Obama '08 - Vote For Change!

Obama '08 - Vote For Change!

and for your photo viewing or snatching, al rodgers



oh, oh, oh....here is obama's wheels, 757...dude got it goin' on


awwww, damn, sunglasses photo deux!!!!!!

The "O" Team

h/t to turneresq, click on the image for the story

This Week With Barack Obama, May 4-10, 2008

cross-posted @ Daily Kos


barack and michelle in raleigh, nc after winning the north carolina primary

::


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

Why Clinton will not be his running mate
Obama Camp Blasts McCain on Economy
Hillary fades as Barack runs hot
'Super' surge for Obama
What went wrong for Clinton?
Clinton's end: time to yield and unify
Face it, HIllary: It's over
Republicans Give Mixed Reasons for Obama Votes
Edwards: Obama Will Be the Nominee





obama and brian williams of nbc nightly news

Video/Audio

Donna Brazile on CNN Primary Night; Barackula, the Musical; Obama in Eugene, OR; Obama Speech in Indianapolis, IN; Indiana Jefferson-Jackson Dinner; Obama Top Ten on Letterman; Dirt Off Your Shoulder Music Video; Obama in Beaverton, OR; Barack and Michelle on the Today Show; Obama in Bend, OR; NPR: Perceptions of Obama Shift with Strong Week; NPR: Week in Review: Obama Surges Forward; Meet the Press in Indianapolis

Feminists sharply divided between Clinton, Obama
Clinton's diminishing of black votes
What if Clinton had Obama's lead?

::

Edwards Raises Doubts About Clinton's Chances

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 accepts jersey from university of oregon coach, ernie kent

The Super Delegate March to Inevitability by maureen
Two more Black writers unload on Clinton by teacherken
vote for change by kid oakland
On the ground in West Virginia for Obama by Carnacki
Obama hits McCain HARD: He's "Losing his bearings"! by jkennerl
Rasmussen Calls the Democratic Race for Obama by Walt starr
It's amazing that Barack has even Made it this far by jenontheshore
We have a race problem..... by Elise


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

Michelle Obama talks about her role if she is First Lady
Painful period for Clinton campaign
Party Like It’s 2008
Gingrich Warns G.O.P. Swift Change Is Needed
Obama's Next Big Challenge
Obama Takes Superdelegate Lead


a chorus of millions

Clinton Aides Doubtful About Future

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

obama and wolf blizter going to the situation room

Endorsements

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

Obama Seeks To Unify Party For November
For Hillary Clinton, no 'clear path to victory' -- nor to an exit
Jews for Obama, Oy Vey!
Pragmatic Politics, Forged on the South Side
The Cynic and Senator Obama


Larry Levine from Hinton, WV, part of Obama's small donor coalition

Obama's Results Center
5 Mistakes Clinton Made
Barack on iTunes
Clinton won't quit; Obama doesn't care
Obama rises from political obscurity to verge of history


OBAMA: The Audacity of Hope

Fund Race: Obama Outflanks 'Hillraisers'

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

obama in 'da house....'

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A blast from the past by kos
Clinton debt HUGE
Republicans Crossing Over to Vote in Democratic Contests
Obama Campaign Chief Sees End Of Nomination Fight
Sit Back, Relax, Get Ready to Rumble


the empire strikes barack



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...

We are almost at the finish line, Democrats.

Karen Tumulty of Time Magazine has an excellent piece surmising what went wrong with Hillary Clinton's campaign.

This article relates to exactly what I was looking for in the next Democratic Nominee.

I did not want an insider of Washington. After Katrina, I believe anyone reading this will concur; Washington works for itself not the people of this country.

I did not want the same old politician. I can get that locally from my state representative that lives down a few blocks from me. The same old speech, the same old pitch, the same old request for a check.

I wanted a politician who will tell the truth, whether I agreed or disagreed, I wanted to hear it straight, no crap.

That is why Hillary Clinton was disqualified for me.

::

This article hits many nails on the head. For example:

That was probably her biggest blunder. In a cycle that has been all about change, Clinton chose an incumbent's strategy, running on experience, preparedness, inevitability — and the power of the strongest brand name in Democratic politics.

This is the main problem that the Clinton Campaign did not get. But I did. All you have to do is speak to your neighbors, your mechanic, your salesperson, etc. No matter what party affiliation, people are tired of what George W. Bush and Dick Cheney did to this country. Period. They made the rich, richer and made the poor, poorer by their policies. They bankrupted this country by their selfish, alpha male ego antics by invading Iraq, an illegal war. In doing so, everything else, meaning the citizens of this country suffered either directly or indirectly.

People want a change. No one can argue this point.

Clinton picked people for her team primarily for their loyalty to her, instead of their mastery of the game. That became abundantly clear in a strategy session last year, according to two people who were there. As aides looked over the campaign calendar, chief strategist Mark Penn confidently predicted that an early win in California would put her over the top because she would pick up all the state's 370 delegates.

The Clinton Campaign did not master the rules, and remember rules that they put their people in place at the DNC to write and implement. When things exposed itself after Super Tuesday, people really saw a campaign riddle with incompetence of management and a candidate that put those persons in their jobs to do such.

I don't care what anyone writes, or says from here on out, for the Clinton Campaign to not actively organize, participate in all of the states on the Super Tuesday calendar and all of February was just shocking. Yes, she won big states but allowed the Obama Campaign to run up the score in the "little, insignificant" caucus and primary states to draw a dead heat after Super Tuesday. This strategy will be one that many books will be written about, and how the grassroots and netroots got people, ordinary people and inactive people off their couches and out of their homes to back Barack Obama. I am waiting to read ALL of these books.

While Clinton based her strategy on the big contests, she seemed to virtually overlook states like Minnesota, Nebraska and Kansas, which choose their delegates through caucuses. She had a reason: the Clintons decided, says an adviser, that "caucus states were not really their thing."

As I wrote above, that mentality came back to bite the Clinton Campaign in their asses. Nuff said on that one.

For a decade or more, the Clintons set the standard for political fund-raising in the Democratic Party, and nearly all Bill's old donors had re-upped for Hillary's bid. Her 2006 Senate campaign had raised an astonishing $51.6 million against token opposition, in what everyone assumed was merely a dry run for a far bigger contest. But something had happened to fund-raising that Team Clinton didn't fully grasp: the Internet.

Money. This campaign relied on heavy, old school money. I truly believe, until she was in financial strife, that they did not use the internet and raising funds as they could have.

We saw Obama outreach to not just ask for a small donation but to make its patrons feel as if they were part of the process of the campaign, as if we were decision makers and the Obama Campaign listens.

Many books will be also written about Barack Obama's ability to raise money and create a movement, simultaneously. The Clinton Campaign did not do this. They relied on heavy consultants and ran an old fashioned, machine style, top down campaign. Not enticing, educating, or involving its members, unless they gave $2300.00 on up. Then you got some attention. Sad, but true.

Clinton's strategy had been premised on delivering a knockout blow early. If she could win Iowa, she believed, the race would be over. Clinton spent lavishly there yet finished a disappointing third. What surprised the Obama forces was how long it took her campaign to retool.

Iowa was a game changer for Clinton and Obama. For Obama, he knew he could win. For Clinton, scared shitless coming in third and the wild horse has raced out of the barn. Thus her whole campaign changed to the attack mode on Barack Obama, at no costs or care.

And she did not have a plan post Super Tuesday. We all witnessed it as Barack Obama won 12 straight. We then witnessed a broken, back biting campaign, and one with lack of funds.

All the above is true. And guess what, it is still going on.

For all that is written, Barack Obama has rewritten the book and the rules his way but following them, something the Clinton Campaign has not mastered to do.

This will all be over with soon. Many are weary and just tired of it all. I believe we can come together, and we must to win in November.

There are going to be some great days ahead and some very hard ones. The McCain Campaign and the "I don't condone 527s" are going to go after Michelle Obama, Barack's patriotism, and use outright racial slanders to secure the White House, again for the Republicans.

I am going to write this. And remember it. The Republican Party's leader is the one currently occupying the White House, George W. Bush.

The way things are going right now in this country, it does not take a rocket scientist to know that people don't like him, don't trust him, or the Republican brand. They lost all of that, and just read this to understand what I am saying.

I know Hillary Clinton thinks, believes that she is the only qualified candidate currently. But she failed to do all the above to follow the mood of the country, to listen to the citizens of the party, and to adjust accordingly. The last thing you want to run as is an "incumbent" and that is what her campaign has been about.

It is just that vision that Americans are rejecting. We want change, a new face, new ideas and a new leader.

That will be Barack Obama.

Don't Fall for the Expectations: MEDIA HYPE

icebergslim, here.

on break in indiana, here.

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:

::

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.

This Week With Barack Obama, April 27-May 3, 2008 by Al Rodgers

Since I am in Indiana, Al Rodgers was kind enough to fill in.

Please click on the link below and enjoy, especially the fabulous pictures and video.

This Week With Barack Obama

See you on Sunday.

icebergslim

The Empire Strikes Barack!!!!

From the Makers of "Baracky the Movie"

The Empire Strikes Barack!!!

Starring: Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Bill Richardson, Howard Dean

Introducing: Barack and Michelle Obama, with special guest star, Abraham Lincoln

This Week With Barack Obama, April 20-26, 2008

cross-posted @ One Million Strong and Daily Kos


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.

Oh, and please digg it!!!!

::



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.

And the Obama Campaign has already stated so:

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.

Plouffe's Not Worried About Racial Polarization
Clinton's Pa. win did little to change race: poll
Obama calls gas tax holiday a 'scheme'
Clinton fundraiser defects to Obama campaign
Clyburn Rips Clintons for 'Demonizing' Obama
Now, this is campaign fatigue
Casey vouches for Obama's values
Kennedy: Obama inspires people, works tirelessly


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

Clinton, Obama go 'negative' on eve of Pennsylvania vote
French Kiss for Obama
Many Women Don't Feel Obligated to Vote for Clinton
Clinton Campaign Accuses Obama of being Copycat
Obama far outpaces Clinton in the money race
Obama says he needs to do better with older voters
Party Fears Racial Divide
Obama Gets Encouragement and Warning From Wilder
How can Obama, Clinton not be tired?
The Democrats' war of attrition
Obama says change in Washington needed to deal with soaring gas prices
If Clinton can't run a campaign, can she run the White House?






obama hooping in kokomo, indiana

Obama March FEC: 51M/42M Cash on Hand for the Primaries
Hillary Settling Scores
For Obama, a Struggle to Win Over Key Blocs
Obama Team Remains Unshaken and Unstirred



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

inside obama's war room

The Democrats Have a Nominee

So what?

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

barack and michelle in evansville, indiana

Why Clinton Can't Close the Deal? by kos
They Don't Get It: We Win Even If Obama Loses in November by thereisnospoon
Obama 3-on-3 Basketball Game in Kokomo, IN by turneresq
Bill Clinton Seeks Third Presidential Term (and Loophole to 22nd Amendement) by DHinMI
This is Who Obama Is. by eugene
Keep Fighting. Yes. We. Can. by Populista
Flashback: What Do Red State Office-Seekers Want? Adam B

Audio/Video

New Ad Targeting Female Voters in Indiana; Barack in Kokomo, IN; Barack Obama AV Podcast; Obama in Anderson, IN; Obama in Marion, IN; Obama in Indianapolis on Gas Prices; New Ads in WV and SD; Obama addresses the UFCW; Obama on Equal Pay; Michelle at Westside School in Indiana; barack's interview with editorial board of indianapolis star, under the "Obama" Tab; Impossible for Obama to Lose his Lead by Chuck Todd, MSNBC; Does Barack Look Too Good?

Ads Running in Montana
Obama Talks About Rumors
Obama Shifting Focus From Clinton to McCain
What a Mess
The Democrats' Worst Nightmare
Party Switchers Lean Toward Obama
Obama Says Party Will Be United
Democratic voter registration surges in Oregon


obama everywhere in pennsylvania


Why this Republican is Voting FOR Obama by recoveringrepub
North Carolina mayors go heavy for Obama, split in Indiana by kos
How Kentucky, West Virginia and Racism Could Screw Up the Clinton Exit by DHinMI
The Importance of Black Voters, and the Stupidity of Ignoring Them by davidsirota
Obama, Clinton and West Virginia by Carnacki
How the "Yes We Can" Video Changed My Life by Soundpolitic

::

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.



icebergslim1047 (at) gmail (dot) com
This Week With Barack Obama

This Week With Barack Obama, April 13-19, 2008

cross-posted @ daily kos


On Track For Change.....

::


35,000 @ Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pa

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.

Kentucky: Deadline April 21st. All registration forms should be submitted to your county and received by April 21st. Download registration form here. List of counties to mail form here.

West Virginia: Deadline April 22nd. All registration forms must be submitted on and received by April 22nd. Download the registration form here. Forms must be mailed or hand delivered to your local county office, list of county offices 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.

downingtown, pa "whistle stop"


The Clintons Don’t Understand How They Got To This Point.

Out in the blogosphere, we are quite vocal and mostly on point about the main stream media being slow in recognizing or accepting the inevitable, that Hillary Clinton will not get the democratic nomination. Now it is deconstruction time, in other words anger.

DHinMI and dansac had two diaries up reviewing what is going on with the Clinton Camp. It revolves around lack of money and anger.

The money situation is apparent, no one can get around it, and Obama is outspending Clinton in crazy, huge numbers. While Barack has already embarked on a bus tour through Pennsylvania, he has now taken his campaign to the tracks, literally. None of this is cheap, but he is exercising his muscle and showing his opponent his money power. I don’t expect Obama to win Pennsylvania, but this money show is not for us, but the superdelegates many who are elected officials frothing at the mouth right now. In fact, Obama is a reminder of a big wig, former instant cash cow, Bill Clinton.

Hillary Clinton won’t raise any huge amounts of money going forward and I expect her real March numbers to be more general election money than primary money of the 20 million she raised. (the real numbers are out on april 20, 2008)

Then I read this:

Nancy Larson’s most difficult conversation was, by far, the one with Chelsea Clinton.

“It was just heartbreaking,” said Mrs. Larson, a Democratic National Committee member from Minnesota and more to the point, a superdelegate who had initially pledged herself to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. This was last Saturday, after the former first daughter learned that Mrs. Larson would be shifting her allegiance to Senator Barack Obama.

“She is a delightful young woman who loves her mother very much,” Mrs. Larson said. “She was really pushing me. She kept asking me why I was doing this. She just kept asking, ‘Why? Why?’”

This encounter reminded me of the Bill Clinton 1992 presidential run. Why? Because although he had a ton of baggage from the primary forward, he was the change candidate. And even though much was thrown his way, nothing stuck and he marched into the White House.

What the Clintons have missed here is the importance of the word, change. Instead of flipping it off, or turning sour to it, the Clintons refused to embrace it. This is why they have lost.

Elections are about the present, looking to the future. What a candidate can bring to the table to move this country forward. Instead Hillary Clinton has continued to show us the past. The past in how she campaigns 90s style, the past in her negative attacks, the past in using GOP-Karl Rovian attacks, and just the look in whole is so yesterday.

Presidential elections are about the future, not the past. The Clintons are the past.


new ad "guide"

Audio/Video

Young Veterans Fight for Barack Obama; Slow Roll Through Parkesburg, PA; Strategy to Beat the Republicans; "God, gays, and guns": Bill Clinton agrees with Barack Obama? by JedReport; Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS) in Pittsburgh, PA; Lancaster Whistle Stop Video; Bob Casey PA Ad; Town Hall Meeting Washington, PA; 3 Trillion Shopping Spree; Michelle Obama on Elitism

Brush It Off
Dr. Dean Wants a Decision
Obama turns tables on Clinton
Moveon.org is slammed by Clinton
Obama Sets up Office on Guam
Obama Got the Jay-Z Moves
They'll Promis You Anything
Surrogates Stumping for Obama
I Was There: What Obama Really Said About Pennsylvania



obama brushes the "dirt off his shoulder", meaning that abc debate

At Warmdaddy's, Cooling Toward Clinton

Slow R&B music played as the after-work crowd trickled into Warmdaddy's, a South Philadelphia restaurant and jazz club where the hostess wears a square button with Sen. Barack Obama's smiling face and two Obama '08 placards hang from the window.

Support for the senator from Illinois may be in doubt in other parts of Pennsylvania, but Warmdaddy's is a stronghold for Obama supporters in a city he is expected to win in Tuesday's Democratic primary. And in recent weeks, as Sen. Hillary Clinton (N.Y.) has pushed the notion that Obama is "out of touch" with working-class voters, the goodwill the restaurant's African American clientele had for her has dropped sharply. continue

obama meets with jewish leaders in pennsylvania

Obama Surges on Electability
Obama Stresses His Roots To Deflect 'Elitist' Tag
"Faith vote" big in Pennsylvania primary
The resonance of racism
Negative view of Clinton on rise
Superdelegates unswayed by Clinton's attacks
Obama's Income Soars With Presidential Bid


that abc debate......

photo diaries: Let me tell you about last night by mtosner; Obama Philadelphia Rally Pics by Jimmy Crackcorn; Rockin' Philadelphia with Barack Obama by PsiFighter37; Standing Room Only at Obama Town Hall in Erie, PA by astral66; From Obama Website: Paoli Whistle Stop; From Obama Website: Downingtown Whistle Stop; From Obama Website: Wynnewood Whistle Stop; Obama's On Track for Change by BooMan23; From Obama Website: Lancaster Whistle Stop; Michelle Obama Raises the Bar in Haverford, PA by bored now; From Obama Website: Harrisburg Whistle Stop; Al Rodgers "Tearjerker"; 10,000 in Harrisburg/A Day in Pennsylvania by The Bagof Health and Politics; Three More Obama Delegates by Land of Enchantment

obama meets with uk prime minister, gordon brown

Obama and Clinton Crisscross Pennsylvania
Number of presidential donors way up
301 Georgians competing for 40 Obama delegate spots
Clinton, Obama Say They'll Stand Up to China on Trade
Shameful Republican Kentucky Representative Apologizes to Obama



pittsburgh steelers owner, dan rooney endorses obama

Endorsements

Robert Reich, Former Labor Secretary Endorses Obama; Congressmen Mel Watts and David Price of NC for Obama, along with Congressman Andre Carson of Indiana; Harry Thomas, Jr., superdelegate backs Obama; Superdelegate Reggie Whitten from Oklaholma backs Obama; Philadelphia Daily News Endorses Obama ; The Patriot News Endorses Obama; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Endorses Obama; Bucks County Courier Times Backs Obama; Middle East Experts Endorse Obama; Former Senators Sam Nunn and David Boren Endorses Obama; Former head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, William Ruckelshaus Endorses Obama ; New Castle News Endorses Obama; Democratic State Chairman Steve Achelpohl of Omaha, NE Backs Obama; Eugene Register-Guard Endorses Obama; Majority of South Dakota Democratic State Legislators Endorse Obama; Bruce Springsteen Endorses Obama

Clinton Emphatically Says Obama Can Beat McCain
Barack Obama's counterpunching style
Obama Hints, No More Debates



obama in philadelphia, pa, independence hall

shoutouts: NYT: Propaganda, Military Analysts and News Manipulation Exposed by SusanG; Three Students ARRESTED For a Sit-In. Seriously. wmtriallawyer; World Rioting Over Food Prices by Maureen; SCHIP Stories: Law? What's That Got To Do With Bush and McCain? by DemFromCT; Citibank and Chase stop giving loans for 2-year colleges by 1864 House; My Fortnight In An Actual HIV Clinical Trial: The Thursday Night WEEKLY HEALTH CARE SERIES by dadanation; A view of the debate from abroad by bumblebums; The Collapse Of The National Press by Hunter; First, faux snipers, now faux Pennsylvanians by Sharon Jumper; Bill Clinton slams younger voters, says they're being fooled by davidkc; The Most Vetted Candidate in Recent History by thereisnospoon; Clinton's Dilemma: The more negative she goes, the worse she does by Bob Johnson; Keep Green Into the After Life by Maureen

Guilt by association by teacherken
Chuck Todd: "Powerful ObamaNation" by DJShay
Let's Be Absolutely Clear About Last Night's Debate by Melody Townsel
Clinton Acknowledges There's No Good Reason For Her to Stay in Race by DHinMI
Building a Party, Not Tearing One Down by Jonathan Singer
I live in Obama and Ayers neighborhood - Some Truth by tom32182





Baracky: The Movie

It's Getting Close to Over

I woke up this morning and the blues were pouring down like rain...Well, not really--although I've always loved that lyric. Actually, I woke up this morning with a gut feeling that the Philadelphia debate may have been the last straw for the Democratic Party, that the superdelegates are about to rush to Barack Obama in order to end this thing and liberate him to actually answer the Republican-style attacks that Hillary Clinton has been previewing. This New York Times piece is a pretty good indication of the zeitgeist. And these words from Obama pretty much sum up the current state of play:

“That [debate] was the rollout of the Republican campaign against me in November. It happened just a little bit early, but that is what they will do,” Mr. Obama said. “They will try to focus on all these issues that don’t have anything to do with how you are paying your bills at the end of the month. There’s no doubt that I will have to respond sharply and crisply, then pivot to talk about what exactly are we going to do for the economy and what are we going to do about the war in Iraq.”
Until the nominating fight ends, Mr. Obama said, he is “trying to show some restraint.” He added, “I won’t have as much restraint with the Republicans."

continue

a choice by kid oakland
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley - 'I Know Ayers, too' by understandinglife
Top Comments 4-19-08 -- Bill Moyers Edition by carolita
Who Loves America? by Devilstower
Obama: We Need Someone Who Won't "Choke" on the Word "Unions" by dansac
Black Kos, Week in Review
Death By A Thousand Trivial Smears by digby


barack at the state capital of harrisburg, pa


A Man at Home in the World

He was just a college kid, vagabonding around the world. But Barack Obama says the weeks he spent traveling through Pakistan in 1981 shaped the views that he still holds today—and that he would bring into the White House. Obama remembers most vividly the desperation and hopelessness—"essentially a feudal life"—he witnessed in the countryside surrounding Karachi, a city that is today a hotbed of jihadist activity. At the tender age of 20, Obama suggested, he was already beginning to understand more about what ailed Muslim societies—what generated terrorism and fratricidal conflicts—than George W. Bush or John McCain do today. "Both as a consequence of living in Indonesia and traveling in Pakistan, having friends in college who were Muslim, I was very clear about the history of Shia-Sunni antagonism"—which is one reason why, as an Illinois state senator 21 years later, he opposed the war in Iraq, Obama told NEWSWEEK last week. "This notion that somehow we were going to be able to create a functioning democracy and reconcile century-old conflicts, I always thought was a bunch of happy talk from this administration." continue

icebergslim's last word: bob schieffer of cbs' face the nation




nuff said on that one....


looking at the picture above says it all. the same old thing, the same old way and that change man. in fact, you can get this piece of artwork at the obama store. change has been the main theme, undercurrent, message of the obama campaign. change has been mocked, flipped off, copied, and everything else, but change is still here with us. makes you really believe that "we are the ones, we have been waiting for." indeed. well, pennsylvania primary is tuesday, april 22, 2008. as always, we need as much help as possible. you know the old guard machine will be ramped up with politics the old way on tuesday, so every single call, volunteering, donations are needed. at this point, nothing should be taken for chance. since the conception of this movement, we have just marched on and we will past pennsylvania onto north carolina and indiana. though this campaign season seem weary, it really does, we must remain resolve and eyes on the prize. the prize is president barack obama. as always, remember to focus on obama and not the drama.

::

icebergslim1047 (at) gmail (dot) com
This Week With Barack Obama