African Americans Running for Statewide Office

President Obama’s election to the United States Senate in 2004 and the White House in 2008 has shattered the idea that African Americans cannot win statewide – or nationwide for that matter. Current African American statewide officeholders include Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (D), New York Governor David Paterson (D), and Illinois Senator Roland Burris (D). [...]

This Week in Washington: June 29, 2009

The White House: President Obama used his weekly address to commend the House of Representatives for passing climate change legislationand touting how the bill would create green jobs, ensure clean air for our children, move towards energy independence. This week, President Obama will meet with Colombian President Uribe, hold an event for the gay community, [...]

Apologies Anyone?

Apologizing for slavery has been all the rage in Washington, DC and state capitols. Originating with former President Clinton’s “almost…but, no apology,” a number of state legislatures have passed formal resolutions apologizing for slavery. In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives decided to get into the apologizing business. Interestingly enough, the non-binding resolution was sponsored [...]

This Week in Washington: June 22, 2009

The White House:  President Obama used his weekly address to highlight the Administration’s new financial reform package to protect consumers.  The proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency will have the sole job of looking out for the financial interests of ordinary Americans by banning unfair practices and enforcing the rules.  This week, President Obama will sign [...]

Feminism in Black and White

Intriguing to say the least.  The National Organization for Women (NOW) is set to elect its new president this week.  The two candidates are a case study in contrasts: Latifa Lyles, a 33-year-old African-American woman and Terry O’Neill, 56, a long-time activist, and white woman. MSNBC reports: After years on the defensive during the Bush [...]

This Week in Washington: June 1, 2009

The White House: The President used his weekly address to tout Judge Sonia Sotomayor as his nominee for the Supreme Court. In discussing her merits, President Obama notes that, “Judge Sonia Sotomayor accumulated more experience on the federal bench than any incoming Supreme Court Justice in the past 100 years, touching nearly every aspect of [...]

Black Women on Sotomayor for the Supreme Court

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) applauded the Sotomayor pick saying: President Obama picked a smart and well qualified jurist who will also add important diversity to the Supreme Court in our increasingly diverse country. As the first Latina nominated to the Supreme Court, Judge Sonia Sotomayor brings brilliance and [...]

Obama Picks Latina, Sotomayor, for Supreme Court

Today, President Obama announced Sonia Sotomayor as his pick for the Supreme Court. Sotomayor currently serves as a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Born to Puerto Rican parents in the housing projects of South Bronx, Sotomayor would eventually graduate with distinction from Princeton University and Yale Law School. [...]

This Week in Washington: May 26, 2009

The President used his weekly address to pay tribute America’s veterans, servicemen and women – particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice – and their families. President Obama participated in a number of events to commemorate Memorial Day including hosting breakfast with Gold Star Families, participating in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of [...]

Congress 101

If only it was as easy as Schoolhouse Rock made it seem, a bill becoming a law.  Unfortunately, it isn’t that simple.  Great ideas (using the term loosely) come a dime a dozen which is reflected in the thousands of bills introduced each year by members of Congress, with less than single digit percentages of [...]

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