Oliver Clark asking bailout question--from a YOUTUBE video.
Many of you may recognize him from the second presidential debate...
He was the young black male who inquired about how the bailout would benefit ordinary Americans.
I communicated with Oliver Clark via e-mail earlier this week.
This is what he told me...
DONALD: Congratulations on last night's opportunity. Millions were watching... Many are worried. In your question last night, you mentioned that most of the people that you know are suffering economically. After hearing the debate, are you convinced that better days are ahead for those around you?
CLARK: I do believe in the American people and their ability to persevere. I am not sure whether it will get better before it gets worse, but I am convinced that it will get better. Prayer is an amazing thing.
DONALD: You presented your question to two remarkable candidates--Senator McCain and Senator Obama. One of them will be our next President. Which candidate is better for America?
CLARK: The candidate that I believe will be better for America is the one who is going to put partisan politics aside and get things done. Whether that will be John McCain or Barack Obama is yet to be seen.
DONALD: You're a young black man from Clarksdale, Mississippi--the heart of the Mississippi Delta... Has growing up in Mississippi shaped your political thoughts?
CLARK: Of course. I believe that your environment is a large factor in shaping who you become. Luckily, I had parents who steered me away from those things that a great deal of people become victims to. I am from Clarksdale, Mississippi--more specifically the Brickyard, [which] I believe to be one of the toughest places in America to grow up and stay focused. A lot of people I grew up with were in jail before they turned thirteen. Once you get trapped in that system its hard to get out.
DONALD: How would you describe yourself--Republican or Democrat?
CLARK: I would describe myself as a conscientious observer who weighs all views before making a decision. In the past though I have voted Democrat.
DONALD: I've found that many believe that it is counterintuitive to be both Black and Republican. Do you believe that this will change in your lifetime?
CLARK: I hope it will. I have seen a great deal more people become interested in the political outcome of this election, and politics is more popular than ever. People are debating and discussing, and that's always good when politcial discourse is taking place. I do agree with some of the things that Republicans are for, and I do disagree with some things Democrats are for, and vice versa. If history is any indicator of where African-Americans will align [themselves] politically then, I just don't know. Blacks voted heavily Republican up until Franklin Roosevelt became president!
I further questioned Mr. Clark about his status as an undecided voter and his thoughts concerning allegations against McCain published by Joan Walsh, a blogger at Salon.com. Earlier this week, Walsh wrote:
"Barack Obama dominated this debate from the very first question John McCain fielded directly, when he condescended to the African-American questioner, a young man named Oliver, who asked how the $700 billion rescue plan passed last week would help the average American. McCain first implied that Oliver and other regular voters wouldn't know that much about Fannie Mae and and Freddie Mac... Then McCain told Oliver that his plans would 'help Americans like Allen ... stay in their home.' Allen? Allen was the nice older white man who asked the first question. So what about Oliver? Did he not matter? Was McCain confused?"
However, Clark did not respond immediately to my questions. I was later informed that Clark posted responses on his Facebook page.
CLARK: Well... I actually did [know about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac]. I like to think of myself as a fairly intelligent person. I have a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Tennessee State, so I try to keep myself up to date with current affairs. I have a master's degree in Legal Studies from Southern Illinois University, a few years in law school, and I am currently pursuing a Master in Public Administration from the University of Memphis. In defense of the Senator from Arizona, I would say he is an older guy, and may have made an underestimation of my age. Honest mistake. However, it could be because I am a young African-American male. Whatever the case may be, it was somewhat condescending regardless of my age to make an assumption regarding whether I was knowledgeable about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Prior to the debate, a statement was published on a Belmont University website concerning those selected to ask questions. The statement read:
"Participants asking questions of the candidates will be chosen by the Gallup Organization from undecided voters in the Nashville, Tenn., standard metropolitan statistical area."
The following appeared on Facebook:
CLARK: ...I went to undergrad at Tennessee State University. (Go Tigers) I have a Nashville area code for my cell phone. So the Sunday before last, I received a call from the Gallup Poll. They asked a few questions regarding my choice in the Presidential election. They asked who I would vote for. I said most likely I would be voting for Barack Obama. They followed with, “Is there any chance that you would change your mind?" I said “Of course anything is possible.” They then asked me as an uncommitted voter would I like to participate in the town hall debate. I said, “Of course!”
To read Oliver Clark's Facebook note in its entirety, please click here.
Recent Comments