Hillary Does The Right Thing

Hillary Clinton pulled no punches tonight as she challenged her supporters to reach deep inside themselves and remember that campaign 2008 was not about her or them but about others like the soldiers who have sacrificed everything so we can all live safely. She chastised the McCain agenda on wealth, health and his close ties to President Bush and she meant business.

For Hillary Clinton it was a perfect olive branch to Barack Obama and it was a sincere plea to her core constituents -- women. She quoted Harriet Tubman's history as a leader of slaves to freedom; the message was keep going and get going. In a moment that was anxious for many, Hillary Rodham Clinton resurrected the Clinton legacy and broguht many wayward Democrats back into the fold.

Well done Hillary, well done.


Tony Mottley is the producer of American Black Journal

American Black Journal

Summer Concer Series

MI Chronicle Speaks: Kilpatrick Must Go

This morning I drove to Ledyard street in Detroit's Cass Corridor to meet with MI Chronicle Editor Bankole Thompson. Thompson had agreed to an interview with us about his weekly news paper's new position that calls on Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to step down. The story was going to be a web-only exclusive on the ABJ blog. However, by the time I arrived the Chronicle's big boss, Sam Logan had squashed all media interviews. Logan does not want to give the appearance that the Chronicle is piling on the mayor. It's a missed opportunity for our web viewers and the news paper.

By any measure, the Chronicle calling for the mayor to step down is a big deal. As I spoke to Thompson on the street in front of Chronicle headquarters his cell phone rang at least 15 times.
Local and national media are buzzing about the Chronicle.

Critics of the Chronicle point to the paper's earlier position that called for letting the legal process play out and the fact that the city of Detroit and the Mayor make media buys in the weekly as signs that the paper has sold out. Today's headline may be late in coming but it's still a big blow to the mayor.

The black media has historically been a place where black leadership could get a fair hearing. When the so-called mainstream media is ready to throw them under the bus, they could rest assured that we would give them a chance to tell their side of the story. A fair hearing is not a free pass or an opportunity to pander to black folks. The Chronicle's action is a clear signal that whatever pass Mayor Kilpatrick thought he had has been revoked.


Tony Mottley is the producer of American Black Journal.

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American Black Journal Rev. Wright Controversy

American Black Journal - Mosaic Youth Theatre Episode

Check out this clip from American Black Journal. This segment features a behind the scenes look at the prodution about the Fisk University Jubilee Singers by the Detroit Mosaic Youth Theatre Episode.

Kilpatrick Becoming Invisible

Whether it’s by choice or just the way the situation has played out, those who want Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to just go away may be getting their wish. The Mayor says it was his decision not to attend Monday night’s massive Barack Obama Joe Louis Arena rally.

According to a published report in the Detroit News Kilpatrick has seen the light.

"This is my choice," he said. "I want Barack Obama to have his moment," said Kilpatrick, who acknowledged his woes and media scrutiny could distract the presidential candidate.

He said he and Obama have had "numerous conversations," dating back to when they were both elected to their respective state legislatures, but he did not say when they last spoke.

It was strange to be at the gathering of at least 20,000 people and hear the names of local leaders announced and not hear the name of the mayor.

The next morning Detroit City Council members met with the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barrack Obama and reportedly the mayor was not included.

It seems the mayor finally realizes that there is a limit to the happy-face spin he can put on his legal predicament. Facing a more than a half dozen felony charges has a price. For Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick part of the price is making your self invisible when high profile events take place in your town.

Hey Hillary, It’s Midnight

Tuesday night’s election results signaled the beginning of the end of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s campaign for the Democrat nomination for President.

The turn of events brings to mind sports clichés.

One pundit said game over. Another said the band has taken the field, indicating the end of the contest. I’ve taken it to another level.

The sports world lives and dies by the cliché and Hillary’s campaign strategy fits perfectly. There have been many vaunted sports strategies, some have become legend. The Dallas Cowboys of the 70’s were known for their Flex Defense; Bill Walsh made the West Coast Offense a staple of pro football. In college basketball, Dean Smith ruled with the Four Corners Offense.

Hillary has crafted the Moving Metric strategy. It works like this, whatever metric she is closest to becomes the most important factor in deciding the nomination. At one point it was popular vote, then it was elected delegates, next it was the super delegates. When she fell short on all of the above she trotted out the Electoral College strategy. She just can’t make up her mind. Fortunately the voters in North Carolina by a large margin and in Indiana by two points have decided for her.

The Moving Metric doesn’t work. It’s effective to help explain a momentary stumble, but it can’t head off inevitable movement that is Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton has run out of excuses it’s time to do what smart teams do on third and forever, they punt.

Tony Mottley is the Producer of American Black Journal