My daughter, an ardent supporter of Sen. Obama could really use some prayers right about now. She's six and was taken to the hospital yesterday for emergency surgery. She has bacterial perotinisis (sp.). She's such a great little trooper who, within the first hour after surgery wanted to know if Obama won the caucus. I've never been one to ask people to pray, but I've met some wonderful people on this site, and many more friends....and I hear that prayers can sometimes work miracles and this mom is hoping for one.
Thank You,
Karen (in case...here's Obama Kid in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNPm5w_btx0 )
I just wanted to drop a quick note about the caucus's this weekend. In several states, Hilliary Clinton supporters have held challenges to delegates. Basically, by challenging you, they are asking you to prove you reside in your precinct and can prove it. Your current voter registration card and I.D. should suffice. If, like me, you have lost your voter card, then please bring a current "BILL" (i.e. Electric, Phone, Garbage, etc) with your name and address on it so you can prove you are at that address.
Just a heads up!!!
See you there!
Karen
During CNNs debate, John King incorrectly stated that Obama had not declared his earmarks. I could tell that really irked Obama since he has worked tirelessly to ensure that this government and its spending become transparent to the American people.
My local newspaper has provided a database for people to examine the "earmark" spending of our elected officials. I think when you compare Obama and Clinton...the numbers speak for themselves.
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/favorfactory/lawmaker.php?id=S4IL00180
Tom Buffenbarger president of the machinists' union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) was the the latest in a string of Clinton junkyard dogs unleashed upon Obama...
But it was Obama supporters for whom Buffenbarger saved his most vitriolic contempt, and he proved that the Democratic Party’s coalition is nothing if not fragile. Channeling Howard Beale from the movie "Network," he yelled into the microphone, “Give me a break! I've got news for all the latte-drinking, Prius- driving, Birkenstock-wearing, trust fund babies crowding in to hear him speak! This guy won't last a round against the Republican attack machine. He's a poet, not a fighter.”
I think when he talked about latte's Hillary spit coffee out her nose.... http://www.viewimages.com/Search.aspx?mid=51493432&epmid=1&partner=Google
Blog on Buggenbarger's statements (http://community.livejournal.com/blackfolk/5816696.html)
Just got this email from Dwight Pelz, WA State Democrat Party Chair. (link: http://www.wa-democrats.org/index.php?page=display&id=277 )
Dear Karen, The race between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton is close. According to CNN, fewer than 100 delegates separate the two. Obama leads with 1,319 delegates, while Clinton has 1,250 delegates.
And that doesn't even include the superdelegates. What are superdelegates, you may ask?
Superdelegates are a group of current and former elected officials and Party leaders who have a vote at the National Democratic Convention in Denver. While the delegates elected at the Caucuses on February 9th are pledged to vote for a certain candidate, the superdelegates are unpledged and can vote as they wish. In a close race like this, the superdelegates could make the difference.
Six superdelegates come from the Washington State Democratic Central Committee (WSDCC), which is the governing board for your Washington State Democrats. You can visit this webpage to tell our six superdelegates who you think they should vote for:
http://www.wa-democrats.org/index.php?page=display&id=277
Last week, the Seattle P-I wrote a cover story about Washington's superdelegates. Here at Washington State Democrats headquarters, we are getting calls from hundreds of people telling us how they want our superdelegates to vote. That is why we have created this webpage; we want to give you a way to easily make your voice heard.
I am a superdelegate, along with the WSDCC Vice Chair and our four Democratic National Committee (DNC) Members. I will not announce my vote until the Convention in Denver, so let me know what you think. DNC Member Pat Notter is the only WSDCC superdelegate who has committed to voting for a candidate - Barack Obama. They want to hear your opinion. Click here to share your thoughts:
Thank you again for showing up so enthusiastically at the February 9th Caucuses. I want to continue to work with you to choose the right candidate for this country so that we will see victory in November. Thank you for all of your hard work, Dwight Pelz Washington State Democrats Chair
p.s. Share this e-mail with friends who also have thoughts about the superdelegates
Wolfson is saying one thing, and apparently the Clinton campaign is doing something different; Avtively Trying to Poach Obama Delegates from those "un-important" caucus states.
from the Daily Kos:
I’m in Vegas and last night myself and a dozen or so other Obama supporters were at the Culinary Union calling our Obama delegates. I probably made about 100 calls and about 95 said Hillary Clinton’s campaign has been calling them "all day" or at least once already.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/20/11348/1018/256/460439
What does that mean for Washington State? Perhaps we should shore up our base and make sure we hold strong to our candidate! Any ideas?
This is disgusting and what I would expect from the Clinton camp. No self respecting democrat should ever engage in 527 swift-boating, yet, here they go. If these ads begin to appear and Clinton does NOTHING to refute the ads, then clearly, she should resign from the party and run as either a Republican or an Independent. To try and destroy a fellow democrat in the face of one of the BIGGEST elections this nation has ever faced is nothing short of sabotage out of spite.
http://www.americablog.com/2008/02/clinton-supporters-raising-at-least-10.html
10 in a row is a terrific feat in this still too close to call election. Already, the Clintons have a 527 swift boat group ready to pull out the guns on Obama in Ohio and Texas in their last gasp to capture a win. Clearly, they are using the Rove Rule book. We can call, we can donate, we can do what we can from our state however, we also have our Legislative District and County caucus's in April. We, as Obama supporters, need to stay on top of our delegates to make sure they make it all the way through the delegate process! Make sure you delegates check your county and legislative district to make sure you have the correct date/time. Its my understanding that there have been some possible changes to dates. We need to stave off any attempts to poach delegates.
I would also hope that those who can, volunteer to be a PCO for your precinct if there are any vacancies! If there isn't a vacancy, offer to help out your area PCO as this election is underway...while we may not have officially chosen our candidate yet, McCain is clearly the Republican nominee and we need to begin our campiagn against McCain and the best way to start that is to organize, get people registered to vote, get people involved, have face time with your neighbors!
http://www.wa-democrats.org/ (Washington State Democrats Website)
http://www.snohomishdemocrats.org/ (Snohomish County Democrats)
https://wei.secstate.wa.gov/onlinevoterregistration/Registration.aspx (Online Voter Registration)
http://web5.co.snohomish.wa.us/auditorapps/audprecinct/audprec01-enteraddr.asp (Precinct Locater)
http://www.44thdems.org/maps/map_precincts/index.html (Precinct Maps)
Excellent article that should make one pause to reflect on exactly who these two candidates have decided to pull into their inner circle of advisors. Eye opening, to say the very least!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_paul_rog_080211_hillary_heeds_hawks_3a.htm
I created this YouTube video that celebrates the February 8, 2008 Obama Rallly at KeyCenter, ther are also pics from the 21st Leg. Dist. caucus on February 9, 2008.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMauTNVmzxA
This video is also for those who couldn't make it that day, but who know in their hearts...yes we can.
I like this particular website...it does say a bit about the candidate! I am very impressed with Obama's campaign contributions. http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.asp?id=N00009638&cycle=2008
Not so much with Hillary http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.asp?id=N00000019&cycle=2008
or McCain http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.asp?id=N00006424&cycle=2008
I thought this to be an insightful post and certainly expands on why those who really liked Edwards message (me included) have sided with Obama!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ben-brandzel/why-john-edwards-believer_b_86333.html
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ViecghWE3pk
I am NOT an economics major, and can barely compute my taxes, however, I found this video to be VERY interesting and it does makes bare bones sense. At the end, he gives examples of where to find corraberating information which I will do.
Now that we have won Washington (this would also apply to other states Obama has won) it is time to contact those elusive "SUPER DELEGATES" and implore them to cast their vote in accordance with their State Election Results.
Here is a brief email I sent to both Senators Cantwell and Murray (WA) who have both come out to support Clinton.
Dear Senator,
By now you have seen the election results from the 2008 Washington Democratic Caucus. Clearly, Washingtonians have spoken their mind and the majority of voters, by overwhelming numbers, believe that Barack Obama should be the Democratic nominee. I would implore both you and Senator Cantwell to re-consider how you will cast your super delegate vote. It would be my wish, as a citizen of this sate and a democrat, that you vote to support the wishes of your constituents. Never has an election been so incredibly important, never has it been more important that it be the voice of the people to decide the democratic nominee.
What an incredible day and what an even more incredible turnout we had for the Washington State caucus's! The gymmasium at Kamiak H.S. in Mukilteo was overflowing out the doors, people were scrambling to get in the doors before they closed, and there was pretty much standing room only as we begun this rockin democratic process.
What I would like to point out however is what we found upon arriving. No less than 500 Hillary Signs were plastered across the school campus! There were people helping to direct others...all wearing Hillary Stickers...we thought, at first, we were in the wrong place that this was perhaps a Hillary Convention. When we went to enter the gymnasium, we were asked if we were Hillary Supporters...we said no and then asked if we were in the wrong place...thinking perhaps that Obama supporters were supposed to meet somewhere else. We were told we were in the right place...less than enthusiastically. As I tentatively looked around the room (desperately trying to find other Obama-Mama's) it was clear I was at least NOT alone. After a little while, you could hear the grumblings about the lack of Obama signs....then one women entered with a box she had cut up and had written OBAMA '08...and the crowed erupted in cheer! More impromptu signs appeared, then people raced back to their cars and grabbed signs; more thunderous applause as they were waved about the room...what an amazing and unifying experience.
When we began to think it couldn't get any better, who should appear, but Govenor Christine Gregoire! She addressed the crowd, thanked ALL the Democrats for coming out to caucus, regardless of their candidate preferance.
As we gathered into our precinct circles you could hear voices, claps, cheers, and exhuberance for the whole process. In our precinct, we had a total of 24 people who showed up which far exceeded the 4 who showed up four years ago! Out of those 24.....a whopping 19 chose Obama, 4 went for Hillary, and 1 went undecided. We were alotted 7 delegates (6 for Obama, 1 for Hillary).
There was confusion, debate, discussion, and passion. Be you a Hillary supporter or an Obama supporter, there was little doubt that people were excited and fired up to end Republican rule. Somehow, going through a caucus does make one feel pretty good about democracy.
I've posted images on FLICKR to share some of the days images.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7319821@N07/sets/72157603881379369
I am in the process of setting up a small fundraising event for Obama.
I'll be putting together a dinner for family and friends (and their friends). We'll be asking for a 44.00 donation (per couple)...of course, 44 for being the 44th president! It's not that original, but hopefullly will raise more than just my little ole' bank account could!
One voice can change the world.
I hope we can make one last push with friends and family to encourage people to get out and caucus! It would seem, despite the intense t.v., newspaper, and radio coverage that people still don't understand that Democrats will only use today's caucus results in selecting their candidate and that the Primary ballots will be null and void.
I caucused in 2004 and it was a great experience! Not at all like I thought it would be (in your face politics). Rather, people were excited and listened intently to others. It was over fairly quickly and efficiently (under 1 hour). It may seem like a hassle, but in the end if you feel the need to have your voice heard this is a great way to do it! If on the other hand, you merely want to cast your vote, no problem...you don't have to explain why you're voting for x candidate.
I can't imagine a more important day than today (except for November). This is Washington's chance to have our voice heard and a chance to let the DNC know that we mean business and fully intend on backing Barack Obama as our nominee.
What an awesome experience we had today!
My daughter (Katie, age 6) and I drove down to Seattle from lynnwood this morning bright and early. We froze, we jumped about, sipped coffee (and juice) and talked to all those like minded people around us and discovered that Obama support is strong, loud and ready to take charge! When Senator Obama took the stage you could feel the floor tremble beneath your feet and the roar of the crowd was deafening. Yet, when he spoke there were moments you could hear a pin drop....as we took it all in. How anyone could have left there without feeling inspired would be a true mystery!
Let's hope that momentum carries this state to victory tomorrow, and on through November!
I hope everyone gets a chance to caucus tomorrow!
I've added some photos from the day's event into Flickr
http://flickr.com/photos/7319821@N07/
Looks as though the RNC is ramping up and getting ready to take on Obama and Clinton, and using their time proven method of scare tactics, this time using the upcoming FISA bill to slash at Democrats.
http://www.youtube.com/rnc
I hope and pray America can now see past the smoke and mirrors and realize that we are less safe today because of Bush and his policies, and that John McCain will only bring more misery down upon us.
Let's hope Obama, and yes even Clinton, move to shut this president down when it comes to giving telecommunications immunity and allowing the government usurp the constitutional rights of all Americans.
Just a little background on FISA
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), born after the Watergate scandal, establishes how the government can secretly eavesdrop on Americans in their own country in intelligence investigations. It was originally passed to allow the government to collect foreign intelligence information involving communications with "agents of foreign powers."
Today, however, the federal government is exploiting this once-narrow exception to make an end-run around the Constitution. The USA Patriot Act, passed by Congress in 2001 and re-authorized in 2006, expanded FISA to allow the government to obtain the personal records of ordinary Americans from libraries and Internet Service Providers, even when they have no connection to terrorism. Recent amendments in the Protect America Act now authorize the government to use FISA to get around the constitutional requirement that it show a judge that it has probable cause of involvement with a foreign country or terror group before it eavesdrops on a communication.
Although the Patriot Act was rushed into law just weeks after 9/11, a congressional investigation into the attacks did not find that FISA's limits on government surveillance contributed to the government's failure to prevent the attacks. Instead, the investigation pointed to fundamental organizational breakdowns in the intelligence community and the government's failure to make effective use of the surveillance powers already at its disposal. Despite overwhelming evidence that FISA did not need to be expanded, Congress moved to broaden the reach of the law and weakened its protection of Americans' freedom and privacy.
Even as the White House lobbied to expand the scope of FISA, we now know that President Bush disregarded the rule of law when he authorized the National Security Agency to spy on ordinary Americans' phone calls and e-mails without the warrant FISA requires. Shockingly, Congress voted to temporarily condone this abuse of power in August 2007 with legislation sanctioning this illegal operation. This legislation is only temporary and will expire in February.
Through legislative advocacy and litigation, the ACLU actively opposes efforts in Congress to further broaden the government's power to spy on innocent Americans who are not conspiring with foreign powers, and support proposals to increase judicial and congressional oversight of FISA surveillance and restore much-needed checks and balances. We hope that you will join us in that effort.
