Well yesterday we put up a post about the funn business related tot he media’s treatment of Jesse Jackson, Jr. Our hypothesis is that some powerful forces don’t want him in the US Senate and the Chicago Tribune and ABC, no doubt with help from unknown sources packaged the “revelation” of JJJ as Senate Candidate No. 5 to create the appearance that the criminal complaint supported wrong doing in an effort to seal his political fate and keep him out of the US Senate.
During the comment thread several readers from NY complained about the foregone conclusion that Caroline Kennedy will replace Hillary Clinton because of the cache of the “Kennedy” name. Despite the fact that Caroline doesn’t have a lick of legispative experience. No, being related to people who hold office isn’t enough and New york is begginning to make its junior Senator position look like some old vestage from the days of the monarchy- where certain people because of their leniage have a devine right to power. Even in Deleware, their are rumors that Biden’s replacement is just keeping the seat warm until Biden’s son can return from his tour of duty.
Ever since the election , I have ben inaundated with emails form every interest group under the sun EXCEPT Black women. These groups have legislative agendas. These groups are already making demands on the Obama administration. These groups are not afraid to make their requests made known and some of them are urgin patterson to appoint a woman to replace Hillary Clinton.
So that begs the question, if Black women wanted to push for a sister to get a seat in the United States Senate via NY or IL, who should that be and why?
Its not enough to complain about Patterson going with Kennedy, you have to offer an alternative and fight just as hard. We have not because we ask not. So who are you asking for?
22 comments ↓
Will Gov Paterson appoint a black woman? Probably not. I’m a lifelong downstater (Mount Vernon- 5 mins from the Bronx), and I still consider it a miracle that a black man became the governor of this state! We are not really the most progressive state going. My city elected the first black mayor in the state’s history- in 1985! Blacks are only 17 percent of the population in NY, and there has been a large out-migration of blacks to Southern states in recent years. Our political capital in the state is dwindling.
I haven’t seen any black women come forward to express interest. I think the lure of the private sector and it’s money are too great in New York for most black women to consider politics a viable opportunity. It’s also very much an old boys network.
By the way, HRC has YET TO RESIGN! This fact alone will mean that the incoming senator will be one of the LOWEST ranked in seniority, since there are already so many newly elected senators poised to go in January. If this is the case, a high ranking name might end up being the way to go. Our governor is seeking reelection in 2010, so he might go with someone who can also help him get out the vote.
It’s very complex.
There’s no black woman in our existing local and state legistive bodies that I can think of who I would want to be my Senator. Especially the one who represents me – - she’s abysmal and also part of a politcal dynasty. A lot of people were pushing for Nydia Valsquez, but it appears she no longer wants to be considered. There are also some other black male politicans, like the mayor of Buffalo, who people are pushing for. Trust me, people are making their voice heard and they’re also fighting some of Obama’s appointments. In particular, his rummored appointment of the Bronx Borough President (Carrion) to be secretary of Urban Policy. Many NY’rs, latino’s included, have organized to let their objections be known. It will be sad if that appointment goes through. However, politcal appointments are much different than selecting someone to serve as a Senator. I think the Senator selection has much higher states. But considering we just let our mayor and city council reps give themselves an extra term with out a referendem, I’d say democratic process is at an all time low here in NY and I’m sure Gov. Patterson will make the decision that’s most poitically convienent.
If I were Govenor Patterson I’d just appoint myself and let somebody else handle this budget crisis.
I think perhaps its the wrong question, particularly in light of Urbanbydesign’s comment about the nature of NY politics. Its less about the person that might be put and more about what is the agenda based on our self interest?
You raise this issue often enough about what is the political agenda of black women and it seems to me that is where the focus should be. What legislative and policy priorities are key for this group? Of the major issues of the day in NY state, what are the policy positions on those issues that cut to the benefit of black women and how do you press home that agenda?
Putting a black women in the seat doesn’t mean you get politics that work for you. As black folk, we get hung up on the candidate color instead of the quality of the policy they will advocate for, because we don’t articulate and strategize around an agenda beyond the election of somebody who looks like us, an agenda that survives the election or not of a specific candidate.
Some excellent points so far, especially from Aaron.
Surely there might be women out there qualified, perhaps none that want the job.
Lord Lord. Need I say it again? Why are the Dems prone to this drama? Just appoint some loyal intelligent person to hold the damn seat, vote in the Senate to keep the numbers up against the GOP and not do anything crazy until the seat is up for election. That’s all. Put in a body. Fill the seat. The goal here is to keep the Senate from screwing Barack, not politics as usual drama and horsetrading. Unless of course, all that stuff about a new Democrat Party was bull. Whether it’s a black woman or a purple gay double amputee, this process should take only as long as it takes to vet the person for crimes etc. Come on…doesn’t anyone get this?
There are no black folks in the inner circle to have this job male or female. Don’t believe the hype about NY
I remember Gov. Patterson wanted this seat but he made a deal with the Democratic establishment to take the Lt. Gov spot so Hillary can run for Senate.
As the White House Project says all the time – We need some volunteers!
I hope so. The more Black females in politics, the better.
Someone here made a stupid anti-Black female comment, and of course it was praised. I wish people who claim to be for Black females but who are obviously NOT would not waste our time.
as i was reading, i was wondering, are there a set of issues that black women care about collectively. have we formed an agenda.
for me, it’s all about education.
-scholarships, scholarships and more scholarships like the hope school
-more teaching of black literature in school, starting in elementary school
-fixing the public education system, also being able to transfer your kids to whatever public school you want (as long as they have good grades), instead of being stuck in the area you’re in
-free daycare/affordable daycare for all kids
-more teenage services/mandatory afterschool programs for children whose kids work after school or at night (this will be very beneficial i think)
@APoliticalSeason I could go in the archives to find some of your statements to the contrary related to the race of a candidate, but I am oging to ignore that because you made some excellent points about the need for Black people to develop political agendas and judge candidates based on their ability or willingness to carry out those agendas.
@mary that is the big question. Are we enough of amonolith to have a singe set of issues. Can all of our issues fall under one umbrella.
I would say no because I don’t have children and am not inclined to want to substitute other ppls decisions to have children without figuring out childcare first, but I digress. On the public school issue I think we can find some common ground, but again, we’d likely get derailed by all of the age old arguments related to public schools.
Legislatively, do Black women have a separate set of agendas as opposed to the general populace. We all care about jobs. We all care about economic stability. We all have concerns about healthcare.
Hold up wait a minute, my friend Gina. Name one Black women who got a job from Gov. Paterson where the Black women did not have to sex him up! If someone told him that Caroline Kennedy is really Black he would jump her bones in a NY minute.
Furthermore, Black folks do not believe in self-help. To be honest looking at how Gov. Paterson and Pres.-elect Obama get down, I wonder why Black folks go to college at all. Please these men do not use colored folks and we do not demand that these Black rarefied elected officials give jobs to Black folks.
Black folks would rather beg the hell out of Gov. Blag to appoint a Black senator getting my man Jesse, Jr. all caught up. Blacks were begging the hell out of Pres. Clinton to diversify his cabinet and to some extent he did, but Black leaders are exempt from the beg. Blacks leaders on the other hand are advised even by Blacks who have held Cabinet seats to insulate themselves with the best qualified candidates (translation: anybody by Black folks).
In closing, when will former Congr. Black Caucus member Pres. elect Obama take his fellow CBC member off ice. Hey, it’s cold outside.
The name that I can come up with is Leecia Eve from Buffalo. She is much more qualified than anyone else that has been mentioned. She has the political experience and even ran for Liutenant Governor. The sad thing is that I haven\’t heard anyone else mention her.
Furthermore, Black folks do not believe in self-help. To be honest looking at how Gov. Paterson and Pres.-elect Obama get down, I wonder why Black folks go to college at all. Please these men do not use colored folks and we do not demand that these Black rarefied elected officials give jobs to Black folks.
I was attempting to wait until he finished appointing his cabinet. Looks like all Black women got at the cabinet level is Susan Rice and the Un Ambassador position traditionally isn’t cabinet level. HOWEVER, Black Achievement, people would not be receptive to having me point that out at this time. Nor would they be receptive to me pointing out that every other interest group is lobbying for their “people” to get high ranking positions.
I mean I kinda was disheartened when I asked about Black women in NY and the response from BLACK WOMEN was “There aren’t any.”
But yeah, you are right.
Hopefully the Black women that are interested in the job won’t hesitate to apply. I know many people feel experience is a requirement but it isn’t, not for state senator. Experience may be a preference for aome. There should be many that are qualified and are able to fit the 3 requirements.
And why stop there? Apparently there are over 3, 000 jobs created by a new President in the White House. So far there have been over 300,000 applications received. If Black women and others apply they should be considered.
“Legislatively, do Black women have a separate set of agendas as opposed to the general populace.”
i think as a group we should have a separate set cause our position is pretty unique. the black ‘agenda’ does not look out for black women’s interests, that is very obvious.
first, it seems that a lot are single black mothers, that’s why i was mentioning daycare and teenage services. when children have to look after themselves, things fall apart.
also, maybe more severe penalties for not paying child support/making it mandatory
also, free healthcare, it is needed. for the US to be one of the few western countries to NOT have free health care is truly baffling. you can have the best healthcare but if no one can afford it, it’s worthless.
also, maybe increasing minimum wage
these are just suggestions. i don’t have any kids either, but i truly believe that a group will always be destroyed if they dont nurture their young
but my question is, aren’t there black women organizations out there, i know there are. are these organizations saying ANYTHING???
@mary there are Black womens organizations, but they are too busy having brunches
Thank You WAOD,
Word on the street is that President-elect was about to appoint retiring Rep. Ray LaHood (R-IL) as his Secretary of Illinois and he got a phone call some say from Speaker Pelosi. The call we like this “Where my Latinas at?” Obama’s response was I am on it! Rep. Hilda Solis, invisible up to this point, becomes the only Latina in the Obama’s Cabinet. I wish her well.
Again I say when will the CBC come out of the cold. There are 14 Black Women on the CBC including the last two chairs with a host of talented Black women staffers. I hope someone does not have to call President-elect Obama’s transition team to make an inquiry, considering Obama’s the first “Black” president.
Oh yea, what is wrong with Virginia Fields or Yvette Clarke being considered for the U.S. Senate. Did Rev. Al break bread with one of them this week at Slyvia’s?
Thank You WAOD,
Word on the street is that President-elect was about to appoint retiring Rep. Ray LaHood (R-IL) as his Secretary of Labor and he got a phone call some say from Speaker Pelosi. The call went like this “Where my Latinas at?” Obama’s response was I am on it! Rep. Hilda Solis, invisible up to this point, becomes the only Latina in the Obama’s Cabinet. I wish her well.
Again I say when will the CBC come out of the cold. There are 14 Black Women on the CBC including the last two chairs with a host of talented Black women staffers. I hope someone does not have to call President-elect Obama’s transition team to make an inquiry, considering Obama’s the first “Black” president.
Oh yea, what is wrong with Virginia Fields or Yvette Clarke being considered for the U.S. Senate. Did Rev. Al break bread with one of them this week at Slyvia’s?
I wrote a post about how Attorney Leecia Eve who was running for Lt Gov before she got the shaft and current Assemblymember Crystal Peoples should have been in consideration. Somebody from Albany was checking it out this morning but I have no idea what’s going on in NY except that it’s all dirt and kissing ass, all the time. At least we have the Speaker of the Assembly Karen Bass in CA and Ah-nold will be out soon – I just hope the state doesn’t go under in a sea of bankruptcy and red tape before he leaves.
“there are Black womens organizations, but they are too busy having brunches”
hahaha, okay!!! i don’t know why but that rings true to me. black folks love to act high and mighty while FORGETTING to do their job. that’s funny though
@gem2001
You could go in the archives on me, but I’m willing to bet I’m defensibly consistent. I never argued the case for Obama simply because he was black. My mantra was qualified, credible and bonus, he’s black.
More to the issue here, while I hear your refrain that every other interest group is clamoring for their own to be put in, I submit they are falling into the same trap that pushing for a black person without a first reference to competence and agenda entails.
Some liberal interest groups are playing the game that way, and they are no example to emulate.
The point really does have to be about what is in our self interest, and what agenda serves those interests we identify.
Mary at least gets in the ball park by talking about a focus on education, though I think several of her ideas are liberal wrongheadedness. But saying, education is a key and then thinking about what kind of policy objectives we want to fight for that support that is the right approach.
As long as all we are talking about is what color and gender the next NY senator is gonna be, we are NOT talking about what is our agenda and how do we get it done. The failure to focus is killing us.