A commission of Democratic leaders on Wednesday recommended their party virtually eliminate superdelegates from their presidential candidate nomination process.
Their proposal -- commissioned by the Democratic National Committee in the aftermath of last year's tough primary season -- would essentially make the "superdelegate" post an honorary position.
Consequently, these powerful party leaders could no longer select the candidate of their choice; rather, their votes would be tied to the outcome of their respective states' primaries, which choose winners by popular vote. - The Hill
Superdelegates should not be given the power to over through elections, caucuses because that is what it came down to in the 2008 Democratic Primaries. The courting to these people was ridiculous and this part of the process should be eliminated.
Following up on the Hillary Clinton Conceding Story, which came down to the PTB (powers that be), telling her to get out.
today show
vp question?
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Key Group Clinton Did Not Hold Superdelegates. Yes, if you look back through the contentious fight for this nomination, it was always a core group that never took the leap to Clinton.
I have always thought as I was looking for a candidate, I wanted someone different, new, not the same old democrat shoved down my throat.
Coming from a progressive family and growing up with politics as active conversation at the dinner table, I knew that I was tired of the same thing always dished to democratic voters.
I knew if I felt this way, that many other democratic voters felt the same way too.
By mid-March, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s campaign knew it had a problem with what it had once assumed was a reliable firewall — its support among superdelegates.
The fight for pledged delegates for the Democratic nomination was essentially over. Senator Barack Obama was ahead, after winning a series of caucuses in states that Mrs. Clinton virtually ignored.
Still, it became apparent that neither he nor Mrs. Clinton could claim the presidential nomination with pledged delegates alone, and the two would need superdelegates — elected officials and party activists — to fill the gap.
For Mrs. Clinton in particular, that signaled danger. The commanding lead she had held in superdelegates at the start of the contests — she was about 100 ahead of Mr. Obama — had dwindled by mid-March, to 12.
My personal take is that many of these superdelegates were of independent mind, and also was of mind of a complete change. Not disrespecting the Clintons, but have moved past the Clintons, as many democrats eventually did.
“Sure, Senator Clinton was the favorite early on, but that was simply because of the institutional support that she already had,” said Jason Rae of Wisconsin, a superdelegate who endorsed Mr. Obama in February. “In the beginning, people were unsure of Senator Obama. But as they continued to see primary after primary, and him excelling, and him attracting all these new voters, I think the superdelegates really started feeling more comfortable with him.”
Of all the assumptions the Clinton campaign made going into the race, its support among the party establishment seemed like a safe bet. Many of the superdelegates, who help pick the nominee at the convention in August, came of age during the Bill Clinton presidency. Many were personal Clinton loyalists, cultivated to help deliver the vote.
And then, again, I have always said, that 11 straight losses in February doomed Clinton. The Democratic Party selects its nominee on the most pledged delegates from these primary states, not the popular vote. Clinton was behind after Wisconsin in February by over 115 pledged delegates, making this simply impossible to overturn even with all the other primaries up until June. One other thing, the Clintons belief that the superdelegates would overturn what the primaries and caucuses was a wild card. That would have caused anarchy at the convention in Denver and no matter how one feel about the Clintons, the Democratic Party is first and foremost.
Representative David E. Price, a superdelegate from North Carolina, said the idea that Mrs. Clinton could amass enough superdelegates to overturn the verdict of pledged delegates “was never in the cards.”
Many books will be written about this primary season. But in the end, it was Clinton's own constituency that pulled the plug on her, gently telling her to come back to reality.
Well, last night was historic and if you go through the blog below you will see (including yesterday). But now the mashup of the speeches, the reviews are in and John McCain is dryer than the Sahara Desert. Who will get inspired by his speech? If you listened to Obama's speech vs. McCain's, McCain was PATHETIC.
Chris Cillizza, The Fix Washington Post, Obama Claims Nomination Speaker Pelosi, Leader Reid, DNC Chairman Dean to Go Public, Bringing the Party Together, here. For Obama, The Right Way to Win, Washington Post Strategy Was Based On Winning Delegates, Not Battlegrounds, Washington Post Calm in the Swirl of History, NYT Obama Clinches Nomination; First Black Candidate to Lead a Major Party Ticket, NYT The Early Word: Obama’s Record-Breaking Journey, NYT America lives up to its promise, Chicago Sun-Times Obama: 'A new course for America', Chicago Tribune 5 reasons Obama won, 5 reasons Clinton lost ... and 5 differences between Obama, McCain, Chicago Tribune A Dream Team?, Daily Kos
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Videos of the morning:
robert gibbs, obama campaign communications director on today show
what went wrong with clinton?, today show
what does hillary want?, today show
tim russert, nbc, general election preview
tim russert on morning joe, talking about the obama upset
WASHINGTON - Hillary Rodham Clinton will concede Tuesday night that Barack Obama has the delegates to secure the Democratic nomination, campaign officials said, effectively ending her bid to be the nation's first female president.
The former first lady will stop short of formally suspending or ending her race in her speech in New York City. She will pledge to continue to speak out on issues like health care. But for all intents and purposes, the two senior officials said, the campaign is over.
Most campaign staff will be let go and will be paid through June 15, said the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to divulge her plans.
Hillary Rodham Clinton will concede Tuesday night that Barack Obama has the delegates to secure the Democratic nomination, campaign officials said, effectively ending her bid to be the nation's first female president.
The former first lady will stop short of formally suspending or ending her race in her speech in New York City. She will pledge to continue to speak out on issues like health care. But for all intents and purposes, the two senior officials said, the campaign is over.
Most campaign staff will be let go and will be paid through June 15, said the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to divulge her plans.
The advisers said Clinton has made a strategic decision to not formally end her campaign, giving her leverage to negotiate with Obama on various matters including a possible vice presidential nomination for her. She also wants to press him on issues he should focus on in the fall, such as health care.
Universal health care, Clinton's signature issue as first lady in the 1990s, was a point of dispute between Obama and the New York senator during their epic nomination fight.
Hillary Rodham Clinton is expected to concede Tuesday night that Barack Obama has the delegates to secure the Democratic nomination, campaign officials told the Associated Press, but Clinton's campaign manager denied the report.
The former first lady will stop short of formally suspending or ending her race in her speech in New York City, said the officials who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity, because they were not authorized to divulge her plans.
However Terry McAuliffe, Clinton's campaign chairman, told CNN that AP is "100% reporting incorrectly."
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Hillary is playing hardball here. First off, she wants all the votes counted. Second, she is appealing the Michigan Delegate Decision. Third, she will continue to court superdelegates that she is the strongest candidate.
Watch Barack Obama, roll his delegates out today. Watch Barack Obama give a speech that he is the Presumptive Nominee, tonight.
Here we go again, with Clinton, waiting for something to happen, hanging around in the rafters.....sigh.....
Folks, some people don't know when to leave the DAMN STAGE, at this point she will eventually be shoved off.
REALITY IS A BITCH.
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and kos' take on Hillary's Concede or not to Concede....
A tsunami of superdelegates is poised to rush to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) over the next 12 hours, giving him a mathematical lock on his party’s presidential nomination.
The superdelegate surge is likely to swamp a few holdouts within the camp of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) who have been resisting a prompt concession.
Aides say Clinton does not plan to concede or bid supporters farewell when she speaks in New York tonight, but instead will salute her supporters and argue for the strength of her candidacy.
But her clout is ebbing by the hour. At 6:56 a.m. Eastern time, the Obama campaign announced the first of the day’s slew of endorsements by superdelegates – the Democratic Party officials who have a vote on the nominee and will determine who it is, since neither Obama nor Clinton have won enough delegates in primaries and caucuses to put them over the top.
The three highest ranking Democrats in Montana plan to wade into the Democratic presidential race as soon as the state's primary is decided tonight, according to a source familiar with the decision.
Gov. Brian Schweitzer as well as Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester have agreed to all endorse the winner of Montana's primary -- almost certain to be Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) -- immediately upon the contest being called. The trio will be joined in the endorsement by state party chairman Dennis McDonald and vice chairman Margaret Campbell.
Barack Obama has effectively clinched the Democratic presidential nomination, based on an Associated Press tally of convention delegates.
The tally put Obama over the top Tuesday, ahead of the results from the day's final primaries in Montana and South Dakota. The Illinois senator becomes the first black candidate ever to lead his party into a fall campaign for the White House. Obama outlasted former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in a historic contest and now faces Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona for the presidency. AP Source
Former President Carter says he'll endorse Democrat Barack Obama after the polls close on the final primaries.
Carter told The Associated Press on Tuesday: "The fact is the Obama people already know they have my vote when the polls close tonight." Carter spoke to the AP after addressing the Georgia World Congress Center.
Carter, a superdelegate, has remained officially neutral in the race but has offered high praise to Obama. Carter has noted that his children, grandchildren and their spouses back the Illinois senator.
Folks, the supers are shutting this down. NO MORE THREATS OF DENVER.
Obama and Clinton spoke Sunday night and agreed that their staffs should begin negotiations over post-primary activities, according to reliable sources. In addition to seeking Obama's help in raising money to pay off some $20 million-plus in debts, Clinton is known to want Obama to assist black officials who endorsed her and who are now taking constituent heat, including, in some cases, primary challenges from pro-Obama politicians.
"This has never happened before," one donor said, referring to the personalized request by email to attend the event in New York Tuesday night.
Obama, confident of victory, looked ahead to the general election by campaigning in Michigan, a likely battleground state in the fall campaign.
He said that when he called Clinton on Sunday to congratulate her on her Puerto Rico primary victory, he broached the topic of a meeting.
"The sooner we can bring the party together, the sooner we can focus on John McCain and taking back the White House," he said.
Obama stopped short of a flat prediction that he would be able to claim victory Tuesday night when the delegates were allocated after the day's primaries. But he said, "It is my sense that between Tuesday and Wednesday we have a good chance of getting that number of delegates" needed for victory.
Obama arranged a Tuesday night speech in Minnesota, at the site of the Republican National Convention that will nominate Arizona Sen. McCain in September.
Democratic Party leaders watched from the sidelines, eager for a quick end to a race that drew record millions to voting booths but also exposed racial and other divisions.
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Uncommitted Senators coming onboard for Obama by as early tomorrow or by Wednesday, the latest.
The advance staffers — most of them now in Puerto Rico, South Dakota, and Montana — are being given the options of going to New York for a final day Tuesday, or going home, the aides said. The move is a sign that the campaign is beginning to shed — at least — some of its staff. The advance staff is responsible for arranging the candidate's events around the country.
Her angry defenders were chanting "Denver!" on Saturday, but Hillary Rodham Clinton is headed to Chappaqua late tonight for a somber and potentially momentous homecoming.
Clinton will huddle with advisers and husband Bill Clinton at her mansion tomorrow, according to people familiar with her plans. She will monitor results from the final 2008 primaries in South Dakota and Montana and decide whether, how and when she will end her campaign as Barack Obama nears the nomination threshold.
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Hillary want Obama to help with her debt, or bring back the 11.5M Clinton money back to Clinton Coffers....
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Well, the movement is real. My take is this, I think many from the DNC and uncommitted superdelegtes watched Saturday's meeting and heard the veil threat from Harold Ickes on behalf of Hillary Clinton.
That moved them to end this and no fighting in Denver. Hillary ,if reported, is doing the right thing. Time for her to take some time off and campaign in EARNEST for Barack Obama through the General Election.
Hillary Clinton totally BELIEVING that she is the only candidate that will win in November over John McCain. Not withstanding that she also is the only candidate with unfavorables over 50%, or damn near close to.
And what do I think? If the superdelegates do not come out and back Barack Obama after the June 3, 2008 primaries, expect this to go to the Convention. She is that scandalous. Period.
Here is the link to the letter and the memo to the superdelegates.
The stakes in this election are so high: with two wars abroad, our economy in crisis here at home, and so many families struggling across America, the need for new leadership has never been greater.
At this point, we do not yet have a nominee – and when the last votes are cast on June 3, neither Senator Obama nor I will have secured the nomination. It will be up to automatic delegates like you to help choose our party’s nominee, and I would like to tell you why I believe I am the stronger candidate against Senator McCain and would be the best President and Commander in Chief.
Voters in every state have made it clear that they want to be heard and counted as part of this historic race. And as we reach the end of the primary season, more than 17 million people have supported me in my effort to become the Democratic nominee – more people than have ever voted for a potential nominee in the history of our party. In the past two weeks alone, record numbers of voters participated in the West Virginia and Kentucky primaries. And with 40 and 35 point margins of victory, it is clear that even when voters are repeatedly told this race is over, they’re not giving up on me – and I am not giving up on them either.
After seven years of feeling invisible to the Bush administration, Americans are seeking a President who is strong, experienced, and ready to take on our toughest challenges, from serving as Commander in Chief and ending the war in Iraq to turning our economy around. They want a President who shares their core beliefs about our country and its future and “gets” what they go through every day to care for their families, pay the bills and try to put something away for the future.
We simply cannot afford another four – or eight – years in the wilderness. That is why, everywhere I go, people come up to me, grip my hand or arm, and urge me to keep on running. That is why I continue in this race: because I believe I am best prepared to lead this country as President – and best prepared to put together a broad coalition of voters to break the lock Republicans have had on the electoral map and beat Senator McCain in November.
Recent polls and election results show a clear trend: I am ahead in states that have been critical to victory in the past two elections. From Ohio, to Pennsylvania, to West Virginia and beyond, the results of recent primaries in battleground states show that I have strong support from the regions and demographics Democrats need to take back the White House. I am also currently ahead of Senator McCain in Gallup national tracking polls, while Senator Obama is behind him. And nearly all independent analyses show that I am in a stronger position to win the Electoral College, primarily because I lead Senator McCain in Florida and Ohio. I’ve enclosed a detailed analysis of recent electoral and polling information, and I hope you will take some time to review it carefully.
In addition, when the primaries are finished, I expect to lead in the popular vote and in delegates earned through primaries. Ultimately, the point of our primary process is to pick our strongest nominee – the one who would be the best President and Commander in Chief, who has the greatest support from members of our party, and who is most likely to win in November. So I hope you will consider not just the strength of the coalition backing me, but also that more people will have cast their votes for me.
I am in this race for them — for all the men and women I meet who wake up every day and work hard to make a difference for their families. People who deserve a shot at the American dream – the chance to save for college, a home and retirement; to afford quality health care for their families; to fill the gas tank and buy the groceries with a little left over each month.
I am in this race for all the women in their nineties who’ve told me they were born before women could vote, and they want to live to see a woman in the White House. For all the women who are energized for the first time, and voting for the first time. For the little girls – and little boys – whose parents lift them onto their shoulders at our rallies, and whisper in their ears, “See, you can be anything you want to be.” As the first woman ever to be in this position, I believe I have a responsibility to them.
Finally, I am in this race because I believe staying in this race will help unite the Democratic Party. I believe that if Senator Obama and I both make our case – and all Democrats have the chance to make their voices heard – everyone will be more likely to rally around the nominee.
In the end, I am committed to unifying this party. What Senator Obama and I share is so much greater than our differences; and no matter who wins this nomination, I will do everything I can to bring us together and move us forward.
But at this point, neither of us has crossed the finish line. I hope that in the time remaining, you will think hard about which candidate has the best chance to lead our party to victory in November. I hope you will consider the results of the recent primaries and what they tell us about the mindset of voters in the key battleground states. I hope you will think about the broad and winning coalition of voters I have built. And most important, I hope you will think about who is ready to stand on that stage with Senator McCain, fight for the deepest principles of our party, and lead our country forward into this new century.
There have been rumors running amuck about Obama and his superdelegates.
Many have stated, "Why won't they come out and endorse and end this?"
Question is valid, but we must remember many of these superdelegates are elected officials and as MSNBC/NBC always says, "are weasels." They don't want to be part of this process, but they have no choice at this point. Video below:
As Al G, from The Field reported, there are about 40 California delegates in the wing, now Marc Ambinder from The Atlantic is reporting something similar too:
In June of 1984, the day after California handed Gary Hart a last-minute victory and New Jersey, thanks to Hart's having insulted the state, voted for Walter Mondale by 15 points, Tad Devine, Mondale's chief superdelegate counter, was ready. Worried that Mondale would not meet his pledge to end the primary season with a majority of delegates, Devine and his team made a "frantic" series of phone calls to undeclared party leaders; by noon, a few dozen superdelegates endorsed Mondale en masse, taking the wind of out Hart's campaign forever.
Walter Mondale's superdelegate counter made sure that he had the pledges to end Gary Hart's aspirations, so look to see Obama ripping this play from the Mondale playbook.
To prepare for that eventuality, the Obama campaign has, for the first time, really, begun to bank delegates. Sources close to the campaign estimate that as many as three dozen Democratic superdelegates have privately pledged to announce their support for Obama on June 4 or 5. The campaign is determined that Obama not end the first week in June without securing the support of delegates numbering 2026 -- or 2210, as the case may be.
The DNC Rules & By Laws Committee Meeting (scheduled for Saturday, being monitored LIVE on MSNBC) is Clinton's last stand for her faux support of seating Michigan and Florida delegates. If this meeting is a catastrophe, expect the supers to end this after the last primaries on June 3, 2008. This feels right to me. And can I write, about 'effin' time.
Lastly, Tim Russert, moderator for MEET THE PRESS says it all here, and available on youtube here:
barack and michelle in raleigh, nc after winning the north carolina primary
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we now know who the democratic nominee is going to be....
What Metric is Left? Reality Time. A valid, on point, honest question is one that the Clinton Campaign cannot answer.
Sure, she is dragging this out and looks like a fighter, but in the end the math does not work. Even if she wins the rest of what? Six primaries? It won’t happen. Especially, since Barack won North Carolina by 15 points and lost Indiana by 0.8 points, this was not the game changer Hillary Clinton needed. The popular vote Barack won in North Carolina wiped out her gains in Pennsylvania. Indiana did nothing for Clinton, since the race was tight and the delegate count will be split down the middle. In other words, she gained nothing and ending up losing the delegate and popular vote battle Tuesday night. Lastly on this delegate and popular vote count, there are not enough states left for Clinton to catch up. She needs to beat Barack over 70% for the remaining six contests and it won't happen. Now the superdelegates are favoring Obama. What Tim Russert said, and if you don’t know, look at the video above, was like a shot heard around the world. Everyone knows that Barack Obama is the Democratic Nominee and there is nothing else that the Clinton Campaign can do, it is a fact.
I have stated this many times, this primary is one that many pundits will write about. Primarily, how the formidable Clinton Campaign was shattered by a new kid on the block, named Barack Obama.
We know that Barack will not win West Virginia or Kentucky, but he will win Oregon on May 20, 2008. In winning Oregon, he will have secured the most pledged delegates, period. And it is technically, totally and finally over, at least for Barack.
What is the most important now is bringing the party together. The most important mission that we have is to win not only the White House, but more congressional and senate seats for a working majority to assist the next president.
Now it is time for Hillary Clinton to leave the stage, gracefully, she knows it as well as the rest of the country. We are now waiting for her to do so.
Campaign Appearances
May 12, 2008 - Campaign Event with Barack Obama, Charleston, WV May 12, 2008 - Rally with Barack, Louisville, KY
John Edwards, a former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, cautioned Sunday that Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton “has to be really careful that she’s not damaging our prospects” by staying in the contest against Senator Barack Obama.
While Mr. Edwards, a onetime senator from North Carolina, has not endorsed either candidate, he made it clear on the CBS News program “Face the Nation” that he saw little chance that Mrs. Clinton could manage a come-from-behind victory.
“You can no longer make a compelling case for the math,” Mr. Edwards said, referring to delegate totals that increasingly favor Mr. Obama. “The math is very, very hard for her.” continue
obama and abel valladares at luis's taqueira, woodburn, or
Photo Diaries
VOTE for CHANGE -- 1,400 New Yorkers take to the streets! UPDATED with video by casperr; Photoblog: Obama Voter Registration in Austin! by kath25; Barack in Indy on Election Eve w/ photos! by Debby; Yes We Can: A Photoblog of Young Obama Supporters in Indianapolis by BillyZoom; Making it happen in NC (w/photos) by merrinc; From Obama Blog: Barack visits University of Evansville, IN; From Obama Blog: Barack and Michelle visit Kempton, IN; Obama Rocks Assembly Hall Bloomington Indiana Photo Diary by HeartlandLiberal; From Obama Blog: Barack and Michelle in Noblesville, IN
After failing to win the decisive sweep in North Carolina and Indiana that could have reshaped the Democratic race, disappointed aides to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton conceded it would be difficult for her to catch Sen. Barack Obama in either delegates or overall votes in the six remaining contests. The outcome caused the candidate and her campaign to intensify their efforts to persuade party leaders to include the results of disqualified contests in Michigan and Florida, both of which she won. The Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws committee is scheduled to meet on May 31 to consider two challenges pending on whether, and how, to seat delegates from those states.
"Absent some sort of miracle on May 31st, it's going to be tough for us," said a senior Clinton official who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to be frank. "We lost this thing in February. We're doing everything we can now . . . but it's just an uphill battle."continue
victory speech in raleigh, north carolina
shoutouts: Yes to Unity. But Let's Not Go Overboard. by wmtriallawyer; Cheers to Hillary is 44, Taylor Marsh and MyDD by Morgan Sandlin; Mark Penn Denies Being an Idiot by BarbinMD; Mothers Day Message from Teresa Heinz by Teresa Heinz; Feminisms: McCain and Women by Elise; Countdown to $200 oil (4) - It's scheduled for 1/20/09 by Jerome a Paris; Breaking: FBI Raids Office of Special Counsel by aravir; Why can't Clinton win independents? by kos; Clinton's Race-Baiting Continues by dnA; Jeralyn Merritt "Obama For Hill's A-G..." by Mithrandir Istari
Tom Hanks Endorses Obama; Martin Sheen Endorses Obama; Nine Superdelegates Endorse Obama; 4 More Superdelegates Backs Obama; Kaylan Free, Superdelegate Supports Obama; Portland Mayor Tom Potter Backs Obama; Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) Backs Obama; Kristi Cummings Superdelegate (UT) Endorses Obama; David Bonior, Former Congressman (MI) and John Edwards Campaign Manager Backs Obama; Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA) Endorses Obama; Congressman Brad Miller (D-NC) Backs Obama,; Florida House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber Backs Obama; Congressman Harry Mitchell (D-AZ) Endorses Obama; Myrlie Evers-Williams, wife of slain civil rights activist Medgar Evers, Endorses Obama; Two Virgin Island Superdelegates flip to Obama; Congresswoman Mazie Hirono (D-HI) Endorses Obama; California Superdelegate Crystal Strait Backs Obama; Kentucky Lt. Governor Dan Mongiardo Endorses Obama
A key component in the Democratic presidential race is all but decided: In fund raising, victory belongs to Sen. Barack Obama.
As recently as a few months ago, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton had a seemingly invincible money machine -- a political ATM of well-connected followers who could raise tens of thousands of dollars with a few phone calls. But just as Sen. Obama has topped her at the polls, the Illinois senator's Internet-driven fund-raising model has eclipsed the one favored by the Clinton campaign.
Sen. Obama overtook Sen. Clinton in total fund raising in February and has raised more since. The New York senator, meanwhile, has loaned herself $6.4 million in the past few weeks, her campaign acknowledged Wednesday. continue
icebergslim’s last word: prepping for the general election
Yes, it is that time. Yes, it is here, finally. Getting ready and pointing our guns to the Republicans failed policies and John McCain.
For all intention purposes, the primary is over. Now it is just about going through the semantics until Clinton exits. So, while we are waiting, Obama is already in the general election mode with a new stump speech focused on McCain. As we wait for the six remaining contests to end, Barack is planning on visiting the swing states with town hall meetings. His first stop is Missouri on Tuesday, with more states in between the finale of the primary. Barack has also expressed interest in participating in focus groups around this country with John McCain to talk about the issues that the American public want to hear from these two candidates.
Also, the Vote for Change Movement was a huge success, this past Saturday, May 10th. This effort was to register voters in all 50 states for the upcoming general election. This will be an ongoing process throughout the summer and early fall to get people registered to vote. Remember, 60% of the new voters participated thus far in the primaries. This is critical for us to win in November that we know our voters and get them to the polls.
The Obama Organizing Fellows is a program designed to train folk on the grassroots level in organizing, messaging and other activities vital to make a campaign successful and winnable. Applications for this program end on May 15, 2008.
There is much coming up that will be unfolded for massive participation. So, there is no excuse not to get engage.
Lastly, this is an exciting time in American politics. This is a first on many levels. First, for the social networking of political activity. First, for the explosion of youtube in the campaigns, to reach millions of voters. The phenomenal participation of voters on the ground and through the internet by donating to Barack’s campaign has been astounding. And hopefully an end to divisive, old fashioned, top down politics.
The people have spoken and they are taking the Democratic Party back, their country back with the 'presumptive nominee', Barack Obama.
It is exciting indeed.
p.s. remember to continue to donate and remember to continue to remain engaged in this campaign. thanks.
looking at this picture, it reminds me of that ll cool j song, 'mama gonna knock you out'. well, mccain, 'obama gonna knock you out'. this was a fantastic week for barack. he showed his strength in two fold. he prepared and had has troops in north carolina and indiana wayyy ahead of clinton and got folks to vote EARLY. it mattered. especially for north carolina where he ran the numbers up. now since wisconsin, we all have said 'this is over' the pundits and networks are now stating, 'it is over'. they are ready to move onto the real story, 'obama vs. mccain'. as always, stay focused on obama and not the drama.....peace...
to tell you all this: DON'T FALL FOR THE MEDIA HYPE
I don't know how many diaries must be written or trounced into heads here, but don't fall for it.
Here is why, below the fold:
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Al G (that is what I call him), over at The Field has broken it down, brillantly.
Basically, it is a reminder that we have been through this drill already. That this is the 47th and 48th primary/caucus and by now we should know the DRILL.
I know many get excited, just reading the "Did I vote thread....", but the reality is this, a ground game.
This is a ground game, pure and simple. I don't expect Obama to win Indiana, so let's take that one out of our "yippeeee" column. I do expect him to win North Carolina, since it is a closed primary and Indiana is open. And yes, I expect mischief from the "Limbaugh Dummies", but not much in Indiana. Also, Obama did the one thing that Clinton did not do, due to lack of money, that is get his ballots cast early.
Now to what we should know.
We should know that Drudge ALWAYS leak Clinton expectations.
We should know that some nitwit from the Clinton Campaign goes on the cable shows and repeat expectations that were leaked.
We should know that the exit polls always show an Obama surge. And by now none of us should believe any exit polling.
We should know that Drudge then posts the Clinton "leaked exit polling".
We should expect the "why Obama can not close the deal". Yes, the cable pundits are nothing but desk clerks who read from a teleprompter and haven't been in the field, like forever. So, they are nothing but talking heads who in the end are full of nothing. We know this.
If Clinton wins Indiana, another plea for money for a not going nowhere campaign. And what did she raise last month? Haven't heard any bragging rights from that camp on money.
It will be torn apart, tomorrow by the desk clerks that Clinton has again cooled superdelegates heels, while the Obama Campaign continues to announce superdelegates in their CAMP tomorrow. Yes, desk clerks will look stupid.
In other words, we know better by now. We do.
Tomorrow there will be more superdelegates than remaining delegates for this primary. What does this mean? The backroom, smoking pits, deal joints have emerged and are working HARD. That is what is means.
North Carolina is the LAST big state left.
This is OVER, by every metric given. And if Obama blows out in North Carolina and stays close in Indiana, expect the supers to move rapidly, starting tomorrow.
So, Obama Supporters, stop drinking the same kool-aid every primary. We have won this already, now is just going through the steps. We know what the media will say, they have been carrying Clinton's water since, "see me in Texas and Ohio."
Unless Indiana is an upset, I don't expect it to be, but expect all the above. Stop getting caught up in the bullshit hype. You know what will happen.
And thanks to Al G at The Field, for keepin' it real.
obama smiling during editorial meet of indianapolis star in indiana
Note: Next edition of This Week With Barack Obama, April 27-May 3, 2008 will be under the management of Al Rodgers, next Sunday, May 4, 2008. I am in Indiana from Friday through Wednesday, for the crucial Indiana Primary on Tuesday May 6, 2008. I will be working in NW Indiana between Gary, Valparaiso and South Bend. So, give Al the love you give me on this weekly. Peace.
barack with senator bob casey (d-pa) at gilda's diner in scranton, pa
Campaign Appearances
April 28, 2008 - Town Hall with Barack, Wilson, NC April 28, 2008 - One-Stop Early Voting Rally with Barack, Chapel Hill, NC April 28, 2008 - Town Hall with Barack, Wilmington, NC April 29, 2008 - Town Hall with Barack, Winston-Salem, NC April 29, 2008 - Town Hall with Barack, Hickory, NC
obama's speech in evansville, indiana, following pennsylvania primary
Hillary Clinton is equivalent to a “Hot Mess”
And you question what a hot mess is? One who is all over the place, incoherent, unorganized, don't carish attitude, grasping at the “whatever”. That is the Hillary Clinton we are witnessing right now.
Clinton is now witnessing something she has no control over, it is called “the train is leaving the track without you on board.” Yes, Barack Obama is in General Election mode for November. Obama has decided to start a massive 50 State Voter Registration Drive, he has agreed to work with the DNC to raise money for November, he has changed his tone, rhetoric on the trail and does not even acknowledge Hillary Clinton, he has purchased ads for all the remaining contests through June 3rd, he has started the Obama Organizing Fellows, an organization to train students and recent graduates for the technicalities and organizing needed for the future of the grassroots, more importantly the Democratic Party.
He is taking the steps forward, not backwards or standing in time with Hillary Clinton.
In the meantime, Hillary Clinton is busy trying to get another debate going. Why? Well, we can guess or discuss her reasons. One that pops in my mind is money. There have been questions if she actually raised 10M, because the language in asking this campaign is all over the place. We know she is in debt of at least 15M. And if you really want to know how much a campaign has to spend? Watch what they spend it on and how they do it. You don’t see Clinton in ads up in the remaining contests and her ads in NC and IN are sparse. So, this is a legitimate question. Remember campaigns are measured in two fold, by the message and by money the candidate has to get the message out.
Which brings us to the most comical begging of the campaign, since the kindergate fiasco of the Clinton Campaign. Requesting, asking for another debate in the style of Lincoln and Douglass of the 1860s.
Cough, cough. Umm, why is she asking? We already had 21 debates. If anyone wants to view the former debates go to CNN, C-SPAN, MSNBC, or ABCs video archive. All have one. And you can pick and choose for your leisure. So, why another debate? One reason only, exposure, television exposure, and lack of funds. There are some who are stating that Barack should agree to this no holds barred event, with no moderator. I say no. Why?
Because it is the loser who asks for debates, not the winner.
We have participated in 21 nationally televised debates, the most in primary history, including four exclusively with Senator Clinton. Senator Clinton refused an earlier invitation that had been accepted to debate in North Carolina. Over the next 10 days, we believe it's important to talk directly to the voters of Indiana and North Carolina about fixing our economy, cutting the cost of health care and ending a war in Iraq that never should have been authorized in the first place.
In other words, NO.
So, Hillary Clinton will have to run around in circles, continuing her negative campaigning, screeching about debates, whining about someone or something being unfair, etc. In the meantime, Barack Obama, is transitioning to become the Democratic Nominee and getting ready for John McCain and the Republicans.
As hard as it is with Hillary Clinton still in this race, and she has a right to be, it is time to just focus on McCain and the Republicans. Leave it for the Hillary Clinton campaign to figure out when to get out of this race, if they can.
barack and his heart, michelle, in evansville, in
Voting Registration Deadlines for the Following States and Early Voting Information
Indiana: Early Voting for Indiana is through noon, May 5, 2008. For information of your location for early voting, click here.
North Carolina: One Stop Early Voting is underway through May 3rd, 2008. Look up your One Stop Early Voting Location here.
Oregon: Deadline April 29th. Registration form must be received by April 29th, the downloadable form and where to mail to your county is available here.
Montana: Deadline May 5th. Registration form must be received by May 5th. Registration form and your county address is available here. Additional information is here.
South Dakota: Deadline May 19th. Downloadable form here. Fill out the form on-line, print and send here. List of counties to mail your form is here.
obama on plane, enroute, wednesday, april 23, 2008
Tired Barack Obama resorts to aggression
[...snip] Campaign insiders say the senator will do more to stress his humble roots as the scholarship schoolboy son of a single mother. In Indianapolis last week he pledged to "remind people of where I come from. I was raised with far fewer advantages than either of my two remaining opponents." In Kokomo he peppered his rally speech with references to his days as a community organiser in Chicago "helping folk laid off when the steel mills closed". Yet the poise with which he carries himself can seem aloof. There remains a suspicion that he is reluctant to tailor his appeal to those voters who want their president to be someone like them.
Senator Obama is gracing the next cover of GQ magazine, the men's style bible. One quote released by the magazine is revealing: "I'm in this to win and I think I will win. But I'm also going to emerge intact. I'm going to be Barack Obama and not some parody."
barack and john mellencamp in evansville, in
Endorsements
Financial Times Endorses Obama; Michael Moore Endorses Obama; Ohio Superdelegate Goes for Obama; 22 NC State Legislators Back Obama; 49 Former Edwards Backers Back Obama; Sheryl Crow Endorses Obama; Nebraska Superdelegate Sides with Obama; Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel of Evansville, Indiana backs Obama; Congressman David Wu (D-OR) Endorses Obama; IFPTE Endorses Obama; 43 NC Mayors Back Obama; Oregon Coalition of Latino Leaders Back Obama; Two Nobel Prize Economics for Obama; Arizona Superdelegate Backs Obama; Oklaholma Governor Brad Henry Endorses Obama
barack obama will be the coolest president, EVAH...h/t to al rodgers
photo diaries
4,800 "feisty" voters Rally in Scranton with Obama by Steven R; BREAKING: Obama Takes Lead in PA by Al Rodgers; Obama Storms Across Pennsylvania by bored now; Guam is Ready To Go: Guam for Obama and You! by kubla000; Obama 3-on-3 Basketball; Guam for Obama; "Make It Work" Indiana: Pictures, Analysis, and a Plea for Action
Other than ensuring the Greatest Show on Earth will continue, does it matter that Hillary Clinton defeated Barack Obama Tuesday in Pennsylvania by nine-plus points? Barack Obama is the nominee.
No matter how many kicks the rest of us find in such famously fun primary states as Indiana and South Dakota, it's going to be McCain versus Obama in 2008.
I believe the cement set around the Clinton coffin last Friday. The Obama campaign announced it had received the support of former Sens. Sam Nunn of Georgia and David Boren of Oklahoma. continue
obama greeting supporters outside of indianapolis star
shoutouts: Malaria Madness by Maureen; Hillary Clinton in Eugene, OR; NY Times Thursday: Obliterating Hillary's Electability Meme by Steven R; MN-Sen: Novak: Franken wins if Obama the nominee by kos; Why I Love Blogs by faboo; Flipping the Script: WHY Can't Hillary ' Tonya Harding' Clinton CLOSE THE DEAL? by rikyrah; What the F&*K is Going On In Detroit by Bendygirl; Forgotten, USA by Hunter; The down-ballot races kos; Employment Numbers: A Moving Target by GreyHawk; Gouged Out: The Consumer and the Gas Station Operator by GreyHawk; Granholm exploits Michigan problem for Clinton gain by Eric B.; Sen. Clinton, Guam and Sweatshop $$$: A Stain on the Democratic Party... by dengre; Homeless Vets. Don't You Dare Look Away. by FireCrow; Hunger by teacherken; $100+ BILLION giveaway to the oil, credit card and retail industries by clammy c; Limbaugh Calls for Denver Riots by Granny Doc; Darkness Falls by One Pissed Off Liberal
barack showin' off his skillz....
Don't stop believin', Hillary
Run, Hillary, run.
Run in Guam, run in North Carolina, run in Indiana. Run in each and every one of the nine contests that are left.
Then make some states do their contests over.
Should Barack Obama’s victory in Vermont really count? I don’t think Vermont is actually a state. I think it is technically a socialist republic. Have somebody check this out.
And Obama’s victory in Alaska? Are you kidding me? They let caribou vote in Alaska.
And do some other stuff that levels the playing field: Raise the voting age to 65 in all the remaining contests, for instance. continue
icebergslim’s last word: get energized, get ready, let’s go
I know, I know, this primary season seems to drag on like a bad marriage. Yep, like that.
But, as in life, we must re-energize and double up our efforts to win this nomination. Look at Barack and Michelle!!! Are they sitting back and complaining? No, they are marching forward, as we must all do.
So, now we must regain focus and look towards the fight in the fall. But until we get to that mantle, we must finish off Indiana and North Carolina.
Many in those states are working hard and tirelessly for this campaign. As excited they are about making their statement, they are tired too. So, we must finish this off.
I am going to Indiana on Friday to volunteer for the campaign and won’t get back home until Wednesday. I am lucky and blessed to have family in NW Indiana, who I might add, are working hard to make sure the vote gets out.
So, what can you do? You know what to do.
Pick that phone up and help with the ONE MILLION PHONE CALLS BY MAY 6th DRIVE. That is the LEAST you can do. All the information is provided in the link with script, etc. Believe me, it is not hard, after a few calls you know what to do and say.
Phone banking not your bag. Well, are you close to Indiana or North Carolina? Like to chat and talk to folk in the flesh? Well get over to Indiana or North Carolina, right now. Canvass and help this campaign out. Even work the phones or paperwork in the offices. Every bit counts, not yesterday, but now.
And can’t do either? Well, pull out your credit card/debit card and donate. You can donate as little as $5 to this campaign. Why? Because it is the only people-powered campaign out there. WE OWN THIS CAMPAIGN. We have decided to give Barack and Michelle the front seat, but believe me, they listen to us.
Okay, I have vented enough. But just don’t read this, get up and do something. In the end, you will be glad that you did.
see barack wearing slain soldier sgt. ryan jopek's bracelet given to him by his mother. patriotism is something that should never be a wedge issue, but it is becoming that to divert from the real problems the bush administration has put on the shoulders of this country. patriotism is not a flag pin, it is the individual and what they stand for. we have many in the bush adminstration wearing flag pins, without any meaning or care for this country or its citizens. patriotism is who you are, what you do on a daily basis, following the rules of the land and loving this country. it is not a pin. the republicans need to answer many questions, not on patriotism, but why they allowed this country to become bankrupt, in debt to china, katrina, unable to follow the constitution, and why we are in iraq and what is the real mission. until they can answer these questions and many others on the laundry list, they are the last ones to be pointing a finger at patriotism, because they are definately not examples of the term. as i always close, remember to focus on obama and not the drama....see you in two weeks.
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