Organizing for America | The Old Candy Man's Obama Blog

By BobJones - Nov 30th, 2008 at 8:14 am EST

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There is far too much sour grapes and whining about President-Elect Obama's choices and decisions in transition. We are his base and his support. This position does not lend itself to premature judgement and dissatisfaction. We are the team that should be standing firmly behing him as he moves toward solutions that will bring the country together. Get a grip and get onboard again.

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No Time For Negativity

By BobJones - Sep 4th, 2008 at 7:34 am EDT

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The challenges and opportunities that face us in these complicated times cannot be met by using devisive smug sarcasm or sardonic humor. The politicians that are seeking leadership positions in The United States should not stoop to such tactics in these times. I find it impossible to imagine Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt or John F. Kennedy wasting valuable time plotting ways to insult or injure rivals when the most important issues of their time were facing them. Lord Kames of England said that no person did a designed injury to another but at the same time did greater to himself. Honesty and humility are qualities that are in short supply. They are character traits that we must demand in this political season. Our new leaders will guide us through the storm or allow us to perish in its’ wake.

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Making Us Proud

By BobJones - Jul 24th, 2008 at 3:49 pm EDT

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I just watched and listeened to the speech that Senator Obama delivered to the people of Berlin. It is hard to put into words the depth of pride that I feel. My trips to Germany and other European countries have often left me feeling like the connection between our peoples has deteriorated to a point that might make mending them impossible. We have insulted and demeaned our allies. We have taken on the world and engaged in what seems to be empire building. Our President is often greeted with demonstrations. Our flag is often burned in protest. Today that all changed. Barack Obama attracted more than 100,000 enthusiastic people to hear his message of hope and challenges of unity. He was cheered...our flag was waived. It was one of the great speeches of my lifetime. What a promise we have that finally shines in the darkness. This Barack Obama has to be our President. There is no alternative.

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Cheering Crowds & Happy Troops

By BobJones - Jul 20th, 2008 at 7:10 am EDT

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I just finished watching the first round of video clips from Afganistan showing Senator Obama's arrival at Kabul and meeting with US troops. The cheering crowds of people waiting to greet him were not unlike the crowds that we see here. What a contrast to the visits from President Bush. No demonstrations, burning flags, angry mobs. The service men and women were not hostile to the candidate as the Republicans might hope. The troops were gleeful as he met with them and shot hoops (nice shot by the way Barack). His messages were substanative and reflective. This is a great beginning to his trip. For once we have a leader in whom we can be proud.

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Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

By BobJones - Jul 10th, 2008 at 6:48 am EDT

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Senator Obama’s compromise support of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was a blow to many who cherish the constitutional principles of the Fourth Amendment. The text of the amendment reads as something almost sacred saying “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized”. Ronald Reagan began a battering upon The Fourth Amendment in an effort to enhance his so called War On Drugs. The effect has been horrible. An officer of the peace need only suspect the presence of drugs in your home and may ransack your personal belongings and seize your property. Despite the fact that many criminals have been caught with drugs…hundreds and hundreds of innocent people have been victimized. The effect of FISA will continue to haunt us just as reckless Ronny RayGun continues to trample on our civil liberties decades after his assault. THAT SAID…I have great and unfailing trust in Barack Obama. I believe in my heart of hearts that he will fix this when he becomes President. He calls it a compromise. I will live with that. We have a lot to do between now and November. I can agree to disagree with his decision. Obama is the greatest leader to present himself to us in memory. Let’s not lose our focus. Few stand stronger than he does for individual freedom and civil liberty.

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Fourth of July

By BobJones - Jul 4th, 2008 at 9:53 am EDT

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It is a grand celebration of independence and freedom that we offer on The Fourth of July! We have struggled for two hundred and thirty two years in an effort to live-out and to improve upon ideas and dreams of those who courageously stood in defiance of tyranny. We continue to evolve and, as we do so, become the realization of those hopes and passions that drove our ancestors. We create new and beautiful art and literature, music and dance. We advance medicine, science, and technology. We work for social justice and peace. We fight and die in foreign lands. We welcome strangers from borders that are increasingly guarded. We labor long hours at jobs that consume us in order to raise new generations of patriots. We stand for civil rights and The Bill of Rights. We engage in politics and unpopular causes despite the leanings of the majority. We worship or chose not to worship without fear of reprisal. This is The United States of America. May we never cease to appreciate who we are. May we never cease to desire change. May we always strive for improvement.

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Embracing Faith & Politics

By BobJones - Jul 2nd, 2008 at 7:20 am EDT

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Barack Obama outlined a bold initiative in Zanesville, Ohio that would promote a "faith based" program of social justice. For the first time, a candidate has extended the principles of The Beatitudes (Sermon on the Mount) as a matter of policy. We have been arguing about religion for long enough. We build resentments over differences. We become suspect of the beliefs of others. We think that God is on our side. We go to war over it. The prospect of offering the open hand of charity and ecuminism is not new to Senator Obama. He has written extensively on the subject, has been interviewed by many media including Sojourners, the alternative evangelical magazine, and has spoken openly for years about faith in the public square. It is amazing to me that the press has pounced on the Zanesville policy roll-out as some big surprise or some newly hatched pandering to the religious right. I am glad that more attention is being paid to this critical issue. The Regan and Bush (41 & 43) lock step relationship with the powerful right wing Christian minority has served to bully the rest of us for long enough. This is change we can believe in.

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A Word On "What Not To DO"

By BobJones - Jun 24th, 2008 at 7:55 am EDT

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There has been much discussion about the outlandish accusations coming from Republicans and from John McCain himself. This is historic behavior folks. I remember the 1964 campaign (I was 13). My mother was a rabid supporter of Barry Goldwater and spent much of her time at GOP headquarters. Already a family defector of sorts, I found it humorous that there were stacks and stacks of books that were piled up next to each other to be proliferated to the masses. Literally hundreds of paperback copies of Goldwater's autobiography "Conscience of a Conservative" side-by-side with a book about LBJ called "None Dare Call It Treason". The inflammatory second book accused Johnson of more than high crimes and misdemeanors let me tell you. It was gospel truth to the faithful Republicans of the day. How did the LBJ counter the punch? With the most horrible television ad in history. They commissionedtonTony Schwarz, a brilliant advertising man who just recently died to write the famous Daisy Girl A Bomb TV spot. It was horrific. These are the kinds of politics that we can never afford to play. The GOP will come at us with all of the dirt and grime that they can conjure from religion to patriotism to personal attack. We must deal with all of it but never stoop to their level. This is the winning plan.

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We Who Believe In Freedom

By BobJones - Jun 23rd, 2008 at 7:42 am EDT

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Bernice Johnson Reagon and Sweet Honey in the Rock performed the words that ring in the ears of those who thirst for change and are driven to action…We who believe in freedom cannot rest
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes...Those of us who are working for change and driven to action in the campaign to elect Senator Obama must not become burdened by the weight of the oppressors. Our focus has to be almost evangelical in nature. We have to change the hearts and minds of others and we cannot do this by arguing and whining about injustices to our cause. We can be resilient and we can bring Barack Obama to The White House only by continuing to engage in a new kind of politics. When you are attempting to bring someone to our side give this method a try: Agree to treat yourself and others with respect. Find out what conveys respect to other people. Don’t assume you know. Offer and receive information that will encourage each person’s journey toward healing and wholeness. Be open to receiving information about yourself and how you come across. Ask questions and listen. Be honest as you talk about yourself and your feelings. Strive to establish and maintain a connection within yourself and with others. Learn to build trust and nurture connections. Make it a point to be caring and compassionate. Take time being present with and for others. Believe there is hope for each (any everyone) of us to hear the message. Support each other in this belief. We all have the ability to heal, change, and grow. Remember the higher self in each other supports the maintaining of hope. Never become a part of the status quo by indulging in mud slinging and hatred. We are striving for balance so that bad cannot outweigh the good. Register people to vote. Follow the directive of Dr. King in 1965 when he said: “Let us march on ballot boxes, march on ballot boxes until race-baiters disappear from the political arena. Let us march on ballot boxes until the salient misdeeds of bloodthirsty mobs will be transformed into the calculated good deeds of orderly citizens. Let us march on ballot boxes until the Wallaces of our nation tremble away in silence. Let us march on ballot boxes until we send to our city councils, state legislatures, and the United States Congress, men who will not fear to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God. Let us march on ballot boxes until brotherhood becomes more than a meaningless word in an opening prayer, but the order of the day on every legislative agenda. Let us march on ballot boxes until all over Alabama God's children will be able to walk the earth in decency and honor”

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All The Polls Are Up & The Cubbies Are Incredible

By BobJones - Jun 22nd, 2008 at 8:53 am EDT

Also listed in: Chicago Cubs Fans for Obama

This getting up in the morning and looking at Real Clear Politics Polls and NL Standings is like living in the Twilight Zone. There is this incredible hope (should I say a hope that has great audacity?) which is beginning to creep in to my psyche. Could it possible be...that our Cubbies could be...might be...? That Barack Obama could be...might be...? Hey! Hey! Holy Cow! This November has every indication of being the barn burner of all barn burners. Mrs. OLeary ain't seen nothin' yet!

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Beware The Negative Snag

By BobJones - Jun 20th, 2008 at 3:16 am EDT

Also listed in: chicago bears fans for obama! | Chicago Cubs Fans for Obama

Most all of the talk over the past several days has lacked much substance. It is important that the campaign avoids silly mistakes, but the conversation has taken a turn for the unsubstanative. It is so easy to become distracted about what Michelle Obama might have said or meant in talking about "love for America"...what John McCain might have meant when went off to war on the same subject. Parsing words and looking for things that friends or associates have or have not done in former lives is so unimportant to the burning issues that face us today. We are at a turning point in so many critical places. Barack Obama has demonstrated over and over again that he is above the fray in these matters. It is important not to get drawn into the negativism...deal with the issues...and move on. Staying positive and focused is what will win The White House.

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New Polls & Muslim Women

By BobJones - Jun 19th, 2008 at 7:16 am EDT

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Just in case you didn’t see it…Quinnipiac polls were released in on Wednesday and the numbers from Florida, Ohio and PA were remarkable and exciting. For the first time we are compared in a real head to head against John McCain and a clean sweep was delivered. Obama has a 12 point lead in Pennsylvania, six points in Ohio and four points in Florida (our first ever lead in FL by the way). This is the momentum that we can continue to build on. We cannot, however, afford to make absurd blunders like the one made with the Muslim women in Detroit being barred from sitting in the backdrop. This kind of mistake will haunt and plague the goodness of Barack Obama throughout the campaign. Well intentioned staffers need to THINK things all the way to the end. This kind of political sorting to “arrange diversity” for photo ops is ridiculous anyway.

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An Emergency Response Contrast

By BobJones - Jun 18th, 2008 at 7:10 am EDT

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The vision of President Bush staring out of the window of Airforce One as he flew over Katrina raveged Louisiana reminded me of a cow looking at a new gate. My brother had a large ranch in Southeast Colorado. When he would repair or install a new gate and the cattle would return to the area, sometimes several days later, they would stop in their tracks and stare at the vision of this new miracle...an unfamiliar gate...the unknown...frightening. We would have to drive them through the gate to get them to move. It was always funny to see the look on their faces as they stood their blankly staring and bobbing their heads in disbelief. Hence...my Bush and the new gate comparison. I've seen that look before. How amazing to see the contrast this weekend! Senator Obama with his sleeves rolled up filling sand bags in Illinois! How Bush-like his rival, Senator McCain who was hanging out in Texas ignoring the situation. Hmmm. What can we expect from an Obama Presidency? What can we expect from a McCain Presidency. As far as I'm concerned it is getting a little bit tiring having to drive the cattle through the gates.

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Vice President Gore's Endorsement

By BobJones - Jun 17th, 2008 at 6:28 am EDT

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The stirring endorsement of former Vice President Al Gore was more than a vote of confidence and promise to support. This was a challenge to all of us. Our focus has been directed by apparent necessity to the flailing economy and the awful war in Iraq. The two dominate polling and media attention. Gore reminds us that the environment continues to deteriorate and that the legacy we leave will be determined by how we deal with THAT as well as the other issues that have our attention. All three are important...but none can be ignored or placed on a back burner. The GOP is willing to sacrifice the wilderness and destroy more of the planet in the face of the oil shortage by drillling, drilling, drilling. And the polls show that people are starting to buy it. We must not allow the price at the pump to drive us to ruin. They will use our discomfort...once again...to distract and divide. It is up to us to use this hour to make the environment and alternative energy strategies and policies devised by Senator Obama as a centerpiece of every conversation. I know he does not want the VP spot...how about Al Gore for Interior Secretary?

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Who Do We Care About On Father's Day?

By BobJones - Jun 15th, 2008 at 7:39 am EDT

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It is Father's Day! That gives us a perfect opportunity to reflect upon the MOST important issues that face us as we compare and contrast our candidate with John McCain. The issues of war and the economy are often bantered around and treated with almost academic sterility. Personal stories are certainly helpful and statistics give us pause. On Father's Day, though, it occurs to me that the human toll of our greed has never been so apparant. It is not to say that the United States is not generous in foreign aid or lending a hand in times of great need. We have historically led the world in relief efforts. But we must do more. We must choose a President that will lead us into the global light that will not allow 30,000 children around the world to dies each day due to unnecessary poverty and preventable disease. He must realize that our war machine steals food from the mouths of our children as we spend as much money as the rest of the world combined on the war on terror. $752 BILLION since 2001. I suppose it would be fine with Senator McCain to continue this outrage for the next hundred years. It is not fine with us. We are fathers. We will not see this kind of abomination continue. Not while our children are starving to death.

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Tim Russert

By BobJones - Jun 14th, 2008 at 6:44 am EDT

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I was taking a quick look at my email yesterday...quickly deleting the accumulating garbage...when I saw one from NCforObama entitled 'Tim Russert Has Died'. My thought was that "this is not funny". I followed the link to find out that it was true. Tim and I were both born in 1950. He was not someone that I ever met in person but felt like he was one of my high school friends. Routines on Sunday morning revolved around being promptly present with breakfast in front of Tim at 9:00. We never called it Meet The Press. It was a call from the porch to the back yard where I was working from my wife saying "Tim will be on in ten minutes...hurry up!". It almost makes me feel silly now in a way. We sound like my parents. But the truth is...Tim Russert was THAT important. His interviews and discussions were revealing and allowed us to use our own brains. They educated us without dosing us with liberal or conservative values. He was a good natured, sports loving, family man...from my generation. He spoke the truth. There are none like him...and we will miss him greatly.

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McCain and "It Doesn't Matter"

By BobJones - Jun 13th, 2008 at 7:25 am EDT

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If evert there was a time to rise up in support of Barack Obama it is now. Senator McCain has either lost his mind or lost his way. There are so many urgent reasons to rise up for Obama...but this incredible military stand beats them all. We have four months to take action. The consequences are dire.

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Gathering The Faithful

By BobJones - Jun 12th, 2008 at 6:59 am EDT

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Lost in the headlines yesterday was Senator Obama's private gathering of Christian leaders in Chicago on Tuesday. This unprecedented meeting orchestrated by a Democrat was virtually unnoticed by most all of the press. The GOP has been notorious for courting the radical evangelical right wing of Christian faith for decades. Visits to Bob Jones University and Liberty Baptist, gleaning support of the likes of John Hagee, and toady fawning over them all at election time has been standard fare. But this serious get-together for dialogue with Barack Obama was not like all of that. It was said that he discussed the genocide in Darfur, Iraq, gay rights and abortion. He listened…took questions…and talked about his personal journey of faith. The leaders that he chose included T.D. Jakes (who does not endorse candidates), Rich Cizik (vice president of governmental affairs for National Association of Evangelicals), Franklin Graham (son and successor to Billy Graham), Doug Kmiec (conservative Catholic constitutional lawyer) among others who would seem more like rivals than advocates. The point was not that he was seeking endorsements or approval, but rather that he was opening discussions regarding faith and politics. This is so unlike any behavior that we have witnessed from a leader in so long that it seems unbelievable. I can NEVER remember it happening with religion as a centerpiece. Barack Obama is inspirational.

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McCain & Small Business

By BobJones - Jun 11th, 2008 at 6:37 am EDT

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John McCain addressed The Federation of Small Business on Tuesday saying that Senator Obama would be"bad for small business". This comment is yet another out-of-touch and other-reality statement that more than fuels our campaign arsenal. It is downright scary. SMALL business owners, like myself, are relatively unaffected by NAFTA in our day to day operations. The tax advantages that he offers us affect only LARGE business with tax atvantages that have little effect on mom & pop operations and LLCs. I frankly wonder if John McCain knows what a SMALL business is! We struggle with under ten employees and find it almost impossible to afford healh insurance benefits, payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, social security, benefit packages and on and on. It is increasingly difficult for our employees to afford to drive to work every day but we can't afford to give them raises. Our business gains in value...we have capital gains taxes...and John McCain thinks I'm worried about NAFTA. It's reminds me of George H.W. Bush admitting that he had no idea how much groceries cost because he hadn't been in a super market in years or his son not knowing how much gasoline cost a few weeks ago. Republicans just don't get it. The view from the top of the mountain is good, I am sure. Kicking rocks down on us scrambling little suckers trying to get a foothold must keep them pretty busy.

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A "Second Carter Term"

By BobJones - Jun 10th, 2008 at 7:09 am EDT

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John McCain revealed in an interview with Brian Williams last night just how out-of-touch he really is ONCE AGAIN with the Here and Now. He chortled that perhaps Senator Obama was running for a second "Jimmy Carter term". The chortle is becoming embarrassing...the fact that voters born after 1966 barely remember President Carter or that those under 28 were not even ALIVE during his presidency probably doesn't register with Senator McCain. After all, he still aligns himself with Ronald Regan. Not long ago I heard him talking somewhat longingly about Theodore Roosevelt. Despite all of this, I am not so sure that President Carter is such a bad role model anyway. He revived a long-dormant practice of presidential mediation in disputes between other nations, something every succeeding chief executive has emulated to varying degrees. His insistence on American leadership in the protection of human rights around the world helped to subvert the power of communist and other dictatorial regimes, and eventually led to the human rights initiatives of the 1980s and 1990s. Not bad for a start. I would rather be compared to Carter than Bush if I had my druthers.

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