Clinton As The Black Candidate

It's a bit of a ways away, but [TV One] has already begun its promotional blitz for an interview the online network has pre-taped with Hillary Clinton, in which the senator discusses a variety of issues of concern to African-American voters (it will air on Sunday, October 14 at 8 p.m.).

Along with the discussion of the issues Clinton also attempts to position herself as the first choice for African-American voters, according to portions of the transcript released by TV One. For starters, when asked about the importance of the black vote, Clinton replies that African-Americans need to be more involved in the political process, especially now that she (and Barack Obama, who is, you know, actually African-American) are running for president.

"I think it is pivotal because of numbers and because of value. I personally feel African-Americans have to be much more involved, and I think it is great that we have a campaign this year with me running, with Barack running, because hopefully we'll get even more African-Americans to register to vote, to show up to vote and take part in the debate ... There are too many African Americans who just don't feel that their government is on their side,"

said Clinton.

The senator also spoke about the mutual love and respect that exists between her own family and the African-American community, stating, “People know whether you care about them truly; [They know] whether it is just lip service -- you show up once a year – or whether you care about and live with and work on issues that are going to affect people every day."

Clinton was accompanied to the interview by Harlem Rep. Charles Rangel.

For more New York political coverage visit [City Hall News].