It takes a village to destroy a village to save a village

South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn, the number 3 leader in the House of Representatives, has followed up his radio interview on The Clintons' race-baiting campaign tactics with an interview by The New York Times:

'One of the nation’s most influential African-American political leaders sharply criticized former President Bill Clinton on Thursday afternoon for what he called his “bizarre” conduct during the Democratic primary campaign.

'The black leader, Representative James E. Clyburn, an undeclared superdelegate from South Carolina and the third-ranking Democrat in the House, said “black people are incensed over all of this,” referring to statements Mr. Clinton has made in the course of the heated race between Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama...

'In an interview with The New York Times late Thursday, Mr. Clyburn said Mr. Clinton’s conduct in this campaign had caused what might be an irreparable breach between Mr. Clinton and an African-American constituency that once revered him.

'“When he was going through his impeachment problems, it was the black community that bellied up to the bar,” Mr. Clyburn said. “I think black folks feel strongly that this is a strange way for President Clinton to show his appreciation.”

'Mr. Clyburn added that there appeared to be an almost unanimous view among African-Americans that Mr. and Mrs. Clinton were committed to doing everything they possibly could to damage Mr. Obama to a point that he could never win in the general election.'

The South Carolina primary will figure large in the history of this election. It's the place where the longtime, "where else will they go?" cynicism of the Democratic Party toward its minority constituencies was carried over the cliff by The Clintons. When you're 'America's first black president,' and, as Congressman Clyburn points out, the black community rallied around in Bubba's big impeachment adventure, it's natural not to wonder what they'll do if you slap down one of their own who's slowing the path to the Restoration. Hillary's the best there is, Bubba said.

At Daily Kos, Eric Schmeltzer makes the same point:

'I find it kind of offensive (and I'M a white man) that the Democratic Party in general, and the Clinton campaign specifically, believes that African Americans will just waltz back into the fold. It's a hell of an ignorant tact to take, that black people will be "dependable," and one that is no longer based in reality.

'Rep. Clyburn has sounded the alarm on this one - if Barack Obama is not the nominee, African Americans could just stay home in the general election. It's not that they'd vote McCain, but it's that many would say, "Hey, Hillary, you're on your own. Have fun!"

'So does Hillary Clinton have a growing "electability" problem because she continually loses around 90 percent of the African American vote? Yes, she does.'

So far the gay and Hispanic communities seem set on sticking with Hillary's 2008 Lemming Tour. Who will be their Clyburns?