CBC member defends Obama against attacks

A member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Sunday defended President Barack Obama against accusations from her own bloc that he has not done enough for the black community.

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) told the Dallas Morning News that she considers Obama to be a "miracle worker" and that the CBC's recent actions have been part of a broader "strategy" to prove their point.

"He's been a miracle worker based on what we picked up from the last administration," she said. "He has been really focused on it. He's probably never going to get the credit he deserves because so many people didn't realize how bad off this country was."

Johnson's comments come as some members of the CBC have criticized Obama, the first black president, for not doing enough to fight unemployment in the black community, which is much higher than the national average.

10 members oft the caucus boycotted a House committee vote on the financial regulatory overhaul Obama made a priority after healthcare reform legislation. In addition, some in the CBC have sent letters to the president and remarked publicly about their qualms.

"It's part of a strategy," Johnson said of the efforts.

Obama has rejected criticisms from the CBC, saying that he is doing much to combat unemployment among all sects of the population.

Johnson echoed Obama's sentiments.

"I don't care what color people are," she said. "If they're unemployed and need a job, they're unemployed and need a job."

---