Thank you for everyone who worked so hard.
Let me start by saying that this isnt about taxes, a new education policy, health care or the need to become energy sufficient. All are good reasons for Senator Obama to win but in my view that isnt why he must win. It is even more fundamental then that.
Assume for a moment Senator McCain wins. If he does it will be a narrow win, a win without a major mandate and one that will have been based largely on negative attacks that are knowingly false. Senator McCain knows full well that Senator Obama doesnt pal around with terrorists, isnt a socialist, or whatever is the latest campaign tactic. It will show that divisive tactics can and do work and will ensure that we continue to follow in these same cycles of pitting large cities versus small, white versus non white, rich versus poor, small town values versus large town elite values.
Senator Obama must win because he is the only one that can change this cynical cycle of politics, this win at any costs message that we have seen these past 8 years. His winning will show that politics doenst have to appeal to the worst aspects of our nature but to the best. He is by no means perfect but his attacks were not on Senator McCain the person but predominantly on the ideas of Senator McCain. People should be able to disagree on fundamental issues of policy but to do so in a civil way and to come to a conclusion. We should be able to present our ideas without having to twist and lie about an opponents ideas.
I believe these are the reasons that Senator Obama will become President of the United States. I think American's are tired of these old politics. I hope when he wins that he will receive a mandate that will allow him to start real reform. He will have much to accomplish and we should push him aggressively to keep his promises of reforming government. This in my view is the most important accomplishment that he can achieve. It will allow him to pursue his other key goals. WIthout changing the tone, finding a way to eliminate partisan bickering none of these are possible.
Senator Obama is the only one that has the opportunity to fundamentally change the way politics works. It is what some call a big hairy audacious goal. It is one we can only hope he can achieve and it is one that he can only achieve if we help him and hold him accountable for his promises.
As we close in on the last 2 weeks of this seemingly endless campaign Id like to make a plea for folks to consider making calls, knocking on doors etc.
You may think it wont matter but I beg to differ. Lets imagine a campaign trip. Senator Obama or a surrogate speaks for 20 min or so and then leaves. Now before people are talking etc but what if you have other questions. One of the most important and persuasive things we can do is talk to our friends, family, neighbors to tell them why it is that you support Senator Obama.
Today I made only a couple of calls. The first was easy and gratifying. A supporter, yes they will be voting for Senator Obama. Check made me feel good, a quick call and off to the next one. The second and last went on for a good 30 min. An undecided who I was able to discuss at length Senator Obama's ideas on health care, taxes, education etc. Im not sure if they were decided but it was clear that their thoughts were similar to Senator Obama's plans. I do know he was more inclined to vote for Senator Obama and was going to go to the website to research a little on his own.
They recognized that I was just another voter talking about issues. I could talk at length about what they wanted to know. If you are worried you might not know the answers just refer them to the website as I often do. You are not the candidate so you wont be expected to know everything but they respect that you called and are making the attempt. This is a conversation. One we can start and then the next thing you know they are more receptive, listening and learning on their own.
Imagine if you will that each of us speak with only 10 voters and convince 3 that they should vote for or consider Senator Obama. It seems like so few but if all of us do just 10, it will be the beginning of the change that we need. Look at how the campaign has raised money, small donations from many donors.
Let's all do our part, lets all make the final push. Open people's minds to looking at what he is saying. The one on one contact is the best way to cut through some of the "silly" issues that so often seem to come up. You and I might be political junkies and up on the news but many still arent clear. They need to hear that Senator Obama isnt going to raise everyone's taxes, that his health care plan isnt a government run program.
If nothing else it will remind you that you are part of the change, that you are part of this campaign. It will make you feel good about yourself and remind you why you are supporting Senator Obama.
Today is the anniversary of a horrible day that changed America. In our time of crisis the country pulled together as we so often do in a crisis. In so many ways it united us against a common foe. It also united the world in their condemnation of this cowardly attack.
On this anniversary I am saddened to see how far we have fallen since that horrible day when we were all Americans. Our country has largely split again and we remain distracted by the politics of fear. Some politicians mark this not as a solemn event but as a political tool. It is shameful and shows the depths we have fallen to.
What saddens me most about the Bush years is the squandered opportunities following this tragic day. Instead of a new energy policy, or leading the world in a fight against terror we chose to go it alone in a war that never had anything to do with terror. We have lost the good will of the world and torture, civil liberties abuses by our own government have made us lose our way.
This is why we dreadfully need change not just in policies but in the tone of Washington. We have to learn to work with others on international problems like terrorism. We have to learn that our oil addiction fuels some of these same terror groups. We have to get back at what makes America great. We see a challenge and say "I can do that".
We need the leadership that we needed on 9/11. This country is so blessed with natural resources the most important is the good will and innovation of the citizens. Senator Obama will provide that leadership. It is time to never forget 9/11 but to honor the sacrifices that so many gave by remembering just why America is so great.
I wonder if this is the beginning of the end of people recognizing Senator McCain as a "straight talker".
The false controversy generated by Senator McCain is one that is so ridiculous that I wonder if people will take another look at if he is really about straight talk.
I know many are lamenting the recent polls, lamenting the lack of attack etc. I wonder if this could be a turning point. It reminds people not only does the emperor (Senator McCain) lack clothes but that he also isnt talking about the issues. Perhaps the public will get that we arent talking about the real issue in this election which is how the new administration will make a difference in their lives.
I like the way Senator Obama is simply saying enough, cant we get back to real issues. He is forceful and clearly on message. It is not only a message of change of politics but also a change in the tone in Washington.
It will be interesting if whether something so simple will cause people to reexamine the claims that are currently being made by the man who votes with President Bush 90% of the time.
In June shortly after Senator Obama had clinched the nomination I wrote a blog called next steps. At that time I suggested that he had several challenges ahead of him and I thought it might be worth seeing just how well he has accomplished these tasks.
The first was to reach out to Senator Clinton's supporters. I suggested it might be the easiest of all but as we have all witnessed for some it has been a difficult road. During the Democratic Convention I think he with able assists from Senator and President Clinton, from Senator Biden and from many others has managed to move this into the case closed. His speech this evening showed not only Democrats but Americans just why he is such a compelling figure in American politics. The next group I said were those who might lean Republican but had heard rumors etc. Again I think this speech, this convention has clinched some of those voters as well.
I suggested that he needed to tell his compelling life story and on that he has hit a grand slam walk off home run. He has shown the person with student loans not long ago, the one who has lived the American dream who has achieved by his will, his intellect and the support of his family.
I suggested he had to flesh out what change meant and again in my view he was magnificent.
I suggested that I had little doubt that if he did these things the election would not be close.
I believe this to be true. I also believe now is the time where we as Americans, as Democrats, Independents and even Republicans who see this moment need to do everything we can to ensure that he will achieve his goal to change our politics, to change our direction to take back this country.
This election as he reminds us is not nor never was about him it is about US. It is now time to take action. America is now paying attention. It is time to talk about politics at work. It is time to wear your buttons, to have your care magnets, to send in your donations. It is time to make calls, knock on doors.
He has done everything we have asked , it is now our time to help him and show everyone why he needs to be the next President of the United States of America.
So much of what we see in politics is the gotcha type. The he said she said. One thing that I like about Senator Obama is that for the most part (he isnt perfect) he has elevated this to a new level. He reminds us that we can achieve greatness, that America can indeed be a leader. He reminds us (and did tonight in the faith based forum) that the world isnt black and white.
Perhaps in the 50s it was. Maybe in 1950 Senator McCain would be the one we might be looking for. Thankfully we are not in 1950, we live in a world where nuance is everything. We live in a world where war mongering isnt good enough. Yes its a great sound bite, yes it sounds tough but we have had 8 years of tough and frankly it has been a disaster as we can all attest.
This conference (not a debate) showed the clear differences. Senator Obama appreciates the world we live in at this time. It is a complicated world where it isnt a simple yes no answer. He likes those but much like he doesnt get the internet Im not sure he gets the complex world we live in. I give him kudos (and so does Senator Obama) for what he has dealt with when he was a younger man. It helped shape him but that doesnt make him the man for this time. In fact I would argue strongly that it makes him the man of yesterday. I dont think he gets the nuance and I want my president to understand the consequences of decisions. I want him or her to agonize about sending people into harms way. I want them to think about what will happen after the fighting stops. Senator Obama gets the nuance, gets that we no longer live in a simple world where things are clear. He is the leader we need.
I think this showed that to the American public. It showed him as a thoughtful leader who shows leadership and judgement. Sometimes experience places one in a moment in time. Im afraid that Senator McCain although a good man is simply not the leader that this country needs or deserves for a complicated world. I want judgement. I want someone who thinks agonizes before he puts our fellow countryman at risk.
If the issue is experience than again that is a false argument. What experience is it that shapes you. For Senator McCain it is the war and his dealing with it. Then the world was simpler. There wasnt a true global economy, we were in a cold war. It was a different time and needed a different leader.
Senator Obama came to age in a very different world. One where there is no cold war. One where the economy is complex and we cant be on our own. One where nuance is more important than being black and white. One where the shades of gray are everywhere.
Ultimately on Nov 4, we will choose who will lead us in these troubling times. I hope that the issues that frame this arent the usual scare tactics. What we should be scared of in my view is those that live in the past where things are simple, where answers are yes and no.
For better or worse our world is now much more about shades of gray.
I think over the next several months Senator Obama has a number of challenges ahead of him.
The first and actually the easiest one is to continue to reach out to Senator Clinton's supporters. I say easiest because although they may have supported another candidate, we do support the same issues, health care, leaving Iraq, a new energy policy and a new economic policy. On these we are in almost total agreement. Yes it will take time to heal, yes it was a long and tough campaign, but I submit that as he pivoted after NC and Indiana to the GE he was no longer fighting Senator Clinton and was already trying to win over her supporters. He has been consistent in his praise for her over the past several weeks laying the groundwork to bring them to join our team. I think this is a natural fit as your story shows.
The harder group is those who may lean Republican or aren't sure but wonder about all these rumors. Is he really American, is he like us, is he elitist, is he a Muslim etc. It has been fascinating to see as he has moved to remind people of his roots.
The final group which may include a mix of both of these as well as others are those who say he has words but what has he done, what are his policies. Now we all know this but over the next 5 months he will be
1. Reaching out to other Democrats
2. Telling his life story (which is as compelling as Senator McCains. Showing how he is really much like most of America. He has been through tough times as a kid, has recent loans. He gets who people are.
3. Fleshing out what change means. Giving some details (without becoming a policy wonk) that make people comfortable with this change.
When he does this I have little doubt that this election will not be close. He will sweep many areas and we will really be celebrating ground breaking changes that first week in Nov. I for one cant wait to watch history being made
Each of these happened to me today and if you call they will happen to you as well I would bet
5. You get the chance to speak with people from all over the country
4. 3 big points
3. You can disspell rumors
Today I had someone who was supporting another person because they didnt like that he wasnt American enough. I asked why they said he didnt support the flag, take the pledge etc. You can reach out and gently find the way to convince them this isnt the case. Find the common ground. We wont win this person for Tues but we may in Nov. She was interested enough to research it some more. That is the power of a call.
2. You might not win them for the primary but you might help bridge the differences with Senator Clinton supporters
Both today and many other days I have had supporters of Senator Clinton who are big supporters. By reaching out though I often get but if he wins I will be supporting him. You can make a difference and bridge this gap
1. You might not win them for the primary but you may make those who were Republican think about things and they may be on our side in Nov
As they learn more, they like that he is tough on terror (ie wants to be in Afghanastan) is interested in reducing taxes for many (middle class, those on social security making less money). So many things they may agree or you can educate them on other stands of his. This happened to me at least 5 times today and they were in many ways the most fun calls. Each person I believe will now look at Senator Obama in a different way. I dont know if we will get them, but I did reach them and he is now a consideration whereas before he didnt even get that. This is a great feeling.
So come get some of those good feelings yourself. Pick up the phone.
As we are all aware the nomination battle is essentially over and Senator Obama is now our nominee in waiting. Thankfully he has (although quietly) started to do all the appropriate things that the nominee does (go to swing states, attack the republican nominee and lavish with praise those who were his opponents but who are all Democrats).
Why you ask does the Clinton campaign and her supporters continue to battle and fight? I think much of the problem may be that they have picked the wrong sport's analogy. Now before you wonder if I have completley lost my mind (always possible) let me explain.
We hear many sporting analogies in politics, they go toe to toe, slugfest etc. Indeed this nomination process has been a gruelling tough fight. Could the reason she is staying in (and thinking she can win) be that the Clinton campaign has the wrong sport analogy.
I think Senator Clinton and her supporters still think that they are playing baseball. They think it is the bottom of th ninth and yes we are many runs behind but if we keep swinging the bat, getting singles and a few home runs (Kentucky, West Virginia) maybe we can get back in this game. Baseball unlike most sports however doesnt have a clock. It does keep going until the final out and only then is a winner determined. This however isnt baseball. This is more akin to basketball or even better hockey (Im a Canuck we have to always bring hockey up whenever possible).
In both those sports there is a timer. There is a defined end to the game. Yes you can use lots of timeouts, you can try to foul, to play tough etc but in the end the timer runs out. This is the game we are playing now. It is akin to being ahead by 20-30 points with a minute left. True you can make 3 point shots and make it look closer. Yes you might have some stats that look like you are doing better (rebounds, 3 pt percentage you pick) but in the end the scoreboard (delegate count) is all that matters. You cant add on 2 minutes of time (which is why it cant be soccer). The game is over when the whistle rings. For us the whistle is 2026 delegates. Perhaps the fouls called will make it a slightly higher number but the end result will be our team coming out on top.
So why is hockey the sport I wish it were, you ask. Because in hockey during the playoffs unlike most sports when the final buzzer sounds and the series is over do you know what happens. The two teams line up at center ice and shake hands. Anyone who watches hockey knows that in the playoffs things get very difficult. Teams are nasty, and do almost anything to win (see how this fits so nicely). However when it is over the teams congratulate each other and move forward. It is one of those great traditions in sports.
In the perfect setting Senator Clinton when the final buzzer sounds on June 3 will be like those hockey teams. She will shake hands and say Im good but the better team won. To carry the analogy just a little bit more he will have just one the conference finals and now he is on to win the Stanley cup. It is said to be the toughest trophy in team sports to win much like the Presidency.
So lets try to sit back, enjoy the game. Its 5-1 there are less than a minute to play. Lets now worry if their team has control of the puck, or even scores to make it look closer. We are the ones going to compete (and win) the cup.
We often talk about donations here on the blog. They may be monetary, time to make calls canvass or in the many ways we all volunteer.
We all have different reasons that we support Senator Obama. It may be his message of change, his energy policy, his honesty in dealing with people telling them things that they may not enjoy but need to hear (the gas tax holiday pandering etc).
Let me tell you one that I saw first hand today.
I perform bone marrow transplants and as part of that I sometimes evaluate normal donors. These are people who out of the goodness of their hearts are willing to help someone they dont know and likely will never meet. They put themselves at risk (minimal granted) for these strangers, but give of their time and blood (literally) to help someone who would otherwise die.
Today I saw one of these people. I took his history did his exam looked at his labwork and it appears he will be able to serve as a donor. As I examined him he mentioned that he doesnt have health insurance. He cant afford it and hasnt had it for many years.
Here is a gentleman who literally lives life on the edge. He isnt wealthy enough to afford health care (does contract work), he isnt poor enough to qualify for assistance. This is a man who has been abandoned by his government but who would never complain. Despite that he is willing to serve as a volunteer, an incredible selfless act.
It is for this gentleman and many like him that we must win in Nov. It is for the millions like him who are hard working, and who think not only of themselves. It is time to have a government that cares about these people.
It is our time.
As I watched Senator Obama on Fox today I could almost sense the change in focus that he has already started. I dont mean only to the fall election but even beyond.
He reminds us that the goal isnt to become the democratic nominee (I think he already is it just hasnt been fomalized yet), it isnt even about becoming President it goes far beyond that.
It really is about changing the system that we have in America now. Changing the tone of politics so that we can debate ideas, choose those that are best (whoever came up with them) and so that this next generation of leaders will be able to focus on what really matters not silly things like flag pins, who knows someone who knows someone. To realize that we do better as a country when we chose to talk, and work together even with those whose views you may not completely agree with.
This is what the future holds if we are bold enough to take it. He is the vehicle for change but we are the ones that will help change the process. We need to help him become the nominee, then the President and then we will have to make sure his Presidency isnt held up by those same special interests that are working against him right now.
So even as the media and to some extent we focus on the immediate future of the battle in Indiana and North Carolina lets not forget that these are the smaller battles. Ones we need to win but the reason he hasnt attacked Senator Clinton full out is because this goes far beyond the nomination. So while we need to call, canvass, how we behave, how he continues to move forward sets the tone that will determine the bigger objectives of a real change to this country.
We cant allow ourselves to get distracted to lose track of these bigger goals.
Now is our time, this is our future.
The delegate lead
As most of you well know the present elected delegate lead is about 155 or so (depends on source but lets use that for a moment). It is true that this is not a huge lead (Senator Clinton's argument. If you look at percentage it is about 53 % of those pledged and if you look at or about 6% more than she has. The key as has been pointed out is even when she wins the net gain is small. Now her side points out that her wins mean she is gaining momentum etc. Some could be true I suppose. It discounts the reality that if she wins and gains so few he must have won a lot so states to gain such a lead. That is a reality that people need to remind folks . She has effectively changed the tunes sometimes so people disregard the scores in the first 90% of these races. He has won, he has repeatedly won big and that is why he will be the nominee. All the while he has pushed a new agenda, one without PAC and lobbyists. People in Pa may not have been more comfortable with the same familiar politician at this point but they wont in Nov. To say that any contest for Senator Obama is critical is simply wrong. There is no if he loses this etc. I will grant if he gets swept in every single remaining contest that even if behind she should merit consideration. I will also say there is no chance that this will occur. That too is a story that should be told. I dont understand why Pa was essential for him and why NC isnt for her. Why must she not keep it under 10%. In the end this may well be her Waterloo when it becomes clear that she just cant win. Not now and not in Nov. I think he isnt going too negative so that he can use her support, gain her supporters and the people that bankroll her for the real election come Nov.
This is a plea to all members who have found themselves backing Senator Obama and Senator Clinton. This has been a tough race and at times it has gotten dirtier than either side I think would have liked. We are so fortunate to have 2 such incredibly well qualified candidates.
It is now time however to pick one to hold the mantle and lead our party to victory in Nov. Let us remind ourselves that on the issues Senator's Obama and Clinton are very similar and dramatically different from Senator McCain who promises more years in Iraq, an economic plan (oh wait is there one) that seems indifferent to most Americans. It is time to move forward and combine our enthusiasm, our passion and our efforts to drive our agenda and really change the way things are done in Washington.
For Senator Obama supporters like myself we need to recognize that in the heat of a campaign things are said that are not meant as personal but in this day of constant news coverage can get twisted and bent out of shape. That some of the "vetting" will help us come Nov when the republican attack machine will have no motivation to hold back on any comments no matter how foolish in an attempt to change this from an election about ideas and change to one of fear.
We need to recognize that we will need to embrace the supporters of Senator Clinton by welcoming them to join us in our efforts. We do not need to attack her personally or deride her at this stage. We will be the nominee and we will need to start the healing process by aknowledging how formidable she has been and how we look forward to her working on behalf of the campaign in the fall.
For Senator Clinton supporters it is time to look again at Senator Obama. Realize how he does embrace the causes that your are so passionate about, finding a way out fo Iraq, setting a new energy and health care policy to move the country forward.
It is time for Democrats to unite behind Senator Obama, to begin the dialogue with America over why the ideas that he champions for all of us are worthy of their vote in Nov. It is time to take this country back and set it on the right course. To do so we will have to work together or we will surely fail.
Next week is my daughter’s birthday (Victoria and she will be 13 she really wanted to be in my blog). I mention this because when people ask why I spend so much time, energy and effort blogging, or watching the news I just have to look at the kids and know why.
I have 3 kids and I hope that we leave them a world where they can breath, where they are not so burdened by debt that they have little ability to influence fiscal policy, where they will be able to travel anywhere in the world and proudly say they are American and not fear the reaction, where their government helps to lead not only the country but the world in high tech areas, new energy sources, and other areas of engineering and science. Where they can be proud of their politicians and believe in what they have to say.
I spend time because we and they deserve a country that isn’t about division isn’t about us versus them. One that embraces differences but celebrates similarities. One that gives us hope rather than fear.
It seems that a time making phone calls, or talking to voters here and elsewhere is a small price to pay for the hope that we are entering a whole new era of politics.
With the latest silly season and the bitter flap I have to ask myself where are the surrogates. Now I am not referring to the Obama and Clinton surrogates, I am referring to those who should be surrogates for the Democratic party.
Where is Gov. Dean, Speaker Pelosi and VP Gore. They dont have to support someone but they should make it very clear that to talk about a candidate as out of touch, as elite when it is plain that this is not the case is not to be tolerated.
Sadly if Senator Clinton insists on pushing this issue, which she knows to be patently false it wont win her the nomination but it does have the potential to switch some votes not just now but in Nov. I get why the Republicans would be trying to push this but does anyone think it would stick if it were seen as the typical political ploy.
It is time to stand up for the Democratic party. It is time to say enough is enough. If you want to discuss policy that is fair game. Personal attacks, and things that are lies and will be used later are out of bounds and should be noted.
Senator Obama has run a different campaign. He has not harped on the misspeaks, the exaggerations. It is time for the party elders to hold the Clinton campaign responsible. If they dont they will get what they deserve and they sure wont have any financial support at least from this person.
