Scholars for Obama

LOW INFORMATION CANDIDATE

Adoyo — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:00:14 EDT

A little while ago, I claimed to be a LIV (low information voter) because, although I have followed the campaign and familiarized myself with the positions of the candidates, I make no claims to policy expertise or strategic experience. If you will recall, I said I chose my candidate primarily on ethical grounds: how concerned is he about the wellbeing of the citizenry and how respectful is he of its agency? I elected to leave the details of policy and governing (his natural purview) to him.

Then I saw this today: Charlie Gibson's interview with Sarah Palin. It forced me to revise my previous self assesment and focus on a different, less talked about player in the political arena:

THE LOW INFORMATION CANDIDATE

Exhibit A:

Palin's ABC Interview: Stumped On Bush Doctrine, Seems To Contradict McCain On Pakistan (VIDEO)

Unlike many academics, I don't believe that intelligence is equivalent to having facts on the tip of your tongue. I believe that intelligence is manifest in what you do with the information you have. In any case, you have to have the information to begin with and I believe that only the irresponsible or the arrogant don't bother with that basic step. And I don't think it matters how clever a person thinks they are, or how smart other people believe them to be - irresponsible arrogance only spells disaster.

You spend enough time with high school students, zealous undergrads and overwrought grad students and your BeeEss detector gets very finely calibrated. I had to go into emergency shutdown because of a systems overload while watching the tortured non-responses Gov. Palin rained down on the mercifully understated Mr. Gibson during the interview. I stll see O.M.G. flashing when I close my eyes.

Huff Po has some other editorials on the incident:

Sarah Palin's Charlie Gibson ABC Interview: Video And Transcript

Sarah Palin, The Bush Doctrine, and Why It's Smart To Be Dumb

I also recommend Harry Frankfurter's "On Bullshit", a compact essay on the nature of BeeEss. Here's an excerpt:

"It is impossible for someone to lie unless her thinks he knows the truth. Producing bullshit requires no such conviction. A person who lies is thereby responding to the truth, and he is to that extent respectful of it. When an honest man speaks, he says only what he believes to be true, and for the liar, it is correspondingly indispensable that he considers his statements to be false. For the bullshitter, however, all these bets are off [...] He does not care whether the things he says describe reality correctly. He just picks them out, or makes them up, to suit his purpose."

Cheers all
-Adoyo

Arianna Huffington: Revisiting Empathy

Adoyo — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 07:49:06 EDT

Good morning All,

I happened upon this clip of Arianna Huffington voicing key important ethical questions that point to why so many people have responded to the Obama campaign. Please share it with folks around you. I really believe these are teh questions people care about.

ARIANNA ON CINDY McCAIN'S RNC COMMENTS

PREMISE: Mrs. McCain said that [during natural disasters] we must take off our Republican hats and put on out American hats.

Key excerpts of Arianna's questions:

Why did we ever take off our American hats, why do we only need to put them back on when there is a natural disaster facing us?
Why are we ALL ONLY threatened when the threat is a natural disaster?
Why not when it is a life-threatening illness where one of us does not have health care?
Why not when a child is suddenly struck by gang violence in the inner city?
Why not when millions are losing their homes in foreclosures?
Why are these not threats that also affect us all?

These are some of the questions Barack Obama has put before the nation for over a year and a half because they are among the most importat ones that need to be addressed. (**See excerpt of his 2004 DNC Keynote Address below)

A lot of people, especially politicians, like to pick and choose when to remember that we are all in this together. Usually it is when they have no choice because to do otherwise would incite public outrage, or, seeming to care gets them brownie points. The rest of the time they prefer to barricade themselves in rigidly alienating ideology, refusing to acknowledge that anyone who feels differently can have any relevance to their lives. And the overwhelming attitudes are indifference or anatgonism, which is perhaps why you see such poeple use demeaning or scorched earth tactics against their opponents.

What of Empathy?

If you go back all the way to the 2004 DNC Keynote Address, you will find Senator Obama answering all of Arianna's questions: we are all in this together all the time**. Even if you prefer to strip away all religious connotations, you will find the fundamental principles of ethics as spelled out by Aristotle (my other favorite Greek) even 2500 years ago at the core of Obama's campaign.

So I maintain that whether or not we agree on big and small issues, your well being is inextricably tied to my well being; it is always in my best interest to make those choices that benefit us both, or at the very least refrain from inflicting gratuitous injury upon you, rather than those choices that cause you harm while ostensibly benefitting me.

You and I could disagree, but it does me no good to treat you badly.

Sincerely, Adoyo

** EXCERPT from Barack Obama's DNC Keynote Address, 2004 (Paragraphs 12, 13)

It's not enough for just some of us to prosper. For alongside our famous individualism, there's another ingredient in the American saga.
A belief that we are connected as one people. If there's a child on the south side of Chicago who can't read, that matters to me, even if it's not my child. If there's a senior citizen somewhere who can't pay for her prescription and has to choose between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it's not my grandmother. If there's an Arab American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due process, that threatens my civil liberties. It's that fundamental belief - I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper - that makes this country work. It's what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family. "E pluribus unum." Out of many, one.
Yet even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes. Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America - there's the United States of America. There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America. The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and have gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported it. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.

SOURCE: Barack Obama's DNC Keynote Address, 2004

I worry that the false ads have impact because...

Adoyo — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:30:51 EDT

... most people do not go out in search of facts or sound arguments. Rather, they let information find them.

And when it is delivered by established news sources, then the receiver's threshhold of skepticism is considerably lower than it might otherwise be.

Since whatever is sensationtional is what gets talked about, the "Celebrity" narrative that the McCain campaign has been developing - insistently and consistently - is what is going to reach people. Never mind that the "substabtive" policy related portions of these ads are entirely false. The things we hear shape our opinions and inform our choices. Someone tuning into the campaign season now is going to see and hear this story told everywhere not just by McCain, but by the news outlets who talk about it, and it is going to affect the way they think about their choice at the ballot.

In these past 18 months we have seen how easily misinformed people can become: a message that starts out simple and clear one day - that then has to make its way through an savage obstacle course of noisey gaffes/scandals/distractions and patent lies - ends up mangled and distorted, mishapen and full of static, so much so that what the receiver hears has not the remotest resemblance to what the initial messenger said.

The McCain campaign obviously knows this, and they are exploiting it for all its worth. They have now managed to get the antichrist meme into Time magazine. So what started out months ago as an outlandishly fringe fear mongering fantasy that made its way through individual email boxes has now made its way into an established news medium where it will automatically enjoy some measure of credibility for many readers.

The irony here is that McCain's campaign get to saddle Obama with their own characteristics: they portray him as frightening and devoid of empathy and substance by running a frightening campaign devoid of substance and empathy.

Obama à la découverte d'une Europe déjà conquise

Adoyo — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:09:59 EDT

You gotta love the love Le Figaro is showering on Senator Obama. [I apologize in advance for posting untranslated texts - I'm a bit squeezed for time. Just know it's all good.]

Angela Merkel accueille jeudi Barack Obama à Berlin. AFP En dépit du flou qui entoure sa stratégie européenne, Barack Obama, jeudi à Berlin, dispose d'une vraie cote d'amour tant en Allemagne qu'en France ou en Grande-Bretagne.

C'est en terrain conquis que Barack Obama poursuit jeudi son périple. Car à quatre mois de la présidentielle américaine, l'Europe a déjà voté Obama. Avec un enthousiasme inversement proportionnel à l'antipathie que George W. Bush inspire au Vieux Continent. Quitte à ce que cet emballement ne finisse par se retourner contre le candidat démocrate comme ce fut le cas pour John Kerry en 2004. Conscient du risque, Obama évitera les bains de foule et se limitera à des rencontres avec les dirigeants des pays visités.

Cette tournée européenne commence à Berlin. Obama s'est entretenu avec la chancelière Angela Merkel et prononcera en fin d'après-midi, devant la «Colonne de la Victoire», un discours public qui a déjà soulevé une vague de nostalgie chez ceux tentés de voir en Obama un nouvel avatar de John Kennedy. Demain, il fera une brève escale à Paris et rencontrera Nicolas Sarkozy avant de s'envoler pour Londres.

Dans chacune de ces capitales, les opinions publiques l'ont plébiscité. Selon un sondage de l'institut américain Pew Research Center publié le 16 juillet, 84 % de Français, 82 % d'Allemands, 74 % de Britanniques et 72 % d'Espagnols font confiance au sénateur de l'Illinois. Son rival John McCain ne recueille que 33 % d'opinions favorables en France et en Allemagne, 44 % en Grande-Bretagne, 19 % en Espagne.

Exacte antithèse de Bush

Une vague d'«obamania» qui pourrait se mesurer à l'aune des innombrables comités de soutien apparus sur le Web, aux tee-shirts à l'effigie d'Obama qui ont envahi les rues de Berlin ou à une couverture médiatique qui lui ont permis d'éclipser sans peine son adversaire républicain. Au point, remarque Charlotte Lepri, chercheur à l'Institut des relations internationales et stratégiques (Iris), que «lo rsque McCain est venu à Paris (à la mi-mars), un grand quotidien national français a fait sa couverture sur Obama» .

Pourquoi un tel engouement ? L'impopularité de l'Administration Bush est devenue telle, répond Justin Vaïsse, chercheur à la Brookings Institution, «qu'un démocrate générique aurait été de toute façon le favori des Européens ». Mais Obama n'est évidemment pas n'importe quel démocrate. Dès novembre 2002, il exprimait sa différence en s'opposant résolument à la guerre en Irak. Sa jeunesse, son charisme, son atypie, ses idées progressistes sur les questions de société ont séduit les Européens qui le perçoivent comme l'exacte antithèse de Bush et le vrai candidat du changement. Bref, explique Barthélémy Courmont, spécialiste des États-Unis à l'Iris, «il incarne ce fameux rêve américain auquel les Européens ont encore envie de croire».

De même, son pragmatisme en matière de politique étrangère devrait combler les attentes des capitales européennes. Privilégiant comme ces dernières le soft power et une approche moins manichéenne des crises internationales, le jeune sénateur de l'Illinois préconise un désengagement des forces américaines en Irak et l'instauration d'un dialogue avec les «États voyous», l'Iran au premier chef. «Il s'est dit par exemple favorable à une conférence régionale impliquant Damas, Téhéran et Bagdad, rappelle Charlotte Lepri. Il s'est aussi déclaré ouvert à des discussions avec la Corée du Nord ou Cuba sans précondition.»

Restaurer l'image de l'Amérique dans le monde

Avec McCain, il partage l'ambition de restaurer l'image de l'Amérique dans le monde et prône un multilatéralisme de nature à rassurer l'Europe «même, remarque Justin Vaïsse, s'il donne à ce terme un contenu qui n'est pas forcément celui que les Européens souhaiteraient », car son objectif, poursuit Barthélémy Courmont, reste de «renforcer l'influence américaine dans le monde». Mais alors que McCain doute de la gravité du changement climatique, Obama rejoint les Européens sur des dossiers tels que le réchauffement de la planète ou la politique énergétique.

Concrètement, l'Europe attend d'Obama qu'il ratifie un certain nombre de traités internationaux en suspens tels que le protocole de Kyoto, le traité sur les mines antipersonnel ou celui sur l'interdiction complète des essais nucléaires (CTBC). En échange, Obama compte sur les Européens pour s'impliquer davantage en Afghanistan, sa priorité. Reste à savoir si, sur tous ces dossiers, les promesses du candidat résisteraient à l'épreuve du pouvoir et aux pressions des lobbys qu'il dérange.

Obama a tout pour plaire, sauf que l'obamania qui a saisi le Vieux Continent occulte un pesant silence de l'intéressé sur… l'Europe. «Contrairement à McCain qui, lors de sa tournée européenne, a largement développé le thème d'un pacte global entre l'UE et les États-Unis, Obama n'a pratiquement rien dit jusqu'ici sur la construction européenne et les relations transatlantiques, souligne Charlotte Lepri. Mais il est vrai que cette question indiffère les Américains.»

L'Europe aime Obama, mais Obama aime-t-il l'Europe ? C'est un peu la question posée en juin par Der Spiegel dans un article intitulé «Le problème européen d'Obama». Le magazine allemand y rappelait notamment que le sénateur Obama avait fait preuve d'une regrettable incurie lorsqu'il présidait, l'an dernier, un sous-comité du sénat chargé des affaires européennes…

Nachtrichten von Berlin (fur die Deutschsprachige Welt)

Adoyo — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:53:32 EDT

Einege video von Der Spiegel (viel Vergnügen!)

And for the rest of us, a brief piece from Deutschwelle about How Ex-Pat Americans in Berlin feel about Obama and McCain

More Photos from the Mid-East tour

Adoyo — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:53:15 EDT

This one's from Politico:

Mid-East tour slide show.

Anticipation, Griping Increases Before Obama Speech in Berlin

Adoyo — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:12:42 EDT

Anticipation, Griping Increases Before Obama Speech in Berlin

The "Obama show," as one newspaper calls it, is set to take Berlin by storm on Thursday, July 24. But a small minority is questioning whether the Democratic candidate can live up to the hype -- or justify the costs.

In the build-up to what is probably the most anticipated American campaign speech ever held on foreign soil, one of Berlin's main city magazines offered its readership cut-out American flags to wave at Barack Obama's planned address...[check it out on Dwelle.de]

...

Also check out the photo gallery in Der Spiegel:

Preparations involve finding ways to show one's support. There are 13,000 Americans living in the city who might be fighting Germans and others for space to hear the candidate speak.

Fans have begun handing out cards advertising the speach. No tickets are required, but you'll save yourself a lot of headaches if you don't brings any banners, bags or placards. They're banned!

After much wrangling between federal and city officials, the Obama camp chose to deliver the speech at the Siegessäule, or Victory Column, which sits on a traffic circle in the middle of the Tiergarten, the city's central park.

Pictures from Obama's Mid-East tour

Adoyo — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:52:53 EDT

Reuters has published some great photos from the Mid-East tour. Here are a couple I rather like:

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (R) meets with Israeli President Simon Peres in Jerusalem, July 23, 2008.

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama rekindles the eternal flame, commemorating the six million Jews killed by the Nazis in the Holocaust, during his visit to the Yad Vashem Memorial in Jerusalem July 23, 2008.

See more and read article here: Obama assures Israel he's a friend

"La campagne de Barack Obama est l'incarnation de son message"

Adoyo — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:53:04 EDT

[From Le Monde]

Lors d'une conférence donnée à Sciences Po Paris, Dave Senay, le CEO [chef exécutif] de la compagnie de communication institutionnelle Fleishman Hillard est revenu sur les innovations de la campagne de Barack Obama en matière de communication politique.

Selon Dave Senay, l'apparition de la publicité politique à la télévision avait instauré une distance entre le public et la campagne : les équipes se concentraient sur une petite élite capable de financer les spots télévisés qui atteindraient ensuite l'ensemble de la population, plutôt que sur un échange personnel avec les électeurs potentiels. Mais "les nouvelles avancées technologiques ont permis aux campagnes de repasser dans un face-à-face avec les électeurs, même s'il a lieu dans un monde virtuel".

HOWARD DEAN, PRÉCURSEUR DE BARACK OBAMA

Le premier candidat à avoir utilisé les ressources d'Internet aux Etats-Unis est Howard Dean, en 2004, en créant meetup.com pour permettre à ses supporters online de se rencontrer. Barack Obama a réussi là où Howard Dean a échoué, en transformant l'enthousiasme du monde virtuel en action dans le monde réel.

Dave Senay estime qu'Howard Dean n'avait pas les outils dont dispose M. Obama mais qu'il a tiré le maximum de ceux dont il disposait à l'époque. "Barack Obama permet aux électeurs de faire partie à part entière de l'équipe de campagne, ce qui était inimaginable pour l'époque d'Howard Dean, or cette évolution a été rendue possible par l'explosion des réseaux sociaux : en 2004, Facebook n'était qu'un jeu pour quelques étudiants d'Harvard, Myspace venait à peine d'être lancé et Youtube n'existait pas encore."

LE SYSTÈME OBAMA

Pour M. Senay, le succès de la communication politique de Barack Obama se résume en trois avantages : d'abord, tout comme Ronald Reagan était le candidat de la télévision, Barack Obama est parfaitement adapté au média Internet : "Il est jeune, débrouillard, charismatique, beau, bon communicant, bref c'est un bon produit."

Ensuite, sa campagne dispose d'une réelle expertise des réseaux sociaux, en ayant notamment engagé Chris Hughes, l'un des fondateurs de Facebook. En plus de gérer avec beaucoup d'attention le compte Facebook et le compte Myspace du sénateur, son équipe a créé son propre réseau social, mybarackobama.com, où sont inscrits plus d'un million de participants.

Enfin, la communication de Barack Obama donne à l'électeur l'impression qu'il est un responsable à part entière de la campagne du candidat. Et Dave Senay de citer en exemple un de ses amis qui, la semaine précédente, a croisé une dame à Washington DC brandissant une pancarte sur laquelle on pouvait lire "Vente de gâteaux pour Obama". La politique redevient personnelle, l'équipe de campagne guidant et donnant les outils aux supporters pour qu'ils s'investissent dans la direction souhaitée.

Ce système s'est avéré plus que profitable pour les primaires : "Les caucus ont montré l'efficacité de la campagne basée sur les réseaux sociaux en ligne. Il y fallait plus de supporters à un moment critique où un plus petit nombre de gens pouvait influencer un résultat très important."

OBAMA INCARNE SON MESSAGE

Le secret du succès de Barack Obama réside aussi dans le fait que son message, résumé dans le seul mot "Change" (changement), est très attractif. D'après un sondage réalisé par MSNBC et le Wall Street Journal le 11 juin, 54 % des Américains estiment que les Etats-Unis "sont à un moment où il est important de chercher une personne qui apportera de gros changements aux politiques actuelles, même si cette personne a moins d'expérience". De plus, 42 % pensent qu'il vaut mieux une personne "plus expérimentée, même si cette personne apporte moins de changements aux politiques actuelles".

D'après Dave Senay, si le changement gagne contre l'expérience "c'est parce que Barack Obama et sa campagne incarnent son message", les nouvelles technologies permettant aux gens de changer la dynamique de la campagne en y participant. M. Obama lui-même ne s'attendait pas à cette interaction, comme il l'expliquait début juin : "Je n'anticipais pas à quel point nous pourrions utiliser Internet pour capter notre base 'grassroots' sur les plans financier et organisationnel. Je pense que ça a été l'une des plus grandes surprises de la campagne, à quel point notre message a fusionné avec le 'réseautage' social et le pouvoir d'Internet."

Si l'équipe de campagne du sénateur parvient à étendre cette fusion, "à inclure les 18 millions de supporters d'Hillary Clinton dans le message", alors "sa présence en ligne représentera un outil très puissant pour les élections générales également".

UNE STRATÉGIE DE COMMUNICATION AVEC DES RISQUES

Ce nouveau modèle de communication implique d'abandonner une certaine dose de contrôle puisque la campagne est menée par de nombreux intervenants qui ne sont pas sous les ordres directs de stratèges. Face à l'opportunité d'atteindre un public sans le filtre des médias traditionnels, demeure le risque de voir le système se retourner contre Barack Obama.

Lundi 30 juin, le New York Times a relayé les plaintes de blogueurs anti-Obama qui se pensent censurés par Google. Ces blogueurs hébergés par Google ont reçu un e-mail la semaine précédente, expliquant que leurs sites avaient été identifiés comme des spams potentiels. D'après les blogueurs, Google a été victime des activistes pro-Obama, qui se sont servis d'une faille du système Google pour qualifier les blogs de spams. Jusqu'à maintenant, la campagne Obama a réussi à se positionner comme non responsable des actions de ses supporters, mais le camp républicain pourrait chercher à tirer profit du manque de contrôle de l'équipe démocrate sur ses électeurs.

D'autre part, même si la campagne du candidat est très innovatrice, "elle est toujours menée du haut vers le bas. Barack Obama met tous ses supporters dans le même train que lui, mais ceux assis au fond du train n'ont toujours rien à dire sur la manière dont le véhicule avance. Ils pourraient en vouloir à Obama, avoir l'impression que la campagne n'en veut qu'à leur vote et pas à leurs idées", estime Dave Senay.

Si le sénateur est élu et qu'il ne fait pas ce que les gens attendent de lui, le mécanisme qui l'a porté au sommet pourrait bien le descendre. Barack Obama a déjà pu s'en rendre compte quand des internautes énervés ont créé un groupe au sein même de mybarackobama.com pour lui demander de tenir sa parole, et de voter contre une loi accordant l'immunité aux compagnie de télécommunication ayant collaboré à des écoutes ordonnées par le gouvernement Bush.

Cécile Dehesdin

A Historic Moment

Adoyo — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:33:07 EDT

Chris Matthews, Chuck Todd and Andrea Mitchel discuss the significance of Obama's nomination. Todd describes Obama's victory as the greatest political upset in history

I Will Be the Nominee

Adoyo — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:30:42 EDT

Barack Obama celebrates achieving the democratic nomination for President

America History has met 2008!

Adoyo — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:27:39 EDT

The Celebration continues!

This is Our Moment

Adoyo — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:24:16 EDT

Barack Obama claims the nomination

Florida & Michigan: A Critical Perspective

Adoyo — Mon, 26 May 2008 10:05:28 EDT

Recount II: Return to the Swamp
by The Editors (TNR)
[also worth reading: Marty Peretz and TNR readers' comments about HRC's dogwhistle tactics]

It is usually a mistake to read too deeply into the character of a presidential candidate on the basis of some tactical maneuver or grubby compromise. Anybody who was a saint wouldn't be in the position of running for the White House. And yet, Hillary Clinton's speech last week in Florida was so audacious, so divorced from reality, that it begs characterological questions.

The Gender Card: the task ahead...

Adoyo — Sun, 25 May 2008 15:41:40 EDT

Hello Everyone,

I have read several comments on the 'net affirming that Senator Clinton's campaign and particularly her tactics over the past few months have contributed to undermining a lot of the progress society as a whole (not just the female half) has made toward a gender-equitable future. Some people cite the mismanagement of her campaign, some her sensationally mercurial behavior, and still others speculate about her relationships with key male figures in her life.

Whatever you may wish to think of her, we can all recognize that this campaign season - for all that is at stake this year and because of all the dramatic turns - has been nerve-wracking for all. So we can only just begin to imagine how taxing it has been and continues to be on the principals.

I am personally truly proud of the way Senator Obama has acquitted himself through it all. He stands as an example and an inspiration to all of us in his grace, intelligence, good humor and generosity of spirit.

I sincerely wish Senator Clinton could have allowed herself to be as inspired by him as so many around the country and around the world have been. I imagine (perhaps mistakenly) that had she let herself recognize Senator Obama's strength as a human being and allowed herself to follow his lead by responding to the strain of the campaign with grace, intelligence and an even temper, many - women and men, young and old alike - would happily have accorded her the respect she has earned in her capacity as a tireless public servant.

I understand that her repeated failure to rise to the occasion is what leads so many to take the liberty of speaking so poorly of her. Nonetheless, I think, I hope we can recognize and accept that even when someone betrays our hopes, we still treat them well. Even if you may think that she does not deserve such consideration, surely we need not abandon our own aspirations to be our better selves for the low and fleeting satisfaction of mocking a fellow human being - a fellow woman - especially in what appears to be the twighlight of her struggle? For if she has indeed set society back in its quest for gender equality, we all have our work cut out for us in repairing the damage and continuing to rise - as individuals and as communities.

Adoyo

Wow! John Edwards takes a giant step toward reunited the Dems!

Adoyo — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:30:39 EDT

I am listening to John Edward's speech at his endorsement of Barack Obama for President i Grand Rapids, MI, and I am more impressed that I can say.

See the whole endorsement on MSNBC (20 mins)

What I like best about this announcement is the way he structured his speech:

- First he praises Hillary generously, highlighting the best things about her reasons for running. Oddly, he manages to make a better case for her than she has been able to do to date. I believe what he says about her caring about the issues that affect ordinary people. Yet for some reason, even though I wanted to hear Hillary communicate this message, I never actually heard her do so. So much of her attention has been focused on crippling Obama that in the end, I could not see that she stood for anythind besides kneecaping her opponents.

- Second, while he recalls the main themes of his own campaign - particularly about battlig economic injustice - and does it with a passion that equals that we have seen before, somehow it feels less desperate, less inaccessibly angry, than it did when he gave his victory speech in Iowa back in January.

- Third, he winds up with a moving and compelling endorsement of Barack Obama for President, impressively melding the narrative of his campaign with the narrative of Barack Obama. He moves from his criticism of Two Americas to an aspiration for One America - Barack Obama's foundational basis.

- Finally he calls for reconciliation and a healing of deep divisions in a way that echos Barack Obama's own message clearly.

Thank you Senator Edwards, and congratulations Senator Obama!

Obama - A Christian by Faith

Adoyo — Tue, 13 May 2008 06:40:22 EDT

Notes up for responses to this NYT OP-ED piece.

The main problem with Edward N. Luttwak's opinion piece President Apostate is that it takes a completely ahistorical view of the Obama family history and ignores the facts of the Senator's own life.

Obama (père and fils) should be identified first and foremost by ethnicity, in this case Luo - a point Luttwak completely misses. Islam, for its part, is a religion and not an ethnicity; it is neither genetic nor physiological. It was introduced to the Luo from without, just as the Anglican Church was introduced by the English. If Obama Sr. - who repudiated HIS father's religion which was not a historically integral part of the Luo identity - was not a muslim, how can anyone insist that his son is muslim by virtue of patrimony?

Luttwak also makes the mistake of ignoring one of the central principles of Christian conversion: in becoming a Christian, a person becomes just that, a Christian - not a former or half ro previous something else. Among the most important things a Christian can do is DECLARE his or her own FAITH. Any Christian will tell you that is is by Faith one becomes a Christian. And one of the ways a Christian helps spread the the Good News is by honoring the fraternity of mankind through good works. Senator Obama describes his own moment of conversion in Dreams of my Father:

Inside the thousands of churches across the city, I imagined the stories of ordinary black people merging with the stories of David and Goliath, Moses and Pharaoh, the Christians in the lion's den, Ezekiel's field of dry bones. [...] Those stories — of survival, and freedom, and hope — became our story, my story.

And he has continually honored the fraternity of humanity by embracing public service as a vocation. It is singularly irresponsible of Luttwick to ignore the history and the story of the man in favor of doctrinal esoterica in his arbitrary redefinition of a man whose every word and action speak for themselves.

Adoyo

All I Hope (Obama in 60 Seconds)

Adoyo — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:03:42 EDT

Hello Everyone,

So I made a simple 60 second video that responds to the recent rain of brouhaha that has been coming down on our heads.

All I hope (Obama in 60 Seconds)

The purpose of the video is to focus on what is best about Barack Obama's campaign: the joy of possibility, the power of optimism and the excitement of hope. I hope you enjoy it. And please share it with your friends.

All I Hope (Obama in 60 Seconds)

Adoyo — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:00:56 EDT

Hello Everyone,

So I made a simple 60 second video that responds to the recent rain of brouhaha that has been coming down on our heads.

All I hope (Obama in 60 Seconds)

All I Hope (Obama in 60 Seconds)

Adoyo — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:00:51 EDT

Hello Everyone,

So I made a simple 60 second video that responds to the recent rain of brouhaha that has been coming down on our heads.

All I hope (Obama in 60 Seconds)

All I Hope (Obama in 60 Seconds)

Adoyo — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:00:42 EDT

Hello Everyone,

So I made a simple 60 second video that responds to the recent rain of brouhaha that has been coming down on our heads.

All I hope (Obama in 60 Seconds)

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (1)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 05:00:34 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's what folks are saying:

Wonderful author. Wonderful work of theater. Wonderful candidate. WONDERFUL IDEA!!! (Nathan)
I'm passionate about Obama and I like roses a bunch (AND I live in Portland, which is The City of Roses), so I will follow suit and adorn myself with roses from now on :o) (Nancy)
Great idea, i like the peace rose......a real beauty. (T.)
I have been looking for a way to show my support for Barack, without getting into peoples face, this idea is perfect,thank you and I will be wearing a rose from now until he is in the white house. (Joyce)
I'll be glad to wear a rose for Barack! What a wonderful idea. Thank you. (Merrilee)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (2)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:59:32 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

More feedback. Why? The more, the merrier!

Wonderful idea! It is uncanny that I live in the Portland Metro area of Oregon... Portland is coined as "The City of Roses". (Joanna)
I'm taking care of my mum with cancer,but if possible,I shall definitely attend.But if not there in physical form,you can count on me in Spirit1(Hey!At least that's something!)And i shall PROUDLY wear a variety of sizes,colours,and materials of roses all~the~while.What an inspired thought!!! Namaste' (Audrey)
I don't wear lapels but I get it. Wear a pin whenever you are in public. I have to get one. I don't get out much. (Donald)
AWESOME! (Mayra Angelica)
Fabulous idea! Especially since I am an Obama Mom living in England. I have just joined an Obama group and I'll be sure to bring roses to our meeting tonight in London! (Carol)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (3)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:58:36 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's evem more of what folks are saying:

Great idea! I will start wearing my rose today! (Lee Ann)
As a lifelong Malian, I am proud that we're battling marginalization based on ethnic names. It is a sorry fact that in the narrow view of many who advocate the culture wars, the beauty of a name with an interesting or diverse history is completely invisible. Let's reverse that by celebrating what a great name Hussein is - hey, my uncle is named Hasan and he's a Chinese Christian (Jasmine)
Nice idea (Jessica)
Of course! Thank you for such a simple,effective way to undermine the negativity! Blessings, (Cassie)
Although I do not wear pins. I did use your icon with a link back to the event several times. Thanks, (Mary)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (4)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:50:04 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Some more of what folks are saying:

I'll wear a rose (Connie)
What an awesome idea !! I will proudly wear a rose !! (Dawn)
I am very surprised that this is an issue. Equal opportunity and a right to pursue happiness, justice for all? I have believed in this ever since I read the U.S. constitution a couple of decades ago. It never mentioned only folks with Western, Christian names were included in the equation. There is a lot in a name, and for me, Barack Hussein Obama as the name for the one who is uniting us is the best name there can be. I will wear my rose proudly! (Kirsten)
Great Idea (Karanja)
i like this..thank you (Roseann)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (5)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:49:13 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's what folks are saying:

I love this idea. I will wear a rose proudly wherever I go and welcome the chance to explain why I'm wearing it. Thank you for organizing this. (Jody)
Great idea. I love it. Will pass the word. sTAY iN pEACE (Zax)
Finally, an event that does not require a gas guzzler to attend! (Karen)
simply brilliant! (Julie)
This is an amazing idea. You are doing a wonderful thing! (Holly)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (6)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:48:11 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

More feedback. Why? The more, the merrier!

Thanks - I dehydrate and preserve roses ... so this is a special action with many blessings. With Love - (Devavati)
I won't be able to do it constantly but I will make an effort to do it some and to explain to people what it stands for and why I am doing it. (George)
great idea! (Darlene)
Great idea! (Kristine)
I still have hope in my heart. "I'm In" for the duration. (Elizabeth)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (7)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:47:31 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's evem more of what folks are saying:

Great idea! (Tresa)
I will proudly being wearing a rose pin - the National Flower of the United States right next to my Obama '08 pin! What a beautiful idea! (Christine)
YES! A rose indeed will sit on my desk as a reminder. Now until election day!!! (Bethany)
How sweet it is!!! (Kathleen)
A beautiful idea, and I imagine very effective. I'm looking forward to responding to questions about it! (Lauren)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (8)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:46:15 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Some more of what folks are saying:

I love Roses! I will spread the word! (Vicki)
Thank you for this wonderful idea! :) Greetings from Brazil to you! (Marta)
I am glad to be part of this Movement with all the special people of this country (Roxanna)
This is a great idea. We need all the ideas that we can think of to keep the energy moving for this future of our country! (Mikel)
Thanks ... a great idea. (Joyce)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (9)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:45:22 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's what folks are saying:

Hi! I've been trying to find an origami folding instruction on how to make a rose. None of the books I've looked at have one. Can you send us diagrams and instructions please? Thanks (Elizabeth)
Lovely idea! (Denise)
Great idea, even though I feel the negativity is stupid. Would anyone think that Barack was a serial killer if his middle name was Ted (Bundy)? Someone should clue in England as well. After all Prince Charles carries the same first name as "Manson". My mother, neice, and myself will be wearing a different color rose on our lapels for each day of the week. Obama Supporter (Lisa)
What a wonderful idea! We need to find a way to carry it through to the general election!! Let me know if I can help! (Jill)
Great, easy way to talk about this message! Thanks (Martha)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (10)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:44:31 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

More feedback. Why? The more, the merrier!

Thanks! (Adam)
What the American people, especially me, the disinterested voter, truly cares about is the integrity and intelligence of Senator Obama. For sure, he will still be the inspiring leader that he is even if you change his name to John Doe! Let us reframe the issue surrounding Senator Obama's middle name. Won't it be something if we all, supporters of the Senator Obama Movement, put "Hussein" as we blog or log in into our webpages as our middle name? That will send our message to the entire nation and to the world at large for all Americans worldwide to see that his integrity and concern to change the government to a good is what matters! We all know that what really matters is the content of his character. Shakespeare said so! "Barack Obama, regardless of his name, would still be the same leader who has inspired a whole nation with hope and instilled in us a real sense of agency by his exemplary dedication to public service." As what the Senator said, "Let's all SPEAK for the best interest of our country
This is the best idea I have heard since a few minutes ago when Barack said in response to Hillary's offer of VP that He was running to be COMMANDER IN CHIEF !!!!!!!!! I am thrilled to be a rose wearer for this important purpose and will pass the invitation along to my groups. I recieved the email smear the day before the New Hamshire Primary and have been waging my fight for the truth ever since. It is great to have so many united for this purpose. I want to send Michelle and the girls and dozen roses on March 11 at 12:oo a.m. (Karen Chapman)
Beautiful idea.(Amylouise)
God Bless You! (Phoenix)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (11)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:43:49 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's evem more of what folks are saying:

I think this is just a wonderful idea! Thanks for thinking of it! I will wear my rose with PRIDE! At my county convention, that is!!! GO HOPE!!! (Mindy)
Be safe, strong, and encouraged! (George)
This is an AWESOME idea! Could I put this link on our website which will be dedicated to all efforts to support Sen. Obama. It is called nationforchange.com and will be up this week. I would also like to add this link to on our Facebook Group called "Nation for Change --Yes We Can" page? If you would e-mail me personally to let me know, I would greatly appreciate it. (Tracy)
Love the idea and we are in. Beautiful!!! (Laura)
Awesome! (Diana)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (12)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:43:07 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Some more of what folks are saying:

Awesome Idea!
I'll wear my rose at work (barn yard) on my coveralls at the store and to church (Ronald)
His middle name comes from a HERO of ancient Islam. Husayn same as Hassein/Hussein, common as "JACK" or "JOHN" in the western world, the whole idea of demonising him for that name is stupid. Don't feed the problem, teach the truth. (Jeff)
This is very timely. I was just leaving El Paso after having volunteered with the camppaing there. I was carrying a large Obama poster. A man in the security line loudly asked me "Is that Obama or Osama?" I really even louder, I don't care if his name is Mohammed or Sadam he IS THE BEST PERSON WE COULD HAVE AS PRESIDENT! I got quite a few laughs for my boldness! (Maria Julianna)
I hope everyone ROSE to the occasion... (Gordon)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (13)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:42:23 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's what folks are saying:

OK where is this? I'll wear my rose tomorrow (Patricia)
I will have silk roses for all of our guests at our Phone bank to PA this weekend in San Jose, Ca 95123. Great idea! I will type up a paper with your explanation and distribute to my guests. I will also distribute at eh California State convention on Mar 27 (Mari)
I shall wear it with honor! (Peter)
I will wear a silk red, white, and blue rose with pride! (Brandon)
Personally I see no reason to somehow try to submit to the bigots out there. Hussein is a fine name, it is the name his parents gave him, and as such should wear with pride. (Kristin)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (14)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:41:27 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

More feedback. Why? The more, the merrier!

I found a nice enamael red rose pin and am wearing it with pride! (Jessica)
I've pinned a rose pin from the Rose Bowl right next to my Women for Obama pin. (Janet)
Fired Up! (Michelle)
COUNT ME IN!!! (Evelyn)
The problem is some people don't know a rose even when they smell one! (Arlenia)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (15)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:40:41 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's evem more of what folks are saying:

What a great idea. I love it. A suggestion for campaign fundraising would be to sell lapel pins, maybe even use Barack's logo-they could sell them on his website. (Lisa)
Delightful idea. Thinking I'd like to go for a walk through the Rose Garden at our White House with We The People and President Obama. Anyone care to join me? (Joanie)
Thank you.I agree entirely with these sentiments and will get my rose ready! (Joan)
Getting out the lapel! (Finn)
Nice, positive action. Please consider the issue of addressing poverty across ALL of america - and increasing economic insecurity (ie. a slippery slope to poverty). Its a BIG (2 century old) role in race relations of this country. (Sarah)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (16)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:39:47 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Some more of what folks are saying:

The rose idea is a lovely one and gives us a chance to share our feelings of support for Obama with those who comment on the lovely flower!Have an awesome day! (Denise)
A rose will bloom in the highlands of Scotland, in the snow. Obama's message is clear and sound, Scotland also needs to examine its dealings with lobbyists and the new level of accepted corruption of big buiness at every level. The intergrity of Obama's message makes us all consider the reasons why numbers of those voting in elections is falling in my country. The effect that the USA has in a world context is felt here. This man must win for us all. We have the chance ourselves to do this at last. (Hazel)
I wore a rose pinned to my dress collar at church a week ago. After I signed up for your event I could not wait to purchase my roses. I told my friend about your event because I thought it was such a great idea! (Becky)
Amen (Roy)
This is so awesome!!! (Sherri)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (17)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:38:51 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's what folks are saying:

I believe I have a rose pin at home. I'll be sure to add it to my wardrobe. (Casi)
A great idea--one that shows that we are all different and therefore, symbols convey different meanings for us. A rose as the national flower speaks to me of inherent beauty. Perhaps the peace rose would be a good pin instead of a flag lapel pin when the flag has been used to support war and violence in so many instances. How creative that we can support a candidate whose beautiful name can not be used to denigrate or demonize him but instead to reflect the content of his character. (Susan)
Absolutely, as a landscaper I can really go to town on this one! (Amanda)
Thanks!!! :) Great Graphic! (Shelley)
I just bought a pretty red rose pin that I will start wearing everyday when I go out of the house. Count me in! (Michele)
I will not be able to attend - But I will help spread the word. Also - a simple suggestion - How about some bumber stickers and a rose pin? (Warrior)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (18)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:38:04 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

More feedback. Why? The more, the merrier!

Wonderful idea! It is uncanny that I live in the Portland Metro area of Oregon... Portland is coined as "The City of Roses". (Joanna)
I'm taking care of my mum with cancer,but if possible,I shall definitely attend.But if not there in physical form,you can count on me in Spirit1(Hey!At least that's something!)And i shall PROUDLY wear a variety of sizes,colours,and materials of roses all~the~while.What an inspired thought!!! Namaste' (Audrey)
I don't wear lapels but I get it. Wear a pin whenever you are in public. I have to get one. I don't get out much. (Donald)
AWESOME! (Mayra Angelica)
Fabulous idea! Especially since I am an Obama Mom living in England. I have just joined an Obama group and I'll be sure to bring roses to our meeting tonight in London! (Carol)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (19)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:36:55 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's evem more of what folks are saying:

Great idea! I will start wearing my rose today! (Lee Ann)
As a lifelong Malian, I am proud that we're battling marginalization based on ethnic names. It is a sorry fact that in the narrow view of many who advocate the culture wars, the beauty of a name with an interesting or diverse history is completely invisible. Let's reverse that by celebrating what a great name Hussein is - hey, my uncle is named Hasan and he's a Chinese Christian (Jasmine)
Nice idea (Jessica)
Of course! Thank you for such a simple,effective way to undermine the negativity! Blessin gs, (Cassie)
Although I do not wear pins. I did use your icon with a link back to the event several times. Thanks, (Mary)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (20)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:35:29 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Some more of what folks are saying:

I'll wear a rose (Connie)
What an awesome idea !! I will proudly wear a rose !! (Dawn)
I am very surprised that this is an issue. Equal opportunity and a right to pursue happiness, justice for all? I have believed in this ever since I read the U.S. constitution a couple of decades ago. It never mentioned only folks with Western, Christian names were included in the equation. There is a lot in a name, and for me, Barack Hussein Obama as the name for the one who is uniting us is the best name there can be. I will wear my rose proudly! (Kirsten)
Great Idea (Karanja)
i like this..thank you (Roseann)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (800... and counting) (5)

Adoyo — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:03:16 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's what folks are saying:

This is very timely. I was just leaving El Paso after having volunteered with the camppaing there. I was carrying a large Obama poster. A man in the security line loudly asked me "Is that Obama or Osama?" I really even louder, I don't care if his name is Mohammed or Sadam he IS THE BEST PERSON WE COULD HAVE AS PRESIDENT! I got quite a few laughs for my boldness! (Maria Julianna)
I hope everyone ROSE to the occasion... (Gordon)
OK where is this? I'll wear my rose tomorrow (Patricia)
I will have silk roses for all of our guests at our Phone bank to PA this weekend in San Jose, Ca 95123. Great idea! I will type up a paper with your explanation and distribute to my guests. I will also distribute at eh California State convention on Mar 27 (Mari)
I shall wear it with honor! (Peter)
I will wear a silk red, white, and blue rose with pride! (Brandon)
Personally I see no reason to somehow try to submit to the bigots out there. Hussein is a fine name, it is the name his parents gave him, and as such should wear with pride. (Kristin)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (800... and counting) (4)

Adoyo — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:03:11 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Some more of what folks are saying:

Be safe, strong, and encouraged! (George)
This is an AWESOME idea! Could I put this link on our website which will be dedicated to all efforts to support Sen. Obama. It is called nationforchange.com and will be up this week. I would also like to add this link to on our Facebook Group called "Nation for Change --Yes We Can" page? If you would e-mail me personally to let me know, I would greatly appreciate it. (Tracy)
Love the idea and we are in. Beautiful!!! (Laura)
Awesome! (Diana)
Awesome Idea!
I'll wear my rose at work (barn yard) on my coveralls at the store and to church (Ronald)
His middle name comes from a HERO of ancient Islam. Husayn same as Hassein/Hussein, common as "JACK" or "JOHN" in the western world, the whole idea of demonising him for that name is stupid. Don't feed the problem, teach the truth. (Jeff)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (800... and counting) (3)

Adoyo — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:03:07 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's evem more of what folks are saying:

Great, easy way to talk about this message! Thanks (Martha)
Thanks! (Adam)
What the American people, especially me, the disinterested voter, truly cares about is the integrity and intelligence of Senator Obama. For sure, he will still be the inspiring leader that he is even if you change his name to John Doe! Let us reframe the issue surrounding Senator Obama's middle name. Won't it be something if we all, supporters of the Senator Obama Movement, put "Hussein" as we blog or log in into our webpages as our middle name? That will send our message to the entire nation and to the world at large for all Americans worldwide to see that his integrity and concern to change the government to a good is what matters! We all know that what really matters is the content of his character. Shakespeare said so! "Barack Obama, regardless of his name, would still be the same leader who has inspired a whole nation with hope and instilled in us a real sense of agency by his exemplary dedication to public service." As what the Senator said, "Let's all SPEAK for the best interest of our country," which is the best way to show that we truly care, and we want CHANGE! (Marinell)
This is the best idea I have heard since a few minutes ago when Barack said in response to Hillary's offer of VP that He was running to be COMMANDER IN CHIEF !!!!!!!!! I am thrilled to be a rose wearer for this important purpose and will pass the invitation along to my groups. I recieved the email smear the day before the New Hamshire Primary and have been waging my fight for the truth ever since. It is great to have so many united for this purpose. I want to send Michelle and the girls and dozen roses on March 11 at 12:oo a.m. (Karen Chapman)
Beautiful idea.(Amylouise)
God Bless You! (Phoenix)
I think this is just a wonderful idea! Thanks for thinking of it! I will wear my rose with PRIDE! At my county convention, that is!!! GO HOPE!!! (Mindy)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (800... and counting) (2)

Adoyo — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:02:58 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

More feedback. Why? The more, the merrier!

I am glad to be part of this Movement with all the special people of this country (Roxanna)
This is a great idea. We need all the ideas that we can think of to keep the energy moving for this future of our country! (Mikel)
Thanks ... a great idea. (Joyce)
Hi! I've been trying to find an origami folding instruction on how to make a rose. None of the books I've looked at have one. Can you send us diagrams and instructions please? Thanks (Elizabeth)
Lovely idea! (Denise)
Great idea, even though I feel the negativity is stupid. Would anyone think that Barack was a serial killer if his middle name was Ted (Bundy)? Someone should clue in England as well. After all Prince Charles carries the same first name as "Manson". My mother, neice, and myself will be wearing a different color rose on our lapels for each day of the week. Obama Supporter (Lisa)
What a wonderful idea! We need to find a way to carry it through to the general election!! Let me know if I can help! (Jill)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (800... and counting) (1)

Adoyo — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:02:40 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's what folks are saying:

Great idea! (Tresa)
I will proudly being wearing a rose pin - the National Flower of the United States right next to my Obama '08 pin! What a beautiful idea! (Christine)
YES! A rose indeed will sit on my desk as a reminder. Now until election day!!! (Bethany)
How sweet it is!!! (Kathleen)
A beautiful idea, and I imagine very effective. I'm looking forward to responding to questions about it! (Lauren)
I love Roses! I will spread the word! (Vicki)
Thank you for this wonderful idea! :) Greetings from Brazil to you! (Marta)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (750 ... and counting) (11)

Adoyo — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:04:33 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Some more of what folks are saying:

A great idea--one that shows that we are all different and therefore, symbols convey different meanings for us. A rose as the national flower speaks to me of inherent beauty. Perhaps the peace rose would be a good pin instead of a flag lapel pin when the flag has been used to support war and violence in so many instances. How creative that we can support a candidate whose beautiful name can not be used to denigrate or demonize him but instead to reflect the content of his character. (Susan)
Absolutely, as a landscaper I can really go to town on this one! (Amanda)
Thanks!!! :) Great Graphic! (Shelley)
I just bought a pretty red rose pin that I will start wearing everyday when I go out of the house. Count me in! (Michele)
I will not be able to attend - But I will help spread the word. Also - a simple suggestion - How about some bumber stickers and a rose pin? (Warrior)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (750 ... and counting) (10)

Adoyo — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:12:19 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's evem more of what folks are saying:

Thank you.I agree entirely with these sentiments and will get my rose ready! (Joan)
Getting out the lapel! (Finn)
Nice, positive action. Please consider the issue of addressing poverty across ALL of america - and increasing economic insecurity (ie. a slippery slope to poverty). Its a BIG (2 century old) role in race relations of this country. (Sarah)
The rose idea is a lovely one and gives us a chance to share our feelings of support for Obama with those who comment on the lovely flower!Have an awesome day! (Denise)
A rose will bloom in the highlands of Scotland, in the snow. Obama's message is clear and sound, Scotland also needs to examine its dealings with lobbyists and the new level of accepted corruption of big buiness at every level. The intergrity of Obama's message makes us all consider the reasons why numbers of those voting in elections is falling in my country. The effect that the USA has in a world context is felt here. This man must win for us all. We have the chance ourselves to do this at last. (Hazel)
I wore a rose pinned to my dress collar at church a week ago. After I signed up for your event I could not wait to purchase my roses. I told my friend about your event because I thought it was such a great idea! (Becky)
Amen (Roy)
This is so awesome!!! (Sherri)
I believe I have a rose pin at home. I'll be sure to add it to my wardrobe. (Casi)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (750 ... and counting) (9)

Adoyo — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:12:16 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

More feedback. Why? The more, the merrier!

I found a nice enamael red rose pin and am wearing it with pride! (Jessica)
I've pinned a rose pin from the Rose Bowl right next to my Women for Obama pin. (Janet)
Fired Up! (Michelle)
COUNT ME IN!!! (Evelyn)
The problem is some people don't know a rose even when they smell one! (Arlenia)
What a great idea. I love it. A suggestion for campaign fundraising would be to sell lapel pins, maybe even use Barack's logo-they could sell them on his website. (Lisa)
Delightful idea. Thinking I'd like to go for a walk through the Rose Garden at our White House with We The People and President Obama. Anyone care to join me? (Joanie)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (750 ... and counting) (8)

Adoyo — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:07:49 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's what folks are saying:

This is very timely. I was just leaving El Paso after having volunteered with the camppaing there. I was carrying a large Obama poster. A man in the security line loudly asked me "Is that Obama or Osama?" I really even louder, I don't care if his name is Mohammed or Sadam he IS THE BEST PERSON WE COULD HAVE AS PRESIDENT! I got quite a few laughs for my boldness! (Maria Julianna)
I hope everyone ROSE to the occasion... (Gordon)
OK where is this? I'll wear my rose tomorrow (Patricia)
I will have silk roses for all of our guests at our Phone bank to PA this weekend in San Jose, Ca 95123. Great idea! I will type up a paper with your explanation and distribute to my guests. I will also distribute at eh California State convention on Mar 27 (Mari)
I shall wear it with honor! (Peter)
I will wear a silk red, white, and blue rose with pride! (Brandon)
Personally I see no reason to somehow try to submit to the bigots out there. Hussein is a fine name, it is the name his parents gave him, and as such should wear with pride. (Kristin)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (750 ... and counting) (7)

Adoyo — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:07:45 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Some more of what folks are saying:

Be safe, strong, and encouraged! (George)
This is an AWESOME idea! Could I put this link on our website which will be dedicated to all efforts to support Sen. Obama. It is called nationforchange.com and will be up this week. I would also like to add this link to on our Facebook Group called "Nation for Change --Yes We Can" page? If you would e-mail me personally to let me know, I would greatly appreciate it. (Tracy)
Love the idea and we are in. Beautiful!!! (Laura)
Awesome! (Diana)
Awesome Idea!
I'll wear my rose at work (barn yard) on my coveralls at the store and to church (Ronald)
His middle name comes from a HERO of ancient Islam. Husayn same as Hassein/Hussein, common as "JACK" or "JOHN" in the western world, the whole idea of demonising him for that name is stupid. Don't feed the problem, teach the truth. (Jeff)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (750 ... and counting) (6)

Adoyo — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:07:40 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's evem more of what folks are saying:

Great, easy way to talk about this message! Thanks (Martha)
Thanks! (Adam)
What the American people, especially me, the disinterested voter, truly cares about is the integrity and intelligence of Senator Obama. For sure, he will still be the inspiring leader that he is even if you change his name to John Doe! Let us reframe the issue surrounding Senator Obama's middle name. Won't it be something if we all, supporters of the Senator Obama Movement, put "Hussein" as we blog or log in into our webpages as our middle name? That will send our message to the entire nation and to the world at large for all Americans worldwide to see that his integrity and concern to change the government to a good is what matters! We all know that what really matters is the content of his character. Shakespeare said so! "Barack Obama, regardless of his name, would still be the same leader who has inspired a whole nation with hope and instilled in us a real sense of agency by his exemplary dedication to public service." As what the Senator said, "Let's all SPEAK for the best interest of our country," which is the best way to show that we truly care, and we want CHANGE! (Marinell)
This is the best idea I have heard since a few minutes ago when Barack said in response to Hillary's offer of VP that He was running to be COMMANDER IN CHIEF !!!!!!!!! I am thrilled to be a rose wearer for this important purpose and will pass the invitation along to my groups. I recieved the email smear the day before the New Hamshire Primary and have been waging my fight for the truth ever since. It is great to have so many united for this purpose. I want to send Michelle and the girls and dozen roses on March 11 at 12:oo a.m. (Karen Chapman)
Beautiful idea.(Amylouise)
God Bless You! (Phoenix)
I think this is just a wonderful idea! Thanks for thinking of it! I will wear my rose with PRIDE! At my county convention, that is!!! GO HOPE!!! (Mindy)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (750 ... and counting) (5)

Adoyo — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:07:35 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

More feedback. Why? The more, the merrier!

I am glad to be part of this Movement with all the special people of this country (Roxanna)
This is a great idea. We need all the ideas that we can think of to keep the energy moving for this future of our country! (Mikel)
Thanks ... a great idea. (Joyce)
Hi! I've been trying to find an origami folding instruction on how to make a rose. None of the books I've looked at have one. Can you send us diagrams and instructions please? Thanks (Elizabeth)
Lovely idea! (Denise)
Great idea, even though I feel the negativity is stupid. Would anyone think that Barack was a serial killer if his middle name was Ted (Bundy)? Someone should clue in England as well. After all Prince Charles carries the same first name as "Manson". My mother, neice, and myself will be wearing a different color rose on our lapels for each day of the week. Obama Supporter (Lisa)
What a wonderful idea! We need to find a way to carry it through to the general election!! Let me know if I can help! (Jill)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (750 ... and counting) (4)

Adoyo — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:07:28 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's what folks are saying:

Great idea! (Tresa)
I will proudly being wearing a rose pin - the National Flower of the United States right next to my Obama '08 pin! What a beautiful idea! (Christine)
YES! A rose indeed will sit on my desk as a reminder. Now until election day!!! (Bethany)
How sweet it is!!! (Kathleen)
A beautiful idea, and I imagine very effective. I'm looking forward to responding to questions about it! (Lauren)
I love Roses! I will spread the word! (Vicki)
Thank you for this wonderful idea! :) Greetings from Brazil to you! (Marta)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (750 ... and counting) (3)

Adoyo — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:07:22 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Some more of what folks are saying:

simply brilliant! (Julie)
This is an amazing idea. You are doing a wonderful thing! (Holly)
Thanks - I dehydrate and preserve roses ... so this is a special action with many blessings. With Love - (Devavati)
I won't be able to do it constantly but I will make an effort to do it some and to explain to people what it stands for and why I am doing it. (George)
great idea! (Darlene)
Great idea! (Kristine)
I still have hope in my heart. "I'm In" for the duration. (Elizabeth)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (750 ... and counting) (2)

Adoyo — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:06:43 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's evem more of what folks are saying:

What an awesome idea !! I will proudly wear a rose !! (Dawn)
I am very surprised that this is an issue. Equal opportunity and a right to pursue happiness, justice for all? I have believed in this ever since I read the U.S. constitution a couple of decades ago. It never mentioned only folks with Western, Christian names were included in the equation. There is a lot in a name, and for me, Barack Hussein Obama as the name for the one who is uniting us is the best name there can be. I will wear my rose proudly! (Kirsten)
Great Idea (Karanja)
i like this..thank you (Roseann)
I love this idea. I will wear a rose proudly wherever I go and welcome the chance to explain why I'm wearing it. Thank you for organizing this. (Jody)
Great idea. I love it. Will pass the word. sTAY iN pEACE (Zax)
Finally, an event that does not require a gas guzzler to attend! (Karen)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (750 ... and counting) (1)

Adoyo — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:06:32 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

More feedback. Why? The more, the merrier!

Fabulous idea! Especially since I am an Obama Mom living in England. I have just joined an Obama group and I'll be sure to bring roses to our meeting tonight in London! (Carol)
Great idea! I will start wearing my rose today! (Lee Ann)
As a lifelong Malian, I am proud that we're battling marginalization based on ethnic names. It is a sorry fact that in the narrow view of many who advocate the culture wars, the beauty of a name with an interesting or diverse history is completely invisible. Let's reverse that by celebrating what a great name Hussein is - hey, my uncle is named Hasan and he's a Chinese Christian (Jasmine)
Nice idea (Jessica)
Of course! Thank you for such a simple,effective way to undermine the negativity! Blessings, (Cassie)
Of course! Thank you for such a simple,effective way to undermine the negativity! Blessings, (Cassie)
I'll wear a rose (Connie)
Click here to read more reactions -->

Hope springs eternal!

Adoyo — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:29:30 EST

Hello Everyone,

What a day it's been! Things are only going to get rougher from now on - all the more reason to spread the word and get more people involved in reclaiming the high ground! For too long, unscrupulous scandalmongers have been allowed to appropriate almost everthing and corrupt it for their own ill conceived purposes. We saw it happen all last week. This time we are not just sitting by and letting them do it.
We are not just letting them be the ones who set the agenda and define the terms of discourse and perception for everyone. We are, at the very least, going to offer a viable alternaive idea for our fellow citizens to consider. At the most hopeful best, we are going to reclaim our candidate's good name, not only for the sake of the campaign, but for the sake of our vision of the world in which we want our children to grow up.Let us do everything we can to shift perception back from the dank shadows of fear and hopelessness into the open light of possibility and hope.

Imagine - in just three day, over 600 people signed up for to "A Rose by any other Name" with overwhelming enthusiasm.

Now, thanks to Billy from Online Obama on My.BarackObama.com, you can help spread the word through your MySpace page or your blog. Just copy one (1) of these 'snippits' to your blog or page to place an "A Rose by any other Name" button that links directly to the event announcement.

You have a choice of a Lavender, Red or Yellow rose for your page!

RED ROSE BUTTON
<A href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4rfjv" target=_blank><IMG src="http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v196/143/41/35262/n35262_34004920_8248.jpg" alt="red"></A>

YELLOW ROSE BUTTON
<A href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4rfjv" target=_blank><IMG src="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v196/143/41/35262/n35262_34004922_8549.jpg" alt="yellow"></A>

LAVENDER ROSE BUTTON
<A href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4rfjv" target=_blank><IMG src="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v196/143/41/35262/n35262_34004919_8079.jpg" alt="lavender"></A>

The lovely banner design is courtesy of Lynn from Mississippi. Thank you Lynn and Billy!

I've been posting some of the comments you've sent on my blog. Check out what your fellow suporters are saying ->

The creativity has also been off the charts on this one: some folks are crochetting roses; some are embroidering them; folks have found rose pins on ebay... we've only just begun...

Cheers to all!

Help Spread the Roses!

Adoyo — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 22:44:59 EST

Hello Everyone,

Imagine - in just three day, over 600 people signed up for to "A Rose by any other Name" with overwhelming enthusiasm.

You have a choice of a Lavender, Red or Yellow rose for your page!

RED ROSE BUTTON
<A href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4rfjv" target=_blank><IMG src="http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v196/143/41/35262/n35262_34004920_8248.jpg" alt="red"></A>

YELLOW ROSE BUTTON
<A href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4rfjv" target=_blank><IMG src="http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v196/143/41/35262/n35262_34004922_8549.jpg" alt="yellow"></A>

LAVENDER ROSE BUTTON
<A href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4rfjv" target=_blank><IMG src="http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v196/143/41/35262/n35262_34004919_8079.jpg" alt="lavender"></A>

The lovely banner design is courtesy of Lynn from Mississippi. Thank you Lynn and Billy!

I've been posting some of the comments you've sent on my blog. Check out what your fellow suporters are saying ->

The creativity has also been off the charts on this one: some folks are crochetting roses; some are embroidering them; folks have found rose pins on ebay... we've only just begun...

Cheers to all!

A Rose by any other Name (500 Strong and counting) (2)

Adoyo — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:36:17 EST

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Some more of what folks are saying:

Wonderful effort....I signed up as a "Rose by any other name"...couldn't resist, especially since my name is Rose and my Russian Jewish grandmother's name was Rose. One thing bothers me, though...I find it regrettable, as I'm sure you all do, that we even have to create this kind of diversion from the name Hussein, or any name....or even, God forbid, Islamic ties! Good work! (Rose)
Here's another way of looking at it: for too long, unscrupulous scandalmongers have been allowed to appropriate almost everthing and corrupt it for their own ill conceived purposes.This time we are not just sitting by and letting them do it. We are not just letting them be the ones who set the agenda and define the terms of discourse and perception for everyone. We are, at the very least, offering a viable alternaive idea for our fellow citizens to consider, and at the most hopeful best, reclaiming our candidate's beautiful name, not only for the sake of the campaign, but for the sake of our vision of the world in which we want our children to grow up. So wear your name proudly, Rose, Grandaughter of Rose. And yes, I do believe that America IS ready for an intelligent president! Cheers (Adoyo)
I will be honored to sport a rose in the name of the next great President of the United States!! (Leonard)
Extraordinary (LEC) (Clark)
Happy to wear a rose for Barack! (janet)
Wonderful idea! Thanks you! (Nancy)
Ah, this is a beautiful wonderful magnificent thing to do don't cha know!! I'm already smellin the coffee, now with roses I'll be set fer life!! Bless us Everyone... and hugs around the world... (Jeanbrown)
Surely people will ask why we're wearing a rose, so this provides an excellent opportunity to start a discussion about Senator Obama. Pretty, too! :) (Terri)
This is a fantastic idea and I am honored to be a part of it. (Andrea)
Read some more reactions here -->

A Rose by any other Name (500 Strong and counting) (1)

Adoyo — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:27:48 EST

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

As of this posting, 512 people have signed up.

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Great, Can I get a t-shirt, keychain button or hat with this on it! (Victoria)
Great idea that keeps it simple. I will wear my rose proudly ! (Delores)
Great concept; I'm in!! (Anthony)
Great idea! Thanks. (Debrosha)
Brilliant! (Suzanne)
Lovely! (Esther)
This is a beautiful idea!!! (Cristine)
I love this idea. If I hear one more person sa y "he doesn't wear a flag lapel pin" or "his middle name is Hussein", my head is going to explode! Are there no intelligent people left on this Earth? Can't anyone see that if these are the issues that are being brought up there ARE NO ISSUES? Wow, that felt good! Can't wait to get a rose to wear :-)
What fun! (Georgette)
Heck yes. Great idea. (Insa)
My husband thinks this is really cool too and I'll try to figure out how to include our sons (ages 3.5yrs and 8mo) - just have to figure out how to do it without choking hazards... maybe time to whip out the crochet hook and find a rose pattern! (Ahmie)
Read some more reactions here -->

A Rose by any other Name (400 Strong and counting) (4)

Adoyo — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:40:35 EST

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

More feedback. Why? The more, the merrier!

I will be wearing a rose proudly. When and where can we get rose lapel pins, since lapel pins seem more important than integrity to some folks??? Sign me up. (Wendy)
I think this is a wonderful idea and yes I will participate. In fact, I have a ceramic rose pin that I will wear on my Barack Obama t-shirt every day. Also, wanted to add, it might also be worth mentioning the names or sporting photos of other Muslim named celebs that no one ever questions such as Kareem Abdul Jabar and Muhammad Ali. Making such associations further nullifies any negative associations with Barack's name taking it away from Middle Eastern terrorism and placing back to 'just a name' status!!! (Alisa)
What a terrific Idea. Count me in!! (Mary)
Sounds like a great idea! You have a rose "sporter" in Michigan! (Amanda)
I just won a couple red rose lapel pins on ebay for my gal and I. (Kenny)
This is a wonderful idea I will wear mine with pride (Angel)
This is brilliant and wonderful. Bless you. (Stanley)
I am going to pass this on to everyone I know! I will also make some roses to give to people to wear. (BJ)
Wonderful, simply wonderful!!! (Kelly)
Yes! Sheri Who's Sane Obama (Sheri)
Awesome! (Rev. Jessica)
Read some more reactions here -->

A Rose by any other Name (400 Strong and counting) (3)

Adoyo — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 01:20:20 EST

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's evem more of what folks are saying:

What a creative way to show our support for our Country and our future President! Thanks for coming up with a way we can all help! (Jenny)
That's an amazingly creative & effective idea! I even have rose bushes in my yard. I'll spread the word. (Douglas)
In addition to wearing a real rose, I'm going to look for a rose jewelry pin to wear, too, since that will go better with a lot of my clothing. Great idea! (Stephanie)
I absolutely love the Roses for Barack idea! Stylish, sophisticated, and wonderfully simple at the same time. numerous levels of interpretation: a rose for america, a rose for "love thy neighbor", and then there is the Shakespeare and Umberto Ecco thing of course :). what color? according to wikipedia: Red & White Together or White Roses with Red Edges signify unity and togetherness. Also, using Hussein is a good idea. that way everybody who could potentially be scared by the name will have time to calm down way before the general election (thinking ahead here, with optimism) (Virginia)
This a great idea! Who better than the Bard of Avon to speak for the great political poet of the 21st century? Like Shakespeare, Obama speaks to our noblest instincts yet retains the common touch. (Lowry)
Sounds like a great plan. My daughter's middle name is Rose and her daughter's middle name is Rose and that name came from my favorite aunt, Rosa. We're in. (Nancy)
Read some more reactions here -->

A Rose by any other Name (400 Strong and counting) (2)

Adoyo — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 01:03:53 EST

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Some more of what folks are saying:

Awesome idea! I will be happy to participate and pass it along to all my friends. (Neeru)
As a Tennessee woman for Obama, I choose a yellow rose! The yellow rose was the symbol of the American suffragettes. The Nineteenth Amendment, specifically intended to extend suffrage to women, was proposed on June 4, 1919. It was ratified on August 18, 1920, upon its ratification by Tennessee, the thirty-sixth state to do so. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby certified the ratification on August 26, 1920. (Emily)
Great idea. Let's do the same thing earlier also! Get some publicity, perhaps NY Times and London newspapers, and African newspapers. (Kevin)
Great idea ! I love the encouragement to be creative with this ! I'll participate too. Hey, does this make me a new-milenium "flower child"? (Bob)
Unable to join you in USA but will wear a rose brooch of my Mother's. Hazel Ross-shire, Scotland (Hazel)
Yes,I will wear it proudly, thank you for the chance to change the world one rose at a time. (Sylvia)
This is a perfect idea! The rose is a symbol of purity and beauty, and for me, that is what Senator Obama repersents! Plus, it is lovely excuse to buy my favorite flower. Excellent Idea! (Erin)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose by any other Name (400 Strong and counting) (1)

Adoyo — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:57:23 EST

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's what folks are saying:

Just tonight my husband received an email from a 'friend' spreading the falsehood that Obama is a Muslim because of his middle name. My husband emailed the man back & pointed out his error. So I ask everyone, if the Senator's middle name was 'Sue' or 'Patricia' would he be a woman? Count us both 'IN' to wear a rose to political events, like the upcoming caucus here in Texas! (Dorinda)
Sounds great to me! The Yellow Rose of Texas!!! (Linda)
What a beautiful and original idea. I'm going to buy a new rose every day and wear it proudly. (Lara)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
Excellent & I am proud to take part~thank you.. (Sheri Who's Sane Obama)
I LOVE this idea! Let's continue our creative response to such idiocy. (Gwendolyn)
Click here to read more reactions -->

A Rose for Obama - what folks are saying (6)

Adoyo — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:16:12 EST

Two days ago I sent out a message about "A Rose by any other Name", inviting folks to reclaim and reframe the questions about Senator Obama's middle name with a poetic symbolic gesture of patriotism

Folks keep on spreading the love...

What a creative way to show our support for our Country and our future President! Thanks for coming up with a way we can all help! (Jenny)
That's an amazingly creative & effective idea! I even have rose bushes in my yard. I'll spread the word. (Douglas)
Great idea! I love it!! (Heidi)
In addition to wearing a real rose, I'm going to look for a rose jewelry pin to wear, too, since that will go better with a lot of my clothing. Great idea! (Stephanie)
Yes, I will wear the rose, but in this day and age what ignoramus has a problem with Barack's name??? You don't have to answer that. Having worked in the African American community my whole life, taught NYC high school students from the world over, I'm still floored. Maybe it's my time to migrate to Mars? Best, (Dorothy)
I absolutely love the Roses for Barack idea! Stylish, sophisticated, and wonderfully simple at the same time. numerous levels of interpretation: a rose for america, a rose for "love thy neighbor", and then there is the Shakespeare and Umberto Ecco thing of course :). what color? according to wikipedia: Red & White Together or White Roses with Red Edges signify unity and togetherness. Also, using Hussein is a good idea. that way everybody who could potentially be scared by the name will have time to calm down way before the general election (thinking ahead here, with optimism) (Virginia)
I LOVE IT!!! I am looking for a rose for Tuesday!!! (Mary)
read some more reactions ->here ->

As you can see, the faith Senator Obama has repeatedly expressed about the decency of the American people is well founded"

I think the American people, at their core, are a decent people. I think that we still have prejudice in our midst but I think that the vast majority of Americans are willing to judge people on the basis of, you know, their ideas and their character. Barack Obama

A Rose for Obama - what folks are saying (2)

Adoyo — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:11:17 EST

Two days ago I sent out a message about "A Rose by any other Name", inviting folks to reclaim and reframe the questions about Senator Obama's middle name with a poetic symbolic gesture of patriotism

The joyful responses are still rolling in...

Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
A ROSE for Barack Obama for ALL OF US MAKING HISTORY! (John)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
This is an awesome idea, THANKS! (Heather)
Very special idea and yes, I will participate. (Harriet)
Most of my lapels aren't suited, but I love it. (Tom)
Fabulous idea! (Julie)
It sounds like a wonderful idea to me. (Andrew)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
I think the rose idea is excellent! (Jab)
read some more reactions ->here ->

As you can see, the faith Senator Obama has repeatedly expressed about the decency of the American people is well founded"

A Rose for Obama - what folks are saying (3)

Adoyo — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:10:16 EST

Two days ago I sent out a message about "A Rose by any other Name", inviting folks to reclaim and reframe the questions about Senator Obama's middle name with a poetic symbolic gesture of patriotism

Even more joyful responses keep rolling in...

Count me in! (Dale)
Wonderful idea! (Andrew)
Great Idea! I am also adopting the middle name Hussein through November. (Tara)
Brilliant! (Jennifer)
Yes am in! United we shall remain, as we conquer all obstacles. (Admo)
Awesome idea! I will be happy to participate and pass it along to all my friends. (Neeru)
Fantastic idea! Thank you. (Rebecca)
Great idea... I'll be happy to participate. (Martin)
As a Tennessee woman for Obama, I choose a yellow rose! The yellow rose was the symbol of the American suffragettes. The Nineteenth Amendment, specifically intended to extend suffrage to women, was proposed on June 4, 1919. It was ratified on August 18, 1920, upon its ratification by Tennessee, the thirty-sixth state to do so. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby certified the ratification on August 26, 1920. (Emily)
read some more reactions ->here ->

As you can see, the faith Senator Obama has repeatedly expressed about the decency of the American people is well founded"

A Rose for Obama - what folks are saying (4)

Adoyo — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:09:21 EST

Two days ago I sent out a message about "A Rose by any other Name", inviting folks to reclaim and reframe the questions about Senator Obama's middle name with a poetic symbolic gesture of patriotism

Here's some more of what folks are saying...

Yes, I'll join. You most likely know about this article: Informed Consent: Barack Hussein Obama, Omar Bradley, Benjamin Franklin and Other Semitically Named American Heroes by Juan Cole. It's a great article, and "should" lay to rest the question of Obama's name, patriotism, goals and motives. You can find it at http://www.juancole.com/2008/02/barack-hussein-obama-omar-bradley.html (Martha)
This is great. I also think we can point out that Barack means "blessed" and Hussein means "good or handsome one". Barack is certainly a reflection of the REAL meaning of his names. (Christian)
Fantastic idea. (Janet)
My adopted middle name from now on is "Hussein"! (Ralph)
Creative! True! (Jennifer)
Great idea. Let's do the same thing earlier also! Get some publicity, perhaps NT Times and London newspapers, and African newspapers. (Kevin)
Brilliant! (Joan)
Great idea ! I love the encouragement to be creative with this ! I'll participate too. Hey, does this make me a new-milenium "flower child"? (Bob)
Rose Quote:"The fragrance always remains in the hand that gives the rose."
Great idea... thank you! (T.J.)
What a great idea. I will definitely participate. Thanks. (Rhonda)
read some more reactions ->here ->

As you can see, the faith Senator Obama has repeatedly expressed about the decency of the American people is well founded"

A Rose for Obama - what folks are saying (5)

Adoyo — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:07:27 EST

Two days ago I sent out a message about "A Rose by any other Name", inviting folks to reclaim and reframe the questions about Senator Obama's middle name with a poetic symbolic gesture of patriotism

Folks keep on spreading the love...

What a creative way to show our support for our Country and our future President! Thanks for coming up with a way we can all help! (Jenny)
That's an amazingly creative & effective idea! I even have rose bushes in my yard. I'll spread the word. (Douglas)
Great idea! I love it!! (Heidi)
In addition to wearing a real rose, I'm going to look for a rose jewelry pin to wear, too, since that will go better with a lot of my clothing. Great idea! (Stephanie)
Yes, I will wear the rose, but in this day and age what ignoramus has a problem with Barack's name??? You don't have to answer that. Having worked in the African American community my whole life, taught NYC high school students from the world over, I'm still floored. Maybe it's my time to migrate to Mars? Best, (Dorothy)
I absolutely love the Roses for Barack idea! Stylish, sophisticated, and wonderfully simple at the same time. numerous levels of interpretation: a rose for america, a rose for "love thy neighbor", and then there is the Shakespeare and Umberto Ecco thing of course :). what color? according to wikipedia: Red & White Together or White Roses with Red Edges signify unity and togetherness. Also, using Hussein is a good idea. that way everybody who could potentially be scared by the name will have time to calm down way before the general election (thinking ahead here, with optimism) (Virginia)
I LOVE IT!!! I am looking for a rose for Tuesday!!! (Mary)
read some more reactions ->here ->

As you can see, the faith Senator Obama has repeatedly expressed about the decency of the American people is well founded"

A Rose for Obama - what folks are saying (1)

Adoyo — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:38:35 EST

Two days ago I sent out a message about "A Rose by any other Name", inviting folks to reclaim and reframe the questions about Senator Obama's middle name with a poetic symbolic gesture of patriotism

The response has been overwhelming! The enthusiasm breathtaking! The joy - well, see for yourself:

Looking for a lapel pin? ->Rose pins
Sounds great to me! The Yellow Rose of Texas!!! (Linda)
What a beautiful and original idea. I'm going to buy a new rose every day and wear it proudly. (Lara)
My rose is ready. Barack Hussein Obama is ready TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT! (Martha)
We're having a rally today. I'll pick up a lapel rose and bring my rose garland with me :) (Diane)
I think this is a Super idea. Let's continue to BARACK THE VOTE ! Pphillip)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
read some more reactions ->here ->

As you can see, the faith Senator Obama has repeatedly expressed about the decency of the American people is well founded"

"Faith" in public life

Adoyo — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:47:50 EST

The following is a response to a post I read many months ago (The political mustard seed....), and to which I intended to respond but somehow could never find the time. While doing some housekeeping, I found the beginnings of the intended response which I will now publish here.

"Faith truly has the power, no matter what your averred religion (or lack of), to heal great wounds, and sustain through the greatest of sorrows."

I find this post deeply moving and very much on the mark. At the risk of making a public spectacle of myself with a much too personal testimony, I am here inspired to respond with my own story.

I was raised in parochial boarding schools and so my childhood and adolencence were saturated with Old and New Testament stories. The NT parables, in particular, became an endless repository of exemplary allegories that I look to even today. When I was around 11, I found religion and the church, in particular, difficult and over a period of several years experienced a painful series of separations as I gradually left never to return. So today when I enter churches or read the Bible, it is to study either their use of iconography and their development of narrative.

Yet even though I have now found some peace in being without religion, I know that my life is nurtured and driven by Faith. I do find it troubling when some people assume that one cannot be a person of Faith without accepting religion as well. So it is encouraging to see another person speak publicly of Faith without taking it for granted that Faith necessarily means religious devotion. For that, I thank you.

Thinking about the large number of small contributions that are driving Senator Obama's campaign, and the very great value the Senator has time and again attributed to them, I am also reminded of the poor widow's offering to the temple treasury: though it is meager and given with humility, it means more than the gifts made by the rich and ostentatious. (Luke 21:1-4)

Barack Hussein Obama (What's in a name?) Redux

Adoyo — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 22:42:38 EST

Back in August I posted this summaryfor those who wonder about the real significance of Senator Barack Obama's name:

Barack:

baraka: blessing (Kiswahili)
baraka: also berakhah , in Judaism, a blessing usually recited during a ceremony
baruch: Also related to "berakhah" or bracha (Hebrew: berakhot), which is a blessing.
baraka: also barakah, in Islam and Arab-influenced languages, meaning spiritual wisdom and blessing transmitted from God
"Baraka", a rarely used French slang term for luck, derived from the Arabic word
Baraka, aka Nigella sativa , a spice with purported health benefits

Hussein:

an Arabic name which is the diminutive of Hasan, meaning "beautiful" or "handsome".

Obama:

a Luo name (male) from Western Kenya (Nyanza Provice) which may derive from "obam," which conotes "bending" or "leaning".
also a surname in Japan and Equatorial Guinea

All told, Senator Obama seems to be a living embodiment of the name his parents gave him: he has lived a blessed life and seeks to share his blessing; he is beautiful to behold and to listen to - people are drawn to him and inspired when they hear him speak and consider his ideas; and in public life he is flexible and dedicated to leaning where necessary to help uplift others.

How about you? Do you embody your name's meaning?

Sources: Wikipedia (baraka, baruch, hussein, obama)

Other sources: My mother; multicultural childhood & education including Luo and Kiswahili.

A Rose by any other Name

Adoyo — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 21:15:30 EST

Hello Everyone!

Would you like to help reframe the issue surrounding Senator Obama's middle name? Would you like to nuetralize the recent (and ongoing) drama about patriotic symbols such as flagpins? Then join us!

Since the Rose is the National Flower of the United States, we created the "A Rose by any other Name" event as an ongoing nationwide action to show our support for Barack Obama by wearing a national symbol which not only addresses the flagpin question but also reframes the issue of the middle name.

From now until the Convention on August 25-28, participants will wear a single lapel rose at your convenience, especially when going to campaign events and voting.
- Pick up a rose from your local florist
- Break out your origami sets and fold some at home
- Boast one of those silk blossoms from your eternal synthetic bouquet
- Wear any color. The greater variety, the better to reflect our diversity!
Choose your type and wear it with pride!

We all know that what really matters is the intelligence and integrity of a person, not the arbitrary coincidences of his name. We all know that what really matters is the content of his character. And it doesn't hurt that the greatest wordsmith of the English language is on our side!

This ACTION's title comes from the famous phrase "That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." (Romeo & Juliet, Act II, scene2). And so would Barack still be the inspiring leader he is even if his name were different!

This ACTION basically says, "Barack Obama, regardless of his name, would still be the same leader who has insired a whole nation with hope and instilled in us a real sense of agency by his exemplary dedication to public service."

This ACTION wants to demonstrate that shows of patriotism can take many forms - wearing flagpins is one form, wearing the national flower is another, and, as Senator Obama has repeatedly said, speaking out for the best interest of the country is perhaps the strongest.

People have already started signing up and sending back enthusistic feedback. Here are some of the things they are saying about this ACTION:

Sounds great to me! The Yellow Rose of Texas!!! (Linda)
What a beautiful and original idea. I'm going to buy a new rose every day and wear it proudly. (Lara)
My rose is ready. Barack Hussein Obama is ready TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT! (Martha)
We're having a rally today. I'll pick up a lapel rose and bring my rose garland with me :) (Diane)
I think this is a Super idea. Let's continue to BARACK THE VOTE ! Pphillip)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
A ROSE for Barack Obama for ALL OF US MAKING HISTORY! (John)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
This is an awesome idea, THANKS! (Heather)
Very special idea and yes, I will participate. (Harriet)
Most of my lapels aren't suited, but I love it. (Tom)
Fabulous idea! (Julie)
It sounds like a wonderful idea to me. (Andrew)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
I think the rose idea is excellent! (Jab)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Count me in! (Dale)
Wonderful idea! (Andrew)
Great Idea! I am also adopting the middle name Hussein through November. (Tara)
Brilliant! (Jennifer)
Yes am in! United we shall remain, as we conquer all obstacles. (Admo)
Awesome idea! I will be happy to participate and pass it along to all my friends. (Neeru)
Fantastic idea! Thank you. (Rebecca)

I hope you, too, will join us.

Cheer!
Adoyo.

"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." (Romeo & Juliet, Act II, scene2)

Clickhere for an adaptation of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet.

NOTE: The action does not require any travel or change in routine, just sporting a lapel rose at your convenience! When signing up, be sure to select "Yes, I will attend" to help the event planner count your participation.

A Rose by any other Name ( Update!)

Adoyo — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:16:51 EST

Hello Everyone!

Would you like to help reframe the issue surrounding Senator Obama's middle name? Would you like to nuetralize the recent (and ongoing) drama about patriotic symbols such as flagpins? Then join us!

From now until the Convention on August 25-28, participants will wear a single lapel rose at your convenience, especially when going to campaign events and voting.
- Pick up a rose from your local florist
- Break out your origami sets and fold some at home
- Boast one of those silk blossoms from your eternal synthetic bouquet
- Wear any color. The greater variety, the better to reflect our diversity!
Choose your type and wear it with pride!

People have already started signing up and sending back enthusistic feedback. Here are some of the things they are saying about this ACTION:

Sounds great to me! The Yellow Rose of Texas!!! (Linda)
What a beautiful and original idea. I'm going to buy a new rose every day and wear it proudly. (Lara)
My rose is ready. Barack Hussein Obama is ready TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT! (Martha)
We're having a rally today. I'll pick up a lapel rose and bring my rose garland with me :) (Diane)
I think this is a Super idea. Let's continue to BARACK THE VOTE ! Pphillip)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
A ROSE for Barack Obama for ALL OF US MAKING HISTORY! (John)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
This is an awesome idea, THANKS! (Heather)
Very special idea and yes, I will participate. (Harriet)
Most of my lapels aren't suited, but I love it. (Tom)
Fabulous idea! (Julie)
It sounds like a wonderful idea to me. (Andrew)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
I think the rose idea is excellent! (Jab)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Count me in! (Dale)
Wonderful idea! (Andrew)
Great Idea! I am also adopting the middle name Hussein through November. (Tara)
Brilliant! (Jennifer)
Yes am in! United we shall remain, as we conquer all obstacles. (Admo)
Awesome idea! I will be happy to participate and pass it along to all my friends. (Neeru)
Fantastic idea! Thank you. (Rebecca)

I hope you, too, will join us.

Cheer!
Adoyo.

"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." (Romeo & Juliet, Act II, scene2)

Click here for an adaptation of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet.

A Rose by any other Name (Update!)

Adoyo — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:16:40 EST

Hello Everyone!

Would you like to help reframe the issue surrounding Senator Obama's middle name? Would you like to nuetralize the recent (and ongoing) drama about patriotic symbols such as flagpins? Then join us!

From now until the Convention on August 25-28, participants will wear a single lapel rose at your convenience, especially when going to campaign events and voting.
- Pick up a rose from your local florist
- Break out your origami sets and fold some at home
- Boast one of those silk blossoms from your eternal synthetic bouquet
- Wear any color. The greater variety, the better to reflect our diversity!
Choose your type and wear it with pride!

People have already started signing up and sending back enthusistic feedback. Here are some of the things they are saying about this ACTION:

Sounds great to me! The Yellow Rose of Texas!!! (Linda)
What a beautiful and original idea. I'm going to buy a new rose every day and wear it proudly. (Lara)
My rose is ready. Barack Hussein Obama is ready TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT! (Martha)
We're having a rally today. I'll pick up a lapel rose and bring my rose garland with me :) (Diane)
I think this is a Super idea. Let's continue to BARACK THE VOTE ! Pphillip)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
A ROSE for Barack Obama for ALL OF US MAKING HISTORY! (John)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
This is an awesome idea, THANKS! (Heather)
Very special idea and yes, I will participate. (Harriet)
Most of my lapels aren't suited, but I love it. (Tom)
Fabulous idea! (Julie)
It sounds like a wonderful idea to me. (Andrew)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
I think the rose idea is excellent! (Jab)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Count me in! (Dale)
Wonderful idea! (Andrew)
Great Idea! I am also adopting the middle name Hussein through November. (Tara)
Brilliant! (Jennifer)
Yes am in! United we shall remain, as we conquer all obstacles. (Admo)
Awesome idea! I will be happy to participate and pass it along to all my friends. (Neeru)
Fantastic idea! Thank you. (Rebecca)

I hope you, too, will join us.

Cheer!
Adoyo.

"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." (Romeo & Juliet, Act II, scene2)

Click here for an adaptation of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet.

A Rose by any other Name (Update! )

Adoyo — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:16:12 EST

Hello Everyone!

Would you like to help reframe the issue surrounding Senator Obama's middle name? Would you like to nuetralize the recent (and ongoing) drama about patriotic symbols such as flagpins? Then join us!

From now until the Convention on August 25-28, participants will wear a single lapel rose at your convenience, especially when going to campaign events and voting.
- Pick up a rose from your local florist
- Break out your origami sets and fold some at home
- Boast one of those silk blossoms from your eternal synthetic bouquet
- Wear any color. The greater variety, the better to reflect our diversity!
Choose your type and wear it with pride!

People have already started signing up and sending back enthusistic feedback. Here are some of the things they are saying about this ACTION:

Sounds great to me! The Yellow Rose of Texas!!! (Linda)
What a beautiful and original idea. I'm going to buy a new rose every day and wear it proudly. (Lara)
My rose is ready. Barack Hussein Obama is ready TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT! (Martha)
We're having a rally today. I'll pick up a lapel rose and bring my rose garland with me :) (Diane)
I think this is a Super idea. Let's continue to BARACK THE VOTE ! Pphillip)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
A ROSE for Barack Obama for ALL OF US MAKING HISTORY! (John)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
This is an awesome idea, THANKS! (Heather)
Very special idea and yes, I will participate. (Harriet)
Most of my lapels aren't suited, but I love it. (Tom)
Fabulous idea! (Julie)
It sounds like a wonderful idea to me. (Andrew)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
I think the rose idea is excellent! (Jab)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Count me in! (Dale)
Wonderful idea! (Andrew)
Great Idea! I am also adopting the middle name Hussein through November. (Tara)
Brilliant! (Jennifer)
Yes am in! United we shall remain, as we conquer all obstacles. (Admo)
Awesome idea! I will be happy to participate and pass it along to all my friends. (Neeru)
Fantastic idea! Thank you. (Rebecca)

I hope you, too, will join us.

Cheer!
Adoyo.

"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." (Romeo & Juliet, Act II, scene2)

Click here for an adaptation of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet.

A Rose by any other Name (Update!)

Adoyo — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:16:06 EST

Hello Everyone!

Would you like to help reframe the issue surrounding Senator Obama's middle name? Would you like to nuetralize the recent (and ongoing) drama about patriotic symbols such as flagpins? Then join us!

From now until the Convention on August 25-28, participants will wear a single lapel rose at your convenience, especially when going to campaign events and voting.
- Pick up a rose from your local florist
- Break out your origami sets and fold some at home
- Boast one of those silk blossoms from your eternal synthetic bouquet
- Wear any color. The greater variety, the better to reflect our diversity!
Choose your type and wear it with pride!

People have already started signing up and sending back enthusistic feedback. Here are some of the things they are saying about this ACTION:

Sounds great to me! The Yellow Rose of Texas!!! (Linda)
What a beautiful and original idea. I'm going to buy a new rose every day and wear it proudly. (Lara)
My rose is ready. Barack Hussein Obama is ready TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT! (Martha)
We're having a rally today. I'll pick up a lapel rose and bring my rose garland with me :) (Diane)
I think this is a Super idea. Let's continue to BARACK THE VOTE ! Pphillip)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
A ROSE for Barack Obama for ALL OF US MAKING HISTORY! (John)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
This is an awesome idea, THANKS! (Heather)
Very special idea and yes, I will participate. (Harriet)
Most of my lapels aren't suited, but I love it. (Tom)
Fabulous idea! (Julie)
It sounds like a wonderful idea to me. (Andrew)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
I think the rose idea is excellent! (Jab)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Count me in! (Dale)
Wonderful idea! (Andrew)
Great Idea! I am also adopting the middle name Hussein through November. (Tara)
Brilliant! (Jennifer)
Yes am in! United we shall remain, as we conquer all obstacles. (Admo)
Awesome idea! I will be happy to participate and pass it along to all my friends. (Neeru)
Fantastic idea! Thank you. (Rebecca)

I hope you, too, will join us.

Cheer!
Adoyo.

"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." (Romeo & Juliet, Act II, scene2)

Click here for an adaptation of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet.

A Rose by any other Name (Update!)

Adoyo — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:15:55 EST

Hello Everyone!

Would you like to help reframe the issue surrounding Senator Obama's middle name? Would you like to nuetralize the recent (and ongoing) drama about patriotic symbols such as flagpins? Then join us!

From now until the Convention on August 25-28, participants will wear a single lapel rose at your convenience, especially when going to campaign events and voting.
- Pick up a rose from your local florist
- Break out your origami sets and fold some at home
- Boast one of those silk blossoms from your eternal synthetic bouquet
- Wear any color. The greater variety, the better to reflect our diversity!
Choose your type and wear it with pride!

People have already started signing up and sending back enthusistic feedback. Here are some of the things they are saying about this ACTION:

Sounds great to me! The Yellow Rose of Texas!!! (Linda)
What a beautiful and original idea. I'm going to buy a new rose every day and wear it proudly. (Lara)
My rose is ready. Barack Hussein Obama is ready TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT! (Martha)
We're having a rally today. I'll pick up a lapel rose and bring my rose garland with me :) (Diane)
I think this is a Super idea. Let's continue to BARACK THE VOTE ! Pphillip)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
A ROSE for Barack Obama for ALL OF US MAKING HISTORY! (John)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
This is an awesome idea, THANKS! (Heather)
Very special idea and yes, I will participate. (Harriet)
Most of my lapels aren't suited, but I love it. (Tom)
Fabulous idea! (Julie)
It sounds like a wonderful idea to me. (Andrew)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
I think the rose idea is excellent! (Jab)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Count me in! (Dale)
Wonderful idea! (Andrew)
Great Idea! I am also adopting the middle name Hussein through November. (Tara)
Brilliant! (Jennifer)
Yes am in! United we shall remain, as we conquer all obstacles. (Admo)
Awesome idea! I will be happy to participate and pass it along to all my friends. (Neeru)
Fantastic idea! Thank you. (Rebecca)

I hope you, too, will join us.

Cheer!
Adoyo.

"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." (Romeo & Juliet, Act II, scene2)

Click here for an adaptation of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet.

A Rose by any other Name (Update!)

Adoyo — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:15:43 EST

Hello Everyone!

Would you like to help reframe the issue surrounding Senator Obama's middle name? Would you like to nuetralize the recent (and ongoing) drama about patriotic symbols such as flagpins? Then join us!

From now until the Convention on August 25-28, participants will wear a single lapel rose at your convenience, especially when going to campaign events and voting.
- Pick up a rose from your local florist
- Break out your origami sets and fold some at home
- Boast one of those silk blossoms from your eternal synthetic bouquet
- Wear any color. The greater variety, the better to reflect our diversity!
Choose your type and wear it with pride!

People have already started signing up and sending back enthusistic feedback. Here are some of the things they are saying about this ACTION:

Sounds great to me! The Yellow Rose of Texas!!! (Linda)
What a beautiful and original idea. I'm going to buy a new rose every day and wear it proudly. (Lara)
My rose is ready. Barack Hussein Obama is ready TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT! (Martha)
We're having a rally today. I'll pick up a lapel rose and bring my rose garland with me :) (Diane)
I think this is a Super idea. Let's continue to BARACK THE VOTE ! Pphillip)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
A ROSE for Barack Obama for ALL OF US MAKING HISTORY! (John)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
This is an awesome idea, THANKS! (Heather)
Very special idea and yes, I will participate. (Harriet)
Most of my lapels aren't suited, but I love it. (Tom)
Fabulous idea! (Julie)
It sounds like a wonderful idea to me. (Andrew)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
I think the rose idea is excellent! (Jab)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Count me in! (Dale)
Wonderful idea! (Andrew)
Great Idea! I am also adopting the middle name Hussein through November. (Tara)
Brilliant! (Jennifer)
Yes am in! United we shall remain, as we conquer all obstacles. (Admo)
Awesome idea! I will be happy to participate and pass it along to all my friends. (Neeru)
Fantastic idea! Thank you. (Rebecca)

I hope you, too, will join us.

Cheer!
Adoyo.

"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." (Romeo & Juliet, Act II, scene2)

Click here for an adaptation of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet.

A Rose by any other Name (Update!)

Adoyo — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:15:36 EST

Hello Everyone!

Would you like to help reframe the issue surrounding Senator Obama's middle name? Would you like to nuetralize the recent (and ongoing) drama about patriotic symbols such as flagpins? Then join us!

From now until the Convention on August 25-28, participants will wear a single lapel rose at your convenience, especially when going to campaign events and voting.
- Pick up a rose from your local florist
- Break out your origami sets and fold some at home
- Boast one of those silk blossoms from your eternal synthetic bouquet
- Wear any color. The greater variety, the better to reflect our diversity!
Choose your type and wear it with pride!

People have already started signing up and sending back enthusistic feedback. Here are some of the things they are saying about this ACTION:

Sounds great to me! The Yellow Rose of Texas!!! (Linda)
What a beautiful and original idea. I'm going to buy a new rose every day and wear it proudly. (Lara)
My rose is ready. Barack Hussein Obama is ready TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT! (Martha)
We're having a rally today. I'll pick up a lapel rose and bring my rose garland with me :) (Diane)
I think this is a Super idea. Let's continue to BARACK THE VOTE ! Pphillip)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
A ROSE for Barack Obama for ALL OF US MAKING HISTORY! (John)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
This is an awesome idea, THANKS! (Heather)
Very special idea and yes, I will participate. (Harriet)
Most of my lapels aren't suited, but I love it. (Tom)
Fabulous idea! (Julie)
It sounds like a wonderful idea to me. (Andrew)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
I think the rose idea is excellent! (Jab)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Count me in! (Dale)
Wonderful idea! (Andrew)
Great Idea! I am also adopting the middle name Hussein through November. (Tara)
Brilliant! (Jennifer)
Yes am in! United we shall remain, as we conquer all obstacles. (Admo)
Awesome idea! I will be happy to participate and pass it along to all my friends. (Neeru)
Fantastic idea! Thank you. (Rebecca)

I hope you, too, will join us.

Cheer!
Adoyo.

"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." (Romeo & Juliet, Act II, scene2)

Click here for an adaptation of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet.

A Rose by any other Name (Update!)

Adoyo — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:15:17 EST

Hello Everyone!

Would you like to help reframe the issue surrounding Senator Obama's middle name? Would you like to nuetralize the recent (and ongoing) drama about patriotic symbols such as flagpins? Then join us!

From now until the Convention on August 25-28, participants will wear a single lapel rose at your convenience, especially when going to campaign events and voting.
- Pick up a rose from your local florist
- Break out your origami sets and fold some at home
- Boast one of those silk blossoms from your eternal synthetic bouquet
- Wear any color. The greater variety, the better to reflect our diversity!
Choose your type and wear it with pride!

People have already started signing up and sending back enthusistic feedback. Here are some of the things they are saying about this ACTION:

Sounds great to me! The Yellow Rose of Texas!!! (Linda)
What a beautiful and original idea. I'm going to buy a new rose every day and wear it proudly. (Lara)
My rose is ready. Barack Hussein Obama is ready TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT! (Martha)
We're having a rally today. I'll pick up a lapel rose and bring my rose garland with me :) (Diane)
I think this is a Super idea. Let's continue to BARACK THE VOTE ! Pphillip)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
A ROSE for Barack Obama for ALL OF US MAKING HISTORY! (John)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
This is an awesome idea, THANKS! (Heather)
Very special idea and yes, I will participate. (Harriet)
Most of my lapels aren't suited, but I love it. (Tom)
Fabulous idea! (Julie)
It sounds like a wonderful idea to me. (Andrew)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
I think the rose idea is excellent! (Jab)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Count me in! (Dale)
Wonderful idea! (Andrew)
Great Idea! I am also adopting the middle name Hussein through November. (Tara)
Brilliant! (Jennifer)
Yes am in! United we shall remain, as we conquer all obstacles. (Admo)
Awesome idea! I will be happy to participate and pass it along to all my friends. (Neeru)
Fantastic idea! Thank you. (Rebecca)

I hope you, too, will join us.

Cheer!
Adoyo.

"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." (Romeo & Juliet, Act II, scene2)

Click here for an adaptation of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet.

A Rose by any other Name (Update!)

Adoyo — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 14:52:54 EST

Hello Everyone!

Would you like to help reframe the issue surrounding Senator Obama's middle name? Would you like to nuetralize the recent (and ongoing) drama about patriotic symbols such as flagpins? Then join us!

From now until the Convention on August 25-28, participants will wear a single lapel rose at your convenience, especially when going to campaign events and voting.
- Pick up a rose from your local florist
- Break out your origami sets and fold some at home
- Boast one of those silk blossoms from your eternal synthetic bouquet
- Wear any color. The greater variety, the better to reflect our diversity!
Choose your type and wear it with pride!

People have already started signing up and sending back enthusistic feedback. Here are some of the things they are saying about this ACTION:

Sounds great to me! The Yellow Rose of Texas!!! (Linda)
What a beautiful and original idea. I'm going to buy a new rose every day and wear it proudly. (Lara)
My rose is ready. Barack Hussein Obama is ready TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT! (Martha)
We're having a rally today. I'll pick up a lapel rose and bring my rose garland with me :) (Diane)
I think this is a Super idea. Let's continue to BARACK THE VOTE ! Pphillip)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
A ROSE for Barack Obama for ALL OF US MAKING HISTORY! (John)
Brilliant. I was wondering what options people would exercise in neutralizing the negativity surrounding possible Islamic ties, the name Hussein, blackness, etc.... The rose idea is great. (Kevin)
This is an awesome idea, THANKS! (Heather)
Very special idea and yes, I will participate. (Harriet)
Most of my lapels aren't suited, but I love it. (Tom)
Fabulous idea! (Julie)
It sounds like a wonderful idea to me. (Andrew)
Creative collaboration by the supporters of Obama is what sets this campaign apart from all the rest. This is change at its best. Congratulation for a fabulous idea! (Janet)
I think the rose idea is excellent! (Jab)
GREAT IDEA! Also deals with the false patriotism of wearing the flag on one's lapel. (Gretchen)
Count me in! (Dale)
Wonderful idea! (Andrew)
Great Idea! I am also adopting the middle name Hussein through November. (Tara)
Brilliant! (Jennifer)
Yes am in! United we shall remain, as we conquer all obstacles. (Admo)
Awesome idea! I will be happy to participate and pass it along to all my friends. (Neeru)
Fantastic idea! Thank you. (Rebecca)

I hope you, too, will join us.

Cheer!
Adoyo.

"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." (Romeo & Juliet, Act II, scene2)

Click here for an adaptation of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet.

McCain On President Putin of Germany

Adoyo — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:16:45 EST

This now in from the Straight Talk Express

A Rose by any other Name

Adoyo — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:49:36 EST

> - CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO SPORT A LAPEL ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

"That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet."
(Romeo and Juliet Act II, scene ii)

Did you know that the Rose is the National Flower of the United States?

What would Shakespeare have said about the whole "Hussein" question...?

Rose: O Barack, Barack! wherefore art thou Barack?
Deny thy father, and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Rose.
Barack: [Aside.] Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?
Rose: 'Tis but thy name that is Hussein;
Thou art thyself though, not an enemy.
What's Hussein? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O! be some other name:
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Barack would, were he not Barack call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Barack, doff thy name;
And for that name, which is no part of thee,
Take all myself.
Barack: I take thee at thy word.
Call me but friend, and I'll be new baptiz'd;
Henceforth I never will be Barack.
adapted from Romeo and Juliet Act II, scene ii

But can he lead?

Adoyo — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:12:58 EST

Senator Clair McCaskill (D- Missouri) points to the clearest evidence of why Barack Obama is the strongest candidate.

Starting @ 2:45 into the clip:

McCaskill: I think everyone knows that Barack Obama hasn't had as much experience in Washington.
Mika Brzezinski: But Senator, shouldn't that matter? I mean, shouldn't that matter to voters - whether or not he is experienced enough to hold the job?
McCaskill: I think what should matter is: Can he lead? Is he a competent and strong executive? And look at these campaigns: Whose is the only campaign that hasn't run out of money; that hasn't had to fire people; that hasn't had public backbiting? I mean, who is the person who has run a chaotic and difficult organization seamlessly? I think that's a pretty good indication to the American people that he's ready.

Please share far and wide:

Is he a competent and strong executive?

Cheers
-Adoyo

Abandon all hope, ye who enter here! (NYT on HRC)

Adoyo — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:05:16 EST

Frank Rich juxtaposes the two Democratic candidates in a refreshingly no-nonsense assessment of what their campaigns can really tell us about them and what we should expect.

The Audacity of Hopelessness
By FRANK RICH

Published: February 24, 2008

WHEN people one day look back at the remarkable implosion of the Hillary Clinton campaign, they may notice that it both began and ended in the long dark shadow of Iraq.Barry Blitt

It’s not just that her candidacy’s central premise — the priceless value of “experience” — was fatally poisoned from the start by her still ill-explained vote to authorize the fiasco. Senator Clinton then compounded that 2002 misjudgment by pursuing a 2008 campaign strategy that uncannily mimicked the disastrous Bush Iraq war plan. After promising a cakewalk to the nomination — “It will be me,” Mrs. Clinton told Katie Couric in November — she was routed by an insurgency.

The Clinton camp was certain that its moneyed arsenal of political shock-and-awe would take out Barack Hussein Obama in a flash. The race would “be over by Feb. 5,” Mrs. Clinton assured George Stephanopoulos just before New Year’s. But once the Obama forces outwitted her, leaving her mission unaccomplished on Super Tuesday, there was no contingency plan. She had neither the boots on the ground nor the money to recoup.

That’s why she has been losing battle after battle by double digits in every corner of the country ever since. And no matter how much bad stuff happened, she kept to the Bush playbook, stubbornly clinging to her own Rumsfeld, her chief strategist, Mark Penn. Like his prototype, Mr. Penn is bigger on loyalty and arrogance than strategic brilliance. But he’s actually not even all that loyal. Mr. Penn, whose operation has billed several million dollars in fees to the Clinton campaign so far, has never given up his day job as chief executive of the public relations behemoth Burson-Marsteller. His top client there, Microsoft, is simultaneously engaged in a demanding campaign of its own to acquire Yahoo.

Clinton fans don’t see their standard-bearer’s troubles this way. In their view, their highly substantive candidate was unfairly undone by a lightweight showboat who got a free ride from an often misogynist press and from naïve young people who lap up messianic language as if it were Jim Jones’s Kool-Aid. Or as Mrs. Clinton frames it, Senator Obama is all about empty words while she is all about action and hard work.

But it’s the Clinton strategists, not the Obama voters, who drank the Kool-Aid. The Obama campaign is not a vaporous cult; it’s a lean and mean political machine that gets the job done. The Clinton camp has been the slacker in this race, more words than action, and its candidate’s message, for all its purported high-mindedness, was and is self-immolating.

The gap in hard work between the two campaigns was clear well before Feb. 5. Mrs. Clinton threw as much as $25 million at the Iowa caucuses without ever matching Mr. Obama’s organizational strength. In South Carolina, where last fall she was up 20 percentage points in the polls, she relied on top-down endorsements and the patina of inevitability, while the Obama campaign built a landslide-winning organization from scratch at the grass roots. In Kansas, three paid Obama organizers had the field to themselves for three months; ultimately Obama staff members outnumbered Clinton staff members there 18 to 3.

In the last battleground, Wisconsin, the Clinton campaign was six days behind Mr. Obama in putting up ads and had only four campaign offices to his 11. Even as Mrs. Clinton clings to her latest firewall — the March 4 contests — she is still being outhustled. Last week she told reporters that she “had no idea” that the Texas primary system was “so bizarre” (it’s a primary-caucus hybrid), adding that she had “people trying to understand it as we speak.” Perhaps her people can borrow the road map from Obama’s people. In Vermont, another March 4 contest, The Burlington Free Press reported that there were four Obama offices and no Clinton offices as of five days ago. For what will no doubt be the next firewall after March 4, Pennsylvania on April 22, the Clinton campaign is sufficiently disorganized that it couldn’t file a complete slate of delegates by even an extended ballot deadline.

This is the candidate who keeps telling us she’s so competent that she’ll be ready to govern from Day 1. Mrs. Clinton may be right that Mr. Obama has a thin résumé, but her disheveled campaign keeps reminding us that the biggest item on her thicker résumé is the health care task force that was as botched as her presidential bid.

Given that Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama offer marginally different policy prescriptions — laid out in voluminous detail by both, by the way, on their Web sites — it’s not clear what her added-value message is. The “experience” mantra has been compromised not only by her failure on the signal issue of Iraq but also by the deadening lingua franca of her particular experience, Washingtonese. No matter what the problem, she keeps rolling out another commission to solve it: a commission for infrastructure, a Financial Product Safety Commission, a Corporate Subsidy Commission, a Katrina/Rita Commission and, to deal with drought, a water summit.

As for countering what she sees as the empty Obama brand of hope, she offers only a chilly void: Abandon hope all ye who enter here. This must be the first presidential candidate in history to devote so much energy to preaching against optimism, against inspiring language and — talk about bizarre — against democracy itself. No sooner does Mrs. Clinton lose a state than her campaign belittles its voters as unrepresentative of the country.

Bill Clinton knocked states that hold caucuses instead of primaries because “they disproportionately favor upper-income voters” who “don’t really need a president but feel like they need a change.” After the Potomac primary wipeout, Mr. Penn declared that Mr. Obama hadn’t won in “any of the significant states” outside of his home state of Illinois. This might come as news to Virginia, Maryland, Washington and Iowa, among the other insignificant sites of Obama victories. The blogger Markos Moulitsas Zúniga has hilariously labeled this Penn spin the “insult 40 states” strategy.

The insults continued on Tuesday night when a surrogate preceding Mrs. Clinton onstage at an Ohio rally, Tom Buffenbarger of the machinists’ union, derided Obama supporters as “latte-drinking, Prius-driving, Birkenstock-wearing, trust-fund babies.” Even as he ranted, exit polls in Wisconsin were showing that Mr. Obama had in fact won that day among voters with the least education and the lowest incomes. Less than 24 hours later, Mr. Obama received the endorsement of the latte-drinking Teamsters.

If the press were as prejudiced against Mrs. Clinton as her campaign constantly whines, debate moderators would have pushed for the Clinton tax returns and the full list of Clinton foundation donors to be made public with the same vigor it devoted to Mr. Obama’s “plagiarism.” And it would have showered her with the same ridicule that Rudy Giuliani received in his endgame. With 11 straight losses in nominating contests, Mrs. Clinton has now nearly doubled the Giuliani losing streak (six) by the time he reached his Florida graveyard. But we gamely pay lip service to the illusion that she can erect one more firewall.

The other persistent gripe among some Clinton supporters is that a hard-working older woman has been unjustly usurped by a cool young guy intrinsically favored by a sexist culture. Slate posted a devilish video mash-up of the classic 1999 movie “Election”: Mrs. Clinton is reduced to a stand-in for Tracy Flick, the diligent candidate for high school president played by Reese Witherspoon, and Mr. Obama is implicitly cast as the mindless jock who upsets her by dint of his sheer, unearned popularity.

There is undoubtedly some truth to this, however demeaning it may be to both candidates, but in reality, the more consequential ur-text for the Clinton 2008 campaign may be another Hollywood classic, the Katharine Hepburn-Spencer Tracy “Pat and Mike” of 1952. In that movie, the proto-feminist Hepburn plays a professional athlete who loses a tennis or golf championship every time her self-regarding fiancé turns up in the crowd, pulling her focus and undermining her confidence with his grandstanding presence.

In the 2008 real-life remake of “Pat and Mike,” it’s not the fiancé, of course, but the husband who has sabotaged the heroine. The single biggest factor in Hillary Clinton’s collapse is less sexism in general than one man in particular — the man who began the campaign as her biggest political asset. The moment Bill Clinton started trash-talking about Mr. Obama and raising the specter of a co-presidency, even to the point of giving his own televised speech ahead of his wife’s on the night she lost South Carolina, her candidacy started spiraling downward.

What’s next? Despite Mrs. Clinton’s valedictory tone at Thursday’s debate, there remains the fear in some quarters that whether through sleights of hand involving superdelegates or bogus delegates from Michigan or Florida, the Clintons might yet game or even steal the nomination. I’m starting to wonder. An operation that has waged political war as incompetently as the Bush administration waged war in Iraq is unlikely to suddenly become smart enough to pull off that duplicitous a “victory.” Besides, after spending $1,200 on Dunkin’ Donuts in January alone, this campaign simply may not have the cash on hand to mount a surge.

An invitation to Unity for Change

Adoyo — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:38:33 EST

Hi Everybody,

I am really proud of the way Senator Obama repeatedly brought the focus back to the real priorities of this campaign in last night's debate. In one smooth move, in the space of about 6 minutes, he managed to:

reiterated the primacy of his active advocacy to not only improve lives, but to improve government
went to bat on behalf of his supporters, effectively dismissing the ongoing trope that the millions who chose his kind of leadership are somehow out of touch with reality
emphasized the importance of inspiring the nation to overcome divisions in order to get things done
neutralized the plagiarism fracas as "silly season in politics" (personal favorite) that discourages many
rounded it all up with a hearty helping of beef and potatoes
- making good jobs and good wages more accessible
- making healthcare available and affordable; a $4,000 ethically minded tuition credit to make college affordable
- a tax code that responds to the needs of the American family
- ending the war in Iraq and investing resources at home
- ... and then some...

Here's a refresher : Texas Democratic Debate: Great Responses by Obama

So here's an idea:

There is a rift between supporters for the democratic candidates which I think we can all do something to repair. How about we take the initiative to be conciliatory in preparation for the convention? How about we make every effort to be welcoming and inviting to Senator Clinton's supporters?

Each one of us has talents we could apply to healing this rift, or exacerbating it. We can choose to neutralize potentially incendiary trends in many of the blogs we comment on. I have already seen many Obama supporters do it very effectively on NYT Caucus, Politico and elsewhere. So I write to you with the hope that many more of us can contribute to neutralizing the currents of bad blood flowing between the two groups of supporters and help make it easier for the Democrats to arrive at the August convention in unity.

Best wishes,
Adoyo

I Refuse to Buy into the Obama Hype (now a supporter)

Adoyo — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:48:15 EST

Here is a diary everyone, especially skeptics, should read!

I refuse to buy into the hype, on either side, but especially on that of Obama. However the "empty rhetoric" v. "history of accomplishments" arguments have prompted me to check it out on my own, not relying on any candidate's website, book, or worst of all supporters' diaries, like this one.

What follows are the thoughtful and informative results of one woman's careful research of the legislative records of Senator Obama and Senator Clinton

I Refuse to Buy into the Obama Hype (now a supporter)
by Grassroots Mom

Enjoy and pass it on!

Barack Obama's Supporters

Adoyo — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:53:11 EST

The recent running trope meant to vilify Obama supporters has indeed been worrisome and not-just-a-little irritating. But we know who we are and why we support Senator Obama.

We are teachers and students and veterans and mothers and fathers, workers and entrepreneurs, managers, assistants, self-employed, cleaning crew, geniuses, thinkers, loggers, surfers, mathematicians, philosophers, latte drinkers, barbecuers, vegans, grandmothers, grandfather, comedians, bureaucrats, soap stars, pop singers, activists, humanitarians, big shots, little fish, even some journalists... the list goes on.

We want to do our part in making a better world and so we have thrown our lot with the candidate who trusts our good will and believes in our ability to make a difference.

When I ask myself, who are all these people who support Barack Obama: who do we have to thank for the phenomenal growth of this campaign, this movement?

These are the people I see and hear on my.barackobama.com and in newspapers and magazines and in tv coverage of rallies, speeches, visibility and GOTV drives. And it is on them that I focus my attention and energy.

Alongside them I do what very little I can to help achieve our common objective, because I truly believe that even though we are all so different in our material and personal interests, we have a candidate who has helped us prove that we can make a difference when we chose to.

And when our efforts can no longer be ignored, ridiculed, diminished or vilified, they will be respected because everyone will be the better for it.

The Aikido of Politics and The True Genius of America

Adoyo — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:13:15 EST

Hello Everyone,

I continue to believe that Senator Obama's supporters, especially the most vocal among us, should strive to abstain from expressing ourselves in terms derisive or disrespectful to any of the other candidates, now and following the primaries season. Every time any of us shows anything but real respect for other candidates, I think we diminish our own integrity.

This is not to say that we should not vigorously debate issues or challenge unjust charges directed at our candidate's campaign. But I know we can do this both gracefully and wisely. Think of it as practicing political Aikido.

Aikido, 'often translated as "the Way of unifying energy" and cultivating "harmonious spirit" is a martial art that "practitioners [can] use to defend themselves while also protecting their adversary from injury".' (Source: from Wikipedia)

And protecting the other from injury is especially important. We should neither create nor contribute to *scorched earth* attitudes or tactics, or become arrogant with growing success; such behavior is not only fundamentally contrary to the spirit of the campaign Senator Obama has said he wishes to run, it also serves to undercut his message.

It might be worthwhile to reread his Keynote Address at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. Surely we all remember recognizing ourselves in his words as we heard him say:

Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation, not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
That is the true genius of America, a faith in the simple dreams of its people, the insistence on small miracles. That we can tuck in our children at night and know they are fed and clothed and safe from harm. That we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door. That we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe or hiring somebody's son. That we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will be counted - or at least, most of the time.
[...] alongside our famous individualism, there's another ingredient in the American saga.
A belief that we are connected as one people. If there's a child on the south side of Chicago who can't read, that matters to me, even if it's not my child. If there's a senior citizen somewhere who can't pay for her prescription and has to choose between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it's not my grandmother. If there's an Arab American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due process, that threatens my civil liberties. It's that fundamental belief - I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper - that makes this country work. It's what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family. "E pluribus unum." Out of many, one.
Yet even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes. Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America - there's the United States of America. There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America. The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and have gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported it. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.
SOURCE: Keynote Address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention | July 27, 2004

What do you say, folks?

-Adoyo

Meet Barack Obama (60 Minutes 2007, 2008)

Adoyo — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:29:46 EST

60 Minutes first did a feature on Senator Barack Obama on February 11th, 2007. Tonight they aired another feature, exactly one year since Barack Obama announced his campaign for the presidency.

1) February 11th 2007: Barack & Michelle On Future

2) February 11th 2008: Barack Obama after Super Tuesday

Enjoy and pass it on!

Notes from the Echo Chamber

Adoyo — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 13:13:51 EST

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. Well, Senator Obama's oponent has consistently paid him complement by time and again trying to mimic and then alter his messgae. At first it was worrisome. Now it's just fascinating to watch. Here's an excerpt from the New York Times:

Speaking at a rally attended by 6,000 people, Mrs. Clinton stood onstage with Senator Maria Cantwell, Democrat of Washington, and took Mr. Obama to task over his health care plan, which she said would leave millions uninsured, including “more than 250,000 right here in Washington.”
“When it comes to universal health care, my opponent is saying, ‘No, we can’t,’ ” Mrs. Clinton said. “Well, I say, yes we can, and yes we will, if we make the right decision in this election.”

I don't know what kind of semiological acrobatics are required to convert "YES WE CAN" into the above quoted contradiction. But it's a neat trick, especially when it allows you to then appropriate, WHOLESALE, Senator Obama's message as your own.

THANK YOU JOHN STEWART!

Adoyo — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:19:04 EST

Laughter really is the best medicine! As folks are rallying to work even harder after the New Hampshire results, here, too, comes Jon Stewart to lift our spirits with some much-needed levity by ribbing the media for its coverage of the New Hampsire Primary.

Daily Show: New Hampsire Primary

In the midst of all the winks and giggles, Stewart manages to shine the light on an important point: the media seems to have set the stage to make the primary outcome seem more dramatic than it really was by playing the expectations game to favor Clinton (see an earlier blog entry about the dynamics of the Expectations Game).

The best part is of John Stewart's clip starting about halfway through with "pop culture metaphors". The Chris Matthews' "Lawrence of Arabia" analogy is particularly PRICELESS!

Daily Show: New Hampsire Primary

Check out the video. I hope you enjoy it!

Growing the movement with civil persuasion (Tips for discussion and response: focus on the message)

Adoyo — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 04:19:49 EST

As this movement to reclaim the best of America continues to grow, more and more people are paying closer attention to Barack Obama's call. We have already seen opposing campaigns become more reckless and agressive as they turn up the rhetorical heat - a tactic which has the potential to draw equally reckless reactions from us, Barack Obama's supporters.

But we need not play that game. In fact, quite the opposite. Like Barack Obama said at the 100 Club dinner, we can bring more light instead of heat to this part of the process by keeping our calm and staying on message.

I'm reposting a blog entry from a few months ago with suggestions about how to keep cool especially as Barack Obama and his family will become the targets of rhetorical propaganda in the rising heat.

These basic guidelines (compiled with notes from Todd Smyth) are meant to help us communicate Senator Obama's message better and respond more effectively to both creditable challenges and unfounded attacks.

I know we can persuade our fellow citizens - by engaging their friends, neighbors and co-workers one at a time - to join us in reclaiming the nation by electing Barack Obama to the Oval Office.

Tips for discussions and response: focus on the message

Always ask questions like: "What issues are most important to you?"
Listen and learn from the people you talk to. Listening builds trust, respect and empathy. If you listen to others, they are more likely to listen to you.
Pay attention and do not interrupt.
Pause before you respond and think about what they said.
Try to summarize what they have said in a few words and emphasize those points that you have in common. Nice segues include: "I see that we agree that..." / "Yes, you mentioned some of the things that I really care about, too..."
Disagree with the argument, not the person. Possible segue: "The difference here is..."
Be respectful, not angry or condescending.
Respond with brief answers (limiting the length of your answers forces you to focus on what is most relevant and important at that time).
Be polite and receptive and do not be afraid to be humble, or to concede.
If they raise their voice or get agitated, lower your voice and stay calm. Reassure them that you hear what they are saying.
When you speak, speak with calm, conviction and confidence. Show no doubt or hesitation.

I added the following details:

Talk consistently about Senator Obama's strengths and remain silent on the weaknesses of opponents (any energy you spend casting the other candidates in shadow is energy you could otherwise spend shining more light on Senator Obama).
Answer every question directly and truthfully.
When you don't know the answer, simply say "I don't know, but perhaps we can find out..." - great segue to the BarackObama.com website and other media about Senator Obama if you are near a computer with an internet connection.
At the end of your exchange, thank the other party for telling you their views (now you know more about what they care about) and ask them to consider the fact that Senator Obama is the kind of leader who can effectively bring about the changes they care about.

So, for example, when someone brings up experience in any form, it's important to get a clear idea of what they mean by 'experience'. Ask them directly. You now have a great opportunity to talk about Senator Obama's work as:

a dedicated law maker who brought new ethics reform legislation to a state senate that had balked for twenty five years and brought new laws to ensure the civil liberties for citizens (videotaping interrogations);
a Civil Rights lawyer in Chicago and as a Professor of Constitutional Law at University of Chicago Law School;
a young man mobilized ordinary people to bring about change on issues they most cared about;
a community organizer who ran wide voter registration drives to empower more people in the democratic process.
In addition to all this, he brings new, much needed energy to the national political arena. He understands conventions yet is nimble enough to think outside the box for innovative and effective solutions to the challenges the country faces.

Above all, he is a trustworthy leader whose good judgement we have seen throughout his pubic life:

He is the person who could get difficult things done - like Universal Health Care - because he is an effective consensus builder.
He was elected President of the Harvard Law Review in one of the most hotly contested years in a politically volatile moment at Harvard Law School.
He listens to everybody: his direct constituents as well as those who represent others. He approaches every discussion with the assumption that the other legislators care as much about their positions as he does his. Just as they did at Harvard, they listen to him in the Senate because they know that he is listening to them and is attentive to what they care about.
He is calm, thoughtful and decisive. When he speaks, he has already asked the tough questions and thought about the problem deeply to gain a thorough understanding of complex issues. He can therefore speak responsibly and with authority and does not contradict himself.
This is how, in 2002, he opposed the Iraq after examining the situation and seeing that the case had not been made. He was therefore able to predict - almost to a tee - just how the situation would play out. (Watch the video of his interview in 2002)
He has lived abroad and intuitively understands how cultures throughout the world are different from one another, yet see clearly that human beings intrinsically share more in common.
Throughout this campaign, Senator Obama has been entirely consistent in his message and in his positions. He has already raised the bar significantly when it comes to civility and clearly sees what is best about America and its potential to be even greater.

Ultimately, Senator Obama is the best and most reliable source for where he stands, what he believes and what he has done. Get to know his legislative record and his speeches in particular. Quote these speeches, recommend them to others and encourage everyone to listen to him for themselves. In the end, try to always steer the discussion or the argument in the direction of the issues and make sure that the context of any given quotation is always front and center.

We all know how much the press enjoys fanning the flames of apparent conflict and strife among the candidates. We also know that many of these 'dust-ups' are really just rhetorical. There is really no reason we should be starting or getting into fights over the campaign.

I hope some of these tips are useful to you. Go Obama '08!

Hmmm...

Adoyo — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 06:24:01 EST

Campaign season is a lot about gaining support and winning office. Candidates have to appeal to voters in all sorts of ways - personally, socially, politically, financially... They have to put their best foot forward and be on their best behaviour - a fact which makes me wonder about the mettle of some of the people we see making their rounds of the country vying for votes. No doubt the challenges presented by the competition, the press and the voters themselves shape the candidate considerably. The candidates bring themselves to the table as raw material and they leave, be it as winners or not, transformed by the experience. I imagine that the shape they eventualy take depends on at least three factors: what they were to begin with, their own agency in the evlution they must undergo and the influence of external forces (voters, press and the competition).

But can we ever really know the person? I think that whether they like it or not, we do get a raw glimpse of who these aspirants really are, and what they are, every now and then: the key is consistecy. The pragmatist optimist always comes across as such; the blusterous idealist as well; as does the chameleon. As reductive as this might sound, we do in fact end up able to recognize certain characteristics as particular to the individual who most often exhibits them.

All that said, I can't help but wonder what any of the candidates would be like in the presence of people from whom they needed nothing? Something tells me that it is in the company of those who have nothing to offer that we truly discover a person's character. In such a situation, we most clearly get to see the real nature of their ethical sensibility: we get to see whether their interests are limited to their personal well-being or whether they extend into a broader social universe.

Such a thought experiment obviously has no application in any political campaign since, as I stated before, campaigns are about persuading people to give you the support you need to win.

It doesn't hurt to wonder, though...

Foreign Policy Forum

Adoyo — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:57:57 EST

I just spend a substantial part of the afternoon watching the videos of the Foreign Policy Forum and it was reassuring to hear the various FP advisors respond thoughtfully to the questions raised.

It is also reassuring to see the respect and deference that surrounds Senator Obama in that king of collegial context - all of it along with a palpable camaraderie.

Today's quotable

Adoyo — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 05:06:34 EST

"We could elect a man who is honest and admits mistakes. This is almost too good to be true…."

— Posted by petra

source: NYT Caucus blog. 18 November 25th, 2007

I LOVE the Women for Obama Documentary!

Adoyo — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:11:54 EST

I just spent the best 20 minutes watching one of the best documentaries to come out of this campaign. It is comprehensive, informative, and thankfully devoid of platitudes.

It's wonderful to see people talking about what they care about and to hear them explain why they support Senator Obama. THe best part of the documentary is just past the 10 minute mark where both Senator Obama and his wife Michelle talk about their family, especially his mother and his sisters.

Everyone should see this video!

Women for Obama

Finally, some exciting news about Obama in Italia

Adoyo — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:19:22 EST

So today I opened up the "Corriere della Sera," Italia's big newspaper, and there was a wonderful article about Senator Obama's lead in the Iowa polls. Even better, the reporter filing the story took pains to emphasize the strategic importance of a lead and possible victory in the Iowa primary, framing Senator Obama's growing strength in this campaign as a sign of the evolving sensibilities of the American voter.

In sum, the story underlied the fact that Senator Obama's support stemmed primarily from voters who have become more exigent on questions of accountability, honesty and yes, electability.

Definitley a good-news day.