROM US AT EVERY TURN....IT SHOULD BE PAINFULLY OBVIOUS THAT WE HAVE NO "BLACK POLITICAL REPRESENTATION"..WHAT WE HAVE IS POLITICIANS WHO HAPPEN TO BE BLACK AND ARE EMPLOYEES OF CORPORATE ENTITIES CALLED THE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN CORPORATE PARTIES....THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE AND WHERE THIER FINANCING COMES FROM....WE HAVEN'T BEEN TAUGHT TO LOOK AT ELECTORAL POLITICS FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE,BUT THAT IS A FACT...EVERYTHING IN THIS COUNTRY IS CORPORATE FROM THE CHURCHES,TO THE CITIES,TO THE STATES,TO THE NATION TO OUR JOBS,WETHER SELF EMPLOYED OR IN THE MILITARY...WE'VE BEEN ON THIS DESTRUCTIVE COURSE SINGULARLY SINCE THE LATE 60'S AND THE BENEFICIARIES,OR THE TALENTED TENTH OF DUBOIS HAVE MADE IT THEIR MISSION TO KEEP US THERE AND TOTALLY DISORGANISED...PERSONALLY I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT EITHER OF THESE NEGROES AND HAVE NO INTENTION OF VOTING FOR ANYONE WHO HAS NO BLACK PEDIGREE...I JUST WONDER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE SPENT HALF AS MUCH TIME ORGANISING OURSELVES AROUND COLLECTIVE ISSUES AS OPPOSED TO POLITICAL PERSONALITIES...THE CORPORATE NEGRO HAS NO ROOT AMONG US AND THEREFORE SHOULD NOT ELICIT AS MUCH FOCUS AS WE GIVE THEM....THE TIMES ARE SCREAMING FOR ANSWERS THAT CAN BE OVERSTOOD BY OUR PEOPLE AT EVERY LEVEL,AND WHILE I AM NOT A CAPITALIST IT IS THE ONE THING THAT WE SEEM TO GRAVITATE TO IN MASSE...IT IS A TOOL JUST LIKE A FIREARM AND WHEN MOBILISED PROPERLY IT BECOMES AN ARMY IN THE EMPLOY OF AFIKANS GLOBALLY....LET'S US THIS WEAPON TO LIBERATE OUR PEOPLE FROM THE VESTIGES OF GLOBAL WHITE SUPREMACY AND GIVE THE NEXT GENERATION AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE NEGRO PROBLEM....MAAT HOTEP
Obama is doing what Obama does!
Obama has identified with black political aspirations only when it suited his strategy and struggle to ascend to the pinnacle of power in this capitalist society. He associated with black people when he was building his resume. He joined a black church; one that would portray him as a progressive activist proud of his roots and community. He became a community organiser for the sole purpose of boosting his credentials and lend credibility to his hunger for power to neutralise our struggle for liberation just as his humanity has been neutralised by his desire to be white when it suits him.
This buffoon has gone to the extent of encouraging our dehumanisation by white racists who reject him, his whiteness and constant kissing of their sorry asses. The vicious racist attacks on all of us are, to this pig, nothing but legitimate debate! This fool is worse than a "house negro". The "house negro" was a slave. This nonentity is supposed to be free. He is supposed to be president but you would never know it listening to his apologies and mea culpas to his detractors and foes of our people. No chance of Obama standing with Patterson against a white man, any white man...
Obama the False Prophet
You are brutal in your comments but 100% on the right track. Black people were so desperate for a Black President they gave him a free pass that is now coming to haunt them. Asians, Latinos and liberal Whites were so desperate to get rid of Bush that they ran with him and swallowed his rhetoric wholesale. I can imagine how you feel if as an Asian American I feel cheated by Obama. This man has a huge complex that he is not 100% white, as why else would he be repeating the word "my country" every chance he gets. He is so "cool" that insults from the White right just go by him without a care in the world. Ride on man.
Right on Brother...
Brutally brilliant and insightful commentary. Touche!
The "internal logic" will indeed be tested. Will Black people be as beholden to Obama as the "tea-baggers" they generally detest were beholden to Bush, and the GOP hierarchy that doesn't truly care about them, that manipulates them?
Stay tuned, like Sibel Edmond's revelations, it's going to be an unparalleled reality series.
In some "warped" way it actually reveals a certain "political maturity," i.e. I will f***ck whoever stands in my way, be it Rev. Wright, V.J., single-payor advocates, anti-war movement, ... Patterson.. you get the picture? If only Black people exercised the same political maturity, realpolitik is a dogfight, not mushy "hopes" and dreams of "change."
Obama= Narcissism. The World's Ultimate "Good Cop." LOL
Good Cop, Bad Cop...
It's all a part of the Hegelian Dialectic: Problem-Reaction-Solution...
First, the Problem makers- the behind the scenes policy makers- create a crisis of some sort. Health care, terrorism...take your pick.
Then, the Reaction to the problem- usually public rancor or disgust.
Last, the Solution is unveiled by the same people who created the Problem.
Obama is the 'Good Cop' in that he is the one who' is to provide the solutions to the problems handed to him...by the 'Bad Cops'. In the end, Obama is 'Top Cop'...but that's just his role he's playing as Commander-in-Chief.
Amen
Left wing, right wing it makes no difference. I agree with the story and the person that comments. If we are to make it work for us, we must fix our own problems, not by outsiders, whites or anyone else. NO black leaders pick by whites or other groups. But pick by black people for black people. The blacks like obama and others so-called civil right groups have led us down a path of darkness. If I can do anything I hope I can wake some of our people up. From this site I see many who share or saying the same thing I am, just put another way. Our people are starting to wake up.
People don't give up the fight, and run out and expose these fake black people. Keep up the good work!
Peace and God Bless you all!