Rick Warren scrubs site of anti-gay rhetoric

Rick Warren is definitely a lightening in a bottle, since the decision was made to invite Warren to give the invocation at the Inaugural.

This controversy has elevated, both that is Obama and Warren, to be criticized from the left and the right. But many who are Warren followers and they are in the 10s of millions, see this as a promise by Obama for tolerance, communication, openness and a leader who will listen.

Personally, I would not have picked Warren, just as I would not have gone to his forum back in August, which was disastrous for Obama, in my opinion. But it is not my opinion to make. It is Obama's.

Any good will from the LGBT community is tainted by this pick. Was this a thoughtless pick, or was this just a honest mistake? I don't know, but I do know that politicians make mistakes, and this was a big one for Barack.

The good thing is that Warren must be getting the message, by scrubbing his site. Maybe, he is getting a message that all people should be included, though you may not agree with them, or maybe it just looks awfully bad to have a renown pastor, who will not even allow gays to join his church. Talk about exclusivity.

At any rate, I see Obama and Warren in bed together, that is the political bed. Both are in a position where the invite can not be recanted. Both must stand up on the podium, together, different in so many ways, and show non-partisanship to the American public.

For many, this controversy is nothing. Sadly, it is true. But for so many others, this is everything. Yes, it is true.

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Folks stop blaming Obama for Rick Warren. Know your history.

Everyone is having a damn hissy fit and ASSUMING that the President-Elect is in charge of the actual Inaugural Events.

In fact, the Inauguration is strict protocol, down to even SELECTING WHO GIVES THE INVOCATION. Sure, the President-Elect is asked for whom he wants, but in the end it is the Joint Congressional Committee who has the final say.

Let us start with the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

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This is what the Joint Congressional Committee does:

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) plans and executes all Inaugural activities at the United States Capitol, including the Inaugural swearing-in ceremony of the President and Vice President of the United States and the traditional Inaugural luncheon that follows.

Let us break this down.

The committee comes to Obama and asks what he wants by giving him a list. The committee negotiates with potential participants for the President-Elect, in the end it is the committee that selects the participants of the program.

People remember, Barack Obama does not have a "home church" any longer. Does anyone on here remember someone by the name of Reverend Jeremiah Wright? If so, then you know that this slot was probably left open and the committee, which is bi-partisan and picked by the current Vice-President of the United States, selected Rick Warren.

Folks, protocol.

Let's reiterate again, that the whole program was selected by the Joint Congressional Committee, with input by the President-Elect, but in the end SELECTED by the Committee.

Just like after the Inaugural Address by President Barack H. Obama, he must then sit down for the Inaugural Luncheon which will be held as Statuary Hall.

On January 20, after the newly elected President has taken the oath of office and delivered his Inaugural address, he will be escorted to Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol for the traditional Inaugural luncheon, hosted by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC). While this tradition dates as far back as 1897, when the Senate Committee on Arrangements gave a luncheon for President McKinley and several other guests at the U.S. Capitol, it did not begin in its current form until 1953. That year, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Mrs. Eisenhower, and fifty other guests of the JCCIC dined on creamed chicken, baked ham, and potato puffs in the now-restored Old Senate Chamber.

I am indifferent to Rick Warren and could care less, but this is not an issue to get angry about. Warren was probably just a name on a list and we don't know if Obama even gave the committee a list of names for the invocation. He may have just let them select on their own, and this is very plausible.

For more information on Inauguration Day Events, please click here.

Finally, Inauguration Day is about protocol. The events are strictly adhered too, as it should be. C-Span is currently running a series on The White House and they will re-run a series on the protocol for Inauguration Day, check your local listings.

Hope this helps.

[UPDATE]: Obama did request Warren, but this is about the JCICC coordinating the Inaugural Events, not Barack Obama. And for the record, my indifference towards Rick Warren is that I don't like him and could care less about him. One thing we must remember is that Barack Obama is not going to make everyone happy, he did not do it through the primaries/election and he won't do it as POTUS.

[UPDATE]
Many have forgotten these words of Obama on election night:

"Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long"

He also said,

"And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too."

I guess we are already forgetting how it feels to have an Administration that was not all inclusive.

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Cross-posted @ Daily Kos

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Morning Break.....Obama Out West..........

obama in reno, nevada at pj and company restaurant

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Saddleback Blowback

Many have written and believe that John McCain got the questions prior to his time on the stage Saturday evening with Rick Warren.

I will state this, he did not, but his staff did. Now the New York Times is reporting that despite Rick Warren stating that McCain was in a "cone of silence", he was not. In fact, McCain was in a motorcade on his way to the church during the Obama segment. Which means, that yes, his aides got the questions and yes, McCain knew how to answer them.

Also, did the McCain Campaign confirm Andrea Mitchell's reporting? Because they surely did not refute the allegations about McCain not being in the "cone of silence".

Which makes you question, "Did McCain lie about the 'cross in the dirt'?" Apparently, he just may have.

So, what does this mean about Rick Warren and McCain?

Warren, trying to preserve integrity and McCain an outright liar. That is what it means. And finally, the forum in the end does not mean anything. What matters are the debates coming up and McCain won't get a "sneak preview", nor will he be able to pull the crap he did Saturday night.

Missed the forum? Watch it here.

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Rumor, Obama pulled in 8 million from the fundraiser Sunday in San Francisco. That is between the DNC and OFA (Obama for America).

And Obama reminded folks at the fundraiser this:

Things could get ugly in the coming weeks, he warned.

“They’ve got a whole machinery that they’re cranking out,” Obama continued. “They’ve got a book about me, that just kind of sprung full bore out of this guy’s head.”

“John McCain, all he wants to do is talk about me. They know they can’t win on the issues. So what they’ll do is they’ll try to scare people. He’s risky. He’s risky. We’re not sure.”

It’s an old playbook, he continued, but Obama said, it’s not going to work this time. “Not only do you have a candidate who doesn’t take any guff. Not only do you have a candidate who will hit back swiftly and forcefully and truthfully. But you’ve also got American people who are rising up all over the country and saying, enough is enough.”

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Obama in Reno

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Obama Discusses Energy Ideas With T. Boone Pickens

Barack Obama met with T. Boone Pickens, the billionaire oilman who is now pushing for the development of alternative energy.

The two men met briefly at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno to discuss his plans for wind, solar, and other types of alternative fuel.

“Everybody knows that if we keep on going on the same track that we’re going, that we are giving our wealth away, we’re funding both sides in the war on terror. We’re going to be — over the long term — putting enormous pressure on ordinary families. … That’s what we’re going to be talking about,” Obama said before the meeting. continue

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Obama is now....

Taking off the gloves....about time....new stump speech...eating into McCain...

But Sunday, after praising the Arizona senator as a "genuine American patriot," the Democratic presidential hopeful got back to business _ methodically tearing into McCain's health care, tax and energy policies and criticizing his advisers.

"McCain says 'Here's my plan, I'm going to drill here, drill now which is something he only came up with two months ago when he started looking at polling," Obama said of McCain's energy policy.

The GOP hopeful has become a vocal proponent of offshore oil drilling as a way to ease U.S. dependence on foreign oil and has criticized Obama for failing to embrace it as a way to help bring down oil prices. Obama noted that McCain had long opposed lifting the moratorium on offshore drilling.

The Illinois senator also criticized McCain's advisers as "the same old folks that brought you George W. Bush. The same team." He noted many had been lobbyists in Washington before McCain asked them to sever all lobbying ties. continue

Obama @ Earl Wooster HS, Reno, NV

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and.......

Who is your least favorite Supreme Court Justice........................

Obama Fashion, coming to you SOON................................

For convention, Obama "All American"..............

The who's rich question, will come back to haunt McCain..................

Veep Stuff, again.........................

Obama is in New Mexico, today and if you missed the weekly, 'This Week' read it here.


clinton in new mexico, yesterday for obama

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This Week With 'The Presumptive Democratic Nominee' Barack Obama, August 10-16, 2008

obama with rick warren at saddleback church, california

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baracky II

Polls

Economist National; SUSA Virginia; PPP Colorado; Quinnipiac New Jersey; SUSA Kentucky; Hays Alaska; Gallup Open Ended National; Insider Advantage Florida; SUSA North Carolina; Franklin Marsahll Pennsylvania; Pew National; Insider Advantage Virginia; Harris National; Rasmussen Kansas; Rasmussen Virginia; Rasmussen Nevada; SUSA Washington State; Strategic Vision Wisconsin; IBD/TIPP National; Cole Hargrave Snodgrass New Jersey; UT Texas; Rasmussen North Carolina; Zogby National; Economist National; Rasmussen Maine

Obama Raised More Than $51 Million Last Month
For Obama at Saddleback, a Tough Crowd on Some Issues
Powell, Obama - something big in the works?
You got VP mail: Democrats brace for Obama pick
'Advisor' doesn't believe Barack Obama will choose a woman for vice president
Obama's struggle to exorcise the Clintons
Obama policy book coming out Sept. 9



RNC/McCain Stalking Obama

Well, Barack Obama and family was on vacation to his home STATE OF HAWAII, but too much chagrin of the RNC and McCain stalking the Obamas.

Whaaaaaaaa? Stalking Obama? Yes, they are stalking Obama because they can't present their own vision, philosophy and future to the American public, so they stalk Obama because, well, what else can they do?

For example, when Barack and Michelle wanted to get a workout in, the RNC/McCain stalkers were up at the crack of dawn to report every rep, pull up, push up to no avail.

24-Hour Fitness Kaneohe (45-480 Kaneohe Bay Dr, Kaneohe, Hawaii): The Honolulu Star Bulletin reports that “While many people typically sleep in on Sunday morning, Obama and his wife, Michelle, went for a workout yesterday at 24-Hour Fitness in Kaneohe.”

Oh, but it gets better. When Barack and family was out getting shaved ice for their kids, the RNC/McCain stalkers was there to get the flavors down to the nitty-gritty, point. Yes, this is breaking news.

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin reports Obama stopped at Island Snow Hawaii yesterday and “asked for a cone with ‘guava orange, Lanikai lime and choo-choo cherry.’ ... A crowd of about 50 people gathered behind him, snapping pictures with digital cameras and cell phones and giving him a round of applause as he exited.”

When you read this, I know your eyes are rolling to the top of your head or maybe just shaking your head. You mean to tell me that reporting this is important to the American public? To know what kind of shaved ice flavor will have a massive decision to the public? OMG. What is next?

The point is that Obama was on vacation and McCain was irrelevant, again. The only time he can make any traction is when he is close to Obama or has his name even mentioned in the same sentence.

For the RNC/McCain to stalk the Obamas is kind of ghoulish. In fact, if McCain was on vacation with his family who would care where he goes to dinner, golfing, swimming, etc. I mean is that of vital interest to the national security of this country? But, what do you expect from a candidate who is running in the shadows and have nothing note worthy to say to the American people, but "I have voted with George W. Bush, over 90% of the time." That my friends would be some of the truest words McCain can ever deliver.


message to disabled vets in las vegas, nv

Audio/Video

Fat Cat, Web Ad; Ohio DHL TV Ad; Roosevelt on Social Security; New Indiana Economy Ad; Three Bedroom Ranch; TV Ad in battleground states "Economics"; McCain Touts Foreign Credentials; Obama On Break; Cindy McCain: Private Heiress And Philanthropist; Michelle Obama: The Exec, Mom And Campaigner; Clinton To Get Convention Roll Call; Obama and McCain Sadddleback Civil Forum Video; Wisconsin Radio Ad

Obama Meets With T. Boone Pickens
Progressives In The Obama Moment
Obama’s strategy for anti-Obama efforts
John McCain, Barack Obama spar over 'celebrity'
McCain, Obama heat up their battle for Minnesota
Military abroad favoring Obama, money-wise
McCain pushes hard line against Russia; aides attack Obama


here comes the sun

The Obama Tax Plan

Even as Barack Obama proposes fiscally responsible tax reform to strengthen our economy and restore the balance that has been lost in recent years, we hear the familiar protests and distortions from the guardians of the broken status quo.

Many of these very same critics made many of these same overheated predictions in previous elections. They said President Clinton's 1993 deficit-reduction plan would wreck the economy. Eight years and 23 million new jobs later, the economy proved them wrong. Now they are making the same claims about Sen. Obama's tax plan, which has even lower taxes than prevailed in the 1990s -- including lower taxes on middle-class families, lower taxes for capital gains, and lower taxes for dividends.

Overall, Sen. Obama's middle-class tax cuts are larger than his partial rollbacks for families earning over $250,000, making the proposal as a whole a net tax cut and reducing revenues to less than 18.2% of GDP -- the level of taxes that prevailed under President Reagan.

Both candidates for president have proposed tax plans. But they are starkly different in their approaches and their economic impact. Sen. Obama is focused on cutting taxes for middle-class families and small businesses, and investing in key areas like health, innovation and education. He would do this while cutting unnecessary spending, paying for his proposals and bringing down the budget deficit.

In contrast, John McCain offers what would essentially be a third Bush term, with his economic speeches outlining $3.4 trillion of tax cuts over 10 years beyond what President Bush has already proposed and geared even more to high-income earners. The McCain plan would lead to deficits the likes of which we have never seen in this country. It would take money from the middle class and from future generations so that the wealthy can live better today. continue

Obama Campaign Mapping Out Aggressive Counter-Attack Against Swift-Boating
Jackson Browne Sues GOP And McCain Campaign
Potential VP candidates fill Wednesday speaking slots
Donors pick up convention tab
The DNC Platform, Revised.
The Clinton Memos.
Black Vote Was Invisible To Penn\
Iowa Without Edwards
Obama Turns to the Humble Infomercial



icebergslim’s last word: clinton, corsi and saddleback

While the Obamas were on vacation, well shit still happened. Many still reeling in disbelief on the Edwards mess. It truly is not only a mess but a sad state of affairs, of a man, family and lies. As this story was still sucking oxygen, here come the Hillary Clinton Memos.

I guess I could or should be outraged, but overall, I am not. Everything that many wrote about the Clintons months before, during and after the primaries came to fruition. It was a badly mismanaged campaign, with an indecisive candidate, a hording former president, inconsistent messages and ultimately financially broken. Funny, the Clinton Campaign knew on Super Tuesday that they would be either behind Obama or closely tied, kicked themselves for lack of organizing in caucus states, and argued continuously on how to wrangle the nomination from Obama. That Hillary debt? Forget about any big or small donors trying to clean or clear that up from the Obama Camp. Nope, not when you find out the campaign knew that it was over on February 19, 2008 after Wisconsin, but continued to create debt on an “if only....” Lastly, this a very good example of what kind of candidate you should look for and the company that candidate embraces, for the next time. It should not be like Clinton.

Jerome Corsi. Who is listening to this old, shriveled, 9/11 conspiracy hack? This man has been debunked on every media outlet, with the exception of Fox News which is not a real news organization anyway. I mean, come on, what individual democrat or republican will embrace and call Corsi’s book “the final word on Obama”? Who? The man was thoroughly embarrassed on Larry King and it is highly suspicious and notable that the book jumped to #1 on the NYT Best Sellers List by a huge buying by right wing organizations. So, who is reading this book? Not anyone I know, but the Obama Campaign should not sit on its heels with this nonsense. The Obama Campaign released a 41 page debunk talking point against this book and stated it will book surrogates to go after Corsi every time he is on television or radio. They should. Lastly, a must read on Corsi, by maureen, a show-nuff knockdown if ever read.

And Saddleback. Well, I watched the forum and came away mixed. Obama had a conversation with Rick Warren and appeared personable and honest. McCain weaved his stump speech with touches of his POW time throughout his segment. Two very different individuals. McCain won the sound bite war, sorry he did. Obama need to adjust and control the narrative to get to the point he is making. Being nuanced is most politicians, since they don’t want to be definitive on anything, but when you come close to the election nuance does not work. If Barack was like he was last night on a debate night, it would have been a slam dunk for McCain, even though he is saying nothing. The public want to know what you are for and against, period. Luckily, most Americans did not see this forum and are not engaged, but to think Obama does not have work to complete, to seal the deal is a vast mistake. He has tons of work to do and need to get busy, now.

Shoutouts, stuff you should read.....

M25 Releases Pro-Obama TV Ad by cardboard; Civil Forum by Al G @ The Field; Obama's Small Business Tax Plan by Jaelithe @ MOMocrats; Chris Wallace Exposes McCain Lies and Third Bush Term by PA mnon; Karl Rove's crew limiting McCain's cell phone use and time he can hang with his pals in the press by AMERICABlogs; You mean, she would have coasted in Iowa had Edwards' not been on the ticket by Liza @ culturekitchen; Yes It Is a Recession; No, It Won't End Soon by bonddad; Sen Akaka (D-HI) response to Cokie's stupidity... Write NPR Please and tell them to send her to Fox Hope Reborn; Wolfson's ridiculous speculation by kos; This Caught My Eye by slinkerwink; Fairbanks Alaska Republican Mayor Endorses Obama by Hope Reborn; Vote Boredom. Vote Apathy. Vote McCain by Devilstower; Lieberscum questions Barack's patriotism (Barack defends Michele, bashes FoxNews) by John Campanelli; Rep. Neil Abercrombie is My New Hero by turneresq; McCain's tactics get thumbs up from Mark Penn by: Pam Spaulding; Evan Bayh, the Perfect Choice for a Flip Flopper by Matt Stoller; Lieberman’s Days Are Numbered by turneresq; State of the Race: 8/14 by kos; Clinton Campaign Didn’t Grasp Rudimentary Proportionality Math by Sean @ 538; Why Housecleaning is Needed in the CBC by The Christian Progressive Liberal; We're Nowhere Near A Bottom in Housing by bonddad

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Vacation Slide Show



Obama Family in Hawaii Pictures
Obama Hawaii Pictures, August 12, 2008
Obama Hawaii Pictures, August 14, 2008
Obama Hawaii Bodysurfing Pictures, August 14, 2008
Obama at USS Arizona Memorial Picutures, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

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okay, the obamas are back home and the girls are probably getting ready for school, while barack and michelle is getting ready for the final push. the democratic convention should be fun and we should know this week who barack's vp is. hope you got the text messaging down, if not subscribe here, so you are one of the "first" in the know on that tip. barack looks rested and i hope he and we are ready for the final push after the convention. as always, keep hope alive and focus on obama and not the drama.....

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Debate schedule is here.

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Tip the Obama Jar, Here

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Get Involved Here
For Inspiration: Yes.We.Can!!!

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icebergslim1047 (at) gmail (dot) com
cross-posted @ Daily Kos

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Obama and McCain at the Saddleback Civil Forum Video, August 16, 2008

Barack Obama







John McCain







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Obama Saturday Roundup, August 16, 2008

obama leaving hawai'i

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Wesley Clark on Georgia and Russia

I had a conversation last night and a friend told me that the VP would be Wesley Clark. Why? Because all these other candidates have been trotted out by the media and she believes it is a red herring and will be Clark. Furthermore, he has NO PROBLEM attacking McCain on his record and stance on military issues. He has been the one surrogate who has rattled McCain publicly.

I like Kaine of Virginia, but I would not be disappointed in General Clark, plus the Obama Campaign are extremely disciplined, they could have vetted him already without anyone's knowledge.

Lastly, my friend believes Obama needs military cred as the VP.

Clark on the Situation Room, below. h/t JedReport



GOP talking point tries to attack Obama but slams McCain, instead



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Buy American, Vote Obama



The Obama camp is pushing a new theme in Pennsylvania tomorrow -- it's called the "Buy American, Vote Obama" campaign.

Here's the new logo, to be unveiled tomorrow and to appear on stickers and flyers in select towns around the state.

According to an Obama aide, the new effort dovetails with a renewed push by the Obama team in Pennsylvania to poke fun at John McCain's recent claim that he would rather hear the roar of "50,000 Harleys" than the cheering of 200,000 Berliners.

As the Obama camp was quick to point out, McCain opposed legislation that would have forced the U.S. government to buy American-made motorcycles. continue

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and.............

Obama Campaign blast latest "celebrity ad".....time for the Obama Campaign to start calling the McCain Campaign what they are, "liars"...............

Hillary gets her vote on the floor.....my take, "When is all about me going to be over", period.......

Bush is funding McCain's Campaign for "Bush III"......................

John McCain’s Mother Sued His Ex-Wife......................

Top CEOs give 10x's more to McCain than Obama......are we surprised?...............

Hillary campaigning for Obama tomorrow in New Mexico......................

DNC Platform, Revised..............................

I will post the Rick Warren forum video up this evening when available, this is the forum that Obama and McCain will be participating in today at Saddleback Church in California. This forum will be live on all the cable stations this evening, check your listing.

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