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Legendary Journalist Roger Wilkins Visits South Carolina for Barack

By T. Neil Sroka - Oct 24th, 2007 at 2:18 pm EDT

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Tags: barack obama, SC, south carolina, transparency in government

Roger Wilkins knows Washington, and Roger Wilkins knows how much Washington needs to change.

Wilkins worked in the Johnson Administration as an Assistant Attorney General and later became the first black member of the Washington Post's editorial board. During his years at the Washington Post, he was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the Watergate scandal. In the years to follow, Wilkins has served as the editor of a major newspaper (the now-defunct Washington Star), the first black columnist for the New York Times, a leader of the Free South Africa movement, and a distinguished Professor at George Mason University, where he still teaches today.

This week Wilkins traveled across South Carolina to share his reasons for supporting Barack's candidacy.

During a discussion yesterday with communications students at the College of Charleston, Wilkins emphasized Barack's aim of creating more transparency in our goverment.

I have observed and written about a government that was reluctant to give information to the public, and I worked in a government that was systematically deceiving the people about what was going on in the war in Vietnam. I am convinced that most important freedom we have among all the freedoms in the Bill of Rights is to know what the people in charge... are doing as they make policy for us and for our children... and I couldn't agree more [with Barack's position on improving transparency in government].

For Wilkins, Barack's commitment to transparency is reflected in the way he wants to approach the challenges facing the country, a style defined by a willingness to hear opinions that differ from his own and conduct open, honest dialogue with the American people about the decisions he'll make.

[Barack is] a brilliant man with an extraordinary gift for listening to other human beings. He doesn't have the attitude that "I'm the smartest person in the room." He has the attitude that "I need to listen to other people, reason with other people to figure out how we can get out of this mess.

Barack's openness to hear different opinions is one reason Wilkins is confident that Barack has what it's going to take to effect the fundamental change America needs.

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Everyone Please Go To The ACTION CENTER!! | Report to Admin

By Tommy Ates from Austin, TX Oct 25th 2007 at 3:54 am EDT

Sign up at the ACTION CENTER!!

Link

The time is now to volunteer remotely if you can't go to an early primary state. A new site design was launched early this morning it looks great.

It's easy and fun!

Regular folks: please someone post this message with every post if possible. We know the only way that Obama will win is that the people do their part to defeat the Clinton machine and the main stream media's political agenda of endless wars, poverty, and increased corporate influence. We must try to encourage everyone who can to get involved.

The change begins with you.

Together we will defeat Hillary, Inc.

Admiration and Respect | Report to Admin

By cape cod Oct 27th 2007 at 3:52 pm EDT

I have respect and admiration for Roger Wilkens. I listened to him speak about many issues on PBS. I am delighted that he has come out and offered his time and support to a man and a family who I believe will make an amazing President.

Lets all do the best we can within our individual frameworks to help Barack Obama become the next president of the United States.

Obama can not do this alone. He needs all the citizens of this country of ours to provide him with what help we can give.

Go Obama 08

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