Well, last night Al Gore joined Barack Obama, first at a fundraiser then a rally at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan to a packed house to announce his formal endorsement for Barack Obama.
What does this mean? A lot. Gore wrote on his blog, "I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected President of the United States."
During his speech, Gore took jabs at the failed Administration that is called Bush:
"After eight years of incompetence, neglect and failure, we need change," Gore said. "After eight years when our Constitution has been dishonored and disrespected, we need changes."
He gave a very good speech; hit all the points, but my favorite line is below:
...even our dogs and cats learned elections matter....yes, al gore is back.....
Watch the video below, which was a zinger for sure.
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The cable desk clerks are chirping away about the move of the Obama Campaign to install former Clinton Campaign Manager, Patti Solis-Doyle to be Chief of Staff of the VP Nominee (to be selected).
We all know how this works. The Clinton forces got their surrogates hopping and whining on cable television, insinuating this is a 'dis'. But something else occurred to me, via my strategist friend.
This was bait for Clinton.
Bait you say? Why?
What is Barack's number one demand from the conception of his campaign? NO DRAMA.
So, what does the campaign do? They released a pr (press release), but this pr was a staffing list. This list had about 10 names on it. It listed other positions that have been absorbed by current staff members, newly created positions by bringing other staff members from other campaigns in, and Solis-Doyle's name somewhere in the middle.
Well, if this was a test, the Clinton folks got a big fat "F". Instead of being quiet and taking it the surrogates were running their mouths amuck.
This reminds me of the whole Clinton snafu of not conceding WHEN SHE SHOULD HAVE on that Tuesday Night. Instead, all her surrogates were running around teevee, screaming that she should be the VP pick, some like "Lanny Davis" even starting a website for petitions to put her on the ticket and that dreadful "Bob Johnson" trying to press the CBC (Congressional Black Caucus) to put pressure on Obama for Clinton.
Well, that was major blowback for Clinton and failed. Especially when Governor Ed Rendell (D-PA) a Clinton backer said:
“There’s no bargaining," he told Dominic Carter, according to a transcript from NY1. "You don't bargain with the Presidential nominee. Even if you're Hillary Clinton and you have 18 million votes, you don't bargain.”
We all know what happened after this, Clinton recoiled, recanted and stated that she is not seeking the VP spot, though she said she would be interested.
I think this was a test. A test of how one would handle potentially bad news or even confusing news and look what has happened. The bulldogs were sent out; barking on the teevee screen and everyone is saying, basically, "so what".
This is Obama's choice. And since when does a presidential candidate have to get permission to hire a former colleague and absorb them in the campaign? He does not have to get a checkmark by the name from Hillary Clinton or anyone else. If the Clinton Camp has not learned anything, they need to absorb this; Barack Obama is stubborn and will not flinch. We have seen this repeatedly throughout this campaign and if Hillary Clinton has not FINALLY realized this, of course, she won't be tapped for the VP nod.
Finally, Solis-Doyle was born and raised in Chicago. She is friends and worked with David Axelrod, Mayor Daley. Her brother is a city councilman and powerful ward chief in this city. Of course, she is brought aboard. This has been floating around since March and no one should be surprised at this. Least of all the Clintons.
Simple as that. Oh, read Al G's take on it from The Field, here.
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Obama returns Chicago to center stage. Yippee!!! Sorry, I am from Chicago so I am patting myself on the back....._:)
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For Blacks in France, Obama’s Rise Is Reason to Rejoice, and to Hope
Interesting piece in the NYT about how folks are viewing this election abroad. I have been following how Obama is playing internationally and this is THE ELECTION that the world is watching. Pure fascination, but it would send a message internationally how the United States of America will be viewed, post George W. Bush years, which have sunk our value to an all time low.
When Youssoupha, a black rapper here, was asked the other day what was on his mind, a grin spread across his face. “Barack Obama,” he said. “Obama tells us everything is possible.”
A new black consciousness is emerging in France, lately hastened by, of all things, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president of the United States. An article in Le Monde a few days ago described how Mr. Obama is “stirring up high hopes” among blacks here. Even seeing the word “noir” (“black”) in a French newspaper was an occasion for surprise until recently.
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Washington Post/ABC Poll
The skinny is that Obama is leading by 6 points, but the cable desk clerks are chirping, "Why isn't the lead larger?"
Let me 'splain this again, as I was chirping this line in June of 2007.
IT IS EARLY. PERIOD.
Remember, who lead all of 2007 in the polls? It sure was not anyone with the name of Obama?
People are not paying attention to this stuff. They are not. It is early, the summer is here, folks are fishing, kids are out of school, etc. Again, the only ones watching this are political junkies, us. When Labor Day comes and goes, the kids back in school, fall approaches, you will see movement and folks paying attention to Obama and McCain.
For me, Obama is doing what he need to. Bringing the party together, getting the DNC funded, preparing for the Convention in August, stumping in the swing states, but more importantly getting ready for post Labor Day when the country will be engaged.
One nugget in this poll is this. 84% of the people believe the country is going in the wrong direction. If you were John McCain and have not made a dent or movement in shifting this number, I would be VERY AFRAID for NOVEMBER.
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Catching up with the polls.....
Oh, My, Obama is Leading in Ohio.....
PPP (Public Policy Poll) has Obama 50, McCain 39
Again, early, one poll, not a pollster, but visit Nate @ 538 to my left. He is the poll god. No kidding.
Looks as if Wisconsin is Obamaland...Obama 50, McCain 37.....
Virginia is tight....
Oregon is Obama 46, McCain 38......
Obama 37, McCain 47 in Kansas....still early.....
And kos says that women are going for Obama. As in polling....
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The moveon.org ad...."Not Alex"
and the talking heads...
and Chuck Todd....
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And if you missed Frank Rich's column titled, "Angry Clinton Women ♥ McCain?" It is a must read. Here is a tidbit and click on the link to finish it out:
TEN years ago John McCain had to apologize for regaling a Republican audience with a crude sexual joke about Hillary and Chelsea Clinton and Janet Reno. Last year he had to explain why he didn’t so much as flinch when a supporter asked him on camera, “How do we beat the bitch?” But these days Mr. McCain just loves the women.
In his televised address on Barack Obama’s victory night of June 3, he dismissed Mr. Obama in a single patronizing line but devoted four fulsome sentences to praising Mrs. Clinton for “inspiring millions of women.” The McCain Web site is showcasing a new blogger who crooned of the “genuine affection” for Mrs. Clinton “here at McCain HQ” after she lost. One of the few visible women in the McCain campaign hierarchy, Carly Fiorina, has declared herself “enormously proud” of Mrs. Clinton and is barnstorming to win over Democratic women to her guy’s cause.
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If you missed This Week With Barack Obama, click here.
And hope you are having a great day.....
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