First of all, I understand Senator Clinton's point about Lyndon Johnson. What she was saying is that MLK created a powerful movement, but that movement needed a president to join in. In other words, it's great that Obama can inspire people with his words, but she would accomplish things with action. Whether you agree or not, she NEVER criticized MLK. That's, once again going after her in a nasty way. One more thing, BIG mistake for Obama to stir this up because Sharpton is passionately disliked by many otherwise fair-minded people. I wish it hadn't come to all this. I myself will try my best to look past the nastiness on all sides and decide who has brains and ability. I'm leaning Clinton, but I'm proud of all three democratic candidates.

We will see in he end. God only knows what will happen. The fact is you don't have to win ever battle just the war. To me its a good thing Obama came in narrowly behind. Clinton is now exposing herself to the country as someone who will do anything to win by using sexism, racism, fear tactics and union busting to do it. What is really sad with all due respect to you, is that you and others are so consumed by her winning you choose not to see the injustice. I'll pray for you and this country. May God bless.

Hearing the former president say it's a "fairy tale" that a minority person could be president and that this wanna-be president say's that Dr. King had little to do with the civil rights amendment, shows just how much these people trust the americans they supposedly represent. Embracing a real minority leader is the only way real change will come to our great country, not the empty promises from the past.

nom De plum -- President Clinton NEVER said that it's a fairy tale for a minority to be president. He said that the position that Obama took on the Iraq war is a fairy tale. Get your facts straight. People sure love to distort the truth.

The Clintons are not racist and for any one to say otherwise just disgusts me.

Lucy, Dr. King fought and died for our freedom Lyndon Johnson was pressured into helping due to the civil unrest. Please familiarize your self with the true history. As for Sharpton, blame Bill Clinton for that. He reached out to him on his own which is a fact! In the interview Sharpton says it quite a few times that Bill Clinton called him not Obama. Please place the blame were it belongs and that is Senator Clinton. Again I know you want her to win but on this she is wrong. Dr. King did the hard work and bleed for civil rights for all. Please do some research on this. To assume Obama is behind this is not fair to him or the blog readers. Truth is the key. may God bless.

Obama promised us “change” in Illinois too -- but failed to deliver anything. He has NEVER inititated or supported the kind of fundamental changes that would improve our lives or rid Illinois of the politics as usual that has crippled it. On the contrary, he has supported, and benefited politically and financially from our corrupt system here.

The media has an obligation to provide a more insightful and meaningful exploration of Obama's record -- or rather lack of a record – on the issue of “change” in Chicago and Illinois.

This guy is a first class con man. He hasn't done anything while on our payroll as our senator but cut deals to enrich himself (e.g. Rezko) and his wife (tell us, Michelle, what was the deal Obama cut that more then tripled your salary to $350,000 at the U of Chicago Hospitals immediately after he was elected to the senate?).

Lucy, Obama didn't "stir this up". Infact, he never said anything about any of this. This originated in the black community in S.C. Now you get YOUR facts straight!

Well it's obvious it's going all over the world it's no fair tail nor was MLK but someone is twisting media around and it's obvious.

Erik, I know what MLK did. I know how long and hard he fought. Once again you're assuming that because LBJ is even mentioned, it somehow diminishes what MLK did. It does not. She never meant it that way. As for Sharpton, I think then it is unfortunate for Obama that his name is now in the picture. I will say it again that I admire and respect all three candidates, so don't assume I'm a diehard Clinton supporter. I just hate the way words are so twisted to each sides advantage. And both (all) sides are guilty of the twisting.

Convincing yourselves that minority americans are better served by staying on the plantation of the clinton legacy, screams of your willingness to give up your voices to those who are oblivious at best or worse to those who desire to be your master's. Waking up this country from the darkness of its past will help heal it, the future knows this is true and so do the americans who see the potential to cast off these shackles we have burdened ourselves with for so long. Keeping this country from reviving from its slumber, props up the dealers of this hate and empowers them with no end. It is time to keep moving forward and not look to the past anymore.

The "plantation of the clinton legacy!!!!!!!!" Where is that coming from? Give me a break. That's just plain dumb.

Lucy, Obama never pushed this. Fox, Drudge, Politico and black radio picked up on her comments. Don't blame Obama. Your are really angry with the media but the media would not have this story to talk bout if Clinton had not made her NOTracist but DEGRADING comments about MLK. After reading your post I apologies you to you but the facts are Obama did not push this. Clinton would be better off owning up to it, apologies and move on. I know by experience of being one African Americans are very forgiving people. Take care.

Erik, from what I have heard, she has tried to explain it and so has President Clinton. I can't imagine either of them degrading MLK. I believe in my heart that they are not racist, so perhaps a better understanding of her response to Fox News' question would calm things. These candidates are constantly bombarded with questions and the media are like vultures waiting for one little misstep to distort and destroy. I feel that we democrats are in an enviable position for this election. All three candidates -- Clinton, Obama, Edwards -- are outstanding in my mind. That is why it is so hard to decide. I truly like them all. And when you think about it, isn't it sad that it's 2008 and both women and African Americans are only now given a great chance of becoming president. Too bad only one can win. How about a Clinton-Obama or Obama-Clinton ticket.

So Senator Obama made Senator Clinton make her remarks to Fox News? I thought Senator Clinton was the strength candidate . . . getting forced to make this type of gaffe by the inexperienced candidate is going to hurt that claim.

Pathetic.

I'm shocked that anyone would pull the "RACE CARD." I don't see where the Clintons' made any racist comments about anyone, or about anything. Folks, I believe those attempting to turn this election into a RACIST matter, should be ashamed of their actions. Divided, we will never fix the problems facing this great nation. United, we can solve the MESS created by this administration.

Lucy:

This isn't about racism, this about Senator Clinton making statements, that at least on their surface, seem to marginalize/diminish the role MLK and JFK played in the advancement of civil rights. Recall Senator Clinton tried to diss Senator Obama with the false hope comment during the debate. When he pointed to MLK and JFK, she countered that it took LBJ to get something done--in essence prove her argument that it takes actions not words. The only person she has to blame is herself, but given her track record I won't count on that happening anytime soon.

Lucy, thinking about what you wrote I agree with you. Look I know this a tough contest and all of the candidates are under a lot of strain. I believe Clinton should just clarify and move on. Like
I said earlier I DO NOT see her to be a racist she was trying to make a point (which I understand) but she used a poor choice of reference in my opinion. Sometimes I wish we could some how morph clinton and Obama together then everyone would be happy. Perhaps they will do what is in the best interest of the Democratic party and work together. Nice blogging with you. Democrats in 08!

Clarifying his statement, president clinton reminds one of the trent lott remarks regarding jesse helms ... fyi he had the decency to resign.

Slicing down to the facts of how the clinton legacy enriched the minorities of this country we only have to look to the minority of the ceo, benefitting ken lay, tyco, worldcom ...

Moving away from this generation who suffers this embrace that their america still is unready for a minority president is the best medicine to cure her.

Pointman:

The fact that you don't think they are racist is fine where you are concerned. The problem is, though, you aren't the only one concerned. I agree that the Clinton's aren't racist. That being said, there have been some incredibly tone-deaf statements made by the Clintons during this campaign--and her comment on MLK/JFK was terrible on multiple fronts, none of them flattering to her, easily misinterpretted and definitely NOT Senator Obama's fault. Apparently when she found her new voice, she didn't find any responsibility for statements made in that voice.

Obama promised us “change” in Illinois too -- but failed to deliver anything. He has NEVER inititated or supported the kind of fundamental changes that would improve our lives or rid Illinois of the politics as usual that has crippled it. On the contrary, he has supported, and benefited politically and financially from our corrupt system here.

The media has an obligation to provide a more insightful and meaningful exploration of Obama's record -- or rather lack of a record – on the issue of “change” in Chicago and Illinois.

This guy is a first class con man. He hasn't done anything while on our payroll as our senator but cut deals to enrich himself (e.g. Rezko) and his wife (tell us, Michelle, what was the deal Obama cut that more then tripled your salary to $350,000 at the U of Chicago Hospitals immediately after he was elected to the senate?).