Where does the power lie: CBC or President Obama?
Raynard Jackson/Guest Political Columnist
Issue date: 3/8/09 Section: Politics
Late last week, President Obama had his first meeting with the members of the Congressional Black Caucus. There is an untold story here that has been brewing quietly. Obama's relationship with the caucus has been strained at best, and indifferent at worse. He took a lot of heat from CBC members because, as a U.S. senator, he was not more engaged with them, especially in the area of fundraising. This relationship and how it's handled could go a long way in determining how successful President Obama's term is.
Membership of the CBC is by far mostly liberal to very liberal. Of its 44 members, you may have five or so, who are considered centrist or very slightly right of center. The group is chaired by one of the most liberal members of Congress, Barbara Lee from California.
The group is going to attempt to get the president to adopt a more leftist agenda. They made it perfectly clear that they were not happy with Sen. Judd Gregg's nomination to be commerce secretary (he later withdrew his name from consideration). The CBC feels Obama "owes" them because of the support he received from the Black community (96%). But, there is no proven causation. As a matter of fact, most members of the CBC supported other candidates for president. In raw political terms, Obama could make the argument that he won in spite of them.
The CBC does not think Obama has enough Blacks in his administration. They have never stated what positions and numbers would satisfy them. Neither have they clearly stated what they want from the administration in terms of policy.
Strategically, considering the mess Obama inherited, is it better to defer on certain expectations and wait for a better opportunity or do you push for your most cherished policy items now? That is the challenge facing the CBC.
Obama must convince the CBC that now is not the time to lurch to the left. Of course they will scoff at this. Thus, the fireworks will begin. I think the administration has learned its lesson from giving House Speaker Nancy Pelosi too much latitude in crafting the stimulus package. Her influence was the singular reason for no Republican support. Pelosi and the CBC are political soul mates, thus were generally satisfied with the spending bill.
Membership of the CBC is by far mostly liberal to very liberal. Of its 44 members, you may have five or so, who are considered centrist or very slightly right of center. The group is chaired by one of the most liberal members of Congress, Barbara Lee from California.
The group is going to attempt to get the president to adopt a more leftist agenda. They made it perfectly clear that they were not happy with Sen. Judd Gregg's nomination to be commerce secretary (he later withdrew his name from consideration). The CBC feels Obama "owes" them because of the support he received from the Black community (96%). But, there is no proven causation. As a matter of fact, most members of the CBC supported other candidates for president. In raw political terms, Obama could make the argument that he won in spite of them.
The CBC does not think Obama has enough Blacks in his administration. They have never stated what positions and numbers would satisfy them. Neither have they clearly stated what they want from the administration in terms of policy.
Strategically, considering the mess Obama inherited, is it better to defer on certain expectations and wait for a better opportunity or do you push for your most cherished policy items now? That is the challenge facing the CBC.
Obama must convince the CBC that now is not the time to lurch to the left. Of course they will scoff at this. Thus, the fireworks will begin. I think the administration has learned its lesson from giving House Speaker Nancy Pelosi too much latitude in crafting the stimulus package. Her influence was the singular reason for no Republican support. Pelosi and the CBC are political soul mates, thus were generally satisfied with the spending bill.
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