Vote over issues

America’s favorite playboy, or as some like to call him, America’s first “black president,” Bill Clinton has been all over the news lately. Eight years after his “glorious” presidential term, it appears he is running for office again. I know that some might point out it is his wife who is running. But to that, I say this: close your eyes next time you’re listening to CNN or FOX News discuss the presidential candidates, and you tell me whose comments are getting the most criticism lately. And Bill is living up to the presidential candidate persona by making ridiculous comments that we’re used to hearing from old, rich white men. His latest comment speaks to the African-American woman.\nWhen referring to the South Carolina primaries, he made an interesting observation that blacks in South Carolina will probably vote for Obama (because he’s black) and that the women vote will go to Hillary (because she’s a woman). He explained, “(It’s) understandable because people are proud when someone who they identify with emerges for the first time.” By the way, that is an admission that he is not in fact black! This wasn’t a direct comment toward the black woman, but it definitely leaves them at an interesting paradox. Who should you choose? Do you go for Obama because you’re black? Do you go for Hillary because you’re a woman? Before you begin to ponder this question, consider this.\nOne of my professors told a story of a black woman in a South Carolina hair salon who was presented with this question by a cameraman. She suggested that her vote would depend on where the candidate stood on the issues, not the candidate’s race or gender. Issues. Those things that politicians claim to stand firm on, and which they would use to shape the country once they are president. This, my friends, is why I feel the black woman vote is the most important vote this election.\nYou see, as Pimpin’ Bill has suggested, everyone else’s vote is already taken care of. I as a black man obviously can’t see beyond Obama being black, so of course I will vote for him. And white women are going to vote for Hillary because she is a woman. And the white man will vote for Hillary, too, because she is white and because everyone “loves” her husband, Bill, right? The black woman clearly has some difficult but simple choices. But I beg of you, black women, to choose issues over race or gender. I have met many intelligent black women who, believe it or not, know the issues and care more about them than about simply race or gender. So I ask black women to use your intellect and not to fall into the traps that Pimpin’ Bill says black men, white women and white men will fall into. Turn this election upside down and pick a candidate according to his/her stance on issues. By the way, GO OBAMA!