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Author Toni Morrison Endorses Obama
January 28, 2008 7:23 AM
ABC News' Rick Klein and Sunlen Miller Report: Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison -- who famously declared Bill Clinton to be the nation's "first black president" in a 1998 essay -- today endorsed Barack Obama for president, via letter from Morrison to the Illinois senator.
In it she writes, "this opportunity for a national evolution (even revolution) will not come again soon, and I am convinced you are the person to capture it."
Morrison writes of her admiration for Hillary Clinton but says she "cared little for her gender as a source of my admiration".
"Nor do I care very much for your race[s]," Morrison continues to Obama, "I would not support you if that was all you had to offer or because it might make me 'proud.' "
"In thinking carefully about the strengths of the candidates, I stunned myself when I came to the following conclusion: that in addition to keen intelligence, integrity and a rare authenticity, you exhibit something that has nothing to do with age, experience, race or gender and something I don't see in other candidates. That something is a creative imagination which coupled with brilliance equals wisdom.
"Our future is ripe, outrageously rich in its possibilities. Yet unleashing the glory of that future will require a difficult labor, and some may be so frightened of its birth they will refuse to abandon their nostalgia for the womb.
"There have been a few prescient leaders in our past, but you are the man for this time," she concludes.
In an October 1998 essay in The New Yorker, Morrison wrote: "Years ago, in the middle of the Whitewater investigation, one heard the first murmurs: white skin notwithstanding, this is our first black president. Blacker than any actual person who could ever be elected in our children's lifetime."
Morrison's endorsement letter to Obama comes as Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., also announces his support for Obama on Monday, at a rally in Washington.
January 28, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (148)
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Does this make Mr Obama too white to become President? If so please let Michelle know that I will vote for her. It is high time for some well educated class in the White House!
Posted by: CWM | Jan 28, 2008 8:09:16 AM
Why is this not considered racism?
Posted by: Dave C | Jan 28, 2008 8:09:28 AM
You know, Bill Clinton was Americas first, so called, "Black President" when the Bush administration has hired more blacks and hispanics into his cabniet. Of course they don't count because Bush appointed them, they are not really black or hispanic. Funny how liberals think
Posted by: Bil | Jan 28, 2008 8:10:08 AM
Poor hillary, will she tear some more.
Posted by: sartell | Jan 28, 2008 8:11:31 AM
Yet another clear example of Toni Morrison's razor sharp insight into politics and American reality. She can endorse anyone she cares to, but I for one put no stock in anything that this racist woman has to say.
Posted by: David H | Jan 28, 2008 8:15:56 AM
Its obvious why the Dems want Obama to wait to run. they nned more time to learn how to not use racially divisive politics.
8 years might be long enough.
Posted by: Jack | Jan 28, 2008 8:19:16 AM
never understood why African-Americans would sully themselves, and assume Bill Clinton was the best they could muster. He was "black" because he was immoral?? I'm so proud that our country is moving past racist pandering from all colors.
Posted by: mark | Jan 28, 2008 8:21:10 AM
Poor clintons--why do they engage in dirty politics--i was a hillary supporter from the beginning--I moved from WI to IA to volunteer for her.My brother in law who is a republican kept on telling me that I'm crazy to support hillary and the clintons. HE WAS RIGHT!!it started with planted questions, then more false attacks on Obama, then use of code words against Obama by hillary surrogates. Then I asked myself..is hillary trying to win at all costs...I felt so sorry for Barack--he ran a clean campaign and was attracking more volunteers. I then realized that hillary campaign's aim was to "WIN AT ALL COSTS"..slash and burn. After the JJ dinner in IA--I felt so moved by Barack words of HOPE--and I ditched hillary. My family slowly moved--from her camp to Barack--My republicans family members think that they will vote Barack any day. My family abroad--is also getting fired up--In EUROPE too. We are now 100% Barack supporters--hillary and Bill are just too dirty--if she wins "at all costs" she will never get to be president--we will vote independent any day!!!!if not Huckabee looks attractive now!!ANYWAYS FOLKS--Barack and Roll---I'm fired up in WISCONSIN!!
Posted by: Chris | Jan 28, 2008 8:21:20 AM
I wonder how Mr. Obama's mother feels about him being labeled as black. This whole debate is ridiculous. The bottom line is if you want more government and more taxes, vote for Hillary or Barack. If you you want at least the promise of less government and less taxes, vote Republican. It doesn't get more simple, which is why I don't understand how anyone could ever vote Democrat.
Posted by: BlameHofmann | Jan 28, 2008 8:22:13 AM
Someone should tell Bill Clinton to "put some ice on that."
Posted by: Amy Fisher | Jan 28, 2008 8:22:23 AM
Mark My Words> Bill Clinton will have some "medical" issues in the next day or so; that way he will have to get off the trail and rest; It's like Hillary and her fake tears.
Posted by: Cash | Jan 28, 2008 8:22:39 AM
Anything that Hillary accuses Obama for is really her problem. Obama and the press need to call her out on that. She keeps telling everyone her weaknesses.
Posted by: George Yurman | Jan 28, 2008 8:23:20 AM
Bill Clinton: impeached by Black America too.
Shame. Turn the page.
Posted by: Jabari Woods | Jan 28, 2008 8:24:11 AM
The democratic party has to see what the Clinton`s are doing and causing among the american people i don`t think they want this black mark on their book.
The Clinton`s have caused enough negative feeling from the past and now we must move on not go back and by recoronating the Clintons we will be doing just that.
Bill Clinton had his time in the whitehouse now he has to give someoneelse a chanse.
he has to get a life
Posted by: LYNN | Jan 28, 2008 8:26:47 AM
I agree with Dave C.
The damn liberals and democrats in this country don't see clearly. Not only was Bill worse for blacks he was worse on the environment. If you look at the years 1992-2000 you see a lot went wrong with Bill in office. Of course the media talks otherwise, but the truth is Bill was bad for the country, blacks, and the environment.
Posted by: MKL3 | Jan 28, 2008 8:27:48 AM
Hillary will be the next President.
If Obama is the democratic choice I will change to Republican vote. He is not Presidential material. This ia a critical time in our country. Hillary is the right choice.
Posted by: Carol | Jan 28, 2008 8:27:56 AM
OK, Bush only hired more blacks because he HAD TO follow up with what Clinton did. He would have looked bad to come in behind Clinton and not hire blacks in his cabinet. The reason he hired more blacks is just to say "I hired more blacks in my presidency" So, i don't commend Bush for hiring more blacks than Clinton, it was a political move. I'm glad for blacks who are and have served... and yes I'm black!!!
Posted by: dwash | Jan 28, 2008 8:31:13 AM
Any individual who feels hatred toward another group, especially *Liberals* is not Christian, and just maybe, has been listening to the antichrist preaching for too long. I'll see all worthy soulspirits on theotherside!
Posted by: Evan Christ | Jan 28, 2008 8:31:56 AM
Kennedy...Check...Morrison...Check...Kerry...Comming Soon...Gore...Should happen soon...Bin Laden...happy...Barrack Hussein Obama...scary, inexperienced, come back in 2012 and we'll talk.
Posted by: ChrisClark | Jan 28, 2008 8:32:33 AM
"Hillary will be the next President.
If Obama is the democratic choice I will change to Republican vote. He is not Presidential material. This ia a critical time in our country. Hillary is the right choice"
CAROL--WE RESPECT YOUR DECISION BUT THAT IS POLITICS OF FEAR--HILLARY IS NOT PRESIDENTIAL WHILE SHE ENGAGES IN GANGSTER LIKE CAMPAIGNS--TRY EDWARDS, I WISH BILL WAS STILL IN THE RACE" so that should really tell you her caracter--DIVIDE AND RULE--NOT UNITE AND LEAD!!!!see the difference!!!!
Posted by: Chris | Jan 28, 2008 8:32:47 AM
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