Tom, don't fall into the trap that the media is trying to put us in and keep pushing what you've been telling people before this Clinton/Obama spin and "keep your eye on the prize".

For what my two-cents are worth, a Clinton/ Obama or Obama/ Clinton ticket is still a great idea and would guarantee 16 years of democratic rule and policies (maybe liberal maybe progressive...don't know). And America may have one more opportunity to feel good about herself. Honestly, I've given up being the devil's advocate. Folks are so anti-intellectual (in both argument and emotion), 'till it isn't worth the greif. I say let's set up a PH.d program in the School of Hard Knocks. If McCain wins, we'll have millions of graduates in 2012!

Don't give up, TOM! There'll be viable Black candidates (like Cleo) coming out of the woodwork after Obama! I just bought the 2008 State of the Black Union CDs and Cleo said it right, "Jesse Jackson ran, so Obama can win..(and Obama wins or not, so Cleo can run!--I added that!) Obama's has shown us that it can be done, already!

Tom, I listen to your show on my travel between Winston Salem and Charlotte for work. I heard your blog question yesterday, however never had an opportunity to respond. I know there are many people thinking . . . What would be the harm in a Clinton/Obama ticket. I listen nightly to CNN and MSNBC commentators. It would give Obama 8 years of experience, they say . . . From my perspective, I would NOT vote for a Clinton/Obama ticket. I will go even further and say I WON’T vote for an Obama/Clinton ticket. For me this is a question of integrity. The Clintons have proven their lack of integrity and lack of character. I have to say, I am a late Obama supporter. I am a registered independent voter. I originally saw his “run for the white house” as too liberal for my taste – more social programs which will only increase my taxes – not interested!! For me South Carolina was the game changer. Even without my support, Obama has always impressed me as being able to run without all of the sterotypes attributed to a person of African descent. Even if I didn’t support him, I could be proud of him. The day the Clintons decided that the needed to WIN by any means necessary, they pushed me firmly into the Obama camp. I send money on a regular basis, much to the dismay of my husband –he says Obama has more money than us and he needs to give us money, we shouldn’t be giving him any money. I DO NOT care! Since South Carolina, I have purchased and read both of Obama’s books. I understand his struggle is our struggle. I understand his experience comes from working for years in Chicago, struggling to ensure others were able to have an opportunity for success. I understand his Ivy League education is the resuld to scholarships not a wealthy family, Ms Clinton. I understand he will fight for ALL americans, not just African Americans. He will work to heal a divide among all people. Having a Clinton on his ticket will only ensure he looses his way. They will drag him down to the gutter as they drug Al Gore down to their level. I am extremely realistic. Most often, when I vote for a democratic ticket, I am voting against my own financial self interest. However, I am supporting Obama. NO – I cannot EVER vote for another Clinton. It is a matter of principle

I really don't see what all the ruckus is about. Sen. Obama is gonna have to fight the fight of his life to get this nomination and we, Black folk, should KNOW THAT. I'm very happy to see the youth and the non-Blacks supporting him it's making the difference in the campaign for sure. I don't want them to feel left out because I know that politics is built on relationships and favors. Sen. Obama is trying to change this and I wish him the best, but I'm very skeptical. A ticket of Obama/Clinton or Clinton/Obama would be a huge concession for both candidates, but it would also be smart. Nobody needs more Bush politics. If Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama are REALLY interested in getting a change started, then that might be the way to go. Will it happen? Should it happen? I still believe that Sen. Obama can win the nomination. Everybody has to get out and vote for him ESPECIALLY Blacks and others of color-and I say that only because we have a tendency to not vote sometimes. Get out there FOLKS do YOUR PART. It'll take more than TALK.

Soulofaman.. The video was no longer available. I'm sure HIllary's team had it removed from YouTube. No, they won't have to answer to any of that. I know they are calling Barack all kinds of names. They just don't understand how this Black Man has beaten them fair and square. If Barack was in Hillary's place don't you think the entire Democratic Party would be calling for him to denouce and reject his campaign for president immediately!!!

AUSPIC you always posting some crazy crap. Barack isn't downplaying race. He will be President of all America, this includes blacks, whites and many more... As far as Tom's blog from yesterday, yes he should have never posted that bogus mess! Yall know that Hillary is in her own world, with all that fuzzy math. She will be on CNN saying that the TJMS listeners took a poll and we want her to lead the ticket. That lying HEFER!!!

I think it's so absolutely unfortunate that Tom felt the need to withdraw the post because so many who should know him better, met him at the gate with pitch forks, ready to dare take him from his position of respect in our community. What in the world have we become? Would Barack do the same on your behalf? There are some questions that we do need to ask ourselves. Reverend Wright is but a preview of things to come should by some miracle of miracles Barack makes it into the White House. Remember these wise words I heard a wise Black man say: "If Barack downplays race to gain power, he will downplay race to maintain power." That's word.

Sorry hit the wrong button, A while back ago Tavis did a commentary on critizing with love, he asked the question, I believe, that wondered how do we critizise someone we dearly love and do it with love? Did I mss the point? Because the next day people jumped up and down, calling him jealous and wrong and all kinds of other things and, to me, completely missing the point of what he was saying. He should be able to critize Barack, critizing does not mean you do not support a person, or love a person less. In fact you show them more respect by showing them that you are listening to what they have to say and offering your view without malice or hate. I am rambling and I looked down and read my last input and I did not even complete the thought. What I meant to say was, that is why it was such a shock for us when all those black people followed Jim Jones so blindly and commited suicide. I promise to put my thought together better and present them better next time. Peace

Nelson Mandela is on the US terrorist list!!! So are we really surprised by what the media is doing to Reverend Wright or Senator Obama for that matter? Check out the link: http://news.aol.com/story/_a/mandela-is-on-us-terrorist-watch-lists/20080501090309990001

You hit on an important factor in the black community. We don't like to talk about what makes us uncomfortable, when those are the very things we need to discuss. We somehow believe that sameness equals loyalty. And we ought to be able to voice our points of view, even if they differ from those who are in the room. Tavis should be able to come and comment just like any other person. If I don't agree, I will voice my point of view and provide the facts that support that point of view. That's what called dialogue and communication. Voice stopping comments, name calling, all that is not how we learn, certainly not how we change and grow. I like this forum and hope you retain it. Barack Obama will not just be our president, he will be America's president. I hope he make a good strategic decision about his vice president selection. While Hillary Clinton has lost all of my respect, I suppose he could make a case for that decision. By the way, I have heard about the notion that Wright made some sort of sacrifice through his words and antics on behalf of Senator Obama. I find that hard to reconcile with what I witnessed, but either folks are in denial or this is a new day in media psychology. You'd have to go some to convince me, but I am open to any real facts.

Que,

Why does the set up of the Blog change every day? I like it when we can put our subject up first. Also, I agree with another blogger, Clinton said Obama wasn't fit to be President, only she and McCain were fit. So, he!! to the naw, she won't be on our ticket. Yes We Can. Si Se Puede!!!

I think you guys are doing a great job keeping the black community thinking. BUT! Yesterday you fell prey to what THEY (the republicans) want to hear from us. I was watching MSNBC yesterday and a republican was saying they would really love to run against Clinton. They feel they have a better chance against her. Keep doing what you're doing. Just put some ice on your head where you hit it. Or was that Donna?

Thanks for the apology. I have no issue with presenting ideas to stimulate discussion. However, it should be done in a more balanced way, e.g. disclose WHO is discussing the idea. Whether it's just the Clinton folks or Obama folks are also involved would obviously make a big difference. Also, explain why you think it's a better idea than others, e.g. why not a combined ticket with Clinton as VP. Further, disclose critical facts, e.g. the last time any party held the White House for 16yrs was in the 1800s. Next time PLEASE think about the timing. Please don't do it right before 2 CRUCIAL primaries. That could be 42% of Indiana an NC voters who might now vote for Clinton because you planted an idea without full disclosure. Who knows how much damage you've done?

Hey Tom, Having Hilliary as vice president would be a bad idea because, we all like to think of our coworkers as friends, but what happens when you become the target of a coworker's dirty politics? It is wise to have some good measures in place to protect yourself if you ever fall under a colleague's attack. Why would Obama put himself in this position everyday. Obama could not trust her trying to set him up everday and talking behind his back. We have seen how she operates, she and her husband.

Thanxs Tom for yesterday and today's blog. Even though I didn't agree with your analysis yesterday, I respect your opinion. I think we all need to learn one thing in this big old world, we desperately need to learn how to respect each others opinion without getting angry, in an argument, hating each other, cutting each other off...etc. If we disown a person-let it be for good reasons, not because we disagree. Tom, this is the serious season and we as black people are serious about whomever we are supporting. I think that’s a good thing, but there are still boundaries of respect we should have when interacting with each other. I believe in God and no one can change my mind about him. I believe in Senator Obama and no one can change that but Senator Obama. But the sad thing about this whole race for the Whitehouse is this, every Obama black supporter is receiving flack for supporting him, while Hilary supporters are praise for supporting her. That picture is bias and unbalance. There are so many people that are supporting her for various reasons. Some like her because she's white, a woman, and Bills wife. And the list goes on. Nothing is being said about her supporters. But the black man-no matter how qualified he is-he will get the most flack-it’s a given. No matter how many blows they throw at Senator Obama-he remains calm and he deals with it. I don't consider Hilary as an enemy but she is a liar. And as far as Former President Bill Clinton helping black people-tell me what has he done to make this statement true? If we are suggesting that the economy was good in the nineties, yes it was and it was good for us all, black, white, Asian, Indian, etc. So to zoom in on the black community and make a single statement like that is ridiculous. No one gives you anything, in America we work for what we want, well most of us do. Same thing will go for Senator Obama, if the economy is good while he is in office, good for America-not just black people... Holla!

It's ok Tom. You want to win, but we can just win this race we have to out think our opponents. With that said, I know what is wrong with Barack's campaign. He needs to become that rock star again. The Rev. Wright is not the problem. He needs to bring Oprah out and any other star. He needs to hold town hall meetings and pump up the volume. People have become bored and need the excited candidate back. They want that energy and creativity back. He needs to resume the rock star status. Even if he talks about it, exploit it. Talk about inclusion and diversity and talk about how he can bring people together. He has to tell the people that I understand your pain from both sides. Because he understands he can handle the policy.