Rep. John Conyers Speaks for Barack Obama in Monroe

On Sunday, April 20, Congressman John Conyers came to our little town of Monroe to speak in support of Senator Barack Obama. We gathered at Janet's Corner Cafe where owners Janet and Grayson Graig were kind enough to welcome the 55-60 Obama supporters who came to hear the Congressman speak.

The event was organized by Diane Little, GOTV chair for the Union County Democratic Party, her husband Lee Little who is the chair of the African American Caucus in Union County and Ernest E. Walker, 2nd Vice Chair of the Union County Democratic Party. There may have been others involved in organizing this event. I apologize if I've excluded anyone and will add names later so the proper people get credit. The event ran on time, was very organized and allowed for time with the Congressman before he had to leave.

John Conyers is one of the Congressman who immediately took advantage of the new Democratic majority in Congress when he signaled his willingness to subpoena Karl Rove and Harriet Miers. Despite all his faults and foibles, he's still one of my heroes and I got a chance to tell him as much on Sunday. His lip quivered and he looked at me and said, "Oh, don't make me cry." This is a man who has been walking the halls of congress for 42 years. He was there before it was commonplace to see African Americans holding elected office. I imagine he has stories to tell.

Conyers did a great job speaking for Obama. I didn't hear anything new, but it is nice hearing Obama's praises sung in person from someone I respect. It's also comforting hearing it from someone - one of the many men and women - who has made it possible for an African American to run for president. Over the past 42 years detractors have thrown every bit of sludge they can find at John Conyers and he hasn't folded yet. He hasn't backed down and by association I get the feeling that Barack Obama won't back down either. He might not return the attack, but he won't fold under the pressure of the attacks coming his way.

One thing I did pick up from Rep. Conyers that doesn't have to do with Barack Obama is that the subpoenas and investigations will continue after we've elected a Democratic president. He said that eventually the imperial presidency will be exposed and it is important to do continue investigations even after Bush leaves office so that we send a signal to our next president and all who follow that the American people will not allow another abuse of power like the one that has occurred under George W. Bush. Amen.