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South Carolina Democratic Black Caucus Chair Says Tom Steyer Understands all of the Issues

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “Tom Steyer is genuine. I was at an event talking about judicial executions with police and Black folk’s being slaughtered by the cops,” Cordero stated. “And Steyer got it. That’s the moment that I knew that this is a man that we could trust, and when you go through his policies and programs and notice his dedication to people who don’t always have a voice, he’s putting his money where his mouth is.”

Published

7 years ago

February 29, 2020

Oakland Post

Democratic Black Caucus of South Carolina Chairman, Johnnie Cordero (Photo: Johnnie Cordero / Facebook)

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Johnnie Cordero knows it’s nearly impossible for any Democrat to win in South Carolina without the Black vote.

The chair of the Democratic Black Caucus of the Palmetto State and a Tom Steyer surrogate, Cordero said he listened carefully to all of the candidates before choosing to throw his support behind the New York philanthropist.

“What I have said from the very beginning is that it is presumptuous to think, and certainly to say, that you have the black vote in your pocket,” Cordero stated.

“I spoke with almost every candidate except Elizabeth Warren. Early on, I endorsed Tom Steyer and what I said to him is what I said to all of the candidates. I told him if he wanted to reach the Black community in South Carolina, he needed a plan, and I laid out that plan,” Cordero said.

He continued:

“You can come in and kiss some babies and pat people on the head, shake hands and think all of a sudden you’re okay. We know that nobody is going to walk into the White House and wave a magic wand and change things.

“What we’re interested in is the candidate who understands our issues, who has empathy. And we believe Tom Steyer has integrity and character and that he will fight for us and our issues when he becomes president.”

Cordero said Steyer has a track record of tackling issues that are paramount to Black life.

Since Steyer didn’t make the debate stage in Nevada, it was equally important that he sat down for a fireside chat in Las Vegas with the National Newspaper Publishers Association President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.

The interview was broadcast live over the various social media channels of the Black Press of America.

“Tom Steyer is genuine. I was at an event talking about judicial executions with police and Black folk’s being slaughtered by the cops,” Cordero stated. “And Steyer got it. That’s the moment that I knew that this is a man that we could trust, and when you go through his policies and programs and notice his dedication to people who don’t always have a voice, he’s putting his money where his mouth is.”

Many of Steyer’s campaign employees are Black, and Cordero believes that will remain the case if he’s elected president.

He also believes Steyer’s numbers are on the rise, and he stands as good a chance as any of the candidates to capture the Democratic nomination.

“You can’t get the Democratic nomination if you don’t carry South Carolina, and you can’t carry South Carolina without the Black vote. Tom Steyer has recognized that, and he’s in this for the long haul,” Cordero stated, adding that he believes his candidate will perform well during Super Tuesday in March.

“I predict, in my humble way, is that after people see what he does in South Carolina, they’re going to start jumping on the bandwagon. Regardless of what happens Super Tuesday, he’s going to keep going. As this moves forward, what African Americans are going to understand is that there’s only one candidate who doesn’t come with baggage, one that understands that there’s been a stream of detrimental things that have happened to the African American community,” Cordero said.

“Let me tell you what a USC student said. He said if a candidate doesn’t support reparations for Black people, they could kiss his [behind]. That student now works for Tom Steyer.”

That Steyer was among the first to publicly call for the impeachment of President Trump only made it easier for Cordero to support him, he stated.

“My sense is that Steyer was very disappointed but not surprised that the Senate [voted to acquit Trump],” Cordero said. “I had signs in my yard long before impeachment that was calling for impeachment, and Steyer felt the same.”

“Look, everybody is for climate control. Everybody is against gun violence and everybody is against Medicaid fraud. But, there’s only one candidate we need in the White House who we know that understands all of the issues and will fight for them. That’s Tom Steyer.”

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Smooth Ride! Car Suspension & Comfort Tested #shorts

Smooth suspension meets surprisingly spacious legroom. Experience true comfort on any road!

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1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Car suspension test demonstrating a smooth ride, comfort features, and handling on various terrains.

Experience the difference smooth suspension makes on rough streets. Check out the surprisingly good second-row legroom – test it yourself for true comfort.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/l9Z571za5Gc

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61 years since Selma, Houston leaders say the bridge remains to be crossed

61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Houston leaders discuss the ongoing struggle for civil rights 61 years after Selma, emphasizing the need for continued action.

It has been 61 years since the Selma marches. But political leaders in Houston say that the issues protesters were marching for still plague the lives of Black Americans.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.