Does Hillary Still Want Barack To Win?!?!?!?!?

Does Hillary Still Want Barack To Win?!?!?!?!? Since speaking at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), Senator Hillary Clinton has been quiet on the campaign trail. With the addition of Gov. Sarah Palin to the McCain ticket, which energized the Republican party and cast a shadow over Obama's decision to choose Biden instead of her, Clinton has not been fervent in her support of Obama. With less than six weeks left before the Nov. 4th Presidential Election, should Clinton make a strong push in her support of Obama?

AN ANALYSIS OF TODD TIAHRT vs. DONALD BETTS JR (4th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT): KANSAS POLITICS: (NPR Broadcast)

PRESIDENTIAL ANALYSIS: PART 1 (NPR Broadcast)

OBAMA'S CANDIDACY IS FULFILLING KING'S DREAM ---WILLIAM HOSTON

Forty-five years to the date of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.' s "I Have a Dream" speech, Democratic nominee Barack Obama delivered an acceptance speech for the ages. It was a speech that would have made King proud.

By no means did Obama's speech compare to King's in terms of the social and political impact on greater America, but the speech was paramount in realizing the dream that was born out of King's momentous speech.

The context of the Obama speech was workmanlike rather than inspirational (but it did inspire). It covered the gambit of policy issues. And the main punch line was that John McCain equals more of the same.

But as important as the speech, it was the date itself that was significant -- Aug. 28. For those who believe in fate, destiny appears to be rearing its head. Obama's acceptance speech marks the first time in history that an African-American has led a major party.

This feat is embodied in the "I Have a Dream" speech. King stated, "Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood."

King's fight against racial injustice and lifelong dedication to promote social and political equality has taken some time to accomplish (and is still a work in progress). But many Americans now believe Obama can be that unifier.

Obama's plight is storybook, emerging from both the roots of Kansas and Kenya, which are worlds apart. But notwithstanding his racial and ethnic background, Obama appears to be poised to lead the United States in a direction it has never gone and that is to "not be judged by the color of (his) skin but by the content of (his) character."

Obama has the capacity to make the dream a reality. In his acceptance speech, he stated, "I will restore our moral standing so that America is once again that last, best hope for all who are called to the cause of freedom, who long for lives of peace, and who yearn for a better future." These are the kinds of words that have truly inspired some, while others have dismissed them as mere rhetoric.

In King's last speech before his death, he professed, "I've been to the mountaintop.... And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land." The election of Obama to the White House would be a promise fulfilled, not only for black America, but also for America as a whole. It is as important for America to elect Obama as it is for Obama to be resilient, steadfast and make the sacrifice to be elected. The time is now to finish the civil rights movement spearheaded by King and other pioneers.

William T. Hoston is an assistant professor of political science at Wichita State University.

Post-DNC Interview (NPR Broadcast)

Tavis Smiley Analysis of Obama Speech

A Speech For the Ages

Did the Clintons Do Enough?

JACKSON, SHARPTON NEED TO STEP ASIDE ---WILLIAM HOSTON

With all due respect, the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton need to step aside and allow a new generation of black politicians and activists to emerge. The self-described "civil rights" politician-activists are making a mockery of themselves and the entire black community. Their respect in the black community has diminished (if not vanished), and it is safe to assume their respect is obsolete within the white political culture.

Recent comments by Jackson may even illustrate that he is not in support of the historical achievement of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., as the first African-American Democratic presidential nominee.

The vulgar comments made by Jackson -- that he wanted to castrate Obama -- show that there may be a certain amount of generational jealousy. We all know that Jackson's landmark presidential run in 1984 helped pave the way for the Democratic nomination of Obama. However, Jackson's recent tirade has led many to question whether he is jealous of Obama's progress toward becoming the first African-American president. Even Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., expressed his disgust with his father's comments, stating they "contradict his inspiring and courageous career."

The elder Jackson should be aware that his comments may provoke unsophisticated white voters to question their support for Obama. If an influential figure of the civil rights movement does not substantiate the success of Obama, then why should they cast their vote for him. Although Jackson apologized for his reckless comments, expressing that they were "crude and hurtful," the damage has been done.

Jackson and other black civil rights activists have condemned Obama for practicing deracialized politics and alienating the black electorate. Because of the historical injustices faced by blacks, they have questioned whether Obama will actually provide leadership for the black community as a whole.

What prompted Jackson's comments in the first place was the claim that Obama has been talking down to blacks while on the campaign trail. Jackson believes that Obama should speak at great length in his campaign speeches about how he will address the high levels of unemployment among blacks, housing foreclosures and continual violence plaguing the black community.

Obama's decision not to focus on race-specific issues and policies has defined his presidential campaign. Rather than focus on issues to improve the level of social and economic equality for blacks, he has strategically addressed universal issues such as the war in Iraq, universal health care and economic development, and he has taken a strong stance on coalition building.

Black leadership that emerged from the civil rights generation is being replaced with a "new breed" of leadership that represents a changing political philosophy. Jackson and others may feel that Obama's campaign strategy misrepresents the black political struggle of the 1950s and 1960s, but Obama is responding to the current political climate that these civil rights politician-activists have not embraced.

William T. Hoston is an assistant professor of political science at Wichita State University

45 Years Later: What Would Martin Say?---WILLIAM HOSTON