Bush DOJ decided New Black Panthers no major case
UPDATE: Fox News guest Kirsten Powers made the mistake of thinking for herself. A must-see video:
Several of you have clamored for me to say something about the alleged voter intimidation case in Philadelphia, which involves a thuggish group who call themselves the “New Black Panthers.” (While I was no fan of the original Black Panthers, they don’t deserve to have their reputation further befouled by this group. The two groups are in no way related.)
I was loathe to comment since I know that no rational discussion will follow. How could it? It was clear from the beginning that this was not a case of voter intimidation against anyone who might vote for John McCain. As many observers noted on that day, no matter how badly those two New Black Panters were behaving (and the police were called and responded), it’s a HEAVILY DEMOCRATIC PRECINCT. As blogger Ben Smith noted way back then, “You don’t typically intimidate your own voters.”
But solid reporting from Media Matters and Adam Serwer of The American Prospect ought to put this nonsense to rest (it won’t, but it should). The charges against the New Black Panthers were downgraded by the Bush Department of Justice:
The decision not to file a criminal case occurred before Obama was even in office.
This means that the case was downgraded to a civil case 11 days before Obama was inaugurated, 26 days before Eric Holder became attorney general, and about nine months before Thomas Perez was confirmed as head of the Civil Rights Division.
From Media Matters:
# Adams has admitted that he does not have first-hand knowledge of the events, conversations, and decisions that he is citing to advance his accusations;
# The Bush administration’s Justice Department — not the Obama administration — made the decision not to pursue criminal charges against members of the New Black Panther Party for alleged voter intimidation at a polling center in Philadelphia in 2008;
# The Obama administration successfully obtained default judgment against Samir Shabazz, a member of the New Black Panther Party carrying a nightstick outside the Philadelphia polling center on Election Day 2008;
# The Bush administration DOJ chose not to pursue similar charges against members of the Minutemen, one of whom allegedly carried a weapon while harassing Hispanic voters in Arizona in 2006;
# No voters have come forward to claim that they were intimidated from voting on account of the New Black Panthers standing outside the polling center in 2008;
So, no matter how many times J. Christian Adams declares that the Obama administration refuses to protect the rights of white people — and no matter how many times Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh repeat it — it’s not true.
(See my first post of the day about facts before you respond.)
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335 comments Add your comment
Port O'John
July 12th, 2010
7:53 pm
Its not really a stretch for the GOP to blame the downgrading of the charges to a misdemeanor on Obama, after all it was a decision made only 11 days before he was sworn in. The RNC chairman just claimed that Afghanistan was a war of Obama’s choosing (Bush started that in 2001).
So by that logic, everything that happened under the Bush administration is Obama’s fault.
See how the GOP and Fox News work their magic?
hnf
July 12th, 2010
7:54 pm
far from dispositive. damn cell phone autocorrect.
uga_b
July 12th, 2010
7:54 pm
Last time I checked, they do advance agendas. He campaigned on it. It is referred to as OBAMACARE not BUNCHOFWHITEMEN CARE Some people can’t legitimately advance an argument or recognize humor.
I do agree with you that Obama hasn’t really done much of anything except play golf.
mmm, mmm, mmm, Barack the LIAR Obama - BEND OVER, Here comes the CHANGE!
July 12th, 2010
7:56 pm
You all know Black crimes on whites and NOT punished as a hate crime. That’s why I have a carry permit, and am NOT afraid to use it, PERIOD.
Go ahead Cindy, tell me I’m wrong, and back it up with facts. Give me ONE black acused of a hate crime on a white, just one.
uga_b
July 12th, 2010
7:57 pm
Is there legitimately anything this man is responsible for? Not repealing the Jones Act? Stealing money from pensioners by giving GM unions favored status, thus repealing hundreds of years of financial contract law precedence? Did he at least pick out the durn dog?
Keep up the good fight!
July 12th, 2010
7:59 pm
Scout….mockery is not “plagerism” nor is it flattery. We’re laughing at you and the stupidity symbolized by your commentary about Obama’s daughter rather than an intellectual post about the facts.
The current “minutemen” is a group no where related to the original minute men from Boston (or more specifically Concord, Lexington and the surrounding area). Just because a group usurps the names and taints it does not entitle them to respect. But you dont care about the real American history…just on your Fox news Tea Party view of “patriotism” and “minutemen”.
Rev. Shauntelle Thunderclap
July 12th, 2010
8:02 pm
So, Cynthia, I assume it would be okay for the Klan to hang out, swinging ax handles, at the polls in heavily Republican areas? I mean, chances are very few people there would vote for a Democratic candidate anyway . . . .
Your routinely ludicrous, specious “logic” only serves to discredit your arguments, and is representative of the astonishing hypocrisy of the Left.
Bill Tetzlaff
July 12th, 2010
8:09 pm
Wow, most of the above comments are consistent with discussions I’ve had with conservatives here in Ocala, FL. They completely ignore the point of the article and the facts backing it up and instead attack around the edges. Nothing in your article defended what happened, but you’d never know it by just reading the comments.
kayaker 71
July 12th, 2010
8:13 pm
CT,
You must have watched the tape of these black thugs outside of the voting precinct. You also must have listened to the sound bite of the one interviewed who said that, “I HATE WHITE PEOPLE, ALL OF THEM!!!!”. If I said those same things, I would be labeled the worst kind of racist that every posted a comment on this blog. You will never acknowledge that these thugs are the worst kind of racists around, simply because they are black and being that, they can do no wrong. Another case of selective indignation. It’s getting pretty old.
stranger in a strange land
July 12th, 2010
8:18 pm
Scout @ 0646 – the ‘chasm’ is very troublesome – no matter what ’side’ you’re on relative to this issue
uga_b
July 12th, 2010
8:19 pm
Bill,
Here are the basic facts. Voter intimidation cases rarely go forward because they are hard to prove. Criminal charges require beyond a reasonable doubt versus preponderence of evidence, which is a much higher standard (think 90% v. 51%). The Bush administration as highlighted by Cynthia did not push forward with criminal charges. Civil charges, with the lower standard, were brought. The defendants did not show us resulting in a default judgment for the USA. At this point, the case is won and the government could choose to enforce fines or injunctions. They did seek an injunction on the one man with the nightstick. Under the Obama administration, they did decide to drop the cases against the remaining defendants.
None of the above is arguable or even all that relevant. What the former DOJ attorney alledged was the motive behind dropping the case. Of course this is hearsay and not admissable in court but fine for the court of public opinion. None of Cynthia’s information refutes this claim by Adams, which is unknowable by anyone except those who made the decisions. Just like their is no evidence supporting Adam’s assertions outside of the circumstances of dropping the case, which commonly happens for voter intimidation.
uga_b
July 12th, 2010
8:21 pm
*show thus
uga_b
July 12th, 2010
8:22 pm
*there. Wow
The Obama Administration Protected Black Panther Who Advocates Killing White Babies - Politics & Current Affairs Forum
July 12th, 2010
8:30 pm
[...] to use this to say Obama is protecting them. I guess George Bush was protecting them too huh? Bush DOJ decided New Black Panthers no major case | Cynthia Tucker Good question… What did the Bush DOJ do about voter intimidation of black voters across the [...]
Cary
July 12th, 2010
8:48 pm
Since the downgrading was Bush’s fault, Obama should make it right by filing crimimal charges immediately.
Fang1944
July 12th, 2010
8:57 pm
Even according to Fox News not much of anything happened. One Panther acted like a punk. The police moved him along. BFD.
Mkitch
July 12th, 2010
9:05 pm
How dare Obama let his Black Panther thug buddies off the hook for this…
You mean it was Bush that let them off the hook?
Well… uhh… How dare that black panther guy say bad things about white people. White people would never do that.
uga_b
July 12th, 2010
9:08 pm
George Bush dont care about white people.
James
July 12th, 2010
9:10 pm
I hope you will continue to follow this story line. Cynthia, please keep posting updates on this issue of the Bush DOJ downgrading the charges. We need to know more.
Mario
July 12th, 2010
9:10 pm
Someone should tell Christopher that he has the fact wrong and the video where these NBP fools are saying kill whites is not from the polling place and FOX is trying to play those vids from another event to give some background into the hate group.
godless heathen
July 12th, 2010
9:12 pm
I hadn’t thought about the racial context of the tanning bed tax, but it does add a new dimension. A tanning bed owner/operator should file a discrimination suit. It’s about as clear an example of discrimination based on the color of one’s skin as can be imagined. Could you see imposing a special tax on tacos, malt liquor, or really baggy pants.
Baggy pants worn with the waist below the buttocks are clearly a health hazard and have undoubtably led injuries that strain our health care system. Let’s put a $10 a pair tax on each pair of baggy shorts sold and a $200 fine on anyone caught wearing them in public.
Scout
July 12th, 2010
9:14 pm
Keep up the good fight!
Look ! ……………… there goes a puppy !
Scout
July 12th, 2010
9:15 pm
Stranger in a strange land:
You are correct sir. Those on both side of our War Between the United (oxymoron) States of America and the Confederate States of America had more in common that liberals and conservatives do now. Dark days ahead.
Scout
July 12th, 2010
9:17 pm
Daddy, sometimes I read the Atlanta Journal and Constitution Websites for extra credit at school. Why are some people so mean to Scout?
tiredofitall
July 12th, 2010
9:23 pm
personally, I can’t wait for the asteroid to hit and wipe out this sorry excuse of a species since the “real” Americans are too cowardly to do anything but whine.
Hector
July 12th, 2010
9:30 pm
Cynthia please dont accuse bloggers of needing drugs or substances to calm down
LOLO
July 12th, 2010
9:35 pm
I didn’t really see a condemnation from Ms. Tucker, just excuses for the Obama administration with typical deflections pointing towards Limbaugh and Beck and a disassociation from the original Black Panther group of thugs and the new ones. Both administrations should have pressed for a case with more fervor. What a waste of a read.
Greg
July 12th, 2010
9:39 pm
Cynthia, the New Black Panthers did this in a “HEAVILY DEMOCRATIC PRECINCT” because even they are not stupid enough to think they could get away with a stunt like that in a heavily conservative precinct where Americans who appreciate and exercise their Second Amendment rights vote.
Del
July 12th, 2010
9:47 pm
Oh, please…it doesn’t matter whose watch it was on, those thugs should be behind bars. Anyone who try’s to defend them is a racist.
Voter Intimidation not prosecuted by Holder
July 12th, 2010
9:55 pm
[...] You know, the Bush administration decided to pass on this case. Thoughts? Whatever. Yu mo gui gwai fai di zao! Yu mo gui gwai fai di zao! Opened up my profile to comments; leave one? Thanks!
Reply With Quote [...]
Facts Matter
July 12th, 2010
9:57 pm
Of course the New Black Panthers would scare little conservatives into wetting their huggies, what doesn’t make them scream like French schoolgirls at the sound of a cap gun? These are the same jellyfish that were so panic stricken after 9/11 that they were ready to throw the Constitution in the shredder for anyone that claimed they could protect their candy backsides.
SquirrelX
July 12th, 2010
9:58 pm
Embarrassing to write or say anything but negative against these wimpy thugs. Just like the KKK, a stiff breeze would blow them over- their is not one ounce of toughness among any black panthers. I trust all of you far left libs know that just because you blog doesn’t mean that you assimilate with Obama or he, Holder, or little Rahm likes or respects you. At the end of the day, you are same as those that followed Cheney or follow Palin. CT- I have been reading the AJC for 3 decades- I know you wrote an artice about 6 or 7 years ago proclaiming that there has never been a case of voter fraud or intimidation. This case has nothing to do with Bush and is everything about current politics.
SquirrelX
July 12th, 2010
9:59 pm
Fact Matter- any time any where- bring your Huggies- grown very tired of tough talking bloggers. Any time any where tough guy.
kayaker 71
July 12th, 2010
10:00 pm
CT,
You have rejected my post twice now. Too close to home??
Tommy Maddox
July 12th, 2010
10:02 pm
Yep.
Jim in Ga
July 12th, 2010
10:13 pm
Cynthia, Kennesaw, Ga. is one of the highest concentrated areas of Republicans, but that doesn’t mean a Democrat won’t be voting there. How can you say that no intimidation went on because it’s a highly populated area for Dems. I’m pretty sure that even that precenct isn’t 100% Dem.
Jeanjeanie
July 12th, 2010
10:15 pm
Everything I have read from Cynthia Tucker is such crap, and I real a lot of articles and opinions. Journalism isn’t what you do best Cynthia, I think it’s called leftist propaganda. But as an independent, you didn’t convince me to vote for a democrat, so you’ll have to try harder.
stranger in a strange land
July 12th, 2010
10:18 pm
Scout at 0915 – good analogy. More polarization to come. To borrow a cliche and a recent movie title: There will be blood.
El
July 12th, 2010
10:19 pm
Typical. A black woman defending black terrorists. Any more of this and you’re going to provoke a race war.
Bratty1
July 12th, 2010
10:22 pm
Anyone want to wager how many SCREAMS of racism Cynthia Tucker would shriek if a couple KLANSMEN with sticks were standing in a polling place doorway, WHETHER OR NOT the DOJ felt like prosecuting?
Double standard Tucker would need smelling salts and more ink, for the thrice daily blogs about the KKK intimidating voters.
Scout
July 12th, 2010
10:28 pm
stranger in a strange land :
Sad but probably true ……….. eventually. I hope not in my lifetime.
Lewis
July 12th, 2010
10:30 pm
From what I read above, police were called and took care of the problem. Some idiots with an offensive stance showed up where they shouldn’t and were dealt with. Is anyone alleging this is part of some sort of national movement to intimidate voters/whites or others? Now, if police had refused to respond due to some sort of political direction they’d been given, then we’d have a real problem. But no one is alleging that, are they? Don’t try to read more into this than there is. Unless there is some pattern of similar incidents occurring on a large scale this is just not worth all the commotion.
Waynesworld
July 12th, 2010
10:38 pm
I do not even know why Ms Tucker even try to post the truth. It just hurts some of you to know that Fox News lies.
I think most of you should just go to …..
stranger in a strange land
July 12th, 2010
10:44 pm
scout – amen & good night
Waynesworld
July 12th, 2010
10:44 pm
The police were called and no one was arrested. So now the police did not do their job?
If their was assults, why no arrests?
Please tell me Teabaggers how does this make sense.
BTW- Ms Tucker is not the only news group that is reporting this develpment in this story- Many news groups are reporting it today and the truth hurts does it not?
obamer to take third vaction since spill - Pensacola Fishing Forum
July 12th, 2010
10:46 pm
[...] Bush DOJ decided New Black Panthers no major case | Cynthia Tucker [...]
leo
July 12th, 2010
10:47 pm
As a hispanic i see things from a different perspective. Barack does not like white people. He panders to Blacks and Hispanics even when it comes to things that both parties should agree with. Like immigration and the rule of Law. An illegal immigrant comes to this country and immediately is afforded all civil rights but doesnt want all the laws to apply to them. OH….by the way. BUSH DROPPED THE CHARGES 2 WEEKS BEFORE OBAMA TOOK OFFICE. FRANKLY TIMING WAS A INTEGRAL PART OF THIS EQUATION. ALSO JUST BECAUSE BUSH DIDNT DO IT DOESNT MAKE IT RIGHT. STANDING IN FRONT OF A POLLING STATION WITH A NIGHTSTICK IS WRONG . AGREED , TUCKER ?????
tim
July 12th, 2010
10:53 pm
Ok…I am a white man..49 living in Dallas. I am married to a black woman and have a beautiful daughter.. so do not play the race card…
If I go down to the next street market on Sunday and talk about killin’ negro babies..have much press you think I am gonna get and you think I get thrown in jail for inciting violence against a race..
Get real…Where is Sharpton’s , Jackson’s condemnations…you best get ready, cause I do not want it, but a race, class war is simmering and if you do not wake up and write your opinions equally, you are just as guilty as the one who lights the fuse…Wake up those who are complacent…
MiltonMan
July 12th, 2010
10:59 pm
According to Cynthia the Clown I live in North Fulton which is 90% republican so I can intimidate any Democratic scumbag that comes around. Thanks CT for this gem.
florishes
July 12th, 2010
11:01 pm
Cynthia, I have so much respect for you…Thanks for all you do and for your clear and logical leadership….I always try to catch you on TV. Fanned & Faved.