And here's another of those comments about Hillary.

This comment from the TPM Election Central discussion is particularly powerful, in my humble opinion. Before reprinting it, I have a few things to say. The comment talks a good bit about racism shown by Hillary and Bill. While my first reaction to Hillary's statements about MLK and LBJ was that those statements were big time racist, I am not convinced that Hillary's and Bill's statements have their basis in racism. I think the basis is the lust for power and the arrogance that Hillary is right and everyone else is wrong. However, even if I am correct, this comment shows that Hillary's and Bill's words 1) can easily be given a racist meaning, 2) that is the meaning understood by many people, and 3) that meaning is offensive on a visceral level.

That was certainly my initial reaction--and I'm white. Trust me, however, when I say that there are plenty of white people who feel the same way I do. My parents were publicly speaking out against racism in the late 1940s--in Beaumont, Texas and Tupelo, Mississippi--they participated in civil rights activities, and they raised my sisters and me accordingly. My point is that having Southern parents and having lived in Texas almost all my life (I was born in North Carolina) Hillary's words hit me in a way that they might not hit somebody who has not had those same experiences. And again, my experiences are far from unique. Plenty of people out there know exactly what I'm talking about (and they don't have to be from the South to have had those experiences).

For those who might not realize or understand this, let me try to put it in context by citing a recent incident. A few days ago, golf commentator Kelly Tilghman, in discussing how young pros could slow down Tiger Woods, said they should "lynch him in a back alley." If anyone needs an explanation as to the horrendous offensiveness of using the word "lynch," just stop reading and move on because nothing that follows will make sense to you. Anyway, Tilghman has since apologized profusely and admitted the severity of her words. Tiger Woods has said he considers her a friend, has spoken to her about this, and understands that she made a huge mistake. However, none of that changes the fact that using the word "lynch" when talking about any black person is a viscerally offensive thing in this country. What I am about to say next is my opinion, and I know some people with a far greater right to speak about this might disagree, but here goes...To me, Hillary's statements about MLK, LBJ, and Obama are just as offensive as Tilghman's "lynch" comment. It hit me at that same gut level and to that same degree.

With all of that in mind, here is the comment from the TPM Election Central discussion:

vicissitude wrote on January 11, 2008 10:34 AM:

Sorry Sargent

Both versions sound like Hillary is saying she is LBJ to Obama being MLK.

Both say the same exact thing bottom line.

Particularly, if you understand the entire context. Which flows from the debate where she claimed that change requires action and otherwise is nothing but words.

Obama told her that words inspire people in the debate.

He went on to say to a crowd the next day imagine if JFK had said going to the moon was to far or if MLK had not had a dream. He said that leaders and presidents are suppose to expand people's dreams and opportunities and not limit and constrain their possibilities.

Those are the remarks that Hillary then followed up with her LBJ/MLK retort to underscore her being a doer vs. Obama being nothing but words.

Hillary was clearly and plainly wrong. First and foremost she was wrong because words are the only currency politicians have. Their jobs are to use words and language to persuade, influence and cajole people to stand with them on specific issues and to vote for the legislation they are advocating. Hillary would know this had she every actually passed any legislation on a significant issue OR if she had learned from her FAILURES to reach outcomes on significant issues she tried but failed to convince others to support.

Words are powerful and words are meaningful, without words there are no changes in the status quo nor on any issues of importance in this nation.

For Hillary to have trivialize that while exalt[ing] the executive role as being the ultimate power tells us once again that she is a powermongerer who lacks the judgment to lead the nation as she does not have the skills to bring people together and reach the goals. She thinks being 'the decider' is what enables the President to get things done just like that clown we have in the WH now.

Clyburn understands that Hillarys remarks here are a continuing PATTERN on the part of the Clintons to make denigrating racial remarks and create an overall racially discriminatory tone within their campaign. Obama has been called a 'kid' by Bill and 'naive' by Hillary...not to mention Cuomos' shuckin and jiving racially derogatory slur along with Bill Clinton saying that Barack is a 'symbol' and nothing but a fairytale.

The Clintons crossed the line a long time ago, it is just that Clyburn being the shrewd politician that he is knows that when he stands on MLK being the pivotal point he will have LOTS of support in the black community. Southerners have been tired of the Clintons ongoing racial antics and southern strategy for awhile ...that was clear when (Donna) Brazile (Al Gore's former campaign manager and a black woman) spoke out against Clinton.

Bill Clinton's vituperative remarks in NH will long be remembered in the black community as he has tarnished his stature as a former US President by bashing a rising star in the party. Supporting Hillary is one thing but his bashing another Democratic is an entirely different thing.

The racism oozing out of the Clinton campaign is vile and nasty.

It cannot be spun with comparing and contrasting two remarks as the two remarks were merely a difference without significance.

The Clintons are taking the Democratic party down the divisive path on wedge racial issues that we need not go. They want to take us not just back to the 90s but to the 60s when racial tension was at an all time high in this country. Southerners in the south know full well that MLK's dream was more than words, it was hoses, jailing, lynching without due process and Bloody Sunday. Hillary and Bill have torn their draws with the black community they just are not aware their asses are hanging out yet.

Clyburn does and what he is telling Bill and Hill is that no matter what politic favors he owes them, they do not have enough political capitol to engage in race baiting.

I am waiting to hear from John Lewis who was beat down walking with King and trying to cross the Pettus bridge on Bloody Sunday.