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Obama on Tom Joyner Show to Fire Up Black Voters

2 years ago
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Mary C. Curtis
Mary C. Curtis
National Correspondent
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"Glad you called home," Tom Joyner told President Obama during an interview Friday on the radio host's popular morning show. The warm welcome was followed by questions on the economy, education and why African-Americans voters should get to the polls in November.

With Democrats facing predictions of major losses in the midterm elections, Obama scheduled a televised press conference on Friday. Before facing the cameras, though, the president returned to one of his most loyal constituencies. Joyner's nationally syndicated show airs in more than 100 markets, reaching nearly 8 million listeners.

Obama acknowledged an unemployment rate that's "brutal," particularly among African-Americans, but continued to press his message that job growth, though slow, is moving in the right direction with eight consecutive months of increases in the private sector. He compared the economy to a convalescing patient that got hit by a Mack truck. "It can't run yet, but it's walking." As he has done in recent speeches, Obama reminded voters that Republicans are offering the same policies that "got us into this mess."

The president touted his administration's health care reform package, which he said will benefit millions, including seniors with large drug expenses and young people who will be covered on their parents' policies. He talked about financial reform, including a consumer financial protection agency to "make sure people are able to keep their money." And he made the case for his administration's education reform, accomplishing more "in the last two years than the last 20."

Joyner always returned to the issue of jobs, pointing to an unemployment rate that's higher among African-Americans. Obama said his plan for tax breaks for small businesses would benefit those most likely to hire, "true in the African-American community and every other community." He said a Republican congress would not be willing to move on plans to shore up infrastructure or to invest in the education system.

Voters "need to be fired up," Obama said when asked how to motivate voters when his name is not on the ballot. "There are a whole series of choices that are going to be forced upon us if we don't take this election seriously."

Joyner's show -- a mix of music, humor, banter and celebrity news -- also includes news and political commentary. The affiliated BlackAmericaWeb.com has more than 1.5 million registered users.
Filed Under: Barack Obama, Race Issues, Voting, Obama Administration, 2010 Elections
Tagged: dailyguidance, tom joyner, Tom Joyner Morning Show
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5 Comments

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scott7841

Small business may start hiring again but they arent going to hire 8th grade dropouts of any color that can't spell cat if you spot them the "C" and the "T". It's not a black or white issue either, it's about the fact that for the last 15 - 20 years we have shifted from rewarding hard work to enabling and encouraging laziness and government dependence. Why get an education of any kind if you can just grow up stupid and get a check for being so? The democrats created the job classification of "Go to the mailbox and get a check" and it has torn this country down every since.

September 14 2010 at 2:56 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Kenneth

I got to admit one thing. He is got to be the only president elected to do as much damage to his party. Ever since he has been elected democrats are getting voted out. Look what happened in the 2009 elections and now we have this November coming up with most polls showing the Democrats are in deep do do.

September 10 2010 at 4:27 PM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
conservgirl8

He's firing me up to vote republican across the board in November.

September 10 2010 at 1:23 PM Report abuse +16 rate up rate down Reply
raytooo

Voters are fired up. Out with all Obama cronies.

September 10 2010 at 1:16 PM Report abuse +21 rate up rate down Reply
glendaaparis

Am I the only one whose tired of reading "Obama says.....". Am I the only one tired of seeing Obama on another talk show, doing another interview. Tell you the truth, I am sick of the name Obama.

September 10 2010 at 1:04 PM Report abuse +28 rate up rate down Reply
Rob & Kathy

It's the only support he can count on...

September 10 2010 at 12:32 PM Report abuse +26 rate up rate down Reply

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