LA Gang Accused of Targeting Blacks
December 31, 2007
Thomas Watkins, Associated Press
In a murderous quest aimed at “cleansing” their turf of snitches and rival gangsters, members of one of Los Angeles County’s most vicious Latino gangs sometimes killed people just because of their race, an investigation found.
There were even instances in which Florencia 13 leaders ordered killings of black gangsters and then, when the intended victim couldn’t be located, said “Well, shoot any black you see,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca said.
Race emerges as a death penalty issue
December 31, 2007
Tony Rizzo, Kansas City Star
Across the nation, death chambers sit idle while the U.S. Supreme Court mulls the viability of lethal injection.
But it’s another less-publicized death penalty issue that in the long run may prove to have a much larger impact on who dies and who decides if they should.
The issue is race. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court heard arguments in the appeal of a black man from Louisiana convicted by an all-white jury. In his case, the prosecutor admonished jurors to not let the defendant get away with murder like O.J. Simpson.
Bloomberg Moves Closer to Running for President
December 31, 2007
SAM ROBERTS, New York Times
Buoyed by the still unsettled field, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg is growing increasingly enchanted with the idea of an independent presidential bid, and his aides are aggressively laying the groundwork for him to run.
On Sunday, the mayor will join Democratic and Republican elder statesmen at the University of Oklahoma in what the conveners are billing as an effort to pressure the major party candidates to renounce partisan gridlock.
Democratic Voters’ Fervor Stirs Republican Worries
December 31, 2007
JONATHAN KAUFMAN, ALEX FRANGOS and AMY CHOZICK, Wall Street Journal
As presidential hopefuls from both parties rally support across Iowa ahead of Thursday’s caucuses, Democratic voters are showing greater fervor for the race than their Republican counterparts, a difference that could have repercussions throughout the 2008 campaign.
At its simplest, there is a political energy gap. Democrats appear to be more fired up about their party nominating contest than are Republicans. Democrats in Iowa and New Hampshire have been turning out at rallies in greater numbers than Republicans and giving more money to candidates. In Iowa, polls indicate Democrats will be attending the Thursday night caucuses in record numbers.
Primaries grab interest of black voters in N.C.
December 31, 2007
Raleigh News & Observer
North Carolinians ordinarily have little stake in the presidential primaries. Voting here, slated for May, comes so late the races are all but over.
But this year, many African-Americans are watching closely to see whether a black candidate might have a realistic chance of reaching the White House.
Polls show Democrat Barack Obama, an African-American from Chicago, is almost even with Hillary Clinton in Iowa, where caucuses Thursday will begin to shape the 2008 presidential race.
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