Obama Writes Letter On Voting Rights To The New York Times Magazine

United States President Barack Obama signs the H.R. 1138 Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act, in the Oval Office of the White House, on August 7 2015, in Washington, DC. Credit: ... United States President Barack Obama signs the H.R. 1138 Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act, in the Oval Office of the White House, on August 7 2015, in Washington, DC. Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Pool via CNP - NO WIRE SERVICE - Photo by: Aude Guerrucci/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

President Barack Obama urged Congress to restore the Voting Rights Act and praised the work of activists who refused to accept not being able to vote in a letter to the New York Times Magazine published Wednesday morning.

President Obama wrote in response to the Aug. 2 cover story by Jim Rutenberg, “A Dream Undone: Inside the 50-year campaign to roll back the Voting Rights Act.”

The President wrote:

His article puts the recent push to restrict Americans’ voting rights in its proper context. These efforts are not a sign that we have moved past the shameful history that led to the Voting Rights Act. Too often, they are rooted in that history. They remind us that progress does not come easy, but that it must be vigorously defended and built upon for ourselves and future generations.

He noted that progress “must be vigorously defended” and urged Congress and state leaders to make it easier for all citizens to vote.

From Obama’s letter:

I am where I am today only because men and women like Rosanell Eaton refused to accept anything less than a full measure of equality. Their efforts made our country a better place. It is now up to us to continue those efforts. Congress must restore the Voting Rights Act. Our state leaders and legislatures must make it easier — not harder — for more Americans to have their voices heard. Above all, we must exercise our right as citizens to vote, for the truth is that too often we disenfranchise ourselves.

Latest Livewire

Notable Replies

  1. Every time someone told me how there was no mention of the Right to Vote in the Constitution, I wanted to slap them.

    It’s mentioned several times.

    So, maybe the Obama Administration had better get their lawyers to argue that point.

  2. Avatar for mantan mantan says:

    Voting… Ha! How pre Trump…

  3. I am where I am today only because men and women like Rosanell Eaton refused to accept anything less than a full measure of equality.

    And this is precisely WHY the GOP is trying to over-turn or gut the VRA - they never want to see another black person in the WH. At least not unless [s]he is a Republican.

  4. Avatar for chammy chammy says:

    There will never be another candidate black or white, like Obama. He is a once in a lifetime and I am glad he came in my lifetime.

  5. But then it gets messy and provides room for interpretation by the states. Like who is a voter, where to vote, registration, etc.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

10 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for littlegirlblue Avatar for artemisia Avatar for chammy Avatar for rudesan Avatar for trumpdog Avatar for becca656 Avatar for mantan Avatar for ralph_vonholst Avatar for joepaulson Avatar for nickothime Avatar for jviscont1

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: