Is Hillary Clinton the White Obama? Do we need a White president to pass Obama’s Agenda?

Jason_Johnson_Head_Shot_web.jpg

DR. JASON JOHNSON

 

On January 7th, 2008, at the start of the Democratic primary, Hillary Clinton sat down to an interview with then-Fox News correspondent Major Garrett. He read her a quote from a speech by then candidate Barack Obama about how Martin Luther King inspired Americans to not give up hope, no matter how grand the dream. Hillary’s response was telling:

“Dr. King’s dream began to be realized when President Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act,” Clinton said. “It took a president to get it done.”

She was suggesting, not so subtly, that Obama’s campaign idealism would not be realized without a hard-nosed (white) leader like her in office. At the time her comments were seen as arrogant and racially pessimistic, but 5 years later, mere months into the second term of the Obama presidency it might be time to re-evaluate Clinton’s words. Will it take a white president to see Obama’s dreams for America come to fruition? All evidence now points to yes.

Once upon a time, back in 2008, an African-American president was a pipe dream. Pundits were convinced that “Billary Clinton” (former FLOTUS Hillary and husband Bill) would sweep the Democratic primaries, and crush whatever Republican was foolish enough to challenge her in the general. Then along came the optimistic, charismatic freshman Senator Barack Obama promising Hope in America and Change in Washington. He beat Hillary, smashed McCain/Palin and was elected president, tacitly promising America a post-racial future.

About Post Author

Comments

From the Web

Skip to content