Obama and Politics in the Rough

Back during the start of the Kennedy years I had the rare privilege of working briefly with J. Raymond Jones, the "Harlem Fox," who was a tough political leader -- our dominant NYC one for a time -- who reformed the sellout pols of Harlem and much that was going on elsewhere in NYC. Nevertheless he was characterized as a corrupt politician by the NY
Times and 'reform' pols who would show up occasionally to try to negotiate under the table deals -- I was sitting in the office as Ray's aide. Ray taught me that politics is played in the realm of the possible. One time he supported a real bum and I asked him how can you do so? He responded, "Would you rather see his opponent (a crook from day one) elected?"

The point I am making here is that Obama will have to deal with horrendous challenges. I see him as a man of conscience who will do all that he can to set things right. Ed Kent
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"A war is just if there is no alternative, and the resort to arms is legitimate if they represent your last hope." (Livy cited by Machiavelli)
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Ed Kent 212-665-8535 (voice mail only) [blind copies]
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