Thread by @QJames

I know who paid for & put out the racist hit piece against @BibbForCLE.

The one where they darken his skin tone & use the old racist trope of criminalizing a highly educated & qualified black man?

It’s one of the oldest tricks in their book. But they fucked up.

A THREAD

As a leader in national dem politics, I’ve seen it all. But if there is one issue that pisses me off more than anything, it’s when white men weaponize race when they can’t win on merit.

And while I don’t know @kevinkelleyCLE, he and his friends have crossed a line.

1st - I am not like a lot of black people the powerful white Dem leaders in Cleveland are used to dealing with. I have my own nat’l orgs. I have my own network. I have my own financial resources.

I am not a bought, owned or controlled black man. Hence, their first mistake.

2nd - If you’re gonna throw stones & hide your hands, you actually have to hide them. #AmateurHour

Mistake 2: you’ve now connected some of Cleveland’s most wealthy families & some of Cleveland’s most powerful pols to a racist anti-Bibb mailer.

Racism is bad for biz. Unless…

…you and the PAC funders think @BibbForCLE & black people at large are disposable, collateral damage in your warpath to become Mayor?

Mistake 3: you’ve underestimated how much black ppl don’t fuck w/ racism, even though your path to victory requires black support???

You see, the black people around you now have to make a choice…and I get that your powerful, institutional network will hold money or employment over their heads, but no black person wants to align with white people who put out that kinda mailer. We aren’t built that way.

So while I don’t think anything illegal was done to pay for the mailer, the direct, verifiable associations w/ it will undoubtedly show that Bibb is the best choice to clean house and start over here.

Cleveland deserves better than this. And I’m gonna do everything in my power over the next 10 days to make sure of that.

Black voters in Cleveland - I truly respect Basheer, Zach and Sandra - but there’s a reason they’re attacking Bibb and no one else. If you vote for Basheer, Zach or Sandra, you’re voting for Dennis or Kevin. And that’s what they need…our vote divided.

White voters in Cleveland - Justin is not a criminal. But Kevin and his people think you’re gullible and racist so you’ll believe it.

Prove them wrong. Volunteer. Give money. Clean house.

Bibb supporters - dig in. They’re on their heels. This is their best shot…making Bibb out to be a thug. 😂😂

It’d be laughable if it wasn’t so gotdamn racist.

Lastly, Dems really have to decide if racism and white supremacy belong in the big tent party. It’s a red line for me, but somehow these mf’s are currently leading at the highest levels of county & city Dem & union politics…

But Happy Labor Day y’all!