And then there were two.

After a year of campaigning, the Democratic Party is about to make history by nominating either the first woman or the first African American as their standard bearer for the President of the United States. This week's presidential debate at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles on CNN was a proud moment for America.

Watching Senator Obama and Senator Clinton discuss the important issues of our day sent chills up my spine. It made me proud to be an American-something that has been difficult for many Americans over the last few years with torture, Katrina, and an Attorney General who believed political loyalty was more important than defending the constitution.

The two candidates demonstrated a robust understanding on issues from Immigration and healthcare to national security and the war in Iraq. But for me, what wasn't talked about in their "conversation" rang louder than what was discussed. Through 17 debates in every corner of this country, AIDS has barely been mentioned. And it was not mentioned at all during the final debate between the remaining two Democratic contenders prior to super Tuesday.

Here's why this is important to Black people.

According to a November 26, 2007 report assessing the status of HIV/AIDS in Washington DC by the District's HIV/AIDS administration, our nation ' s capital has the worse AIDS epidemic of any capital city in the world, where 1 in every 50 people is known to be infected and 80% of the new cases identified between 2001 and 2006 in Washington D.C. were Black.

During his final State of the Union address, President Bush said, "AIDS can be prevented. Anti-retroviral drugs can extend life for many years. ...seldom has history offered a greater opportunity to do so much for so many." He went on to say, "We have confronted, and will continue to confront, HIV/AIDS in our own country."

The President asked Congress to commit $15 billion over the next five years to turn the tide against AIDS in the most afflicted nations of Africa and the Caribbean . But he did not ask for one additional penny to fight AIDS in Black America where according to the June 2007 CDC surveillance report, every hour of every day a Black person dies from AIDS and over two Black people get diagnosed with the disease.

During their final debate, the Democratic contenders contrasted the President they would be with the President George W. Bush has been. On her Web site, Senator Clinton claims she will be ready to "Step in on Day one". On his website Senator Obama asks us to believe. "Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington D.C....I'm asking you to believe in yours."

A discussion about AIDS is not just a discussion about some peripheral issue. HIV/AIDS is the preeminent health issue in Black America. It is a civil rights issue. It is a social justice issue. It is an Urban renewal issue. HIV/AIDS undermines Black America's ability to manifest the change the candidates are talking about. To not talk about AIDS is to fundamentally demonstrate that you either don't understand what is going on in our communities or as Kanye West said about one President, you don't care about Black people. Either one must be unacceptable to Black voters.

On Tuesday, February 5th millions of Americans in 22 States will be going to the polls to decide who they want to be the 2008 candidates for the President of their party. Time is running out. I believe in Mr. Obama's ability to change Washington D.C. and Mrs. Clinton's ability to step in on day one. What we need to know is how Mr. Obama is going to change the AIDS epidemic and will Mrs. Clinton begin to end the AIDS epidemic on day one. We can't know that unless they begin to talk about it. We need a national AIDS plan. We need a president who will actively engage Black America and create a mass Black AIDS Mobilization.

Barack, Hillary, discuss.

Reader Comments

1. Let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet on a Chocolate or Strawberry President. We are on the wrong side of several issues. First, national security is a must. America won't change if they don't feel safe. Second, immigration places every American at the fence. Hillary says, "No Woman is Illegal" and that's a national embarassment. Obama wants to give driver's licenses. That just won't fly. Third, Hillary brings Bill's Baggage back. That's like selling your soul for power. Obama brings the ugly history of race to the White House. Do you think he can put Al, Jesse, Cos, Oprah and Farrakahn in their place? Fourth, on health care neither one has it quite right. Health care is a national security issue. One person from Africa could carry Ebola or TB. One shipment from China to Walmart could be a national health scare. I didn't even mention HIV. That's all about the money. In short, doing something we've never done isn't a smart strategy in times of uncertainty. If Obama were a Colin Powell or an MLK, then his credential would speak for themselves. As for Hillary, she's just the wrong woman to be the first woman. Democrats are praying that "The Others" are worse than us. This is assinine, but that's the Democrats for you. They find a way to grab defeat from the jaws of victory. "We Can" was the winning slogan offered in 2004! How do I know? I did it! I'm the Dems Karl Rove. I was the Rove, but Edwards is out! Good luck.

Cecil Jones at 10:38AM on Feb 2nd 2008

2. There's Hope On The Horizon. Whether It Be Obama Or Clinton, The Change Is For The Better.
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JC at 4:41PM on Feb 2nd 2008

3. One thing that American's really need to weigh heavily is whether sending the Clintons back to the White House is a good idea. I support Obama but will vote Independent or Republican in the Fall if the Clintons are nominated by the Democrats. A lot of people are enthralled at prospect Bill Clinton being in the White House as spouse, but make no mistake that he relishes the idea of having so much power (again). It is only in most muslim countries and some African countries where power is handed from one family member to another. This is virtually what American voters will help to facilitate if the Clintons return to rule. Bill Clinton has lately been wheeling and dealing with rulers in Kahzakistan and managed to get 30 million bucks donated to his foundation, an action which undermined State Department actions in that country. What is to prevent him from freelancing any way he wants. So Clinton backers better be very careful what they wish for.

GW at 11:59PM on Feb 2nd 2008

4. Camelot may be gone, but Obamalot is here to take us into a new frontier before it's too late. Hillary can't do it, because the people we need to convert are the same ones who assassinated Benazir Bhutto. Hillary is a woman who walks in front of her man, she will only make matters worse in the eyes of many Muslims.

Give Obama a chance, you will not be disappointed with the results. Hopefully, after 4 or 8 years the ground work will be laid for a woman to be president of the United States, not now.

Sasha Reece at 11:21AM on Feb 3rd 2008

5. My eyes swell with tears every time I see the names of Americans who have died in Iraq, every Sunday on ABC's THIS WEEK with George Stephanopolous. This doesn't include the many soldiers who are injured/maimed or crippled for life. We need the truth and an end to this and all unjustied wars.

Can't wait... OBAMA '08!

Sasha Reece at 11:33AM on Feb 3rd 2008

6. John McCain!

Tsicar Ton M'i at 2:14PM on Feb 3rd 2008

7. Among all the issues on the table the war has got to be at the top of the list. It was a terrible idea from the beginning, which Hilary, though sheepishly admits today, was strongly in favor of.

Senator Obama, on the other hand, knew that it was an awful idea from day one and adamantly opposed it.

There's been alot of blood shed due to this travesty. WE need president hopeful Obama who's insight may very well save hundreds of lives on the road ahead.

DarkNLuvly at 3:00PM on Feb 4th 2008

8. It is beyond time for America to have the first WOMAN or First BLACK President. It is over---due. However, while excited of the posibilities......we need to stay focused and do what is right.....Obama keeps putting forth that he was right in being against the war is great....except remember that hinesight is 20/20.....but more importantly....he was NOT....NOT in the Senate at that time ..... facing that huge responsibility nor dilema......he was not given that briefing......nor all the evidence that Hillary and all the others had.....further more he didn't have that intense time line to make such a huge decision......I'm amazed that he is constantly bragging about something that didn't start out on an even playing field ..... therefore how can he pat him self on his back and be so proud.......ESPECIALLY when it is a FACT that the moment Hillary found out that the information she was given was not accurate ----she immediately and consistantly tried to make it right......she has put here desire to end the war in Iraq front and center......You know as humans we are capable of making mistakes.......but intentions is usually the best way to judge a situation.....clealy Hillary's intention was to vote for what she thought was in the best interest of our national security.....we can't fault a leader for that.....and we sure can't praise someone when they didn't face the exact same choices. America, is facing alot of challenges so I choose Hillary because I really respect her and I believe she is the best person for the job. But at the end of the day I will support which ever DEMOCRATIC Nominee we get.

Sarita at 6:28PM on Feb 4th 2008

9. I JUST PRAY THAT WHOMEVER IS ELECTED INTO PRESIDENCY THAT THEY WILL ELIMINATE THIS AT WILL POLICY IN NORTH CAROLINA FOR REASON THAT IT IS A FORM OF HIDDEN DISCRIMINATION FOCUSED MAINLY TOWARDS BLACKS HERE IN THE SOUTH. THE SYSTEM HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA IS DESIGNED TO KEEP BLACKS IN POVERTY AND UNEMPLOYED. I PRAY THAT HE/SHE WILL MAKE MEDICAID AVAILABLE TO SINGLE WOMEN WHOM HAVE NO CHILDREN LIKE THEY OFFER TO US IN NEW JERSEY BECAUSE IN MY ASPECT SINGLE WOMEN HAVE HEALTH ISSUES ALSO THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED SUCH AS FIBROID TUMORS WHICH ARE DANGEROUS FOR FEMALES BECAUSE THESE TUMORS CAN TAKE AWAY ALL OF THE BLOOD WE HAVE IN OUR BODIES AND DESTROY OUR HORMONAL BALANCE AND THESE TUMORS ALSO LEADS TO ANEMIA. SINGLE WOMEN SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE SICK OR HAVE CHILDREN TO GET MEDICAID I MEAN LOOK AT THE ECONOMY WE BARELY GET 8 HOURS WORK SCHEDULES ANYMORE IN NORTH CAROLINA

INDUSTRIOUS at 6:32PM on Feb 6th 2008

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kiny2001 at 10:59AM on Feb 16th 2008

12. I don't care about it. I guess I must not care about black people, although I am black. If you stop screwing you won't catch it. I don't have sex. It is not a "black" issue; it is an idiot issue. Women in most countries in Africa can't do anything but marry and have families. While it would be best if they left their cheating husbands, it isn't plausible. Black Americans, on the other hand, or just irresponsible. They feed into this white feminism bullcrap and then they have sex with people to whom they are not married who do not love them. Where did that "empowerment" and that "freedom" get us? AIDS rising in blacks, and especially black women. Where did feminism get us? Ten million black people aborted since 1973. That's like all the black people in this country being lined up and every third person being shot. Why isn't BlackVoices complaining about that? Because they are silly. That is what the Democrats want us to do: to keep having sex, catching AIDS, having abortions, living on welfare, so they can come along and say, "Vote for us, we'll save you! We'll give you more free money. We'll let you keep being lazy and making bad choices, and we'll bail you out of everyone." But they aren't. The white feminists can't take the AIDS you caught being "sexually liberated" away. All the food stamps in the world won't fill the void your kids have when you die from stupidity. It's no one's fault but theirs. There is no excuse for a Black American woman to have AIDS, except all this "freedom." Hell, I am the real free woman. I don't have sex, and I don't care what man (usually black) doesn't like it. Go find someone who doesn't care about her future who will take that risk. I care about black, white, everybody...who is responsible. I'm sick of taking care of lazy and irresponsible people. We shouldn't be giving tax dollars to Africa or anywhere else. Africa is not a state. We are not the police or DHR: we cannot keep adopting countries because their own governments won't help. Maybe they should overthrow those governments. Personally I think STDs are necessary. That's why they are going up: people think they are entitled to sex so they do it recklessly. Maybe if syphilis and all those old diseases come back people will stop screwing simply because the other person is cute. Sex is not a hobby or recreation. AIDS is not going to go away until people realize that. We didn't have AIDS before the sexual revolution. Stop sleeping with everybody. I don't have it. I don't care.

Till Green at 8:57PM on Apr 17th 2008

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