This Week With Barack Obama, December 23-29, 2007

cross-posted @ Daily Kos and One Million Strong


obama supporter card





Iowa Caucus Center
Iowa Caucus Finder
Iowa Caucus Watch Party


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obama in new hampshire

Obama Apperances and Campaign Events

December 31, 2007 - New Year's Eve with Barack, Perry, IA
December 31, 2007 - New Year's Eve with Barack, Jefferson, IA
December 31, 2007 - Meet and Greet with Michelle Obama, Grinnell, IA
December 31, 2007 - Poweshiek County Event with Michelle Obama, Grinnell, IA
December 31, 2007 - Marion County Event with Michelle Obama, Pella, IA
December 31, 2007 - Marshall County Event with Michelle Obama, Marshalltown, IA
December 31, 2007 - New Year's Eve with Barack, Boone, IA
December 31, 2007 - New Year's Eve with Barack, Iowa Falls, IA
December 31, 2007 - New Year's Eve with Barack, Ames, IA
December 31, 2007 - Meet Michelle Obama, Bedford, IA
January 1, 2008 - Barack's 'Stand for Change Tour', Dubuque, IA
January 1, 2008 - Barack's 'Stand for Change Tour', Council Bluffs, IA
January 1, 2008 - Barack's 'Stand for Change Tour', Sioux City, IA
January 1, 2008 - Barack's 'Stand for Change Tour', Canvass Kickoff, Des Moines, IA
January 2, 2008 - Barack's 'Stand for Change Tour', Des Moines, IA
January 2, 2008 - Barack's 'Stand for Change Tour', Waterloo, IA
January 2, 2008 - Barack's 'Stand for Change Tour', Iowa City, IA
January 2, 2008 - Barack's 'Stand for Change Tour', Canvass Kickoff, Davenport, IA
January 2, 2008 - Barack's 'Stand for Change Tour', Cedar Rapids, IA

A View of Obama's Ground Game
Obama Keeps the Pressure On
Obama Pitching to Undecided Voters in Iowa
Patrick Stumping for Obama
Obama Seeks Live Television Time in Iowa


barack in ottumwa, ia

Endorsements & Announcements

Senator Kent Conrad Endorses Obama; The Grinch Supports Obama; 11th Office Opening in Nevada; Former Alaska Governor Tony Knowles; Marshalltown Times-Republican Endorses Obama; Obama Endorsements; Congressman William Delahunt, D-MA, Endorses Obama

Why I'm Voting for Barack Obama
Early Voting for California, Starts January 7th
Waiting for Obama
Obama: U.S. Need to Come Down Hard on Musharref


barack on meet the press, december 30, 2007

Snow Doesn't Stop Obama Crowds

Barack Obama’s campaign has said that bad weather could deter supporters from participating in the caucuses on January 3rd. However, if today is any indication of how voters will react to bad weather, the campaign could be wrong.

By Iowa political event standards, an enormous crowd packed a high school gym in Coralville - it was so packed that an overflow room was set up for those who couldn't fit into the gym.

Prior to the event, the campaign said that primarily undecided voters were invited to attend. (They estimate that over 900 undecided voters and supporters attended.)

The crowds seem to be invigorating Obama as he delivered an energetic version of his "closing argument" speech and spoke like a man who is still has “hope” that he might win. CBS

McCain Losing Votes to Obama in New Hampshire
The Viability Question, by icebergslim


precinct captain matt tapscott

Obama's Phone Banks Gear Up Already For California's Absentee Voters

Californians, be forewarned: The phone calls are coming!

The California state branch of Democrat Barack Obama's presidential organization has publicized a tactic that most of the leading campaigns can be expected to pursue -- calling voters to remind them that they don't have to wait to cast ballots in the nominating contests.

Debbie Mesloh, communications chief for the Illinois senator in California, noted in a recent release that absentee ballots for the state's Feb. 5 presidential primary will start being mailed Jan. 7. Also, applications to vote by mail will be accepted until Jan. 29. L.A. Times

Iraq Made U.S. Lose Focus on al-Qaida
Milestone: Barack Obama


barack and senator kent conrad, d-sd

Unprecedented money being spent in Iowa.

Folks, it is. It makes one wonder if these other candidates are really serious about campaign finance reform.

Barack Obama did not raise money to waste it. He raised this money from us to build the grass roots organization we have the priviledge to witness come to a reality. Just look at his reinvented website. It lists all 50 states and the committment to opening and staffing offices to march on.

There are some candidates who have not been able to raise the money to compete, especially since these candidates promised to not take public financing. But to compete with the likes of Clinton or Obama, you must have money and not be limited to spend it.

So, here we are with the wink-wink, nod-nod, of acceptance from these outside groups, while deriding and chastising these groups, but in the same token accepting these groups.

What does that mean? For me. Hypocrisy.

When your are campaigning your words matter. "The system is corrupt", matter to people. "The system is rigged", matter to people. "The system works against you", matter to people. The same corruption that many campaigns are talking about is the same corruption that is allowed for their benefit.

For me, it matters. What about you?



barack in davenport, ia

Video/Audio

barack in keokuk, ia; barack in burlington, ia; hope tv ad; barack in clinton, ia; switching to obama; presidential in iowa down to the wire; student votes tricky to rally during winter break; iowa ad, interest; iowa ad, listening our moment is now, speech

Weather Expected Perfect for Iowa Caucus
Nevada Caucus Center
Nevada Unions Delay Endorsements
Iowans Passionate About Politics

Blogs and Websites

One Million Strong; This Week With Barack Obama; The Populista Report; Relentless Liberal; Washington State; Obama Dallas; NYC4OBAMA; NewYork4Obama; Texans for Obama; Republicans for Obama; Vermont for Obama; Independents for Obama; Seattle for Obama; Idaho for Obama; Asians for Obama; Bay Area for Obama; Sacramento for Obama; Families for Obama; Irish Americans for Obama; D.C. for Obama; Obama NH; Obama News Vine; Black Women for Obama; Obama Santa Cruz; Think on These Things; Iowa Republicans for Obama; Another Democratic Woman for Obama; RENObama!; Go Barack Obama; Netroots for Obama; Economists for Obama

Michelle Obama the Open Secret Weapon in South Carolina
Hope, Fear, Young, Old
Obama's Closing Argument
Voters Sampling Candidates


obama in butter, baby!!!

Calling the Kettle Black

Blacks Turned Off by Bill Clinton's Attacks on Obama

Bill Clinton says Sen. Barack Obama is a highly ambitious, political prodigy who is asking voters to "roll the dice" and elect him president.

The controversial comments made on PBS's "The Charlie Rose Show," last week are the latest in a series of attacks on Obama by the ex-president as the stakes for the Iowa Caucus heat up and the Illinois senator pushes ahead in the polls against Clinton's wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.

In a wide ranging interview with Rose, Clinton suggested Obama was a risky and inexperienced choice. "When is the last time we elected a president based on one year of service in the Senate before he started running?" Clinton asked Rose, arguing that voters in theory could find someone who is 'a gifted television commentator' and let them run.

"Even when I was governor and young and thought I was the best politician in the Democratic Party, I didn't run the first time. I could have," he told Rose referring to the 1988 presidential campaign.

"If you listen to Obama supporters, they say basically 'We want to throw away all these experienced people because they have been through the wars of the 90s and they made enough decisions and mistakes. And what Americans want is somebody who started running for president a year after he became senator because he's new and fresh, he never made a mistake, has massive political skills and is willing to risk it," Clinton told Rose.

Critics of the attacks say the former president is 'calling the kettle black' - he should know - that's a fair description of Clinton when he sought the presidency in 1992. more

obama embraces tearful veteran

If you appreciate the weekly Obama Roundup, then Tip My Obama Jar!! Minimum five dollars. This contribution goes directly to the Obama Campaign. We are in the last stretch of fundraising, Quarter 4, it ends December 31st. Remember to make your contribution.

Polls

ARG NH Poll; Zogby Iowa Poll; McClatchey/MSNBC Iowa Poll; LA Times/Bloomberg NH Poll; All Tied Up

All About Second Choices in Iowa
Pocketbook Issues on the Trail in Iowa
Michelle Obama, Shares her Husband's Vision
Obama's Brilliant New Stump Speech by troutnut
Obama on Executive Power by Populista
One-on-One With Obama

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Former Edwards Supporters Take Aim at Edwards

Democrat John Edwards has been critical of the involvement of outside organizations that spend money to influence voters.

But some former supporters are questioning how committed Edwards is to that idea, as union leaders who support him are now doing exactly that on his behalf.

"He said he would change Washington, and we believed him," says a new letter from some 2004 Edwards supporters. "Times have changed, and so has John Edwards."

But Edwards has said that, while he wishes the outside groups wouldn't run those ads, he can't control what an independent organization chooses to do.

And officials of the Service Employees International Union today spoke out in defense of their Alliance for a New America, which they set up to advocate for union issues.

The alliance "enables working people to pool their resources to gain a voice on the key issues facing America as the country heads into the 2008 elections," Dave Regan, SEIU District 1199 president, said in a written statement today.

The letter writers are behind Democrat Barack Obama this time around, and it was Obama's campaign that released their letter today.


"(T)his time, we support Barack Obama for President," the letter says. "He is the ONLY candidate in this race who’s not getting any help in Iowa from Washington lobbyists, special interest PACs, or the Washington-based organizations known as 527s. We can trust Barack Obama to change Washington , to tell us the truth, and most importantly – to win in 2008."

The writers signed their names this way:

Frank Best, Columbus City, former Louisa County Edwards Chair

Thom Determan, Dubuque, precinct captain for Edwards in 2004.

Katie Determan, Dubuque, precinct captain for Edwards in 2004.

Judy Jones, Ames

James Cox, Cedar Rapids

Eileen Lundberg, Runnells

Dan Lundberg, Runnells

Ryan Sewell, Council Bluffs

Link

Obama Rising Roundup: Iowa Edition December 21-27 by Populista
Obama Fighting for Iowa Votes


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shoutouts: ed schultz slams hillary by red 83; hillary clinton's southern strategy against obama by rikyrah; solar power breakthrough by FishOutOfWater;bonddad; explainer: edwards/seiu/527 issues by AdamB; black kos; the politics of fear by casperr; new york times puts hillary under the microscope by turneresq

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icebergslim's last word: game time

I am here in the lovely state of Iowa. Where the folk are kind and the cold is a plenty.

At this point in the campaign, polls mean very little. Why? Because we are expecting upwards of 150K to come to caucus. Yes. The excitement is at fever pitch, now.

Who will it benefit? I don't know. From write ups and polls, Clinton and Obama. But again, who knows.

The weather is predicted clear and cold. Which means, good turn out by Iowa standards.

The good folk of Iowa are tired of phone calls, knocks on doors, mailers and TV ADS. I don't blame theme. I have been here since Thursday and when I see an ad, I turn the channel too. It is that bombarded.

I must state this, the Obama Campaign is running a fabulous campaign which is a testament to the sheer genious and of Barack Obama. This is one of the very few campaigns I have worked where the inclusiveness is number one. And folks that means and states a lot of Barack.

OK. We don't know what the ending story in Iowa will be, but no matter what Barack has changed the scope of campaigning from here on out. This campaign will be a model of many to come. It will.

I am getting ready to canvass tomorrow and we are doing a massive canvass for January 1. I am fully equipt now. No more slip ups from ice!!!

Next week, we are in New Hampshire. This is the start folks, what we have been waiting a year for. Let's do it.



ok, this is a picture from davenport, ia, where 850-1000 people gathered to hear barack. in the snowstorm. yes, they did not care. this is a testament to our guy and his draw. now, it is left to iowans. barack has made his case. we just have to wait and accept the results. no matter what, we move on and forward to new hampshire from here. to iowans, thanks for listening to our guy and no matter who you support, just caucus. it is the democratic process and the democratic way.

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contact me @ icebergslim1047@hotmail.com
This Week With Barack Obama

This Week With Barack Obama, December 16-22, 2007

cross-posted @ Daily Kos and One Million Strong






Iowa Caucus Center
Nevada Caucus Center
Obama Iowa Mailer


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obama at storm lake, ia, december 17th

Obama Apperances and Campaign Events

December 26, 2007 - Town Hall Meeting with Barack, Mason City, IA
December 26, 2007 - Meet the Candidate with Barack Obama, Webster City, IA
December 26, 2007 - Rally with Barack, Fort Dodge, IA
December 26, 2007 - Rally with Barack, Carroll, IA
December 27, 2007 - Meet the Candidate with Barack Obama, Nevada, IA
December 27, 2007 - Meet the Candidate with Barack Obama, Marshalltown, IA
December 27, 2007 - Meet the Candidate with Barack Obama, Toledo, IA
December 29, 2007 - Rally with Barack, Ottumwa, IA
December 31, 2007 - New Year's Eve with Barack, Perry, IA
December 31, 2007 - New Year's Eve with Barack, Jefferson, IA
December 31, 2007 - Meet and Greet with Michelle Obama, Grinnell, IA
December 31, 2007 - New Year's Eve with Barack, Boone, IA
December 31, 2007 - New Year's Eve with Barack, Iowa Falls, IA
December 31, 2007 - New Year's Eve with Barack, Ames, IA

obama on 527s

Obama Hitting His Stride in Iowa
Obama Says He's Ready for White House
Obama Describes Faith Amid False Rumors
Selling Obama Door to Door

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Obama Says Clintons' Attacks Will Backfire
Guess what? I believe that too. We have witnessed the undoing of an inevitable campaign, due to the sheer fact that Team Clinton truly believed the poll numbers, and that Team Clinton underestimated Barack Obama.

Barack Obama, stung by a fresh Bill Clinton attack on him, predicted that the Clinton campaign's increasingly negative tone will backfire by reminding voters of the bad, old "blood sport" days of the 1990s.

Speaking to reporters in this frozen central Iowa city yesterday, Obama said he was less than impressed by Hillary Rodham Clinton's apology for an aide's suggestion that he once dealt drugs. Asked if Clinton's mea culpa was sincere, a stone-faced Obama replied, "I'm not going to characterize it."

Many have watched in amusement, disbelief, sadness as Bill Clinton, on Charlie Rose's Show stated that Barack was not ready for this presidency. That he was a "roll of the dice". Well, wasn't Bill Clinton that in 1992? No one knew him from Adam's Hatrack. A govenor from a tiny state, that was last in virtually everything, all of a sudden on that national scene. Much was written about Bill Clinton's age, inexperience, etc. But somehow, the country believed it was time for someone new, fresh, not entrenched in Washington, D.C.

Now the quiet, rumblings, anger in the African-American Community is being talked about daily, and it is about the antics of The Clintons. Whoever is advising Hillary Clinton should be fired. Her misleading and mishandling of her staff is atrocious. The outwardly racial baiting from her hench men Joesph Wilson, Bob Kerrey and Bill Shaheen has not bid her well to the African-American Community.

From Bob Johnson's Diary:

A piece in Sunday's Washington Post confirms what many people here have been discussing over the last month as Obama has crept up in the polls:

Racial Undercurrent Is Seen in Clinton Campaign

It has unfolded mostly under the radar. But an important development in the 2008 Democratic battle may be the building backlash among African Americans over comments from associates of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton that could be construed as jabs at Sen. Barack Obama's race.

These officials, including Clinton aides and prominent surrogates, have raised questions or dropped references about Obama's position on sentencing guidelines for crack vs. powder cocaine offenses; on his handgun control record; and on his admitted use of drugs as a youth. The context was always Obama's "electability." But the Illinois senator's campaign advisers said some African American leaders detect a pattern, and they believe it could erode Clinton's strong base of black support.

This article is accurate and precise. Many don't understand the Black Community and the radio. teacherken was one of the first to shout out, "hey something is going on here. The Black Community is livid about The Clintons insinuation of Barack Obama selling drugs and her campaign using racial tactics." (paraphrasing) And this was his synopsis by listening to Black Radio.

The Clintons missed a mark here. The Black Community is angry. Period. Many don't care if Clinton attack Obama on the issues, it is politics, it is hardball. But to slither to the depths of slimy snakes and use his ethnicity, race, family against him? Sorry, Hillary, you now have Black Voters who were firmly in your corner, moving to Barack Obama. And whose fault is that?

If it don't smell right, it ain't right.

Video/Audio

New Iowa Ad, Enough; Iowa Ad, Candor; Nashua Telegraph Editorial Board Video; Michelle Obama Video; Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr and Govenor Tim Kaine in Columbia, SC; Barack in Indianola, IA

Obama Fires Up Crowd in Iowa
Obama Touts Rural Plans in Iowa
Second Choices In Iowa


portsmouth, nh, dec 20

Polls

Yes, coming daily, sometime two and three. Expect this through January.

Boston Globe NH Poll; Reuters Poll On Clinton's Negativity; USA/Gallup National Poll; Survey/USA Iowa and General Poll; Zogby National Poll; Washington Post/ABC Iowa and Internals; Insiders Advantage Georgia Poll; Insiders Advantage Iowa Poll; CBS South Carolina Poll; Wall Street Journal Poll; Survey/USA California Poll; Rasmussen South Carolina Poll; Hotline National Poll

Obama for America by Femlaw
Endorsing Barack Obama for President 2008 by GirlZero
Obama Campaigns Comes to Nashville by GoldnI
Populista's Obama Rising Roundup: Iowa Edition December 6-13

shoutouts: clinton loses luster; bill clinton downplays wife's chances in iowa; say goodbye to the fec by adamb; black kos; food pantries turning people away as demand doubles by bink; nyceve; online forum on foreclosure and bankruptcy relief by rep. brad miller; huckabee, my way; john edwards, will you stand up? by adamb

JustAngry has put out a great series broken down into six pieces, focusing on all the aspects you need to know about Barack Obama. Simply titled, The Only Thing You Need To Know. This is well worth a read for anyone who is searching more specific information about Senator Barack Obama.

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Obama: I've Fought Harder Against Special Interests
Obama Makes Big Gains in California by Femlaw
Appealing to Indy Voters
Obama Finds His Address






happy holidays from the obamas

Big Battle For South Carolina

In barely more than a month, the political attention now focused on the early voting in Iowa and New Hampshire will turn southward, to a Georgia neighbor with a proven record of helping decide presidential nominations.

South Carolina's first-in-the-South primaries are set for Jan. 19, and tracking is already well under way. CNN released an Opinion Research poll Friday that showed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee claiming support from 24 percent of the state's Republican voters, surging eight percentage points ahead of one-time front-runner, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), former Sen. John Edwards (center) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) are locked in a close race in South Carolina.

Aong Democrats, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York was holding on at 42 percent against the rising Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, who had moved up seven percentage points since a July poll to 34 percent.

CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider predicted an "all-out fight" among candidates well aware of South Carolina's potentially pivotal role. On the Republican side, South Carolina has picked the eventual party nominee in every primary contest since 1980. In 1992, Bill Clinton used a South Carolina win to solidify his claim on the Democratic nomination after being upset by rival Paul Tsongas in New Hampshire. AJC

Winning Friends Among Former Rivals
Clinton Trying to Wrestle the Change Mantle from Obama
Change We Can Believe In
Obama's Hoop Buddy


obama in exeter, nh, dec 20th

Endorsements & Announcements

Nashua Telegraph Endorses Obama; Dallas Morning News Endorsement; Sioux City Journal Endorsement; Iowa City Press Citizen Endorses Obama; Reka Basu for Obama; State Representative Wayne Ford for Obama; Daily Iowan Endorses Obama; Woodbine Twiner for Obama; Illinois Black Legislators for Obama; Idaho Democratic Lawmakers for Obama; U.S. Congressman Dave Loebsack, D-IA, Backs Obama; U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah Endorses Obama; U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott Endorses Obama; Blue New Hampshire Bloggers Endorse Obama; Documentary Filmmaker Ken Burns, Endorses Obama; Ministers Endorse Obama; Obama Opens Nashville Office; Obama Files to Caucus in Kansas; Obama Enters New Mexico Caucus; Texas Primary

February 5th Could Decide Between Clinton and Obama
The Obama-Clinton Issue
Law Student Gave Obama Big Thumbs Up
Did Clinton Worker Blow it with Obama Drug Comment?

Obama Talks Foreign Policy

Democrat Barack Obama said Tuesday the nation's foreign policy challenges call for a new leader who will worry more about doing the right thing than how it will look.

"There are moments in history when it is not enough to fall back on conventional ways of doing things, because the threats we face are unconventional," Obama said in remarks prepared for delivery. "There are moments when new challenges demand new American leadership."

He said that for too long the conventional way of thinking about foreign policy has valued "time spent in Washington over timely judgments, posturing over pragmatism and fear of looking weak over the conviction to get things right."

He said he hasn't been afraid to buck Washington thinking when it comes to foreign policy, including his opposition of going to war with Iraq while he was a state senator in Illinois. He said he's the only Democratic nominee his Republican opponent won't be able to challenge on that point. AP

I Can't Stop Wondering About Obama's Mother
Job Loss A Plea for Help
Obama Proposes U.S. Ban on China Toys
60 Foreign Policy Experts Endorse Obama

icebergslim’s last word: closing

Right now all the candidates are running around and doing the closing line.

Good, they should finalize their position with the voter and hope for the best.

But my closing is this, take a look at this map.

It is interactive. See all the dark blue patches? Those are the states with offices or upcoming offices to open for Obama, prior to February 5th.

How important is this? Very important.

While all the candidates are pitching their closing argument, the real argument is who will win on February 5, 2008. That is the question. Meaning, who has the staffing, money, organization, etc., to win decisively on February 5th.

We know Hillary is running a chit driven campaign. She has called the chits in and expects them to perform. Edwards has no presence in these states, at all.

So, what should Iowans look for? Electability? Yes, all candidates are electable. They all have issues but they can be elected. The key word is viability. Which candidates are viable? Which candidates have the strength now and can move people through this process? Which candidate can fund the massive February 5th primary/caucuses and win?

That is the question. And the candidates better have answers for these caucus goers. Because right now, I only see two candidates positioned for this task.

Finally, the two best article read of the week, "Why Did Clinton Overlook Obama?" Good question. Why did she? And Michelle Obama, The Closer in the Family.

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If you appreciate the weekly Obama Roundup, then Tip My Obama Jar!! Minimum five dollars. This contribution goes directly to the Obama Campaign. We are in the last stretch of fundraising, Quarter 4, it ends December 31st. Remember to make your contribution.


well, it is cold out there. here at my home in the chicagoland area, the wind or "hawk" is whipping through here, as I finalize my last Christmas gifts. as, i look forward to chatting with my family the next few days, i hope that you are spending the time with your loved ones. and while you are at it, remember the biggest fight is coming soon, january 3rd. many of us will be in iowa, many of us will be mounting to new hampshire for the january 8th showdown. the blogs can be brutal now, just remember to stay focus on obama and not the drama. i am in iowa on the 27th through the caucus. i will post a short version of 'this week' next sunday, and try to post updates. keep your head up and let's win this thing.

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contact me @ icebergslim1047@hotmail.com
This Week With Barack Obama

This Week With Barack Obama, December 9-15, 2007

cross-posted @ Daily Kos and One Million Strong



barack in independence, ia




Iowa Caucus Center
Nevada Caucus Center


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Obama embraces U.S. soldier Brian Jesness during a campaign rally stop in Mason City, Iowa

Obama and Oprah's Last Visit, Manchester, NH
More than 8,500 people attended and they were not disappointed. To recap, over 18K in Des Moines, IA; over 10K in Cedar Rapids, IA; over 30K in Columbia, SC; and over 8K in Manchester, NH. Now if this is not successful, tell me why it was not. If Barack Obama gets the Democratic Nomination, without any doubt, the Oprah Winfrey effect will be one of the reasons. Read the live account blog with photos by jhutson.

Obama Apperances and Campaign Events

December 17, 2007 - Meet the Candidate, Barack Obama, Spencer, IA
December 17, 2007 - Meet the Candidate, Barack Obama, Storm Lake, IA
December 17, 2007 - Meet the Candidate, Barack Obama, Cherokee, IA
December 17, 2007 - Meet the Candidate, Barack Obama, LeMars, IA
December 17, 2007 - Rally with Barack, Sioux City, IA

South Carolina is Fired Up and Ready to Go!!! by Drewid
Three Weeks to Crunch Time
Hillary Following Barack's Lead Running Ads in Nevada
The BBC on Oprah
Summing up Oprah and Obama

Running on Hope

Unlike front-runners Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Rodham Clinton, Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama aren't selling electability or inevitability -- they're selling hope. Will that be enough to get them the nominations?

Friends and foes alike comment on the discipline of the well-oiled machine that is the Clinton campaign. Even Giuliani, well-known for sounding off at critics, has been remarkably disciplined in both his style and message. These strategic attributes may make Beltway pundits and wonks swoon, but they aren't qualities that have much appeal for voters. It's like the difference between getting a vacuum cleaner for Christmas versus a nice piece of jewelry. Sure, you really don't need the jewelry, but it's much more fun to open on Christmas morning. National Journal

obama in seattle, wa

Audio/Video

Des Moines Register Iowa Debate (real player required); NPR, Obama and Oprah Make Splash in S.C.; What Oprah Endorsement Meant for Obama; Wish Lists for Santa, Politicians in Milford, N.H.; Democratic Debate in Iowa Good Natured; Democratic Hopefuls Make Last Pitch to Iowans; Countdown to Caucuses, Part One; Countdown to Caucuses, Part Two; Precinct Captains leaves Clinton, Switches to Obama

Obama Signs up for Louisiana Primary
"Change We Can Believe In", Obama Op-Ed in The Daily Iowan
Samantha Powers Discusses Obama's Foreign Policy
Obama Goes To Work In Iowa's Small Towns

Polls

Yes, the polls are coming out fast and furious. Expect this through January.

Concord Monitor New Hampshire Poll; Rasmussen New Hampshire Poll; Iowa Independent Power Ranking; Quad City/Research 2000 Iowa Poll and Treadlines; Iowa Pollster.com; Georgia Poll; CNN/WMUR New Hampshire Poll; Hotline Iowa Poll; Strategic Vision Iowa Poll; SurveyUSA South Carolina Poll; Nevada Poll; Insider Advantage South Carolina Poll; CNN/Opinion Reasearch National Poll

Sorry Hillary, Obama is Electable
Obama Works Hard to Woo College Votes
Father's Abandonment Molded Obama

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Going through my reading I ran across this little tidbit "Hillary Can't Beat Oprah". I thought, why would she try? One can only speculate that the announcement of Oprah stumping with Barack and Michelle, and then Team Clinton polling the affects of a Barbra Streisand endorsement makes one wonder. Will this really have an effect? I think it will. Since we are in the stretch to start the primary cycle, Obama prior to Oprah stumping, was on the incline in polling. This is across the board. So, one cannot state he has no momentum coming up to the January 3rd caucus. And if there is any consolation prize, it is that Barbra Streisand had the pleasure to be polled by Team Clinton for her possible effectiveness as the blunt to Oprah Winfrey. Notice the silence.


des moines register democratic debate

Inside Obama's Ground Game

At just 25 years old, Michael Blake may have more to do with Barack Obama's chances of becoming President than anyone besides the candidate himself. That may sound like a stretch, but Blake has the all-important job of bringing in new Iowa voters to caucus for the Illinois Senator. And while some campaigns may focus most of their efforts on one or two constituencies — the way John Kerry so successfully courted military veterans in 2004 — Obama is spending an unprecedented amount of money and effort to turn out a wide cross section of new caucus-goers.

"This is the most extensive effort to reach out to new constituencies in the Iowa caucuses, I think, ever," says Blake, who comes from the Bronx and was in the first class of "Yes, We Can!" a program Obama started soon after he was elected to the Senate to train minorities to more effectively use the political system. "Campaigns here have traditionally gotten attention for going after one or two groups. We're applying that principle and hopefully will enjoy similar success with multiple groups." Time

Kenyan Boy Dreams to be Obama
Professor Obama Will Restore the Constitution by Populista
Obama Friend Sells Candidate


obama at universal city in california

Endorsements/Announcements

Former Republican Congressman Perkins Bass to vote for Obama; Boston Globe Endorses Obama; Littleton Courier Endorses Obama; Three more Nevada Offices Opening for Obama Campaign; Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) Endorses Obama; Iowa State Representative Paul Shomshor Endorses Obama; Former SC Democratic Chairman, Joe Erwin Backs Obama; Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) Endorses Obama; Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) Endorses Obama; Obama wins Salinas Straw Poll; Baltimore Ministers Back Obama; UNH Mock Presidential Primary Goes to Obama

Will Smith ready to Campaign for Obama
Obama Leading Internet Traffic
Chicago Defender on Michelle Obama
Obama: Saudi Arabia fosters human rights violations

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Barack Obama has opened the floodgates for Americans to view how the government is spending its money. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 by Tom Coburn and Barack Obama allows anyone to track contracts, grants, earmarks, and loans. This is monumental legislation passed by a Republican Congress and President. More importantly it shows Obama's ability to broker relationships, across the aisle. This is drastically needed to get anything done in Washington, D.C. For all the information, check out barath's well sourced diary.

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Obama Rising Roundup: Iowa Edition December 6-13
Obama Now on GOP Radar
Obama Organizing Nearly 1,000 House Meetings
Barack Obama Straddles Different Worlds


obama attends church services at the first congregational united church of christ in mason city, ia

shoutouts: after the election, by keone michaels; obama: congress' failure to pass hate crimes legislation, truly unacceptable; not for hillary, but loves bill; nyceve on consumer guide for health insurance; The Truth About Kyl-Lieberman (DL Won't Take off His blinders!); toxic toy alert...by jhuston; black kos; anatomy of a smear: winfrey gets attacked with lies by bob johnson; bush's mortgage plan: not good on several levels by bonddad; kos on hillary being "unacceptable as our nominee"



focus group after DMR Debate, obama wins


icebergslim’s last word: slime and staying out of the mud

Another one of those, “you got to be kidding me weeks?” Yes, we must remember desperate times call for desperate measures. Enter Team Clinton.

We all know we keep one eye on each other, while smiling, that is politics. We also know that whatever have been done in the past, we either can explain it or moved from it.

What can we expect from an inevitable machine as Team Clinton’s? Remember she brought us kindergate, staffing circulating the Muslim smear emails, oh and got caught again, planting questions throughout Iowa, astroturfing on Blue Hampshire (sigh), and now suggesting that Barack Obama may have sold drugs.

We all know Barack’s past with drugs as a teen, because he wrote about it in his 1995 book, Dreams from my Father. So to attempt to make this an issue in the primary is just ridiculous, when he has been vetted by running and winning the senate seat for the State of Illinois. Like Republicans did not know this?

But to insinuate, and the charge was made by Team Clinton’s now ex-New Hampshire Chairman, Billy Shaheen , that if Obama is the nominee, the GOP will question if he sold drugs, was way out of bounds. And of course, every time Team Clinton does this slime, they apologize, as if that makes it right.

Well, a lot of people were angered, mainly, the Black Community. This was talked up on Tom Joyner, an African-American disc jockey with a syndicated show nationwide, and all black radio, period. Many in the African-American community were taken aback. Why? Because whether you plan on voting for Barack Obama or not, the mere inference that he could have sold drugs, jolted the African-American Community. This is the same stereotypical framing that is expected from the GOP, not Democrats.

Well, Hillary Clinton kissed the ring. She personally apologized to Barack Obama, while waiting for him at the airport to board his plane to the Des Moines Register Debate. She did the right thing. This slime cannot go on, especially when you have no basis to it. And it does make your campaign and candidacy look weak and ill-equipped to handle the real issues, when you have all this crap running around you.

Billy Shaheen, Team Clinton’s former Co-Chair in New Hampshire has resigned. Good, we don’t need the likes of him sniffing around campaign doors. Will Mark Penn be next? He should be, after his awful performance on Hardball.

Anyway, The Obama Campaign has and will continue to run a positive and upbeat campaign. These tactics may be used to pull Barack into the muddy waters, but he refuses to play. There is much at stake for these upcoming primaries and caucuses and the last thing the public need is a bunch of distractions to keep them from voting on the issues.

See what poll numbers will do to one’s campaign?

Finally, I always close out with focus on obama and not the drama. You better believe that this message is resonating hard as we enter January 3rd.

Blogs and Websites

One Million Strong; This Week With Barack Obama; The Populista Report; Relentless Liberal; Washington State; Obama Dallas; NYC4OBAMA; NewYork4Obama; Texans for Obama; Republicans for Obama; Vermont for Obama; Independents for Obama; Seattle for Obama; Idaho for Obama; Asians for Obama; Bay Area for Obama; Sacramento for Obama; Families for Obama; Irish Americans for Obama; D.C. for Obama; Obama NH; Obama News Vine; Black Women for Obama; Obama Santa Cruz; Think on These Things; Iowa Republicans for Obama; Another Democratic Woman for Obama; RENObama!; Go Barack Obama

If you appreciate the weekly Obama Roundup, then Tip My Obama Jar!! Minimum five dollars. This contribution goes directly to the Obama Campaign. We are in the last stretch of fundraising, Quarter 4, it ends December 31st. Remember to make your contribution.



mr. snowman is excited and ready for change. he recognizes that no one has excited this country and transcended across the aisle, as barack obama. can you imagine what caucus day will be like in iowa and nevada? what primary day will be like in new hampshire and south carolina? how february 5th and beyond, will be off the chain for change? it will be people marching and voting for change. for barack. as, i always remind everyone, it is heating up on the boards as it should, and colder than "you know what" in iowa, but remember to focus on obama, and not the drama.

::

contact me @ icebergslim1047@hotmail.com
This Week With Barack Obama

This Week With Barack Obama, December 3-8, 2007

cross-posted @ One Million Strong and Daily Kos


michelle, barack and oprah, des moines, ia

Debates/Forums

December 13, 2007 - Johnston, Iowa, Des Moines Register Democratic Debate, C-Span
December 17, 2007 - Boston, MA
January 15, 2008 - Las Vegas, Nevada

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barack in new hampshire

Obama Apperances and Campaign Events

December 10, 2007 - Study Break with Barack Obama, Las Vegas, NV
December 10, 2007 - Barack in L.A., Los Angeles, CA
December 11, 2007 - Generation Obama in Seattle, Seattle, WA
December 13, 2007 - Caucus for Change Precinct Parties, Iowa
The Caucus Center
Obama Action Center

Jesse, Jr. to Jesse, Sr. You're Wrong on Obama
Obama Gains Show Volatility of Iowa Contest
Obama Campaign Launches Web Site, Documenting Clinton Attacks


npr debate, des moines, ia

Audio/Video

NPR Audio Debate; Iowa City; NPR, Obama Talks Taxes, Trade at NH High School; Oprah in Des Moines, part one; Oprah in Des Moines, part two; A Call To Serve; South Carolina Rally, Video in its Entirety

Wall Street Journal, Op-Ed Piece, by Senator Barack Obama, Homeland Insecurity
Obama Ad Launch on Television in Nevada
Vote Obama

Hillary Losing Backers to Barack?

The presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton, the Democrat frontrunner, is facing a wave of defections by supporters to Barack Obama, as an aura of “inevitability” about her nomination fades.

With Oprah Winfrey, the talk show host and Obama enthusiast, challenging former president Bill Clinton for star power on the campaign trail, the coronation of Hillary has been put on hold.

A few days ago, Helen Quarles peeled off the Hillary for President bumper stickers from her car and replaced them with Obama ’08.

“I didn’t think anybody could turn me away from Hillary,” said Quarles, who worked as a volunteer for Clinton’s first Senate election campaign in New York. “I liked her and was very fond of Bill.”

Quarles now lives in South Carolina, which holds its primary election next month. “In the South, a lot of people don’t like Hillary, so I felt it was up to me to turn things around for her. I really wanted her to win, but there’s something about Obama,” she said. “To me, he is the one who is going to make a difference.” TimesOnline

Let the Fun Begin!!
Yes, this is what the Hillary Clinton Campaign, who I call affectionately, Team Clinton had to say about going after Barack Obama.

Well, we waited. And we finally got the magnificent press release from Team Clinton, last Sunday. Among the explosive oppo research was the reference to Obama’s aspirations to become president, as early as kindergarten. Yes, kindergarten. Oh, and then it expounded on his refined penmanship in kindergarten and third grade with examples of his essays on “I want to be President” topic.

Well, the media love fest was frenzy this week. I mean who knew??? Who knew??? Obama wanted to be president in kindergarten!!! Hell, I wanted to be Diana Ross, one day, then I wanted to be Cleopatra Jones (yes, throwback, y’all), meaning I wanted to be so many people, my parents would just say, “that’s wonderful, sugar.” Oh, and then Team Clinton strategist, Mark Penn, tries to clean this up on Morning Joe, and said it was a joke. Do they think people are stupid?

Sigh, then Team Clinton gets caught up with a tempest in a tea pot. Their own staff was found out emailing the muslim smear against Barack Obama. Yes, good old Team Clinton who said, “Let the Fun Begin!!”, now looks sophomoric, at best, in handling all this through the week.

Isn’t Hillary Clinton the one who is vetted, tough, tested? Yet, doing this stuff? And is this the best they have on Barack Obama? We must be honest here, the Iowa Caucus is three weeks away and if you want to bring someone down, now is the time, not later. But kindergarten papers? Getting caught sending muslim smears? Is this the tightly run campaign that everyone has bragged about all year?

They look very amateurish, to me.


university of northern iowa, cedar falls, ia

Polls

Well with Iowa Caucus 24 days away, around that, the polls are fast and furious. All these polls show erosion of Clinton, steady for Edwards and emerging for Obama. So, it is safe to state that Obama is catching Hillary.

MSNBC/McCLATCHY/Mason-Dixon; Newsweek Poll; Insider Advantage South Carolina Poll; Rasmussen South Carolina Poll; ABC/Washington Post New Hampshire Poll; Strategic Vision Iowa Poll; Zogby Phone Poll; USA/Gallup Poll; Iowa State Poll, this polling data is considered old, by 3 weeks, but was released as new; Public Policy North Carolina Poll

michelle and oprah, des moines, ia

The Obama Newness
Clinton Should No Longer Worry About Just Iowa

Obama: Expand National Service Programs

Democrat Barack Obama on Wednesday advocated a major expansion of the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps and other national service programs, declaring, "This will be a cause of my presidency."

The Illinois senator said the government is not keeping pace with those who want to help. "We will create new opportunities for all of us to serve," he said at a rally at Cornell College.

Obama evoked the memory of President Kennedy and his Peace Corps volunteers, saying, "JFK made their service a bridge to the developing world." Despite growing anti-Americanism around the world, he said, "the American people are not the problem, they are the answer."

Obama, a senator from Illinois, said he also would expand the all-volunteer military but would "never send them to fight in a misguided war."

"The burden of service has fallen more and more on the brave men and women of our military," he said, citing "tour upon tour of duty in a war with no end." For returning troops, he said, "We will enlist veterans to help other veterans to find jobs, and to pitch in at VA hospitals and nursing homes." more

Endorsements/Announcements

4 Rural Democratic County Chairs Endorse Obama; Obama Wins Kansas Straw Poll; Hampton Democratic Chair Endorses Obama; Iowa State Daily Endorses Obama; Illinois Education Association Endorses Obama; Obama Relentlessly Pursues Iowan; Clinton Co-Chair Switches to Obama; Obama Wins Townson Straw Poll; Stanford Professor Named Adviser to Obama

Michelle Obama Meets Women from Seacoast
Robert Reich on Hillary's desperate tactics by nevadadem


michelle, oprah, barack in columbia, sc

Obama on a Roll

A Princeton professor and outspoken expert on African-American culture said he believes U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's candidacy for president is an important breakthrough for blacks -- whether Obama wins the Democratic nomination for president or not.

But Cornel West believes Obama is going to win.

Speaking Monday night to thousands in the Joe L. Reed Acadome on the campus of Alabama State University, West said he believes the Illinois Democrat, after running behind U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York for most of the presidential race, has turned the corner.

"This man's on the move, he's out there running hard and sounding good," West said. Recent polls show Obama and Clinton in a statistical dead heat. MontgomeryAdvertiser

Obama Writes Essay for SC Legal Journal
Getting the Vote Out When Campuses Are Empty
Obama's Musical Draw
Inside the Obama Campaign


new iowa ad, "our moment"

Obama on Iran by Shaun Appleby
Obama: Publicize Names of Bad Nursing Homes
Obama say Democrats Need Decisive Win to Make Wide Changes
Obama Seeks Consumer Credit Guards

Obama Gets Grammy Nod

While Barack Obama is battling Hillary Clinton in the Democratic race, he can enjoy a small victory from those who vote with ears more than hearts and minds: He is one of five contenders for the Grammy Award for Spoken Word, one of 110 categories this year.

If only nominations on the campaign trail were decided so easily and early in December, just as primary season continues and eyes remain fixed for the 11 months until Election Day.

Like many of Senator Obama’s targets on the trail, the musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals who will decide this race are single-issue voters looking to improve “the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers,” according to the news release. more, NYT

It Takes a Movement
Experts Praise Obama's National Service Plan
Obama: PAC Contributions Violated No Campaign Rules
African-American Leaders Rally Behind Barack
Obama Rising Roundup: Iowa Edition Nov 28-Dec 5

Blogs and Websites

One Million Strong; This Week With Barack Obama; The Populista Report; Relentless Liberal; Washington State; Obama Dallas; NYC4OBAMA; NewYork4Obama; Texans for Obama; Republicans for Obama; Vermont for Obama; Independents for Obama; Seattle for Obama; Idaho for Obama; Asians for Obama; Bay Area for Obama; Sacramento for Obama; Families for Obama; Irish Americans for Obama; D.C. for Obama; Obama NH; Obama L.A.; Obama News Vine; Black Women for Obama; Obama Santa Cruz; Think on These Things; Iowa Republicans for Obama; Another Democratic Woman for Obama; RENObama!; Go Barack Obama

Vulnerable Democrats See Fates Tied to Clinton
Obama's Ancestral Village Cheers on its Favourite Son

Obama Fits the Bill for President

As is the custom in New Hampshire this time of year, I recently asked a woman in a coffee shop who she was supporting for president. Her answer: “The last candidate I heard speak.” The point is we have a remarkable group of candidates, so it’s no surprise most voters remain undecided.

As the date gets closer, and more and more people ask who I’m with. After many months consideration, I’ve finally made my choice.

Kucinich deserves to do well in New Hampshire. His bold and uncompromising vision needs to be heard.

Bill Richardson would make a great chief executive, with his unmatched experience. But inspiring personal presentation (also called charisma) is a job requirement which is not his strength.

Chris Dodd is consistent on every issue, and is a terrific speaker. I wish his numbers were at least as high as Kucinich. Same goes for Joe Biden — great on the issues, a captivating speaker too. Just not connecting enough.

That leaves the “top three.” Before the Republicans have laid a glove on her, Clinton starts out with 50 percent of Americans saying they would never vote for her. She’s relied on an engineered aura of inevitability. She buys into the all-things-to-all-people style, the course laid out for Kerry by his political director Jeanne Shaheen. Straddling everything doesn’t win.

Some people say it’s time for a woman. Martin Luther King hoped we would judge people by the content of their character, not by their color, or by extension, their gender.

A new direction? What about support for the war in Iraq, her prideful refusal to accept that she made a mistake, her unconscionable vote declaring part of Iran’s government to be a terrorist organization (giving Bush the carte blanche to attack)? Her commitment to keeping combat troops in Iraq and her refusal to say she’d get them all out by 2013? Her blatant pandering to the right on flag-burning, and on late term abortions?

And then there’s planting softball questions for herself to answer.

Experience? Aside from spouse of the president, I can’t seem to remember her cabinet post. more

Obama: Keep Americans Warm+Action by Populista
Obama Rising--New York Edition by casperr
Michelle Obama Emphasizes Family Life


lining up in manchester, nh for obama and oprah

icebergslim’s last word: oprah. dirty campaign tactics. change.

This was another weird week for Barack. It was.

First it was Team Clinton’s hilariously, funny press release last Sunday. The cincher was that Barack has had aspirations, ambitions to become president in kindergarten and third grade. As the witness to his third grade papers, promptly waved for everyone to see. Oy!!! Nothing is nicer than to be in a tight race in the early states and folks laughing at the front runner’s pettiness.

Then Barack had to deal with the on-going muslim email circulation. Obama is not a muslim, he is a Christian and now his name is being used against him. Well, guess what popped off? Team Clinton’s staff caught sending and spreading this rumor. Of course, the culprits were dismissed but the damage is done. One cannot do anything but view Team Clinton as desperate and will do anything to win, even if it means spreading a lie. Oh, yes, Team Clinton denounced it, but the damage is done. It really is.

Then we have Oprah Winfrey.

I am one who has repeatedly said endorsements mean nothing. It does not. The candidate must seal the deal him/herself, no endorsement can do that. But as this week has progressed, so did the energy of the Obama/Oprah weekend. Suddenly, everyone was talking about it and when Columbia, South Carolina had to move the venue to an 80K stadium, well what else could one say.

I was more interested in what Oprah had to say than Barack. What was she going to say? Would it be quoted? Will people listen? Well, she gave a home run speech and no one can denounce or argue that point. This phrase has stayed with me:

“When you listen to Barack Obama, when you really hear him, you witness a very rare thing,” she said in Des Moines. “You witness a politician who has an ear for eloquence and a tongue dipped in the unvarnished truth.”

Yes, a politician who is so eloquent but will not mince words. He will tell it to you with a tongue dipped in the unvarnished truth. That statement said it all for me. It is about time we got a statesman in the White House. It is about time we got someone who is honest and unafraid of the truth in the White House. This has been missing so long, we forgot how it sounds. Since the 90’s to now, we have had to deal with untruth in the White House. Yes, we have had to deal with it. And we are tired. Just sick and tired of it.

Change. This battle is about change. It is. It is not about electability because the three top runners are electable. No, this argument is change and what kind we want. After seeing over 18K in Des Moines, over 10K in Cedar Rapids, over 30K in Columbia, SC, what do you think?

People do not go to political rallies for anything. They go searching and seeking an answer to the question. And as Oprah Winfrey said, “I am here to tell you, Iowa, he is the one. He is the one!"

Yes. He is.

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If you appreciate the weekly Obama Roundup, then Tip My Obama Jar!! Minimum five dollars. This contribution goes directly to the Obama Campaign. We are in the last stretch of fundraising, Quarter 4, it ends December 31st. Remember to make your contribution.



well, as we see the 30K crowd out to hear barack, oprah and michelle, in columbia, sc, things are moving and evolving at break neck speed. we are in ties or slightly ahead in many of the early state polls, which shows we have the momentum. people are showing that they want change and barack obama is that change. as we move into the holiday season, remember the nastiness and sheer jealousy will continue to increase. rise above it. keep your eyes on the prize. focus on obama and not the drama.

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contact me @ icebergslim1047@hotmail.com
This Week With Barack Obama