Conversations on the Behind-the-Scenes Presidential Campaign

While the official presidential campaigns continue to escape or bore or be shunned by most independent voters around the country, there are some interesting things happening at the grassroots and in the blogosphere.

Azi Paybarah at The Politicker (New York Observer) posted a great picture (and comments) last night after the Obama fundraiser at the Apollo of the less-than-famous Committee for a Harlem Debate between Clinton and Obama t-shirt "Who Decided Hillary is best for the Black Community?" (back) "Let the People Decide!" (front)... For video of the September Harlem African American Day Parade... And at the Trinity Church, people are trying to set up a debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in Harlem.... Azi didn't credit The Hankster, but -- hey, that's ok! On behalf of Keith McHenry (Coalition of Outsiders), and Lonnie Shockley (Trinity Church) and the 100+ community activists who attended at the invitation of Lenora Fulani and friends, thanks! See also Does Dr. Lenora Fulani Have a Point Here? by Rock Hackshaw on Room 8 linked to The Hankster here... For links to the September Trinity Church community meeting on the subject, click here.... and for more click here on New York City 2007 Obama Blackout...

Michele Norris of NPR's All Things Considered, who will moderate Saturday's Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum, will be on Meet the Press with Tim Russert on Sunday. Watch, and check in on Talk/Talk on Tuesday -- compare your notes with Jackie Salit and Fred Newman....

Chase Martin at Iowa Independent objects to the Clinton bias coming from the organizers of the Brown and Black Presidential Forum, a 501(c)(3) organization and the oldest minority-focused presidential debate in the country, resulting in questions on ticket distribution, and says that "concerns exist because of the uncharacteristic exclusivity of the planning for this year's forum...." Organizers, who deny the bias, will endorse a candidate afterwards.... The fight is taken up here by Taylor Marsh on Huffington Post... Hmmm... I guess the Clinton/Obama debate is gaining some ground.... New York isn't the only state experiencing the Clinton Slam Dunk!

To be continued....

pq

Committee for a Harlem Debate between Clinton and Obama

On Monday, October 22, the Committee for a Harlem Debate between Clinton and Obama met at the Trinity Church, thanks to the invitation of Lonnie Shockley, to an overflow audience of NYC grassroots Dem and independent activists.

The first in a series of videos is featured at the top of The Hankster.

Don't miss this exciting community meeting of folks concerned about the tamping down of the dialogue as to the best choice for African Americans (an everyone) in our communities.

Hillary is a slam-dunk?
Obama not black enough?
So thinks the Dem Party.....
Think again -- independently!

In this segment, Coalition of Outsiders founding member Keith McHenry leads the charge to demand a debate at the historic Apollo Theatre (or another venue) in Harlem introduces Trinity Church activist Lonnie Shockley, who gives a "radical welcome" to Dr. Fulani and the diverse grouping of New York City community activists, saying that we need to "keep the focus on the politics in our communities. We're at a critical time."

WARNING: This is not about winning an election. This is about regular people coming together to dialogue about what's best for us the people in this critical election.... and beyond.

For more information and to become active go to independentvoting.org

• For video of the African American Day Parade to to hankstertube here and here
• For video of Lenora Fulani's press conference about the 2009 NYC mayoral race go to hankstertube here

And stay tuned! There's more to come!