Diversity arrived in one of the most undiverse counties in Indiana, as Sen. Barack Obama brought his campaign of change and hope to Central Indiana last week. An extraordinarily diverse crowd of 2,000; diverse in race, gender and economic status, packed the Plainfield High School gymnasium to hear the son of a Kenyan father and Kansas mother talk frankly about the problems and solutions facing America.
Thirty minutes before he spoke, I was ushered through phalanxes of Secret Service to meet the candidate himself — the only African-American media accorded that privilege.
I found a laid back, yet focused Obama. Just as calm and eloquent with me in our one-on-one meeting, as he’d be in front of thousands, Obama explained why he’s running.
“I’m in it because there are a lot of people who are hurtin’ out there. We have to change our government in a fundamental way. We’ve got to bring the country together and fight for working people who are struggling.”
Much of Obama’s speech and Q&A covered his campaign’s standard themes. But addressing recent controversial statements by Obama’s pastor Dr. Jeremiah Wright and Sen. Hillary Clinton supporter and 1984 vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro, Obama answered concerns our community had about his visit.
Many African-Americans openly questioned why Plainfield? But, as I walked about that gym, among the racially mixed crowd — with Blacks 18 times larger than the Plainfield school’s Black enrollment — I understood why the author of the Audacity of Hope brought the audacity of diversity to rock-ribbed red Hendricks County in this red state.
Out in the gym, before thousands, this presidential candidate openly talked about race in Plainfield.
“I’ve noticed over the last several weeks that the forces of division have started to raise their ugly heads again,” Obama began.
“We’ve got a tragic history when it comes to race in this country. We’ve got a lot of pent up anger and bitterness and misunderstanding,” he continued.
To a huge ovation and shouts of “Yes we can,” Obama said, “What I continue to believe in is that this country wants to move beyond these kinds of diversion. That this country wants something different!”
Obama continued, “As somebody who was born into a diverse family. As somebody who has little pieces of America all in me. I will not allow us to lose this moment where we cannot forget about our past and not ignore the very real forces of racial inequality and gender inequality and the other things that divide us.”
And Obama summed it up saying, “We can’t solve health care divided; we cannot create an economy that works for everybody divided. We can’t care for our veterans divided. We have to come together. That’s what this campaign’s about. That’s why we’re here. That’s how we’re gonna change the country.”
Obama’s campaign will drive May’s Democratic primary. The expected huge turnout, especially of African-Americans, will impact the four major candidates running for the Democratic nomination for 7th District Congress.
Congressman Andre Carson’s three main primary challengers began their campaigns last week with a flurry.
Dr. Woodrow Myers spent upwards of $150,000 on a TV blitz. Myers’ ads said he could reform health care because of his experience as a doctor and former Indiana health commissioner (though the ads neglected Myers’ corporate connections and work as New York City’s health commissioner).
Myers’ campaign says they’re prepared to spend a million bucks to get elected. So, is that why his campaign played fast and loose with copyright law? Seen that 20-year old footage of Oprah Winfrey’s show in Myers’ ads? That’s copyrighted material that can’t be used for commercial purposes without permission.
I called Harpo Productions, Oprah’s company, last week and asked if they’d given Myers permission to broadcast that ancient Oprah show clip. A Harpo Productions spokeswoman said bluntly “No.” I expect Oprah’s lawyers are yelling at Myers’ campaign now.
State Rep. David Orentlicher chose hallowed ground, 17th and Broadway, where Bobby Kennedy gave that historic speech, to start his primary effort. As the major white candidate in a contest where Blacks comprise nearly half the primary vote, Orentlicher’s in a precarious predicament.
Like Sen. Obama, Orentlicher truly is devoted to equality and justice. But some of his supporters may be tempted to play the race card, saying that a white should be elected to Congress. Some in the Black community are nervous that with three strong Black candidates, Orentlicher will win in a squeaker.
At the first surfacing of anti-Black or anti-white politics in this campaign, the candidates must immediately and quickly denounce such rhetoric and tactics. Just as Obama (and begrudgingly) Sen. Hillary Clinton has.
Local media pundits had long expected state Rep. Carolene Mays to be the strongest primary challenger to Andre Carson. Her resume, the fact she’s the major female candidate in the race, and her presumed ability to raise the buckets of bucks needed caused the mainstream media to make her a favorite in the race.
That’s why veteran political reporters were puzzled last week that Mays’ campaign kickoff wasn’t as effective as Myers’ media blitz and Orentlicher’s campaigning at an historic location.
But it’s expected that Mays’ positive, personal story and campaign message will resonate with voters when she starts her significant advertising blitz.
Then there’s Congressman Carson.
Carson won by a strong 11 percentage points, 9,235 votes, over Republican Jon Elrod. More stunning was the fact that in many Black precincts, turnout was more like a November election, rather than the first special election in Indianapolis history.
In percentage terms, Andre ran stronger than Julia Carson did the past three elections. And with a primary that’s expected to set records looming, Carson’s primary opponents are facing a tougher than expected campaign.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) confirmed to me that, “We always support incumbent Democratic members.” Expect a strong effort again by the DCCC to push Andre. His decision to not miss any congressional votes means in April he’ll be on the job in Washington, while surrogates and campaign ads spread his message. And his opponents can’t attack him for being absent taking care of the 7th District’s business in Washington.
But the most ominous omen for Carson’s primary opponents was the roar and standing ovation Carson got when Barack Obama introduced him Saturday to that well integrated crowd. Carson’s opponents got their work cut out for them.
See ‘ya next week.
Amos Brown’s opinions are not necessarily those of the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. You can contact him at (317) 221-0915 or by e-mail at ACBROWN@AOL.COM.
