NAACP President Benjamin Jealous has a bold suggestion for President Barack Obama: Appoint an African American woman to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“He still has several more appointments, and we expect that we’ll see at least the same diversity that we saw the first time around,” Jealous told POLITICO. “What we’re hoping to see is a black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court.”
Perhaps Jealous is devising a plan to get Obama out of hot water with some Democrats who have accused the president of appointing too many white men to his inner circle and not enough women and people of color.
When Obama named Jack Lew as his Treasury secretary two weeks ago — the fourth white male he has named to Cabinet-level posts in recent weeks – Democrats quickly took Obama to the woodshed for not assembling a more racially-diverse and gender-diverse Cabinet.
But Jealous didn’t just toss out an idea – he also tossed out a name: California Attorney General Kamala Harris – the state’s first African American and Indian American attorney general.
“Kamala Harris would be a brilliant pick,” Jealous said. “I personally would like to see somebody young who could stay on there for decades,” he said.
“If you look at what they did with [Justices] Antonin Scalia and with Clarence Thomas, we’re going to have these guys for decades,” he added. “It’s time for us to [have that]. So yeah, she would be top. But there are several women who could do this job and do it well.”
The outspoken NAACP leader is also reading the political tea leaves: He knows Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg could be considering retirement. She’s 79 years old.
Jealous may be on to something: Harris, 48, is a rising star in the Democratic Party who has been called “the female Barack Obama” in some political circles.
Harris, who was born in Oakland, has focused on combating gangs that are trafficking guns, drugs, and human beings throughout California. She also secured an estimated $18 billion from the nation’s banks as part of the recent National Mortgage Settlement. She also attended Howard University, where she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
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We don’t need any more black greeks (AKA)-boule) in government leadership roiles. No more black secret society members. We need more of the quality of Dr. Booker T. Washington.
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The NAACP needs to be more concerned about paying that $100K plus bill they racked up during their national convention, and being sued for by the Four Seasons Hotel in Houston Texas. This kind of irresponsibility is why appointing an African American in any high level position vis a vis the federal govt will forever be questioned. PAY YOUR BILLS, so-called leaders!!!!
And make sure she 100% black dark sister too!!!
Scared man ain’t Neva nominated his own!!! It’s ok. They not gonna bite you!
Smiley watching all you Uncle Tommie’s. Appoint a sister… Travis sayn your Sperm Donor black. Your wifey black and female…2 girls…… What’s the problem…… Wake up emotionless Leader.
I have a suggesion how about the President nominate a black man to the Supreme Court, you already have three woman, five white men and one who forgot he was born black, I think a black man would add some balance to the Supreme Court. There are numerious Federal Court vacancy befitting the nomination of more woman.
Thank you Ben Jealous. I couldn’t agree more. The second appointment Obama gave to Helena Kagen should have gone to black woman IMO.
I guess Tom Joyner might disagree since with Obama as president diversity at this level no longer matters to Joyner.
my buddy’s mom makes $70 hourly on the computer. She has been out of work for six months but last month her pay was $16378 just working on the computer for a few hours. Read more here… http://www.parentdish.com.qr.net/j6DP
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“I intended to continue that, because it turns out when you look for the very best people, given the incredible diversity of this country, you’re going to end up with a diverse staff.”
OMG! I was 29 years old when GWB got elected and now that I am going to be 42 I geuss that I will just have to wait my turn to be assisted in this fairness. I don’t mind waiting and contributing 32% of my paychecks for taxes, or whatever, so that we can give leader the time he needs to straighten this s#it out (-4) . Anywho I’m sure that leader isn’t blind or anything just ask Tavis Smiley, Newt Gingrich, or Cornel West. Spending times by myself is enlightening.
Go ahead diversity hero. Thanks alot.
I agree. Pres Obama should appoint some African American in his cabinet this term