Joan Morgan UnPlugs with Hillary

from Vibe.com

Hillary Clinton Talks Chances for Clinton/Obama Dream Ticket
by Joan Morgan

Last weekend, author and broadcaster Tavis Smiley invited all four leading presidential candidates to New Orleans along with venerated members of the black cultural and political elite -Rev. Al Sharpton, Dr. Cornel West, Donna Brazille, and Representative Sheila Jackson Lee among them-to address the annual State of the Black Union Symposium.

That the Republican candidates Governor Mike Huckabee and Senator John McCain did not attend came as no surprise. More unexpected was the fact that Senator Obama, locked in a dead heat for the pivotal March 4 Texas and Ohio primaries, declined Smiley's invitation, offering to send his wife, Michelle instead. Smiley publicly criticized the Senator's decision and was lambasted by black folk across the country who derided Smiley for shortsightedness and egotism. Smiley, who's usually on the sunny side of black popular opinion, reported that members of his family experienced harassment and even death threats. Such is the intensity of Obama-mania at this stage of the campaign.

Sen. Clinton, who has watched her lead in money, delegates, and polls dwindle with alarming rapidity as Obama racked up 11 consecutive primary victories-and whose presidential hopes hang precariously on her ability to secure victories in Texas and Ohio-was there. "More than Obama, Senator Clinton needs to address this crowd," said Rev. Sharpton, "to explain some of the race-tinged language we've heard from people in her campaign that has polluted and polarized this race."

Considering the conflama, the Morial Convention Center was a fitting location. Fresh coats of paint and pretty words are not enough to exorcise the heartbreaking history of Hurricane Katrina or the uneasy spirits left in her wake. The sanitized stench of betrayal, broken promises, and ceaseless finger-pointing are a palpable part of the history of this venue. It is not an easy place to fake the funk.

Greeted by a standing ovation, the embattled Senator from New York took the stage and offered these poignant words:

"This campaign has taken all of us into uncharted territory as a party, as a nation, and as individuals. And yes, I think we can be both proud and grateful that we are breaking barriers and changing history for the good. But uncharted territory means the way forward isn't always easy. The high stakes and historic nature of Senator Obama's candidacy and mine have vested this campaign with an intensity and an excitement seldom seen in the political arena. And, as often happens, there have been some painful moments, too. Those of us who have fought together for decades, to right wrongs and break barriers, cannot allow differences in our choice of who should be elected to undermine our fundamental unity and determination to change the course of this country starting in November [applause] because we represent precious opportunity and urgent responsibility for our wounded nation."

After her address, and a question and answer session with Smiley that was broadcast live on C-Span, Sen. Clinton and I sat down for this exclusive interview. What followed wasn't only a frank admission of her weaknesses, but also a reiteration of her unique strengths.

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