Obamacare Decision Comes from SCOTUS, Yet Obama Legacy Continues on Trial

Regardless of how this week plays out politically for President Obama, his presidential legacy continues to tarnish in contrast to the promise of his 2008 presidential candidacy

Regardless of how all of the votes in Washington turn out for President Obama this week, his presidential legacy will likely continue to take a beating for years to come

Thursday is a big day in the presidential legacy of President Barack Obama. Everyone knows this.

Between the impending Supreme Court decision on the notorious Obamacare reform law (and its extremely-questionable individual mandate) and the historic Contempt of Congress vote concerning Attorney General Eric Holder, the Obama Administration will have plenty of rallying points to champion or spin by the end of the week. With the mixed bag of victories and loss for the administration coming as a result of the Supreme Court ruling on Arizona’s SB 1070 law earlier, President Obama and his surrogates will continue the delicate balance of stoking his base and pleading his case in order to maximize the political opportunities with each development.

Yet, as the narrative of this presidency continues to play out, the once seemingly-invincible Obama image has morphed into a fragile legacy that already bears the marks of voter disappointment, leadership shortcomings, and political overreach.

That tone and those convictions seemingly shifted with each decisive political development, a trend that might have the Obama re-election campaign scrambling in the days ahead, all while continuing to erode the promise of a shining presidential legacy. If the past is any indication, the pleas for bipartisan participation in Congress will ebb when and if Democrats have hold of power in either chamber on Capitol Hill come 2013. The president’s current ire towards the Bush-era tax rates may wane again, just as it did when he signed the extension to those tax rates into law in the lame duck session in 2010. At the same time, he prioritized those tax rates and working with minority Republicans to pass “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” over working towards passing the DREAM Act. For his staunchest supporters, the community volunteer offered little to mirror the promise of the first Black and urban president in the White House and, at times, offended this constituency, not inspired them.

 

Catch more of Lenny McAllister’s “Even if Obama Wins, His Legacy Continues to Lose” on Politic365.

Who’s Zoomin’ Who in 2012?

To listen to this week’s edition of “The McAllister Minute” by clicking the picture below or clicking HERE.

Over the past 4 years, the Obama Administration has been losing court cases, political capital, and economic momentum, only to ask for passionate support from his key voting blocs in 2012.

Who’s fooling who here?

On the brink of a Contempt of Congress vote against Attorney General Eric Holder and the possible striking down of the individual mandate within – or possibly all of – Obamacare, we have to ask ourselves: who’s fooling who here?

Wasn’t the Obama Presidency supposed to be about a heightened advocacy for the plight of urban America? That hasn’t happened, unless you work for Planned Parenthood or for a union somewhere. Wasn’t the Obama Presidency supposed to be about getting America back to work? That hasn’t happened, unless if work on Wall Street or as a corporate executive. Wasn’t the Obama Presidency supposed to be about improving the dysfunction in Washington and the tone in politics overall? That hasn’t happened, until if you think that the heightened name-calling, partisan-fighting, and civic maliciousness fit into your definition of patriotism and decorum. Wasn’t the Obama Presidency supposed to be about putting the wind at your back, instead of a hand in your face? That hasn’t happened, until if a chilling head wind is your idea of a cool breeze.

Hear the archived editions of “The McAllister Minute” by clicking HERE and by visiting the American Urban Radio Network.

Chicago Public Radio’s “Afternoon Shift”: Presidential Candidates Vie for Key Voting Blocs

Lenny McAllister in Springfield, Illinois, giving a keynote address in April 2011.

 

Lenny McAllister, senior contributor to Politic365 and Republican strategist and political personality, debates Democratic political media strategist (and Obama Re-election Campaign insider) Chris Sautter on the must-have voting blocs for the men vying for the presidency in 2012 on Afternoon Shift on Chicago Public Radio.

Click the picture above to hear the MP3 of the broadcast or click HERE to listen on the Chicago Public Radio website.

The Real #1 Civil Rights Issue in America: Stopping Urban Violence

Some activists understand what many national civil rights organizations and leaders refuse to see: the #1 civil rights issue today is stopping urban violence for the sake of residents, communities, schools, and businesses.

After another violent weekend in Chicago and a hot summer coming up for urban areas nationally, ending the violence in Black America must be the principal civil rights goal of our times.

With each gunshot that is fired off on the mean streets of Chicago, the Lower 9^th Ward of New Orleans, and south central Los Angeles, an emotional – and common sense – salvo for civil rights should be shot into the air as a rallying call for Black America to see.

 

Regardless of the partisan arguments that incorrectly note that fighting against voter ID laws or fighting for gay marriage rights are the primary focuses of this election cycle, the resounding truth rings in the air each time bullets whiz past the innocent and the misguided.

 

The primary civil rights issue in this election cycle, in this era, and of this generation must be the elimination of the hyper-violent, gun-toting culture that is dictating so much within urban communities throughout the nation. Any other issue that acts as a primary focus and subsequently removes attention away from this cancerous trend in our communities shifts resources of money, talent, and brain-power needlessly.

 

Not to say that discriminatory practices that inhibit American citizens from voting should not be addressed or that gay Americans should be forced to hide in the shadows to avoid wrongful slander and harm. Yet, any African-American organization, community group, or religious association that feels that political fights over certain social issues should be favored over shutting down the bullet-filled battlegrounds of our communities either is missing the point or is hijacking the civil rights mantle while abdicating their historical obligation.

 

Catch more of Lenny McAllister’s “Black America Must Confront #1 Civil Rights Issue: Violence” on Politic365.

McAllister Talks with Local Chicago Community Advocate About Politics, Social Change

“(Marc, you may see that) the Tea Party right as bigots, (but others) say that the paternalistic attitudes (towards Blacks from the political left)…is bigotry as well…because it tells you that you have a place in society, but…it is one of subservience and (of) being in need…where you cannot do for one’s self.”

CHICAGO, IL (June 23, 2012) – Political commentator and community activist Lenny McAllister speaks with local media man and community advocate Marc Sims during this two-part impromptu interview on the streets of Chicago. (This interview is currently airing on Chicago local television; check Comcast listings for dates and times starting today.) Topics include President Obama’s record over the past 4 years, the political paradigm in Black America shifting from a partisan perspective, and ways to change Chicago for the better in the days ahead.

Watch the 2-segment conversation below (filmed May 2012)  below:

Watch more of Lenny’s previous appearances.

Join Lenny’s latest discussions on Twitter and Facebook.

Buy “Spoken Thoughts from an Amalgamated Advocate in Today’s America” , coming July 2012!

Listen to “The McAllister Minute.”

Fast and Furious and Political Decorum on NPR’s “Tell Me More”

Noted Republican commentator and strategist Lenny McAllister gave his perspectives on the latest in American politics during today’s national radio broadcast.

“Senator Grassley brought up an interesting point…if the White House…had mostly clean hands with…Fast and Furious, why all of the sudden does executive privilege come into place now?”

CHICAGO, IL (June 22, 2012) – Politic365 contributor and Republican strategist Lenny McAllister (author, “Spoken Thoughts of an Amalgamated Advocate in Today’s America”, coming in July 2012) speaks with “Tell Me More” host Michele Martin and speaks with The Washington Post’s Nia Malika Henderson on NPR Friday morning about the latest in politics, including the move to find Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress. The conservation also covers how political decorum has eroded over the past few years, highlighted by recent events centered on addressing President Obama.

Click on the picture above to hear the segment or click HERE to listen in on the National Public Radio website.

Watch more of Lenny’s previous appearances.

Join Lenny’s latest discussions on Twitter and Facebook.

Buy “Spoken Thoughts from an Amalgamated Advocate in Today’s America” , coming July 2012!

Listen to “The McAllister Minute.”

Will Black America Go West or Fall Further South?

Black Republicans such as Congressman Allen West (R-FL) are taking up the cause of conservatism and actively applying it to issues in the Black community. Is this enough to finally begin partnerships between Blacks and the GOP?

Congressman Allen West’s latest Black conservative forum forces Black America to ask: is the opposition to Black Republicans based on current needs or past expectations?

 

Not long into the latest edition of the Black Conservative Forum hosted by Congressman Allen West (R-FL), the question that has become increasingly louder in Black America is a simple one:

If Black Republicans – the scorn of Black America and the oft-described sell-outs amongst us – are actively discussing and pursuing economic development solutions for struggling Black communities, are they beginning to do enough to lift the cloud of distrust most have towards them?

It may be a question without a full answer for months, if not years, to come. Yet, it is a question being asked with stronger resonance now than over the past several decades.

With the conversions of several high-profile former Democrats over to the GOP within the past few years (including former Obama supporter and Alabama congressman Artur Davis) and the increased presence of Black Republicans in conversations that impact Black America in all areas, the perception that Black Republicans are unwilling to meet other African Americans where they are currently is no longer the reality. The frequency of these discussions, along with the overall tone of the rhetoric, is shifting towards a point where more Black people have discarded the awkwardness that comes with acknowledging and addressing the conservative force that is growing within our communities.

Without successful Black Republicans in the political, media, business, and civic realms taking Black America’s issues to the national forefront, there is little changing political willpower on Capitol Hill or within today’s partisan structures that force a higher level of accountability. Regardless of whether Black America admits it now or in the near future, it behooves them if Congressman West and others continue the charge of addressing issues that hamper Black America. Whether they approach the issues with far right-wing initiatives or bi-partisan proposals is vaguely important in comparison to the overall effort and significance.

If the emergence of a Black president, Black governors, Black mayors, and countless Black city officials – all under the same political party – is not enough to ebb the troubling trends we face as a people, the only other option appears to follow the path that West and others are blazing so that, at the very least, the paradigm shifts.

 

Catch more of Lenny McAllister’s “Will Black America Go West or Fall Further South?”on Politic365

 

DREAMing Voter ID and Presidential Evolution

Voter ID requirements have already produced a large reaction both for and against the proposed laws. President Obama’s new immigration policy will likely stoke the fires of passion even more.

Between sanctuary cities, the Department of Justice’s lawsuit concerning SB 1070, and the president’s “evolution” on immigration reform, voter validity measures are more important than ever moving forward.

 

“Just fill in your information and just sign here. I’ll transfer your information myself and we’ll mail you a voter registration card.”

These noteworthy words above come on the heels of President Obama’s recently-announced (and oft-interrupted) plans to change the deportation policies. They were recently spoken by a genteel, non-threatening older woman with a clipboard on the south side of Chicago.

“If you just put in your information and your address, we’ll transfer your information to this other form and we’ll mail you your voting card for this year.”

In a sanctuary city such as Chicago, and coming right after the president’s announcement, this template for “change” is one that should give Americans pause – and validate concerns that some conservatives have in support of Voter ID laws.

It is impractical for the same set of progressives that commend the president’s move with illegal immigration on Friday and champion the continued practice of sanctuary city status around the nation – often in defiance of federal law.  We can’t ignore the heightening need to get a handle on voter validity issues as soon as possible.

 

Catch more of Lenny McAllister’s “DREAMing Voter ID and Presidential Evolution” on Politic365

Lenny McAllister Highlights Black Republican Panel on “Our World with Black Enterprise”

“The Black community finally got over my Republican affiliation. I was able to show them that I’m here, I’m one of you, and I care. Ignore the affiliation. Look at my heart.”

CHICAGO, IL (June 17, 2012) – Politic365 contributor and Republican strategist Lenny McAllister (author, “Spoken Thoughts of an Amalgamated Advocate in Today’s America”, coming in July 2012) speaks with host Marc Lamont Hill, Ph.D. as part of a panel of Chicago-based Black Republicans to discuss the latest in politics and society in this election cycle. Topics include President Obama’s record over the past 4 years and the role Black Republicans must play moving forward in this election and for engaging and uplifting Black America successfully from here.

Click HERE to watch the segment on the Black Enterprise website or enjoy the video below

Watch more of Lenny’s previous appearances.

Join Lenny’s latest discussions on Twitter and Facebook.

Buy “Spoken Thoughts from an Amalgamated Advocate in Today’s America” , coming July 2012!

Listen to “The McAllister Minute.”

In Case You Missed It: Lenny McAllister, Maria Cardona Debate on CNN Saturday Morning

CHICAGO, IL (June 16, 2012) – Republican commentator Lenny McAllister (former RNC strategist) and veteran strategist for the Democrats Maria Cardona (former DNC Communications Director) again debate the latest in American politics in this election year. In this recent CNN Saturday Morning segment, the two discuss the motives, societal effectiveness, and election impact of President Obama’s recent policy change on immigration with CNN anchor Randi Kaye.

 

Watch more of Lenny’s previous appearances.

Join Lenny’s latest discussions on Twitter and Facebook.

Buy “Spoken Thoughts from an Amalgamated Advocate in Today’s America” , coming July 2012!

Listen to “The McAllister Minute.”