The Whole World Is Watching
It was all smiles and handshakes last September in Washington, D.C. when Representative Donna Christensen and her friends met with their candidate, Hillary Clinton. With much pomp and circumstance, they enjoyed their “photo-op” following Clinton’s appearance at the Congressional Black Caucus gathering and shortly thereafter, the Representative declared her support for Clinton.
In subsequent interviews and radio appearances, the Representative extolled the virtues of Clinton, calling her the most electable candidate. They rejected the notion of jumping on the Barack Obama bandwagon, and cautioned Virgin Islanders against supporting this historical, viable candidate simply because he is black – and asserted that he simply was not ready for the office of the President.
Now this is America and a democracy. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. But the mark of a true leader is to recognize when a position they have taken is a mistake and to rectify it accordingly.
After sweeping victories in primaries all over the mainland and in the Virgin Islands, our Representative remains publicly aligned against Barack Obama. While delegates in states across the country who made the same mistake have begun to move publicly to Obama;while members of the Democratic Party and the established media are calling for Clinton’s withdrawal from the nomination race; and while the world recognizes the juggernaut that is Obama, our representative continues to withhold her support.
In this race, where every vote will count and history hangs in the balance, we are confounded that this is the case. Clearly any concerns about Obama’s ability to mobilize the mainstream and to draw significant popular and financial support from all segments of the population should have been resolved by now. Clinton’s own husband, former President Bill Clinton, has stated publicly that if Ohio and Texas don’t go her way that candidate Clinton can throw in the towel. And even if she does win in these strategic states, the delegate war will only be one if she carries 70% of the popular vote. And based on the series of decisive wins Obama has achieved in the majority of the primaries to date, the chances of this happening are slim.
And so, representative, we ask you, when the country and, more importantly, your own constituency are so solidly in favor of Barack Obama’s candidacy, why do you continue to support the “status-quo” prospects of a Clinton presidency?
While you are certainly entitled to your own opinion, you also have an obligation as the sole Congressional representative of the territories to take forward the will of the people in matters of state and government. At this critical political crossroads, we must request – no we must demand – an explanation for your position in this matter.
There is still time for you to restore your credibility and swing your support to the candidate that the voters and destiny are clearly choosing in this campaign. There is no shame revising your position and great courage is required to acknowledge that your initial judgment was flawed. Courage is a cornerstone of true leadership and an essential requirement in your role as Representative to these territories.
You too will be subject to the voice of the voters this year. Be assured that your eventual actions in this matter will be remembered when we go to the polls in November.
The whole world is watching.
Good article….she needs to step up to the plate or pay in November.
This is an exceptionally written article. I hope that our Congressional Delegate responds. Was she sent a copy?
Well, if I were on the fence, this would make up my mind, Representative, what else do you need to change yours?
I don’t know what her problem is. If she was concerned about her loyalty being questioned, the voters in the Virgin islands gave her a perfect way out where she could still save face. What better excuse could she want than to say over 90% her constituents voted for Obama. Is she was scarrred to make the move, once other members of the Congressional Black Caucus (that name ought to be re-examined after November) started to change ship she could have followed suit. I would hate to see her hold out and end up joining Obama BY DEFAULT. That would be a real embarrassment. This has become more than a campaign. This is a movement, a passing of the torch. Americans from all segments are stepping forward to say they’re FED UP with the status quo. The status quo isn’t working and they’re ready to try something different. That’s the kind of change in mentality that we need here in the Virgin islands. great article!!!!!!!!
Can someone share the Delegate’s email address. I want to let her know my feelings. If she has no problem voting for a white person versus a black person. I will seriously consider voting for her challenger even if he is white.
I agree that Donna must be replaced. We should
support a Black candidate. Why Mosler? I don’t agree
that we should suppport Mosler. Let’s look for another
viable candidate.
i’m not sure why you’d want to replace a seasoned delegate with a freshman, they no have power,no contacts,no experience in DC,i personally want someone with connections and i want that someone to vote for the person who would be most likely to beat mccain in november,everyone needs to take emotion out of the equation and think long and hard about hillary and obama and which one has the best chance to beat mccain,not which one would be the best “dream” candidate.
Why not Mosler? Because he’s white? Please…look what our black delegate has done to us! I bet Mosler would’ve been supporting Obama anyway…he kept saying that the delegate has to work in lock-step with the Governor and hold a united front…all she’s doing here is proving his point. I’d vote for him in a minute. I tyad a dis! TIME FOR A CHANGE. We keep tekkin blows and more blows…
I agree with Cruzan. Ain’t like we getting a damn thing, but photo-ops from Donna. Mosler may have less experience, but look at what is happening with Obama. This is more than a campaign. People across the country are sending a message that they are sik and tired of the status quo. It hasn’t been serving the good of the country well, and they’re ready to try something different. The BIG question is how do we transfer that same energy to our local populace? With all the complaining that is taking place in the territory, I’m betting that at 10 incumbent Senators will be re-elected, especially after the retro checks are sent out in September or early October. Then the same people that vote for names they recognize will be the first to complain.
I will support a local Virgin Islander for delegate.
Certainly, I am not going to vote for Donna again.
Once again a plurality of my fellow Virgin Islanders are letting their emotions rule their heads. The rules governing the Super Delegates allows them to support whomever they choose and whether we agree with Delegate Christensen or not, lets respect her decision. Forming relationships and alliances in Washington is how progress on vital legislation is made in the interest of the Virgin Islands and whether we want to accept it or not, Hillary Clinton has been Donna’s ally and an active friend of the VI in that regard. Yes I to am to proud that we have both a viable black man and a woman who can possibly win the presidency but those of you who threaten to punish Donna by replacing her with her white political opponent, Warren Mosler, if she votes her will, takes me back to a time when the feeling was that a black Virgin Islander shouldn’t run for Delegate to Congress because a white person was better suited to work with all the other white people in Washington. What a bunch of crap, both then and now. It seems to me that her vote as a super delegate, however she decides to use it is inconsequential compared to the effective, competent and productive service Donna has given our beloved Virgin Islands over the past 11 years. We clearly know what we have, a strong and effective representative in Congress, but can we really say what we will get. My people, don’t let this minor family disagreement get out of control, we all might pay dearly if it does.
According to you, VI Visionary, Donna is allowed to vote for whomever she wants. Likewise it is my decision t
vote for whomever I want. I will not vote for Donna again. The people of the VI also can vote someone
other than Donna and that is the sentiment I am hearing.
There are many other capable African Americans who can
represent me and my wishes.
Yes Victor, just as I defend Donna’s right to vote her conscience, I’ll defend your right to do the same. And if it is your desire to apply your vote base on a single personal issue that doesn’t serve the interest of your community, “More Power to You”. Many of us Virgin Islanders have, far too many times, “cut off our nose to spite our face”. I guess things have changed little over the years.
Virgin Islanders, and Crusians in particular, would do much better asking the tough questions to those in power about the 42 million gallons of oil spilled under the HOVENSA refinery. With oil on the world market near $110.00 a barrel and gas at the pump above $3.00 a gallon, are we still getting the rediculous contribution 2 cents a barrel under the Hess extension agreement, for every barrel processed at the refinery? Now we must also be concerned about our precious aquafurs, public health and God forbid, fire. Don’t light a match nearby, the whole thing might go up. Like I said before, there are far more important things for us to worry about.
For more reasons than the color of his skin, I am in support of Obama, despite the fact that I cannot cast my one man one vote for him. More important than the Donna issue is the fact that the world is fed up with the United States, and America is perhaps the most hated country. Obama is the perfect model to show that the country if not the politicians, are serious about changing the image of the “ugly American”. If our Deligate chooses to support Hillary so be it, there are no hard and fast rules that say we should follow our leaders with blindfolds. Those of you that are threatening to replace her with Warren Mosler need to pay close attention to the everpresent approach that was used by the Pilgrims against the Native American. (infiltrate, then destroy, control).
Shouldn’t our elected representatives respect their constituents? …..after all thats why we elected them.
Respect does not mean hanging on any person’s strings like a puppet. Leaders are chosen to be the head, and the last time I noticed, the dog wags the tail not the other way around. That being said, our one man one vote can collectively remove any leader since they serve at the pleasure of their constituents. Deligate Christensen has the right as a super deligate to vote her conscience, and if she chooses Clinton, again which is her right, for her justified reasons, I think a mature thinking Obama would recognize loyalty and respect that.
Are we not tired of the froggy hop from lilly pad to lilly pad in our legislature?
“Right On” T Jacks, I couldn’t have said it better myself. Remember, If we truely have our eyes on the prize, then we must be prepared, whomever we support, to close ranks in support of whoever the Democratic nominee is because four more years of George W. Bush through his surrogate, John McCain, is not an option for the Territory or the Nation.