Fournier Is At It AgainBy Steve Benen
Ron Fournier is the acting Washington bureau chief for Associated Press (AP).[1] He formerly served as the AP's chief political writer and subsequently as "online political editor".
In mid-2006, Fournier was a founding member and editor in chief of the online political and social networking community HOTSOUP.com.[2][3] Fournier returned to the AP in March 2007 "in the newly created role of Online Political Editor". In a memo announcing his return, AP executive editor Kathleen Carroll stated that "his primary responsibilities will be developing new approaches to political and election coverage online, working with AP's news, multimedia and revenue groups."[4]
Fournier is listed with the speakers agency, Leading Authorities, as costing $5,000 to $10,000 for east coast speaking engagements and double that for west coast engagements.[5]
Analysis: Obama's pick highlights his weaknessesBy RON FOURNIER Associated Press WriterAug 23rd, 2008 | DENVER -- The candidate of change went with the status quo. In picking Sen. Joe Biden to be his running mate, Barack Obama sought to shore up his weakness — inexperience in office and on foreign policy — rather than underscore his strength as a new-generation candidate defying political conventions. "I searched for a leader who is ready to step in and be president," said Obama, a transformational political figure who nonetheless faces criticism about whether he has enough experience to be president. He picked a 35-year veteran of the Senate — the ultimate insider — rather than a candidate from outside Washington, such as Govs. Tim Kaine of Virginia or Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas; or from outside his party, such as Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska; or from outside the mostly white male club of vice presidential candidates. Hillary Rodham Clinton didn't even make his short list.
Aug 23rd, 2008 | DENVER -- The candidate of change went with the status quo.
In picking Sen. Joe Biden to be his running mate, Barack Obama sought to shore up his weakness — inexperience in office and on foreign policy — rather than underscore his strength as a new-generation candidate defying political conventions.
"I searched for a leader who is ready to step in and be president," said Obama, a transformational political figure who nonetheless faces criticism about whether he has enough experience to be president.
He picked a 35-year veteran of the Senate — the ultimate insider — rather than a candidate from outside Washington, such as Govs. Tim Kaine of Virginia or Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas; or from outside his party, such as Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska; or from outside the mostly white male club of vice presidential candidates. Hillary Rodham Clinton didn't even make his short list.
Folks,As you know, Jerome R. Corsi of "Unfit to Serve: Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" infamy has penned another precious tome to fuel the pulpy conflagration that is this election cycle, namely, "The Obama Nation". This screed is poised to overtake, if it has not already, the #1 slot in the New York Times Nonfiction Bestsellers list, which is ironic as by most reasonable accounts the book is a work of fiction.Never mind that many book stores have received bulk orders of the book, some by the palette. Surely not all of the book's readership is also fictional. Yet, Corsi has enjoyed a plethora of media coverage, bolstered by the "fact" of his latest opus' "status" as a top selling book. If this offends your sense of fairness, Nation, you are not alone.The Corsi commentator conundrum requires containment. But what can be done? As you know, I would never, never, never recommend that we, as Obama supporters, take the tack of hitting below the belt of Senator McCain, a multi-millionaire senior in favor of privatizing Social Security and an admitted adulterer whose foreign policy aims and dim view of Constitutional protections are in every way as bad or worse than the Current Occupant. If Obama represents a promise of a new kind of politics, then we as supporters must also rise up to this high standard and come up with a creative solution to the Corsi problem that builds up, but doesn't tear down.Let's return to alarming popularity and visibility of Corsi and his new book; as I said, not everyone who bought it has bought it by the palette -- some readers genuinely agree with Corsi, or are at least vulnerable to his book's message. Who are these people, and why are they vulnerable?You, like me, probably have a family member, a relative or a friend (or acquaintance) who is either pledged their intention of voting for Senator McCain or has not made up their mind. You, like me, are worried that Corsi's arguments may hold sway: Obama is this, that and the other thing. He can't be trusted. He's inexperienced. He's too liberal. He's not liberal enough. He's too black. He's not black enough. He's a recipient of affirmative action. He's an elitist.I put my thinking cap on and I thought to myself, "golly, there have got to be a few people who have already contributed the maximum amount to the campaign.. even still, there are people who can afford $15, $30 or $60 for a flashy, one day event to do something positive to help out the Obama campaign even if they haven't maxed out.. and gee, self, there has got to be a way that regular people, not pundits or commentators or mainstream media infotainment talking heads can help someone who is not already an Obama supporter get to know our nominee a little better."That's when the light bulb went on: bingo!I have family all over this country. I have a lot of Red State Dyed in the Wool Republican cousins and aunts and uncles in Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio. I have friends in the reddest enclaves of Orange County. I personally own a copy of "Dreams From My Father", and so do most members of my immediate family. I could buy copies of that book and send it to three, five or ten Republican relatives or friends, but that wouldn't offset Corsi's book.What if I got ten people to do the same thing? That's potentially 100 copies of "Dreams From My Father".What about 100? 1000? What if the idea got out there, on the Internet, and it spread like a smile, or like sunshine at daybreak? A hundred thousand copies of the book? A million?On August 28, 2008, Senator Barack Obama will accept the Democratic National Convention nomination for President of the United States.http://www.demconvention.com/events/I saw we use that day to introduce our candidate to those who are on the fence, who are unsure, or even who swear they never will vote for him -- especially to them! -- and undo some of the damage that Jerome R. Corsi has done exercising his right to freedom of expression, his right to his opinion, and show him the real power of The Obama Nation.
On August 28, 2008, give an undecided or McCain supporter relative or friend the gift of Senator Obama's book "Dreams From My Father."
Are you with me?--http://revolt.com/
Senator, you showed me something today. It's nothing to be proud of, sir. You are wrong when you tacitly endorse the falsehood that a respect for the rule of law is a fringe belief. You give a voice to the lie when you say that the mightly telecoms cannot be brought to justice, that the truth cannot be heard, and that corporate interests are more important than my rights.
Well, I hope the FISA group continues to grow and grow and that it is a shameful blister on this otherwise historic campaign of yours, and that it sticks out as a sore thumb on your site from now until November.
You truly picked the wrong issue to be wrong about. Good luck, sir.
If you, like me, believe that the worst legislative disaster that could befall the country and the Democratic Presidential Campaign this election cycle is the complete capitulation by Democratic congresspersons to every legislative whim of the Republican White House regarding FISA, illegal wiretapping and amnesty for law-breakers, then you can send a message to the Obama Campaign by taking a moment to donate to the Blue America PAC here:
http://www.actblue.com/page/fisa
To quote the page:
"Accountability is one of the most important foundations of democracy. It is time we start holding our elected representatives responsible for rubber stamping the most grievous aspects of the Bush Regime’s agenda. Surely the plans for retroactive immunity for Bush cronies inside his regime and for cronies in the telecom corporations who broke the law by spying on American citizens without warrants, is outrageous and needs to be brought before the bar of Justice. All the money raised on this page will go to fund accountability for congressmembers supporting retroactive immunity and warrantless wiretaps. You can read more about the campaign here, here and here. After Dick Gephart betrayed the majority of House Democrats and plotted with Bush, Cheney and some Blue Dogs to thwart the will of the majority and rubber stamp Bush’s decision to attack and occupy Iraq, he was forced out of his role as Democratic Leader. Steny Hoyer deserves the exact same fate."
Glenn Greenwald has this to say about the passage of the FISA bill in the House today:
"With less than 24 hours to read -- let alone understand -- what they were voting on, the Democratic-controlled House just passed the "compromise" FISA/telecom amnesty bill by a vote of 293-129. I'll post the link to the roll call when it is available. As always, Republicans supported the bill virtually in lockstep, while Democrats split (105-128). Barack Obama managed not to express a view one way or the other prior to the vote (and still hasn't). Nancy Pelosi spoke in favor of the bill, so the whole top layer of House Democratic leadership supported the bill."
If Senator Obama feels that he cannot oppose this legislation because a majority of American's support him, we need to disabuse the senator of that illusion. If he does not think he can win a rhetorical contest with congressional and administration Republicans who lie in order to make this bill appear to be anything other than a carte blanche grant of immunity from prosecution for lawbreakers, then he will not win against Republicans in the fall.
This battle, right now. This is it. "Yes, can we," Senator?
For the most part, the main stream media is not interested in engaging in a meaningful debate respecting the ongoing lawbreaking by common telecommunications carriers in the United States against citizens at the behest of the administration; commentary is either couched in misleading talking points equating loss of rights with an increase of security, or make claims that are entirely fiction.
It is imperative in the coming days and weeks that Senator Obama leverage his leadership position as the presumptive Democratic Party nominee for President to come out strongly in opposition against all attempts in Congress to pass legislation granting amnesty to common carriers that have allegedly broken federal law at the request of the White House pursuant its warrant-less wiretap program.
It is my belief that a good start would include updating statements the senator issued last year regarding supporting FISA legislation absent amnesty, supporting a filibuster of any vote for any bill containing amnesty, and urging constituents in "Blue dog" districts to make their preferences known to their legislators, such that they may be disabused of any illusion of the so-called popular support of coming to any compromise including any form of amnesty. As a frequent donor to the campaign and someone who intends to invest further money and time to the campaign, I would feel assured if the senator took a more active leadership stance as to whether we as a country hold corporations and government officials accountable for breaking the law. I applaud and appreciate his efforts thus far, and remind him that the amnesty debate is central to the senator's positions on government accountability and restoration of the rule of law.
Additional details regarding FISA, telecom amnesty and illegal wiretapping please follow this link: http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/06/18/comcast/index.html
