You know you have hit a jackpot when the FEC can not process all the contributions to the Obama Campaign.
Yes, you have read it correctly. They can’t keep up!! That is the computers can not keep up.
A milestone of sorts was reached earlier this year, when Obama, the Illinois senator whose revolutionary online fundraising has overwhelmed Clinton, filed an electronic fundraising report so large it could not be processed by popular basic spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel 2003 and Lotus 1-2-3.
Those programs can’t download data files with more than 65,536 rows or 256 columns.
Wow, the programs can not keep up with these downloaded files.
And while Obama is a constant cash register at the FEC, poor John McCain is no worry for the FEC.
In a revealing insight into the significant fundraising disparity between the two Democrats and presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, it is still possible to download his reports with plain-old Excel.
I am not a “money guru”, nor do I care to comb through FEC filings, but if Barack Obama is a cash register nightmare for the FEC, they definitely need to work on more tools for the web to get the information out there with more expediency.
As the commission has added tools for sorting data, he wrote “it has become increasingly hard to keep track of all of the material that's available and how to navigate through it - getting exactly the answer you were looking for and also pointers to other relevant (information). So, my new job will be to fix all of that - pull everything together, make the navigation straightforward, provide historical context, take advantage of new Web applications.”
So, while the FEC is busy scratching their heads, there is still much for us to do.
The primary season is almost over, THANK GOD, and Barack will be the official presumptive democratic nominee soon. While he is still fighting through these waters, we must not sit on our laurels.
This campaign is shifting to the General Election Mode. Meaning, your hometown state will need all the help it can get to win in November. There is still much to do.
kid oakland had/has a great diary on the recommended list. If you missed it, read it here. Get involved.
Money is always needed. To some, it seems like we are wasting money for these primaries. Point taken, but in the end, we will have built infrastructure in all 50 states for November. That is great and has revitalized the local dems into action. Money is always needed. Any money given, if you are maxed for the primary goes to Barack's general election fund. No dollar is squandered or wasted, we can thank our campaign manager, David Plouffe for keeping his eye on the ball from the start. Donate here.
Need information? The Obama Wikia is coming on strong. Come and help it our.
And for many who get discouraged, down in the dumps, remember "Yes.We.Can."
Lastly, today is not a day of just sitting around drinking a brew or chomping down on some ribs, it is a day of remembrance of our fallen soilders. Remember those who are not with us any longer and those still in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. We want them all home soon.
p.s.....must read diary by Al Rodgers with great photos, here.
the obama family returns to des moines, iowa on may 20, 2008
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obama's speech in des moines, iowa, may 20, 2008
Endorsements
Superdelegates: William Quay Hays and Lou Paulson for Obama; Dwight Pelz to Back Obama; Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) Endorses Obama; Warren Buffett Backs Obama; Kansas Democratic Party Chair Larry Gates for Obama; Obama picks up Wyoming Superdelegate; Michigan Democratic superdelegate Eric Coleman Endorses Obama; Iowa Democratic Chairman Brennan Endorses Obama; Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam) Endorses Barack Obama; Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT) Endorses Obama; United Mine Workers Endorse Obama; Mississippi Democratic Party chairman Wayne Dowdy for Obama; Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) Moves from Clinton to Obama; Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) Picks Obama; Add On Delegates for Obama; Oregon Superdelegate Jenny Greenleaf: I'm for Obama; Add On Superdelegates
Obama says Clinton "stirring up" Florida controversy
Democrat Barack Obama accused rival Hillary Clinton on Saturday of "stirring up" a controversy over the disqualified Florida primary election because it was her last hope of winning their party's presidential nomination.
Obama, an Illinois senator, is leading Clinton, a New York senator, in delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination to face Republican John McCain in the November election. The delegates are awarded in state nominating contests that kicked off in January.
Florida's and Michigan's delegates were stripped of their rights to be seated at the party's August convention -- when the nominee is formally chosen -- because their contests were held too early in the year, in breach of party rules.
Clinton, who won both contests, has long argued the delegates should be seated and awarded based on the popular vote. She made a trip to Florida this week to press her case.
"The Clinton campaign has been stirring this up for fairly transparent reasons," Obama told reporters on the plane from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Chicago, adding she had not done so earlier in the race when she did not need the delegates to win. continue
Renewing U.S. Leadership in the Americas, Miami, FL
Barack Black Eagle's Speech to Crow Nation by icebergslim; OVERWHELMING - Portland Pix (EVEN MORE Awesome Shots) by Al Rodgers; 75,000 Attend Obama Rally! by obamaovermccain; I'm Writing from Obama's Portland, Oregon Rally. by Patch Adam; On the ground in Oregon (photos & a memoir) by Saska; OBAMA'S Portland, OR Waterfront Park Rally - 15 Pics by Terre; A Democratic Party decision, for Hillary, Barack and all those in between by DAVE DIAL; "It is good to be back in Iowa!" (Pics) by audiored; Obama's Fundraiser in Orlando (PHOTOS) by The BBQ Chicken Madness
Barack Obama wants Bill to heal Hillary Clinton wounds
Barack Obama, the probable Democratic presidential nominee, wants Bill Clinton to help him heal the deep party rifts created by his wife Hillary’s divisive campaign – culminating in her dramatic claim this weekend that the 1968 assassination of Robert F Kennedy was a reason not to be pushed out of the race.
The tension between Hillary Clinton and Obama intensified after she told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader in South Dakota, which holds the last primary contest in 10 days’ time: “We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June.”
She quickly apologised, ashen-faced, for a comment which appeared dangerously close to wishful thinking about Obama, but the damage was done. continue
obama's commencement address at wesleyan university
Michelle Obama Says Hola in Puerto Rico by Maureen; Four WV Vets taking PTSD Drugs Die in Their Sleep by murrayewv; Good news! Kerry/Obama bill to close KBR tax loopholes passes. by beachmom; Anti-Obama site run by Possible Defense Contractor Program Director by llthomps; McCain loses it by kos; BREAKING: Rove subpoenaed! by sidwood; Puerto Rico will not give Hillary the popular vote edge, from someone who actually lives in PR by PR for Obama; James Baker Hammers Senator John McCain on Appeasement by StevenLeser; NEW UPDATES:FEC REPORTS IN: HRC 20.4 in Debt & Questions about April 23rd. by vertexoflife; McCain Recruiting Daily Kos Comment Trolls by stefanielaine; Bill Moyers: "We are in trouble" by Inky99; I'm a feminist, and that's why I don't support Hillary. by Queen Alice; Using Statistics to Mislead by juliewolf; Playing Games on Race Is Not a Winning Strategy by Jonathan Singer; Bill Meltdown: 'I Have Never Seen a Candidate Treated So Disrespectfully' by turneresq; Exposed: Lieberman & Graham Openly Part of Anti-Obama 527 by Steven R; Sincere Apologies to Hillary and Bill Clinton by billysumday; Eco-Diary Rescue 5.24 by Meteor Blades
Obama, McCain camp trade barbs over issue of lobbyists
As John McCain hammers Barack Obama daily on his willingness to talk to leaders of objectionable regimes, Obama is hitting back on McCain and lobbyists in the upper reaches of his campaign.
"We need a president who sees the government not as a tool to enrich friends and high-priced lobbyists, but as the defender of fairness and opportunity for every American," Obama said at a rally yesterday in Tampa.
He said that McCain proposed a bill a decade ago to ban a candidate from paying registered lobbyists, but now has "hired some of the biggest lobbyists in Washington to run his campaign."
"And when he was called on it, his top lobbyists actually had the nerve to say, 'The American people won't care about this.' Well, I think the American people do care about it and I know they have a clear choice in this election," Obama continued. continue
Of course, the mainstream media had its say. davidkc was nice to give us a full roundup and Keith Olbermann’s Special Comment after viewing, I thought he was about to explode through my teevee set. for real. Finally, the Sunday "Punditry" over at Meet the Press weighed in.
I don’t know about you, but the word assassination does not sit well with me. Especially presidential or inspiring/famous folk assassinations. For the simple fact that many of us remember it, or remember our parents crying about it, or remember our school teachers/nuns weeping about it, or just have viewed video of it. So, assassination is not far from anyone’s memories, including some of our greatest inspiring, influential leaders being permanently silenced by a bullet. The word is terrifying.
I believe in two aspects of the American public. I believe that they are genuinely sincere and trustworthy and that there are genuine mental nutcases running around here. Hillary opened the door for the latter, not the former.
Many are worried and have been from the conception of an Obama Presidential run. It is warranted. But I am a firm believer in the United States Secret Service and that they will more than do their job. Folks, believe me, they are on it.
Lastly, it takes a presidential nominee in a presidential stance to not pile on, be gracious and thought provoking towards Clinton, especially when Hillary Rodham Clinton has not publicly apologized to the Obama Family and have made these statements previously.
“I have learned that when you are campaigning for as many months as Senator Clinton and I have been campaigning, sometimes you get careless in terms of the statements that you make and I think that is what happened here,” Mr. Obama said. “Senator Clinton says that she did not intend any offense by it and I will take her at her word on that.”
That person is our Presumptive Democratic Nominee, Barack Obama.
We are lucky to have him.
see this photo, above? barack loves his family, they are his strength, his heart, his rock. no matter what happens, he has this love as we are privileged to witness above. always remember, this campaign is about all of us. we all have to do our part to ensure that the obama's are the next first family of this land. keep the faith and remember to focus on obama and not the drama....
Now Hillary Clinton has invoked the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy as a reason to stay in the race against Barack Obama. This is beyond the pale, there is NOTHING funny or tongue worthy to invoke any assassination attempt or thought at all. Hillary Clinton should be ashamed of herself.
Really, what is next coming from her? Now playing the fear card? And don't forget Huckabee joking about a potential assassination of Obama. NOT FUNNY AT ALL, FOLKS.
Hillary Clinton today brought up the assassination of Sen. Robert Kennedy while defending her decision to stay in the race against Barack Obama.
"My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand it," she said, dismissing calls to drop out.
Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) today endorsed Barack Obama, switching from Hillary Clinton.
This is important due to the fact that, per Al G at The Field, he is the first of 40 Clinton delegates, most from California, that have come to the conclusion to back Obama at the convention and end this.
The Field has learned that Cardoza is the first of a group of at least 40 Clinton delegates, many of them from California, that through talking among themselves came to a joint decision that all of them would vote for Obama at the convention. They have informed Senator Clinton that it’s time to unite around Obama, and that they will be coming out, one or two at a time, and announcing their switch between now and the convention if Senator Clinton doesn’t do the same.
Cardoza is one of the leaders of this effort (which includes not only superdelegates, but here’s something that should set off some paranoia in Camp Clinton: there are pledged Clinton delegates in “The Cardoza 40,” too). One Field Hand reports that during a recent Cardoza fundraising event in California the effort was discussed openly in front of other Democrats. Cardoza’s announcement, today, sent the message that the effort is serious and for real.
This is devastating news for Hillary Clinton. But in all realistic terms, it was about to come down to this. The Clintons are angry, expect a lot of back room dealing, expect the knives to come out behind the scenes, it will get ugly.
This is politics. This is something that Barack Obama is trying to change. It is hard to let go of power and don't think for a moment that this is not what it is about "power". The Clintons have held the Democratic Party for over 16 years, it is hard to let go. That is why today and the many days to come we will hear the Obama/Clinton meme, floating all over the television. Remember who is pushing this, the Clinton Supporters not the Obama Supporters.
That says it all for me.
If you have not seen this video, watch it now before it is snatched off of youtube...
The polls are all over the place. And remember; don’t view these polls as gospel. We saw Clinton leading all of 2007 and look where she is at now. Another thing, a lot of people are not paying attention to this, as last year. Folks will not get engaged until after the conventions when the General Election really starts. So, take these polls at a grain of salt at this time.
Moving on.
::
There are two diaries on the Daily Kos rec list, by RenaRF and dansac. Both looking at what the Clintons really want and why is Hillary in this, still.
I want to go over a few things. First, Florida and Michigan.
Florida and Michigan broke the rules of the DNC, period. There is no putting lipstick on those pigs, which is what happened. They were told in advance, you schedule your primary in January, and you will pay the penalties by stripping your delegates. Well, the delegates were stripped.
When you look back on it, if these two states would have kept their original dates, their voices would have mattered greatly. Next, you must look at why these states jumped the shark anyway. My feeling is that they thought the threat from the DNC would be empty and they would do nothing. Michigan was strictly political, Governor Granholm is a solid Clinton supporter and she purposely changed Michigan a caucus state, to a primary which cost millions of dollars. What ended up happening is that Obama and many other democrats running at the time removed their name from the ballot and Michigan ended up with a mess. Michiganders should blame Granholm for that one.
What should happen to Florida and Michigan? Cut the delegates in half, split the vote and call it a day. And the Obama Campaign has offered an olive branch to give Clinton more delegates, but the Clinton Campaign snubbed this.
Finally, I would be in Clinton’s corner about her absolute resolve in solving the Michigan and Florida dilemma, if she was sincere. And she is not. Clinton Campaign started to figure out the delegate game close to February 5th when she said it would be over and it was not. A far cry from what she told major news organizations that Florida and Michigan won’t and don’t matter. The thing is that it matters now, as she is trying to make the popular vote argument.
What happens on May 31, 2008 at the DNC Rules and Committee Meeting is about how strong the DNC is and will the DNC abide by their own rules. Lastly, remember the Clintons were influential on changing and putting their people in play at the DNC during the McAuliffe tenure, ironically the same rules that they implemented has come back to bite there, you know what.
What does Hillary Want?
dansac implies the VP spot, and I agree with him. Let us be honest here. Do you think Hillary Clinton want to go back to the senate as just another senate number and no power? She does not. In the senate, seniority counts and she is at the bottom, as Obama. If you were Hillary would you want to go back? I would not, without some kind of elevation of power. So, the VP slot is what she wants. Why not? She and Bill still have part of the national stage, something they loved and craved. But there are problems with this.
As the AP is reporting, Obama is silently looking for potential VP picks. As he should. The sooner, the better. We all know the Clintons have not been vetted post Bill’s presidency and a lot of financial questions have swirled around Bill Clinton, especially in regards to donors to the Clinton Library which the Clintons will not release names or donation amounts.
We also must look at Hillary and her tone and position throughout the Democratic Primary. She is on record stating Obama has not passed the commander in chief test/threshold; she is on record praising McCain, elevating him to her stature as being the ones capable for the presidency. These two statements have disqualified her for any VP slot. We can all just imagine a 527 ad with Clinton using her words against Obama, while on his ticket, and Obama have to defend her words against him to the media. Oy!!! Also, imagine a loop of this flip/flop with her Bosnia lie. And if you don’t know what the Bosnia Lie is, just think “sniper fire”. That is a headache waiting to happen.
From Time Magazine, the calls have started from Clinton Supporters that want to jump ship. Remember, many are elected officials, who are pols and go where the wind blows:
Which is why in recent days, quiet calls have started going out to key supporters of Hillary Clinton who are showing signs of wanting to jump ship. Clinton's emissaries point out that she is no longer attacking Barack Obama, and they promise she won't start again.
Well, we all are glad she has silenced her lips against Obama. Why? Because the finger pointing would be at her and what she has said throughout this campaign against a fellow Democrat. And many for the record are still heated at Clinton for this. That anger is warranted.
Again, the Clintons don’t want to leave the national stage.
In Bill Clinton's view, she has earned nothing short of an offer to be Obama's running mate, according to some who are close to the former President. Bill "is pushing real hard for this to happen," says a friend.
Earned? Earned? Earned to be Obama’s VP? She has disqualified herself in every way possible for being Obama’s VP. If we learned anything through this primary season is that we don’t want any more of the bullshit the Clintons have continued to try to sell.
Some of Clinton's own strategists are doubtful that Obama will offer to make her his running mate - in no small part because that would mean bringing Bill aboard. Her presence on the ticket would also undercut Obama's core message of change and his promise of a new brand of politics. However, advisers say that in the interest of unifying the party, there may well be a good argument for tapping one of the Clintons' high-profile supporters, such as Indiana Senator Evan Bayh or Ohio governor Ted Strickland.
That is plausible and doable. But a tip to the Obama Campaign, not Evan Bayh he is more boring than a box of rocks. JMHO
Obama Supporters now is not the time to be asleep at the wheel. After that crazy, batshit speech of Clinton yesterday comparing the Michigan/Florida fiasco to slavery, women’s suffrage is just too much. Her theatrics are beyond the pale.
I give accolades to the Obama Campaign, who has managed to walk around Clinton, move forward, with the utmost patience. I don’t know what Hillary and Bill Clinton want, but VP slot, we definitely must PASS on them.
[UPDATE] Per The Field, Hillary Clinton has been told no to the Vice-Presidential postition.
The Field can now confirm, based on multiple sources, something that both campaigns publicly deny: that Senator Clinton has directly told Senator Obama that she wants to be his vice presidential nominee, and that Senator Obama politely but straightforwardly and irrevocably said “no.” Obama is going to pick his own running mate based on his own criteria and vetting process.
Folks, this is a wait and see moment. We will see if that is just so.
To compare this to slavery, women's suffrage is beyond the pale, it is quite appalling. This brings us back to her trying to minimize Dr. Martin Luther King's influence and involvement of the Civil Rights Act. Was it not for Dr. King standing up and putting his LIFE on the line, that Act would never have been signed. It not only took President Johnson to sign the Act, it took movement of people to make him DO IT.
The only movement and struggle Clinton is having is lack and focus of her campaign. Remember, it is she who made the decisions that have gotten her to this point. She has lost on every metric to attain this nomination and now we are seeing a Hail Mary pass that is just pathetic.
Hillary and Bill Clinton felt and still do that this nomination is theirs, that they are ENTITLED. This rationale from them has not stopped.
It is time for the superdelegates to have a spine and backbone and end this. The longer she stays in this race, spewing and continuing to make crazy, non-sensical accusations, the longer it will be for the Democratic Party to come together as one.
Right now, Hillary Clinton is the proverbial, hot mess.
Know anyone in Broward County, Florida? Well, let them know that Barack will be in Broward for a rally on Friday, May 23, 2008. All the details are here.
Obama Wins Oregon......
Barack Obama took a long stride toward history Tuesday, capturing a majority of pledged delegates to the Democratic convention even as he lost Kentucky by a wide margin to Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Obama's big win in Oregon, combined with a share of Kentucky delegates, left him fewer than 100 shy of the 2,026 delegates needed to clinch the party's presidential nomination.
But Obama -- vying to become the first African American to head a major-party ticket -- staked no claim to the nomination, and Clinton showed no sign of standing down.
Instead, Obama celebrated the delegate milestone -- important both psychologically and mathematically -- with a Tuesday-night stop in Iowa, traveling full circle to the state where his candidacy took off with a win in the caucuses that began the nominating fight.
Standing in front of the gold-domed state Capitol, which glowed in the darkness, Obama declared: "Tonight, in the fullness of spring, with the help of those who stood up from Portland to Louisville, we have returned to Iowa with a majority of delegates elected by the American people, and you have put us within reach of the Democratic nomination for president of the United States." continue
Oh, check this out by Al G over at The Field....
The Field can now confirm two facts:
1. Senator Clinton has made direct and private overtures to Senator Obama regarding the path ahead.
2. Keep your eye on superdelegates, particularly in California, but also elsewhere, that had committed to Senator Clinton, but who are gathering together by the exit sign.
You can take both of those tips to the bank. continue
Lastly, to sooth our souls.....the simplicity of beauty.....h/t standingup
Barack was adopted into Crow Nation. Below, Barack is arriving with his "adoptive parents" Hartford and Mary Black Eagle. Obama was given the name of “Awe Kooda bilaxpak Kuuxshish” which means “One who helps people throughout the land.”
From Good Morning America. This is in response to the Tennessee GOP putting up a skewed ad on their website, along with a press release. And Barack, "well said."
....and for your additional viewing pleasure, "The Real John McCain 2"
Barack Obama has taken us on an incredible ride. We are so high, that we are afraid to pinch ourselves because it may not be true. He is about to become the Democratic Nominee. And you want to know the best part about it? We put him there.
Iowa. Driving from Illinois to Iowa, I still have the route memorized. The wonderful people of Iowa. Their hopes, dreams, aspirations of change, propelled Barack to where he is today. We owe Iowa, not only a debt, but for being the state that lead the way to change.
I will tell you my story on walking towards the movement. It began with Katrina. The devastation was unimaginable. The horror, grief, shock of the Bush Administration and this country to have our citizens disrespected, dishonored and just dissed. That experience got me off my ass to say, enough of Bush.
So, in the process as the horserace began I was coy and standoffish. I wanted a candidate who can take it to the mat and all the way. I wanted someone different who can MOVE ME to a greater cause than me. I watch, waited and wondered if anyone would emerge. And he did, Barack Obama.
As much as I liked Barack, I needed to know if he was capable of withstanding the Clinton Machine. Let’s face it. The Clintons have run the Democratic Party, as is today, with an iron fist. Why should they withdraw or handover what they, themselves worked for to this date? That question is warranted. So, for me the first test was money.
Barack Obama shocked everyone with his first quarter haul of 26M and then shut everyone up with his second quarter haul of 32M. From that point, I knew I was with him all the way.
But you want to know what has been the most motivating experience of this primary season? The Obama Campaign’s capacity to make us responsible and inclusive of this campaign. They were accountable for every dollar spent. They listen to us. They provided the tools we have had to work with. The Obama Campaign empowered us, yes little old us, to make this campaign the best it could be. And this has not been easy.
Through all the ups and downs, the highs and lows, one thing I have admired about The Obama Campaign is their frankness and honesty. They told us we would not win every race, but that we must work hard. They told us we were the underdog, and we knew it. They provided us information to send to our friends, neighbors, about Barack because people were clueless about him. But for all that has happened this campaign has always lifted us up, when we felt extremely down.
There is something amiss and it smells like change. People want it more than anything, but before they grab it we must make sure they understand it. Change is a word that is hard for many. When you become accustom to the same old thing, the status quo, you begin to believe that you don’t deserve anything else. Folks, I am here to tell you, we deserve it all and more.
After the atrocious 8 years of the Bush Administration, and here is a short list of their greatest hits, if we ever want change we need to stand up fight and grab it.
Lastly, here is the speech that changed everything in Iowa, from the October 2007 Iowa Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. The speech that moved everyone towards Barack. Just sit back, listen and remember why we are doing what we are doing, why Barack and Michelle will be in Des Moines, Iowa on Tuesday, and why we must win this election in November.
I salute each and everyone of you. We did this together. It is not over. We need every single foot soldier for the huge mountain we must climb in November. And climb it to win, we must.
* drop-off locations for Oregon mail-in ballots, up until 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 20, 2008.** if oregonians want to mail in their ballot it should have been postmarked, Friday, May 16, 2008, use the location drop-offs linked above
May 19, 2008 - Town Hall with Barack, Billings, MT May 19, 2008 - Rally with Barack, Bozeman, MT May 19, 2008 - Rally with Barack, Crow Agency, MT May 20, 2008 - Rally with Barack and Michelle, Des Moines, IA May 21, 2008 - Rally with Barack, Tampa, FL
Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama on Monday promised no let-up in US support for Israel, after his Republican foe repeatedly claimed he is the favored pick of the Islamist movement Hamas.
"You will not see, under my presidency, any slackening in commitment to Israel's security," Obama said in an interview with The Atlantic magazine online.
"My position on Hamas is indistinguishable from the position of Hillary Clinton or John McCain. I said they are a terrorist organization and I've repeatedly condemned them," Obama said.
"I mean what I say: since they are a terrorist organization, we should not be dealing with them until they recognize Israel, renounce terrorism." continue
Characteristics of an Obama, Vice-Presidential Candidate A lot has been written lately of who should be Barack’s running mate, etc. Personally, we don’t know who that person will be for various reasons. Until we know the Democratic Platform, which is what Obama and his running mate will embrace, we don’t know who the candidate will be. In stating that there are a few things we can consider, due to how Barack has run his campaign.
First off, any vice-presidential candidate will have to embrace the one theme that has been constant throughout the Obama Campaign, change. This is easy because that is who and what Barack Obama represents, change. The vice-presidential candidate must not only embrace and represent, change, the person when he/she steps on the stage with Barack Obama, must look and be change. Any long time insider would not only contradict the message but bring doubt about the word change in whole.
Second, any vice-presidential candidate must be on the same wave length, thought process and democratic mandate as Barack Obama. There must not be any second guessing about the vice-presidential candidate, wondering if there is any personal agenda, etc. This person must back up Barack Obama and the mandate 150%. No questions and no wonderment allowed.
Third, the vice-presidential candidate is not the lead, the presidential candidate is. There must not be any questions or concerns about that. They must look as if they will work together but more importantly mean it.
Lastly, the vice-presidential candidate must be a partner and for all intention purposes, they must respect, admire and like each other. I know many say “look at JKF/LBJ”, I have and it was 1960, this is 2008. After the disastrous Bush II years, people do want and should be given candor, honesty and frankness and this must exude from the party’s ticket. These two people must trust each other, period. No back-biting, knife fighting, etc. This is what we are trying to run against, not trying to merge.
In the end it is Barack Obama’s choice of who his running mate will be. I am sure he knows how all factions feel at this time as the primary is winding down. But more importantly, he will choose a person whom he feels can win with him in November. Let’s trust his judgment; he has not done too badly thus far.
Keith Olbermann, Special Comment, "President Bush, 'Shut the Hell Up'"
Obama Cues Up to Play Pool
Senator Barack Obama continued the “regular guy who does regular guy things” portion of his campaign tour here, visiting a local billiards hall where he proved that his pool skills are better than his bowling skills.
But even in that light-hearted setting, he was confronted with his perceived vulnerability in this state: that white blue-collar voters here still have questions about his background. During a short news conference right near the bar at Schultzie’s Billiard’s, a local television reporter for WCHS TV asked him about “The challenges of attracting voters in this state _ blue collar, white voters in this state.”
“They think you are un-American,’’ he said. “How do you get those voters? Democratic voters?”
Mr. Obama responded in detail: “We just have to get information out. Hopefully they’ll watch your program tonight. They’ll know that I’m a practicing Christian. They’ll know that my grandfather fought in World War II and I was raised to love America and all these phony emails talking how I don’t pledge allegiance are just political smears.”
A bit later, another reporter asked, “How problematic are those rumors that you were talking about earlier that you don’t pledge allegiance, that you’re a Muslim? They’re out there.”
Mr. Obama said, “They’ve been out there since the beginning of this campaign. This is something that has been systematically fed into the bloodstream. We notice these e-mails get sent out in each successive state that we were campaigning in, which indicates that it is not just a random sort of viral thing. I think you know this is a dirty trick that folks are playing on voters.”NYT continue
The Stealth Campaign to Delegitimitize Obama by democrattotheend; What other murderous regimes does Cindy McCain profit from? by clammyc; "F*** yeah": Worse Than Abu Ghraib by Mash; Bill Moyers: The Meaning of Freedom by teacherken; NAACP picks young community organizer as new president by 174winchell; I'm a feminist, and that's why I don't support Hillary. by Queen Alice; I'm sick and tired by ebonyqueen; Bush Attacks Obama in Israel; Joe Biden Responds-"This is bullshit" by rikyrah; Huckabee thinks assassinating Democrats is funny by smintheus; Judiciary Committee Threatening to ARREST ROVE! by EmperorHadrian; Republican Radio Host DESTROYED by Chris Matthews on Hardball by AntonBursch; California Sup. Court Rules in Favor of Marriage Equality by UTBriancl; I Won't Do It. by RenaF; We need another attack - Rumsfeld by occams hatchet; Alaska will be competitive by kos; How to Market Obama to Your Republican Friends by Press to Digitate
New ABC/Post Poll--It's All Good by maxnyc; SUSA Oregon Poll-Obama up 54-43% by Parker2001; USAToday/Gallup: Obama 20% lead National by Canadian4Obama; SUSA & PPP "Hard-Working White" Oregon is Solid Obama Country by Steven R; Quinnipiac National Poll: Obama +7 Against McCain by Stroszek; ABC/WaPo: Bush At all Time Low (31), Obama Extends Lead Over McCain by DemFromCT; Whom Do You Trust? Not the GOP by DemFromCT
We now are all aware of President Bush’s assessment and/or statement of Barack Obama and the Democratic Party as appeasers or playing “appeasement”.
While in Israel celebrating its 60th Anniversary, Bush compares Obama to Nazi Appeasers. Not only was this a crazy ass statement to make, but he was the one who ended up looking and sounding ridiculous. And he took major hits for this loose usage of language from the main stream media and print press.
"We have heard this foolish delusion before," Bush said in remarks to Israel's parliament, the Knesset. "As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: 'Lord, if only I could have talked to Hitler, all of this might have been avoided.' We have an obligation to call this what it is — the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history."
Then Obama Campaign weighed in:
"It is sad that President Bush would use a speech to the Knesset on the 6Oth anniversary of Israel's independence to launch a false political attack. It is time to turn the page on eight years of policies that have strengthened Iran and failed to secure America or our ally Israel."
"Instead of tough talk and no action, we need to do what Kennedy, Nixon and Reagan did and use all elements of American power -- including tough, principled, and direct diplomacy -- to pressure countries like Iran and Syria. George Bush knows that I have never supported engagement with terrorists, and the President's extraordinary politicization of foreign policy and the politics of fear do nothing to secure the American people or our stalwart ally Israel."
Of course many Democratic Leaders weighed in, but it was Senator Joe Biden that really handed the Bush Administration their asses on a plate:
“This is bullshit, this is malarkey. This is outrageous, for the president of the United States to go to a foreign country, to sit in the Knesset ... and make this kind of ridiculous statement.”
“Yes, there have been appeasers in the past, and the president is exactly right, and one of them is Neville Chamberlain,'’ Mr. McCain told reporters on his campaign bus after a speech in Columbus, Ohio. “I believe that it’s not an accident that our hostages came home from Iran when President Reagan was president of the United States. He didn’t sit down in a negotiation with the religious extremists in Iran, he made it very clear that those hostages were coming home.'’
The Bush Administration attempted to back peddle and state the remark was not towards Obama, but Obama put Bush and McCain on notice:
Finally, the icing on the cake is given to us, thanks to Chris Matthews of Hardball (MSNBC) and the right wing "talking idiot" Kevin James. Caution: Make sure you have your history in check before going on this show.
After watching that unloaded, talking point idiot, no wonder the Republicans have nothing further to say. The Republicans are as sorry as that talking no nothing “Kevin James”, and as one person wrote, “he calls himself a lawyer!!! Where did he graduate from? Rush Limbaugh U?”
We all got energized, legitimized, after viewing and listening to this idiot, for real.
well, the photo above reminds me of 'looking through the window'. when we look through the window, we see ourselves. we may not like what we see, or we may be proud of what we see. i say, barack is very proud of what he sees, as we all should be. he has run a great grass roots campaign, he has energized the democratic base, he has brought millions of new voters to the movement, and he is an honest, stand up guy. that is worth 'looking through the window'.
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