Black on Black Crime: African-American Politicians No Longer Have to Stick Together
Governor Paterson speaks in New York City on August 22 (Spencer Platt/Getty)
Back in the day, it was commonplace to see African-American politicians stick together. At least in public. Much like black actors, whatever issues were going on behind the scenes were quashed when the microphone was hot.
Now that we are living in Obama’s post-racial age, such solidarity is no longer needed. As Exhibit A, I present President Barack Obama and the evisceration of ineffective New York Governor David Paterson. Late on Saturday, the New York Times reported that the Obama administration made it very clear that it did not want New York’s first black governor to run for re-election. Paterson’s poll numbers are anemic, and I’m sure he could have used the coattails Obama can provide. But instead of “helping a brother out,” Obama asked Paterson to assume the position under the bus.
Obama isn’t the only black guy telling Paterson to quietly go away. Representative Gregory Meeks (D-Queens) has also urged Gov. Paterson to exit the stage now.
Why are black politicians abandoning the black Governor? Let’s look at some numbers after the jump.
You only need to look at the latest Siena poll numbers to figure out why black politicians are done with David Paterson. Paterson is losing in a potential Gubernatorial match-up to Rudolph Giuliani, 52% to 35%. Meanwhile, another likely Democratic Gubernatorial candidate — New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo — is beating Giuliani, 52% to 39%.
It’s not just that Obama wants to make Albany safe for Democrats. As many have noted, becoming the Governor of New York could be the first step in a second Giuliani presidential run in 2012. Trust me, nobody wants to see Giuliani prostrating himself in front of southern “values voters” for a second time.
And, for what it’s worth, it is Andrew Cuomo’s turn to have the support of black Democrats. Back in 2002, Cuomo was locked in a heated primary with then-New York State Comptroller H. Carl McCall. McCall (a black dude) had the support of party insiders, Cuomo had name recognition thanks to his father, former NY Governor Mario Cuomo. McCall had the airtight support of New York blacks, Cuomo had tons of cash. Some black Democrats threatened to not support Cuomo if he won the primary. Cuomo eventually bowed out, and McCall went on to get totally waxed by George Pataki.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
So, yes, there are very good real political reasons for some prominent black Democrats to ask Paterson to step aside. But at this point Paterson still intends to run. He thinks he can win.
Paterson’s determination to seek re-election prompted the President to say “is Barack Obama going to have to choke a bitch?” Okay. The President didn’t really say that. Instead he went and gave a speech in upstate New York that mentioned Paterson and Cuomo in the same thought. And he added a kicker about what a great job Cuomo has been doing as AG. Never mistake the President’s eloquence for subtlety.
It’s not like the President owes Paterson anything. Remember, Paterson supported Clinton during the primaries. After Paterson became Governor, his profile as “black guy for Hillary” increased exponentially.
That’s what makes this current kerfuffle between the two something that I want white people to sit up and notice. Black America is moving beyond the point where we’ll vote (en masse) for the black candidate just because he or she is the black candidate.
I’ve had the opportunity to meet Paterson once. He is a good guy, he’s admirably overcome a disability, and he’s one of the funniest politicians you’re likely to meet. The man was put into horrible circumstances — just another person Eliot Spitzer screwed over.
But, sadly, Paterson has not been up to the challenges of his times. He has not been a very good Governor. Luckily, I don’t have to make excuses for for Paterson’s failings just because we’re both black. Neither does Gregory Meeks or the most powerful black man on Earth. 30 years ago, black politicians would only pile on other black politicians in the heat of scandal. Now, they can rip into each other for the simple crime of ineffective leadership.
I recognize the important role identity politics plays for all groups. I’m even a fan of it in certain instances. But I’m pretty sure that in this instance of black on black crime is just the latest manifestation of progress. Hopefully the mainstream media will take note, instead of assuming that blacks will slavishly vote for other blacks.
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Actually Elie didn’t we pretty much see this in the primary battle between Clinton & Obama? There was no rush of black politicians running to support Obama, in fact many only switched their alliance when it became more than apparent that it was impossible for Hillary to win the nomination. Also couldn’t you say that actually Paterson turned his back on a “brother” in his very shabby handling of Caroline Kennedy and his naming a replacement to fill Hillary’s vacated Senate seat?
Yes. I agree with all of this. But, I distinctly remember Bill Maher saying something to the effect of “in the end, black people came ‘home’ to Obama.” And that’s not really a fair way of putting it. So I think it’s worth pointing out, often, that we’re are well beyond the point where blacks reflexively rally around other blacks, just because they’re black.
In response to another comment. See in context »Poor old David Paterson. Interesting point on this issue Elie.
This seems to be the opposite situation from Colin Powell reaching across parties and endorsing Obama and being met with accusations from Limbaugh and others that it was “all about race.” You certainly don’t see many politicians, black or otherwise, sticking up for Roland Burris.
“Obama’s post-racial age” — are you kidding?
My sarcasm meter goes all the way to 11.
In response to another comment. See in context »Nice to see an article where Blacks aren’t portrayed as monolithic. Much of the media assumes a camaraderie among Blacks that is frequently non-existent in real life. Among politicians, it’s obvious that the motivation of Black pols is similar to the rest of the pols: self-interest.
Good piece.
fab article. I have been sick of the old ideaology that all blacks stick together.I also was for Hillary untill it was clear she was not going to win, then I started to look into Mr Obama.I live in Europe so it is not so hard, but when In America I have to explain, that I am not African American,and having street cred is nothing that I desire.
In the end what does race really count for? We enter and depart this world, apparently, without sense of self, let alone race. Yet whilst we’re here we tribalize into groups, and differentiate our various groups for various reasons, the most glaringly obvious of which is by what we look like. Why, we even try to stratalize ourselves by intelligence quotient. Our existence on this planet is not only accidental, in geological terms it’s very temporary. Just like the 99% of creatures that ever roamed this planet, we too are marked for extinction. Moral is, enjoy the now, let others live in peace, because the future is a void and our self-importance is just plain vanity, and deep down I think we all realize that.
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