There is a song that keeps going through my mind whenever I see the images of Tuesday Night in Chicago. It was composed by the German Rockband "The Scorpions" to honour the occasion of their being the first Western band to play in Moscow after the fall of the Berlin Wall. I would like to share this song with you.
In the following I have made a very subtle change: I have replaced the river "Moskva" with "crowds" and "Gorky Park" with "Grant Park". Everything else is the same. It takes a really nice new meaning in this context.Ah, and the August summer night turned into a mild november night.
In the following I have made a very subtle change: I have replaced the river "Moskva" with "crowds" and "Gorky Park" with "Grant Park". Everything else is the same. It takes a really nice new meaning in this context.
Ah, and the August summer night turned into a mild november night.
Hello, I just want to mention some observations I'm making in this blogging space:
The tone changed considerably. Ok, the race is won and everyone is happy and not so urgent any more. What struck me, however, was the tone we all have towards the guy who set all this up:
"Dear Mr. President-Elect"; "The President should"; "Dear Mr. Obama, as you are not the president, ..."
Before it often was just like: "Hey, Barack, why don't you bash McCain more on healthcare"
Wow, what this office does to the way people see you, people talk to you. I wouldn't have immagined it after all the current president did to the office. I think that this was one reason the election went the way it did:
Firstly, people wanted, almost needed, someone in the white house who can speak not only coherently (which was not always the case in the last 8 years) but also with dignity and weight. Thus, the at times preaching tone of Barack Obama contributed to his popularity.
Also, the calm and focused seriousness we saw during the economic meltdown and in the debates: It dignified everything Obama did and said. Another aspect of a respect-able person in the white house, as well as a clue that this guy will think before he acts and try to make really good decisions.
Thirdly, Barack Obama looks good and does so in a modern way. McCain was partly too old fashioned. But this "overall bodily impression" of McCain was also drawn down by his aimless wanderings during the second debate. And although I do respect the wounds and scars of the old man, his obviously impaired way of walking and his handicap in his shoulder probably didn't do him good. Nobody in their right mind would have consciously based their judgement and vote on this - but I guess it does work with the unconscious part of the decision-making of all voters.
Lastly: Mr. Obama was sure not only to bring dignity back to the white house - which McCain would have done as well, only differently - Obama is the one who gives brings America back to the hearts of the peole in the world. Apart from some stupid russian politicians, I think every leader in the world is more likely to be friendly towards America now that America has this man as her president.
Good decision, America!
Greetings from Germany
Hi, everyone!
Just a short notice: I am a German citizen (as I have said quite often) and I have tried several times to donate to the Barack Obama campaign. It is not possible to do that with a German credit card! It just isn't possible.
So, everyone who states that there were donations from foreign credit cards - not true!
Much less would I believe that a card from an "Adolf Hitler" was accepted. This last claim is final proof to me that the accusations are completely baseless!
That's all for now
Bye
Wow! Gigantic crowds on rallies and some polls show a double digit advantage for Obama.
But: According to the average of realclearpolitics.com, Obama had a bigger advantage some days ago! And after that the numbers sank rapidly. Ok, they are regaining now - which doesn't mean we did it!
So, we all should not start celebrating but try to do whatever we can to promote the campaign! We have to use the days without Barack to push him further!
Yes, there were some good news in the last few days (endorsements and other nice things) but still, we have to convince people - or keep them convinced.
I have to admit, I cannot do too much: Everyone around me is fairly convinced anyway and I myself am not even American. But still, I try to talk to people and convince them - if they aren't already - that B.O. is the guy they need in their next government.
But what I really wanted to say is that poll numbers have to show Barack more than 15% in front before we can think that the election is safe. 15%, I am serious! And this until November 2nd! Only then can we rest and be sure. As long as it is different - keep working at it until the last minute!
Just listened in to McCain's new speech. I have to say, it is impressive. But wait, where do I know this stuff from? "We make our own destiny" and: "You" (the voters) have to make the decision, and: "Lets win this election and we can change the country" - and there was some echo to this last one in my mind: "and we will change the world"
Ah, now I know: It is not exactly the same phrasing but the general tone and meaning are exactly Barack Obama's words. The stuff he finishes almost every speech with. McCain - or his speech-makers - took Obama's speech, modified it, put some typical McCain-stuff in there (prison in VietNam and some other stuff), adapted it to the fact that McCain is behind in the polls - and ready was the new speech.
In fact, the only original words are - tell me news! - the bits where McCain tries to atack Obama: "He is already measuring the drapes, planning with Pelosy and Paulson how to raise taxes ..." So, here is some new(ish) stuff.
The ultimate cheek was to say that "They (us, the Obama-types) have forgotten to let YOU (the people) decide. Well, there is the problem: The elefant-people have forgotten how it feels not to have the majority behind you. Of course, the partisan crowd cheers when McCain insinuates they would be the ones to decide...
However, all this goes onnly to show that it really is not over yet: On the GOP-Congress, McCain managed to turn public opinion around by pretending he and his running mates were people of change. Even as obviously stolen from Obama as it was, the stuff helt for a while before Palin became a national embarrassment. This time the copy isn't so obvious. Even I needed a while to get it and as yet no blogger or newspaper I know has uncovered this. So: watch out and tell people how much of McCain's new speech is stolen from Obama. And the rest is not true or old news (McCain, the fighter who is best in a tight corner ... - yawn). But point it out to people. Otherwise some may be turned by McCain!
Ah, and: Mr. Obama, would you please mention this in your speeches as well and turn it round and tell people that YOU are the original and McCain is only a really bad copy?!
And lastly: I am so happy that "our" guy doesn't need a seemingly young wife standing behind him and noding debilely at every statement her hubby makes. Michelle goes around making her own speeches. This is what we need!
GooooooooooBama 08!!
Hi folks,
Obamaguy just posted this thing about voting against Paln.
Here is what CBS has to say about that:
I just saw this link in a post. I do find it great and that's why I want to post it again.
http://vodpod.com/watch/1051178-afl-cios-richard-trumka-on-racism-and-obama
But: This is something for ourselves, the "liberals" who are convinced of Obama, anyway. The campaign is now about winning those who are not committed yet. And while Obama/Biden should not contradict stuff they said earlier, they will probably try to come across more pragmatically.
What we need to do now is also become less radical. The one point where we should remain radical, if polite, is in denouncing the vile attacks that will come flooding in the next few weeks. Sara Palin already started them and perhaps McCain himself will not even do this. But we in the campaign should try unmask every lie and halftruth that is thrown towards us.
A big help in this can be sites like:
http://www.factcheck.org
and
http://www.politifact.com
There you can find the facts about almost every accusation that has been thrown by any major party in this campaign.
At the same time, I would like to remind our guys, Barack, Joe, David, Michelle and everyone else who works for the campaign, to stick to the truth! Don't go stretching it too far! We need to distinguish ourselves from the others on the ethics of campaigning! Leave the counter accusations to the blogging people outside the campaign. Just what is important is:
FIGHT THE SMEARS!!!! BUT KEEP YOUR OWN HANDS CLEAN!!!!
While Obama was sinking below McCain's polling data, I was still convinced that the missing data about cell phone users will turn out bo be crucial and that there will be a landslide victory for Obama. I think that way, still. But it will only work if everyone keeps working for Obama's election. Even good results in the polls shouldn't make us over confident! Keep working at it!!
And there is something else I want to say to the campaigners: Don't get into that pattern of lies that the opposite side is in! Stay the good guys and advertise it! Don't use too many half truths.
By the way: Does Obama have an answer to this bloody Chavez ad? Something equally subtle as his hints on leadership concerning the economy would be great!!
Attack McCain the way Mr. Krugman does! McCain is not "more of the same" but really worse than Bush, judging by his smears.
The article I'm talking about is published on this site, but can also be found at
www.nytimes.com/2008/09/12/opinion/12krugman.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
So, check it out and ask Mr. Krugman if he lends his words for an Obama ad.
The guys who create the campaign adverts probably have ideas before I do. However, I need to clear my brest with this:
Is it legally possible to tell people to have a look on www.factcheck.org or other non-partisan organizations who show how much lies McCain tells and how Obama only stretches the truth at times? If yes, why not make an advert to tell people: Look at factcheck, McCain told so many (name a correct number) lies about Obama and so many about himself up to now. And he repeated them so many times. Whereas Obama is only accused of stretching the truth but hardly inventing a lie completely (like McCain's "airdropping lawyers to dig dirt about Palin"). Such an ad could really end by saying: "Convince yourself and look at the facts on www.factcheck.org", showing the adress.
By the way, the best joke about Obama is that "his star is fading". Ok, polls are not so favourable right now but hey, come on: less than five per cent difference on average is basically dead heat! I'm still convinced that pollsters underestimate the mobile phone factor. I still believe in a landslide for Obama.
Ah, yes and: Give Mrs. Palin time for more embarassing performances like the interview today and McCain is out without Obama having to do anything (on which he shouldn't count, of course).
The McCain campaign continues to tell lies about obama as well as about their own people. Just look at factcheck.org to see how much of the truth they distort or even trie to unmake and how little Obama is told off by this organization.
Looking at Obama's and McCain's plans on healthcare, the economy and education, it seems to me that Obama is by far the better candidate, working really for the American People whereas McCain may have some good ideas but they are always disturbed by some corporate interests of his donating lobbyists.
Being not a citizen of the United States, the subjects that matter most to me are: the environment, human rights and foreign politics.
Hello campaign-ad-construcotrs, I think it would make a great ad if you basically used factcheck.org's latest text "factchecking mccain" to create a new video. And don't forget to mention that BO doesn't tell lies only stretches facts to his advantage whereas JMcC tells outright "nonsense" (quote from factcheck).
To make access easier for everyone, here is the text:
Joe Biden, then!
I couldn't imagine a more perfect partner!
Being not among those who think BO is really weak in foreign policy, just not well known, and also among those who don't believe in ages of experience, I think Biden is really good.
This is because for those who think differently he will make the whole team more electable because he compensates everything Obama seems to lack. But what is more important for me: Biden is someone who has been in politics for ages and has had the strength to keep his idealistic, sometimes quite unconventional agenda and behaviour. Not only that but he is quite well known and has acquired some standing with his way of handling things. Here is a really optimal candidate.
Dear campaign advertisers,
Writing my last post, I remember being quite worried. Now I'm calming down: What you did was almost exactly what I had hoped for: Make people who can see realize what a heap of dung the McCain adverts and statements are. You got him with his house numbers - and what I really appreciate is that humour is in it! This short video where someone interviews people about the number of their houses and if they ever might loose track of them is really nice! If nothing else it is a good cheerup for those who are with Obama anyway - but perhaps it is a turning point for mor people than this one guy in the video.
Your last ironic distortion of Mccain's words is not worth mentioning (he didn't actually say that people under 5 million are middle clas, did he) but please look to it that the Obama entries at factcheck.org don't become more numerous that the McCain entries! - Which does of course also and even more importantly include things Barack himself sais, whether it is an ad-hoc answer or a prepared speech.
Writing this, I wonder who reads it, ever?
Anyway! In the fantasy that someone relevant might, I close this entry.
Your Spotted Dog
Klaas
I just watched the new ads Obama's people got out. They are not bad.
What is bad, though, is that John McCain is still spreading the same lies about higher taxes from Obama and the common people being better off with his plans. Organizations like factcheck.org have repeatedly proven McCain to be wrong. He continues on the same lines.
It is about time that Obama gets agressive: Only stating that McCain should acknowledge that he loves his country, too is not enough. Start advertising McCain's lies! How can Americans trust someone who just repeats not only bad rumours or turns facts to his advantage but gives out false messages just to become president. He is too rarely on what he really wants. "Let me asure you, my friends, I have your best interests at heart" doesn't suffice! He should explain his plans more! Like Obama does. But what comes out at the end? "Obama came across as thoughtful but not as brilliant as McCain" - at Saddleback. And McCain is gaining in the polls!
No, the Obama camp should not act desperately but get agressive! You strategists, think of something, that's your job! Don't get as dirty as McCain but come on, make some dirt stick to him!
Just have a look at www.factcheck.org and count: How many times is Obama accused of wrong statements, how often is it his opponent?
It is more than twice the amount of misrepresentations on the side of McCain.
And the Obama Campaign is mostly accused of overstating/understating things or of showing non-lobbyists when they actually talk about lobbyists.
McCain is more than once accused of deception and lies!
Can we trust this man as a leader?
I just looked at McCain's ad-videos.
eight videos purely about Barack Obama, several others mentioning him.
What happened to a clean campaign? What happened to staying clear of smearing?
It is about time, Obama started some action on his own. This should, of course, not be a direct attack of Mccain. The reaction to the gas-price video is a start - but he should challenge McCain in other ways.
Obama should challenge McCain on issues and force him to stutter more about non-existing borders or perhaps mixed-up economic facts. I am looking forward to the TV-duels. Ah, and by the way: why not start a tour of town hall meetings together? I think Barack Obama would really profit from that. However, this is just my idea. The campaign management will know what they do or don't do!
McCain complains - and really doesn't give a good performance.
Obama shrugs of McCain's outbursts and keeps his gentleman composure and his countenance.
Why, then, don't people start flocking behind Obama? Why, then, do so many people still stick to the same old s**t? Why do people still believe in the rethoric of war?
Ah, there we are: Some like their well-seasoned and hung-off meat. Tender with time.
Seems to me that they don't see tender, hung off meat means rotten muscle!
On the other hand: look closely at the statistics - and you will see that Obama is, in fact, not as bad in the race as many say. I still believe in a landslide victory for Obama. Let us hope!
