CBC Prepares for Big Meeting With President Next Month
Chairman Scrutinizes His Performance - But Has He Been Clear Enough on Black Issues?
By Hazel Trice Edney
From left: Rep. Yvette Clarke, Congresswoman Donna Christensen, the President, Reps. Emanuel Cleaver, Andre Carson and G.K. Butterfield
(TriceEdneyWire.com) – The Congressional Black Caucus, anticipating a full meeting with President Obama next month, is pleased with what the chairman describes as Obama’s new level of clarity on issues, but is somewhat mum on whether Obama is outspoken enough on those issues specific to African-Americans.
“I think most of us were sufficiently excited about the President’s speech a week ago when he drew a line in the sand – here and no further – and that’s what we were waiting for. That’s what we were hoping and he did what we think should have been done,” Cleaver said in an interview with the Trice Edney News Wire this week.
Cleaver was referring to Obama’s April 13 speech during which he made clear his stance on the fiscal house of the U. S. Basically, the President said it must be set in order, but with a “balanced approach” – without asking too much of those who cannot afford it and too little of those who can. He has been widely applauded for his hard-lined and clear approach - especially after his unpopular tax compromise with Republicans last year that appeared to blur some lines.
After Republicans won back the House of Representatives Nov. 2, Cleaver said President Obama “is going to have to become a better communicator, communicator of what is going on and what needs to be done and of what we’ve done.”
Asked for an update this week, Cleaver said, the President’s communication of Democratic issues and successes had been “a concern and complaint from the entire Democratic Caucus.” He added, “We feel better about it.”
Early in his administration, President Obama had successfully pushed through bills on health care, women’s pay equity, green jobs and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. But his accomplishments, touted by him and other Democratic activists, were drowned out by passionate conservative voices, resulting in a Republican majority in the previously Democratic-led House.
Among topics of a recent White House meeting between Obama and the CBC executive committee was the 2011 and 2012 budgets and redistricting.
Cleaver hedged when asked whether the President is outspoken enough on issues specifically important to Blacks, such as severe inequities in economics and unemployment.
“He’s under pressure to be careful about trying to come across as a President who is mainly interested in issues that are Black,” Cleaver said. “It’s a tough deal…We have been criticized for not criticizing him by Black groups and frankly some people in the media. We are in an awkward position. All of us want the president to not only succeed but be re-elected.”
Cleaver said the March 30 meeting was held to engage in preliminary discussions with the president for a larger meeting next month with all CBC members.
Among the requests, the CBC asked the President to speak to Attorney General Eric Holder about forming a task force from the Justice Department to “look at and eventually oversee redistricting of congressional districts; particularly those that fall under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
“Redistricting is something that gives heartburn to CBC members. Many of them are in Congress because of enforcement of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. We realize that in many of these congressional districts, Republicans are overwhelmingly in charge of the state houses. And they usually draw the new lines based on the recently released census data,” Cleaver said. “We have seen some signs that are alarming and consequently feel that it would be helpful to have a Justice Department Task Force constantly overlooking the redrawing of these district lines.”
Cleaver said the President responded “very positively” to the request. “He said that he was going to have a conversation with General Holder and look at our request and respond.”
In 2007, Congress extended the Voting Rights Act for 25 more years, including the pre-clearance clause of Section 5, which requires certain states with a history of discrimination to submit any changes in voting procedures to the Department of Justice for approval before they can take effect.
The state, county or local governments must prove to federal authorities that voting changes do not have racially discriminatory purposes and that they will not make racial minority voters worse off than they were prior to the change. The attorney general can then prevent a change by issuing an objection, which can be challenged in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
As the President heats up his re-election campaign, he will no doubt come under closer scrutiny by supporters and detractors alike on how he should run the second time around. However it is not likely the CBC will be giving its report card in public.
“I’ve had people to say Barrack Obama is the first President in history since the founding of the Black Caucus not to be criticized by the Black Caucus,” Cleaver says. “Does this mean he’s been a perfect President for Black people? The answer is no. It’s an awkward thing.”