A Conservative View

Hillary, Abramoff, and real electability

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 14 May 2008 00:47:53 EDT

Daily Kos diarist dengre has posted an excellent overview of the as yet unvetted connection between Hillary Clinton and notorious Republican money man Jack Abramoff.

In 2006 only Republicans were connected to the Abramoff Web of Corruption. That is still mostly true, but one Democrat has become the exception.
Her name is Hillary Clinton.

Sentenced to over 5 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to bribe public officials, fraud, and tax evasion; Jack Abramoff was a key figure in the political downfall of several prominent Republicans including: Texas Representative Tom DeLay and Ohio Representative Robert Ney. (Ney was later convicted and sentenced to 30 months in prison.)

Exposing Hillary Clinton as second only to President George Bush in the amount taken from Abramoff associates in Saipan, dengre provides FEC examples of money Hillary took from known sweatshop operators, the Han family:

KIM LAM, PEK, Homemaker; 9/30/2005; $2,000
TAN, JOISE, N/A/Homemaker; 10/2/2005; $2,000
TAN, RAYMOND, Luen Thai/President; 9/30/2005; $2,000
TAN, SIU L, Tan Holdings Corp./Chairman; 9/30/2005; $2,000
TAN, WILLIE, Luen Thai/COO; 9/30/2005; $2,000

The must read article reminded me of the similar piece written in 2006 by Byron York for NRO:

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has accepted campaign contributions from a Saipan garment-industry tycoon, sometimes described as a sweatshop operator, whose ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff have been part of the lobbying scandal investigation. Newly filed Federal Election Commission records show that the businessman, Willie Tan, last year gave $2,000 to Friends of Hillary, one of the senator's political action committees. Friends of Hillary also accepted $2,000 contributions from Raymond Tan and Siu Lin Tan, family members who are top executives in Willie Tan's businesses. All three contributions were received on September 30, 2005, according to FEC records. Another family member, Josie Tan, who listed her occupation as homemaker, made a $2,000 contribution received on October 2, 2005.

Why has this story not received more exposure through the main stream media? National Review is about as conservative as it gets, and with the Republicans still stinging from the fallout over the Abramoff scandals they are just waiting for a chance to use that double edged sword on Hillary should she somehow steal the nomination through backroom trickery. The same sentiments by the electorate that led to the Republican defeats in 2006 will turn against Hillary in the general election. Let's hear Wolfson and McAuliffe spin Hillary's win in West Virginia as championing the oppressed working class against the campaign contributions she eagerly receives from slave labor operations. Tell me again about your supposed electability Hillary.

Show the DNC that Obama will win in November

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:31:53 EDT

Dallas: Show Howard Dean and the DNC that Barack Obama is THE person who can envigorate and grow the Democratic Party. Sign up and participate in the Dallas Vote for Change voter registration drive on Saturday May 10th. The DNC represents the leadership of the Democratic Party and we can demonstrate to them that Barack Obama will win in the general election against John McCain; and nothing will speak louder than thousands of newly registered voters eager to participate in our electoral process!

From Obama Dallas:

With this election, we have the chance to ensure that more voters than ever take an active stake in our country’s future. On May 10, Obama for America will launch Vote for Change, a national voter registration and mobilization drive with kickoffs in all 50 states. This event is the kickoff for our area. After a brief training, we’ll hit the streets to register voters. Please join us!

View event details and sign up here: Vote for Change

Join us and show Howard Dean and the DNC how Barack Obama brings in new voters and wil win in November!

Dallas: Win a Superdelegate for Barack!

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:50:48 EDT

How would you like to convince a superdelegate that Barack Obama is the person who can envigorate and grow the Democratic Party? Well here is your chance. Sign up and participate in the Dallas Vote for Change voter registration drive on Saturday May 10th. Superdelegates are charged with weighing the good of the Democratic Party against popular votes when they decide who is the best candidate to cast their ballot for, and what could be better than thousands of newly registered voters eager to participate in our electoral process?

From Obama Dallas:

With this election, we have the chance to ensure that more voters than ever take an active stake in our country’s future. On May 10, Obama for America will launch Vote for Change, a national voter registration and mobilization drive with kickoffs in all 50 states. This event is the kickoff for our area. After a brief training, we’ll hit the streets to register voters. Please join us!

View event details and sign up here: Vote for Change

I'll be there, how about you?

Hillary: $2.3 Billion in Earmarks for 2009

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:15:34 EDT

Was anyone really wondering why Hillary was dragging her feet on releasing the amount of money requested for 2009, earmarked for pet projects? The question about how much pork would Hillary try and dump into her trough for 2009 has been answered by Manu Raju and Kevin Bogardus in their article for The Hill, Clinton: $2.3B in Earmarks:

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) has requested nearly $2.3 billion in federal earmarks for 2009, almost three times the largest amount received by a single senator this year. The Democratic presidential candidate’s staggering request comes at a time when Congress remains engaged in a heated debate over spending federal dollars on parochial projects.

2.3 Billion? Three time as much as requested by any other Senator? Let's hear from the Hillary campaign how this makes her more electable against McCain who has not requested a dime. And while they're at it, make sure to point out that Obama has refused to make any earmark requests for the coming year; Think this has no politcal consequences?

It also has gained traction on the campaign trail. Presumptive GOP nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), a longtime foe of earmarks, has called for eliminating what he dubs “wasteful Washington spending.” Democratic front-runner Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) has spurned earmarks, seeking no funds for pet projects in the upcoming fiscal year.

Hillary cannot challenge McCain on experience, she cannot challenge his vote for the war in Iraq, she cannot challenge his credentials for Commander in Chief, and now she cannot even challenge him on financial responsibility. Exactly how over the top is Hillary's 2.3 billion buck porker?

The total amount Clinton requested greatly surpasses the $837 million secured last year by Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi, the ranking Republican on the Appropriations Committee who took home the largest dollar amount of earmarks in the current fiscal year’s spending bills.

Small wonder that Hillary was less than forthcoming about her pork habits this year. While other lawmakers are seeking ways to cut back on earmarks, particularly those seeking the highest office in the nation, Hillary dives into the barrel head first. However we hear an entirely different story on the campaign trail as Hillary apparently suffers from selective amnesia and misremembers much as she claims to be fiscally responsible:

Each of the three presidential candidates has claimed to be the candidate of fiscal responsibility. Clinton, Obama and McCain voted for an amendment, sponsored by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), that would establish a one-year earmark moratorium. That amendment failed to pass, however, when it came to a vote in March.

There is the tell: Obama, in refusing to make any earmark requests, is acting independently in support of the defeated one year moratorium sponsored by Senator DeMint. This is the true nature of Barack Obama in acting on the principles he believes in and advocates. Hillary also voted for the moratorium, but true to her nature the vote was nothing more than posturing with the right hand while the left hand was reaching for record amounts of our money. This is vintage Hillary and the tired politics of business as usual. Status quo, same old same old. Is it any wonder that Hillary and her Republican allies are using Wright smoke and Flag Pin mirrors to keep any real news about Clinton out of the public eye?

Not this time.

Vote for Change Kickoff - Voter Registration Drive

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:32:16 EDT

From Obama Dallas:

With this election, we have the chance to ensure that more voters than ever take an active stake in our country’s future. On May 10, Obama for America will launch Vote for Change, a national voter registration and mobilization drive with kickoffs in all 50 states. This event is the kickoff for our area. After a brief training, we’ll hit the streets to register voters. Please join us!

Full event details HERE

Want to convince superdelegates and the DNC leadership which candidate can really lead and envigorate the Democratic Party? Well here's your chance. Sign up and help bring more Americans into the electoral process.

Dallas County Area Delegate Training - Saturday May 3rd

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:15:38 EDT

Congratulations on being selected as a Delegate or Alternate to the Texas Democratic State Convention in Austin. This honor carries with it tremendous responsibility to attend the Convention and represent the interests of your friends and neighbors who elected you.

Thanks to your participation in the Conventions process, Senator Obama is on pace to win Texas by earning more National Delegates. More importantly, the Conventions are providing the Texas Democratic Party with the precinct-by-precinct infrastructure that will be so important to winning in November.

Obama Dallas will host Texas State Convention Delegate Training on Saturday May 3rd at the Obama Dallas headquarters. The training will be conducted by representatives of Obama for America and is open to all delegates from Texas Senate Districts within Dallas County; including SD 2, SD 8, SD 9, SD 16, SD 23. All Dallas County area Obama delegates and alternates are strongly encouraged to attend the state convention training.

Training will cover:

* Your role as a delegate/alternate
* What to expect at the convention
* Questions and answers

There will be three training sessions on Saturday May 3rd:

12:00 - 2:00p

2:00 - 4:00p

4:00 - 6:00p

Please RSVP by signing up HERE, then show up ready to go at the time most convenient for you.

Location:

Obama Dallas (Same office as Obama for America)
1409 South Lamar Street
Dallas, Texas 75215

What if there had been no JFK?

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:57:30 EDT

What if there had been no JFK?

What if a bright young Senator with inspiring visions of how America could be had faced well organized and well funded win-at-any-cost political machine in the 1960 Democratic primaries?

The machine would have sought to crush him and any hope that he brought. The machine would feed its own lust for power at the expense of what is best for the country.

What if there had been no JFK?

Would we ever have been inspired to reach out into space, even unto the moon?

There is a bright young Senator from Illinois with inspiring visions of how America could be facing a well organized and well funded win-at-any-cost Clinton political machine right now. This machine seeks to crush him and any hope that he brings in its lust for power and self aggrandizement.

We know what we would have lost if there was no JFK, what will we lose if there is no Obama?

What moons could Obama have inspired us to reach that would go untouched if the machine is allowed destroy the hope he brings?

Senator Barack Obama is the most visionary and inspiring political figure in recent history. We know it. The Republicans know it. The world knows it.

The machine knows it. The machine fears it, and seeks to crush Obama. The Clintons would have sought to crush even JFK if he had stood in their way.

There are only 9 contests left in the 2008 Democratic Primary, only 9 opportunities left to put Obama over the top. We must do everything in our power to ensure that Barack Obama wins all of them. Hillary is NOT going to do the right thing, she will fight to the last triple recount and attack Obama at every turn. If we do not succeed in nominating Barack Obama now, the chance to forever change out country may have passed our generation by. I cannot sit idly by and let that happen.

When you think you are just one person and cannot make a difference in this election, ask yourself: What if there had been no JFK?

When you think you have done enough today, and maybe others should be doing more, ask yourself: What if there had been no JFK?

Yes we can defeat the machine.

HIllary's revenge: "I'll get you, my Pretty"

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:51:21 EDT

In a recently published Newsweek article, Settling Scores, Eleanor Clift writes of the Clinton penchant for nursing grudges, and the very real propsect of Hillary seeking payback of those who opposed her if she manages to wrest the nomination from Senator Barack Obama:

Notables who abandoned her for Obama will get the Big Chill. "He's dead to us," a Clinton aide was quoted saying of John Kerry, who along with Ted Kennedy was turned off by the perception of race baiting that led up to the South Carolina primary. A major donor, conflicted between the two candidates and apologetic over his backing of Obama, found Hillary less than sympathetic. "Too bad for you, because I'm going to win," she snapped.

John Kerry is dead to us? If you don't vote for me, too bad for you? I'm sorry, but how far is this from the childhood cry of: "I'll get you at recess!" This is pretty sad behavior from a person seeking to become the leader of the most powerful coutry in the world. What should we expect from a person who seems to want to answer the phone at 3:00am? Best hope that no one who has crossed Hillary before is on the line; obliteration anyone? This is not mere speculation, there is an established pattern of action against those who endorse another candidate in opposition to Hillary's ascension to the Oval Office. Senator Kennedy, long an outspoken advocate of women's rights, was castigated as a traitor to women by the National Oganization of Women almost immediately upon hs endorsement of Obama. Recall an article from The Hill (Eyeing Obama coattails) where Alexander Bolton wrote of potential backers of Barack Obama worried about possible repercussions:

A Southern House Democrat who faces a difficult reelection this year said Obama “has the potential to bring more folks to the polls and swell the ranks of Democrats.” The lawmaker, who has not endorsed either candidate, declined to speak on the record because Clinton may become the nominee.

Since when are you not allowed to mention the positive aspects of another candidate for fear of retribution from the establishment's chosen? Remember that this was published before New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson endorsed Obama. While no one batted an eye when Bill Richardson entered the Democratic Primary and campaigned for himself; as soon as the Governor endorsed Obama the Clinton campign vilified him. Bill Clinton himself called Richardson a liar, and Clinton toady Carville likened the Governor to Judas.

This is the politics of business as usual, the tired tactics used to maintain the status quo. Contrast the actions of Clinton and Co to those of Barack Obama. Senator Obama has actually been under fire from some quarters for refusing to fully engage in the backbiting and pettiness of traditional politics. Obama has been called weak for striving to bring an aura of civility to campaigning while his opponent has run through every dirty trick in her Xeroxed Rovian playbook.

I, and a great majority of Americans, are tired of rhetoric and divisiveness. I support Barack Obama precisely because he has sought to elevate the political discourse and put an end to business as usual campaigning. That is a change that I can believe in.

Clinton Donors Depart; Some Cite Divisive Campaign Tactics

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:08:30 EDT

Long time financial supporters of Senator Hillary Clinton are abandoning ship. In their article in Friday's Washington Post titled Party Fears Racial Divide, staff writers Jonathon Weisman and Matthew Mosk look at the concern expressed by many in the Democratic Party about the potential for long term damage if the current negative tone of the campaign is allowed to continue. As the lead paragraph of the story puts it:

The protracted and increasingly acrimonious fight for the Democratic presidential nomination is unnerving core constituencies -- African Americans and wealthy liberals -- who are becoming convinced that the party could suffer irreversible harm if Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton maintains her sharp line of attack against Sen. Barack Obama.

Although this concern is nothing new to pundits and politicos who have watched Hillary Clinton up the negative ante at every opportunity; exit polls from the April 22nd primary reveal that nearly two thirds of Pennsylvanians consider Senator Clinton to be at fault for the excessively destructive tactics seen in PA. The American people are beginning to see a side of Mrs. Clinton that looks less and less Presidential. The junior Senator from New York really has little choice. With her campaign running on borrowed money and lacking a positive message and policy proposals that resonate with a majority of the electorate, Clinton is left with only the nuclear option: Hillary has to obliterate Senator Obama in order to have any hope of winning the nomination.

According to Weisman and Mosk, the slash and burn strategy employed in recent contests combined with the Clinton campaign's insistence that superdelegates decide the nomination, overriding the popular vote if need be, is prompting prominent Democrats who had remained neutral to speak up:

"If this party is perceived by people as having gone into a back room somewhere and brokered a nominee, that would not be good for our party," House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (S.C.), the highest ranking African American in Congress, warned yesterday. "I'm telling you, if this continues on its current course, [the damage] is going to be irreparable."

Obama Dallas: Calling Dallas Delegates

Leno - TX Delegate — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:44:46 EDT

Join Obama Dallas in calling Dallas County area Delegates to the Texas State Democratic Convention in preparation for Delegate training. Phone banking will take place this afternoon, from 1:30 - 5:00 at the Obama Dallas headquarters located at 1409 South Lamar Street in Dallas.

View event details: Calling Dallas Delegates

See ya there!

Calling Dallas Delegates

Leno - TX Delegate — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:53:11 EDT

Join Obama Dallas in calling Dallas County area Delegates to the Texas State Democratic Convention in preparation for Delegate training. Phone banking will take place on Sunday, April 27th, from 1:30 - 5:00 at the Obama Dallas headquarters located at 1409 South Lamar Street in Dallas.

View event details: Calling Dallas Delegates

See ya there!

Dallas County Delegate Training - Saturday May 3rd

Leno - TX Delegate — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:01:20 EDT

Obama Dallas will host Texas State Convention Delegate Training on Saturday May 3rd at the Obama Dallas headquarters. The training will be conducted by representatives of Obama for America and is open to all delegates from Texas Senate Districts within Dallas County; including SD 2, SD 8, SD 9, SD 16, SD 23. All Dallas County area Obama delegates and alternates are strongly encouraged to attend the state convention training.

There will be three training sessions on Sunday May 3rd:

12:00 - 2:00p

2:00 - 4:00p

4:00 - 6:00p

No reservations needed, just show up ready to go at the time most convenient for you.

Location:

Obama Dallas (Same office as Obama for America)

1409 South Lamar Street

Dallas, Texas 75215

(Enter from Belleview Street and walk toward the rear of the building)

Save me!

Leno - TX Delegate — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:33:04 EDT

So I submitted my Statement of Candidacy for Texas Delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention today. The statement itself was simple enough; basic identification, demographic and contact information. Then came the actual tossing of the hat:

I request that my name be considered for Delegate/Alternate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention, August 25-28th, in Denver, Colorado. Please consider me for the following Delegate categories:

I. Pledged Senatorial District 16.

Yes! I was now in contention for a coveted National Delegate from Texas position and would hereafter be presenting my case to voting members of the SD-16 delegation all the way to the floor of the Texas State Democratic Convention in Austin this coming June. But the next line of the form was the best of all: Pledging for Barack!

I certify that I voted in the March 4, 2008 Democratic Primary and hereby pledge my support to: Senator Barack Obama.

There. I was officially pledged to Obama. Just let the Hillary people try to get this delegate to disavow a personal pledge and switch candidates. So far so good...

Another Superdelegate for Obama!

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:13:48 EDT

Oklahoma Governor endorses Senator Barack Obama

While the MSM falls over their own feet in congratulating Hillary for her 9 point win, spinning the non-loss in a state she was up by as many as 25 points earlier into a gamebreaking blowout; Michael McNutt of the Oklahoman reports this morning that Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry has announced his support of Illinois Senator Barack Obama in the Democratic primary. From the article:

The Democratic governor, in a statement released by Obama's campaign, pledged to Obama his support as a superdelegate at the convention.

Brad Henry gets it, he understands the importance of moving beyond the 'lessor of two evils' election mindset. The Oklahoma Governor had positive words supporting Obama's message of hope for real change in his statement endorsing Barack today:

"Senator Obama is uniquely positioned to unite our nation and move beyond the divisiveness and partisan skirmishes that too often characterize politics as usual in Washington. Senator Obama and his positive message reflect the best of America.”

Governor Henry is the third superdelegate from Oklahoma to endorse Senator Obama. In summing up his decision to endorse the candidate who finished second in the Oklahoma primary held on February 5th of this year, Henry stated of Obama:

"He is a strong, committed and inspirational leader, ideally suited to bring together Democrats, independents and Republicans,”

As an independent conservative who has traditionally sided with the Republicans, I can attest to the validity of Brad Henry's comments in regard to Barack Obama's appeal across the political spectrum. While Hillary gleefully ("this is the fun part") relies on the lowest common denominator politics of fear, Barack has demonstrated essential leadership qualities in both countering the low brow attacks of both Hillary and McCain and staying on message with the vision of our potential that has resonated so deeply with an ever increasing electorate. I thank you, Governor Henry, for standing in support of Barack Obama and the collective hope of millions of new Democrats like myself.

One by one. Is this one of the superdelegates that Hillary had hoped to convince by playing dirty politics for 6 weeks in a Herculean effort to squander her early massive lead, ultimately winning PA by a mere 9 points? While the media spins this minor speedbump into a massive victory for Hillary, the Obama momentum will continue in Indiana and North Carolina. Yes we did take a 25 point deficit and whittle it down to less than 10. And yes we can take solid Obama leads in Indiana and North Carolina and increase them as well.

PS: That HQ blogger Sam Graham-Felson beat me on this by one minute so he could reap all of the comments. I see how you are now, Sam : )

Calling Pennsylvania: GOTV Top Ten

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:19:18 EDT

Top 10 Pennsylvania GOTV Callers:

1. Robert D. - 481 Calls

2. Steve U. - 400 Calls

3. Thomas C. - 375 Calls

4. LENO - 300 Calls

5. Rebeca B. - 275 Calls

6. John S. - 275 Calls

7. Eric W. - 270 Calls

8. Kathie M. - 254 Calls

9. Eli W.-J. - 250 Calls

10. Carrie W. - 250 Calls

Huzzah! They couldn't keep me out of the Top Ten this time!

Thank you to everyone who made calls to PA, both during the long campaigning and GOTV today. It is this kind of volunteer effort that drives our grassroots campaign. Now let's kick back and watch the results of the PA vote: GO OBAMA!

My Final Call to PA Last Night: Renewed Hope!

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:03:38 EDT

On my final call to Pennsylvania before the phones closed last night, I spoke to a gentleman who seemed amused by the poll driven speculation about the vote there. "Don't worry about us at all," he said, "we are going to surprise the nation." He went on to tell me that his son, a professor at a local college, had surveyed the students there over the past month, not about the candidates, but about their cell phone habits. Particularly about answering unsolicited calls. The overwhelming response was that out of area calls not only went unanswered by minutes conscious cell users, but that any messages left would be summarily deleted. Not a scientific survey by any means, but it does serve to illustrate a limit in the scope of polls for indicating prospective results.

"I wish that after the polls close I could see the faces of those who think we are voting for Hillary tomorrow," the man said, "we are Obama people."

After a few of the calls where I had been hung up on as soon as I mentioned Barack's name, I was glad that this call was the last for the evening. I went to bed reassured about PA.

In my family, land lines are only used at night when we might be found at home. (My home phone is scheduled for disconnect after this election when I will no longer need it for making calls for Obama.) My wife and I both use cell phones almost exclusively now. My own phone has been 'hacked' by my son to include a more comprehensive caller ID; there is now a letter prefix to the number displayed that reveals the call origin when I have an incoming call: R-Residential, C-Commercial, M-Mobile. (Don't even ask me how he did it, I am lucky to remember the speed dial presets correctly) I get so many calls, yet answer only about 4 of every 10. (I hope some of my friends don't read this and realize that I sometimes screen them!)

Top 10 Callers to Pennsylvania: Over 16,000 Calls!

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:10:42 EDT

Top 10 Callers to Pennsylvania:

1. Claudia S. - 4540 Calls

2. Tamar L. - 4145 Calls

3. Henry K. - 1426 Calls

4. Christopher M. - 1348 Calls

5. Bill W. - 1236 Calls

6. William & Doreen B. - 921 Calls

7. Erik C. - 721 Calls

8. John S. - 628 Calls

9. Claudette W. - 600 Calls

10. Sharon E. - 585 Calls

Give it up for these people! They took it to Pennsylvania and turned Yes We Can into Yes We Did! 16,150 calls! Fired up and ready to dial!

Thank you to our top ten callers; and thanks to everyone who made calls to PA on behalf of Barack! I look forward to seeing Barack Obama win PA tomorrow! Yes We Can!

ABC/Washington Post Poll: "Obama Surges on Electability, Challenges Clinton on Leadership"

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:23:56 EDT

Results of an ABC/Washington Post Master Poll were released this morning under the headline: "Obama Surges on Electability, Challenges Clinton on Leadership"

It looks like the pollsters are finally catching on to what Obama supporters have known all along: Barack Obama is the person best situated to beat McCain and win the General Election in November. The new poll comes on the heels of Survey USA reporting that Obama has gained 4 points in PA during the past week. (See my blog on Survey USA results) The SUSA poll numbers had been noised about by the Hillary camp as being definitive, but now even they show a shift to Obama. The ABC/WaPo lead:

Barack Obama has knocked down one of the three tent poles of Hillary Clinton’s campaign for president, surging ahead of her as the candidate Democrats see as most likely to win in November. He’s challenging her on leadership as well, leaving only experience as a clear Clinton advantage in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll.

On the eve of their debate before the Pennsylvania primary next week, Democrats by a 2-1 margin, 62-31 percent, now see Obama as better able to win in November – a dramatic turn from February, when Clinton held a scant 5-point edge on this measure, and more so from last fall, when she crushed her opponents on electability.

Among the more notable results of the poll:

Best Chance to Win in November

Obama: 62%

Hillary: 31%

Clinton: Honesty and Trustworthy?

Yes: 39%

No: 58%

I wll update this as time permits. (After the next block of calls to Pennsylvania!) There is a lot of information in the attached .pdf, I recommend that everyone read it.

ABC News article here

Full Poll Results Here

Survey USA: Obama gains 4 points in PA

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:07:17 EDT

The latest poll results released by Survey USA show a gain of 4 points by Obama over their previous predictions.

April 12-14:

Hillary - 54

Obama - 40

Difference: 14 points

April 5-7:

Hillary - 56

Obama - 38

Difference: 18 points.

This is very significant because SUSA has not reflected this trend for Obama as other polls have. SUSA shows less fluctuation than either Rasmussen, Quinnipiac, and Bloomberg. The RCP average currently has Hillary up by 6.7 points. SUSA is the poll that the Hillary shills use to rally their troops, and now even they are reflecting the now established Obama trend to close the gap as the day of the vote nears.

Obama is going stronger than ever in Pennsylvania, and this is after the bitter Hillary-McCain attacks! We have one week left to make an impact on Pennsylvania. Make some calls to PA for Barack! Just 25 calls from each one of us who blog here could make the crucial difference when voters across PA go to the polls next Tuesday. We are coming down to the wire in the first of the final 10 contests; now more than ever our volunteer efforts are needed. These are our last 10 opportunites to ensure that Barack is the Democratic nominee. Hillary is not going to stand down unless we force here out. Bitter?

If you are bitter over the underhander tactics of Hillary, make some call to PA!

If you are bitter over Hillary doubleteaming Obama with her new dance partner McCain, make some calls to PA!

If you are bitter over the right wing media attacking Obama on a daily basis, make some calls to PA!

Conservatively Contributing to Our Future

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:30:44 EDT

Conservatives and Republicans for Obama: Join with me in Conservatively Contributing to Our Future

"To my fellow Conservatives: Why do we call ourselves conservatives if we are not actually conserving anything?

Why are we not conserving our freedoms?

Why are we not conserving American jobs?

Why are we not conserving the environment?

Why are we not conserving a balanced budget?

Why are we not conserving the value of our dollar?

Why are we not conserving equitable international trade?

Why are we not conserving a reasonable standard of living for all Americans?

Just exactly what in the hell have we been conserving anyway?

Join with me in Conservatively Contributing to Our Future. Each dollar we give sends a message to the Republican Party that we are tired of having core traditional conservative values reduced to lip service status and co-opted for political gain by the extreme right."

My letter to Superdelegate Deb Kozikowski

Leno - TX Delegate — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:21:47 EDT

Heya Super-Deb,

Although I am late out of the gate on this, (I did not realize that 1:00pm was the cutoff rather than the traditional midnight), allow me to both congratulate and thank you for presenting us with an opportunity to share our views before you cast your superdelegate vote. I implore your consideration of this tardy missive, although I will understand if that is not possible or practical.

I have traditionally been an independent conservative and have voted for both Republicans and Democrats in national elections, siding with the Republicans more often than not. After witnessing the final term of Bill Clinton’s Presidency as well as the tenure of President Bush, (both of whom I voted for); I had pretty much withdrawn from participation in national politics as being a useless endeavor. The ‘six of one vs. half a dozen of the other’ Presidential contests promised little return on investment; each administration generally proved to be unresponsive to the electorate three out of every four years. Yet for all of that, I now find myself a delegate to the Texas State Democratic Convention…for Senator Barack Obama.

Before I get to the points I wish to make in advocating support for Senator Obama, I would like to state my personal reasons for not only supporting Barack’s candidacy, but joining his campaign as well. Rather than inspiring speeches or campaign rhetoric, in line with my conservative principles, my decision to support Senator Obama was founded on the actions of Barack in the US Senate and his legislative record: Important legislation such as the Feingold-Obama Bill for Ethics Reform and the Coburn-Obama Transparency Bill. I believe that equally important to what our government does, are the methods by which it operates; and transparency brings an increased measure of accountability. That is a change that I can see and believe in; resumé rather than rhetoric.

Obama's response to Bitter attacks

Leno - TX Delegate — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 10:44:07 EDT

Obama Responds to McCain and Clinton attacks in Terre Haute

Transcript of Obama's remarks in Terre Haute in response to comments by Hillary and McCain. April 11, 2008.

When I go around and I talk to people there is frustration, and there is anger, and there is bitterness. And what's worse is when people are expressing their anger, then politicians try to say "what are you angry about?" This just happened, I want to make a point here today. I was in San Francisco talking to a group at a fundraiser, and somebody asked me, well, you know, how are you going to get votes in Pennsylvania? What's going on there? We hear that's its hard for some working class people to get behind you're campaign, why is that? I said, "Well look, they're frustrated and for good reason. Because for the last 25 years they've seen jobs shipped overseas, they've seen their economies collapse. They have lost their jobs, they have lost their pensions, they have lost their healthcare. And for 25, 30 years Democrats and Republicans have come before them and said we're going to make your community better. We're going to make it right, and nothing ever happens".

And of course they're bitter. Of course they're frustrated. You would be too. In fact many of you are; because the same thing has happened here in Indiana. The same thing happened across the border in Decatur, the same thing has happened all across the country. Nobody is looking out for you. Nobody is thinking about you. And so people end up, they don't vote on economic issues because they don't expect anybody's going to help them. So people end up, you know, voting on issues like guns, and are they going to have the right to bear arms. They vote on issues like gay marriage. And they take refuge in their faith and their community and their families and things they can count on. But they don't believe they can count on Washington. So I made this statement, so, here's what rich. Senator Clinton says "No, I don't think that people are bitter in Pennsylvania. You know, I think Barack's being condescending." John McCain says, "Oh, how could he say that? How could he say people are bitter? You know, he's obviously out of touch with people."

Out of touch? Out of touch? I mean, John McCain, it took him three tries to finally figure out that the home foreclosure crisis was a problem, and to come up with a plan for it, and he's saying I'm out of touch? Senator Clinton voted for a credit card-sponsored bankruptcy bill, that made it harder for people to get out of debt after taking money from the financial services companies; and she says I'm out of touch? No, I'm in touch. I know exactly what's going on. I know what's going on in Pennsylvania. I know what's going on in Indiana. I know what's going on in Illinois. People are fed-up. They're angry and they're frustrated and they're bitter. And they want to see a change in Washington and that's why I'm running for President of the United States of America.

(Note: I am not much of a stenographer, but I think I got it right)

Watch Obama's Terre Haute remarks on YouTube

Much too much ado is being made over Senator Obama's use of the word bitter in describing the feelings of working class voters in response to a question at a recent fundraising event. In their haste to catch Barack in a stumble, I wonder if the handlers of Hillary and McCain have taken the time to consider the meaning of the word? The American Heritage Dictionary lists among its definitions of the word 'bitter': "resentful or cynical."

Resentful. Cynical. Am I resentful that the government has been listening in on the private calls of Americans under the pretext of keeping me safe? You bet I am. Am I resentful that we are militarily involved in Iraq when there was no real clear and present danger to our country from the Iraqis? Damn straight. Am I resentful of government policies that not only favor foreign importers, but actually make it financially attractive for American business and industries to outsource our jobs? Yes! Am I cynical in my response to the claims of the present heirs of the Bush-Clinton dynasty that they will do anything differently than their precursers? YES!

I am bitter, and I am tired of it. Barack Obama used the right word to convey the depth of my resentment over the actions of my government and my attitude towards the ability of status quo politicians to effect ANY solution. Only Obama offers an opportunity for real change in the way our government operates. Transparency and accountability are not just rhetoric for Obama, they comprise his resume; legislation such as the Feingold-Obama Bill for Ethics Reform and the Coburn-Obama Transparency Bill. That is change I can believe in. I am far less cynical of a candidite whose campaign is based not on doing a grand new thing, but rather on continuing the work he has already begun.

San Franciscans: If I could be there tomorrow, I would vote for Saudia Lawrence

Leno - TX Delegate — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:58:45 EDT

Esteemed citizens of San Francisco, Congressional District 8:

If I could attend the Congressional District 8 Caucus tomorrow, I would vote for Saudia Lawrence to be a California State Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Denver this August. While many know of Saudia's work within the San Francisco community; organizing, encouraging, and energizing the many new volunteers she brought into the Obama campaign while getting out the vote for Obama there, she also reached beyond her neighborhood on behalf of Barack Obama. Saudia sacrificed her time and energy to come down here to Texas, and in bringing that same infectious enthusiasm and leadership to the Obama ground team, made a difference the in the hotly contested primary here; an effort that helped Obama win Texas overall.

In a statement made about Barack and the reasons she supports his candidacy, Saudia's words reflect the inspiration that many of us share:

I want a candidate who will inspire, uplift, excite and motivate me; with a fresh perceptive, intellectual curiosity, unwavering integrity, sense of humor, kind heart, spiritual soul and peaceful nature; someone who makes me believe again in the power and spirit of America; an orator and leader; a humanitarian and philosopher; a poet and teacher; a savior and healer; a person who has strength of character and the passions of his convictions. That candidate is Barack Obama. - Saudia Lawrence

In keeping with spirit of Barack's multidimensional campaign, Saudia has become a well known and respected presence in the Obama online community. Not only here at MBO, where Saudia is among the top bloggers for Barack, but in such places as the Daily Kos as well. I am honored to number Saudia among my friends, and look forward to working with her on behalf of Barack Obama throughout the general election, and beyond.

I can give no stronger recommendation for Saudia than if I were to place her before myself for consideration as a California State Delegate, which I would gladly do if so able.

Leonard W. Delaney

Look who is calling Pennsylvania

Leno - TX Delegate — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:45:58 EDT

Top 10 Callers to Pennsylvania:

1. Tamar L. - 2206 Calls

2. Claudia S. - 2195 Calls

3. Henry K. - 1230 Calls

4. William & Doreen B. - 900 Calls

5. Christopher M. - 535 Calls

6. Bill W. - 525 Calls

7. Erik C. - 467 Calls

8. Sharon E. - 364 Calls

9. Dr. Denis N. - 350 Calls

10. Deborah F. - 322 Calls

Okay you guys, I usually say: "Thank you to everyone who supports Obama by making calls to Pennsylvania. Your continuing volunteer efforts in this campaign are helping to put even more states in the Obama win column. These callers are not just saying ‘Yes we can,’ they are making it happen. With plenty of time between now and April 22nd, we can to reach out for to every voter in PA with the person to person connectivity that is the essence of grassroots campaigning."

But instead I think that this time I will just say: Thanks a lot for keeping me off of the Top Ten caller list! I have my lunch break coming up and we will see who can make some calls to PA in an hour!

The 'You may be a troll if...' Award for April 10, 2008

Leno - TX Delegate — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:32:07 EDT

Yesterday in my blog I posted the criteria for: You may be a troll if...

Your inital post upon registering here is:

"I used to support Obama, but now I can no longer do so because of __________________." (Insert standard anti-Obama talking point here)

Hmm. Just so I get this straight: You were an ardent supporter of Barack Obama who never found the time to venture to his main site and let everyone else in on your views, hopes, and expectations; however immediately upon having lost the faith your first thought is to register here and woefully explain why you are calling it quits.

Of course these posts always fail the smell test, but that never stopped a troll intent on trying to sow disinformation here.

The winner of the 'You may be a Troll if...' award for April 10, 2008 is Dennis from Spokane, WA, whose initial post here read:

Senator Obama I am 62 years old and retired military and I just wanted to tell you that it is with deep regret that I can no longer support you because you are going back on your promise to get the troops out of Iraq in six months. I had such great feelings in my support for you and I am deeply disappoined in this matter. I honestly thought you would be a breath of spring air but I guess I was wrong.

Given that Obama introduced legislation in the Senate on January 2007 to remove all of our combat troops from Iraq by March 2008, (a period of about 15 months), and that Obama in September of 2007 Obama called for our troops to be out of Iraq by the end of 2008, (a period of about 15 months), and that the fact that Obama has repeatedly stated a goal of withdrawing a brigade or two a month until our troops were out of Iraq, (which adds up to about 15/16 months); why was this person suddenly of the opinion that Obama was being inconsistant in his policy of ending the war in Iraq? When questioned about this by myself and a couple of the other Obama bloggers here, Dennis from Spokane, WA replied that Obama's answers to general Petraeus indicated an inconsistant and indecisive position on the part of Obama.

I supplied Dennis with quotes from, and links to, the transcripts of Obama's questoning of both General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker, (Posted HERE on my blog), and asked him to point out the statements by Obama which had given him pause. Further I challenged Dennis to provide links to any reference where Obama had made a hard and fast promise to have all US troops out of Iraq in a 6 month time frame. Finally it was pointed out that only faulty reasoning could produce a statement such as 'I want us out of Iraq so badly that I can no longer support the one candidate committed to getting us out of Iraq in the shortest amount of time reasonably possible.' The only response from Dennis from Spokane, WA was to delete all of the Obama blogger's comments.

So here's to you Dennis from Spokane, WA; "You may be a Troll if..." Winner for April 10, 2008!

Senator Obama at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Iraq Hearings: Full Text

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:51:25 EDT

The full text of Senator Obama's questioning of General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker during the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Iraq hearing on April 8, 2008.

OBAMA: Well, first of all, thanks to Senator Nelson for his graciousness.

And I want to thank both General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker for their dedication and sacrifice. And obviously our troops are bearing the largest burden for this enterprise. I think both of you take those sacrifices very seriously. And we appreciate the sacrifices that you, yourselves are making.

I want to just start off with a couple of quick questions, because in the parade of horribles that I think both of you have outlined should we leave too quickly at the center is Al Qaida in Iraq and Iran. So I want to just focus on those two things for a moment.

With respect to Al Qaida in Iraq, it's already been noted they were not there before we went in, but they certainly were there last year and they continue to have a presence there now.

Should we be successful in Mosul, should you continue, General, with the effective operations that you've been engaged in, assuming that in that narrow military effort we are successful, do we anticipate that there ever comes a time where Al Qaida in Iraq could not reconstitute itself?

You may be a troll if...

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:11:25 EDT

Some may have noticed a trend here of certain new members of the Obama blog community in posting reasons for withdrawing their support of Senator Obama. Are these mere trolls or truly concerned would be Obama supporters? I have devised a simple method by which a poster may determine whther of not they are a troll based upon the following criteria (apologies to Jeff Foxworthy):

You may be a troll if...

Your inital post upon registering here is:

"I used to support Obama, but now I can no longer do so because of __________________." (Insert standard anti-Obama talking point here)

Just so I get this straight: You were an ardent supporter of Barack Obama who never found the time to venture to his main site and let everyone else in on your views, hopes, and expectations; however immediately upon having lost the faith your first thought is to register here and woefully explain why you are calling it quits.

Yes, that is fish that anyone reading such a post should smell.

NOTE: Since this may turn out to be a running event, please reserve comments for listing potential "You may be a Troll if..." suspects.

Hillary Accuses Media of Double Standards?

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:54:07 EDT

UPDATED

During a National Public Radio interview aired April 8th, titled 'Clinton Rejects Petraeus' Call to Slow Troop Pullout' on NPR's All Things Considered program, Hillary manages only 4 minutes and 10 seconds of the 8 minute and 26 second interview actually addressing Iraq and the related statements of General Petraeous.

Hear the full inteview here

In the course of an answering questions about superdelgates from NPR interviewer Michele Norris, Hillary predictably takes an opportunity to once again state that delegates pledged according to popular vote can overturn the wishes of those who elected them, even though DNC delegate selection rules declare that pledged delegates should in all good conscience reflct the wishes of those who elected them. And of course there was the now obligatory Hillary call for the delegates from Florida and Michigan to be seated even though she had previously declared that those votes meant nothing.

What appears to be lost in the discussion are Senator Clinton's dancing skills, displayed as Hillary near flawlessly executes the the Arkansas Side Step when asked the following question by Norris:

"Senator, I want you to react to something that I keep hearing among voters, and increasingly among people who cover the campaign -- both those who are reporters and those who speak about the campaign on television, on radio -- the statement that the only way that Hillary Clinton can win is if she’s willing to win ugly, when you hear that, what does that mean to you? How do you react to that?”

Note that Hillary, in true Clinton fashion, refuses to answer the question, and instead accuses the media of a double standard:

"Well, I don't know what it means because there is no way for Senator Obama to win unless he also obtains a significant number of superdelegates. I understand that there has been, throughout this campaign, something of a double standard. I accept it; I live with it."

Excuse me? The question was about the perception among voters and reporters that the only path for Hillary to the nomination lay along a dark, low road. Norris then presses Hillary for clarification of the double standard, and once again the shopworn victim card is played:

"No, but you know – for example, why is the question directed at me?"

Well Hillary, since you asked, let me endeavor to explain why you are being asked this question with a series of questions of my own:

Which candidate claimed that negative attacks were the ‘fun part’ of campaigning while their opponent decried such tactics as being indicative of this ‘silly season?’

Which candidate showed unusual grace in a nationally televised debate one night, then used a two week old political mailer in a staged show of umbrage by crying out, “Shame, shame on you!" the very next morning?

Which candidate claims to be a 'fighter' yet sheds tears for the camera?

Which candidate attempts to claim credit for the achievements of their spouse when politically expedient, yet seeks to distance their position from that same spouse where their failed and unpopular policies are concerned?

Which candidate decided to throw the ‘kitchen sink’ at their opponent?

Which candidate has been caught numerous times fabricating stories about the importance of their ‘experience’?

Which candidate has threatened to sue states that have primaries the candidate and their campaign staff do not understand?

Which candidate advocates party insiders overturning the popular vote?

Which candidate previously stated that the votes of Florida and Michigan do not count, but now advocates seating their delegates?

Which candidate dodged reality instead of sniper fire?

Which candidate continually states that delegates pledged according to the popular vote should not feel bound to honor the will of the electorate and switch as they please?

And finally, which candidate boldly declared that this contest would be over on February 5th, yet now states the victor may only be known after a devastating credentials fight at the national convention in Denver?

While I, and apparently the majority of voting Democrats, can readily discern a double standard in play here; I find it somewhat amusing that Hillary would blame the media for exposing it.

Hillary's NPR Interview: A Standard Perspective

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:06:04 EDT

Much ado is currently being made over the remarks of Hillary Clinton about media double standards in an NPR interview ostensibly concerning the recent testimony of General Petraeus.

Hear the full inteview here

In the course of an answering questions from NPR interviewer Michele Norris, Hillary predictably takes an opportunity to mention her superdelgate strategy and once again state that delegates pledged according to popular vote can overturn the wishes of those who elected them. And of course there was the now obligatory Hillary call for the delegates from Florida and Michigan to be seated.

What appears to be lost in the discussion are Senator Clinton's dancing skills, displayed as Hillary near flawlessly executes the the Arkansas Side Step when asked the following question by Norris:

"Senator, I want you to react to something that I keep hearing among voters, and increasingly among people who cover the campaign -- both those who are reporters and those who speak about the campaign on television, on radio -- the statement that the only way that Hillary Clinton can win is if she’s willing to win ugly, when you hear that, what does that mean to you? How do you react to that?”

Note that Hillary, in true Clinton fashion, refuses to answer the question, and instead accuses the media of a double standard:

"Well, I don't know what it means because there is no way for Senator Obama to win unless he also obtains a significant number of superdelegates. I understand that there has been, throughout this campaign, something of a double standard. I accept it; I live with it."

"No, but you know – for example, why is the question directed at me?"

Well Hillary, since you asked, let me endeavor to explain why you are being asked this question with a series of questions of my own:

Which candidate claimed that negative attacks were the ‘fun part’ of campaigning while their opponent decried such tactics as being indicative of this ‘silly season?’

Which candidate decided to throw the ‘kitchen sink’ at their opponent?

Which candidate has threatened to sue states that have primaries the candidate and their campaign staff do not understand?

Conservatively Contributing to Our Future

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 01:47:30 EDT

I finally set up my personal fundraising page for Conservatives and Republicans for Obama:

Conservatively Contributing to Our Future

"To my fellow Conservatives: Why do we call ourselves conservatives if we are not actually conserving anything?

Why are we not conserving our freedoms?

Why are we not conserving American jobs?

Why are we not conserving the environment?

Why are we not conserving a balanced budget?

Why are we not conserving the value of our dollar?

Why are we not conserving equitable international trade?

Why are we not conserving a reasonable standard of living for all Americans?

Just exactly what in the hell have we been conserving anyway?

Join with me in Conservatively Contributing to Our Future. Each dollar we give sends a message to the Republican Party that we are tired of having core traditional conservative values reduced to lip service status and co-opted for political gain by the extreme right."

The Clinton Machine

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:18:26 EDT

Kossack kid oakland wrote a blog after attending the California Democratic Convention that contained an interesting observation:

Last Sunday before Bill Clinton took the stage at the California Democratic Convention I stood on the left side of floor in the midst of the 200+ strong pod of Clinton supporters waiting for Bill to arrive.
The Clinton sign-toters formed a diverse, well-scrubbed group of delegates notable for how many folks had brought their teen-aged children in tow. The impression you got was that these were life-long party activists who were passing a tradition along to their kids. If anything struck me demographically, it was that the Clinton delegates had a vaguely suburban vibe.
When Bill did take the stage something remarkable happened. In unison, the Hillary signs went up and the Clinton delegates strode in formation towards the podium with an ease and confidence of long practice.
I thought to myself, these folks aren't new at this. They've done this before. In fact, looking at the assembled sign-toters something struck me for the first time, Hillary's supporters know conventions. (emphasis added)

Full article here (Highly recommended reading)

If the description of Hillary supporters sounded somewhat mechanical in execution, there is good reason; it is because they are part of a machine, the Clinton Machine

Hillary Clinton is the beneficiary of a well established and practiced political machine built over the span of more than three decades. In 1976 Arkansas, the fledgling Clinton campaign apparatus achieved its first victory in putting Bill in the office of State Attorney General. As the Clinton’s political sights were set higher, their political machine was polished and perfected through a series of state gubernatorial races in 1978, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1988, and 1990. With a seasoned team of campaign veterans behind him, Bill Clinton entered the 1992 Democratic Primary.

The Clinton machine went national when Bill ran for President in 1992, and became adept at combating and eventually overcoming the many scandals that have become a Clinton legacy. After losing control of Congress in 1994, the Clinton machine’s influence became evident in key states across the country as support for local politicians came from the White House…with an expectation of reciprocation. By 1996 the machine had matured as a truly national organization and Clinton won a second term handily. It was during this time that the groundwork for a Hillary Presidency began, with a reliance on political appointments and down ticket campaigning. The first step in establishing Hillary’s credibility was election to high public office in a key state. New York was chosen for its political visibility, and the Clinton Machine went to work. The rest is history.

Now the Clinton machine is running full out to secure the Democratic nomination for Hillary, and that machine is dedicated to her candidacy. The experience and organization of Hillary supporters was witnessed by many in the Senate District conventions throughout Texas. The numerous credentials challenges issued from the Clinton side were not spur of the moment or haphazard; they were orchestrated: "Hillary's supporters know conventions...they've done this before."

This is what we, as volunteers in the Obama campign, are up against. Obama faces a family of what are arguably the most ruthless politicians in recent memory, and we face their machine with 30 years worth of veteran Clinton activists. Most of us have no experience working together, in fact due to the diverse nature of the Obama coalition, we may have actually worked against each other in the past. But we are winning. Words do matter, and hope does count. Inspiration driven by vision is trumping loyalty and experience on the grassroots level just as they are on the campaign trail. Barack is winning. We are winning.

The message is clear: Yes We Can!

Another Montana Superdelegate for Obama? Well, Yes and No

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:40:15 EDT

Earlier, the New York Times in an aticle titled 'In Superdelegate Count, Tough Math for Clinton,' reported that Montana Superdelegate Margarett Campbell was planning to endorse Senator Obama in the Democratic Primary:

"Margarett Campbell, a Montana state legislator, plans to declare her support for Senator Obama, of Illinois. She becomes the 69th superdelegate he has picked up since the Feb. 5 coast-to-coast string of primary elections and caucus votes."

NYT Article here

The Caucus, NYT's political blog, in a follow up post essentially retracting the report of Campbell's endorsement as premature; revealed that Hillary was immediately on the horn to stave off another superdelegate going to Obama:

It was fairly evident who Margarett Campbell was leaning toward for the Democratic nomination: The superdelegate, Montana state legislator and vice chair of the state Democratic party had a pancake breakfast with three Obama campaign aides early Sunday (followed soon after by a personal call from Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton). [Insert LOL here]

The Caucus

The Missoulian reported further:

"On Sunday, Clinton called Campbell on her cell phone while she was driving back to her home on the Fort Peck Reservation. “She said she knew I had a tough decision to make,” Campbell said. The call included discussion of Campbell’s superdelegate vote."

Article here

Apparently with the attempt to reach out and touch a superdelegate coming up empty, someone in Team Hillary sought a temporary injunction to the campaign's "Rules Were Made to be Broken" policy regarding Florida and Michigan, to cite the Montana Democratic Party's Rule 10 Pre Primary Policy:

"The state chair, state vice chair, executive director and paid staff of the Montana Democratic Party shall maintain neutrality during primary elections for any office sought by more than one Democratic candidate."

Montana Democratic Party Rules

So Margarett Campbell is officially on the fence once more. In the Caucus blog Campbell stated:

“The chair and vice chair are required to maintain their neutrality in primaries,” Ms. Campbell said in a statement released on Monday. “That is my intent.”

So where does this leave Obama? It is still good news for the Obama campaign; having to refrain from endorsement in order to comply with Montana Democratic Party rules does not constitute a change of mind on Ms. Campbell's part. I am chalking up another superdelegate for Obama...Montana will no doubt make it official on June 3rd.

Look Who is Calling Pennsylvania

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:18:37 EDT

Top 10 Callers to Pennsylvania

1. Claudia S. - 1795 Calls

2. Tamar L. 1539 Calls

3. Henry K. - 1122 Calls

4. William & Doreen B. - 722 Calls

5. Erik C. - 422 Calls

6. Bill W. - 375 Calls

7. Sharon E. - 364 Calls

8. Dr. Denis N. - 350 Calls

9. Christopher M. - 343 Calls

10. Joan K. - 287 Calls

Just when I think I have finally made the Top Ten, these folks go and raise the bar again!

Thank you to everyone who supports Obama by making calls to Pennsylvania. Your continuing volunteer efforts in this campaign are helping to put even more states in the Obama win column. These callers are not just saying ‘Yes we can,’ they are making it happen. With plenty of time between now and April 22nd, we can to reach out for to every voter in PA with the person to person connectivity that is the essence of grassroots campaigning.

PS: I am going back to the phone now, so watch over your shoulder...

Please say a prayer for the Obama Kid

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:12:17 EDT

From the blog of Karen Hussein Hunter:

"My daughter, an ardent supporter of Sen. Obama could really use some prayers right about now. She's six and was taken to the hospital yesterday for emergency surgery. She has bacterial perotinisis (sp.). She's such a great little trooper who, within the first hour after surgery wanted to know if Obama won the caucus. I've never been one to ask people to pray, but I've met some wonderful people on this site, and many more friends....and I hear that prayers can sometimes work miracles and this mom is hoping for one."

There are some who say that this campaign, and the success of Obama in winning against the Clinton political machine, are miracles; if this is true then it is we that make up the grassroots foundation of the campaign who are the miracle workers. Let us pray for a miracle recovery for the Obama Kid.

Leno

UPDATE: Hillary's Questionable Campaign Tactics Linked to Money Woes

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:04:01 EDT

UPDATE: Hillary's questionable campaign tactics linked to money woes.

To no one's surprise, Obama's grassroots, net savvy campaign out raised Hillary 2 to 1 in March, with Barack's diverse base of individual supporters contributing over 40 million dollars to his campaign for change. Obama brought in more than 200,000 first time contributors in March alone. The disparity in fundraising could be foreseen in the repeated pleas for donations from the Hillary side; I counted no less than 12 personal emails in March from Team Hillary putting the bite on for cash, including those from Bill, Hillary, and even Chelsea. I have been waiting for figures from Team Hillary that would breakdown her contributions, but it appears that the Clinton camp is going to keep a tight lid on any such disclosure until the April 20th FEC filing, when details similar to those posted by the New York Times for February will be available:

"Despite a strong month of fund-raising in February in which she brought in $35 million, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton finished the month essentially in the red, once her campaign’s outstanding debts are factored in, as well as her personal loan, according to filings submitted late last night to the Federal Election Commission.
After spending about $31 million in her efforts to keep up with Senator Barack Obama, Mrs. Clinton finished February with more than $33 million in cash on hand, but $21.5 million of that is earmarked exclusively for the general election, leaving her with $11.7 million for the primary.
Mrs. Clinton, however, loaned her campaign $5 million earlier this year and she listed $8.7 million in debts to various vendors, making clear why she has not yet paid herself back from her loan."

NYT Hillary campaign fund report

Make no mistake about it, money has played a key role in shaping Hillary's 'strategies' in this primary season. Or should I say lack of money. This lack is the driving force behind some rather questionable tactics on the part of the Junior Senator from New York.

First Hillary has her big money backers threaten Howard Dean if the delegates from Flordia and Michigan are not seated...in Hillary's favor. The threat is that they will withdraw financial support from the DNC.

Then Hillary has her big money backers threaten Speaker Pelosi is she does not advocate superdelegates overturning the popular vote as expressed by delegates pledged according to that vote...in Hillary's favor. Once again the threat is to withdraw funding.

What is driving Hillary to such desperate measures? Even more to the point, why would Hillary's powerful multi-millionaire friends be so eager to shill for Hillary in such a demeaning manner? Consider another Hillary fund raiser stepping out of the role to engage in political attack: Geraldine Ferraro. In an earlier blog I wrote:

"What must be considered in the Hillary campaign’s latest plunge into the abyss of low brow politics is the messenger rather than the message. Hillary has any number of shills ready and willing to dive headlong into the mud in order to score a point in the polls; so why Geraldine Ferraro? A quick read through the Hillary campaign roster is fairly revealing: Ferraro is Hillary’s star money maker. Ferraro is a senior member of the Hillary campaign’s finance committee and has been a major fundraiser for Clinton. Now the question becomes; since when do campaign financial officers become outspoken and publicly critical of opponents? The short answer is they don’t. Not unless there is something going terribly wrong in their campaign.
Geraldine Ferraro is stressed to the point of publicly seeking to diminish the effects of Hillary failure to connect with the electorate. Ferraro fears that she must establish an excuse for Hillary’s core message being rejected by a majority of voters spanning the demographic spectrum. Why? Because despite every effort made by the Hillary campaign, Obama is still walking away from them with ease because WE are driving the stakes ever higher by investing our dollars with Obama for our future! Hillary is being out campaigned and out hustled by OUR grassroots activity! Geraldine Ferraro has run out of big money donors; recently Bill Clinton has hosted fundraisers limited to ‘primary funds only’ because their core donors are maxed out. Ferraro cannot compete with our desire for change in America and she is lashing out at us as it becomes clear that Hillary is going to lose this primary."

Original blog here

Hillary's campaign is running on fumes. The telling number in February that helps explain why Hillary's multi-millionaire friends are angry is the $21.5 million that can only be used in the general election. Those funds represent wealthy individuals who have maxed out their primary contributions. One can only guess how much of the 20 millions reported by Team Hillary is limited to the general election...and will have to be returned to send when Obama becomes the nominee. Hillary's campaign funding base consists of multi-millionaires as opposed to Obama's multi-millions of dedicated individual supporters. Hillary's wealthy donors are so used to having their money pave the way to getting whatever they want that they cannot stand the fact that average Americans such as you and me are able to combine with millions of others to keep the wealthy and priviledged few from buying this election for Hillary.

While Hillary plots for a credentials fight on the convention floor, woos superdelegates in the hopes that a backroom coup will deliver the election to her, and advocates Obama delegates pledged according to the vote of core Democrats to ignore those votes and switch allegiance; her wealthy backers resort to the only thing they know: Money. Thus we have Hillary's powerful friends trying to blackmail Howard Dean and Nancy Pelosi with the threat of withdrawn financial support.

The continuing support of the many small contributors like you and me is a big "YES WE CAN" in response to the wealthy few who seek to influence OUR election in favor of THEIR candidate. I am proud to stand with the many millions of Barack Obama supporters against the forces of wealthy special interests in this election. This truly has become a time when Americans can take back our government from those who seek to control us through control of Washington. It is a time of change, and the catalyst for that change: Barack Obama!

Start the week off right: Say a prayer for the Obama Kid!

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:17:29 EDT

From the blog of Karen Hussein Hunter:

"My daughter, an ardent supporter of Sen. Obama could really use some prayers right about now. She's six and was taken to the hospital yesterday for emergency surgery. She has bacterial perotinisis (sp.). She's such a great little trooper who, within the first hour after surgery wanted to know if Obama won the caucus. I've never been one to ask people to pray, but I've met some wonderful people on this site, and many more friends....and I hear that prayers can sometimes work miracles and this mom is hoping for one."

Leno

Remaining Primary Schedule: Ten Opportunities

Leno - TX Delegate — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:43:17 EDT

Remaining Primary Schedule:

April 22nd:

Pennsylvania - 158 Delegates

May 3rd:

Guam - 4 Delegates

May 6th:

Indiana - 72 Delegates

North Carolina - 115 Delegates

May 13th:

West Virginia - 28 Delegates

May 20th:

Kentucky - 51 Delegates

Oregon - 52 Delegates

June 1st:

Puerto Rico - 55 Delegates

June 3rd:

Montana - 16 Delegates

South Dakota - 15 Delegates

These are the last opportunities for us to push Obama over the top. Barack has made gains in every state left on the primary schedule, and could conceivably go 10 for 10 given the time remaining. Let us work to ensure that Hillary never has a chance to initiate the floor fight she seeks at the convention in August.

Look Who is Calling Indiana

Leno - TX Delegate — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:16:36 EDT

Top 10 Callers to Indiana

1. Patricia G. - 5901 Calls

2. Gary R. - 1008 Calls

3. Barbara S. - 996 Calls

4. Barbara T. - 806 Calls

5. Stanley G. - 756 Calls

6. Bill F. - 696 Calls

7. Rebecca K. - 591 Calls

8. Sharon E. - 549 Calls

9. Elizabeth C. - 534 Calls

10. Shellie L. - 453 Calls

Thank you to everyone who supports Obama by making calls to Indiana, there is no doubt in my mind that the continuing volunteer efforts in this campaign are helping to put Indiana in the Obama win column. These callers are not just saying ‘Yes we can,’ they are making it happen. With plenty of time between now and May 6th, we can to reach out for to every voter in Indiana with the person to person connectivity that is the essence of grassroots campaigning.

What if there had been no JFK?

Leno - TX Delegate — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 06:34:42 EDT

What if there had been no JFK?

What if a bright young Senator with inspiring visions of how America could be had faced well organized and well funded win-at-any-cost political machine in the 1960 Democratic primaries?

The machine would have sought to crush him and any hope that he brought. The machine would feed its own lust for power at the expense of what is best for the country.

What if there had been no JFK?

Would we ever have been inspired to reach out into space, even unto the moon?

We know what we would have lost if there was no JFK, what will we lose if there is no Obama?

What moons could Obama have inspired us to reach that would go untouched if the machine is allowed destroy the hope he brings?

Senator Barack Obama is the most visionary and inspiring political figure in recent history. We know it. The Republicans know it. The world knows it.

The machine knows it. The machine fears it, and seeks to crush Obama. The Clintons would have swiftboated even JFK if he stood in their way.

When you think you are just one person and cannot make a difference in this election, ask yourself: What if there had been no JFK?

When you think you have done enough today, and maybe others should be doing more, ask yourself: What if there had been no JFK?

Yes we can defeat the machine.

Hillary is After Delegates Pledged to Obama...Again

Leno - TX Delegate — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:34:09 EDT

Immediately after the story that Hillary had a plan in place to go after delegates pledged to Obama according to the popular vote first broke in February, Team Hillary was out in full force to deny any intention of pursuing pledged delegates. Responding to an article in the New York Times Caucus blog, Hillary campaign spokesman Phil Singer stated unequivocally:

“We have not, are not and will not pursue the pledged delegates of Barack Obama."

NYT Caucus article

So what was Hillary doing in North Dakota, a state that has already held their primary which Obama won with 61%, last night? Trying to get Obama delegates to ignore the popular vote and switch sides according to an ABC report published today:

"Sen. Hillary Clinton made a blunt appeal to North Dakota delegates to switch their support to her, despite the fact that Sen. Barack Obama handily defeated her in the state's caucus in February.

Is it just me or didn't Hillary say through her campaign spokesman that she would not pursue the pledged delegates of Barack OBama? Ah, Hillary is in reality not pursuing Obama's pledged delegates because there is no such thing as a pledged delegate:

Clinton made it clear to North Dakota Democrats last night that she believes there is no such thing as a pledged delegate and highlighted that stubborn streak in her appeal for delegates to switch from Obama to her when the Democratic national party holds its nominating convention this August."

Read ABC report here

Hillary thinks that there is no such thing as pledged delegates. What says the DNC? From the Delegate Selection Rules For The 2008 Democratic National Convention; Section 12: Presidential preference:

"Delegates elected to the national convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them."

DNC Delegate Selection Rules

The delegate selection rules clearly state that not onbly are there pledged delegates, it specifies that pledged delegates shall reflect the sentiments of those who elected them. Earth to Hillary: Pledged Delegates do exist, and they are expected to vote according to the will of those who elected them!

In an earlier blog HERE I illustrated that Hillary was in effect trying to silence voters by persuading plegded delegates to negate the votes of their constituents:

4,375,496 Californians made thier will known by voting in the Democratic Pirmary on Tuesday February 5th. California has 370 delegates who are pledged to the will of the electorate according to the popular vote. This means that each delegate represents the will as expressed by vote of 11,825 Californians. Now consider what Hillary's plan to persuade delegates pledged according to the will of those 11,825 voters to disavow the will of the electorate and switch allegiance really means: Hillary is in effect declaring that those are 11,825 votes cast by Democratic voters that should not count!

This is the same Hillary who cries daily that the "Voices of voters in Michigan and Florida must be heard!" Yet here is Hillary once again trying to silence the voices of those who voted for Obama. Apparently the only voices that Hillary insists "must be heard" in this election are those voices in her favor.

The actions of Hillary only serve to confirm and reinforce the reasons that I support Barack Obama. It is time for change in America; and unfortunately for Hillary, I do not mean pledged delegates changing their votes.

Hillary and Penn: NAFTAGATE II?

Leno - TX Delegate — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:47:52 EDT

After Hillary privately played footsie with the Canadian government about her revolving door NAFTA stance(s), the Wall Street Journal now reports that Mark Penn is in meetings with the Ambassador from Columbia to dicuss a bilateral trade agreement that Hillary 'supposedly' opposes. (nudge nudge, wink wink)

Clinton Aide Met on Trade Deal

Penn Held Talks On Colombia Pact Opposed by Senator

Wall Street Journal - Susan Davis

Hillary Clinton's chief campaign strategist met with Colombia's ambassador to the U.S. on Monday to discuss a bilateral free-trade agreement, a pact the presidential candidate opposes.

Attendance by the adviser, Mark Penn, was confirmed by two Colombian officials. He wasn't there in his campaign role, but in his separate job as chief executive of Burson-Marsteller Worldwide, an international communications and lobbying firm. The firm has a contract with the South American nation to promote congressional approval of the trade deal, among other things, according to filings with the Justice Department.

Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, Mr. Penn's campaign-consulting firm, received more than $10 million in payments from the Clinton campaign as of the end of February, according to federal election filings.

Mr. Penn declined to comment. Howard Wolfson, communications director for Sen. Clinton's campaign, said in an email that "Mark was not there on behalf of the campaign" and referred further questions to Burson-Marsteller. "Sen. Clinton's opposition to the trade deal with Colombia is clear," Mr. Wolfson added.

A spokesman for Sen. McCain, the likely Republican presidential nominee, said a team of policy advisers met recently with 20 Latin American ambassadors, including Colombia's. An Obama spokesman and the Colombian Embassy spokeswoman both said the Colombian ambassador had never met with an Obama representative.

Sen. Clinton's victory last month in Ohio was credited in part to reports that Sen. Obama's economic adviser had raised doubts with Canadian officials over Sen. Obama's opposition to the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Full article here

Talk about double standards for double dealers. We will have to wait and see if Hillary is allowed a free ride by the press when her chief strategist and close associate Mark Penn meets with the Columbians on a volatile trade issue that Hillary supposedly opposes. Remember Obama was hammered every day for the week leading up to the primary vote on March 4th after a a leak from the Canadian government intimated that his campaign had joined Hillary in double talking on NAFTA.

UPDATE: Hillary and the Voice of Florida and Michigan...Superdelegates

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:38:34 EDT

Reposted by request

UPDATE: Earlier I posted about Hillary's superdelegate motive in her incessant calls for seating the delegations from Michigan and Florida: Hillary: "Florida and Michigan Voices Must Be Heard!" (Especially the Superdelegates!) In further research for a follow-up article, I ran across a legal challenge to the DNC rules initiated by Jon Ausmen, a long time Clinton supporter and superdelegate from Florida. The challenge is to seat the Florida Congressional superdelegates, a majority of which are (surprise) Hillary supporters.

On February 12th Ausman wrote the following at the Democratic Underground:

"The Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States clearly states that all Democratic US Senators and US Representatives "shall" be automatic delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) Rules and Bylaws Committee, using rules subordinate to the Charter of the Democratic Party, does not have the authority to take away a charter given right to Senator Bill Nelson and the nine Democratic US Representatives from Florida."

Ausmen's full statement here

On the 12th of March, Marc Ambinder of The Atlantic reported the Hillary tactic to get the disputed superdelegates seated:

"Jon M. Ausman, a member of the Democratic National Committee from Florida, has filed an appeal with the party's rules and bylaws committee, arguing that its 2007 penalties against Michigan and Florida violated the DNC charter itself.

Why?

Because the charter explicitly states that the following members of the party are automatically granted the status of delegates no matter what: “members of the Democratic National Committee, Democratic members of the United States Senate and the Democratic Members of the House of Representatives, former Chairs of the Democratic National Committee.”

Basically: the DNC can take way the earned (pledged) delegates... but it can't touch the automatic (super) delegates, because they're protected by the DNC's charter, which supercedes the DNC's rules and bylaws committee."

Read Ambinder's original article here

In a follow-up article posted at The Atlantic yesterday, Marc Ambinder reported that there were in fact two appeals filed by Ausmen:

"Remember the Ausman challenge? Well, there are actually two Ausman challenges -- one regarding Florida's superdelegates, and one regarding the ability of the party's rules and bylaws committee to penalize an entire delegation.

Sources close to the DNC's rules and bylaws committee say that the Ausman challenges WILL be heard -- and that if the votes are there, some Florida delegates could be seated -- temporarily -- by the end of April. (The seating would likely be appealed to the credentials committee, but we'll cross that suspension bridge when we pay the toll for it.)"

Full article here

No matter how much hot air Hillary blows about her concern for the voter's voices being heard, it is the superdelegates with their ability to silence the popular vote that Hilly is really after. After a double dose of the Bush adminstration, would Hillary be the type of President that America really needs?

Hillary: "Florida and Michigan Voices Must Be Heard!" (Especially the Superdelegates!)

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:02:19 EDT

Amidst renewed calls for the delegates from Florida and Michigan to be seated at the Democratic National Convention, the question of what role the superdelegates in those states should be allowed to play is left unasked. Each new plan short of a revote calls for a full slate of superdelegates from each of the states in question to be seated at the convention regardless of how their pledged delegate count is affected by penalties. This is the thrust of Hillary's relentless quest for seating Florida and Michigan: Superdelegates. While Hillary has another 'Bosnian' moments and misremembers her 2007 pledge and statements concerning DNC sanctions against the states who advanced the date of their primaries in the schedule; she now insists that every citizen has the right to be heard...especially if those citizens are superdelegates from Florida and Michigan who have already come out is support of Hillary. Mike Meyers at HuffPo argues against seating those who were instrumental in creating this fiasco in the first place.

The Silent Superiority: Why Florida and Michigan Superdelegates Should Not Be Seated

Huffington Post - Mark Meyers

Lost in the shuffle of what's fair for the voters of Florida and Michigan is the question of what's fair for the superdelegates hailing from these two states. You know them: the esteemed party leaders who, according to insiders such as Geraldine Ferraro, possess the requisite vision, leadership and judgment to do what is best for the party even if it means overturning the will of rank-and-file voters.

By all accounts, the two states' superdelegates would be seated along with the pledged delegates in the current proposals for dealing with the 'situations' in Michigan and Florida. But why?

Given the current fiasco facing the party as a result of these two states moving up their primaries, shouldn't all notions of superior vision, leadership and judgment by these states' superdelegates be discarded? And shouldn't their superdelegate status therefore be forfeit?

After all, the principle advanced most frequently in the discussion of what to do about these 'rogue states' is that the voters in these states should not be silenced. Indeed. It's outrageous to think that we would select a candidate for president with these two critical states (or any state, for that matter) excluded. But where were these party leaders when each state was on the road to exclusion? Why, in 2007, weren't these folks exercising their superior leadership and vision to put a stop to the early primaries and get their states to comply with the primary plan that had already been agreed to by the DNC and the state parties?

And why are these same party leaders now in an uproar over the consequences of their own decisions?

This is one reason these 'wise' leaders should have their status stripped and should not be seated at the convention. If the premise behind the superdelegates is that they possess superior vision, leadership and judgment, the Florida and Michigan supers have collectively failed. This train wreck is a direct result of their lack of judgment and lack of vision and a lot of the subsequent sniping is a result of their refusal to acknowledge their dominant role in the entire ordeal. Blaming the DNC for their own decisions constitutes neither leadership nor vision.

Full article here

I recommend that everyone read this excellent article by Mark Meyers in its entirety at Huffington Post. I have long advocated reducing the number of pledged delegates for Florida and Michigan by 50% AND stripping their superdelegates. Hillary is not really that interested in the popluar vote or even the pledged delegates in Florida and Michigan, it is the superdelegates she is after. Many of the super delegates from both Florida and Michigan have come out in support of Hilly and she desperately needs their votes to count.

We should vigorously oppose any solution that does not include a penalization of Florida and Michigan by a 50% reduction in pledged delegates AND strips all of their superdelegates of their status!

Hillary's Unconventional Convention Strategy: Credentials Fight!

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 22:51:47 EDT

While it is no secret that Hillary plans on taking her failing campaign all the way to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, in a recent interview with Greta Van Suteren, Hillary came right out and admitted that in her desperation to gain the nomination by any means possible she actually advocates a credentials fight at the convention:

Van Susteren: "And if he [Obama] says, no, I won't do it, that leaves Michigan and Florida out. And does that leave you out?"

Hillary: "No. Not at all, because we are going to make sure those votes get counted, one way or another."

Van Susteren: "How?"

Hillary: "Well, you know, you can always go to the convention. That is what credential fights are for."

Watch it on You Tube

However as David Paul Kuhn writes at Politico, not everyone is happy at the prospect of a bitter, and practically useless, floor fight in Denver.

Clinton's convention strategy in doubt

Politico - David Paul Kuhn

If the fight over whether to count the results in Florida and Michigan makes it to the Democratic National Convention, Hillary Clinton will not have enough pledged votes on the 169-member Credentials Committee to deliver a majority decision in her favor, according to an analysis conducted for Politico.

Her only hope of getting the key committee to vote out a “majority report” supporting her position rests on her ability to persuade an as-yet-undetermined number of the 25 members appointed to the committee by party Chairman Howard Dean to cast votes for her position.

The DNC’s Credentials Committee consists of 144 pledged members (Florida and Michigan are not included) plus the 25 party leaders and elected officials appointed by Dean. The 25 Dean appointees include a mix of Dean loyalists, Obama supporters and at least several individuals who have endorsed Clinton.

"If the formal process of seating a delegation cannot be resolved," a Clinton senior adviser said, "those 25 will be important."

The analysis was conducted by Matt Seyfang, an attorney and a former delegate counter for past Democratic presidential candidates including Bill Clinton in 1992 to Bill Bradley in 2000. According to his projections and a calculation of the number of committee seats that each candidate is entitled to based on their proportion to the statewide vote or the relevant caucus rules, Obama holds roughly 65 seats and Clinton 56. There are slightly more than 23 seats still to be decided in the remaining contests.

Seyfang’s findings reveal that Clinton faces an uphill battle if, as she signaled on Saturday, her campaign decides to take her fight to seat the Florida and Michigan delegations to the Credentials Committee.

Full article here

There should be no doubt in anyone's mind what Hillary's priorities in running for President are: Hillary first, Hillary last, and Hillary always. While McCain has time to raise money for the general election, Hillary has her donors threatening Howard Dean and Nancy Pelosi with a withdrawel of financial support. While McCain is free to consolidate conservative support, Hillary plots to keep division in the Democratic Party going to the last possible moment, hoping for an insider coup and openly preparing for a devastating credentials fight on the floor in Denver.

This is why we must ensure that Senator Obama wins big enough in these last ten primary races to prompt the superdelegates to step in and force Hillary out. Pennsylvania is next: Obama is making significant gains in the PA polls, and our calls can tip the balance for Barack.

Yes we can!

Look Who is Calling Pennsylvania

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:30:48 EDT

Top 10 Callers to Pennsylvania:

1. Claudia S. - 1054 Calls

2. Tamar L. - 737 Calls

3. Henry K. - 663 Calls

4. William & Doreen B. - 397 Calls

5. Sharon E. - 339 Calls

6. Teresa A. - 242 Calls

7. Erik C. - 237 Calls

8. Barbara T. - 235 Calls

9. Christopher M. - 200 Calls

10. Kathryn R. - 200 Calls

Thank you to everyone who supports Obama by making calls to Pennsylvania, there is no doubt in my mind that the continuing volunteer efforts in this campaign are helping close the gap in PA. These callers are not just saying ‘Yes we can,’ they are making it happen. With almost three weeks left, we have enough time to reach out for to every voter in Pennsylvania with the person to person connectivity that is the essence of grassroots campaigning.

Jerry Zeifman - Hillary as I knew her in 1974

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:13:05 EDT

By JERRY ZEIFMAN

Former Chief Counsel, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House or Representatives

Hillary as I knew her in 1974

At the time of Watergate I had overall supervisory authority over the House Judiciary
Committee’s Impeachment Inquiry staff that included Hillary Rodham -- who was
later to become First Lady in the Clinton White House.

During that period I kept a private diary of the behind the scenes congressional
activities. My original tape recordings of the diary and other materials related to the
Nixon impeachment provided the basis for my prior book Without Honor and are now
available for inspection in the George Washington University Library.

After President Nixon’s resignation a young lawyer, who shared an office with
Hillary, confided in me that he was dismayed by her erroneous legal opinions and
efforts to deny Nixon representation by counsel -- as well as an unwillingness to
investigate Nixon. In my diary of August 12, 1974 I noted the following:

"John Labovitz apologized to me for the fact that months ago he and Hillary had lied
to me [to conceal rules changes and dilatory tactics.] Labovitz said. 'That came from
Yale.' I said “You mean Burke Marshall   [Senator Ted Kennedy’s chief political
strategist, with whom Hillary regularly consulted in violation of House rules.] '
Labovitz said, 'Yes.' His apology was significant to me, not because it was a
revelation but because of his contrition."

Worshippers at the Clinton Cult

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:52:05 EDT

Have you reached the saturation point with Hillary followers who make comments like: "Obama is a rock star and those who support him are just simple minded groupies!"?

Well take a look at the adoration poured upon Chelsea as the next generation Clinton in politics. I do not knock Hillary followers as a rule, but these are sickenly close to worshippers. Reading some of their posts I swear I could imagine them typing while on bended knees.

Actual comments from the Hillary blog: Chelsea on the stump

"Chelsea has some political chops. A policy wonk like her mother, I sense an interesting future for the young Clinton."

"Chelsea is graceful and conducts herself well, just like her mother! We Americans think we will get a "two-fer" in electing Hillary (and by association her husband, Bill Clinton). But we actually get a "three-fer" with Chelsea. Go Chelsea!"

"It's in the 'genes'"

"Chelsea, a rising young democrat leader"

"I hope she has a future in politics."

"Stay Strong Chelsea! You are our future!"

"One day I hope to vote for YOU for President too!!!"

"The Clinton Family are America's family!!"

"Chelsea is our future star!!"

"Chelsea for President!"

"Chelsea as 3rd Clinton Generation President of USA"

"This young woman definitely has a career in politics, it's in her blood."

Barack Takes on McCain

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:33:06 EDT

Obama Casts Race Between Him, McCain

Huffington Post - Devlin Barret

Sen. Barack Obama is talking about the elephant in the room _ Republican rival John McCain _ and all but ignoring the Democrat who stands between him and his party's presidential nomination.

Even though Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton was campaigning miles down the Northeast Extension in Philadelphia, Obama criticized the likely Republican nominee's policies on the U.S. troop presence in Iraq, trade and tax cuts. In his town-hall session Tuesday, and in other campaign appearances in recent days, Obama has sought to frame the race as a general election matchup between him and McCain.

Of course, there's the little matter of a Pennsylvania primary on April 22, and Clinton's double-digit lead in recent state polls.

The extended presidential nomination contest has resulted in an odd political triangle, with each candidate taking alternate turns criticizing one or both of their competitors.

"He's on a biography tour right now," Obama said of McCain. "Most of us know his biography, and it's worthy of our admiration. My argument with John McCain is not with his biography, it's with his policies."

Obama argued that McCain would merely be another four years of President Bush on economic and military policies. McCain has criticized Obama as being inexperienced on national security, and the Illinois senator answered back.

"Meanwhile Senator McCain has been saying I don't understand national security, but he's the one who wants to keep tens of thousands of United States troops in Iraq for as long as 100 years," Obama said.

Full article here

This the business that Obama needs to be free to attend to; taking on McCain and the Bush adminstration. Our efforts on behalf of Barak in Pennsylvania are having a pronounced effect in taking the wind out of Hillary's sails; Obama is gaining steadily in the PA polls and we can keep the push on for the next three weeks to ensure an outright win for Obama! We need strong efforts in Pennsylvania, Indiana, and North Carolina to bring this primary to a close so Obama can get down to the real campaign against McCain. Superdelegates are watching the next three states closely, and we can give them reason to step up for Barack!

How many calls to Pennsylvania can we make in three weeks?

Hillary and the Democratic National Convention: "It's all about ME!"

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:11:01 EDT

Watch it on You Tube

However as David Paul Kuhn writes at Politico, not everyone is happy at the prospect of a bitter, and practically useless, floor fight in Denver.

Clinton's convention strategy in doubt

Politico - David Paul Kuhn

Full article here

There should be no doubt in anyone's mind what Hillary's priorities in running for President are: Hillary first, Hillary last, and Hillary always. This is why we must ensure that Senator Obama wins big enough in these last ten primary races to prompt the superdelegates to step in and force Hillary out. Pennsylvania is next: Obama is making significant gains in the PA polls, and our calls can tip the balance for Barack.

Yes we can!

PA: Hillary 'Rocky' Clinton

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:10:22 EDT

Clinton likens herself to 'Rocky'

AP - Beth Fouhy

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton says she has something in common with legendary film boxer Rocky Balboa - she's not a quitter.

Recalling a famous scene on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art from the 1976 Oscar-winning film "Rocky," Clinton said that ending her presidential campaign now would be as if "Rocky Balboa had gotten halfway up those art museum steps and said, 'Well, I guess that's about far enough.'"

"Let me tell you something, when it comes to finishing a fight, Rocky and I have a lot in common. I never quit. I never give up. And neither do the American people," Clinton said in excerpts of prepared remarks to be given Tuesday to a meeting of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO.

"But one thing you know about me is that when I say I'll fight for you, I'll fight for you," the New York senator said. "I know what it's like to stumble. I know what it means to get knocked down. But I've never stayed down, and I never will."

Full article here

LOL! Hillary is right. Just like in the original movie 'Rocky,' she is punchdrunk and losing...incapable of winning and trying just to inflict as much damage to Obama as possible before going down. However I predict there will be no sequel this time out.

Dinner with Barack - My Personal Message

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:16:56 EDT

Dinner with Barack - My Personal Message

"I realize that as a conservative libertarian who has aligned with the Republican Party more often than not, I am probably not very well placed for a chance at enjoying a dinner with Barack. But then again, a few short months ago, who could have foreseen that I would join the campaign for Obama over the objections of my family, friends, and associates, to eventually become a delegate to the Texas State Democratic Convention for Obama? Such is the nature of hope.

The hope that led me first to support, then actively campaign for Senator Obama, was based not on inspiring speeches or campaign rhetoric; rather in line with my conservative principles, it was founded on the actions of Barack in the US Senate and his legislative record: Important legislation such as the Feingold-Obama Bill for Ethics Reform and the Coburn-Obama Transparency Bill. I believe that equally important to what our government does, are the methods by which it operates. Transparency brings an increased measure of accountability. More than just words, Obama has inspired me through deeds. This is hope with reason.

I hope to have dinner with Barack for the chance to discuss a few common sense answers to some of the issues facing America today, such as fair regulation on American business and industry that increases worker safety and environmental compliance without resulting in the exportation of American jobs, and improved ‘whistle blower’ protections that could help bring an end to governmental can corporate waste and corruption.

But most importantly, I hope to meet Senator Obama in order to convey the concerns of conservatives who are exasperated with the Republicans and are now cautiously looking to Barack for an assurance of parity and the leadership that they have sorely lacked during the Bush administration. I would welcome the opportunity to take firsthand answers from Barack to those Republicans I speak to on a daily basis; there are more conservatives who are willing to listen to the nonjudgmental voice of Obama’s reason than polls would indicate.

Okay, so I would probably take a little time on the side to lobby Barack for an endorsement in my campaign to become a Texas State Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in August; but along with hope, I need all of the help I can get!"

Leonard W. Delaney

Remaining Primary Schedule: 10 Opportunities

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:59:45 EDT

Remaining Primary Schedule:

April 22nd:

Pennsylvania - 158 Delegates

May 3rd:

Guam - 4 Delegates

May 6th:

Indiana - 72 Delegates

North Carolina - 115 Delegates

May 13th:

West Virginia - 28 Delegates

May 20th:

Kentucky - 51 Delegates

Oregon - 52 Delegates

June 1st:

Puerto Rico - 55 Delegates

June 3rd:

Montana - 16 Delegates

South Dakota - 15 Delegates

Vowing to Stay in Race: Indicator of Doomed Candidacy

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 02:15:35 EDT

From the Jed Report:

A leading indicator of a doomed candidacy

Today's headline in the WaPo: Clinton Vows To Stay in Race To Convention.

It was a beautiful thing to see -- because the moment a presidential candidate is forced to vow that he or she isn't quitting, you know they are toast.

Examples from recent history:

Feb 5: Romney Vows to Stay in GOP Race

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney pledged to fight all the way to the Republican nominating convention this summer if necessary, despite being overpowered by John McCain in Super Tuesday contests.

Feb 4: Huckabee vows to stay in race

WASHINGTON -- Mike Huckabee hasn't won a Republican presidential contest in a month. The result: money is tighter, his staff is smaller and he can't seem to get the attention he once did. Still, he says he's sticking around for the long haul -- well past Tuesday's coast-to-coast primaries and caucuses if need be.

Jan 24: Giuliani Vows to Stay in the Race

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Rudolph W. Giuliani, who has staked his candidacy on the Florida primary only to see his standing in statewide polls slip, said here Thursday afternoon that he would stay in the race even if he loses on Jan. 29.

Jan 6: Edwards vows to stay in race to convention

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Democrat John Edwards said Sunday he will stay in the presidential race through the party's convention in late August, even if he fails to win any of the early presidential primary states. "This is the call of my life, and I have no intention of stopping," Edwards said on ABC's This Week. "I'm in this through the convention and to the White House." Asked specifically if he'd remain a candidate even if he failed to garner a win over the next month, Edwards said, "Absolutely."

The Jed Report

Obama Gains Delegate in Mississippi!

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:53:17 EDT

Mississippi Certified Results In: Obama Takes A Delegate From Hillary!

On March 11th Obama won the Mississippi primary convincingly with 61% of the popular vote, and garnering 19 of the states 33 pledged delegates. The certified results of Missississippi's primary election are now in and the official tally gives Obama the win with 62.512% of the popular vote, resulting in a delegate shift from 19-14 to 20-13 in favor of Obama, for a net of 2 delegates!

Mississippi Certified Primary Results

Marc Ambinder on Mississippi results

voiceofreason - Democratic Underground (Original report)

UPDATED:

jhwvertigo at the Daily Kos has an excellent summary of the news out of Mississippi.

Daily Kos

Dinner with Barack - My Personal Message

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:04:41 EDT

Dinner with Barack - My Personal Message

Leonard W. Delaney

Hillary Clinton's Threats - Will There Be a Backlash?

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:02:36 EDT

Hope Against Hope

Clinton Knows Comebacks, but Do Threats Hold Promise?

ABC The Note - Rick Klein & Mike Elmore

Math, it turns out, is as stubborn as the Clintons themselves.

The superdelegates are moving (and suddenly not so super-slowly) in Obama's direction. (Which of these drips will trigger the flood?)

Wright was wrong for Sen. Barack Obama, but not wrong enough, evidently. (We look forward to hearing from the Clinton campaign why polls once again don't matter.)

Campaign debts are piling up faster than Bill Clinton and James Carville can pile on homespun expressions.

And Sen. John McCain can enjoy the show, his ticket punched and his image his own as he defines himself and the race in a way the Democrats can't.

It is, naturally, set up just as Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton wants it. (Just ask Camp Clinton -- always sure she can go all the way, even when it isn't Opening Day.)

But the current Clinton calculus states that a race for delegates is not about the delegates anymore, a contest for votes is maybe not about the popular vote. (And some of her wins are turning out not to really be wins[Texas]).

And there's a fair chance she'll have to destroy the Democratic Party in her quest to save it. At this critical juncture, Clinton is choosing confrontation over conciliation.

By vowing to fight for Florida and Michigan all the way to the convention, Clinton is "deliberately setting up a train wreck, hoping that by credibly committing to the idea that she's happy to sink the party's fortunes in FL and MI if she doesn't get her way, she can thereby get her way," Matthew Yglesias writes in his Atlantic blog. "Basically, it's the same old kind of threats you saw with her big dollar fundraisers -- either the Democratic Party needs to serve the narrow needs of the Clinton family, or else the Clinton family will do their best to hobble the party."

"Slowly but steadily, a string of Democratic Party figures is taking Barack Obama's side in the presidential nominating race and raising the pressure on Hillary Clinton to give up," Calmes [WSJ] writes. Among Clinton's difficulties: "Even raising the prospect of a convention fight could backfire for Sen. Clinton by antagonizing the superdelegates she needs. Many superdelegates are on the ballot themselves this year, and the last thing they want is a chaotic convention that plays into the hands of Republicans."

Full article here

Hillary's underhanded tactics in the latters stages of the Democratic primary, coupled with an increasingly desperate desire to see the popular vote overturned by party insiders is repidly becoming a millstone around the Clinton campaign's neck that DNC leaders are not keen on sharing at the Democratic Convention in August. What was that quote? "The chickens are coming home to roost."

Although Obama has been forced to answer the many attacks upon both his candidacy and person, Barack has taken the high road throughout this campaign and is going to reap a superdelegate reward for a remarkable primary performannce displaying not only political savvy, but maturity and integrity as well.

Bosnians Set The Record Straight on Hillary's 'Dangerous Mission'

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:20:45 EDT

FROM BAD TO VERSE FOR HILL

Airport's Girl Poet Stunned by Sniper Tale as Insulted Fellow Bosnians Rip "Low Blow" Lie

New Yorl Post - Selim Algar

The Bosnian girl who famously read a poem to Hillary Rodham Clinton during her 1996 visit to the war-torn country is shocked - and her countrymen infuriated - that the former first lady claimed to have dodged sniper fire that day.

Emina Bicakcic, now 20 and studying to become a doctor, told The Post she stood on the tarmac at the air base in Tuzla, greeted Clinton and even had time to share the lines of verse she'd written - all without fear of attack from an unseen enemy.

"I was surprised when I heard this," Bicakcic said, referring to Clinton's assertion that she braved snipers upon landing, ducking and sprinting to military vehicles.

Other Bosnians said they had one of two reactions to Clinton's debunked action-hero account of her visit: laughter or anger.

"It's an exaggeration," said former acting President Ejup Ganic, who was present during Clinton's visit. "No one was firing. There were no shots fired."

Sema Markovic, 22, a student, said she has long respected Hillary as a strong leader but was angered by her remarks.

"It is an ugly thing for a politician to tell lies,' she said. "We had problems for years, and I don't like when someone lies about them. It makes us look bad."

Many Bosnians - still confronted with bullet-scarred and burned-out buildings from Sarajevo to Tuzla - said their very real experiences with violence should not serve as cheap fodder for Clinton's political ambitions.

"It was a horrible lie," said 29-year-old Midhat Efendira.

Like most Bosnians, he expressed a deep appreciation of Bill Clinton for his role in ending the war. But he found Hillary Clinton's remarks intolerable.

"It was a low blow," he said. "She did it to gain sensational publicity."

Sead Numanovic, the deputy editor-in-chief of Bosnia's largest newspaper, Dnevni Avaz, laughed at Sen. Clinton's account of the alleged sniper fire and her claim that she "misspoke."

"My first thought was, she must be kidding," he said. "When someone threatens your life, you don't make a mistake."

Numanovic said his paper has not even bothered to cover the story.

"We don't have space for someone's lies," he said. "Why is she so stupid? It doesn't portray her as a real leader."

Full article here

First Hillary is caught in lies about her cheerleading role in the Northern Ireland Peace Process, and today even the little girl in Bosnia has called her on the lies about supposed 'dangers' Hillary faced there. Now that derisive laughter at the expense of Hillary is completely international, how does the Clinton campaign spin this into a positive for American International Relations in a Hillary adminstration? How will the world view a confirmed liar in the White House? (Okay, so we have one in there now...I mean a liar who was confirmed as such PRIOR to being elected.) Isn't it time for a real change?

Humor? Hillary Vows to Stay in Race 100 Years

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 06:11:01 EDT

Hillary Vows to Stay in Race 100 Years

Huffington Post - Andy Borowitz

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton stunned voters at a town hall meeting in Erie, Pennsylvania today by telling them that she was prepared to stay in the nomination fight for an additional century.

"How much longer will I stay in the race?" she responded to a voter's question. "Fifty years? How about one hundred years?"

When asked to clarify, Sen. Clinton replied, "I'll stay in this race for a thousand years. A million years. A billion years."

Sen. Clinton added that she was refusing to announce an exit strategy from the race because "that would send the wrong message to the enemy."

The New York senator's comments echoed a strategy outlined in a recently leaked internal campaign memo, which calls for her to remain in the race long after the Democratic National Convention, even if Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill) becomes the party's official nominee.

According to the memo, Sen. Clinton plans to follow Sen. Obama's campaign bus around in a Chevy Suburban in the hopes of running it off the road.

"If necessary, we will sideswipe or ram into his bus," the memo said. "Just really mess him up."

For her part, Sen. Clinton remained resolute at the town hall meeting, responding to a question about the recent surge in negative attacks her campaign has lobbed in Sen. Obama's direction: "What can I tell you? The surge is working."

Full article here

Laughter - The Best Medicine!

Obama Wins Big in Dallas - Updated Delegate Totals

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 04:22:06 EDT

Barack Obama cruised to victory over Hillary Rodham Clinton in Dallas County's Senate district conventions Saturday, as Texas Democrats continued their arduous and sometimes frustrating process of choosing national convention delegates.

Mr. Obama had double-digit leads in all five of the county's Senate districts, mirroring his electoral power here in the March 4 primary. Statewide, the picture was less certain, though Mr. Obama started the day with a caucusing advantage because he won the first round, precinct conventions held the night of the primary.

That may mean he can win more overall delegates in Texas even though Mrs. Clinton won the initial primary vote, as Mr. Obama's campaign claimed in a triumphant statement late Saturday. The Clinton campaign scoffed at that and predicted a strong showing once all the results were counted.

STATEWIDE

36 percent of about 7,300 delegates selected

Barack Obama: 57 percent

Hillary Rodham Clinton: 43 percent

DALLAS COUNTY

Senate District 2

Obama: 73 percent - 80 Delegates

Clinton: 27 percent - 30 Delegates

Senate District 8

Obama: 59 percent - 52 Delegates

Clinton: 41 percent - 35 Delegates

Senate District 9

Obama: 61 percent - 45 Delegates

Clinton: 39 percent - 28 Delegates

Senate District 16

Obama: 59 percent - 150 Delegates

Clinton: 41 percent - 105 Delgates

Senate District 23

Obama: 82 percent - 306 Delegates

Clinton: 18 percent - 67 Delegates

Dallas County Total Delegates

Obama: 633 Delegates

Clinton: 265 Delegates

Full article here

County Convention Reporting Database

At the Senate District 16 Convention here in Dallas there were several precincts with less than full delegate turnout. Our own Precinct 1140 picked up another delegate for Obama due to the Hillary people not fielding a full slate. While this had little effect on the precinct level delegate selections for State Convention representation, it worked in Obama's favor overall. It is the delegates who actually showed up for that set the numbers for the slate for Austin, and there were enough Hillary vacancies throughout district 16 that Obama picked up a few extra At Large Delegates who are selected according to combined fractional delegate margins of all precincts in the district. It was the greater depth of dedication displayed by Obama delegates that directly led to a gain in delegates over the original caucus vote apportionment.

Arguing The Conservative Case for Obama

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 03:42:07 EDT

The Right Choice?

The Conservative Case for Barack Obama

The American Conservative - Andrew J. Bacevich

Barack Obama is no conservative. Yet if he wins the Democratic nomination, come November principled conservatives may well find themselves voting for the senator from Illinois. Given the alternatives—and the state of the conservative movement—they could do worse.

Granted, when it comes to defining exactly what authentic conservatism entails, considerable disagreement exists even (or especially) among conservatives themselves. My own definition emphasizes the following:

a commitment to individual liberty, tempered by the conviction that genuine freedom entails more than simply an absence of restraint;
a belief in limited government, fiscal responsibility, and the rule of law;
veneration for our cultural inheritance combined with a sense of stewardship for Creation;
a reluctance to discard or tamper with traditional social arrangements;
respect for the market as the generator of wealth combined with a wariness of the market’s corrosive impact on humane values;
a deep suspicion of utopian promises, rooted in an appreciation of the sinfulness of man and the recalcitrance of history.

Accept that definition and it quickly becomes apparent that the Republican Party does not represent conservative principles. The conservative ascendancy that began with the election of Ronald Reagan has been largely an illusion. During the period since 1980, certain faux conservatives—especially those in the service of Big Business and Big Empire—have prospered. But conservatism as such has not.

The presidency of George W. Bush illustrates the point. In 2001, President Bush took command of a massive, inefficient federal bureaucracy. Since then, he has substantially increased the size of that apparatus, which during his tenure has displayed breathtaking ineptitude both at home and abroad. Over the course of Bush’s two terms in office, federal spending has increased 50 percent to $3 trillion per year. Disregarding any obligation to balance the budget, Bush has allowed the national debt to balloon from $5.7 to $9.4 trillion. Worse, under the guise of keeping Americans “safe,” he has arrogated to the executive branch unprecedented powers, thereby subverting the Constitution. Whatever else may be said about this record of achievement, it does not accord with conservative principles.

Full article here

I agree completely with the author. If we are conservatives, why is it that we are not conserving anything? Why have we not conserved American jobs? Why have we not conserved the value of our dollar? Why have we not conserved the environment? Why have we not conserved the quality of life for all people in America?

Just exactly what have we been conserving?

Obama has fought to bring transparency and accountability to our government. In advocating ethical reform and working to limit the influence of lobbyists and big money in the legislative process, Barack has acted on the conservative principles that I hold dear. I am a conservative who is proudly supporting Barack Obama for President.

Obama can win Hillary Superdelegates!

Leno - TX Delegate — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:11:02 EDT

Clinton's state superdelegates sticking with her -- for now

Leaders say they don't want a fractured party at convention

Seattle PI - Gregory Roberts

With the anxiety level among Democrats ratcheting up daily at the prospect of a bloody presidential nomination struggle, some Washington state superdelegates are sticking by Hillary Clinton, the currently trailing candidate, while tiptoeing through the political minefield.

But their commitment to her is not unbounded.

A worse fate than a Clinton loss to rival Barack Obama, they suggest, would be a fractured national convention in August, with bitter floor fights over rules for seating delegates -- a spectacle that could enhance Republican chances for victory in November.

"I don't think that people want a divisive, explosive convention," King County Executive Ron Sims said Wednesday. "It will radiate defeat."

Sims and [U.S. Sen. Maria] Cantwell are standing by Clinton for now, as are U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and U.S. Reps. Norm Dicks and Jay Inslee, aides said (the sixth Clinton superdelegate from the state, former House Speaker Tom Foley, could not be reached for comment).

The candidate with the most pledged delegates from the primaries and caucuses can make the best case for the nomination, Cantwell said, while also mentioningmost states won and highest popular vote total as secondary factors. Obama leads in all three categories , and it's considered unlikely that Clinton will overtake him -- but neither Obama nor Clinton, at this point, can win the majority of delegates needed for nomination solely through the primaries and caucuses.

Full article here

Those are the words from a few of Hillary's superdelegates; Obama can win superdelegates over with strong showings in Pennsylvania, Indiana, and North Carolina. Our volunteer work for the Obama campaign is making a difference. By making calls to thse states we can help get out the vote for Barack that could sway the superdelegates to make sure that Hillary nevers gets a chance to initiate a flood fight at the convention in Denver.

Phonebanking works! Try to make a little time to reach out to the voters in Pennsylvania for Barack Obama.

Obama Wins Big in Dallas County

Leno - TX Delegate — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:42:11 EDT

Barack Obama handily wins Dallas County district conventions

Dallas Morning News - Gromer Jeffers

STATEWIDE

36 percent of about 7,300 delegates selected

Barack Obama: 57 percent

Hillary Rodham Clinton: 43 percent

DALLAS COUNTY

Senate District 2

Obama: 73 percent

Clinton: 27 percent

Senate District 8

Obama: 59 percent

Clinton: 41 percent

Senate District 9

Obama: 61 percent

Clinton: 39 percent

Senate District 16

Obama: 59 percent

Clinton: 41 percent

Senate District 23

Obama: 82 percent

Clinton: 18 percent

Full article here

Hillary supporters still trying to get 'Dream Ticket'

Leno - TX Delegate — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 13:28:14 EDT

Clinton Supporter Gov Rendell Supports Cuomo Plan to Guarantee Dream Ticket

ABC - Mary Bruce

Clinton supporter Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell backed this morning Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo's proposal to guarantee a "dream ticket". Cuomo has suggested Obama and Clinton agree now that whoever does not win the nomination will become the vice presidential candidate regardless of the outcome. "Well, I can't speak for Senator Clinton, but I would love that," Rendell said in an exclusive "This Week" interview. "I think that this duo, regardless, is a history-making duo. They are both tremendous candidates. They both would make great executives, and I'd love to see that happen," Rendell said.

Full article here

Hillary Clinton is the quintessential status quo candidate, the antithesis of everything Barack Obama stands for: Hillary advocates a top down management style; Obama organizes from the bottom up. Hillary runs a poorly managed ‘win at any cost and damn the consequences’ campaign; Obama runs a well organized and ethical campaign. Hillary seeks to change DNC rules she initially agreed to as it suits her; Obama plays fairly by the DNC rules throughout. Hillary is divisive; Obama in a uniter. Hillary takes money from lobbyists and bundlers; Obama does not. Hillary takes money from PAC’s; Obama does not. Hillary takes money from war profiteers in the military industrial sector; Obama does not. Hillary refuses to release her earmarks; Obama releases all of his earmarks. Hillary hides her sources of income and refuses to release her tax returns, Obama released all of his financial information at the very start. The list goes on and on.

A ticket headed by a champion of change cannot include an agent for the status quo even in the best of political climes. However it could spell disaster this November.

With a viable counter argument to Democratic unity being that of Republican unity, the question becomes one of percentages: What percentages of key demographic voting blocs will be affected by the presence of Hillary riding into the general election on an Obama ticket?

Pro: Core Democratic base should rally behind Obama/Clinton ticket. Up to 30% Of Hillary supporters have claimed that they would not support an Obama candidacy. The presence of Hillary may reduce that number significantly.

Con: Republicans will use the presence of Hillary on a Democratic ticket to ignite their currently less than enthusiastic conservative base.

Con: Independents, and more importantly, Republicans who have crossed the traditional party lines to support Obama may hesitate to do so in the general election due to the presence of Hillary on the Democratic ticket.

Con: The level of hostilities in the Democratic primary has risen to the point where having both candidates on the same ticket effectively doubles the ammunition that the Republican attack machine will be able to use in the general election. Additionally, every bit of that ammo will do double damage as it strikes not only the candidate in question, but also the running mate as flip flopping after using the same attack in the primary. Net yield is lose-lose.

I do not see enough advantage in the unification argument for the Democratic party to offset the probable negative consequences of the presence of Hillary on an Obama ticket. The Democratic unification will occur in the weeks after the nominee is clear anyway.

Endorsement of Obama Points Out Clinton’s Obstacles & Leahy's Desire for Healing

Leno - TX Delegate — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 07:08:35 EDT

Endorsement of Obama Points Up Clinton’s Obstacles

New York Times - Adam Nagourney

The surprise endorsement of Senator Barack Obama by a popular senator in a battleground state on Friday underlined the ferment in the Democratic nominating race and the serious obstacles facing Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as she tries to rescue her candidacy.

Compounding the challenge, one of Mr. Obama’s most prominent supporters, Senator Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont, said Mrs. Clinton should quit the race because she hurt Mr. Obama “more than anything John McCain has said.”

The developments, including the endorsement of Mr. Obama by Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, a state where Mrs. Clinton is looking for a large primary victory, occurred as uneasiness grew among Democrats over a race that has become closer, more extended and more bitter than expected. In interviews, Democratic leaders said they were concerned that the increased tensions between the campaigns and the sharpening exchanges between Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama were hurting the party’s chances of winning the White House in November.

Full article here

Surprise Backing From Senator Reflected Frustration and Desire for Healing

New York Times - Katherine Q. Seelye and Michael Powell

Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania left for his Easter vacation in Florida determined to remain neutral in the increasingly bitter battle for the Democratic presidential nomination. But rain there kept him inside, and he began ruminating about the election and what was at stake.

“He spent a lot of time thinking about it,” a person close to Mr. Casey said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak for the senator. “He was asking himself, What’s more important than this? He was also just terribly frustrated with where Bush is going on Iraq and the economy, and he felt he had to jump into the fray.”

Mr. Casey concluded that he would endorse Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, and he did so on Friday in Pittsburgh, joining Mr. Obama for part of his six-day bus trip across Pennsylvania ahead of that state’s Democratic primary on April 22.

“I really believe that in a time of danger around the world and in division here at home,” Mr. Casey said at a rally, “Barack Obama can lead us, he can heal us, he can help rebuild America.”

Full article here

University of Chicago: Obama was a Professor

Leno - TX Delegate — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 06:18:19 EDT

University of Chicago: Obama was a Professor

Hillary and her Republican allies have repeatedly attacked Barack Obama over his position as a Professor of Law at the University of Chicago. The attacks focus on the description 'Lecturer' and accuse Obama of lying about his resume. Here is the official statement of the University of Chicago concerning these allegations:

From 1992 until his election to the U.S. Senate in 2004, Barack Obama served as a professor in the Law School. He was a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996. He was a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004, during which time he taught three courses per year. Senior Lecturers are considered to be members of the Law School faculty and are regarded as professors, although not full-time or tenure-track. The title of Senior Lecturer is distinct from the title of Lecturer, which signifies adjunct status. Like Obama, each of the Law School's Senior Lecturers have high-demand careers in politics or public service, which prevent full-time teaching. Several times during his 12 years as a professor in the Law School, Obama was invited to join the faculty in a full-time tenure-track position, but he declined.

University of Chicago

Calling Texas Delegates: A Thank You Note

Leno - TX Delegate — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 05:14:32 EDT

Thank you to everyone who took some time out ot their schedules to call our Texas delegates for Brack Obama. I was on the phone Thursday evening making calls to delegates in my district when an Obama supporter from the state of Washington called ME with a reminder to attend the District Convention along with some words of encouragement and of course a fervent advocacy of Obama for President!

So heartfelt thanks to all of you who helped Texas help Obama!

Your efforts continually remind me that "Yes We Can!" is not just a campaign slogan.

-Leno

Hillary and Her Wealthy Friends vs. The American Democratic Process

Leno - TX Delegate — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:03:21 EDT

What is driving Hillary to such desperate measures? Even more to the point, why would Hillary's powerful multi-millionaire friends be so eager to shill for Hillary in such a demeaning manner?

Because for Hillary this election really is all about the money. Consider another Hillary fund raiser stepping out of the role to engage in political attack: Geraldine Ferraro. In an earlier blog I wrote:

"What must be considered in the Hillary campaign’s latest plunge into the abyss of low brow politics is the messenger rather than the message. Hillary has any number of shills ready and willing to dive headlong into the mud in order to score a point in the polls; so why Geraldine Ferraro? A quick read through the Hillary campaign roster is fairly revealing: Ferraro is Hillary’s star money maker. Ferraro is a senior member of the Hillary campaign’s finance committee and has been a major fundraiser for Clinton. Now the question becomes; since when do campaign financial officers become outspoken and publicly critical of opponents? The short answer is they don’t. Not unless there is something going terribly wrong in their campaign.
Geraldine Ferraro is stressed to the point of publicly seeking to diminish the effects of Hillary failure to connect with the electorate. Ferraro fears that she must establish an excuse for Hillary’s core message being rejected by a majority of voters spanning the demographic spectrum. Why? Because despite every effort made by the Hillary campaign, Obama is still walking away from them with ease because WE are driving the stakes ever higher by investing our dollars with Obama for our future! Hillary is being out campaigned and out hustled by OUR grassroots activity! Geraldine Ferraro has run out of big money donors; recently Bill Clinton has hosted fundraisers limited to ‘primary funds only’ because their core donors are maxed out. Ferraro cannot compete with our desire for change in America and she is lashing out at us as it becomes clear that Hillary is going to lose this primary."

Original blog here

Recently the New York Times made public the fact that Hillary was far less solvent than her campaign was letting on:

"Despite a strong month of fund-raising in February in which she brought in $35 million, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton finished the month essentially in the red, once her campaign’s outstanding debts are factored in, as well as her personal loan, according to filings submitted late last night to the Federal Election Commission.
After spending about $31 million in her efforts to keep up with Senator Barack Obama, Mrs. Clinton finished February with more than $33 million in cash on hand, but $21.5 million of that is earmarked exclusively for the general election, leaving her with $11.7 million for the primary.
Mrs. Clinton, however, loaned her campaign $5 million earlier this year and she listed $8.7 million in debts to various vendors, making clear why she has not yet paid herself back from her loan."

NYT Hillary campaign fund report

Hillary's campaign is running on fumes. This explains the numerous pleas for money that flood the inboxes of anyone on the Hillary mailing list. But the telling number that helps explain why Hillary's multi-millionaire friends are angry is the $21.5 million that can only be used in the general election. Those funds represent wealthy individuals who have maxed out their primary contributions. Hillary's campaign funding base consists of multi-millionaires as opposed to Obama's multi-millions of dedicated individual supporters. Hillary's wealthy donors are so used to having their money pave the way to getting whatever they want that they cannot stand the fact that average Americans such as you and me are able to combine with millions of others to keep the wealthy and priviledged few from buying this election for Hillary.

But they seem to be unable to learn from this. So while Hillary plots for superdelegates to overturn the popular vote and give the election to her, and advocates Obama delegates pledged according to the vote of core Democrats to ignore those votes and switch allegiance; her wealthy backers resort to the only thing they know: Money. Thus we have Hillary's powerful friends trying to blackmail Howard Dean and Nancy Pelosi with the threat of withdrawn financial support.

How long will Americans tolerate this kind of behavior from a candidate seeking to become the President of the United States? Not long at all: Enter MoveOn.org.

MoveOn.org, a grassroots powerhouse that supports Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, launched a fundraising drive Thursday to counter Sen. Hillary Clinton's wealthy supporters.
"It's the worst kind of insider politics -- billionaires bullying our elected leaders into ignoring the will of the voters," wrote organizers in an e-mail to the group's members. "But when we all pool our resources, together we're stronger than the fat cats. So let's tell Nancy Pelosi that if she keeps standing up for regular Americans, thousands of us will have her back. And we can more than match whatever the CEOs and billionaires refuse to contribute."

CNN MoveOn article here

MoveOn.org currently has a petition where we can let Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic leadership know how we feel about wealthy special interests influencing OUR election with their money. The text of the petition:

"The Democratic nomination should be decided by the voters--not by superdelegates or party high-rollers. We've given money--and time--to progressive candidates and causes, and we'll support Speaker Pelosi and others who stand up for Democracy in the Democratic Party."

Sign the MoveOn petition here

There is a big "YES WE CAN" in response to the wealthy few who seek to influence OUR election in favor of THEIR candidate. I am proud to stand with the many millions of Barack Obama supporters against the forces of wealthy special interests in this election. This truly has become a time when Americans can take back our government from those who seek to control us through control of Washington. It is a time of change, and the catalyst for that change: Barack Obama!

Help Texas Help Obama by Calling Texas Delegates

Leno - TX Delegate — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:04:18 EDT

Help Texas Help Obama by Calling Texas Delegates

Due to the enormous number of precinct level delegates in Texas, we need your help in calling all of our delegates and to remind and encourage participation in the Texas District Conventions tomorrow. Take some time today and help us reach out to the approximately 40,000 Texas precinct delegates on behalf of Barack Obama. A great many of these delegates have not yet been contacted and need our help to be ready for the conventions this weekend. Hillary is after every delegate she can find, so we need to help Obama get out the vote and get every Texas delegate to the conventions.

Calling Texas Delegates

Another Reagan in the White House? Hillary says he has the Experience for it!

Leno - TX Delegate — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:21:50 EDT

When Travel Is Experience

Cagle Post - Michael Reagan

I'm indebted to Hillary Clinton for the revelation that my global wanderings when my dad was president qualify me to run for the presidency myself.

Mrs. Clinton has been insisting that her global junkets as first lady, and her meetings with foreign leaders, qualify her to be president of these United States.

I never thought of it that way, but if she is correct then I am eminently qualified to follow my father's footsteps and take up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., not merely as a member of the president's family, but as president in my own right.

Hillary, who even the media now admit will say or do anything to win election, is using her past as first lady to attempt to sell the American people on her expertise in foreign policy, a claim largely based on her travels during her husband's administration and the fact that she met with world leaders while junketing abroad.

Well I'll match my global travels and meetings with world leaders against hers any time, and I'll come out on top.

As a member of the president’s immediate family I traveled far and wide, accompanied by an entourage of Secret Service agents, as are all members of a president's

family. And because I was the son of a sitting president, my presence in their country -- no matter what the reason for my visit -- was treated by their leaders as an official visit and I was accorded the treatment given to such official guests.

Moreover, I was present during times of crisis when momentous decisions were made affecting foreign policy. For example, I was in a suite in the Century Plaza Hotel when my father gave Attorney General Ed Meese the authority to order our military to shoot down Moammar Gadhafi's aircraft in the Gulf of Sidra.

Following Hillary's reasoning, that experience qualifies me as an expert of military matters relating to foreign affairs capable of knowing what to do in a moment of crisis.

Full article here

Hillary's and her Wealthy Friends vs You, Me, and Democracy

Leno - TX Delegate — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 07:18:49 EDT

What is driving Hillary to such desperate measures? Even more to the point, why would Hillary's powerful multi-millionaire friends be so eager to shill for Hillary in such a demeaning manner?

"What must be considered in the Hillary campaign’s latest plunge into the abyss of low brow politics is the messenger rather than the message. Hillary has any number of shills ready and willing to dive headlong into the mud in order to score a point in the polls; so why Geraldine Ferraro? A quick read through the Hillary campaign roster is fairly revealing: Ferraro is Hillary’s star money maker. Ferraro is a senior member of the Hillary campaign’s finance committee and has been a major fundraiser for Clinton. Now the question becomes; since when do campaign financial officers become outspoken and publicly critical of opponents? The short answer is they don’t. Not unless there is something going terribly wrong in their campaign.
Geraldine Ferraro is stressed to the point of publicly seeking to diminish the effects of Hillary failure to connect with the electorate. Ferraro fears that she must establish an excuse for Hillary’s core message being rejected by a majority of voters spanning the demographic spectrum. Why? Because despite every effort made by the Hillary campaign, Obama is still walking away from them with ease because WE are driving the stakes ever higher by investing our dollars with Obama for our future! Hillary is being out campaigned and out hustled by OUR grassroots activity! Geraldine Ferraro has run out of big money donors; recently Bill Clinton has hosted fundraisers limited to ‘primary funds only’ because their core donors are maxed out. Ferraro cannot compete with our desire for change in America and she is lashing out at us as it becomes clear that Hillary is going to lose this primary."

Original blog here

Recently the New York Times made public the fact that Hillary was far less solvent than her campaign was letting on:

"Despite a strong month of fund-raising in February in which she brought in $35 million, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton finished the month essentially in the red, once her campaign’s outstanding debts are factored in, as well as her personal loan, according to filings submitted late last night to the Federal Election Commission.
After spending about $31 million in her efforts to keep up with Senator Barack Obama, Mrs. Clinton finished February with more than $33 million in cash on hand, but $21.5 million of that is earmarked exclusively for the general election, leaving her with $11.7 million for the primary.
Mrs. Clinton, however, loaned her campaign $5 million earlier this year and she listed $8.7 million in debts to various vendors, making clear why she has not yet paid herself back from her loan."

NYT Hillary campaign fund report

How long will Americans tolerate this kind of behavior from a candidate seeking to become the President of the United States? Not long at all: Enter MoveOn.org.

MoveOn.org, a grassroots powerhouse that supports Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, launched a fundraising drive Thursday to counter Sen. Hillary Clinton's wealthy supporters.
"It's the worst kind of insider politics -- billionaires bullying our elected leaders into ignoring the will of the voters," wrote organizers in an e-mail to the group's members. "But when we all pool our resources, together we're stronger than the fat cats. So let's tell Nancy Pelosi that if she keeps standing up for regular Americans, thousands of us will have her back. And we can more than match whatever the CEOs and billionaires refuse to contribute."

CNN MoveOn article here

"The Democratic nomination should be decided by the voters--not by superdelegates or party high-rollers. We've given money--and time--to progressive candidates and causes, and we'll support Speaker Pelosi and others who stand up for Democracy in the Democratic Party."

Sign the MoveOn petition here

NAFTA-Gate Probe to be Made Public

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:13:45 EDT

NAFTA-gate probe to be made public

Globe and Mail - Campbell Clark

The federal government's top civil servant has pledged to make public the results of an investigation into Canadian leaks that damaged the presidential campaign of U.S. Senator Barack Obama.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper handed responsibility for an internal inquiry to Kevin Lynch, the Clerk of the Privy Council, after it emerged that his chief of staff, Ian Brodie, sparked the so-called "NAFTA-gate" affair in a conversation with reporters from CTV News.

Mr. Lynch pledged in a letter to Liberal MP Navdeep Bains that the results of the internal probe will be made public, and will include the "verbal" leaks - not only the later leak of a diplomatic memo.

Mr. Bains said he is encouraged by the assurances, but added that Mr. Brodie and Michael Wilson, the ambassador to Washington, should still step aside until the probe is completed.

The leaks led to reports that Mr. Obama's campaign had reassured Canadian diplomats through back-channels that the candidate's calls for renegotiating the North American free-trade agreement were political rhetoric, not serious plans.

The leaks hurt Mr. Obama before two crucial Democratic Party primaries in Texas, and especially in Ohio, where the campaign of Hillary Clinton was revived with strong showings.

Mr. Brodie told CTV reporters during the media lockup for the Feb. 26 budget that Ms. Clinton's campaign had reassured Canadian diplomats that her tough talk on NAFTA was just posturing, a reporter with the network has revealed. But when the network aired a story the next day, it reported mainly on the Obama campaign.

Full article here

The Conservative Case for Obama

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:21:51 EDT

The Right Choice?

The Conservative Case for Barack Obama

The American Conservative - Andrew J. Bacevich

a commitment to individual liberty, tempered by the conviction that genuine freedom entails more than simply an absence of restraint;
a belief in limited government, fiscal responsibility, and the rule of law;
veneration for our cultural inheritance combined with a sense of stewardship for Creation;
a reluctance to discard or tamper with traditional social arrangements;
respect for the market as the generator of wealth combined with a wariness of the market’s corrosive impact on humane values;
a deep suspicion of utopian promises, rooted in an appreciation of the sinfulness of man and the recalcitrance of history.

Full article here

Just exactly what have we been conserving?

TEXAS: Precinct 1140 Delegate Meeting

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:46:38 EDT

The Texas Precinct 1140 delegation held a meeting last night to coordinate our efforts in getting convention delegates that represent Barack Obama to the state convention. Most of the delegates and alternates showed up, and we were able to prepare for the District Convention. Texas precinct delegates should try and get together if possible, as there were a few of our delegates who will be unable to attend the convention and we were able to plan around this with designated alternates. With the Hillary camp repeatedly speaking of pledged delegates being fair game, it is important that Barack have delegates who are rock solid in their commitment to the Obama candidacy.

HELP!

Due to the enormous number of precinct level delegates in Texas, we need your help in calling all of our delegates and to remind and encourage participation in the Texas District Conventions. Take some time today and Friday and help us reach out to the approximately 40,000 Texas precinct delegates on behalf of Barack Obama. A great many of these delegates have not yet been contacted and need our help to be ready for the conventions this weekend. Obama needs every Texas delegate we can get at the conventions.

Calling Texas Delegates

The Nation: Progressives for Obama

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:07:47 EDT

Progressives for Obama

The Nation - Tom Hayden, Bill FLetcher Jr, Danny Glover, & Barbara Ehrenreich

All American progressives should unite for Barack Obama. We descend from the proud tradition of independent social movements that have made America a more just and democratic country. We believe that the movement today supporting Barack Obama continues this great tradition of grassroots participation, drawing millions of people out of apathy and into participation in the decisions that affect all our lives. We believe that Barack Obama's very biography reflects the positive potential of the globalization process that also contains such grave threats to our democracy when shaped only by the narrow interests of private corporations in an unregulated global marketplace. We should instead be globalizing the values of equality, a living wage and environmental sustainability in the new world order, not hoping our deepest concerns will be protected by trickle-down economics or charitable billionaires. By its very existence, the Obama campaign will stimulate a vision of globalization from below.

As progressives, we believe this sudden and unexpected new movement is just what America needs. The future has arrived. The alternative would mean a return to the dismal status quo party politics that has failed so far to deliver peace, healthcare, full employment and effective answers to crises like global warming.

During past progressive peaks in our political history--the late thirties, the early sixties--social movements have provided the relentless pressure and innovative ideas that allowed centrist leaders to embrace visionary solutions. We find ourselves in just such a situation today.

We intend to join and engage with our brothers and sisters in the vast rainbow of social movements to come together in support of Obama's unprecedented campaign and candidacy. Even though it is candidate-centered, there is no doubt that the campaign is a social movement, one greater than the candidate himself ever imagined.

Full article here

Hillary 'Tonya Harding' Clinton

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 07:38:14 EDT

Dems Fear Clinton's 'Tonya Harding' Option

ABC Good Morning America - Jake Tapper

It is improbable but, yes, still mathematically possible that New York Sen. Hillary Clinton could win the Democratic presidential nomination.

What Democratic officials across the country fear is what Clinton will have to do to party rival Illinois Sen. Barack Obama -- who leads in pledged delegates and the popular vote -- to make that happen.

"I don't think she has no chance, but the route for her to victory is so bad for the Democratic Party -- it's to damage Obama so much that people feel he's not electable," said ABC News political contributor Matthew Dowd, a former adviser to President Bush, repeating the sentiments of many in the other party.

One Democratic Party official called Clinton's strategy "The Tonya Harding Option" -- the idea that Clinton's only path to the gold medal is to destroy her leading competitor.

Full article here

Bloomberg to Introduce Obama in New York

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 07:15:11 EDT

IT'S THE BLOOMY-'BAMA SHOW

New York Post - Ed Robinson & Daphne Retter

Mayor Bloomberg made a surprise announcement last night that he will introduce Barack Obama when the Illinois senator makes a campaign speech today at Cooper Union.

The mayor's office took the highly unusual step of releasing information about the event late last night. Obama will deliver an address on economic issues.

Their joint appearance on Hillary Rodham Clinton's home turf could provide a boost for Obama in the tightly contested race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

It comes less than four weeks before the critical Pennsylvania primary, where moderate voters are expected to play a key role.

Full article here

Could this be a prelude to endorsement by the New York Mayor?

TIME: Hillary Vows to Continue Campaign

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 06:43:44 EDT

Exclusive: Clinton Vows to Push On

TIME - Mark Halperin

"Hillary Clinton is under a lot of pressure these days, but in a Tuesday interview she seemed cheery, confident and unapologetic as she talked about her determination to fight on in the presidential race. Speaking by phone from Pennsylvania, she explained why she plans to continue her push for the Democratic nomination, even as some question her chances of winning. She expressed confidence that her party would pull together in time to beat Republican John McCain, as well as a belief that the remaining contests — and perhaps some surprising shifts in the delegates already elected — would make her the Democrats' nominee." (Emphasis added)

Surprising shifts in the delegates already elected? What exactly does that mean?

"Neither of us will reach the number of delegates needed. So I think that that is, you know, the reality for both of our campaigns. And all delegates have to assess who they think will be the strongest nominee against McCain and who they believe would do the best job in bringing along the down-ballot races and who they think would be the best President. And, from my perspective, those are all very legitimate questions, and as you know so well, Mark, every delegate with very few exceptions is free to make up his or her mind however they choose. We talk a lot about so-called pledged delegates, but every delegate is expected to exercise independent judgment."

Full article here

There it is. Once again Hillary argues that delegates pledged according to the will of Democrats as expressed by their votes should disregard the constituents and vote however they feel at the moment.

Many Democrats are not aware of the role and purpose of pledged delegates; they are selected to represent the will of the electorate as expressed by the popular vote in a given state. Using California as an example:

4,375,496 Californians made thier will known by voting in the Democratic Primary on Tuesday February 5th. California has 370 delegates who are pledged to the will of the electorate according to the popular vote. This means that each delegate represents the will as expressed by vote of 11,825 Californians. Now consider what Hillary's plan to persuade delegates pledged according to the will of those 11,825 voters to disavow the will of the electorate and switch allegiance really means: Hillary is in effect declaring that those are 11,825 votes cast by Democratic voters that should not count, and that the delegate pledged according to their will can ignore their wishes and do whatever they like!

Even though Hillary repeatedly presses the point that delegates pledged according to the will of the electorate as expressed by popular vote are not required to honor their pledge or the will of their constituencies; but what does the DNC say in their Delegate Selection Rules?

From the Delegate Selection Rules For The 2008 Democratic National Convention; Section 12: Presidential preference:

"Delegates elected to the national convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them."

DNC Delegate Selection Rules

'Delegates shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them.' That statement makes it abundantly clear to me, and almost everyone except Hillary; that pledged delegates are expected to vote according to the will of their electorate. That the votes cast by Americans in the Democratic Primary DO count in the nomination process and should NOT be overturned at the whim of pledged delegates as Hillary continually advocates.

The issue of seeking to override the will of Democratic voters as expressed in their primary and caucus votes is beyond troubling, it is an attack on the very electoral process of our democracy, and by extension, democracy itself. If this what Hillary is willing to do in order to obtain Presidential office and power, what will she do once she is President? If Hillary does not respect the will of Americans now in her pursuit of power, how much the less will she regard our will when she has that power?

Texas Precinct 1140 Delegate Meeting

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 06:01:19 EDT

Due to the enormous number of precinct level delegates in Texas, we need help in calling all of our delegates and to remind and encourage participation in the Texas District Conventions. Take some time today and Friday and help us reach out to the approximately 40,000 Texas precinct delegates on behalf of Barack Obama.

Calling Texas Delegates

Hillary's Attack on Democracy

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:35:04 EDT

Hillary's continuing attack on Democracy: The votes of Democrats who participated in our primary do not necessarily count!

It is a sign of the times when a major candidate for the office of President of the United States sublty implies that she is somehow above the American democratic process. One person, one vote. That sounds like the democratic principle on which our elections are predicated right? Wrong, according to Hillary Clinton.

In statements made to Time's Mark Halperin in an article published today, Hillary comtinued laying the groundwork for one of her campaign's end game strategies of poaching delegates pledged to Obama in accordance with the popular vote. The Hillary plan to target pledged delegates was first reported on February 19th of this year by Roger Simon at Politico:

"Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign intends to go after delegates whom Barack Obama has already won in the caucuses and primaries if she needs them to win the nomination.
This strategy was confirmed to me by a high-ranking Clinton official on Monday. And I am not talking about superdelegates, those 795 party big shots who are not pledged to anybody. I am talking about getting pledged delegates to switch sides." (Emphasis added)

Roger Simon's Politico article

Halperin's interview with Hillary was just the latest statement by Hillary in a pattern of advocating that delegates pledged according to the will of the electorate should not be expected to reflect that pledge when voting:

"...every delegate with very few exceptions is free to make up his or her mind however they choose. We talk a lot about so-called pledged delegates, but every delegate is expected to exercise independent judgment." (Emphasis added)

Mark Halperin's Time article

"There are elected delegates, caucus delegates and superdelegates, all for different reasons, and they're all equal in their ability to cast their vote for whomever they choose. Even elected and caucus delegates are not required to stay with whomever they are pledged to." (Emphasis added)

Susan Smalley's Newsweek article

Those are just a few examples of Hillary's statements about pledged delegates. Even though Hillary repeatedly presses the point that delegates pledged according to the will of the electorate as expressed by popular vote are not required to honor their pledge or the will of their constituencies; but what does the DNC say in their Delegate Selection Rules?

From the Delegate Selection Rules For The 2008 Democratic National Convention; Section 12: Presidential preference:

"Delegates elected to the national convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them."

DNC Delegate Selection Rules

'Delegates shall in all god conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them.' That statement makes it abundantly clear to me, and almost everyone except Hillary; that pledged delegates are expected to vote according to the will of their electorate. That the votes cast by Americans in the Democratic Primary DO count in the nomination process and should NOT be overturned at the whim of pledged delegates as Hillary continually advocates.

The fierce urgency of now is that we work to ensure that Barack Obama wins the nomination. For the good of the Democratic Party, for the good of America, and maybe even for the good of democracy itself.

Hillary and Her Problems with Truth

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:33:43 EDT

Hillary Clinton: Truth or Consequences

AC 360 - Carl Bernstein

Hillary Clinton has many admirable qualities, but candor and openness and transparency and a commitment to well-established fact have not been notable among them. The indisputable elements of her Bosnian adventure affirm (again) the reluctant conclusion I reached in the final chapter of A Woman In Charge, my biography of her published last June:

“Since her Arkansas years [I wrote], Hillary Rodham Clinton has always had a difficult relationship with the truth… [J]udged against the facts, she has often chosen to obfuscate, omit, and avoid. It is an understatement by now that she has been known to apprehend truths about herself and the events of her life that others do not exactly share. ” [italics added]

As I noted:

“Almost always, something holds her back from telling the whole story, as if she doesn’t trust the reader, listener, friend, interviewer, constituent—or perhaps herself—to understand the true significance of events…”

The Bosnian episode is a watershed event, because it indelibly brings to mind so many examples of this tendency– from the White House years and, worse, from Hillary Clinton’s take-no-prisoners presidential campaign. Her record as a public person is replete with “misstatements” and elisions and retracted and redacted and revoked assertions…

Full article here

Hillary's Big Money Backers at it Again: Attempt to Strongarm Pelosi over Superdelegates

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:49:25 EDT

In Letter, Top Clinton Donors Chastise Pelosi For Statements About Super-Delegates

TPM - Greg Sargent

Twenty top Hillary fundraisers and donors have sent a scathing private letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, chastising her for publicly saying that the super-delegates should support the winner of the pledged delegate count and demanding that she say that they should make an "independent" choice.

The letter also contains an explicit reference to the fact that these donors have contributed heavily to Democratic causes, and demands that Pelosi clarify that the role of the super-dels is to make an "independent" choice between the candidates.

The letter represents a significant ratcheting up of pressure from Hillary's big money people on a Democratic leader in a position to influence how the super-delegates make up their minds at the end of the primary.

The full text of the letter can be found at TPM:

Hillary's Big Money vs Pelosi

The Obama response:

"This letter is inappropriate and we hope the Clinton campaign will reject the insinuation contained in it. Regardless of the outcome of the nomination fight, Senator Obama will continue to urge his supporters to assist Speaker Pelosi in her efforts to maintain and build a working majority in the House of Representatives," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.

Hillary's Attack on Democracy

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:20:13 EDT

Hillary's continuing attack on Democracy: The votes of Democrats who participated in our primary do not necessarily count!

"Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign intends to go after delegates whom Barack Obama has already won in the caucuses and primaries if she needs them to win the nomination.
This strategy was confirmed to me by a high-ranking Clinton official on Monday. And I am not talking about superdelegates, those 795 party big shots who are not pledged to anybody. I am talking about getting pledged delegates to switch sides." (Emphasis added)

Roger Simon's Politico article

"...every delegate with very few exceptions is free to make up his or her mind however they choose. We talk a lot about so-called pledged delegates, but every delegate is expected to exercise independent judgment." (Emphasis added)

Mark Halperin's Time article

"There are elected delegates, caucus delegates and superdelegates, all for different reasons, and they're all equal in their ability to cast their vote for whomever they choose. Even elected and caucus delegates are not required to stay with whomever they are pledged to." (Emphasis added)

Susan Smalley's Newsweek article

From the Delegate Selection Rules For The 2008 Democratic National Convention; Section 12: Presidential preference:

"Delegates elected to the national convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them."

DNC Delegate Selection Rules

What if there had been no JFK?

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 04:27:40 EDT

What if there had been no JFK?

What if a bright young Senator with inspiring visions of how America could be had faced well organized and well funded win-at-any-cost political machine in the 1959 Democratic primaries?

The machine would have sought to crush him and any hope that he brought. The machine would feed its own lust for power at the expense of what is best for the country.

What if there had been no JFK?

Would we ever have been inspired to reach out into space, even unto the moon?

We know what we would have lost if there was no JFK, what will we lose if there is no Obama?

What moons could Obama have inspired us to reach that would go untouched if the machine is allowed destroy the hope he brings?

Senator Barack Obama is the most visionary and inspiring political figure in recent history. We know it. The Republicans know it. The world knows it.

The machine knows it. The machine fears it, and seeks to crush Obama. The Clintons would have swiftboated even JFK if he stood in their way.

When you think you are just one person and cannot make a difference in this election, ask yourself: What if there had been no JFK?

When you think you have done enough today, and maybe others should be doing more, ask yourself: What if there had been no JFK?

Yes we can defeat the machine.

Barack Obama's Plan for Ending the War in Iraq

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:46:35 EDT

Plan for Ending the War in Iraq

“But conventional thinking in Washington lined up for war. The pundits judged the political winds to be blowing in the direction of the President. Despite - or perhaps because of how much experience they had in Washington, too many politicians feared looking weak and failed to ask hard questions. Too many took the President at his word instead of reading the intelligence for themselves. Congress gave the President the authority to go to war. Our only opportunity to stop the war was lost.

I made a different judgment. I thought our priority had to be finishing the fight in Afghanistan. I spoke out against what I called 'a rash war' in Iraq. I worried about, ‘an occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs, and undetermined consequences.’ The full accounting of those costs and consequences will only be known to history. But the picture is beginning to come into focus.”

—Barack Obama, Clinton, Iowa, September 12, 2007

At a Glance

Speak your mind and help set the policies that will guide this campaign and change the country.

Present your ideas

Watch the Video The Problem

The Surge: The goal of the surge was to create space for Iraq's political leaders to reach an agreement to end Iraq's civil war. At great cost, our troops have helped reduce violence in some areas of Iraq, but even those reductions do not get us below the unsustainable levels of violence of mid-2006. Moreover, Iraq's political leaders have made no progress in resolving the political differences at the heart of their civil war.

Military Strain: The military is being severely strained by repeated and lengthy deployments. The Army and Marine Corps are facing a crisis as 40 percent of their equipment is either in Iraq or being repaired. This crisis has led many of our generals to conclude that current demands make our forces unable to rapidly respond to the contingencies we may face in the future.

Barack Obama's Plan Judgment You Can Trust

As a candidate for the United States Senate in 2002, Obama put his political career on the line to oppose going to war in Iraq, and warned of “an occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs, and undetermined consequences.” Obama has been a consistent, principled and vocal opponent of the war in Iraq.

In 2003 and 2004, he spoke out against the war on the campaign trail;
In 2005, he called for a phased withdrawal of our troops;
In 2006, he called for a timetable to remove our troops, a political solution within Iraq, and aggressive diplomacy with all of Iraq’s neighbors;
In January 2007, he introduced legislation in the Senate to remove all of our combat troops from Iraq by March 2008.
In September 2007, he laid out a detailed plan for how he will end the war as president.

Bringing Our Troops Home

Obama will immediately begin to remove our troops from Iraq. He will remove one to two combat brigades each month, and have all of our combat brigades out of Iraq within 16 months. Obama will make it clear that we will not build any permanent bases in Iraq. He will keep some troops in Iraq to protect our embassy and diplomats; if al Qaeda attempts to build a base within Iraq, he will keep troops in Iraq or elsewhere in the region to carry out targeted strikes on al Qaeda.

Press Iraq’s Leaders to Reconcile

The best way to press Iraq’s leaders to take responsibility for their future is to make it clear that we are leaving. As we remove our troops, Obama will engage representatives from all levels of Iraqi society – in and out of government – to seek a new accord on Iraq’s Constitution and governance. The United Nations will play a central role in this convention, which should not adjourn until a new national accord is reached addressing tough questions like federalism and oil revenue-sharing.

Regional Diplomacy

Obama will launch the most aggressive diplomatic effort in recent American history to reach a new compact on the stability of Iraq and the Middle East. This effort will include all of Iraq’s neighbors — including Iran and Syria. This compact will aim to secure Iraq’s borders; keep neighboring countries from meddling inside Iraq; isolate al Qaeda; support reconciliation among Iraq’s sectarian groups; and provide financial support for Iraq’s reconstruction.

Humanitarian Initiative

Obama believes that America has a moral and security responsibility to confront Iraq’s humanitarian crisis — two million Iraqis are refugees; two million more are displaced inside their own country. Obama will form an international working group to address this crisis. He will provide at least $2 billion to expand services to Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, and ensure that Iraqis inside their own country can find a safe-haven.

Barack Obama's Record

Barack Obama opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning. In 2002, as the conventional thinking in Washington lined up for war, Obama had the judgment and courage to speak out against the war. He said the war would lead to "an occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs and undetermined consequences." In January 2007, Obama introduced legislation to responsibly end the war in Iraq, with a phased withdrawal of troops engaged in combat operations.
Obama has a plan to immediately begin withdrawing our troops engaged in combat operations at a pace of one or two brigades every month, to be completed by the end of next year. He would call for a new constitutional convention in Iraq, convened with the United Nations, which would not adjourn until Iraq's leaders reach a new accord on reconciliation. He would use presidential leadership to surge our diplomacy with all of the nations of the region on behalf of a new regional security compact. And he would take immediate steps to confront the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Iraq.

For More Information about Barack's Plan

Read the Plan
Read the Speech

Hillary is even late on Obama taxes

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:31:17 EDT

Obama camp posts tax returns

CNN Political Ticker - Rebecca Sinderbrand

A spokesman for Hillary Clinton’s campaign sent out a press release Tuesday morning belatedly attacking Barack Obama for his failure to release his tax returns – at virtually the exact moment the Illinois senator’s campaign posted his 2000-2006 filings on his campaign Web site.

“In the public record there are 20 years of Hillary's tax returns, hundreds of thousands of pages of records from her time in White House and countless other documents detailing her time in public life. Sen. Obama's record is far more opaque. Sen. Obama has not released his tax returns, except for 2006,” Clinton spokesman Phil Singer said in a statement sent to reporters just as the Obama camp posted the Illinois senator’s returns online.

Full article here

Timing is everything. Once again Hillary is out maneuvered by Obama. Now who is really ready for day one?

TEXAS Obama Delegates of Collin County

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:09:42 EDT

There have been delays in notifying Obama delegates in Collin County about the date and place of the Collin County convention. From the Democratic Party of Collin County's website:

"The Democratic Party of Collin County was forced by the lack of venue availability to reschedule the County Convention for the day after most County and Senatorial District Conventions are being held around the state under the normal date specified by state law. The legal determination has been made that we must do so in order to physically be able to conduct the convention in a manner that complies with federal law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, as the largest venue available on March 29th can only accommodate 800 people, whereas we are expecting 3000+ people at our County Convention."

The Collin County convention has been rescheduled to:

Sunday March 30th, at the Frisco Conference Center at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Frisco.

General Registration will begin at 12:00 noon.

General Session will begin promptly at 1:30 p.m.

Democratic Party of Collin County

Hillary: Everyone knows she is finished except Hillary.

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:47:41 EDT

The Long Defeat

NYT - David Brooks

Hillary Clinton may not realize it yet, but she’s just endured one of the worst weeks of her campaign.

First, Barack Obama weathered the Rev. Jeremiah Wright affair without serious damage to his nomination prospects. Obama still holds a tiny lead among Democrats nationally in the Gallup tracking poll, just as he did before this whole affair blew up.

Second, Obama’s lawyers successfully prevented re-votes in Florida and Michigan. That means it would be virtually impossible for Clinton to take a lead in either elected delegates or total primary votes.

Third, as Noam Scheiber of The New Republic has reported, most superdelegates have accepted Nancy Pelosi’s judgment that the winner of the elected delegates should get the nomination. Instead of lining up behind Clinton, they’re drifting away. Her lead among them has shrunk by about 60 in the past month, according to Avi Zenilman of Politico.com.

In short, Hillary Clinton’s presidential prospects continue to dim. The door is closing. Night is coming. The end, however, is not near.

Last week, an important Clinton adviser told Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen (also of Politico) that Clinton had no more than a 10 percent chance of getting the nomination. Now, she’s probably down to a 5 percent chance.

Five percent.

Full article here

Hillary will continue in a race she cannot win. Why? Her sense of self-entitlement will not allow her to face the reality that America is finally and completely rejecting the failed Buch/Clinton/Bush policies and practices that have lead out country down a ruinous road. Hillary sees only what she wants to see, and will continue the race no matter what it may cost the Democratic Party. McCain is strengthening the conservative base while her useless campaign drags on. Does Hillary care? Nope. Hillary is only concerned with her coronation as Queen of America...and if she is denied this opportunity, then she will see to it through a ever more negative approach that no Democrat will be President.

Barack the Vote! We still have time in states like Pennsylvania, Indiana, and North Carolina to send the message loud and clear that it is over for Hillary! If we work hard enough to get out the vote, the message that Hillary is finished will reach those in the DNC who can force an end to this primary so that we can prepare for the real battle in November, united in support of Barack Obama!

Hillary: The Movie

Leno - TX Delegate — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 02:03:11 EDT

Hillary: The Movie

The full movie in .avi format. Watch it, then forward as widely as possible. Beyond simply illustrating some of the many reasons that America cannot afford another Clinton in the White House, this is a foretaste of the Republican strategy to defeat Hillary if she manages to override the Democratic Party and steal the nomination. The Republicans are chomping at the bit to get Obama out ot the race and get at Hillary in the general election; that is why they are attempting to influence the Democratic primary in Hillary's favor as evidenced in Ohio and Texas.

Hillary is simply unelectable.

Richardson has Harsh Advice for HIllary

Leno - TX Delegate — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:19:19 EDT

Richardson has harsh advice for HRC

Politico - Josh Kraushaar

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, fresh off his endorsement of Barack Obama this week, suggested Sunday that Hillary Rodham Clinton should consider dropping out of the race if she trails in the delegate count and popular vote at the end of the primary process.

Appearing on “Fox News Sunday,” Richardson also decried the negativity in the Democratic primary, adding that John McCain is coalescing his support as the Republican presidential nominee while Obama and Clinton continue to attack each other.

Richardson, who served under President Bill Clinton as energy secretary and as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, also took what appeared to be a shot at his political patron. When asked about Clinton confidante James Carville’s comment that his endorsement was an “act of betrayal,” Richardson offered his own tough talk.

“I’m not going to get in the gutter like that, and that’s symbolic of many of the people around Sen. Clinton. They think they’re entitled to the presidency,” said Richardson. “It shouldn’t just be Bush-Clinton, Bush-Clinton, you know, what about the rest of us...It’s important we bring in a new generation of leadership.”

Full article here

Media Helping Hillary by Misrepresenting Election Reality

Leno - TX Delegate — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 13:53:43 EDT

Story behind the story: The Clinton myth

Politico - Jim Vandhei and Mike Allen

One big fact has largely been lost in the recent coverage of the Democratic presidential race: Hillary Rodham Clinton has virtually no chance of winning.

Her own campaign acknowledges there is no way that she will finish ahead in pledged delegates. That means the only way she wins is if Democratic superdelegates are ready to risk a backlash of historic proportions from the party’s most reliable constituency.

Unless Clinton is able to at least win the primary popular vote — which also would take nothing less than an electoral miracle — and use that achievement to pressure superdelegates, she has only one scenario for victory. An African-American opponent and his backers would be told that, even though he won the contest with voters, the prize is going to someone else.

People who think that scenario is even remotely likely are living on another planet.

As it happens, many people inside Clinton’s campaign live right here on Earth. One important Clinton adviser estimated to Politico privately that she has no more than a 10 percent chance of winning her race against Barack Obama, an appraisal that was echoed by other operatives.

In other words: The notion of the Democratic contest being a dramatic cliffhanger is a game of make-believe.

The real question is why so many people are playing. The answer has more to do with media psychology than with practical politics.

Journalists have become partners with the Clinton campaign in pretending that the contest is closer than it really is. Most coverage breathlessly portrays the race as a down-to-the-wire sprint between two well-matched candidates, one only slightly better situated than the other to win in August at the national convention in Denver.

Full article here

Where are the Clinton Phone Logs? Judge Allows Questioning

Leno - TX Delegate — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:30:22 EDT

Judge allows questioning on Clinton phone logs

National Archives must answer queries on former first lady's records

Associated Press

A federal judge on Thursday forced the National Archives to undergo questioning by a conservative group seeking the release of Hillary Rodham Clinton's telephone logs during her years as first lady.

The telephone logs cover 20,000 pages.

In an unusual move, U.S. District Judge James Robertson authorized a lawyer for the group Judicial Watch to explore in coming weeks why the archives processes some requests before others.

The archives will have to produce at least one witness to answer Judicial Watch's questions.

The Clinton presidential library has hundreds of pending requests for the release of records. On Wednesday, the archives disseminated more than 11,000 pages of Mrs. Clinton's daily calendars from her White House years.

The archives wants to place Judicial Watch's lawsuit for the phone logs on hold for a year before the agency considers how soon to begin reviewing the telephone logs for possible release, a process the Justice Department lawyer estimated would take six to eight months.

Full article here

Hillary Battle Tested? Clinton Military Deaths Greater Than Iraq!

Leno - TX Delegate — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:10:04 EDT

Hillary Battle Tested? More Military Deaths in First 5 years of Clinton Administration Than in Iraq!

Hillary ready from day one?

Hillary claims that she is 'battle tested' and ready to be Commander in Chief. Examine a statistic from her '35 years of experience' that Hillary does not want to talk about: More American military personnel lost their lives in the first five years of the Clinton administration than is the five years of war in Iraq!

According to the CRS Report to Congress: "American War and Military Operations Casualties:
Lists and Statistics" there were 5,119 American military deaths during the years 1993-1997 of the Clinton administration. In five years of war in Iraq there have been 3,990 American military deaths. (The total number of American military deaths in the first five years of the Bush administration, which includes both the largescale military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq, is 6,934)

Hillary voted to authorize the invasion of Iraq, without even bothering to read the NIE that raised serious doubts about the presence of, and Iraqi capability to produce, WMDs. 3,990 American military deaths. Hillary's 'experience' she claims that prepared her to be Commander in Chief is her time as First Lady in Bill's adminstration. 7,500 total American Military deaths over the duration of the Clinton administration.

America cannot afford the type of experience that Hillary brings to the table even in times of peace, much less answering the red phone in time of conflict or crisis!

Hillary pushing Wright story

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:26:24 EDT

Clinton Doesn’t Deny Campaign is Pushing Wright Story to Superdelegates

ABC - Eloise Harper

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign has strictly maintained a public position not to comment on Sen. Barack Obama's relationship with Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Many times, questions have been answered with -- "you will have to ask Senator Obama about that."

However at a Thursday press availability in Terra Haute, Indiana after a report surfaced that the Clinton campaign was pushing the Wright story to superdelegates arguing that the relationship hurt Obama's electibility -– Clinton refused to deny that her campaign was pushing the story.

When asked, Clinton ignored the Wright portion of the question and said “well my campaign has been making the case that I am the most electable that I have said that for a year or more that I am the person best able to make the challenges that our country faces as commander in chief.”

When Clinton was then asked specifically if her campaign was pushing the Wright story –- she shrugged and took the next question, ignoring the reporter.

Full article here

Hillary and her right wing media allies are pushing ths Wright story behind the scenes in a desperate attempt to derail the only chance for real change in America politics. Typical lowest road possible approach from Hillary. We are strong in our support of Barack Obama and will continue on to the nomination and beyond to the inauguration.

Every time we read another pathetic Hillary attempt to smear Obama our best response is to ca,paign to keep her on her way out to political pasture. Calling Pennsylvania! Volunteering! Investing in our campiagn! Yes we can overcome the swiftboating Hillary and Co!

Hillary's new polls: Hot Airclaims

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:05:28 EDT

ABC News Polling Unit on Clinton Pollster's Memo: 'Full of Overblown Claims'

ABC Political Punch - Jake Tapper

Clinton senior strategist Mark Penn put out a polling memo today heralding a "shift to Hillary."

Peyton Craighill of the ABC News Polling Unit reports: "Mark Penn’s note is full of overblown claims based on current polling. He’s cherry picking numbers from recent polls. Much of his claim of a Clinton swing is based on the latest tracking data from Gallup in which Clinton is now ahead by 7 points. If you go back two more days Obama has a 7-point lead in a separate USA Today/Gallup poll. CBS has a new poll out today that shows a close 46-43 percent Obama-Clinton race. The CBS poll also has the match ups with McCain at 48-43 percent for Obama-McCain and 46-44 percent for Clinton-McCain.

We see little indication of a shift to Clinton. Of the nine polls cited in his note, five of them are not airworthy." ("Airworthy" is a term our Polling Unit uses for polls so poorly done we are discouraged from mentioning them on air.)

Full article here

Hillary Battle Tested? More Military Deaths in First 5 years of Clinton Administration Than in Iraq!

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:30:15 EDT

Hillary Battle Tested? More Military Deaths in First 5 years of Clinton Administration Than in Iraq!

Hillary ready from day one?

America cannot afford the type of experience that Hillary brings to the table even in times of peace, much less answering the red phone in time of conflict or crisis!

What is Hillary really after in Florida and Michigan: Superdelegates!

Leno - TX Delegate — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 04:20:49 EDT

The Silent Superiority: Why Florida and Michigan Superdelegates Should Not Be Seated

Huffington Post - Mark Meyers

By all accounts, the two states' superdelegates would be seated along with the pledged delegates in the current proposals for dealing with the 'situations' in Michigan and Florida. But why?

And why are these same party leaders now in an uproar over the consequences of their own decisions?

Full article here

I recommend that everyone read this excellent article by Mark Meyers in its entirety at Huffingtom Post. I have long advocated reducing the number of pledged delegates for Florida and Michigan by 50% AND stripping their superdelegates. Hillary is not really that interested in the popluar vote or even the pledged delegates in Florida and Michigan, it is the superdelegates she is after. Many of the super delegates from both Florida and Michigan have come out in support of Hilly and she desperately needs their votes to count.

I vigously oppose any solution that does not include a penalization of Florida and Michigan by a 50% reduction in pledged delegates AND strips all of their superdelegates of their status!

Obama Bounces Back!

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:27:41 EDT

Rasmussen Reports - Daily Presidential Tracking Poll

In the race for the Democratic Presidential Nomination, Obama now leads Clinton 47% to 42%. Yesterday, Obama led 45% to 44%. These results are based nightly telephone surveys and reported on a four-day rolling average basis. Just one night of polling is included since Obama’s speech and that single night result is not much different from the four-day average. The reason for today’s Obama bounce is that Friday night’s results have rolled out of the four-day sample. Following the initial media frenzy over Pastor Wright, Friday’s results were the single worst night of polling for Obama since the Primary Season began.

While the full impact of Obama’s speech will not be known for some time, early indications are that it may have helped Obama more in the Democratic Primary competition than in a potential General Election match-up.

Obama - Clinton
March 19: 47 42
March 18: 45 44 -- Obama's speech
March 17: 46 44
March 16: 47 44
March 15: 46 45
March 14: 50 42
March 13: 48 41 -- Wright hits news
March 12: 47 42
March 11: 48 41 -- Mississippi
March 10: 46 44
March 9: 45 47
March 8: 45 46 --Wyoming
March 7: 43 49
March 6: 43 48
March 5: 43 48
March 4: 44 46 -- OH, TX, VT, RI

Rasmussen

Kos assessment

Hillary's Pastoral Problems

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:51:15 EDT

Hillary's Nasty Pastorate

Huffinton Post - Barbara Ehrenreich

There's a reason why Hillary Clinton has remained relatively silent during the flap over intemperate remarks by Barack Obama's former pastor, Jeremiah Wright. When it comes to unsavory religious affiliations, she's a lot more vulnerable than Obama.

You can find all about it in a widely under-read article in the September 2007 issue of Mother Jones, in which Kathryn Joyce and Jeff Sharlet reported that "through all of her years in Washington, Clinton has been an active participant in conservative Bible study and prayer circles that are part of a secretive Capitol Hill group known as the "Fellowship," aka The Family. But it won't be a secret much longer. Jeff Sharlet's shocking exposé, The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power will be published in May.

Sean Hannity has called Obama's church a "cult," but that term applies far more aptly to Clinton's "Family," which is organized into "cells" - their term - and operates sex-segregated group homes for young people in northern Virginia. In 2002, writer Jeff Sharlet joined the Family's home for young men, foreswearing sex, drugs, and alcohol, and participating in endless discussions of Jesus and power. He wasn't undercover; he used his own name and admitted to being a writer. But he wasn't completely out of danger either. When he went outdoors one night to make a cell phone call, he was followed. He still gets calls from Family associates asking him to meet them in diners - alone.

The Family's most visible activity is its blandly innocuous National Prayer Breakfast, held every February in Washington. But almost all its real work goes on behind the scenes - knitting together international networks of rightwing leaders, most of them ostensibly Christian. In the 1940s, The Family reached out to former and not-so-former Nazis, and its fascination with that exemplary leader, Adolph Hitler, has continued, along with ties to a whole bestiary of murderous thugs. As Sharlet reported in Harper's in 2003:

"During the 1960s the Family forged relationships between the U.S. government and some of the most anti-Communist (and dictatorial) elements within Africa's postcolonial leadership. The Brazilian dictator General Costa e Silva, with Family support, was overseeing regular fellowship groups for Latin American leaders, while, in Indonesia, General Suharto (whose tally of several hundred thousand "Communists" killed marks him as one of the century's most murderous dictators) was presiding over a group of fifty Indonesian legislators. During the Reagan Administration the Family helped build friendships between the U.S. government and men such as Salvadoran general Carlos Eugenios Vides Casanova, convicted by a Florida jury of the torture of thousands, and Honduran general Gustavo Alvarez Martinez, himself an evangelical minister, who was linked to both the CIA and death squads before his own demise."

Furthermore, the Family takes credit for some of Clinton's rightward legislative tendencies, including her support for a law guaranteeing "religious freedom" in the workplace, such as for pharmacists who refuse to fill birth control prescriptions and police officers who refuse to guard abortion clinics.

Obama has given a beautiful speech on race and his affiliation with the Trinity Unity Church of Christ. Now it's up to Clinton to explain - or, better yet, renounce - her longstanding connection with the fascist-leaning Family.

Full article here

Florida and Michigan: A Pratical Solution

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:06:20 EDT

There are far too many people and opinions that are making the issue of Florida and Michigan much more complicated than it should be. There is a simple, readily available solution that satisfies both the need for representation and penalizes early primary scheduling that requires no revote.

1. Florida - reduce the number of pledged delegates by 50% and allocate them to the candidates proportionately.

2. Michigan - reduce the number of pledged delegates by 50% and allocate them to the candidates proportionately, with the uncommitted delegates pledged to Obama.

3. Superdelegates - strip both Michigan and Florida of their superdelegates; the party leaders in those states are the ones who engineered this fiasco in the first place, so they should have no voice in the primary as their penalty.

Let's Get the Black Guy!

Leno - TX Delegate — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:53:48 EDT

McCain's Church Hates America, Clinton's Friends Do Too -- But Let's Get the Black Guy (Or Not?)

Huffinton Post - Frank Schaeffer

"Fair is fair. So where are the clips -- playing incessantly next to Hillary Clinton's picture -- of her antiwar friends and Bill Clinton's fellow draft dodger members of the New Left, cursing and damning America during Vietnam War protests and since? The company that Bill and Hillary kept in the late 1960s through the 1970s was defined by damning America and sometimes by rooting for the North Vietnamese. Anti-American spewing also came from left wing white preachers. Read the fiery sermons of the late Episcopal bishop of New York Paul Moore, Jr. who raged against America.

Bishop Moore, in his 1997 autobiography, Presences: A Bishop's Life in the City, wrote that the end of the Cold War had left the United States "like a wounded rooster crowing on the top of the dung heap." Blaming "corporate greed and lust" as well as "unbridled nationalism" for manufacturing causes for war, Moore cursed America as often as he served communion.

McCain is an Episcopalian. Where are the clips of the anti-American rantings of Bishop Moore and not a few other Episcopalian pastors and bishops, next to McCain's picture?

Want to play this smear-by-association game? Okay, while McCain was a prisoner of war his bishop Moore was rooting for McCain's torturers. How can McCain be a member of that denomination and be a real American, let alone commander in chief? Isn't it time he explains his anti-American white associations? Isn't it time McCain gives a speech to explain what it means to be a white in bed with hate-America white liberals..?

Okay, I'm being sarcastic, this is silly. And that's the point. From the other guy's point of view all religion and politics is extreme.

Preaching is a style of communication with its own cadences that is easy to mock and/or twist-by-sound-bite. The Clinton's smear machine, now tied to the FOX smear-machine, is playing a very dirty game. And the Clinton's know better.

As I recall both Clintons have been in plenty of black churches and understand the preaching style. If the Clintons were authentic progressives, or even authentic patriots, or just ordinary decent Americans, or just members of the Democratic Party who wanted their party to win in November, they would have led a furious defense of Obama and his pastor by putting things in perspective.

If the Clintons were decent people Obama would never have had to give a speech on being black and being a presidential candidate, let alone explain his pastor. The Clintons would have stepped up for him. And if FOX News, MSNBC, CNN et al. weren't playing a filthy game for ratings this wouldn't be a story."

Full article here