My Brother's Keeper

President Barack Obama introduced the most important initiative of his presidency today when he hosted an array of esteemed businessmen, political power brokers and other individuals of influence at the White House for the announcement of "My Brother's Keeper" which will focus on foundations and business leaders donating up to $200 million over a 5 year period to target minority youth of color.

Let's be honest, while esteemed writes like Jason Whitlock and Michael Wilbon debate over the relevance of the N-Word and how the NFL polices it's use, minority youth of color is the black communities achilles heel and future.  While The Affordable Health Care Act is The President's signature legislation, being the first black president and initiating programs to positively impact the young black male would impact his legacy in a more meaningful way.

A gathering that attracts Colin Powell, Bill O'Reilly, Rev. Al Sharpton and Magic Johnson is meaningful for more than a nice photo op and networking.

Is National Healthcare On Life Support?

Yesterday a Florida judge ruled that the individual mandate of President Barack Obama's healthcare reform was unconstitutional, dealing a major blow to national healthcare going forward in the future. It will be interesting to see how hard the White House fights this decision, but it looks like the Supreme Court will make the ultimate decision. If our President is politically savvy, he would begin compromise meetings immediately, since national healthcare has been his signature accomplishment. Having the Supreme Court ultimately decide that it's not going to work would be a devastating blow to President Obama's reelection efforts.

Obama's State of the Union!

President Barack Obama delivered his State of the Union address amidst the usual interruptions of clapping to recognize every statement that was made by the President. President Obama is keenly optimistic that the economy is stabilizing for the better, which may be news to individuals who are losing their jobs daily. The President hit all of the typical points in his speech, however, if he's not able to work with his Republican counterparts the speech will just be political rhetoric.

Republicans want to decrease spending and repeal the health care bill. President Obama asked Congress to work with him to improve the health care bill. Only time will tell if common sense will override political agendas to get the country moving in the right direction.

Michael Steele Not A Wanted Man!

The Baltimore Sun reports that Republican Chairman Michael Steele may not be a wanted man by his party if he decides to seek reelection as party chairman. Steele has been accused of not being a good leader by those looking to supplant him, although the party recently dominated the mid term elections. Steele has been coy about his future plans, but if he chooses not to run again or loses the chairman election, surely he'll surface on Fox News doing what he does best, being a talking head.

"It Feels Bad"

President Barack Obama had the tough job of meeting the press yesterday after taking the political beating of his life the night before. Democrats lost the House of Representatives, barely kept the Senate, and lost major swing states to elected Republican governors. The President took the hit stating that "It Feels Bad" that the policies that he's pushed in 2 years have been rejected by the electorate.

I've hoped that Obama would not be a one term president, but after Tuesday night, he's facing a major uphill battle to regain the presidency in 2012. His only hope now is to quickly turn around the economy and get unemployment in the 7-8% range. The crazy thing is that President Obama hasn't done a horrible job in my opinion, but perception is reality and reality hit him over the head Tuesday. How he responds will be interesting, but I suggest he place a call to the master politician, Bill Clinton. Clinton's demise was predicted after 1994 mid terms, but he moved to the center on policy and survived to serve another term.

Obama's Change!

Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News writes a good article about what President Barack Obama is facing in 2 weeks when his real change will take place in the mid-term elections. Obama and the Democrats are about to have their clocks cleaned because people simple aren't buying the change that our President promised two years ago. Obama is traveling the country vigorously campaigning for his party, surely knowing that in 2 weeks he will be faced with the challenge of convincing an electorate that he deserves to keep his own job.

Bill O'Reilly Laughing All The Way To The Bank!

This is the clip of Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg walking off the set of "The View" yesterday when Bill O'Reilly, who is promoting his book "Pinheads and Patriots" made a statement that Muslims caused the destruction of 9/11. Behar and Goldberg objected to the statement and walked off the set, later returning.

During his show last night O'Reilly had what seemed to be a very mischievous grin on his face when discussing the incident. O'Reilly, who has the highest rated news show on cable continues to grin and smile all the way to the bank. This may be a cynical view, but America loves fireworks especially when people have opposing opinions. and O'Reilly is promoting a book.

The President Campaigning Vigorously!

Despite low poll numbers and the perception that he's the worst President in our history, President Barack Obama has been campaigning vigorously throughout the country in hopes of duplicating Democratic voter turnout from two years ago when he was elected. Republicans are looking at victories throughout the country if poll numbers are any indication. It's interesting that Republican candidates are leading in polls regardless of the candidate's personal or financial issues. The resurgent tea party has been an unstoppable locomotive in terms of raising issues that are personal to conservative voters, and changed the political landscape from where it was 2 years ago.

President Obama has failed to get his message out in a clear and concise manner. The few clips that I've seen while he's been on the trail show him being reactionary to criticism. He appears more like a candidate than the President of the United States. It'll be interesting to see if he can get his previous mojo back. It's probably too late for the November elections, but our President needs to go back to his past successes and simply become more presidential.

Jesse Jr.'s Girl!

I guess Eddie Long has taken up all of our time with the allegations against him, that we ignored the end of a once promising political career for Jesse Jackson Jr.. Jesse was exposed as having a social acquaintance in Giovana Huidobro, who Jesse's buddy Raghu Nayak told Feds that he personally paid to have flown from Washington to Chicago on at least two occasions on Jackson's behalf. Jackson has slanted it as a private matter that has been handled by him and his wife, however, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell takes it a little deeper, stating that Jackson has positioned himself as the pro-black candidate who has taken on a blond "social acquaintance" in this article.

Truthfully, Barack Obama's ascendance ended Jesse Jackson Jr.'s rising political career. The Jackson name simply carried too much baggage and Obama was a fresh face with a fresh message. This scandal will simply be a footnote in what could've been an even more promising and effective political career.

Will Rahm Run For Mayor of Chicago?

With Richard M. Daley deciding not to run for a record 7th term as mayor of Chicago, White House chief of state Rahm Emanuel has emerged as a potential candidate. Emanuel has stated in the past that he covets the job as mayor of Chicago, but POLITICO states that while Emanuel may be a favorite to succeed Daley, he's not guaranteed the job. If Emanuel does run it will at least be interesting theatre.

Philly Public Housing Director Has A Storm Over His Head!

Philadelphia Public Housing Executive Director Carl Greene has had a cloud over his head since revelations came out that he's facing foreclosure on his $615,000 condo in Philly in which he owes $387,000 and recently paid a $52,000 tax lien in March of this year. Greene presently makes over $300,000 per year and is eligible for bonuses. Yesterday it was disclosed that Greene had a sexual harassment claim filed against him earlier this year according to the Philadelphia Daily News.

Compounding Greene's issues is the fact that he has not been heard from since the controversies began surfacing and will not be in the office today either. By all accounts Greene has done a credible job as head of Philadelphia's Public Housing, but going underground is not helping his case, especially when former Mayor John Street is on the housing board and Greene's not even responding to his requests for explanations.

Is Criticism of Michelle Obama's Trip To Spain Fair?

I would think that Michelle Obama traveling to Spain with her daughter Sasha and friends wouldn't be a big deal under normal circumstances, however, when the country is in a recession and jobs are few everything the First Family does is open to criticism. The truth of the matter is that Michelle Obama took the trip at the request of a friend and paid many of her expenses out of the family pockets.

I'm constantly saying that President Obama needs to do a better job at getting his message out regarding all issues and situations. The true facts of this trip could've been slanted much better prior to receiving criticism, and being in a reactionary mode. President Obama has to be more proactive in all areas of governing, because a story like his wife traveling to Spain with friends should be a non story.

End of Kilpatrick Dynasty!

It appears that the sins of the son have derailed the political career of the mother as Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick's tenure in Congress came to a stunning end last night when she was beaten by Sen. Hansen Clarke in Michigan's Democratic primary. The Congresswoman has served in Congress since 1996 and raised up to 3 times more money than her opponent, but was still soundly beaten according to the Detroit Free Press.

Cheeks Kilpatrick's son is now infamous Kwame Kilpatrick who destroyed all political credibility of the Kilpatrick name. Despite the money that she spent, it would've been surprising for Cheeks Kilpatrick to survive political baggage left by her son.

Why Doesn't Charlie Do The Right Thing!

Rep. Charlie Rangel was charged with serious ethics violations yesterday. The exact violations were not disclosed, but seem to be related to Rangel not reporting and paying taxes on rental income on a property in the Dominican Republic among other violations according to the New York Post. The trial begins on Thursday, and Rangel allegedly has paid out $1.7 million in attorney fees to defend himself. Rangel should do everyone a favor and just resign his position. The country doesn't need this unnecessary spectacle.

Shirley Sherrod Offered Job Back!

Shirley Sherrod continued to make news yesterday in a good way, when USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and White House spokesman Robert Gibbs apologized for the rush to judgement that took place when she was asked to resign Monday because of a speech that she gave months ago that gave a hint of possible racist views. The segment of the speech, which was brilliantly edited was telling a story of her ultimately assisting a Georgia family in keeping their farm and preventing them from going into bankruptcy.

Sherrod, who was also offered a new job, has been vindicated but has not decided if she should accept the job offer. This whole story should be a case study on racism, politics and the media in our country. The rush to judgement on a assumed racist statement before knowing the facts is ridiculous. The political slant with the White House's involvement is still unknown, and the media's dictating of forced resignation is comical. It's amazing that the White House doesn't have a backbone. Being the first black president doesn't mean a thing if you don't stand for something.

Shirley Sherrod is to be commended for not backing down and calling out everyone involved to save her good name including the White House.

Limbaugh Makes Massa Joke Regarding Paterson!

Rush Limbaugh is ever the jokester regarding all subjects, and yesterday injecting race into his act regarding New York Governor David Paterson and Rep. Eric Massa according to the New York Daily News. Below is the transcript of a call Limbaugh took yesterday on his show:


CALLER: Yeah. Hey, listen. Interesting sidebar to that Eric Massa mess for Democrats. You know, our besieged governor, David Paterson, will be charged with naming a replacement for Massa. And I'm wondering if there's any chance, do you think that Paterson...

RUSH LIMBAUGH: Wait a minute.

CALLER: ...will exact some revenge on Obama, Emanuel, Cuomo, the whole Democratic gulag, by appointing a Republican or, at the very least, a DINO - a Democrat in name only?

LIMBAUGH: Are you sure that Paterson appoints or is there a special election?

CALLER: I am reasonably sure that Paterson will be appointing the replacement, assuming that he, you know, doesn't resign in the next 60 or 90 days.

LIMBAUGH: Let's assume you're right. So, David Paterson will become the massa...

CALLER: Yes.

LIMBAUGH: ...who gets to appoint whoever gets to take Massa's place. So, for the first time in his life, Paterson's gonna be a massa. Interesting, interesting.

Wow, Limbaugh has jokes, and no one will even hold him accountable.

Take New York Out of It's Misery!

New York Governor David Paterson continues to hang on to his job amid allegations that he had subordinates speak to a woman who was attacked by his top aide. Last night State Superintendent Harry Corbitt was forced out of his job for allowing a senior officer to contact the woman. Paterson needs to take the state of New York out of it's misery and simply resign. His statements that he didn't abuse the power of his office simply don't appear to be true.

Paterson wasn't even elected into his position so before he embarrasses himself even more, just do the right thing for the residents of the state that you serve.

The End Of The Line For Gov. Paterson!

It's probably time to New York Governor David Paterson to call it a day as governor, and immediately suspend any intentions of being elected to the position. Paterson is now embroiled in another controversy after he made contact with Ser-una Booker, who was scheduled to be in court the next day after accusing Paterson aid David Johnson of assaulting her on Halloween. Booker never showed up for the hearing and charges against Johnson were dropped.

Paterson interceding in the legal case of an aid by contacting the accuser borders on career suicide. He really needs to resign his position as governor at this point and end the embarrassment that he's causing himself.

Dumb Ideas?

Newt Gingrich has become one of the more vocal conservative talking heads. He's now making the rounds telling anyone who will listen that President Obama is a socialist and a radical. He told a group of Georgia Republicans yesterday that the President just has dumb ideas according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. It's amazing that our President has dumb ideas, but no one has come up with any better ideas to solve the ills of our country. It's easy to have opinions from the outside, however, because of our bureaucracy it's just tough to really create change.

Our President's New Plan!

President Barack Obama introduced a new health care plan to the country yesterday with hopes of reigniting a cause that seemed left for dead. Obama's new plan would come at a cost of $1 trillion with higher taxes on the wealthy. I have to give our president an A for effort, but sometimes I wonder if he's just a little out of touch, especially when no one appears to be asking for the health care bill except the folks in Washington. I could be wrong, but just a thought on my part. There seems to be more interest in Tiger's exploits that a new health care bill Mr. President.