CBC says backing lacking at White House

WASHINGTON, March 11 (UPI) -- Congressional Black Caucus members say White House officials worry more about political wins and not enough about the poor or black lawmakers' concerns.

Some members of the 43-member CBC said they aren't getting a lot of support from President Barack Obama, the nation's first African-American president, whom they say they once thought would be their strongest champion, Politico reported.

Members of the black caucus and Obama were to meet Thursday.

Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., said "there's not enough attention to poor people" while House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., said White House officials are "not listening" to black congressional members.

Tensions between black lawmakers and the White House have been building in recent months as the caucus tries to address the high unemployment rate among black and minority workers, among other things, the Washington publication said.

An aide for a senior CBC member said the caucus doesn't want special treatment, just a fair shake.

"None of these members think they are going to be on stage with Obama having a black party, but they desperately want to have a relationship," said the aide. "Everything that is going on right now is pitting the black president against the CBC, and the CBC doesn't have enough of a bully pulpit to win the fight."

White House spokesman Corey Ealons told Politico Obama "continues to seek out the best solutions to address the nation's toughest challenges and values every opportunity to discuss these issues with Chairwoman (Barbara) Lee (D-Calif.) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus."

Lee praised the administration officials as a whole.

"They're very receptive, very open," she said. "How to get (jobs help for African-Americans) done in this political environment is the issue. But we definitely have been meeting with administration officials."