Black members of Congress growing impatient with Obama

By Bob Keefe

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

WASHINGTON -- The nation's first black president is catching increasing heat from black members of Congress who say he isn't doing enough to help African-Americans hit hardest by the recession.

On Friday, members of the Congressional Black Caucus -- which includes four members from Georgia -- are planning a news conference where they are expected to say President Barack Obama hasn't done enough to specifically address joblessness in minority communities across the country.

Tension between the 42-member black caucus and Obama has been building for months. Some members of the group who complained about what they consider years of neglect and indifference by the George W. Bush administration now say they're growing increasingly frustrated with the Obama administration, too.

Last week, 10 members of the black caucus boycotted a House committee meeting until some of their demands were included in banking reform legislation that Obama wants passed.

And earlier this week, after Obama gave a speech on jobs, black caucus chairwoman U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said the president needs to do more to help jobless minorities.

"While we agree with the president that support for small businesses, infrastructure investment and green jobs is essential, we also believe that much more needs to be done, particularly for those Americans who are hurting most," Lee said in a statement.

While the unemployment rate for all Americans is about 10 percent, it's 15.6 percent for African-Americans, Labor Department figures show. African-American workers remain unemployed an average of five weeks longer than the rest of America, according to the black caucus.

"The president is without question the president for everybody -- it's important that we all respect and understand that," said U.S. Rep. David Scott, an Atlanta Democrat and a member of the black caucus. "However, when you have a segment of the population that is overwhelmingly, disproportionately impacted … then we must pay attention to that."

Like Scott, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, a Lithonia Democrat who also is a member of the black caucus, said he realizes the president has to walk a fine line when it comes to issues involving race.

"He's got his priorities and [Congress] and the [Congressional Black Caucus] in particular have our own priorities, and they may not necessarily always correspond," Johnson said.

But "yes, I think he should be more attuned to the particular needs of minorities in this country," he added.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama believes policies on job creation, the economy and other issues should be directed at all Americans, regardless of race or ethnicity.

"Look, I think what the president believes is that the plans that he outlined will help white America, black America, Hispanic America, Asian America," Gibbs said.

U.S. Rep. John Lewis, the Atlanta Democrat and civil rights movement leader, seems to be the most supportive of Obama among the four Congressional Black Caucus members from Georgia. U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, a Democrat from Albany, also belongs to the group.

"He [Obama] has taken a very simple position, which is a good position, I think: By helping all Americans, you help minorities," Lewis said.

"In the final analysis, we're all in the same boat," Lewis said. "People are hurting -- it doesn’t matter if you're black, white, Latino or Asian-American … and what is that saying? A rising tide lifts all boats."