Tavis Smiley on Democrats running away from Obama: ‘Peter only denied Jesus three times’
Earlier this month, Tavis Smiley made headlines by admitting that, although Democrats need a heavy Black voter turnout in order to beat back Republicans in the Midterms, Blacks donât really have a good reason to show up for Democrats. Now, Smiley is again making news by highlighting just how unpopular President Obama is, as evidenced by the number of Democratic candidates who are running away from the President. Smiley noted that these candidates may have a hard time getting out the Black vote since theyâre throwing the Black President under the bus.
While appearing on Face the Nation, Smiley clearly expressed how he views Democratic candidates in relation to Black voters.
âIn Kentucky it was discussed earlier you have a candidate who four times in a matter of minutes wouldnât even admit to voting for Barack Obama. You want his loyal base to support you, you give the President the Heisman, but you want constituents to vote for you. I mean, Peter only denied Jesus three times. The fourth time denial in matter of minutes but you want the Black vote to save you a-gain. You want Hispanics to save you again. Iâm not saying that Blacks and browns ought to abandon the Democratic party, what Iâm saying is youâve got to hold them accountable and maybe the lessons of what happens this year ought to start being reviewed now in advance of 2016,â said Smiley.
This echoes comments made by Smiley on ABCâs This Week not long ago.
âIf youâre Black or brown, other than helping to save the Democratsâ hide, give me three good reasons and you turn out the vote this time,â explained Smiley. âNow Iâll catch hell for saying that… No, I am not suggestingâIâm not suggesting that people ought to stay home and sit on their hands. What Iâm suggesting is that neither party has focused clearly enough on the issues of Black and brown voters to inspire them and motivate them to turn out in 2014. And we may see the same thing in 2016.”
