The ArchDruid's Lair

Change is Coming

The ArchDruid — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:53:03 EST

All I had to do was recover my posts from the last two years and now I am ready to move ahead. I am so pleased to have my blog back and will begin working on getting it up to speed again. I will just preview this and we will be back in business, fired up and ready to go.

The Obama Agenda

The ArchDruid — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:34:59 EST

Op-Ed Columnist The Obama Agenda By PAUL KRUGMAN Published: November 7, 2008

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008, is a date that will live in fame (the opposite of infamy) forever. If the election of our first African-American president didn’t stir you, if it didn’t leave you teary-eyed and proud of your country, there’s something wrong with you.

Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times

But will the election also mark a turning point in the actual substance of policy? Can Barack Obama really usher in a new era of progressive policies? Yes, he can.

Right now, many commentators are urging Mr. Obama to think small. Some make the case on political grounds: America, they say, is still a conservative country, and voters will punish Democrats if they move to the left. Others say that the financial and economic crisis leaves no room for action on, say, health care reform.

Let’s hope that Mr. Obama has the good sense to ignore this advice.

About the political argument: Anyone who doubts that we’ve had a major political realignment should look at what’s happened to Congress. After the 2004 election, there were many declarations that we’d entered a long-term, perhaps permanent era of Republican dominance. Since then, Democrats have won back-to-back victories, picking up at least 12 Senate seats and more than 50 House seats. They now have bigger majorities in both houses than the G.O.P. ever achieved in its 12-year reign.

Bear in mind, also, that this year’s presidential election was a clear referendum on political philosophies — and the progressive philosophy won.

Maybe the best way to highlight the importance of that fact is to contrast this year’s campaign with what happened four years ago. In 2004, President Bush concealed his real agenda. He basically ran as the nation’s defender against gay married terrorists, leaving even his supporters nonplussed when he announced, soon after the election was over, that his first priority was Social Security privatization. That wasn’t what people thought they had been voting for, and the privatization campaign quickly devolved from juggernaut to farce.

This year, however, Mr. Obama ran on a platform of guaranteed health care and tax breaks for the middle class, paid for with higher taxes on the affluent. John McCain denounced his opponent as a socialist and a “redistributor,” but America voted for him anyway. That’s a real mandate.

What about the argument that the economic crisis will make a progressive agenda unaffordable?

Well, there’s no question that fighting the crisis will cost a lot of money. Rescuing the financial system will probably require large outlays beyond the funds already disbursed. And on top of that, we badly need a program of increased government spending to support output and employment. Could next year’s federal budget deficit reach $1 trillion? Yes.

But standard textbook economics says that it’s O.K., in fact appropriate, to run temporary deficits in the face of a depressed economy. Meanwhile, one or two years of red ink, while it would add modestly to future federal interest expenses, shouldn’t stand in the way of a health care plan that, even if quickly enacted into law, probably wouldn’t take effect until 2011.

Beyond that, the response to the economic crisis is, in itself, a chance to advance the progressive agenda.

Now, the Obama administration shouldn’t emulate the Bush administration’s habit of turning anything and everything into an argument for its preferred policies. (Recession? The economy needs help — let’s cut taxes on rich people! Recovery? Tax cuts for rich people work — let’s do some more!)

But it would be fair for the new administration to point out how conservative ideology, the belief that greed is always good, helped create this crisis. What F.D.R. said in his second inaugural address — “We have always known that heedless self-interest was bad morals; we know now that it is bad economics” — has never rung truer.

And right now happens to be one of those times when the converse is also true, and good morals are good economics. Helping the neediest in a time of crisis, through expanded health and unemployment benefits, is the morally right thing to do; it’s also a far more effective form of economic stimulus than cutting the capital gains tax. Providing aid to beleaguered state and local governments, so that they can sustain essential public services, is important for those who depend on those services; it’s also a way to avoid job losses and limit the depth of the economy’s slump.

So a serious progressive agenda — call it a new New Deal — isn’t just economically possible, it’s exactly what the economy needs.

The bottom line, then, is that Barack Obama shouldn’t listen to the people trying to scare him into being a do-nothing president. He has the political mandate; he has good economics on his side. You might say that the only thing he has to fear is fear itself.

Obama Wins North Carolina

The ArchDruid — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:06:37 EST

November 6, 2008, 12:38 pm Obama Wins North Carolina By Katharine Q. Seelye

Updated 3:30 p.m.| Senator Barack Obama has won North Carolina, according to a New York Times analysis.

Mr. Obama’s slight lead of about .2 percentage points over Senator John McCain has expanded over the last several hours to .4 percent, prompting several news organizations to declare him the winner.

The total shows 49.9 percent for Mr. Obama to 49.5 percent for Mr. McCain.

Mr. Obama’s win here caps an extraordinary campaign in the state, which has not voted for a Democrat for president since 1976.

Early voting gave him a crucial edge when the final tallies were made. In addition, the share of the black vote increased from 2004.

Mr. Obama won early voters by 178,000 votes –and actually lost on Election Day by 165,000 votes, said Tom Jensen, a Democratic pollster based in Raleigh.

“Early voting gave Obama a big advantage,” Mr. Jensen said. “It made it much easier for the campaign to organize rides and get people to the polls over those 17 days of early voting. Obama had a great ground game, but if you only have 13 hours to get everyone out, it’s much harder.”

The weather — rain across most of the state — also played a role, but not in the traditional way. Bad weather usually holds down the Democratic vote because Democrats tend to be poorer and have more difficulty than Republicans getting to the polls. But in this case, it benefited the Democrats because it also held down the Republican vote — and the Democrats had their early votes in the bank.

The state’s 15 electoral votes bring Mr. Obama’s total electoral votes to 364, compared with 162 for Mr. McCain. Twelve electoral votes remain to be counted, 11 from Missouri, which has yet to be called, and one from a Congressional District in Nebraska, which splits its electoral votes.

But the electoral votes are not the story in North Carolina. The story is how the Obama organization turned the tide in this culturally conservative state and then drilled its voters to go to the polls early.

Across the board, Mr. Obama out-performed Senator John Kerry, who lost the state by 12 percentage points to President Bush in 2004. Both blacks and suburban voters came out in record numbers this time. And he cut the Democratic losses in some of the state’s most Republican counties.

Most of Mr. Obama’s margin of victory came in the state’s seven urban centers. This year, 22 percent of the total electorate was black, according to Mr. Jensen’s analysis, compared with 18.6 percent in 2004 (the 2004 figure comes from the state elections board; the exit polls that year were wrong). Mr. Obama won about 35 percent of the white vote. Given the numbers, Mr. Obama’s total was about one-third black and two-thirds white.

Victory Front Pages

The ArchDruid — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:22:56 EST

The Difference Between Winning and Losing

The ArchDruid — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:33:10 EST

Live from New Hampshire: "The Difference Between Winning and Losing" By Bradley Portnoy - Nov 4th, 2008 at 1:42 pm EST Comments | Mail to a Friend | Report Objectionable Content Former Governor and candidate for Senate Jeanne Shaheen just held an impromptu campaign rally at New Hampshire state headquarters in Manchester. A crowd of over 100 volunteers took a quick break from phonebanking and packet assembly to get fired up, and Shaheen didn't disappoint. Today, we have an opportunity to turn the page...we know that today we're going to elect Barack Obama president! She cautioned them against counting their chickens before the polls close, though, and urged everyone to do as much as they can to get out the vote. Making sure that we get every single voter out is going to be the difference between winning and losing today. Can you help make the difference between winning and losing? Help get out the vote now.

Election Eve

The ArchDruid — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:10:16 EST

Obama on election eve: A guy who expects to win

By NEDRA PICKLER
Associated Press Writer

AP Photo/Alex Brandon Watch Related Video

Obama Voices Confidence on Election Eve

PHOTO GALLERY

Latest Photos of Barack Obama

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Barack Obama looks and acts like a guy who expects to win.

Just look at his election eve schedule. While John McCain rushed around to seven states for last-minute campaigning on Monday, Obama didn't appear before voters until after 11 a.m., the first of just three events for the day.

Before that, he did radio interviews from his hotel room - then he headed out in sweat pants and a ball cap for a 45-minute workout at a gym.

"What is the one thing at this point that has you a little bit concerned?" he was asked by syndicated radio host Russ Parr.

"You know, I feel pretty peaceful, Russ, I gotta say," Obama replied. "Because my attitude is, if we've done everything we can do, then it's up to the people to decide. And the question is going to be who wants it more. And I hope that our supporters want it bad, because I think the country needs it."

Obama's supporters were nothing if not fired up. About 9,000 came to his event in conservative-leaning Jacksonville, while across the state in Tampa, McCain drew less than 1,000. Obama's crowd was decked out in campaign T-shirts that said things like "Obama is my homeboy," and stood in their seats at Veterans Memorial Arena before he got there, dancing to a warm-up soundtrack that included India.Arie's song, "There's Hope."

By now clad in suit and tie, he told them, "I have just one word for you, Florida: 'Tomorrow.'"

Actually, he had a lot of words for them - recapping his long campaign and looking to the future - once he quieted their screaming. Sensing victory, the crowd was exuberant.

He talked about starting out "in the depths of winter nearly two years ago on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Ill."

"I voted for you!" called out an audience member.

"Thank you for the vote," Obama said, trying with a smile to pick up the thread of his speech in front of a crowd that was ready to celebrate.

"Back then we didn't have much money," he said. "We didn't have - all right, you all, let's settle down."

He said that after "21 months of a campaign that's taken us from the rocky coast of Maine to the sunshine of California, we are one day away from changing the United States of America."

The polls gave Obama reason for confidence - he was ahead in every state that Democrat John Kerry won in 2004 and a few that President Bush won as well. He said Sunday that campaigning with his family before massive crowds over the weekend had him thinking he might indeed be headed to victory, but he told the Jacksonville crowd it would be close and they needed to "work like our future depends on it in the next 24 hours, because it does."

Obama delivered the speech knowing some bad news: He found out in his hotel room Monday morning that his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, died after a battle with cancer. She had helped raise him, and Obama and his sister issued a statement after he landed in North Carolina Monday afternoon that said, "She was cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength and humility. She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances." Obama left the campaign for two days last week to spend some time with her in Hawaii.

At his next appearance at a Charlotte volunteer call center, he kept his grief to himself and bounded in asking to talk to voters they were dialing on their cell phones. On one call, he could be overheard telling the voter that as his grandmother became sick she was able to stay in her home with the help of a home care aide, without mentioning that she died late Sunday night.

Obama's aides said he would continue with his final campaign plans. On election eve, he focused on voters in Florida, North Carolina and Virginia in a schedule similar to what he's been keeping for the past couple of weeks - on offense in Republican red states, energetic but not as aggressive as McCain.

The pace had Obama unable to keep track of where he was for a moment.

"The Republicans are spending a lot of money on ads here in Ohio," he told the Florida crowd, which chided him with a chorus of boos before Obama corrected himself. "Florida! I've been traveling too much."

Obama reminded the crowd that McCain had campaigned in the same arena a few weeks ago and said the "fundamentals of our economy are strong." When the crowd jeered the idea, Obama repeated his favorite line of recent days, "You don't need to boo, you just need to vote."

In his speech, he hit his usual points:

- "We are in the middle of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression," and McCain would just give the country more George Bush.

- McCain has served the nation honorable, but "the truth is John McCain just doesn't get it."

- Something must be done about families who have no insurance - or insurance that won't pay.

- "I will end this war."

Meanwhile, the election.

When did it hit home that he might actually win? As far back as the night he won the Iowa Democratic caucuses on Jan. 3, he allowed during the day. Still, he said over and over that he and his supporters must drive through the finish, assume nothing.

Not that he wasn't thinking ahead, too.

What keeps him up at night? he was asked by ABC News Radio's Ann Compton.

"Not actually winning or losing," he said. "It's governing."

It's Up to You

The ArchDruid — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:56:26 EST

"It's up to you"by Amanda ScottMonday November 3 2008 08:04:59 AM

This past week we asked our supporters to step up and help us Get Out The Vote. You answered in amazing ways. People across the country got involved for the first time, the third time, or continued what they have been doing since the primaries.

In Iowa, Barbara Cave isn't letting old age keep her from making phone calls and volunteering.

Across the country, enthusiasm for the presidential campaigns of Democrat Barack Obama of Illinois and Republican John McCain of Arizona have motivated thousands of people to get out and volunteer in support of each candidate's bid for office.

...At 77, Barbara Cave of Burlington has voted in a lot of presidential elections.

The native of Elmhurst, Ill., who moved to Iowa for the last 15 years of a teaching career that spanned 20 years and ended in 1992, grew up in a Republican household and cast her first vote for president in 1956, the year Dwight Eisenhower won re-election.

....Her belief in Obama is deeply felt.

"He is the candidate who can end polarization," she said, citing a political mood in the country that has pitted family members against one another and ended friendships.

If Election Day ends Tuesday night with an Obama victory, Cave said she will be thankful and probably will cry.

...Despite some nagging heart problems that slow her down some, Cave still has made an effort to pitch in to support Obama in his quest for the presidency. She worked for him at caucus time last winter, and now visits Des Moines County Democratic headquarters at least twice a week, where she calls Democratic and uncommitted voters, urging them to support the Obama-Biden ticket.

"I wish I were 40 years younger," she said, comparing her enthusiasm to her ability to work longer than two or three hours at a stretch. "I only have so much steam."

Our supporters in Missouri are doing everything possible, using all 44 field offices to Get Out The Vote.

Presidential elections are not just won by a candidate making promises at rallies and on countless television ads.

They're won door-by-door on the ground in battleground states like Missouri, a traditional swing state that often sides with the winner.

With polling locations set to open within the next 48 hours, thousands of volunteers for Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama are knocking on doors across southwest Missouri and making phone calls to voters, reminding them to vote and encouraging them to vote for their respective candidate.

For Obama's team, this will be the first nationwide test of a new grass-roots organization that got a boost of confidence in the Democratic primary when it helped defeat Sen. Hillary Clinton's well-oiled political machine.

"The field operation is what's going to put us over the edge," said Buffy Wicks, Obama's state director. "It's those last face-to-face, door-to-door conversations that's going to help us close the deal."

Since Obama wrapped up a long primary campaign in June, his campaign has had a more visible presence in Missouri, establishing an unprecedented 44 field offices this summer.

...For the final days of the election, Obama's campaign has established 100 temporary staging locations in community buildings and union halls for organizing some 25,000 volunteers to knock on 1.3 million doors in Missouri and make 25,000 phone calls.

The effort made on the ground in Pennsylvania will be what keeps the Keystone State blue.

Legions of foot soldiers for both presidential campaigns fanned out across Western Pennsylvania yesterday for the final 72-hour push to Tuesday's election, knocking on doors and making cold calls to ensure their supporters vote.

Workers for Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama drew from volunteer lists and from call sheets developed over the long campaign, saying that in a battleground state such as Pennsylvania, they were leaving nothing to chance.

From Erie to Pittsburgh and from Sharpsburg to Bethel Park, efforts to "Get out the vote" were aided on this first weekend of November by sunny skies and temperatures that in places approached 70 degrees.

Some of those leaving pamphlets in doorways were working in neighborhoods adjoining their own. Others who trudged over fallen leaves came from thousands of miles away, part of a flood of volunteers from less contested states who arrived this weekend by plane, bus or car to bolster the ranks of local supporters.

...Suzanne Hall, 55, an Obama volunteer who lives in Shadyside, was only minutes into canvassing part of East Liberty when the first resident she encountered left little doubt that she supported Mr. Obama.

"I will be voting," the woman said as she stepped quickly out the door of her apartment building before driving off. "That is gonna make history...."

The Obama campaign was also benefiting from out-of-state volunteers eager to help this weekend.

Busloads of students from the University of Rochester and from Syracuse University were due to arrive, said Allison Price, an Obama campaign spokeswoman. There were even supporters from Toronto expected in Erie, she said.

At an Obama site in East Liberty, several dozen volunteer canvassers were trained and then sent out to surrounding neighborhoods, holding packets of addresses of registered voters. The workers were told where it is and is not legal to place literature and given advice on engaging those who answer doors.

"No matter what the polls say. No matter what the news says. If we don't get out the vote, then we don't win Pennsylvania," Martha Riecks, a volunteer and canvass coordinator, said as she conducted one training session yesterday morning.

She reminded the canvassers to ask for Election Day volunteers who might become useful as cheerleaders encouraging those waiting in long lines to stick it out and vote.

Ms. Price said the next few days are "everything we've been working for in terms of organization." She said the campaign "has been fueled by excitement from the start. Grass-roots support has been the backbone of this operation."

The weekend has ended, but our Get Out The Vote effort is not stopping. Monday is the last day before the polls open.

We cannot let up now.

If you have to work today, make some phone calls during lunch and when you get home tonight. If you can take the day off, go to your local office and sign up for a GOTV shift. We also need people working all day Tuesday to help drive voters to the polls, make phone calls to tell people where to vote, and to remind everyone to get to the polls and cast their ballot.

Whoever gets the most people to show up at the polls on Tuesday will be the next president. Let's make sure it's Barack.

Volunteering for GOTV- Obama's Field Offices

The ArchDruid — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 11:06:04 EST

Three Days Out, One Day Inby Christopher HassSunday November 2 2008 01:45:52 AM

“We’re going to have to make sure they turn out, or we probably won’t win.” - Steve Hildebrand, Obama deputy campaign manager

Saturday lines for absentee voting in Virginia

This morning marked the beginning of our four day Get Out The Vote drive -- the final, all-out effort to get as many voters to the polls as possible. The phones are quiet now and the canvassing is done for the day, but in offices across the country volunteers will be up late into the night recording results and updating lists for tomorrow.

CBS News reports that in New Mexico:

The Obama ground game, says [Espanola Mayor Joe Maestas], is unprecedented.

"His campaign has 39 offices statewide, in comparison to less than 10 for John Kerry in 2004. Barack Obama's total is as much as four times that of the McCain campaign," he said.

That outreach has swelled Obama's corps of volunteers in the town of 10,000.

"We're just honored that he even stopped in our community and so we're kind of we feel like we want to repay that courtesy by volunteering and get directly involved," said Obama supporter Albert Cata.

The story is the same in almost two dozen battleground states across the country. In large cities and small town like Espanola, we've built the largest field operation in history, with nearly a thousand field offices and hundreds of thousands of volunteers.

In the last few days, the McCain campaign's own plan for the final push has become clear. On Saturday the Washington Post reported:

Sen. John McCain and the Republican National Committee will unleash a barrage of spending on television advertising that will allow him to keep pace with Sen. Barack Obama's ad blitz during the campaign's final days, but the expenditures will impact McCain's get-out-the-vote efforts, according to Republican strategists.
...the Republican nominee squirreled away enough funds to pay for a raft of television ads in critical battleground states over the next four days, said Evan Tracey, a political analyst who monitors television spending.
The decision to finance a final advertising push is forcing McCain to curtail spending on Election Day ground forces to help usher his supporters to the polls, according to Republican consultants familiar with McCain's strategy.

This is their strategy, to invest in television ads and automated phone calls designed to distract from the issues, to create cynicism and fear. This is what they've invested in.

This is what we've invested in:

And this:

We're one day in to GOTV, with three days to go. We've created a field operation that extends to every state, but it's a lifeless machine without the volunteers who power it.

We still have thousands of volunteer shifts to fill across the country, from knocking doors to making phone calls, organizing lit drops and processing data. No matter where you live, if you can commit to one or more shift between now and the close of polls on the Election Day, sign up now. Just enter your zip code and we'll show you when and where you're needed most.

After 21 months, it comes down to this -- ordinary people versus attack ads and robocalls, change versus the status quo, hope versus fear.

Polls close in three days.

The Final Push

The ArchDruid — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 11:01:52 EST

Morning Newsby Christopher HassSunday November 2 2008 10:19:48 AM

From the New York Times:

Senators John McCain and Barack Obama began their final push for the White House on Saturday across an electoral map markedly different from four years ago, evidence of Mr. Obama’s success at putting new states into contention and limiting Mr. McCain’s options in the final hours.

Mr. Obama was using the last days of the contest to make incursions into Republican territory, campaigning Saturday in three states — Colorado, Missouri and Nevada — that President Bush won relatively comfortably in 2004.

Across the country, there was abundant evidence of just how much excitement the contest had stirred: In Colorado, 46 percent of the electorate has already voted in that state’s early voting program. Voters in states like Missouri, Montana, North Carolina and Virginia were getting knocks on their doors, telephone calls and leaflets slipped under their windshield wipers.

...“After 12 months and three debates,” Mr. Obama said in Henderson, Nev., “John McCain has not been able to tell the American people a single major thing that he would do different from George Bush on the economy.”

...The campaign’s final days brought a reminder of how Mr. Obama’s financial might had allowed him to redraw the political map. In addition to the states he visited on Saturday, Mr. Obama was planning stops Sunday in Florida, North Carolina and Virginia, which went Republican four years ago.

GNDP Declines for First Time in 28 years

The ArchDruid — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:52:09 EDT

Senator Obama's Statement on Decline in GDPby Christopher Hass Thursday October 30 2008 09:24:11 AM

In response to news that the United States' Gross Domestic Product has declined for the first time this year, Senator Obama released the following statement:

This morning, we learned that GDP has fallen for the first time this year, which means America is producing less and selling less and our economy is shrinking. American consumers were especially hard hit, experiencing their largest decline in spending in 28 years as wages failed to keep up with the rising cost of living. The decline in our GDP didn’t happen by accident – it is a direct result of the Bush Administration's trickle down, Wall Street first, Main Street last policies that John McCain has embraced for the last eight years and plans to continue for the next four. These policies didn’t work then, they won’t work now, and I’m running for President to end them. We need to grow our economy by creating jobs, providing tax relief for middle class families, and helping people stay in their homes, and that is exactly what I will do as President.

Telemarketers Walk Off Job Rather than Read Anti-Obama Script

The ArchDruid — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:17:10 EDT

Dozens Of Call Center Workers Walk Off Job In Protest Rather Than Read McCain Script Attacking Obama By Greg Sargent - October 27, 2008, 5:18PM

Some three dozen workers at a telemarketing call center in Indiana walked off the job rather than read an incendiary McCain campaign script attacking Barack Obama, according to two workers at the center and one of their parents.

Nina Williams, a stay-at-home mom in Lake County, Indiana, tells us that her daughter recently called her from her job at the center, upset that she had been asked to read a script attacking Obama for being "dangerously weak on crime," "coddling criminals," and for voting against "protecting children from danger."

Williams' daughter told her that up to 40 of her co-workers had refused to read the script, and had left the call center after supervisors told them that they would have to either read the call or leave, Williams says. The call center is called Americall, and it's located in Hobart, IN.

"They walked out," Williams says of her daughter and her co-workers, adding that they weren't fired but willingly sacrificed pay rather than read the lines. "They were told [by supervisors], `If you all leave, you're not gonna get paid for the rest of the day."

The daughter, who wanted her name withheld fearing retribution from her employer, confirmed the story to us. "It was like at least 40 people," the daughter said. "People thought the script was nasty and they didn't wanna read it."

A second worker at the call center confirmed the episode, saying that "at least 30" workers had walked out after refusing to read the script.

"We were asked to read something saying [Obama and Democrats] were against protecting children from danger," this worker said. "I wouldn't do it. A lot of people left. They thought it was disgusting."

This worker, too, confirmed sacrificing pay to walk out, saying her supervisor told her: "If you don't wanna phone it you can just go home for the day."

The script coincided with this robo-slime call running in other states, but because robocalling is illegal in Indiana it was being read by call center workers.

Representatives at Americall in Indiana, and at the company's corporate headquarters in Naperville, Illinois, didn't return calls for comment.

Helping to Make History with Early Voting

The ArchDruid — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:07:14 EDT

Here's your chance to help make history with early voting, like Mike.
This story was forwarded to me by Diane Robertson, an Obama Campaign Worker.

Upon arriving at the Hamilton County Board of Elections in Cincinnati to
vote early today I happened upon some friends of my mother's - three
small, elderly Jewish women. They were quite upset as they were being
refused admittance to the polling location due to their Obama t-shirts,
hats and buttons. Apparently you cannot wear Obama/McCain gear into
polling locations here in Ohio... They were practically on the verge of
tears.

After a minute or two of this, a huge man (6'5", 300 lbs. easy) wearing a
Dale Earnhardt jacket and Bengal's baseball cap left the voting line, came

up to us and introduced himself as Mike. He told us he had overheard our
conversation and asked if the ladies would like to borrow his jacket to
put over their t-shirts so they could go in and vote. The ladies quickly
agreed. As long as I live I will never forget the image of these
80-plus-year-old Jewish ladies walking into the polling location wearing a

huge Dale Earnhardt racing jacket that came over their hands and down to
their knees!

Mike patiently waited for each woman to cast their vote, accepted their
many thanks and then got back in line (I saved him a place while he was
helping out the ladies). When Mike got back in line I asked him if he was
an Obama supporter. He said that he was not, but that he couldn't stand to

see those ladies so upset. I thanked him for being a gentleman in a time
of bitter partisanship and wished him well.

After I voted I walked out to the street to find my mother's friends
surrouding our new friend Mike - they were laughing and having a great
time. I joined them and soon learned that Mike had changed his mind in the

polling booth and ended up voting for Obama. When I asked him why he
changed his mind at the last minute, he explained that while he was
waiting for his jacket he got into a conversation with one of the ladies
who had explained how the Jewish community, and she, had worked side by
side with the black community during the civil rights movements of the
'60s, and that this vote was the culmination of those personal and
community efforts so many years ago. That this election for her was more
than just a vote... but a chance at history.

Mike looked at me and said, "Obama's going to win, and I didn't want to
tell my grandchildren some day that I had an opportunity to vote for the
first black president, but I missed my chance at history and voted for the
other guy."

Landslide of Newspaper Endorsements for Obama

The ArchDruid — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:59:35 EDT

Sunday Endorsements: "A landslide for Obama"by Christopher Hass

Sunday October 26 2008 11:10:46 PM

Editor&Publisher described this morning's newspaper endorsements as "a landslide for Obama." Some of the highlights include:

Iowa - Des Moines Register:

An Obama presidency presents the best hope for a unified America that aspires to greatness again.

iowa - Quad City Times:

Already, Obama is demonstrating presidential leadership and demeanor, displaying steely calm against an avalanche of unfair attacks, distortions and distractions.

Florida - Gainesville Sun:

Obama has, through the power of his rhetoric and reason, captured the imagination of millions of Americans who have little interest in politics-as-usual.

Louisiana - Times-Picayune:

We believe that Barack Obama could help restore our reputation as a land of opportunity. But that benefit is dwarfed by a larger potential that we think an Obama presidency could achieve: Seizing the chance for America to lead and, at a time of crisis and transformation, be a global pioneer.

Pennsylvania - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader:

But Obama’s composure – combined with his intelligence, ideas, communication skills and capacity to rally people to a cause – gave our endorsement board the evidence it needed to reach a decision: Democrat Barack Obama is the man for the job.

Pennsylvania - Pocono Record:

Obama's early opposition to the war attracted his initial supporters. Since then his steady, measured, intelligent approach to a wide range of issues has drawn millions more, including many well-known Republicans, to his campaign.

Virginia - Staunton News Leader:

Obama brings a freshness, good ideas and, above all, the confidence that we will be led by an administration that will restore a better life for Americans, trust among the nations of the world and decisions made with all of us in mind, not just the upper class.

Other newspapers endorsing Barack today included the Coloradoan, the Vail Daily, the Pensacola News Journal, the Bloomington Pantagraph, the Decatur Herald & Review, the Southtown Star, the Billings Gazette, the Keene Sentinel, the Valley News, the Cherry Hill Courier Post, the Pottstown Mercury, the Patriot News, the Beaver County Times, the Delware County Times, the Times West Virginian and more.

In all, over 35 newspapers endorsed Barack Obama today, bringing the current total number of endorsements to over 173.

Early voting points to a record breaking election

The ArchDruid — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 11:35:17 EDT

From the Los Angeles Times:

Record numbers of voters across the nation are casting ballots before election day, including high proportions of Democrats and African Americans in some of the battleground states in what appears to be a promising sign for Barack Obama.

In the 32 states that allow people to vote before Nov. 4 without a special excuse, election officials report heavy turnout as the presidential campaign reaches its frenzied last days. That's not surprising in a campaign that has received round-the-clock attention. But it also reflects the intensive efforts of campaigns competing to bank votes before election day.

In North Carolina, which hasn't gone for a Democrat for president since Jimmy Carter in 1976, almost a million people have voted, and Democrats outnumber Republicans by 2 to 1.

"We're going to bust every record we've ever had," Gary Bartlett, executive director of the State Board of Elections, said of the state's early-voting participation.

...Early voting continues in many states, so the numbers can change. But Obama seems well-positioned in several Republican-leaning states that have the potential to broaden his path to the magic number of 270 electoral votes.

In North Carolina, early voting shows Obama's party in the lead. Of the 930,516 people who have voted early, 56% are Democrats and 27% Republican. Blacks account for 21% of North Carolina's registered voters but make up 28% of those who've voted early.

In Georgia, which hasn't chosen a Democratic presidential candidate since Bill Clinton in 1992, African Americans are voting in disproportionately high numbers. Of the 967,210 people who've voted early, 35% are black, state data show. By contrast, blacks constituted only about 25% of the total that voted for president in 2004.

Iowa voted for President Bush in 2004, but the Obama campaign hopes to win the state. Early voting figures bode well for that. About 51% of the 277,909 Iowans who've voted early are Democrats, compared with 28% Republicans .

...Early voting is becoming more commonplace as states eager to relieve election day congestion offer new options to cast ballots in advance. Experts estimate that upward of 30% of all votes may be cast early this year. In comparison, 14% of the electorate voted early in the 2000 election.

...Examining the "demographic profile of early voters in North Carolina, Georgia and Florida, we're seeing a larger percentage of Democrats than one might expect," said George Mason University's Michael McDonald, who specializes in voter turnout. "We're seeing a larger share of African Americans than we would expect. These points taken as a whole do tell us indeed that the people who've voted so far are more likely to be Obama supporters than McCain supporters."

In New Mexico -- another state that voted for Bush in 2004 -- Democrats account for 69% of the 55,743 people who've voted early; Republicans, 31%. Those figures do not include absentee ballots, which state officials said were not available.

Nevada's two largest counties, Clark and Washoe, favor the Democrats in early voting. Nearly 172,000 people have voted, and the turnout has been 56% Democratic and 28% Republican.

New York Times Editorial Endorses Obama

The ArchDruid — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:45:02 EDT

Editorial Barack Obama for President
Published: October 23, 2008

Hyperbole is the currency of presidential campaigns, but this year the nation’s future truly hangs in the balance.

The United States is battered and drifting after eight years of President Bush’s failed leadership. He is saddling his successor with two wars, a scarred global image and a government systematically stripped of its ability to protect and help its citizens — whether they are fleeing a hurricane’s floodwaters, searching for affordable health care or struggling to hold on to their homes, jobs, savings and pensions in the midst of a financial crisis that was foretold and preventable.

As tough as the times are, the selection of a new president is easy. After nearly two years of a grueling and ugly campaign, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois has proved that he is the right choice to be the 44th president of the United States.

•

Mr. Obama has met challenge after challenge, growing as a leader and putting real flesh on his early promises of hope and change. He has shown a cool head and sound judgment. We believe he has the will and the ability to forge the broad political consensus that is essential to finding solutions to this nation’s problems.

In the same time, Senator John McCain of Arizona has retreated farther and farther to the fringe of American politics, running a campaign on partisan division, class warfare and even hints of racism. His policies and worldview are mired in the past. His choice of a running mate so evidently unfit for the office was a final act of opportunism and bad judgment that eclipsed the accomplishments of 26 years in Congress.

Given the particularly ugly nature of Mr. McCain’s campaign, the urge to choose on the basis of raw emotion is strong. But there is a greater value in looking closely at the facts of life in America today and at the prescriptions the candidates offer. The differences are profound.

Mr. McCain offers more of the Republican every-man-for-himself ideology, now lying in shards on Wall Street and in Americans’ bank accounts. Mr. Obama has another vision of government’s role and responsibilities.

In his convention speech in Denver, Mr. Obama said, “Government cannot solve all our problems, but what it should do is that which we cannot do for ourselves: protect us from harm and provide every child a decent education; keep our water clean and our toys safe; invest in new schools and new roads and new science and technology.”

Since the financial crisis, he has correctly identified the abject failure of government regulation that has brought the markets to the brink of collapse.

The Economy

The American financial system is the victim of decades of Republican deregulatory and anti-tax policies. Those ideas have been proved wrong at an unfathomable price, but Mr. McCain — a self-proclaimed “foot soldier in the Reagan revolution” — is still a believer.

Mr. Obama sees that far-reaching reforms will be needed to protect Americans and American business.

Mr. McCain talks about reform a lot, but his vision is pinched. His answer to any economic question is to eliminate pork-barrel spending — about $18 billion in a $3 trillion budget — cut taxes and wait for unfettered markets to solve the problem.

Mr. Obama is clear that the nation’s tax structure must be changed to make it fairer. That means the well-off Americans who have benefited disproportionately from Mr. Bush’s tax cuts will have to pay some more. Working Americans, who have seen their standard of living fall and their children’s options narrow, will benefit. Mr. Obama wants to raise the minimum wage and tie it to inflation, restore a climate in which workers are able to organize unions if they wish and expand educational opportunities.

Mr. McCain, who once opposed President Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy as fiscally irresponsible, now wants to make them permanent. And while he talks about keeping taxes low for everyone, his proposed cuts would overwhelmingly benefit the top 1 percent of Americans while digging the country into a deeper fiscal hole...

"Change Never Comes Without a Fight" - Barack Obama

The ArchDruid — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:27:08 EDT

Post from Amanda Scott's Blog: Barack in Richmond, VA: "Change never comes without a fight" By Amanda Scott - Oct 22nd, 2008 at 1:56 pm EDT Comments | Mail to a Friend | Report Objectionable Content

Barack spoke to residents of Richmond, Virginia this morning. He reminded them that the last two weeks of the campaign will be full of distractions -- with the Republican party trying to change the subject from the issues at hand to distract Americans from what really is at stake in this election.

Because one thing we know is that change never comes without a fight. In the final days of campaigns, the say-anything, do-anything politics too often takes over. We’ve seen it before. And we’re seeing it again today. The ugly phone calls. The misleading mail and TV ads. The careless, outrageous comments. All aimed at keeping us from working together, all aimed at stopping change.

Well, what we need now is not misleading charges and divisive attacks. What we need is honest leadership and real change, and that’s why I’m running for President of the United States.

...Now my opponent is doing his best to change the subject and try to distract attention from the economy. Senator McCain’s campaign actually said a couple of weeks ago that they were going to launch a series of attacks on my character because, they said, “if we keep talking about the economy, we’re going to lose.” And that’s a promise my opponent has kept. He’s been on the attack. That’s what you do when you are out of ideas, out of touch, and running out of time.

Well, Virginia, here's what my opponent doesn't seem to understand. With the economy in turmoil and the American Dream at risk, the American people don't want to hear politicians attack each other - you want to hear about how we're going to attack the challenges facing middle class families each and every day. That’s what I’m talking about in this campaign. That’s what I’ll do as President. Because I can take two more weeks of John McCain’s attacks, but the American people can’t take four more years of the same failed policies and the same failed politics.

Read Barack's full remarks as prepared for delivery...

Don't let up run right through the tape, Missouri" Barack Obama

The ArchDruid — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 08:48:10 EDT

"Don't let up, run right through the tape, Missouri." -- Barack traveled to the "Show Me State" today, holding two of the largest rallies of the campaign. Over 100,000 people streamed into St. Louis' Jefferson Park, according to Lt. Dotson of the St Louis Police Department. The crowd stretched from the mighty Mississippi river to the old court house. A few hours later in Kansas City, at least 75,000 folks watched Barack in Liberty Memorial Park per Mark Bowland, Central Region Manager for the Parks and Recreation Dept. With all the double speak on talk radio and negative ads running on TV, inevitable at this stage of a presidential campaign, it can be difficult to know who or what to believe. But today in Missouri, from the base of the great arch that serves as the gateway to the west, to the tall obelisk that stands as a reminder of the sacrifices our troops made during the Great War, folks came directly to the source. They came to learn, first hand, what Barack thinks about the challenges facing our nation and the solutions he's proposed. But it's not enough to just reach out to crowds at an event. That's why the ground game of any campaign, the people who knock on the doors and make the phone calls, are one of the greatest assets of this movement. With this in mind, Barack stopped by his Kansas City headquarters to make a few calls alongside volunteers. A few folks had trouble believing it was really Barack on the other end of the line. "Test me on my position on nuclear weapons," he teased one caller. But most were thrilled to get a first hand account of the change Barack hopes to bring to America, directly from the comfort of their homes.

Thank You David Letterman

The ArchDruid — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 10:18:36 EDT

Andy Ostroy Posted October 17, 2008 | 10:25 AM (EST)
Thank You David Letterman

If the mainstream media had done its job properly these past eight years, perhaps the entire political landscape would be different. Perhaps voters would be more informed; would understand the issues better. Perhaps the Iraq war would be a bigger priority among Americans. Perhaps there'd be much more accountability in Washington. Perhaps Bush would not have been re-elected. But the press has been utterly neutered during the Bush years, and they've been no less silent and ineffectual in the current presidential campaign. Thankfully, we have hard-hitting "journalists" like Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Joy Behar and David Letterman to aggressively ask the direct questions that the "real" journalists are curiously too afraid to ask.

Sen. John McCain, who infamously dissed Letterman weeks ago by canceling an appearance with the excuse that he had to "rush to Washington" to save the country from financial crisis, only to appear minutes later on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, returned to the program Thursday night. He received more than a subtle tongue-lashing from Big Dave, whose performance made this week's debate host Bob Schieffer seem like a high school newspaper reporter. Letterman admirably pressed the feisty little Republican on several key issues in a manner that should embarrass the hell out of working journalists.

Here are some highlights from the interview:

On the choice of Gov. Sarah Palin as McCain's vice presidential running mate:

Letterman: ...the question is, if she had been a man, would you also have selected him as a man?
McCain: Yes, because I believe that Sarah Palin is a reformer.... very proud to
have Sarah with me and I think she has energized our ticket and energized a lot of
Americans.

Letterman: No question about that. But I'll tell you... I mean, was she your first choice?

McCain: Absolutely.

Letterman: Had you spent time with her?

McCain: A couple of times, I'd met with her. I didn't know her real well but I knew her reputation and I didn't know her well at all. I didn't know her well at all. I knew her reputation as a reformer...

Letterman: ...if you are unable to fulfill your office, we get a 9/11 attack, Sarah Palin is the president who leads us through that.

McCain: Sure. She's been the governor of a state with 24,000 employees....

Letterman: Let me just get back to my question. Well, I mean, either you're right or you're wrong. You know what you're talking about or you don't know what you're talking about. But I'm just telling you from my perspective that I thought, Oh, oh my God. I'm sure she's a lovely woman. I'm sure she's done a great job in Alaska. But in terms - this country. I'm 61. I've never seen it in this big a mess. I've seen economic problems. I've seen war. I've never seen a combination of things quite like this. I've never seen the free fall diminishment of the impression of the United States around the country. I've never seen anything like this. I have a four-year-old son. I wonder what the hell, is it going to be 160 twenty years from now on his birthday? So I'm thinking, alright, this is a pretty important job.

McCain: But with all due respect, she's had the leadership experience that's necessary to run bureaucracies, to reform...And because she was not known inside the Georgetown cocktail circuit, doesn't matter to me.

Letterman: Let me ask you a question. In your guts, in your stomach - you're a smart, tough, savvy guy -...If I were to run upstairs, wake you up in the middle of the night, and say, "John, is Sarah Palin really the woman to lead us through the next four, eight years? Through the next 9/11 attack?"

McCain: Absolutely. She has inspired Americans. That's the thing we need. We need
inspiration now....But I think America is crying out for change. And she represents
the kind of change that we need. Have we pretty well exhausted this topic?

On 1960's radical William Ayers, and the McCain campaign's relentless attempts to connect him to Sen. Barack Obama:

Letterman: No, no. I'm just getting started! Now she's also, she's the one, I think who says that Barack Obama pals around with terrorists. Has she in fact said that at rallies?
McCain: I don't...yes. And he did. And refused to acknowledge the fact.

Letterman: Who did he pal around with?

McCain: William Ayers who said on 9/11 that he wished that he'd bombed more. OK?
His wife was on the Top 10 of FBI's Most Wanted.

Letterman: But this all took place...when he was active, Barack Obama was eight years old.

McCain: Eight years old. And Mr. Ayers in 2001, September 11, 2001, said, "I wished I
had bombed more." It's an unrep--

Letterman: But what is that relationship?

McCain: It's all we need to know. Senator Clinton said, "We need to know about the
relationship." First he said he was just a guy in the neighborhood. And so it's a matter of trusting the word of someone....

Letterman: But did you not have a relationship with Gordon Liddy?

McCain: I met him, you know, I mean...

Letterman: Didn't you attend a fund raiser at his house?

McCain: Gordon Liddy's?...

McCain: I know Gordon Liddy. He paid his debt. He went to prison, he paid his debt, as people do. I'm not in any way embarrassed to know Gordon Liddy. And his son, who is also a good friend and supporter of mine.

Letterman: But you understand that the same case could be made of your relationship with him as being made with William Ayers.

McCain: Everything about any relationship that I've had I will make completely open and give a complete accounting of. Senator Obama said that he was a guy who lived in the neighborhood. OK, it was more than that.

Letterman: They served on a committee at one point....Are they double dating? Are they going to dinner? What are they doing? Are they driving cross country?

Letterman: Now she (Palin) said "pals around with terrorists." OK, so alright. Let's say we give her William Ayers. He was eight and William Ayers was 29. But they palled around. (Letterman had also asked why Palin had been using the plural "terrorists" at her rallies, but McCain did not answer)

McCain: There's millions of word said in the campaign. Come on!

So, if you're John McCain, it's OK to pal around with a convicted Watergate criminal who attempted to steal an election; it's OK to use incendiary rhetoric and outright lies to define your opponent; you stand firm in your shameless contention that Sarah Palin is the absolute best choice in the country to be your second-in-command; and...terrorist...terrorists...what's a little "s" among friends, right?. And he's the "Country First" candidate?

Props to Letterman for further exposing this fraud for exactly who is he is, and isn't, and for giving voters a greater glimpse into McCain's shallow character. Mainstream media...you can take a lesson from the Letterman playbook...

Who Won the Last Debate? Obama Dominates By Largest Margins Yet

The ArchDruid — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:53:23 EDT

Sam Stein stein@huffingtonpost.com | HuffPost Reporting From DC
Who Won The Last Debate? Obama Dominates By Largest Margins Yet

John McCain didn't just fail to get the game-changer he needed -- he was trounced in this third and final debate, if the instant post-debate polling provides any indication.

The results over at CBS show Obama to have scored the biggest victory to date: "Fifty-three percent of the uncommitted voters surveyed identified Democratic nominee Barack Obama as the winner of tonight's debate. Twenty-two percent said Republican rival John McCain won. Twenty-four percent saw the debate as a draw."

It is, the site writes, "a clean sweep" for the Illinois Democrat.

Over at CNN, a separate poll of several hundred debate watchers again favored the Democrat by large margins: 58 percent for Obama to McCain's 31 percent. Perhaps more importantly, McCain's favorable rating dropped 51 to 49 while his unfavorable rating increased from 45 percent to 49 percent. Obama ended up with 66 percent favorable rating.

Digging into the details the news is even worse for the Arizona Republican.

Asked who "expressed his views more clearly" 66 percent said Obama, 25 percent said McCain.
"Who spent their time attacking his opponent:" 80 percent said McCain, seven percent said Obama. "Who seemed to be the stronger leader:" 56 percent for Obama, 39 percent for McCain. And who was "more likeable:" 70 percent for Obama to McCain's 22 percent.

CNN also conducted a smaller focus group of 25 undecided likely voters in Ohio, and Obama won that too, 15-10.

Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg, meanwhile, conducted some polling before and after the debate and here are his findings.

Raleigh's Obama Presence

The ArchDruid — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:48:18 EDT

From the New Raleigh Web Site:

Raleigh’s Obama Presence

Click image to view slideshow

The sprint to the finish line is on for candidates and the numbers are looking good for Democrats in NC. Statewide, Obama is holding a 1-2 point lead in the most recent polls. Ben Smith of Politico reports Obama holding a 50-44 percent lead over McCain with five percent undecided in Wake County, but Raleigh field organizers have their sights set higher and hope to score a double digit victory to carry the state. Obama is all over Raleigh but McCains efforts are nowhere to be seen.

Wednesday night, October 15, about 300 people showed up for the grand opening of a volunteer-funded satellite Obama headquarters located in an old funeral home at 600 St. Mary’s St. aiming to “lay to rest 8 years of GOP leadership.” The downtown Morgan St. location is now solely for operations in southeast Raleigh, making the new satellite office the main headquarters for central Raleigh.

Joining the opening festivities was a grassroots organization known as GASP, Girlfriends Appalled about Sarah Palin. The organization began with 10 women in the Five Points neighborhood and has spread to over 100 members in just three weeks. Every member has committed time and money to assist the Obama campaign. From the GASP web page:

The spirit of GASP! goes far beyond Sarah Palin herself. We’re much more about being for Obama than against McCain. But it was that one, profoundly cynical and insulting choice that hit a raw nerve for hundreds, probably thousands of women here in Wake County.

The next big GASP event, a Barack the Vote concert featuring the LBJ tribute band The Swingin’ Johnsons, will be held at the St. Mary’s office on Thursday, October 23rd from 7:30-10pm. You can also join the GASP facebook page to show support.

Thursday, October 16th, Obama supporters gathered at NCSU’s brickyard and marched to the polls to celebrate the NC Early Vote and cast their ballots. A second march to the polls is planned for Sunday, October 26th in Chavis Heights downtown. The march will began at 1:00 in the MLK Memorial Gardens and will feature a TBA Obama surrogate. Here is a youtube video a volunteer made to promote the upcoming march.

Open Letter to America from 65 Noble Laureates

The ArchDruid — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:46:16 EDT

65 U.S. Nobel Laureates in Science send an open letter to the American people strongly urging support for Senator Obama.

The letter marks the largest number of US Nobel Laureates - "the nation's greatest minds" - ever to endorse a political candidate. Note: these are all Scientists who are concerned about America’s Economic decline.

October 14, 2008
An Open Letter to the American People,

This year's presidential election is among the most significant in our nation's history. The country urgently needs a visionary leader who can ensure the future of our traditional strengths in science and technology and who can harness those strengths to address many of our greatest problems: energy, disease, climate change, security, and economic competitiveness.

We are convinced that Senator Barack Obama is such a leader, and we urge you to join us in supporting him.

During the administration of George W. Bush, vital parts of our country's scientific enterprise have been damaged by stagnant or declining federal support. The government's scientific advisory process has been distorted by political considerations. As a result, our once dominant
position in the scientific world has been shaken and our prosperity has been placed at risk. We have lost time critical for the development of new ways to provide energy, treat disease, reverse climate change, strengthen our security, and improve our economy.

We have watched Senator Obama's approach to these issues with admiration. We especially applaud his emphasis during the campaign on the power of science and technology to enhance our nation's competitiveness. In particular, we support the measures he plans to take – through new initiatives in education and training, expanded research funding, an unbiased process for obtaining scientific advice, and an appropriate balance of basic and applied research – to meet the nation's and the world's most urgent needs.

Senator Obama understands that Presidential leadership and federal investments in science and technology are crucial elements in successful governance of the world's leading country. We hope you will join us as we work together to ensure his election in November.

Signed,

Alexei Arikosov Physics 2003
Roger Guillemin Medicine 1977
Peter Agre Chemistry 2003
John L. Hall Physics 2005
Sidney Altman Chemistry 1989
Leland H. Hartwell Medicine 2001
Philip W. Anderson Physics 1977
Dudley Herschbach Chemistry 1986
Richard Axel Medicine 2004
Roald Hoffmann Chemistry 1981
David Baltimore Medicine 1975
H. Robert Horvitz Medicine 2002
Baruj Benacerraf Medicine 1980
Louis Ignarro Medicine 1998
Paul Berg Chemistry 1980
Eric R. Kandel Medicine 2000
J. Michael Bishop Medicine 1989
Walter Kohn Chemistry 1998
N. Bloembergen Physics 1981
Roger Kornberg Chemistry 2006
Michael S. Brown Medicine 1985
Leon M. Lederman Physics 1988
Linda B. Buck Medicine 2004
Craig C. Mello Medicine 2006
Mario R. Capecchi Medicine 2007
Yoichiro Nambu Physics 2008
Martin Chalfie Chemistry 2008
Marshall Nirenberg Medicine 1968
Stanley Cohen Medicine 1986
Douglas D. Osheroff Physics 1996
Leon Cooper Physics 1972
Stanley B. Prusiner Medicine 1997
James W. Cronin Physics 1980
Norman F. Ramsey Physics 1989
Robert F. Curl Chemistry 1996
Robert Richardson Physics 1996
Johann Diesenhofer Chemistry 1988
Burton Richter Physics 1976
John B. Fenn Chemistry 2002
Sherwood Rowland Chemistry 1995
Edmond H. Fischer Medicine 1992
Oliver Smithies Medicine 2007
Val Fitch Physics 1980
Richard R Schrock Chemistry 2005
Jerome I. Friedman Physics 1990
Joseph H. Taylor Jr. Physics 1993
Murray Gell-Man Physics 1969
E. Donnall Thomas Medicine 1990
Riccardo Giacconi Physics 2002
Charles H. Townes Physics 1964
Walter Gilbert Chemistry 1980
Roger Tsien Chemistry 2008
Alfred G. Gilman Medicine 1994
Daniel C.Tsui Physics 1998
Donald A. Glaser Physics 1960
Harold Varmus Medicine 1989
Sheldon L. Glashow Physics 1979
James D. Watson Medicine 1962
Joseph Goldstein Medicine 1985
Eric Wieschaus Medicine 1995
Paul Greengard Medicine 2000
Frank Wilczek Physics 2004
David Gross Physics 2004
Robert W. Wilson Physics 1978
Robert H. Grubbs Chemistry 2005

Obama Will Be One of Our Greatest and Most Loved Presidents

The ArchDruid — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:09:14 EDT

Frank Schaeffer

Posted October 8, 2008 | 02:45 PM (EST)

Great presidents are made great by horrible circumstances combined with character, temperament and intelligence. Like firemen, cops, doctors or soldiers, presidents need a crisis to shine.

Obama is one of the most intelligent presidential aspirants to ever step forward in American history. The likes of his intellectual capabilities have not been surpassed in public life since the Founding Fathers put pen to paper. His personal character is also solid gold. Take heart, America: we have the leader for our times.

I say this as a white, former life-long Republican. I say this as the proud father of a Marine. I say this as just another American watching his pension evaporate along with the stock market! I speak as someone who knows it's time to forget party loyalty, ideology and pride and put the country first. I say this as someone happy to be called a fool for going out on a limb and declaring that, 1) Obama will win, and 2) he is going to be amongst the greatest of American presidents.

Obama is our last best chance. He's worth laying it all on the line for.

This is a man who in the age of greed took the high road of community service. This is the good father and husband. This is the humble servant. This is the patient teacher. This is the scholar statesman. This is the man of deep Christian faith.

Good stories about Obama abound; from his personal relationship with his Secret Service agents (he invites them into his home to watch sports, and shoots hoops with them) to the story about how, more than twenty years ago, while standing in the check-in line at an airport, Obama paid a $100 baggage surcharge for a stranger who was broke and stuck. (Obama was virtually penniless himself in those days.) Years later after he became a senator, that stranger recognized Obama's picture and wrote to him to thank him. She received a kindly note back from the senator. (The story only surfaced because the person, who lives in Norway, told a local newspaper after Obama ran for the presidency. The paper published a photograph of this lady proudly displaying Senator Obama's letter.)

Where many leaders are two-faced; publicly kindly but privately feared and/or hated by people closest to them, Obama is consistent in the way he treats people, consistently kind and personally humble. He lives by the code that those who lead must serve. He believes that. He lives it. He lived it long before he was in the public eye.

Obama puts service ahead of ideology. He also knows that to win politically you need to be tough. He can be. He has been. This is a man who does what works, rather than scoring ideological points. In other words he is the quintessential non-ideological pragmatic American. He will (thank God!) disappoint ideologues and purists of the left and the right.

Obama has a reservoir of personal physical courage that is unmatched in presidential history. Why unmatched? Because as the first black contender for the presidency who will win, Obama, and all the rest of us, know that he is in great physical danger from the seemingly unlimited reserve of unhinged racial hatred, and just plain unhinged ignorant hatred, that swirls in the bowels of our wounded and sinful country. By stepping forward to lead, Obama has literally put his life on the line for all of us in a way no white candidate ever has had to do. (And we all know how dangerous the presidency has been even for white presidents.)

Nice stories or even unparalleled courage isn't the only point. The greater point about Obama is that the midst of our worldwide financial meltdown, an expanding (and losing) war in Afghanistan, trying to extricate our country from a wrong and stupidly mistaken ruinously expensive war in Iraq, our mounting and crushing national debt, awaiting the next (and inevitable) al Qaeda attack on our homeland, watching our schools decline to Third World levels of incompetence, facing a general loss of confidence in the government that has been exacerbated by the Republicans doing all they can to undermine our government's capabilities and programs... President Obama will take on the leadership of our country at a make or break time of historic proportions. He faces not one but dozens of crisis, each big enough to define any presidency in better times.

As luck, fate or divine grace would have it (depending on one's personal theology) Obama is blessedly, dare I say uniquely, well-suited to our dire circumstances. Obama is a person with hands-on community service experience, deep connections to top economic advisers from the renowned University of Chicago where he taught law, and a middle-class background that gives him an abiding knowledgeable empathy with the rest of us. As the son of a single mother, who has worked his way up with merit and brains, recipient of top-notch academic scholarships, the peer-selected editor of the Harvard Law Review and, in three giant political steps to state office, national office and now the presidency, Obama clearly has the wit and drive to lead.

Obama is the sober voice of reason at a time of unreason. He is the fellow keeping his head while all around him are panicking. He is the healing presence at a time of national division and strife. He is also new enough to the political process so that he doesn't suffer from the terminally jaded cynicism, the seen-it-all-before syndrome afflicting most politicians in Washington. In that regard we Americans lucked out. It's as if having despaired of our political process we picked a name from the phone book to lead us and that person turned out to be a very man we needed.

Obama brings a healing and uplifting spiritual quality to our politics at the very time when our worst enemy is fear. For eight years we've been ruled by a stunted fear-filled mediocrity of a little liar who has expanded his power on the basis of creating fear in others. Fearless Obama is the cure. He speaks a litany of hope rather than a litany of terror.

As we have watched Obama respond in a quiet reasoned manner to crisis after crisis, in both the way he has responded after being attacked and lied about in the 2008 campaign season, to his reasoned response to our multiplying national crises, what we see is the spirit of a trusted family doctor with a great bedside manner. Obama is perfectly suited to hold our hand and lead us through some very tough times. The word panic is not in the Obama dictionary.

America is fighting its "Armageddon" in one fearful heart at a time. A brilliant leader with the mild manner of an old-time matter-of-fact country doctor soothing a frightened child is just what we need. The fact that our "doctor" is a black man leading a hitherto white-ruled nation out of the mess of its own making is all the sweeter and raises the Obama story to that of moral allegory.

Obama brings a moral clarity to his leadership reserved for those who have had to work for everything they've gotten and had to do twice as well as the person standing next to them because of the color of their skin. His experience of succeeding in spite of his color, social background and prejudice could have been embittering or one that fostered a spiritual rebirth of forgiveness and enlightenment. Obama radiates the calm inner peace of the spirit of forgiveness.

Speaking as a believing Christian I see the hand of a merciful God in Obama's candidacy. The biblical metaphors abound. The stone the builder rejected is become the cornerstone... the last shall be first... he that would gain his life must first lose it... the meek shall inherit the earth...

For my secular friends I'll allow that we may have just been extraordinarily lucky! Either way America wins.

Only a brilliant man, with the spirit of a preacher and the humble heart of a kindly family doctor can lead us now. We are afraid, out of ideas, and worst of all out of hope. Obama is the cure. And we Americans have it in us to rise to the occasion. We will. We're about to enter one of the most frightening periods of American history. Our country has rarely faced more uncertainty. This is the time for greatness. We have a great leader. We must be a great people backing him, fighting for him, sacrificing for a cause greater than ourselves.

A hundred years from now Obama's portrait will be placed next to that of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt. Long before that we'll be telling our children and grandchildren that we stepped out in faith and voted for a young black man who stood up and led our country back from the brink of an abyss. We'll tell them about the power of love, faith and hope. We'll tell them about the power of creativity combined with humility and intellectual brilliance. We'll tell them that President Obama gave us the gift of regaining our faith in our country. We'll tell them that we all stood up and pitched in and won the day. We'll tell them that President Obama restored our standing in the world. We'll tell them that by the time he left office our schools were on the mend, our economy booming, that we'd become a nation filled with green energy alternatives and were leading the world away from dependence on carbon-based destruction. We'll tell them that because of President Obama's example and leadership the integrity of the family was restored, divorce rates went down, more fathers took responsibility for their children, and abortion rates fell dramatically as women, families and children were cared for through compassionate social programs that worked. We'll tell them about how the gap closed between the middle class and the super rich, how we won health care for all, how crime rates fell, how bad wars were brought to an honorable conclusion. We'll tell them that when we were attacked again by al Qaeda, how reason prevailed and the response was smart, tough, measured and effective, and our civil rights were protected even in times of crisis...

We'll tell them that we were part of the inexplicably blessed miracle that happened to our country those many years ago in 2008 when a young black man was sent by God, fate or luck to save our country. We'll tell them that it's good to live in America where anything is possible. Yes we will.

Important E-Mail From Coach Dean Smith Endorsing Obama

The ArchDruid — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:09:21 EDT

Dear ArchDruid,

There is a point in every contest when sitting on the sidelines is not an option. That is why Linnea and I are writing to urge you to join Barack Obama's campaign for President.

There are pivotal moments in history when the right decision by a nation can change its course for the better -- opening up new paths before us and providing future generations with opportunities that we had not thought possible. This coming election provides one of those moments. Linnea and I believe Barack Obama is the right leader at this critical juncture. I have written that when coaching a team, you must be prepared to make changes to meet new challenges and obstacles. We must be prepared to do the same as a nation. Now, it is the United States that needs a change in direction... and a change in leadership.

Join Barack Obama today by volunteering in your corner of North Carolina.

Linnea and I respect all that Senator McCain has done for our country. However, we feel strongly that it is Barack Obama who offers the real leadership our nation needs to tap its potential as a land of opportunity -- even as we face difficult times at home and abroad. Senator Obama is a patriotic American, a committed Christian, a good family man, and a man who shares the bedrock values that most North Carolinians have in common: fairness, hard work, respect for others, and personal responsibility. And he has the vision and judgment to help us push through this period of uncertainty to a time of greater economic stability and greater security from threats abroad.

If you believe America needs to set a new course, then the time to join us is now. If you are already an Obama supporter, please step up to help our campaign. There are only about three weeks left before Election Day, and if we are going to move away from the failed policies of the past, then we need your help now.

So we encourage you to get out there and get involved -- talk to your neighbors and sign up to volunteer today.

Get involved now:

http://nc.barackobama.com/jointhesmiths

And pass this email along to those you think might be interested. This election is too important to stand on the sidelines and watch history pass us by.

Thank you,

Coach Dean Smith and Linnea Smith
Chapel Hill, NC

McCain's Attacks Fuel Dangerous Hatred

The ArchDruid — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:49:03 EDT

McCain's attacks fuel dangerous hatred

By Frank Schaeffer October 10, 2008

John McCain: If your campaign does not stop equating Sen. Barack Obama with terrorism, questioning his patriotism and portraying Mr. Obama as "not one of us," I accuse you of deliberately feeding the most unhinged elements of our society the red meat of hate, and therefore of potentially instigating violence. At a Sarah Palin rally, someone called out, "Kill him!" At one of your rallies, someone called out, "Terrorist!" Neither was answered or denounced by you or your running mate, as the crowd laughed and cheered. At your campaign event Wednesday in Bethlehem, Pa., the crowd was seething with hatred for the Democratic nominee - an attitude encouraged in speeches there by you, your running mate, your wife and the local Republican chairman. Shame! John McCain: In 2000, as a lifelong Republican, I worked to get you elected instead of George W. Bush. In return, you wrote an endorsement of one of my books about military service. You seemed to be a man who put principle ahead of mere political gain. You have changed. You have a choice: Go down in history as a decent senator and an honorable military man with many successes, or go down in history as the latest abettor of right-wing extremist hate. John McCain, you are no fool, and you understand the depths of hatred that surround the issue of race in this country. You also know that, post-9/11, to call someone a friend of a terrorist is a very serious matter. You also know we are a bitterly divided country on many other issues. You know that, sadly, in America, violence is always just a moment away. You know that there are plenty of crazy people out there. Stop! Think! Your rallies are beginning to look, sound, feel and smell like lynch mobs. John McCain, you're walking a perilous line. If you do not stand up for all that is good in America and declare that Senator Obama is a patriot, fit for office, and denounce your hate-filled supporters when they scream out "Terrorist" or "Kill him," history will hold you responsible for all that follows. John McCain and Sarah Palin, you are playing with fire, and you know it. You are unleashing the monster of American hatred and prejudice, to the peril of all of us. You are doing this in wartime. You are doing this as our economy collapses. You are doing this in a country with a history of assassinations. Change the atmosphere of your campaign. Talk about the issues at hand. Make your case. But stop stirring up the lunatic fringe of haters, or risk suffering the judgment of history and the loathing of the American people - forever. We will hold you responsible. Frank Schaeffer is the author of "Crazy for God: How I Grew Up as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back." His e-mail is frankaschaeffer@aol.com.

Analysis of McCain's Plan to Reward Lenders at Taxpayer Expense

The ArchDruid — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:33:44 EDT

MEMO: McCain's Plan to Reward Lenders at Taxpayer Expenseby Amanda Scott

Thursday, October 09 2008 01:10 pm

Campaign spokesperson Bill Burton just sent out this memo about John McCain's plan to reward lenders at taxpayers expense...

TO: Interested Parties

FR: Jason Furman, Obama-Biden Economic Policy Director

RE: The Facts on McCain’s Plan to Reward Lenders at Taxpayer Expense

DA: 10/9/08

In light of the McCain campaign’s latest erratic move on the economy, see below for details on Senator McCain’s plan to reward irresponsible mortgage lenders at taxpayer expense. In the course of twelve hours, McCain transformed a “new” mortgage plan which was simply restating a policy the government had already authorized into what is possibly the largest taxpayer funded handout to irresponsible lenders in U.S. history. In short, this plan guarantees taxpayers lose money, rewards bad behavior in the past and discourages responsible behavior in the future.

Tuesday Night: McCain announces “plan” which restates current law. On Tuesday night, the McCain Campaign released a plan to “purchase mortgages directly from homeowners and mortgage servicers, and replace them with manageable, fixed-rate mortgages that will keep families in their homes.” As Senator McCain said, “it's my proposal, it's not Sen. Obama's proposal, it's not President Bush's proposal.” But he was wrong: the Treasury Department and Federal Housing Administration already have the authority to purchase, restructure and guarantee mortgages for struggling families. McCain’s plan appeared to simply restate these authorities, which Barack Obama had previously fought for and supported when they were included in legislation.

Importantly, the plan McCain released on Tuesday night required lenders to take a “haircut.” McCain’s plan on Tuesday night explained that in circumstances when loans were purchased and restructured by the government “[l]enders in these cases must recognize the loss that they’ve already suffered.” This approach was not new – it reflected the shared responsibility approach embodied in the Dodd/Frank housing legislation which forced current lenders to sacrifice by backing mortgages for only 90% of current market value. Also, borrowers who benefit from the program share any upside in their house price with the government.

Wednesday Morning: McCain announces a new plan – financial institutions no longer have to take any losses and the McCain Bailout guarantees that taxpayers lose money, rewarding the most irresponsible lenders. Overnight, the McCain campaign changed their plan and eliminated this reference to shared responsibility for lenders from the plan on their website, deleting from their plan the phrase “Lenders in these cases must recognize the loss that they’ve already suffered.” Top McCain advisor Douglas Holtz-Eakin explained that, rather than asking lenders to take a haircut, the McCain plan called on the government to purchase mortgages at their full face value. This approach would reward irresponsible banks with taxpayers’ money and would give no upside to the government.

• Rewarding Irresponsible Banks. If a homeowner has a mortgage of $200,000 on a house now worth $150,000, the McCain plan would pay off the original lender at the full $200,000 price. His plan would not insist on any sharing of sacrifice by the lender. Indeed, if the original lender engaged in fraud to inflate the size of the initial mortgage, they would be explicitly rewarded for it under the new McCain plan since they would be paid back the full, inflated value of the mortgage.

• Guaranteeing a Taxpayer Loss. The McCain plan will stick taxpayers with the full loss on houses and put them at risk of losing even more if home values don’t recover. It would do so without asking anything of the lenders themselves and without giving the taxpayers share in any future upside should house prices recover. It is a recipe for the worst kind of bailout abuse.

• Inhibiting Private Solutions to the Problem That Do Not Cost Taxpayers a Dime. Today some lenders, voluntarily or as part of settlements, are working on solutions to the mortgage mess that involve the financial institution modifying mortgages to help homeowners stay in their homes – without costing taxpayers a dime. But if the McCain plan were in place, this process would stop because lenders would know they could always sell their mortgages at full face value to taxpayers.

End of Quandry

The ArchDruid — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:31:08 EDT

Not that I have received one e-mail in response to my original quandry about whether to post in this blog or my stumbleupon one. I have resolved to post in both. That way I will cover both communities.

NYT Reports Biden calling McCain out of touch and not a maverick

The ArchDruid — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:48:59 EDT

Mr. Biden, a six-term senator who has twice sought the presidency, remained forceful and composed against an opponent who proved difficult to attack, given that she is a newcomer and a woman in an arena long dominated by men.

...Mr. Biden, standing at a lectern a few feet from Ms. Palin’s, replied with one of his characteristic strategies in the debate: portraying Mr. McCain as unaware or unmoved by voters’ problems and as an ally of the deeply unpopular President Bush.

“It was two Mondays ago John McCain said at 9 o’clock in the morning that the fundamentals of the economy were strong,” Mr. Biden said. “Eleven o’clock that same day, two Mondays ago, John McCain said that we have an economic crisis. That doesn’t make John McCain a bad guy, but it does point out he’s out of touch. Those folks on the sidelines knew that two months ago.”

...Ms. Palin also tended to seize on a single point or phrase of Mr. Biden or the moderator, Gwen Ifillof PBS, and veer off on her own direction in her 90-second answer.

...In response to a question about her views on an exit strategy in Iraq, Ms. Palin championed Mr. McCain’s support for the “surge” of American troops there; hailed “a great American hero,” Gen. David H. Petraeus;

...After that, Mr. Biden turned to the moderator and said, “Gwen, with all due respect, I didn’t hear a plan.”

...“The issue is how different is John McCain’s policy going to be than George Bush’s,” Mr. Biden said. “I haven’t heard how his policy is going to be different on Iran than George Bush’s.... I haven’t heard how his policy in Afghanistan is going to be different than George Bush’s. I haven’t heard how his policy in Pakistan is going to be different than George Bush’s.

“It may be, but so far it is the same as George Bush’s.”

Mr. Biden also turned tougher in the final half-hour after Ms. Palin had, several times, referred to Mr. McCain as a “maverick.”

“He’s not been a maverick when it comes to education — he has not supported tax cuts and significant changes for people being able to send their kids to college,” Mr. Biden said. “He’s not been a maverick on the war. He’s not been a maverick on virtually anything that generally affects the things that people really talk about.”

October Surprises Waiting for Obama?

The ArchDruid — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 21:25:40 EDT

From the Huffington Post by Johann Hari

In five weeks, I hope look back on this column with a wry chuckle at my paranoia. If the system works, Barack Obama will take the White House. The two issues John McCain is most closely associated with - invading Iraq, and deregulating the economy - have produced history-snatching catastrophes in the eyes of 80 percent of Americans. In the first debate, McCain revealed he had nothing to say except more of the same: aggression abroad, market fundamentalist ideology at home. So why am I worried?

Obama is only a few jittery points ahead in the polls, and he has yet to face an October Surprise. This is an old term in US politics, invented when, on the eve of the 1968 election, Lyndon Johnson announced a halt to the bombing of Vietnam. It was a desperate attempt to push the Democratic nominee, Hubert Humphrey, over the finish line - and it failed. But October Surprises need not come from the opposing party. They can come from anywhere.

The first and worst would be the reappearance of Osama Bin Laden. Just five days before the 2004 election, he released a video effectively endorsing John Kerry. He told Americans to imagine corpses crying "Call to task those who have caused our death!" and said they should "return to what is right," rather than reward "the liar in the White House."

Why would he do this? Bin Laden's long-term strategy is "provoke and bait." He explains to his supporters: "We conducted a war of attrition against Russia with jihad fighters for ten years until they went bankrupt. We are continuing in the same policy - to make America bleed profusely to the point of bankruptcy." To achieve this, "all we have to do is send two mujahideen [to a remote, irrelevant area] and raise a piece of cloth on which is written 'Al Qaeda' in order to make the [US] generals race there, to cause America to suffer human, economic, and political losses."

This is his goal, in his own words - to bleed America through irrational, wildly expensive wars that will tilt thousands more fanatical young men from Islamism to full-blown jihadism. So who would you want in the White House? The guy who will wean the US off Middle Eastern oil and the wars and tyrannies it supports to get it - or his opponent? Bin Laden is a monster, but he is not an imbecile. He knows that his endorsement is a kiss of death. The man he publicly praises is the man he wants to lose. Kerry failed to expose Bin Laden's trick; Obama must do it as soon as the tape hits the air.

Beyond this, there could be November 4th surprise: the Republicans may try to steal the election. Again. They loudly claim to be concerned about voter fraud, even though a New York University study recently found that it "is more likely an individual will be struck by lightning than that he will impersonate another voter at the polls." But in the name of this paltry risk, they are effectively stripping millions of people - overwhelmingly black and Democrats - of their vote.

Their first vote-stripping tactic is to require elaborate voter I.D. that black people disproportionately lack. For example, in Indiana - a crucial swing state - Republicans have passed a law requiring voters to bring an official government document bearing their photograph to the polling station. But a study by the University of Wisconsin found that 53 percent of black adults didn't have a passport or driving license, compared to 15 percent of white people. So they can't vote unless they travel for hours (often without a car) to a sparse government registry and queue for half a day to get the correct the correct documentation. The former political director of the Texas Republican Party, Royal Masset, explains: "Requiring photo IDs could cause enough of a drop-off in legitimate Democratic voting to add 3 percent to the Republican vote."

Their second tactic is to strip the electoral rolls of black names. In almost all US states, criminals lose their vote for life. This is shocking in itself - it disenfranchises a quarter of all black men in Kentucky, for one. But many states have a sloppy process where they simply scrub anyone with the same name as a criminal off the list. So if there is a criminal called 'Chris Wayne' in a county, every black man called 'Chris Wayne' loses their vote. That's a lot of Democrats. In Florida in 2000, black voters made up 13 percent of the electorate yet they were 26 percent of the people wrongly disenfranchised.

When a judge ordered the release of the paper-work, he found out why. The team under Florida governor Jeb Bush had ordered that black criminal names had to go - but Hispanic names were not to be touched. Black Floridians overwhelmingly vote Democrat, while Hispanics lean towards the Republicans. The Bush team said this was "absolutely unintentional" and "a coincidence."

This time, the Republicans have added another group to strip from the rolls. James Carabelli, a Republican Party chairman in Michigan, says: "We have a list of foreclosed homes and will make sure people aren't voting from those addresses." These voters are supposed to register from their new addresses - but many are out of time, or too stressed to do it. So the Republicans have launched a national "voter challenge campaign" against honest people who have lost their homes. They know that 60 percent of sub-prime mortgages went to black voters, and virtually everyone who lost their home is angry with the Republicans.

If these acts of electoral sabotage go ahead on November 4th and tilt the election to McCain, Obama needs to learn from Al Gore's mistake. As the recent HBO film Recount shows, Gore was consensual and statesmanlike - in the middle of a knife-fight. He sent urbane professors to make his case, while the Republicans drummed up mobs that physically stopped the vote-counts in Palm Beach County while the clock ticked. If the need comes, Obama needs to call fraud by its real name - and fight.

I hope I'm being too cynical. I hope I'm wrong. But it would be wise fasten your seatbelts: it's going to be a bumpy month.

Quandry

The ArchDruid — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:37:38 EDT

I am in a quandry. I want to post daily to my blog and keep up with the latest developments in the campaign but my posts to my site on the Obama Biden web site are not viewed as much as my Stumble Upon blog. So, I am concentrating my efforts on that blog. If someone would like me to write more here. Please let me know. Otherwise, to find out about my current blogging for victory in November. Please go to the following site:

http://www.huntington-meath.stumbleupon.com

Obama on the Emerging Federal Reserve- Treasury Plan

The ArchDruid — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:13:21 EDT

Barack Obama on the Emerging Federal Reserve - Treasury Plan By Sam Graham-Felsen - Sep 19th, 2008 at 9:25 am In response to emerging details of the Federal Reserve – Treasury Plan to address the current financial crisis, Senator Obama released the following statement ...

The events of the last few days have made it clear that we must take further bold and decisive action to shore up confidence in our financial markets and avoid a deepening economic crisis that could jeopardize the life savings and well-being of millions of Americans. I support the effort of Secretary Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke to work in a bipartisan spirit with the Congressional leadership to find a systemic solution to our deepening crisis, and I will closely examine the specifics of their effort and the opportunities for swift action. As I review the emerging details of Fed-Treasury proposal with my top economic advisors this morning I will be guided by four basic principles: First, we cannot lose sight that we are in the midst of a broad economic crisis that also requires immediate action to create jobs and help support distressed homeowners and communities. For too long, this Administration has been willing to hit the fast forward button in helping distressed Wall Street firms while pressing pause when it comes to saving jobs or keeping families in their homes. Swift and unprecedented action to shore up Wall Street must come alongside equally swift and serious efforts to help struggling families on Main Street, create new jobs, and grow our middle-class once more. Second, any taxpayer-funded support must have as its focus protecting our nation's long-term interest in a stable financial market and a growing economy rather than rewarding particular companies or the imprudent decisions of borrowers or lenders. These extraordinary steps must be designed with only the public good in mind, not to enhance the personal gain of CEOs and management at taxpayers’ expense. Third, this plan must be temporary and coupled with tough new oversight and regulations of our financial institutions. There must be a clear process to wind down this plan and restore private sector assets into private sector hands after restoring stability to the system. Taxpayers must share in any upside benefit that such stability brings. Finally, this plan should be part of a globally coordinated effort with our partners in the G-20. We are facing a global financial crisis and the United States can take a leadership role in coordinating a global response to the present crisis, as well as greater regulatory cooperation and alignment to prevent future crises. As we move beyond immediate actions to stabilize financial markets, it is important that we build upon the ideas I have laid out over the last several years about how to modernize our financial regulation. Eliminating consumer protections and lax oversight contributed to the crisis we are in today, and establishing commonsense rules of the road for our financial system can help restore confidence in our financial system. Given the gravity of this situation, and based on conversations I have had with both Secretary Paulson and Chairman Bernanke, I have asked my economic team to refrain from presenting a more detailed blue-print of how an immediate plan might be structured until the Treasury and the Federal Reserve have had an opportunity to present their proposal. It is critical at this point that the markets and the public have confidence that their work will be unimpeded by partisan wrangling, and that leaders in both parties work in concert to solve the problem at hand.

Newspapers in Swing States Going to Disperse Terror DVDs

The ArchDruid — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:02:12 EDT

This article is copied from the following url: http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003849746

In North Carolina it is paricularly important as the Charlotte and Raleigh News & Observer were scheduled to include this DVD to subscribers.

UPDATE: Newspapers Deliver Millions of 'Terror' DVDs to Subscribers -- In 'Swing States'

By Greg Mitchell and Joe Strupp

Published: September 13, 2008 2:00 PM ET
NEW YORK The arrival of tens of millions of DVDs of a controversial film on doorsteps around the nation -- but almost exclusively in election "swing states" -- via newspaper home delivery continues this weekend, with explanatory articles and subscriber feedback appearing on some of the papers' Web sites.

The DVDs of the 60-minute film, made in 2005, and titled "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West," arrived Saturday with, among other papers, the Charlotte Observer and the News & Observer in Raleigh, with delivery with the Miami Herald and other papers set for Sunday. (To watch a clip see link below.)

Other Florida papers to distribute it on Sunday included the major dailies in St. Petersburg, Tampa, Fort Myers and Orlando. But it also showed up in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, among others.

Despite some protests from Muslim and liberal activists, the newspapers -- all hard hit by drops in ad revenue in recent months -- have explained that the DVD does not violate their usual standards; see our exchange with The New York Times below. A spokesperson there said the Times last Sunday inserted 145,000 DVDs in its papers delivered in the following markets: Denver, Miami/Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando, Detroit, Kansas City, St Louis, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee/Madison. Note: These are all in swing states.

The documentary showcases scenes of Muslim children being encouraged to become suicide bombers, interspersed with shots of Nazi rallies. 'The threat of Radical Islam is the most important issue facing us today,'' reads the sleeve of the DVD. ''But it's a topic that neither the presidential candidates nor the media are discussing openly. It's our responsibility to ensure we can all make an informed vote in November.''

It was shown on Fox News just before the 2006 mid-term elections, and conservative activist David Horowitz screened the film on college campuses during 2007. An article at the group's site, www.radicalislam.org, all but endorsed John McCain this past week, then was pulled down. The DVD carries on-screen text near the outset that it is not indicting most Muslims.

An article at the site of the Morning-Call in Allentown, Pa. today reveals that it will be inserted in the Sunday paper there tomorrow. It continues: "A call to Clarion wasn't returned, but the nonprofit's spokesman, Gregory Ross, told the Harrisburg Patriot-News this week that 28 million copies of the DVD are being distributed nationwide throughout September. He said the intent is not to sway voters' opinions about the presidential candidates."

It has already been packaged with dozens of large papers, such as the Denver Post and Columbus Dispatch. Another article explaining the delivery runs online at the News & Observer.

E&P asked New York Times Co. spokeswoman Diane McNulty about the policy on this insert. She replied:

"We believe the broad principles of freedom of the press confer on us an obligation to keep our advertising columns as open as possible. Therefore our acceptance or rejection of an advertisement does not depend on whether it coincides with our editorial positions. In fact, there are many instances when we have published opinion advertisements that run counter to the stance we take on our own editorial pages.

"We do require that opinion advertisements include the name of the sponsoring organization and a mailing address or a telephone number. This enables our readers to communicate directly with the sponsor should they seek additional information or wish to express agreement or disagreement with the advertised message. This advertisement complied with these requirements. The address on the advertisement was The Clarion Fund, 255 West 36th Street Suite 800 New York, NY 10018."

Asked about the rate paid, she answered: "We do not disclose the rate any one advertiser pays."

Obama Will Be a Great President

The ArchDruid — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:06:31 EDT

The following post is in a response to Doris Goodwin Kearn's article in Parade Magazine about the Secret Characteristics of Great Presidents. I encourage everyone to offer their own response to this nationally syndicated article. http://www.parade.com

Doris Kearns Goodwin book "No Ordinary Time" was a great analysis of what made Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt such wonderful leaders. Yes, they had faults but they also had amazing qualities which made them such a great team. In this article Doris has used her expertise again to define 10 outstanding characteristics of America's Greatest Presidents. Barack Obama embodies all of these characteristics.

1. The Courage to Stay Strong. Again and again, Obama has demonstrated this quality. He has picked himself up by the bootstraps and instead of turning his ambition toward selfish pursuits,he has dedicated himself to his community and to his nation. The racial bigotry he has experienced has made him stronger and resilient. He has stood up to ignorance, manipulation, and lies. He will do the same as President. His story is like that of Horatio Alger or Abraham Lincoln.

2. Self-confidence. Barack exudes a healthy self-confidence. He shows humor and compassion. He gets along well with people and people flock to him. His public speaking demonstrates this clearly and people relate to his message. This special quality enables him to bring out the best in others. Like JFK, he is able to rally people with the force of his personality.

3. An Ability to Learn From Errors. Barack is a great organizer. He learns from his mistakes. Here is another example of the quality of his experience. When he has experienced failure or set backs he has taken those in stride and learned how to respond in a better way. He showed this quality in his campaign for the democratic nomination. He learned from his mistakes against Hillary Clinton how to become a better candidate and a stronger leader.

4. A Willingness to Change. Obama has made Change a central component of his campaign. Unlike the other ticket, he has defined change and offered concrete proposals for achieving it. (See his Acceptance Speech at the DNC). Obama is flexible and will listen to opposing view points and will choose an appropriate response. This is a good measure of a great leader.

5. Emotional Intelligence Obama inspires loyalty in his followers. His careful attention to detail and his patience in understanding what it's like to walk in another's shoes are clear indications of his ability to value others. He works to help Americans feel proud about who they are.

6. Self-control. Obama shows his Presidential fiber in the way he carries himself. He is smooth, articulate, intelligent, and strong. He does not lose his temper. He uses his humor to clarify issues and understand others. He weathers criticism and hositilty from others easily and responds with respect, humility, and compassion.

7. A popular touch. Barack has a good sense of timing. He knows when it is time to speak forcefully and when it is time to be reflective and listen. His recent choice not to appear on "Saturday Night Live" in deference to those people who were suffering the effects of Hurricane Ike was an indication of his willingness to sacrifice political advantage out of respect for the victims of a natural disaster.

8 A moral compass. Barack Obama has taught Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago. He knows the U.S. Constitution inside and out. His book "The Audacity of Hope" reflects his ability to apply his knowledge of the Constitution to the rigors of becoming President of the United States. He understands that that high office means he will be representing a country of many different viewpoints and persuasions.

9. A capacity to relax. Barack works at balancing his work and leisure time. He values taking time out to play basketball. One of his favorite sports. And he is good at it. He finds relaxation in playing hard as well as working hard. This is because in part, he doesn't take himself, too seriously.

10. A gift for inspiring others. Obama has been criticized by Senator McCain for the power of his words. Obama offers hope, understanding, and vision to his followers. His message is optimistic, positive, and inclusive. He will win the 2008 Presidential Election because he inspires the Public while his opponents play on their fears.

Obama Labels "the No Change Express"

The ArchDruid — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:56:22 EDT

Obama accuses Republican rivals of dishonesty
Email this Story

Sep 8, 8:08 PM (ET)

By NEDRA PICKLER

FLINT, Mich. (AP) - Barack Obama broadly accused his Republican rivals of dishonesty Monday, citing former lobbyists working for John McCain, Sarah Palin's shifting stance on the "Bridge to Nowhere" and their promise to change Washington.

With national polls finding the Democratic presidential nominee trailing or in a dead heat with McCain, Obama began the campaign's final eight-week push by criticizing McCain's popular running mate as much as the Arizona senator himself.

He said Palin has an interesting biography - "Mother, governor, moose shooter. That's cool," he said - but the election should be about who can change people's lives for the better. He said that won't come from a Republican ticket that almost always supports the same positions as President Bush even though they say they will bring reform.

"I mean, you can't just make stuff up," Obama said of a new McCain ad that says Palin "stopped the Bridge to Nowhere.""You can't just recreate yourself. You can't just reinvent yourself. The American people aren't stupid."

Obama wouldn't go so far as to say McCain and Palin are lying, even when the audience tried to goad him into it, but he began showing an ad Monday that did.

"Politicians lying about their records?" an announcer asks over a shot of McCain and Palin boarding a plane. "You don't call that maverick. You call it more of the same."

McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds responded to the charges of dishonesty by saying: "Barack Obama should familiarize himself with the honest facts: John McCain and Governor Palin have actually reformed government to root out money in politics and fought wasteful spending - Sen. Obama has not."

Obama's ad was a response to the new McCain commercial called "Original Mavericks" that claims Palin stopped the bridge, a $400 million proposal to connect an island off Alaska with just 50 residents and an airport.

She originally voiced support for it during her campaign for governor, although she was critical of the size, and later abandoned plans for the project. She used the federal dollars for other projects in Alaska.

Obama said McCain's claim that lobbyists will no longer run Washington when he's president "doesn't seem very plausible."

"Sounds pretty good until you discover that seven of his top campaign managers and officials are - guess what? Former corporate lobbyists. So who is he going to tell?

"What they are going to try to do is what they always do, which is attack, go on the negative, distort, mislead, assert," Obama said, as members of his invitation-only audience of 350 began yelling "Lie! Lie!" Obama just cocked his head in response as if to say he wasn't going to go there.

Michigan has supported Democratic presidential candidates in the most recent elections, but it is up for grabs this year and is one of the few blue states Obama could be in danger of losing. Monday's stops in Flint and Farmington Hills marked his third visit to Michigan in nine days, a time when Palin's addition to the ticket has resulted in a bounce in the polls for the Republican ticket.

McCain won Michigan in the 2000 Republican primary but lost it to Mitt Romney in January, partly because of his unapologetic assessment that not all of Detroit's lost auto industry jobs would be recovered.

Obama never competed in the state during the primaries as the national party punished Michigan and Florida for holding early contests, stripping them of their delegates. The Democratic presidential candidates largely bypassed the states.

The automotive manufacturing state has been especially hard hit by the economic downturn, and Obama spoke in front of fuel efficient hybrid vehicles that he says he would help Michigan produce to create jobs. The Illinois senator stoked frustrations among residents of the Flint area where the unemployment rate is more than 12 percent - double the national average.

"You don't have to tell the people of Flint or the people of Michigan that our economy is not in good shape," Obama said to shouts of "Yeah!" from the audience. "You do need to tell John McCain - because just a few weeks ago he said the economy was fundamentally sound."

Obama said McCain can't bring change when he votes with President Bush so often.

"It's kind of hard to believe that 'I'm going to change us from us,'" Obama said. He later laughingly labeled McCain's campaign the "No Change Express," a play on its slogan as the "Straight Talk Express."

Radical Right Seeks to Obfuscate Division Between Church and State

The ArchDruid — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:37:02 EDT

From Under the Radar in the Progress Report (Probably AP)

RELIGION -- RIGHT-WING ALLIANCE DEFENSE FUND SEEKS TO PUT OVERT POLITICS IN CHURCHES: The conservative group Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) is recruiting several dozen pastors to publicly endorse political candidates from their pulpits on Sept. 28, "in defiance of Internal Revenue Service rules," the Washington Post reports. The effort is "designed to trigger an IRS investigation that ADF layers would then challenge in federal court," with the aim of persuading the Supreme Court "to throw out a 54-year-old ban on political endorsements by tax-exempt houses of worship." Three dozen church leaders have already agreed to participate, promising to "make a specific recommendation from the pulpit about how the congregation would vote," according to an ADF attorney. In 2004, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State asked the IRS to investigate statements by Bishop Michael Sheridan, who sent a letter to church members "insisting that they not vote for candidates who support legal abortion, stem-cell research or euthanasia." Another group of bishops that year, "alarmed at the prospect of a President Kerry," blanketed churches "with guides identifying abortion, gay marriage, and the stem cell debate as among a handful of 'non-negotiable issues.'" Archbishop Charles Chaput declared voting for Kerry would have been tantamount to "cooperating in evil."

The Buck Stops Here

The ArchDruid — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:08:56 EDT

My response to Joe Klein's Angry Amatures Article:

It is time for Sarah Palin and John McCain to be accountable. First, off they need to start acting like adults and take responsiblity for their actions. Blaming the media and the other ticket does not present the American public with a viable alternative. It is more of the same.

How come we're not hearing about policies? Why don't we hear more about what these two supposed good leaders are for? Did they forget how to present rational arguments? Do they know how to engage in reasonable debate?

Perhaps, they are engaging in Rovian manuevers which essentially panders to anti-intellectuals. Instead, of really explaining what's going on let's create a smokescreen of lies and innuendo.
Why is Sarah Palin being investigated by a bi-partisan commission for her role in working to fire a state trooper? What about all her work against the Federal government? Does this qualify her to become the Second in Command? Or how about her anti-environmental stance? Does she think global warming is an act of God? Should we pray for violent storms like Gustav, Hannah, and Ike to go away? (Actually I wish they would.) But the point is perhaps the Press or Media needs to ask relevant questions. And we, the public, need to support them in doing that and hold these candidates responsible for their actions or lack thereof.

Time Article on McCain's War Against the Press

The ArchDruid — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:59:41 EDT

September 3, 2008 2:04 Angry Amateurs Posted by Joe Klein

The story of the day out here in Minneapolis is the McCain campaign's war against the press. This has been building for some time. Those of us who have criticized the candidate--and especially those of us who enjoyed good relations with McCain in the past--have been subject to off-the-record browbeating and attempted bullying all year. But things have gotten much worse in recent days: there was McCain's rude, bizarre interview with Time Magazine last week. Yesterday, McCain refused to an interview with Larry King, for God's sake, because Campbell Brown had been caught in the commission of journalism on CNN the night before, asking McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds what decisions Sarah Palin had made as commander-in-chief of the Alaska national guard. (There was an answer that the unprepared Bounds didn't have: she had deployed them to fight fires.)

So what's going on here? Two things. McCain is just plain angry at us. By the evidence presented in the utterly revealing Time interview, he's ballistic. This is a politician who needs to see himself as the man on the white horse, boldly traversing a muddy field...any intimations that he's gotten muddied in the process, or has decided to throw mud, are intolerable.

The second thing is more insidious: Steve Schmidt has decided, for tactical reasons, to slime the press. He wants the public to believe that there is an unfair--sexist (you gotta love it)--personal assault going on against Palin and her family. This is a smokescreen, intended to divert attention from the very real and responsible vetting that is taking place in the media--about the substance of Palin's record as mayor and governor. Sure, there are a few outliers--and the tabloid press--who have fixed on baby stories. That was inevitable....the flip side of the personal stories that the McCain team thought would work to their advantage--Palin's moose-hunting and wolf-shooting, and her admirable decision to have a Down Syndrome baby. And yes, when we all fix on the same story, whether it's a hurricane or a little-known politician, a zoo ensues. But the media coverage of the Palin story has been well within the bounds of responsibility. Schmidt is trying to make it seem otherwise, a desperate tactic.

There is a tendency in the media to kick ourselves, cringe and withdraw, when we are criticized. But I hope my colleagues stand strong in this case: it is important for the public to know that Palin raised taxes as governor, supported the Bridge to Nowhere before she opposed it, pursued pork-barrel projects as mayor, tried to ban books at the local library and thinks the war in Iraq is "a task from God." The attempts by the McCain campaign to bully us into not reporting such things are not only stupidly aggressive, but unprofessional in the extreme.

The Joke that Should Have Sunk John McCain

The ArchDruid — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:20:45 EDT

The joke that should have sunk McCain

Ed Pilkington
The Guardian,
Tuesday September 2 2008

Imagine the stink that would erupt were David Cameron to stand up in front of a dinner of rich Conservative backers and make a "joke" that implied that Sarah Brown had had a lesbian affair with Jacqui Smith and produced a love child (and an ugly one to boot). Can you imagine British papers deciding to downplay the story because it was in such bad taste, allowing Cameron to carry on with his assault on Downing Street?

Cross the pond and that is exactly what happened to John McCain at a fundraising dinner in Arizona a decade ago. "Do you know why Chelsea Clinton is so ugly?" he told a handful of big Republican funders. "Because Janet Reno is her father."

The remark packed into its 15 words several layers of misogyny. It disparaged the looks of Chelsea, then 18 and barely out of high school; it portrayed Reno as a man at a time when she was serving as the first female US attorney general; and it implied that Hillary Clinton was engaged in a lesbian affair while the Monica Lewinsky scandal was blazing. Not bad going, Senator McCain.

Any one of those elements would seem potentially terminal for a public figure. Yet here he is 10 years later presenting himself as a champion of feminism by appointing Sarah Palin as his running mate.

The puzzle is explained partly by the US press, which barely reported the story. The Washington Post broke it in June 1998 but declined to relate the joke on the grounds it was "too vile to repeat". Such coyness has long been ingrained in the US media, which has an annoying tendency to regard its readers as wayward children in need of moral protection. That's one important reason, incidentally, that blogs are doing so well in the US - they have no such scruples and behave in ways more akin to the British than the mainstream American media.

Think of presidential candidate John Edwards' affair and alleged love child. The refusal of most newspapers to touch the story was ridiculed in the blogosphere for weeks before Edwards himself "legitimised" it by confessing.

After his misogynist joke, McCain said sorry to Bill Clinton (though he made no direct apology to the three women involved) and the incident was all but forgotten. Should he win on November 4, his friends in the press might have some answering to do.

Simon Shama's Review of Obama's Acceptance Speech

The ArchDruid — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 09:09:24 EDT

In its severity and fury, this was Obama at his most powerful and moving This was a stunning gamble: he dared to show his belief in the enduring power of words to reform American life Oh how the McCain campaign must have chuckled when they got an inkling of what the Obama strategists had in mind as the backdrop for his acceptance speech in the stadium of the Denver Broncos, surmounted by an apparently neutered plaster stallion. Architrave alert! Fluted columns! Cecil B DeMille Doric! What a gift to satirists who could lampoon Obama as a wannabe Demosthenes, so self-monumentalised that he seemed to be presumptuously rehearsing the inaugural oath on the Capitol steps. It's possible that, even after one of the most memorably dramatic speeches in modern American history, they may still be betting on what they think is an eloquence aversion out there in the heartland; the ingrained suspicion that fancy phrase-making is a fig leaf for lack of substance. Early in the primary season Hillary Clinton made much of the difference between words and deeds, as if high rhetoric was a tip-off to political inadequacy. Beware fine words, that unsubtle message ran, for they are gossamer, the pretty fabric you spin when you can't hack the hard stuff of power. By this reasoning, McCain is a shoo-in, not in spite of his shortcomings in the eloquence department, but because of it. The Hanoi Hilton, after all, was a place of terrifying silence, and aw shucks will beat silver tongue every time with the regular Joes and Janes.

But this year, the year of primal national scream in the US, is this smart politics? In the end the Republican posture of laconic authenticity, of Quiet Americans, may backfire. For what Obama delivered on Thursday night deliberately left pyrotechnics to the literal fireworks that brought the convention to an end. Instead he delivered severity; combative polemic over the hurting body of the republic; a gripping sense of the magnitude of the moment, without ever dropping his audience into resignation or pessimism. It was the least showy and, by some distance I think, the most moving and powerful of all his remarkable speeches, for its eschewal of rhetorical flamboyance was done in the service of a higher goal: the rebirth of what he called in his stirring peroration "common purpose", meaning the reassertion of mutuality without the compromise of individuality.

It is this insistence of being one's brother's and sister's keeper as a pure American ideal, the questioning of what an "ownership society" means, that was so heartening. What Obama seems to be after is not just the reawakening of national community, but altering what an election campaign actually is. "You can make a big election small," he said, witheringly, of the decades of Lee Atwater, Roger Ailes and Karl Rove. The time is too serious, the stakes too high, to tolerate that kind of politics. After cataloguing the Bush administration's manifold failures, something happened to his voice that, in the months that I have followed him since the Iowa caucuses, I have never heard: a ferocious roar of fury bellowed into the microphone. And the word that formed in the fire of his indignation was, simply: "ENOUGH!" It was a Shakespearean moment that shook the eighty thousand rigid, and ought to have disabused any Republicans of the idle assumption that they are taking on a remote, effete intellectual who doesn't have the wherewithal for bloody political combat.

So Obama is betting on the word's enduring power as a reformer of American life. Historically he has good reason for, from the beginning, words and texts have constructed American realities, not the other way round. The spell cast on Americans by the mantle of words goes all the way back to the first Great Awakening in the 1740s when flocks thrilled to Methodist preachers such as George Whitefield. Evangelical passion remains a brilliant strand in the weave of American discourse, but when it made way for the reasoning of the enlightenment deists and unitarians who made the revolution, another element of American speech-power sounded loud and clear: the reverence for classical oratory.

The Republican bet is that all this is a thing of the past; that, self-evidently, we live in the age of images, and words are just the add-ons to the beguilement of the eye; that all we have are soundbites. Obama's is the more stunning gamble; that so far from the digital age killing off the reign of the word, it has actually given logos a whole new lease of life.

As I write this, the diapason of Martin Luther King's rhetoric on August 28 1963 rolls over the stadium again, while beside me a row of bloggers writing for blackamericaweb.com tap their keyboards. In downtown Denver the places where energy spilled over were certainly not the citadels of CNN or the networks but the spaces occupied by the Daily Kos, Wonkette and the rest. The blog and the great speech are the low and the high of the enduring dominion of American words; and Obama is betting that words still have the force to remake politics, and even government. Obama is Dick Cheney's worst nightmare, for he represents the antidote to the unanswerably laconic. Has there even been a politician who revelled in deadly quietness quite so much as Cheney?

Ravelled up inside that gamble is another daring hunch: that, of all Americans, Obama is uniquely qualified to braid together the two great strands of national rhetoric. On the one hand, that of black redemption: saturated with scriptural passion; the eloquence of Martin Luther King (whom in a wonderful conceit Obama simply called "the Preacher"); the language that altered what Lyndon Johnson believed and did. And on the other, the rhetoric of American classicism: Lincoln's, Franklin Roosevelt's and Jack Kennedy's. From these distinct threads he is hoping to make a new American fabric of speech.

On this evening though, Obama knew he had to make his words do two things: go on unsparing attack against his opponent, and somehow become a natural extension of the everyday life of suffering Americans. The attack speech, delivered with sombre coldness, did the job. Taking his high concerns to regular Americans was the tougher assignment. Knowing there could be no point in making Obama sound like a trucker faced with foreclosure, the campaign hit on the clever device of having a parade of indisputably middle-class Americans, some long-time Republicans, deliver their grievances to camera. The populist voice comes right from the populus.

What Obama did is to touch the nerve of what he knows most Americans care about: old-fashioned virtues - the "dignity of hard work"; the promise of fair reward for that work; patriotism; the "promise" that if they live right and do right, their children will reap the reward of that promise. "That's why I am here," he said, "that's what I think every time I tuck my children up at night."

Suddenly Obama becomes not a politician but a dad, who needs no prompting to understand the heroism of everyday life. In another agile counterpunch at the Republican accusation that he is no more than a "celebrity", Obama, speaking of the sacrifices of his mother and grandparents, said: "I don't know what kind of lives John McCain thinks that celebrities lead, but this has been mine. These are my heroes." And equally suddenly McCain turns into the patrician who isn't sure how many homes he owns.

In contrast to Al Gore's sententiousness and John Kerry's high-minded elegance, Obama is light on his feet and deadly with his jabs, a pre-emptive warrior. A parade of generals and admirals attest to his fitness to be commander in chief, but more spunkily he says: "If John McCain to have a debate about who has the temperament ... to serve as the next commander in chief, that's a debate I'm ready to have." From this unlikely investment of authority, he says to McCain: "Let us agree that patriotism has no party ... so I've got news for you ... We all put our country first."

Obama is staking the whole house on a belief that the times are so serious, the damage wrought in the past eight years so grave, that for once the American voters are hungry for a reborn sense of national community, and a president who embodies it. It's commonplace that the problem for McCain is that he is too old, and for Obama that he's too young. But one of the transformations that happened in this speech was to make Obama seem a whole lot older, or at least more grown up, than McCain. As he himself says, his call for a rekindled sense of common purpose can be written off as so much "happy talk". The campaign can go straight downhill to its customary depths. But the Republicans had better practice an unaccustomed economy of derision, for after Obama's severe magnificence, an attack on his style carries the risk of churlishness: the grim snicker of the crabbed.

Obama Taking the Offense on the Economy

The ArchDruid — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:51:31 EDT

Can Obama Run the Offense?

By BOB HERBERT

Published: July 29, 2008

New York Times

Let’s see if I’ve got this straight. Barack Obama is a United States senator, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and his party’s candidate for president of the United States — and yet it was somehow presumptuous of him to meet with foreign leaders last week during his trip to the Middle East and Europe.

I’ll say this about Senator Obama. He sure raises people’s hackles. I’ve never seen anyone so roundly criticized for such grievous offenses as giving excellent speeches and urging people of different backgrounds to take a chance on working together. How dare he? And 200,000 people turned out to hear him in Berlin. Unforgivable.

The man has been taken to task for promoting hope, threatened with mutilation by Jesse Jackson for suggesting that a lot of black fathers could do better by their kids and had his patriotism called into question because he wants to wind down a war that most Americans would dearly love to be rid of.

John McCain can barely stop himself from sputtering at the mere mention of Senator Obama’s name. He actually ran an ad blaming Mr. Obama for high gasoline prices. Even Republicans had a good laugh at that one.

And yet Mr. Obama continues to treat Senator McCain respectfully. As far as personal character is concerned, Mr. Obama has scored very well, indeed.

What remains to be seen, now that the overseas tour is over, is whether Team Obama can play offense here at home and pile up enough points to win this election. Mr. McCain has been a surprisingly inept candidate (riding on a golf cart with Poppy Bush was almost as deadly an image as the helmeted Mike Dukakis bouncing around in a tank), but he has stayed within striking distance.

And you can’t trust any of the polls this year. I was in New Hampshire when the polls and the pundits said Mr. Obama was a lock to win that primary. He lost. And I was in California on Super Tuesday when the polls said he was closing fast. He wasn’t.

So this is not your ordinary election. Senator Obama will have to turn people on big-time just to win by a little. And for all the tedious talk about timelines and what the surge in Iraq has or has not accomplished, the top three issues in this campaign are still the economy, the economy and the economy.

Americans are losing jobs, losing the equity in their homes, losing their retirement nest eggs, and tragically, in increasing numbers, actually losing the family home itself. This is the issue on which the Obama people should long since have pounced.

A recent survey found that an overwhelming majority of Americans believe that the social contract of the 20th century — in which the government, employers and the society as a whole pulled together to see that those who worked hard and played by the rules were afforded the basic necessities of daily life and a shot at the American dream — “appears to be unraveling.”

Nearly 80 percent of those who responded to the survey, conducted for the Rockefeller Foundation and Time magazine, said they are facing greater financial risks now than in the past.

This anxiety is pervasive, and it was clearly evident a little more than two weeks ago when Phil Gramm, then John McCain’s key economic adviser, callously remarked that we were suffering from a “mental recession” and that the U.S. had become “a nation of whiners.”

The Obama crowd should have instantly seen the Gramm gaffe for what it was, a gift from the political gods. They should have run with it. I would have dragged out that old Maxine Brown song with the lyric: “Maybe it’s all in my mind.”

The Democrats could have had some fun and made political hay, using the Gramm comments to highlight what has happened to working people under Republican rule. But the Obama folks let the matter drop, and instead of an endless loop of “mental recession,” what we’ve heard incessantly over the past couple of weeks has been Mr. McCain pounding on Mr. Obama about the surge.

The word is that an economic offensive may finally be coming from the Obama campaign.

Anna Burger, the secretary-treasurer of the Service Employees International Union, was part of a wide-ranging group of advisers on economic issues who met with Mr. Obama in Washington on Monday. “He has very serious policies, not sound bites, for addressing the long-term and short-term issues that are having such a dramatic effect on people who are working and trying to make ends meet,” she said.

Translating those ideas into a compelling economic narrative for his campaign — something Mr. Obama has not yet done — is the key to defeating John McCain.

John McCain Wants to Privatize Social Security

The ArchDruid — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:38:07 EDT

John McCain on Privatizing Social Security By Christopher Hass - Jun 13th, 2008 at 4:20 pm EDT Comments | Mail to a Friend | Report Objectionable Content

Earlier today, Barack spoke with seniors in Columbus, Ohio, about his plan to preserve and protect Social Security. One of the key issues that Barack touched on was the dangers of privatizing Social Security.

At his own town hall meeting in New Jersey today, John McCain argued against claims that he himself was in favor of privatizing Social Security, but as Talking Points Memo shows, in 2004 McCain spoke openly about the need for privatization:

Contrast these conflicting messages with Barack's clear statement today:

Well let me be clear: privatizing Social Security was a bad idea when George W. Bush proposed it. It's a bad idea today. It would eventually cut guaranteed benefits by up to 50%. It would cost a trillion dollars that we don't have to implement on the front end, permanently elevating our debt. And most of all, it would gamble the retirement plans of millions of Americans on the stock market. That's why I stood up against this plan in the Senate, and that's why I won't stand for it as President.

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Senator Clinton Endorses Obama

The ArchDruid — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 09:20:41 EDT

Senator Clinton Endorses Barack Obama
By Christopher Hass - Jun 7th, 2008 at 3:16 pm EDT
Comments | Mail to a Friend | Report Objectionable Content

Earlier today at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, Senator Clinton officially announced her support for Barack Obama, ending a historic primary that lasted over 16 months, spanned all 50 states, and reinvigorated the Democratic party. Shortly after her speech concluded, Barack sent out the following email:

Hillary Clinton announced her support for our campaign today.

Senator Clinton made history over the past 16 months -- not just because she has broken barriers, but because she has inspired millions of Americans with her strength, her courage, and her commitment to causes like universal health care that make a difference in the lives of hardworking Americans.

Our party and our country are stronger because of the work she has done throughout her life, and I'm a better candidate for having had the privilege of competing with her.

Senator Clinton will be invaluable to our efforts to win in November, and I look forward to campaigning alongside her to bring this country the change it so desperately needs.

Hillary and her supporters are joining us at an urgent moment.

It's going to require a new level of commitment from every single one of us to build a national campaign in the general election.

And we're going win this election the right way -- by growing our grassroots network of ordinary people giving only what they can afford.

Will you help by making your first donation today?

If you give right now, a previous donor has agreed to match your gift, doubling its impact. Help us reach our goal of 20,000 new donors by making a matching donation today.

It's time for all of us to come together to take on John McCain in the general election. John McCain offers another four years of George Bush's policies, which our country simply cannot afford.

To win, we must continue building an unprecedented organization in all 50 states. And that will only happen if we all work together, side-by-side.

Thank you for joining this movement and supporting a new kind of politics.

Together we can do more than just win an election. Together we can change this country, and we can change the world.

And we are honored to have Hillary Clinton at our side as we do it.

Barack

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Victory

The ArchDruid — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:00:39 EDT

Senator Barack Obama claimed the Democratic presidential nomination on Tuesday night, prevailing through an epic battle with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in a primary campaign that inspired millions of voters from every corner of America to demand change in Washington.

A last-minute rush of Democratic superdelegates, as well as split results from the final primaries in Montana and South Dakota, pushed Mr. Obama over the threshold of 2,118 delegates needed to be nominated at the party's convention in Denver in August.

... "You chose to listen not to your doubts or your fears, but to your greatest hopes and highest aspirations," Mr. Obama told supporters at a rally in St. Paul. "Tonight, we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another — a journey that will bring a new and better day to America. Because of you, tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States."

... The race drew to its final hours with a burst of announcements — delegate-by-delegate — of Democrats stepping forward to declare their support for Mr. Obama. The Democratic establishment, from former President Jimmy Carter to rank-and-file local officials who make up the ranks of the party's superdelegates, rallied behind Mr. Obama as the day wore on.

When the day began, Mr. Obama needed 41 delegates to effectively claim the nomination. Just as the polls began to close in Montana and South Dakota, Mr. Obama secured the delegates he needed to end his duel with Mrs. Clinton, which wound through every state and territory in an unprecedented 57 contests over five months.

AP Tally: Obama Clinches the Nomination

The ArchDruid — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:50:57 EDT

AP tally: Obama clinches Democratic nomination

By DAVID ESPO and STEPHEN OHLEMACHER – 3 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama effectively clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday after a grueling marathon, based on an Associated Press tally of convention delegates, becoming the first black candidate ever to lead his party into a fall campaign for the White House.

Campaigning on an insistent call for change, Obama outlasted former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in a historic race that sparked record turnout in primary after primary, yet exposed deep racial and gender divisions within the party.

The tally was based on public declarations from delegates as well as from another 15 who have confirmed their intentions to the AP. It also included 11 delegates Obama was guaranteed as long as he gained 30 percent of the vote in South Dakota and Montana later in the day. It takes 2,118 delegates to clinch the nomination.

The 46-year-old first-term senator will face John McCain in the fall campaign to become the 44th president. The Arizona senator campaigned in Memphis during the day, and had no immediate reaction to Obama's victory.

Clinton stood ready to concede that her rival had amassed the delegates needed to triumph, according to officials in her campaign. They stressed that the New York senator did not intend to suspend or end her candidacy in a speech Tuesday night in New York. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they had not been authorized to divulge her plans.

Obama's triumph was fashioned on prodigious fundraising, meticulous organizing and his theme of change aimed at an electorate opposed to the Iraq war and worried about the economy — all harnessed to his own innate gifts as a campaigner.

With her husband's two-White House terms as a backdrop, Clinton campaigned for months as the candidate of experience, a former first lady and second-term senator ready, she said, to take over on Day One.

But after a year on the campaign trail, Obama won the kickoff Iowa caucuses on Jan. 3, and the freshman senator became something of an overnight political phenomenon.

"We came together as Democrats, as Republicans and independents, to stand up and say we are one nation, we are one people and our time for change has come," he said that night in Des Moines.

A video produced by Will I. Am and built around Obama's "Yes, we can" rallying cry quickly went viral. It drew its one millionth hit within a few days of being posted.

As the strongest female presidential candidate in history, Clinton drew large, enthusiastic audiences. Yet Obama's were bigger still. One audience, in Dallas, famously cheered when he blew his nose on stage; a crowd of 75,000 turned out in Portland, Ore., the weekend before the state's May 20 primary.

The former first lady countered Obama's Iowa victory with an upset five days later in New Hampshire that set the stage for a campaign marathon as competitive as any in the last generation.

"Over the last week I listened to you, and in the process I found my own voice," she told supporters who had saved her candidacy from an early demise.

In defeat, Obama's aides concluded they had committed a cardinal sin of New Hampshire politics, forsaking small, intimate events in favor of speeches to large audiences inviting them to ratify Iowa's choice.

It was not a mistake they made again — which helped explain Obama's later outings to bowling alleys, backyard basketball hoops and American Legion halls in the heartland.

Clinton conceded nothing, memorably knocking back a shot of Crown Royal whiskey at a bar in Indiana, recalling that her grandfather had taught her to use a shotgun, and driving in a pickup to a gas station in South Bend, Ind., to emphasize her support for a summertime suspension of the federal gasoline tax.

As other rivals quickly fell away in winter, the strongest black candidate in history and the strongest female White House contender traded victories on Super Tuesday, the Feb. 5 series of primaries and caucuses across 21 states and American Samoa that once seemed likely to settle the nomination.

But Clinton had a problem that Obama exploited, and he scored a coup she could not answer.

Pressed for cash, the former first lady ran noncompetitive campaigns in several Super Tuesday caucus states, allowing her rival to run up his delegate totals.

At the same time, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., endorsed the young senator in terms that summoned memories of his slain brothers while seeking to turn the page on the Clinton era.

In a reference that likened former President Clinton to Harry Truman: "There was another time, when another young candidate was running for president and challenging America to cross a new frontier. He faced criticism from the preceding Democratic president, who was widely respected in the party."

Merely by surviving Super Tuesday, Obama exceeded expectations.

But he did more than survive, emerging with a lead in delegates that he never relinquished, and proceeded to run off a string of 11 straight victories.

Clinton saved her candidacy once more with primary victories in Ohio and Texas on March 4, beginning a stretch in which she won primaries in six of the final nine states on the calendar, as well as in Puerto Rico.

It was a strong run, providing glimpses of what might have been for the one-time front-runner.

But by then Obama was well on his way to victory, Clinton and her allies stressed the popular vote instead of delegates. Yet he seemed to emerge from each loss with residual strength.

Obama's bigger-than-expected victory in North Carolina on May 6 offset his narrow defeat in Indiana the same day. Four days later, he overtook Clinton's lead among superdelegates, the party leaders she had hoped would award her the nomination on the basis of a strong showing in swing states.

Obama lost West Virginia by a whopping 67 percent to 26 percent on May 13. Yet he won an endorsement the following day from former presidential rival and one-time North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.

Clinton administered another drubbing in Kentucky a week later. This time, Obama countered with a victory in Oregon, and turned up that night in Iowa to say he had won a majority of all the delegates available in 56 primaries and caucuses on the calendar.

There were moments of anger, notably in a finger-wagging debate in South Carolina on Jan. 21.

Obama told the former first lady he was helping unemployed workers on the streets of Chicago when "you were a corporate lawyer sitting on the board at Wal-Mart."

Moments later, Clinton said that she was fighting against misguided Republican policies "when you were practicing law and representing your contributor ... in his slum landlord business in inner city Chicago."

And Bill Clinton was a constant presence and an occasional irritant for Obama. The former president angered several black politicians when he seemed to diminish Obama's South Carolina triumph by noting that Jesse Jackson had also won the state.

Obama's frustration showed at the Jan. 21 debate, when he accused the former president in absentia of uttering a series of distortions.

"I'm here. He's not," the former first lady snapped.

"Well, I can't tell who I'm running against sometimes," Obama countered.

There were relatively few policy differences. Clinton accused Obama of backing a health care plan that would leave millions out, and the two clashed repeatedly over trade.

Yet race, religion, region and gender became political fault lines as the two campaigned from coast to coast.

Along the way, Obama showed an ability to weather the inevitable controversies, most notably one caused by the incendiary rhetoric of his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

At first, Obama said he could not break with his longtime spiritual adviser. Then, when Wright spoke out anew, Obama reversed course and denounced him strongly.

Clinton struggled with self-inflicted wounds. Most prominently, she claimed to have come under sniper fire as first lady more than a decade earlier while paying a visit to Bosnia.

Instead, videotapes showed her receiving a gift of flowers from a young girl who greeted her plane.

Last Open Night in Primary Season

The ArchDruid — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:36:52 EDT

Open Thread

by Christopher Hass

Tuesday, June 03, 2008 at 01:59 AM

When the polls close in South Dakota and Montana tomorrow evening, we'll be at the end of one of the most incredible, and most improbable, presidential primaries ever. This is a moment in history that has shown both the power of millions of people working, organizing and voting together, and the power of one voice calling for change.

This is your very last Primary Night Open Thread

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Michelle Obama Visits Nurturing Center in Montana

The ArchDruid — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:34:18 EDT

Michelle Obama Visits the Nurturing Center in Kalispell

by Caitlin Harvey

Monday, June 02, 2008 at 07:07 PM

This afternoon, Michelle Obama stopped by The Nurturing Center in Kalispell, Montana, where she read several books to local children, including Green Eggs and Ham.

After the books were finished, the children lined up to each give Michelle a big hug!

Stay tuned for more coverage of Michelle's visit to Kalispell, and remember to vote tomorrow if you live in Montana! Find your polling location here.

And if you don't live in Montana, help make calls to undecided Montanans before tomorrow's election!

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Palm Beach Superdelegate for Obama

The ArchDruid — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:31:10 EDT

Palm Beach Post: Florida Superdelegate for Obama; Delegate Countdown - 42.5 To Go

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Monday, June 02, 2008 at 02:38 PM

Palm Beach Post reports...

...DNC member and Florida Democratic Party Secretary Janee Murphy told The Palm Beach Post this afternoon that she would support Barack Obama.

Here is Murphy's statement...

Today I am officially a Florida delegate and I think it is essential now to unite behind Senator Obama to defeat Senator McCain in the fall. I am ready now to pick up the tools that we have been given by coming together and moving forward to secure Florida for the Democrats. With Florida and Michigan a part of the equation that there is no doubt in my mind that we can come together and it is my job now to hit the ground running and help deliver Florida. As a single African American mother, I feel personally about securing a better future for my daughter, and I truly believe Senator Obama will bring the kind of change our country needs.

Barack now needs 42.5 delegates to secure the nomination. We can help him get there by making GOTV calls today to South Dakota and Montana...

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Another Michigan Superdelegate Endorses Obama

The ArchDruid — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:13:11 EDT

Michigan Superdelegate for Obama; Delegate Countdown - 43 To Go

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Monday, June 02, 2008 at 01:15 PM

The AP reports that another Michigan superdelegate is backing Obama...

Michigan Education Association President Lu Battaglieri says he also is endorsing Obama. That gives Obama seven Michigan superdelegates, tying the number rival Hillary Rodham Clinton has in the state.

This brings the number of delegates Obama needs to secure the nomination down to 43...

We're getting close and we can get there with your help. Everyone, we need you to take some time today or tonight to make calls and get out the vote in Montana and South Dakota. Your calls have made a difference in the previous elections, and they will make a difference in tomorrow's elections...

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Brenda Lawrence Michigan Superdelegate Endorses Obama

The ArchDruid — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:10:29 EDT

Michigan Superdelegate for Obama; Delegate Countdown - 43.5 To Go

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Monday, June 02, 2008 at 12:24 PM

The Detroit Free Press reports...

Sen. Barack Obama picked up another superdelegate during his visit today to Troy High School.

Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence, who is a superdelegate because of her role with the National Conference of Mayors, said it's time for the Democratic Party to unite behind Obama.

I was undecided, but he's worked hard to show that he's the best candidate," Lawrence said before Obama arrived at the high school, where 2,000 supporters waited in excited anticipation for the probable Democratic presidential nominee.

Barack is now only 43.5 delegates away from securing the nomination. Let's get him there together -- your voices can make a critical difference in getting out the vote in Montana and South Dakota tomorrow...

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Helping South Dakota Get Out the Vote

The ArchDruid — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:08:22 EDT

Help South Dakota Get Out the Vote

by Zachary Scott Edwards

Monday, June 02, 2008 at 10:52 AM

The intersection of Vote St. and Quest St. goes right through South Dakota

There is only one more day until we vote in South Dakota and the grassroots has mobilized to knock on doors, make the important phone calls, and work to help Get Out the Vote.

If you are in South Dakota, and need to find where to vote tomorrow, click here. You can also call 1-866-675-2008.

This is the crunch time where every minute counts. Our local offices are the best place to go if you want to get involved, but you can also call your nearest office and they can help you find a canvass near you—we need your help today!

KEVN reports...

Obama supporters continue door to door campaign
Volunteers are going door-to-door passing out literature, posting signs, and trying to get the last of the undecided voters on the Illinois Senator's side.
Richard Ptacek says, "There's an opportunity here to clarify some things. I think there are a lot of talking points out there that are not accurate and maybe today when I get out and meet some of these people I can help clarify some of those things or at least get them to look at it a little closer." Richard and his family from Piedmont have decided to spend their Sunday canvassing -- hoping to share with others their belief in Obama's ability to change America. Richard Ptacek says, "A lot of times a families politics do dived families. In our case it brings us together. So we're gonna take the time to go to work together to share our experience, strength and hope with others to."

If you are able, please join us for this extremely important day of reaching out to local voters, talking about Barack, and making sure they know where they are voting on Tuesday. We’ll provide all of the materials to make it easy, make sure you are comfortable and going out with a canvass buddy, and provide food and drinks to enjoy before and after you go out!

We need every voice speaking loud and clear about the importance of tomorrow’s vote in South Dakota—and if you are at home, and ready to make the difference, then please, get started making calls!

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The Half Vote Arrangement

The ArchDruid — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 09:07:38 EDT

Morning Newsby Christopher Hass
Monday, June 02, 2008 at 09:55 AM

From the Wall Street Journal:

Being Proactive Re: the RBC Meeting This Weekend.

The ArchDruid — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:52:41 EDT

On the RBC Meeting: How to Make a Positive Impact this Weekend

by Christopher Hass

Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 06:36 PM

On Saturday, the Rules and Bylaws Committee of the Democratic National Committee will meet in Washington D.C. to determine whether Florida and Michigan delegates should be allowed to participate at the Democratic convention in August. We look forward to the meeting proceeding smoothly—and we're asking that our supporters not demonstrate or disrupt the proceedings in any way.

Instead, we're urging supporters from across the region to make a positive impact this weekend by helping out with voter registration and organizational events taking place on Saturday.

Here are just a few of the many going on in Virginia this weekend:

In Arlington, supporters will meet at the Court House Metro Stop at 10:00 AM on Saturday morning before heading out to register voters throughout the area
Also in Arlington, Spanish speaking volunteers will be manning a nonpartisan voter registration table at the Arlington Mill Community Center, before heading out to register voters at shopping centers, grocery stores, and other high traffic areas in the neighborhood
In Clifton, volunteers will be going door-to-door talk to unregistered voters
In Alexandria, Gloria will be hosting an "Obama Mamas" Women For Obama House Party
In Norfolk, supporters will be canvassing to register new voters and to recruit new volunteers
In Manassass, supporters will be registering new voters throughout Prince William County
In Petersburg, volunteers will be meeting at the public library before heading out to register voters

And in Richmond, Kristen is organizing a series of voter registration events as part of an ambitious, ongoing effort to register 4,000 new voters, with staging locations at:

There are dozens of grassroots events like these taking place across the country this weekend, and there will be many more in the weeks and months to come. You can search for an event in your own community, or sign up and create your own.

As the attention begins to turn towards the general election, there is no better way to make an impact than by registering new voters and bringing more people into this movement. No matter where you are this weekend, you can connect with people in your own community and continue the work of building a true grassroots political machine, one new voter at a time.

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Superdelegate from Guam Announces to Vote for Obama

The ArchDruid — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:23:05 EDT

Guam Superdelegate for Obama; Delegate Countdown - 46 To Go

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 10:27 AMChicago, IL – Guam Senator and Democrat National Committeeman Ben C. Pangelinan endorsed Barack Obama today:

Pangelinan is the 320.5th superdelegate to endorse Obama, who is now 46 delegates away from capturing the Democratic nomination.

Pangelinan said...

I am honored to cast this most crucial and valuable vote to determine the next President of the United States. It is because of the nature of this vote, that I have taken such deliberate and measured consideration before making my decision” stated the Senator and former Speaker of the Guam Legislature.
While both Democratic candidates will be great for America and great for Guam, Senator Obama is my choice. I believe he is the best candidate to deliver on the promise that is America, for all of America.
In speaking to members of both teams, I have come to trust in Senator Obama’s commitment to turning the promises on the issues that are important to the people of Guam, into progress for the people of Guam.

Please help build the momentum and add to our delegate total. Make calls today -- it's the most direct way you can make an impact from your home...

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Meredith Wood Smith Throws Her Support to Obama

The ArchDruid — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:19:35 EDT

Oregon Superdelegate for Obama; Delegate Countdown - 47 To Go

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 09:52 AM

Meredith Wood Smith, Chair of the Oregon Democratic Party, writes in The Oregonian...

Why I've chosen to back Barack Obama

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

F or the first time in 40 years, the Oregon Democratic primary has played a pivotal role in deciding who may be our president. In casting our votes, we Oregonians understood the seriousness of our decision.

As one of the superdelegates to the Democratic convention, I've been especially aware of the importance of my choice. It's a choice that may tip the scales between two extremely well-qualified and able people.

I chose to remain neutral until the Oregon votes were counted. It seemed right not to attempt to influence that vote, to listen to both candidates' messages to Oregon voters and to wait until we knew the pledged delegate count.

I have decided to support Sen. Barack Obama.

Why Obama? Because he received the majority of the votes in the Oregon primary, and he demonstrates the leadership needed to get us out of Iraq, restore our economy, begin the tough job of providing health care for all Americans and, most of all, heal the divisions in our nation. His commitment to grass-roots organizing, similar to Howard Dean's "Fifty State Strategy," will help Democrats win our down-ticket races. His deep understanding of our Constitution ensures that he will appoint judges, to both the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, who will truly defend our constitutional rights and freedoms.

In 1960, I was too young to vote, but I was so inspired by John F. Kennedy that I worked on his campaign and continue to be motivated by his legacy of social and civic responsibility. He is one of the reasons I became chairwoman of Oregon's Democratic Party. I believe that Obama is providing that same inspiration for our next generation of leaders.

Finally, the contrast between Obama and Sen. John McCain could not be clearer. On bringing troops home from Iraq. On commitment to our Constitution. On telling the American people the truth. Obama has the ability to build -- not just talk about -- a governing majority to actually solve the major challenges facing America.

Has this been difficult for me? You bet it has. As a 65-year-old woman, I have a visceral understanding of the fight for gender equality. My deep respect for Sen. Hillary Clinton and what she means to that fight continues and will continue in the years to come. As a senator, an advocate and as a candidate for president, she demonstrates the absolute importance and ability of women to lead. Her strength as a candidate has forever expanded the possibilities for other women. While we have come a long way in securing both gender and racial equality, we still have lots of work to do.

I believe that all of us, from whatever party or political affiliation, should come together to elect Sen. Barack Obama as the next president of the United States.

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Pat Waak Announces Her Support for Obama

The ArchDruid — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:16:07 EDT

Colorado Superdelegate for Obama; Delegate Countdown - 48 To Go

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 09:48 AM

Chicago, IL -- Today, Colorado Democratic Party Chair and superdelegate Pat Waak announced her support for Barack Obama, citing his electability and strong support in Colorado.

Waak said...

Today I am proud to announce my endorsement of Senator Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.
I have maintained my neutrality throughout Colorado’s selection process but feel compelled today to announce my support for several important reasons:
First, as Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, I am influenced by the voters of Colorado who have turned out in historic numbers over the past four months. Senator Obama won the precinct caucuses, county conventions, Congressional District conventions and the Colorado State Democratic Convention with over 60% of the vote and has brought thousands of new voters into the process.
Second, I believe that Sen. Obama and his message of change is what Colorado wants and that he will defeat John McCain in November. In fact, the most recent Rasmussen poll on May 19, 2008 shows a Sen. Obama with a 6-point lead in a head-to-head race and I think that margin will only increase as voters see the clear difference.
Finally, I believe that our country needs the type of visionary, uplifting leadership that Senator Obama has shown during this long campaign. In the state of Colorado his message of hope has attracted young people, new Democrats and Independent voters who will make up a winning coalition this fall.
As state party chair, I will continue to respect all the voters who have made different choices and I will ensure everyone is treated fairly. However, I believe the time has come to step forward and endorse Sen. Obama for president of the United States.

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Obama's Plan for Housing Crisis in North Las Vegas

The ArchDruid — Tue, 27 May 2008 15:45:56 EDT

Obama Outlines Plan to Address Housing Crisis in North Las Vegas

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 12:54 PM

NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV—Senator Barack Obama visited North Las Vegas today for a town hall discussion on protecting homeownership. Joined by about 75 Nevadans affected by the housing crisis, Obama outlined his plan to tackle predatory lending and help Nevada homeowners pay their mortgages and fight foreclosure. Among other steps, Obama has called for penalizing predatory lenders and using those revenues to immediately create a $10 billion Foreclosure Prevention Fund, and giving a tax credit to middle class homeowners that would cover 10 percent of their mortgage interest every year.

Prior to the event, Obama met with Felicitas Rosel and Francisco Cano, two Las Vegas homeowners who are fighting foreclosure as the result of a predatory home loan.

“Because a lender went for the easy buck, they are left struggling with ballooning interest rates and monthly mortgage payments,” Senator Obama said. “Because Washington has failed working people in this country, they are facing foreclosure, and the American Dream they sought for decades risks slipping away…We can’t afford another President who can’t be bothered to stand up for working people. It’s time for change. It’s time that Washington went to work for working people.”

As President, Obama will:

Support the Dodd/Frank proposal to create a new FHA Housing Security Program to provide incentives for lenders to buy or refinance existing mortgages and make them stable 30-year fixed mortgages;

Make an additional $10 billion in bonds available to help middle class families buy their first home or avoid foreclosure;

Give a tax credit to middle class homeowners that would cover 10 percent of the interest on their mortgages every year;

Mandate accurate loan disclosure to ensure consumers fully understand their loan agreements;

Penalize predatory lenders and use those fines to help families stay in their homes;

Eliminate income tax for seniors making less than $50,000 per year;

And implement a “Making Work Pay” tax credit of $1,000 per family or $500 per worker.

A Nevada-specific fact sheet on Senator Obama’s plan to help homeowners is available here.

Continue reading for Senator Obama’s remarks in North Las Vegas follow as prepared for delivery.

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Nancy Drummond for Obama

The ArchDruid — Tue, 27 May 2008 15:43:06 EDT

Wyoming Superdelegate for Obama; Delegate Countdown - 48 To Go

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 12:23 PM

Chicago, IL -- Today, superdelegate and Wyoming Democratic Party Vice Chair Nancy Drummond endorsed Barack Obama for President, citing his advocacy for veterans.

Drummond is the 318.5th superdelegate to endorse Obama, who is now 48 delegates away from capturing the Democratic nomination.

Drummond said...

After much thought and prayer, I feel the time has come for me to endorse a presidential candidate. This isn't a decision I have taken lightly but after listening, watching and reading about both candidates, I feel that Senator Obama is the candidate that can lead this Country in the direction I would like to see us go.
His position on education, his work with senior citizens and his advocacy for union members and veterans make me proud to support Senator Obama.
My husband was a Marine during Vietnam -- he was one of many vets that has VA Benefits. The men and women in the military and their families are giving the ultimate sacrifice now and I support Senator Obama's plan to honor their service by improving their healthcare, taking care of issues related to combat duty and caring for our homeless vets.
We have two incredible candidates and I will support which ever one is our candidate but as I said back in March I wanted to be sure to represent Wyoming well as the Vice Chair of the Wyoming Democratic Party. At both our caucuses and our State Convention, the majority said they want Senator Obama to be our Candidate to run for President. So with that being said, while I certainly respect and admire Senator Clinton's tenacity, I have proudly decided to endorse Senator Barack Obama.

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Colonel Jay Parker in Bozeman, Montana for Obama

The ArchDruid — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:55:48 EDT

Colonel Jay Parker in Bozeman

by Caitlin Harvey

Monday, May 26, 2008 at 01:49 PM

On Friday afternoon, Colonel Jay Parker held a roundtable discussion with a crowd of about 45 Obama supporters and undecided voters about Senator Obama’s veterans affairs and national security policies at our Obama campaign office in downtown Bozeman.

Jay Parker is a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army. Additionally, he was an advisor to the Iraq Study Group, a West Point Instructor, and is a member of Senator Obama’s national security and veterans policy advisory committees.

Following the roundtable, Colonel Parker joined Obama volunteers to make phone calls to undecided voters in the Bozeman area.

Make sure that you vote early!

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Obama Statement Honoring Patriots on Memorial Day

The ArchDruid — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:52:44 EDT

Obama Statement Honoring Memorial Day

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Monday, May 26, 2008 at 01:02 PM

Barack Obama on Memorial Day...

On this Memorial Day, our nation honors the generations of patriots who were willing to give their lives to defend this country. While we may come from different places, cherish different traditions, and have different political beliefs, all Americans hold in reverence those who’ve given this country the full measure of their devotion. They are a shining example of what’s best about America.
Today is also a reminder of our obligation as Americans to serve our fallen heroes as well as they served us; as well as the wounded warriors I’ve had the honor of meeting at Walter Reed have served us; as well as the troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world are serving us. That means giving the same priority to building a 21st century VA as to building a 21st century military. It means having zero tolerance for veterans sleeping on our streets. It means bringing home our POWs and MIAs. And it means treating the graves of veterans like the hallowed ground it is and banning protests near funerals.
So on this day, of all days, let’s memorialize our fallen heroes by honoring all who wear our country’s uniform; and by completing their work to make America more secure and our world more free.

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South Dakota Grassroots Hungry for Change

The ArchDruid — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:49:26 EDT

South Dakota Grassroots Hungry for Change

by Zachary Scott Edwards

Monday, May 26, 2008 at 11:31 AM

Yesterday, in our local offices all across South Dakota, we held barbecues to thank our supporters for everything they have been doing to help get their friends, family, and neighbors out to vote early.

There are only 8 days left before the Primary, and only 7 days left of Early Voting—we need everyone helping to get out the vote! You can sign up online and one of our organizers will help you get involved—even if you've never knocked on a door, or made a get out the vote phone call—we’ll make it easy and fun—and you'll be making a big difference in your community!

Signing up to get out the vote is the best way to help Barack right now. Click here to get involved

We held a barbecue at our state headquarters in Sioux Falls right before kicking off one of our afternoon canvasses. Senator Scott Heidepriem was in attendance and gave a passionate speech about our need to come together as Democrats and work for the change we all want to see in Washington. After his speech, Senator Heidepriem went out to knock on doors and talk about why he thinks Barack should be our next president. In fact, he also signed up for several more shifts this week and continued to stress after his speech that as Democrats, we must meet face to face with our neighbors, and listen to our community at large.

The afternoon really fired everyone up, and especially the work from another Senator who believes in the power of a grassroots campaign. If you haven’t had a chance yet, we encourage you to find your local office and stop by. We also need everyone to start signing up for get out the vote shifts. Join us, and make the difference in your neighborhood.

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Three Hawaii Superdelegates for Obama

The ArchDruid — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:42:33 EDT

Three Hawaii Superdelegates for Obama; Delegate Countdown - 49 To Go

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 11:05 PM

The AP reports that Obama has picked up three superdelegates from Hawaii...

Barack Obama has picked up three superdelegate votes from Hawai’i.
Hawai’i Democrats selected three Obama supporters to fill its remaining superdelegate slots at their state convention Sunday, including the new chair and vice chair of the party.
Chairman Brian Schatz and vice chairwoman Kari Luna say they will support Obama at the national convention. State Democrats chose retired Judge James Burns, also an Obama supporter, as the final superdelegate.
The three Obama supporters are among the state’s nine superdelegates, only two of whom support Obama’s rival Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Among Hawai’i’s pledged delegates, Obama leads Clinton 14-6.

Obama now needs only 49 delegates for a majority! Let's keep growing the movement... Make calls tomorrow and make a difference in this campaign.

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Montanna Volunteer for Obama

The ArchDruid — Mon, 26 May 2008 09:46:56 EDT

Montana Volunteer Spotlight: Vicki in Great Falls

by Caitlin Harvey

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 07:35 PM

Vicki, a former teacher from Great Falls, is a lifelong Republican who is supporting Barack for President. She admires Barack becase she says, "he's a thinking person," and she and her husband, a retired officer in the military, both voted for Barack by absentee ballot.

Vicki has canvassed her neighborhood, and stops by our Great Falls office on a regular basis to make phone calls to undecided voters. When she talks to someone who says they're a Republican, she replies, "well I'm a Republican too, but I'm supporting Barack because he's the most qualified candidate." She also passes out "Republicans for Obama" buttons around her neighborhood."

Vicki supplies gifts for veterans and says, "I support the veterans and the troops." She is opposed to the war in Iraq and is glad that "Barack had the judgment to speak out against it."

Vicki was one of the ten winners of the "Montana Change Challenge," and after knocking on over 100 doors last Saturday, she was able to meet Barack after his rally in Bozeman. She said that the event in Bozeman was "electrifying," and that Barack's charisma "reminds me of JFK. I like how he attracts the youth to vote."

Vicki is encouraging everyone she speaks with to vote early, and so can you! Visit your local office today and get involved!1157 Comment(s)Permalink Email to a friendShare: Digg Facebook Newsvine Stumble del.icio.us

Obama's Commencement Speech at Wesleyan

The ArchDruid — Mon, 26 May 2008 09:44:03 EDT

Senator Obama Addresses Wesleyan University Graduates

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 12:50 PM

Pinch hitting for Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator Obama delivered the commencement address at Wesleyan University today.

Obama encouraged graduates to take after the example of Senator Kennedy and his brothers, commit to the service of others, and work towards a more just society...

I was born the year that his brother John called a generation of Americans to ask their country what they could do. And I came of age at a time when they did it. They were the Peace Corps volunteers who won a generation of goodwill toward America at a time when America’s ideals were challenged. They were the teenagers and college students, not much older than you, who watched the Civil Rights Movement unfold on their television sets; who saw the dogs and the fire hoses and the footage of marchers beaten within an inch or their lives; who knew it was probably smarter and safer to stay at home, but still decided to take those Freedom Rides down south – who still decided to march. And because they did, they changed the world.
I bring this up because today, you are about to enter a world that makes it easy to get caught up in the notion that there are actually two different stories at work in our lives.
The first is the story of our everyday cares and concerns – the responsibilities we have to our jobs and our families – the bustle and busyness of what happens in our own life. And the second is the story of what happens in the life of our country – of what happens in the wider world. It’s the story you see when you catch a glimpse of the day’s headlines or turn on the news at night – a story of big challenges like war and recession; hunger and climate change; injustice and inequality. It’s a story that can sometimes seem distant and separate from our own – a destiny to be shaped by forces beyond our control.
And yet, the history of this nation tells us this isn’t so. It tells us that we are a people whose destiny has never been written for us, but by us – by generations of men and women, young and old, who have always believed that their story and the American story are not separate, but shared. And for more than two centuries, they have served this country in ways that have forever enriched both.
I say this to you as someone who couldn’t be standing here today if not for the service of others, and wouldn’t be standing here today if not for the purpose that service gave my own life.

If you're inspired by Senator Obama's call to action, sign up today to volunteer and play a direct role in this movement for change.

Continue reading for the full remarks...

Hillary Clinton Raising the Spectre of the Unspeakable

The ArchDruid — Sat, 24 May 2008 11:07:04 EDT

Essay Hillary Clinton Raises the Specter of the Unspeakable

Video Clinton Makes RFK Assassination RemarkSen. Hillary Rodham Clinton quickly apologized after citing the June 1968 assassination of Robert F. Kennedy as a reason to remain in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination despite increasingly long odds.» LAUNCH VIDEO PLAYER

Smart candidates don't invoke the possibility of their opponents being killed. This seems so obvious it shouldn't need to be said, but apparently, it needs to be said.

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"We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California," Hillary Clinton said yesterday, referencing the fact that past nomination contests have stretched into June to explain why she hasn't heeded calls to exit the Democratic race. She was in an editorial board meeting with a South Dakota newspaper, and she didn't even seem to notice she'd just uttered the unutterable.

The nation's political science students, our future strategists and campaign managers, would do well to pay attention to this moment. There are taboos in presidential politics, and this is one of the biggest. To raise the specter of a rival's assassination, even unintentionally, is to make a truly terrible thing real. It sounds like one might be waiting for a terrible thing to happen, even if one isn't. It sounds almost like wishful thinking.

If there were any doubt about the taboo nature of discussing such a thing, witness the reaction Barack Obama's campaign put out, which carefully avoided any repetition of what Clinton had actually said. To repeat it would be to repeat the possibility of the terrible thing.

"Senator Clinton's statement before the Argus Leader editorial board was unfortunate and has no place in this campaign," spokesman Bill Burton e-mailed. (A reporter checking his BlackBerry after an overlong smoke break would have no inkling of what was so unfortunate.)

Clinton issued a statement apologizing "if" she'd been in "any way offensive," and a spokesman tried to clarify what she meant.

"She was talking about the length of the race and using the '68 election as an example of how long the races in the past have gone," Howard Wolfson said, missing the point. What she meant was: We can wait a little longer to know who the Democratic nominee is. What she said was: assassinated.

In fact, she had used similar, more carefully phrased language back in March, in a Time magazine interview: "Primary contests used to last a lot longer. We all remember the great tragedy of Bobby Kennedy being assassinated in June in L.A. My husband didn't wrap up the nomination in 1992 until June. Having a primary contest go through June is nothing particularly unusual."

The fear of a president or a presidential candidate being shot or assassinated is horrifying precisely because recent history teaches us that it can happen. We don't need anybody to remind us, and we certainly don't need anybody to remind whatever suggestible wackos might be lurking in the shadows.

In the context of Obama, Clinton's words broke a double taboo, because since the beginning of his candidacy, some of Obama's supporters have feared that his race made him more of a target than other presidential hopefuls. Obama was placed under Secret Service protection early, a full year ago. To be unaware that one's words tap into a monumental fear that exists in a portion of the electorate -- a fear that Obama's race could get him killed -- is an unusual mistake for a serious and highly disciplined presidential candidate.

It's surprising, too, because something very similar just happened last week, when Mike Huckabee made a joke at an NRA convention about somebody aiming a gun at Obama. He later apologized and called his remarks "offensive." He also could have called them "instructive" for any politician paying attention.

If they didn't already know.

Vote for Change: Stories from the Weekend

The ArchDruid — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:19:04 EDT

Vote For Change: Stories from Last Weekend

by HQ Update

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 10:24 PM

This past weekend, Barack Obama supporters continued the work of registering voters as part of Vote for Change, a nationwide voter registration drive that will last through the November 4th general election.

On Saturday, Angelica set up a booth at the Asian Heritage Street Fair in San Francisco. "The highlight was the great number of volunteers of diverse backgrounds who came out to share their enthusiasm," Angelica said. "I really thought it was important for our campaign to be out in full force to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with the Bay Area."

One experience particularly stuck with Angelica:

Larry and Sumie have been eligible to vote for some 40 years, but Larry told me that he's never felt like it was important until now. 'The reason is because of Senator Obama,' he told me. Larry is from Hawaii and truly believes that Barack is a once-in-a-lifetime leader. He signed up to volunteer, and after we spoke, he came back to the booth later in the day to tell me that he was sending more people our way.

At the Pennington Day Community Celebration in Pennington, NJ, volunteers handed out about a dozen forms -- and perhaps more impressively, signed up seventy new volunteers. Catherine, one of the volunteers, recounted her experience.

Making eye contact, smiling, saying hello, being enthusiastic, and offering people campaign "button" stickers were all we needed to do to get people to come up to our table, engage in conversation, and sign up to help out with the campaign. We offered stickers to everyone interested, regardless of age. If a family came up, all members went away with stickers. One mother told me that her young daughter became an Obama supporter when she heard that he reads to his daughters. A few stickers ended up adorning the foreheads of family dogs that had been brought along for the dog show.
A number of Obama supporters thanked us for being there. And even a few people whose demeanor clearly indicated that they weren't supporters nonetheless cracked a smile.

Ed joined three other volunteers at the Lilac Festival in Rochester, New York. Despite torrential rain that cut the registration event to under two hours, the team of four still found success:

I was able to have some interesting dialogue with individuals who were not registered and not interested in voting. I found some success in explaining to them that they did not have to vote if they registered. Being registered would just allow them the opportunity to vote should they want the option at some future date. We received a great many "thank you's," both from registered and unregistered voters.
All in all, I think it was a rewarding experience for those who participated. I have set up another Voter Registration Event for next weekend at our town's Memorial Day Services.
The final results from the festival: 44 new voter registrations and 25 people who took forms for a family member or friend who needed to register.

Lisa set up at the Farmer's Market in Hercules, CA. She found that organizing the event was easier, more rewarding, and even more fruitful than expected:

When we had more volunteers than people who were being registered, a few went off to a local Starbucks and came back with the registration cards. I learned that The Farmer's Market was a better venue than I had even anticipated. It was a severely hot day, but we still did well in registering people (double what we registered at our assigned spot on the kickoff weekend). We're hoping to build off this success and even have a table at our big 4th of July event here.

Join this nationwide grassroots movement for change. Find a voter registration event near you, orcreate your own.

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Women's Luncheon for Obama in Montana

The ArchDruid — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:03:05 EDT

Women for Obama Election Day in Billings

by Caitlin Harvey

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 06:51 PM

Today, our Women for Obama group in Billings, Montana is hosting a "Women for Obama Election Day." Women of all ages and from all parts of Yellowstone County were invited to participate in one of two events held at the Billings Obama for America HQ and were encouraged to use this opportunity to cast their early votes for Senator Obama at the Yellowstone County Courthouse around the corner.

A group of about 20 women gathered at 7:30 a.m. to kick off the day with a Women's Breakfast, complete with yogurt, fresh fruit, and discussion. Field Organizer Lauren Dula spoke briefly about the dilemma many women have in choosing between Senator Obama and Senator Clinton, and encouraged all women to use this opportunity to learn what can be achieved through action and community organizing. Various issues of concern to women were discussed, from health care to energy concerns, and all were encouraged to vote early throughout the day.

Anna and Ashley are Billings residents and volunteers who were heading to the Courthouse following the Breakfast to cast their ballots for Senator Obama.

Tonight at 6:00 p.m., our Women for Obama group in Billings will host a Women's Tea and Reception in the headquarters to celebrate their early votes, network, and enjoy speakers and a raffle for various prizes, including Women for Obama T-shirts, a "Dreams From My Father" audio book, and framed HOPE posters.

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Vote for Change for First-Timers

The ArchDruid — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:00:13 EDT

Vote for Change: First Timers Join the Movement

by HQ Blog Update

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 04:59 PM

Nearly two weeks after the launch of our nation-wide voter registration effort, Vote for Change, the movement continues to grow. More supporters are holding their own voter registration drives, often for the first time, staying true to the grassroots message of the campaign.

William has been actively involved in the campaign since Senator Obama gave his “More Perfect Union” speech:

I will always remember where I was and what I was doing when I saw the speech. I knew that if I was not a part of this campaign, I would regret it for the rest of my life. Less than two weeks later, I was in Pennsylvania committing seven days a week to the campaign.

Since Pennsylvania, William has traveled to an additional three states. However, tomorrow will be William's first voter registration drive for the campaign. He and other supporters in Columbia, MO, will be meeting at Coffee Zone and then going out into the community to register voters and help build the movement for change.

Keith is another long time volunteer who will be hosting his first voter registration drive this week. He says:

I got involved in the campaign right after Barack officially announced, in February of 2007. I joined Alexandria4Obama, which was four people in a Starbucks. We now have over 270 members … All of us are grassroots volunteers who have never worked on a campaign before.

While some of the group members have registered voters before, Monday will be the first voter registration drive held by Alexandria4Obama. They will be enjoying the music at the Ft. Ward Jazz Festival that afternoon while making sure that the people of Alexandria are registered to vote.

You can join William or Keith at their voter registration drives, search for events in your own community or even hold your own voter registration drive by signing up online.

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Wayne Dowdy, Mississippi Dem Party Chair Endorses Obama

The ArchDruid — Thu, 22 May 2008 07:57:12 EDT

Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Endorses Obama; Delegate Countdown - 61 To Go

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 03:54 PM

Chicago, IL – Today, Mississippi Democratic Party Chair, Superdelegate and former United States Congressman Wayne Dowdy endorsed Barack Obama.

Dowdy is the 308.5th superdelegate to endorse Obama. Obama is now 61 delegates away from securing the nomination, and has won a majority of the pledged delegates.

Dowdy said...

We have two very talented candidates running for the Democratic nomination, but it’s clear to me that now is the time for our party to unite behind Barack Obama and build a strong, winning campaign to beat John McCain in the fall. Obama has shown he has the strength, skills and the leadership to be our Democratic nominee and take on the failed policies of the last eight years. John McCain has proven that on many issues, including continuing the war in Iraq and promoting the failed economic policies of the last eight years, a John McCain presidency will only be a continuation of the failed policies of the Bush presidency. It’s time for a change in leadership, and only Barack Obama can bring the kind of change we can believe in. He won our state of Mississippi decisively on March 11th, and I’m proud to support him today.

Senator Obama now only needs 61 delegates for a majority... Please make a donation and help take this movement to the next level -- as the campaign progresses, your contributions are more valuable than ever.

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Rep Joe Courtney Will Vote for Obama

The ArchDruid — Thu, 22 May 2008 07:52:19 EDT

Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) Endorses Barack Obama; Delegate Countdown - 62 To Go

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 10:23 AM

The Hartford Courant reports that Rep. Joe Courtney has endorsed Barack Obama...

Though he had said he was going to wait until the last of the primaries was over, Rep. Joe Courtney decided to instead make his pick for a Democratic candidate clear this morning, chosing Sen. Barack Obama.
Courtney's was the only district in Connecticut that was won -- in a narrow margin -- by Sen. Hillary Clinton. So, unlike the rest of the state's congressional delegation, he had held out on a presidential endorsement, leaving himself among the last remaining superdelegates.
His choice this morning, which spokesman Brian Farber said he had come to within the last two days, as Kentucky and Oregon decided their primaries, leaves only one Connecticut superdelegate undecided: Nancy DiNardo, chairwoman of the state Democratic Party.
Courtney makes his pick as Obama is significantly ahead in the delegate count and the Democratic National Convention is just three months away.

Senator Obama is now only 62 delegates away from securing the nomination!

Senator Obama's Remarks in Des Moines Iowa

The ArchDruid — Thu, 22 May 2008 07:47:44 EDT

Senator Obama's Remarks from Des Moines, Iowa

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 10:33 PM

Senator Obama delivered these remarks (as prepared) from Des Moines, Iowa...

You know, there is a spirit that brought us here tonight – a spirit of change, and hope, and possibility. And there are few people in this country who embody that spirit more than our friend and our champion, Senator Edward Kennedy. He has spent his life in service to this country not for the sake of glory or recognition, but because he cares – deeply, in his gut – about the causes of justice, and equality, and opportunity. So many of us here have benefited in some way or another because of the battles he’s waged, and some of us are here because of them.
We know he is not well right now, but we also know that he’s a fighter. And as he takes on this fight, let us lift his spirits tonight by letting Ted Kennedy know that we are thinking of him, that we are praying for him, that we are standing with him, and that we will be fighting with him every step of the way.
Fifteen months ago, in the depths of winter, it was in this great state where we took the first steps of an unlikely journey to change America.
The skeptics predicted we wouldn’t get very far. The cynics dismissed us as a lot of hype and a little too much hope. And by the fall, the pundits in Washington had all but counted us out.
But the people of Iowa had a different idea.
From the very beginning, you knew that this journey wasn’t about me or any of the other candidates in this race. It’s about whether this country – at this defining moment – will continue down the same road that has failed us for so long, or whether we will seize this opportunity to take a different path – to forge a different future for the country we love.
That is the question that sent thousands upon thousands of you to high school gyms and VFW halls; to backyards and front porches; to steak fries and JJ dinners, where you spoke about what that future would look like.
You spoke of an America where working families don’t have to file for bankruptcy just because a child gets sick; where they don’t lose their home because some predatory lender tricks them out of it; where they don’t have to sit on the sidelines of the global economy because they couldn’t afford the cost of a college education. You spoke of an America where our parents and grandparents don’t spend their retirement in poverty because some CEO dumped their pension – an America where we don’t just value wealth, but the work and the workers who create it.
You spoke of an America where we don’t send our sons and daughters on tour after tour of duty to a war that has cost us thousands of lives and billions of dollars but has not made us safer. You spoke of an America where we match the might of our military with the strength of our diplomacy and the power of our ideals – a nation that is still the beacon of all that is good and all that is possible for humankind.
You spoke of a future where the politics we have in Washington finally reflect the values we hold as Americans – the values you live by here in Iowa: common sense and honesty; generosity and compassion; decency and responsibility. These values don’t belong to one class or one region or even one party – they are the values that bind us together as one country.
continue reading . . .

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Obama Wins Oregon

The ArchDruid — Thu, 22 May 2008 07:45:06 EDT

Obama Wins Oregon!

by Christopher Hass

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 11:01 PM

MSNBC is now projecting that Barack Obama will win the Oregon primary. We've now won 33 of 50 contests, and as of tonight we have an absolute majority of all the delegates chosen by the people in this Democratic primary process. Over the past fifteen months, we've seen an incredible groundswell of grassroots support across Oregon and across all of America. Never was that support more evident than last Sunday in Portland, where over 75,000 people gathered to stand for change:

As Barack said earlier tonight, we still have work to do and challenges ahead. But tonight, recognize that we have now gone farther than anyone predicted, expected, or ever believed possible.

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Congressman Pete Stark Endorses Obama

The ArchDruid — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:20:27 EDT

Congressman Pete Stark endorses Obama; Delegate Countdown - 120.5 To Go

by Sam Graham-Felsen Friday, May 16, 2008 at 10:24 AM

Chicago, IL –Today, United States Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) endorsed Barack Obama.

Congressman Stark said, “Senator Barack Obama has captured the imagination of Americans in a way we’ve not seen for decades. He’s inspired millions of young people to register to vote and join the ranks of our Democratic Party, he’s consistently opposed the war, he advocates universal health care, and he delivers a message that transcends party politics at the same time.

“I have the greatest respect for Senator Clinton and for her many years of service, but I believe the time has come to unify our party. The outcome we need in November is a Democratic President. To achieve that, we must turn our focus squarely on Senator McCain and his quest to continue another four years of the failed Bush agenda.

“Barack Obama is the person we need as the next President of the United States of America. I’m excited to help him achieve that goal.”

Senator Obama said, “Congressman Pete Stark has been a powerful voice for the people of California for decades, and I am proud to accept his support today. He and I share a common goal of making universal health care a reality so every man, woman and child in this country has affordable, quality health care coverage they can count on. He has spoken out powerfully on the issues that matter in the lives of working families, like ending the war in Iraq, advocating for all of our children and protecting social security for our seniors. I look forward to working with Congressman Stark to continue to bring the kind of change that matters to working families – in California and across the country.”

Senator Obama is now 120.5 delegates away from securing the nomination. Let's help him get there -- make calls to Oregon and Kentucky today!

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Kentucky Lexington Herald-Leader Editorial Supports Obama

The ArchDruid — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:16:56 EDT

Kentucky Lexington Herald-Leader Endorses Barack Obama

by Christopher Hass

Friday, May 16, 2008 at 03:28 PM

Today, the Lexington Herald-Leader formally endorsed Barack in advance of Kentucky's Democratic primary:

... Before Kentuckians go to the polls Tuesday in one of the last primaries, let's just pause to savor this moment in history: For the first time in 232 years of nationhood, an African-American or a woman will lead a presidential ticket.

That alone makes this election a hopeful turning point.

The opportunity for national renewal will be even greater if, as appears almost certain, Sen. Barack Obama is the nominee.
... while Clinton is an adept practitioner of politics as we know it, Obama is offering something new. He makes a convincing case that he can lead this country without sowing fear and dividing people, the cynical ploys of a political era that has run out of steam.

Obama has given voice to a widespread yearning not just for a changing of the guard but for a changing of the game. And that ability to express a people's aspirations is a mark of leadership.

Like President John F. Kennedy, another senator who electrified young people, Obama also has the substance to transform idealism into action.
... Obama is uniquely suited to lay out the challenges, reignite this country's can-do spirit and lead us into a better future.

See the list of over 100 newspapers that have endorsed Barack Obama . . .

Fairs, Festivals, and Fun Fests as Vehicles for Change

The ArchDruid — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:10:26 EDT

Vote for Change: Fairs, Festivals, Fun Fests

By HQ Update

- May 16th, 2008 at 4:56 pm EDT Comments | Mail to a Friend | Report Objectionable Content

Tomorrow, local volunteers will help to register voters at fairs, festivals, and fun fests as part of our national voter registration drive, Vote for Change.

Liz will register voters at Pennington Day, the annual street fair in downtown Pennington, NJ. She posted the event on my.barackobama.com a few days ago, and already has more volunteers than chairs at the booth. Liz is extremely excited to observe and be a part of a fundamental change in the political landscape of her hometown. As Liz explains:

Hopewell Valley, where Pennington is located, is a beautiful part of New Jersey. There's still lots of farmland there, and a feeling of an old fashioned small town. It used to be heavily Republican, but sentiments have changed due to the war in Iraq and the faltering economy. Obama carried both Pennington and Hopewell by big margins in the Feb. 5 primary, and we're optimistic that Obama will win big here in November as well... especially with all the new voters we'll be registering on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ed, a retired teacher, has organized a small group of volunteers who will comb for voters at the Lilac Festival in Rochester, NY. Like so many volunteers, Ed has been inspired by Obama's grassroots campaign.

Knowing little or nothing of Barack Obama and never having been active with any campaign, I picked up a copy Dreams of My Father. I was immediately intrigued by this man and his personal story.
I went to his website and found a semi-local group that was organized and campaigning for the NY primaries. I made a few calls with the group and decided I could do the same thing in my own county. When the NY primaries were over I knew I needed to continue doing something to promote Obama.

Last weekend I was involved in a voter registration kick-off event in Rochester, NY. The next step will be to set-up a few weekends in my own county and see what we can accomplish between now and the November elections.

Robyn, a grassroots supporter in Florida, is quick to point out that you don't need to wait for a large local gathering to register voters. Robyn will be registering voters tomorrow at the Foster Park Fun Fest in Hallandale. But she's also planning a "Barack The Vote Beach Drive" in June. "We have found that our beaches are a gold mine for younger voters," Robyn said.

Get involved. Find an event in your community. And if you'd don't find one, you can take initiative and create your own.

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Presidential Leadership for Rural Communities

The ArchDruid — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:09:25 EDT

Barack in Watertown: Real Leadership for Rural Communities

by Zachary Scott Edwards

Friday, May 16, 2008 at 02:27 PM

This morning in Watertown, South Dakota, Barack hosted a town hall forum with a packed crowd and discussed his plan to provide real leadership to rural communities. As a Senator from a rural, Midwestern state, Barack has worked to ensure rural America’s prosperity and vitality, and he will continue to do so as our next president.

The town hall meeting this morning was another opportunity where Barack was able to speak face to face with farmers and ranchers to make sure that his policy proposals meshed with the problems rural communities face every day.

In a conference call on Monday, “Dallas Tonsager and Dennis Wiese, both former presidents of the South Dakota Farmers Union, said Obama was the best choice for South Dakota farmers and ranchers. Wiese said he was impressed that Obama based his rural agenda on personal meetings with farmers and ranchers, rather than Washington lobbyists.”

Barack has been reaching out for years to listen and respond to rural communities needs. As president he will:

• Ensure Economic Opportunity for Family Farmers and Ranchers
• Promote Rural America’s Leadership in Developing Renewable Energy
• Support Rural Economic Development
• Improve Rural Quality of Life
• Protect the Rights of Sportsmen

To read more about Barack’s plan to provide Real Leadership for Rural South Dakota, click here.

If you are in the Sioux Falls area, don’t forget about Barack’s One-Stop Early Voting rally tonight with special guests Senator George McGovern and Senator Tom Daschle! Click here for more details.

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Congressman McDermott Endorses Obama

The ArchDruid — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:21:30 EDT

Rep. Jim McDermott Endorses Obama; Delegate Countdown - 132.5 To Go

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 12:00 PM

The Seattle Post Intelligencer reports...

Rep. Jim McDermott on Thursday became the fourth U.S. House member from Washington to endorse Barack Obama for president.
The Seattle Congressman told the P-I's Joel Connelly that Obama is his pick because "I am confident as president he will end the war in Iraq and bring our sons and daughters home."
McDermott has represented Seattle for 19 years and is one of the more liberal voices in the Democrats' 235-member House caucus. He is the last House member from this state to declare his support for a presidential candidate.
McDermott joins at least four other Washington "superdelegates" who have endorsed Obama in the race for the Democratic nomination: Gov. Chris Gregoire; Reps. Rick Larsen, Adam Smith and Brian Baird; and Pat Notter, a member of the Democratic National Committee.

Please make calls to Oregon and Kentucky today and help us build our lead in delegates. Obama only needs 132.5 to go for the nomination and your voice can make an impact in reaching this goal.

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From the New York Times, May 15, 2008

The ArchDruid — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:17:10 EDT

From the New York Times:

"There is one man who knows in his heart that it is time to create one America — not two — and that man is Barack Obama," Mr. Edwards said at an event that resembled the closing night of a party convention, with the two men standing arm in arm and waving as the crowd chanted "Yes we can!"

Mr. Edwards, a former senator from North Carolina who dropped his bid for the nomination in January, said Mr. Obama represented hope and reconciliation to a nation buffeted by war and economic distress.

.... Mr. Edwards spent several minutes praising Mrs. Clinton ... He called her a capable senator and a stalwart campaigner who deserved respect for tenacity and service. "We are a stronger party because Hillary Clinton is a Democrat, we are a stronger country because of her years of public service, and we're going to have a stronger presidential nominee in the fall because of her work."

His endorsement went on to be as much about Mr. Obama as it was a populist cry for universal health care, ending poverty, better schools and an end to the war in Iraq. But the drama and excitement of the moment was reserved for Mr. Obama, with Mr. Edwards's endorsement meant to send a sharp and clear signal that the long race is nearly over.

United SteelWorkers Endorse Obama

The ArchDruid — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:13:37 EDT

United Steelworkers Endorse Barack Obama for President

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 10:42 AM

The United Steelworkers have endorsed Barack Obama for president. Here is their statement...

When the presidential primary contests began last year, our Union felt strongly that because of Senator John Edwards’s deep commitment to working people and because of our shared beliefs, he deserved our strong endorsement. His belief that unfair trade policies must be changed, his commitment to pass the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) to restore workers’ rights to freely choose workplace representation, and his proposal for universal health care were widely shared by our members.
Today, by virtue of a unanimous vote of our International Executive Board, we find ourselves once again in agreement with Senator Edwards, this time with his decision last evening to endorse Senator Barack Obama. And thus today, the United Steelworkers enthusiastically endorses Senator Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States.
Senator Obama’s call for a significant change of direction amounts to far more than a compelling rallying cry. It is buttressed by his record of consistent support for workers, by his call for sweeping changes to our health care system, by his unflinching support for Employee Free Choice, and by his insistence that America’s trade policies must, first and foremost, serve the interests of America’s working families.
Senator Obama has shown his commitment to working families by proposing significant investments in the future of American manufacturing, in the revitalization of our nation’s infrastructure, and in 21st century clean energy technologies that will lead to significant growth in domestic jobs. He is clearly the candidate who can best lead our nation out of the dark period of economic decline created by the Bush administration’s allegiance to Wall Street profiteering at the expense of worker prosperity.
We share Senator Obama’s call for significant changes to these bankrupt policies, just as we earlier shared Senator Edwards’ And all of us, including we hope Senator Clinton for whom we have the utmost respect, must now do everything we can to ensure that Barack Obama is the next President of the United States. Now is the time for contention and division to cease, and for us to unite behind the changes for which Senator Obama and our members are calling.
America’s workers cannot afford another four years of rehashed Bush administration policies, another four years in which the National Labor Relations Board shills for corporate misconduct, or another four years of a Secretary of the Treasury who considers it his “job” to bail out Wall Street speculators at the expense of hard working families loosing their homes.
Nor can those of us who are committed to changing the direction of the country afford any more racial profiling of an election, when either Democratic candidate would be far superior to Senator McCain’s lock-step commitment to four more years of the broken Bush economy and the broken Bush foreign policies.
We are proud and honored to join Senator Edwards in endorsing Senator Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States. We commit ourselves to working tirelessly for his election and for a new age of cooperation among Democrats, Independents and thoughtful Republicans alike in which working Americans are restored to a place of dignity in society and in the American economy.

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John Edwards Endorses Barack Obama

The ArchDruid — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:53:12 EDT

John Edwards Endorses Barack Obama for President

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 06:34 PM

Big news from Grand Rapids, Michigan... John Edwards has endorsed Barack Obama for President.

Watch the rally in Michigan LIVE at CNN.com/video now...

We'll have more on this critical endorsement soon.

In the meantime, please make some calls to Oregon and Kentucky -- we need everyone to get involved and help increase our delegate total. We only need 25 more pledged delegates for a majority of pledged delegates and your voice can make a critical difference in the elections next Tuesday... Yes We Can!

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Obama Speaks on the Economy in Missouri

The ArchDruid — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:43:50 EDT

Obama Speaks on the Economy in Cape Girareau, Missouri

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 06:27 PM

Barack Obama just delivered these remarks (as prepared) in Cape Girareau, Missouri. He was introduced by Senator Claire McCaskill...

It’s great to be here in Missouri with my good friend Claire McCaskill. This is a state that voted for change when you sent Claire to the Senate in 2006; you voted for change in February when we surprised the pundits and pulled out a victory; and this is a state where we will compete to win when I am the Democratic nominee for President.

There is a lot of talk these days about how the Democratic Party is divided. But I’m not worried, because I know that we’ll be able to come together quickly behind a common purpose. There’s too much that unites us as Democrats. There’s too much at stake for our country. And there will be a clear choice on November 4.

Now there’s one thing we know for sure about this election. The name George Bush will not be on the ballot. The name of my cousin Dick Cheney will not be on the ballot. But while the Bush-Cheney ticket won’t be up for reelection, the Bush-Cheney policies will, because John McCain is running for four more years of the same approach that has failed the American people.

There is a reason that a record number of Americans think that we’re on the wrong track. We’ve lost hundreds of thousands of jobs just this year. The cost of everything from health care, to a tank of gas, to college tuition has skyrocketed while wages have stayed stagnant. Millions of American families are facing foreclosure. We’re spending tens of billions of dollars fighting a war that should’ve never been authorized and never been waged.

Meanwhile, Americans have lost faith that Washington can or will do anything about problems they face day in and day out. Because the troubling statistics only begin to tell a story found in communities and at kitchen tables across the country. It’s a story of empty factories shut down forever because the jobs have been shipped overseas and nothing took their place. It’s the story told by a mother who can’t sleep because she can’t afford health care for her sick child; a father who lost his job but can’t afford a tank of gas so that he can look for a new one; a family that doesn’t know where they’ll be living in a month or a year because they’re about to lose a home.

It’s a story of an American Dream that is slipping away. And what the American people need at this defining moment is leadership that restores the fundamental American belief that you can make it if you try in this country – that your dreams matter more than the demands of special interests or the convenience of political posturing. That’s why I’m running for President. That’s why we’ll be united as Democrats. Because Washington has failed the American people, and this election is our chance to turn the page.

John McCain has served his country with honor, and I respect that service. But for two decades, he has supported policies that have shifted the burden on to working people. And his only answer to the problems created by George Bush’s policies is to give them another four years to fail. Just look at where he stands and you’ll see that a vote for John McCain is a vote for George Bush’s third term.

Four more years of George Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans who don’t need them and didn’t ask for them.

Four more years of a health care plan that works for the healthy and the wealthy while tens of millions go without care, and families struggle with rising costs.

Four more years of a President who supports privatizing Social Security.

Four more years of a war that has cost us thousands of lives and a trillion dollars without making us safer, while we run up a mountain of debt that is mortgaging our children’s future.

Four more years of a White House that is run by the kind of lobbyists who run John McCain’s campaign, while Washington tells the American people – “you’re on your own.”

Well we know that the American people cannot afford any more of the Bush-McCain program. Not this time. Not when the stakes are so high. Not when the opportunities are so great. We need a new direction in Washington. We need new leadership in the White House.

We know that government cannot solve all of our problems, and we don’t expect it to. We don’t want our tax dollars wasted on programs that don’t work or perks for special interests that don’t work for us. We understand that we cannot stop every job from going overseas or build a wall around our economy, and we know we shouldn’t.

But that is not an excuse to spend another four years doing nothing to reclaim the American Dream for working people. We’re the nation that built the largest middle class in history. We all have a stake in each other’s success. We can’t continue an economic program that rewards Wall Street at the expense of Main Street because then we all end up hurting. It’s time to end a failed approach that tries to build prosperity from the top down, and renew our common prosperity from the bottom up.

Instead of a tax code that rewards wealth and not work, we’ll provide an income tax cut of up to $1,000 for a working family, and eliminate income taxes altogether for any retiree making less than $50,000 per year.

Instead of more inaction on health care, we’ll finally bring this country together, stand up to the drug companies and insurance companies, and make health care affordable and accessible for every single American.

Instead of putting a secure retirement at risk, we’ll safeguard Social Security, we’ll protect pensions instead of CEO bonuses, and we’ll help all Americans save more so they can have a retirement that is dignified and secure.

Instead of gimmicks like a gas tax holiday that rewards the oil companies while doing nothing to lower gas prices in the long-term, we’ll raise fuel efficiency standards, invest in alternative energy, and create millions of Green Jobs that will free this country from our addiction to oil.

Instead of a blank check to fight an endless war in Iraq, we can end this war, restore our military, finish the fight against al Qaeada, and invest some of those dollars to put millions of Americans to work rebuilding our roads and bridges, laying down new rail lines and new broadband, and making sure that all of America can compete and win in the 21st century.

That’s the new direction we need in this country. The other party has already decided to run on the failed policies of the past; that’s why we need to be the party that stands for the future. Everywhere I go, I meet Americans who can't wait another day for change. Change that refuses to let lobbyists drown out the voices of the American people.. Change that puts folks back to work. Change that finally delivers on the promise of health care you can afford, and an energy policy that makes sense. Change that leaves behind partisanship that stands in the way of progress, because we’re all in this together as Americans.

This is our chance to build a new majority of Democrats and Independents and Republicans who know that four more years of George Bush just won’t do. This is our moment to turn the page on the divisions and distractions that pass for politics in Washington, so that we can write the next chapter in the history of American prosperity for all Americans.

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Anita Bonds DC Superdelegate Endorses Obama

The ArchDruid — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:32:21 EDT

DC Superdelegate for Obama; Delegate Countdown - 147 To Go

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 11:02 AM

The Washington Post reports that superdelegate Anita Bonds, chair of the DC Democratic Party, is throwing her support behind Barack Obama.

Bonds, who has attended events for both Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Obama during the campaign, said, "You try to exercise your best judgment....We want to go to the convention as unified as we can."
"I am with the mayor. I'm with the chairman," she said, referring to Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D). Both Gray and Fenty are Obama supporters.

Senator Obama now needs only 147 delegates to secure the nomination.

Please help us build momentum and gain more delegates... Make some calls now to West Virginia and get out the vote. Obama only needs 33 more pledged delegates for a majority of pledged delegates, and you can help us move closer to that goal. This is a race for delegates, and every delegate counts!

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Mayor Nagin of New Orleans Endorses Obama

The ArchDruid — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:29:59 EDT

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin Endorses Barack Obama; Delegate Countdown - 148 To Go

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 10:00 AM

CHICAGO, IL – Today, New Orleans Mayor and Superdelegate Ray Nagin endorsed Barack Obama for President, citing Obama’s advocacy for the people of Louisiana and working men and women across the country:

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Senator Obama worked to help address the needs of our Gulf Coast communities. As the Gulf Coast continues to rebuild, other cities have faced tragic disasters across this country. Therefore, it is critical that this country's infrastructure and emergency response systems are evaluated and rebuilt to sustain our cities and protect our families. What happened in Louisiana should never happen again.
I have learned firsthand that a unified constituency can make what seems impossible, possible. Senator Obama represents a new generation of leadership, one that can help heal the divisions of the past and unify this country so that together we can build a stronger future.
Since the immediate days following the storm, I have been travelling to our nation’s capitol to advocate for policies that aid our rebuilding effort. I know firsthand, we desperately need the leadership of someone committed to changing the system in Washington that can hold us back from moving forward. For these reasons, I endorse Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nominee.

Said Obama:

I want to thank Mayor Nagin for his support. I share his commitment to renewing the great city of New Orleans, which is one of the great national challenges of our time. I look forward to working with him and all New Orleanians to prepare for the storms that may come while advancing opportunity and prosperity for the people of this great American city.

Mayor Nagin is the 283rd superdelegate to endorse Obama, who is 148 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.

Help us grow the movement and gain more delegates -- make calls to West Virginia now and get out the vote!

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Joe Donnelly Endorses Barack Obama

The ArchDruid — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:27:30 EDT

Indiana Congressman Joe Donnelly Endorses Barack Obama; Delegate Countdown - 149 To Go

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 09:53 AM

CHICAGO, IL -- Today, Indiana Congressman Joe Donnelly endorsed Barack Obama for President, citing his commitment to working families and building a real coalition for change:

"Today, I am pleased to announce my support for Barack Obama. At a time when too many Americans have lost faith in their government, Senator Obama can move us beyond the politics of stalemate and gridlock that has kept us from meeting the monumental challenges of our time: our dependence on foreign oil, a health care gap that leaves tens of millions uninsured, the steady deterioration of our manufacturing base, and an economy that is not working for working people.

The Democratic Party's strength comes from its core commitment to the American Dream and from a coalition that is ideologically, economically, geographically and ethnically diverse. Barack Obama will stand with working families while building that coalition so that we can change this country, and that's why he's the best choice for America."

Barack Obama said, "I am honored to have the support of Congressman Joe Donnelly. Joe has brought an independent, principled, and pragmatic voice to Washington that is more focused on getting results for Hoosier families than scoring political points. As President, I look forward to working with Congressman Donnelly to build bipartisan majorities to create jobs, make health care more affordable and accessible, and to give our veterans the care and support that they have earned."

Donnelly is the 282nd superdelegate to endorse Barack Obama, who is 149 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.

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One More Night to Make a Difference in West Virginia

The ArchDruid — Mon, 12 May 2008 20:18:48 EDT

West Virginia: One More Night to Make a Difference

by Christopher Hass

Monday, May 12, 2008 at 06:52 PM

Polls open in West Virginia early tomorrow morning, for the first of the final six contests of the primary. After fifteen months, we're now just 33 delegates away from winning a majority of pledged delegates. After tomorrow, we'll be one step closer.

As West Virginia Deputy State Director Rudi Shenk explained,"We're competing vigorously for every single delegate. There is a clear, clear goal and mission: to gather up as many delegates as possible." But what no poll and no number can communicate are the countless conversations that volunteers and supporters across the country have had with West Virginians, the connections they've made and the people they've impacted.

Many of our grassroots phonebankers have remarked that these have been some of the most challenging calls they've made yet. But with these calls they've been able to answer questions, share their stories, and one by one, grow support for Barack. When we began this race fifteen months ago we knew that it wouldn't be easy, but we also knew that the effort would be worth it.

As Patricia said:

After hearing all the poll numbers with Hillary Clinton way ahead of Obama, I got fired up and made 25 calls to West Virginia to learn about West Virginians from their own mouths. Left many messages. Three wrong numbers. Two fantastic conversations.

From Andrew:

It was a lot of fun. Only took 45 minutes to makes 25 calls, and I got a 50/50 tally for Barack/Hillary. We're not expecting to win, I know, but it would sure be fun to close the gap... I hope we pull a bit of an upset there tomorrow, but we need EVERY OBAMA SUPPORTER TO GET OUT AND VOTE!!!

And as Deputy State Director Rudi Shenk described:

We're seeing what the polls don't suggest, which is that when we knock on doors, when we call folks, they are thrilled to get a call from us. They are thrilled to be part of this process. Many people that we're talking to have never been part of a presidential primary.

Tonight is the last night to make calls to voters in West Virginia before the polls open tomorrow morning. Tonight is the last night to reach out to West Virginians, to have a conversation, to answer their questions and to share your own story before they make their final decision as to who they will support tomorrow.

It only takes a minute to get started. The West Virginia GOTV calling campaign runs today through Tuesday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM EST.

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Reaching Out to Native Americans in Montana

The ArchDruid — Sat, 10 May 2008 14:54:33 EDT

Native American Outreach in Montanaby Caitlin HarveySaturday, May 10, 2008 at 01:54 PMLast week, Samuel Kohn, a member of the Crow tribe and our campaign's Native American outreach coordinator in Montana, met with members of the "Rocky Boy for Obama" and "Blackfeet for Obama" groups in the Hi-Line region of Montana.

The meeting with the "Rocky Boy" for Obama" group took place on April 29 at Stone Child College. Samuel reports:

It was an amazing opportunity to be a part of that group. There were about 30-35 people at the meeting. It was really amazing to see the support, care, and interest that everyone had in Senator Obama's campaign. This was clearly expressed in one gentleman's, a well-respected elder on the reservation, statement about why he supported Senator Obama. He told me that he was 72 years old and had never voted before, but that he wanted to vote for Senator Obama because of everything he can do for us [Native People].

Samuel met with the "Blackfeet for Obama" campaign at the Blackfeet Tribal Council office in Browning on May 1. He said:

There was a lot of excitement and interest in Senator Obama's campaign at this meeting, particularly his strategies to bring about real and lasting change for everyone on every reservation across the United States. There were about 30 people at the meeting, and many want to remain closely involved with the campaign.

You can read about Barack's principles for stronger tribal communities here.

If you live in Montana, make sure that you vote early! You can find your early vote location here.195 Comment(s)Permalink Email to a friendShare: Digg Facebook Newsvine Stumble del.icio.us

Give West Virginia a Call and Help Get Out the Vote for Barack

The ArchDruid — Sat, 10 May 2008 11:01:23 EDT

West Virginia: Toward the Finish Lineby Christopher HassFriday, May 09, 2008 at 05:54 PM

This weekend, grassroots supporters in West Virginia and across the country are working to Get Out The Vote in the final push before Primary Day. We're fighting an uphill battle in West Virginia, but by ensuring that all of our supporters make it to the polls, we can add to our delegate lead and continue to close in on the nomination.

Earlier today, West Virginia Field Director Rachel Sigman sent out the following email:

Right now, thousands of people in West Virginia are thinking seriously about which way they'll vote when they go to the polls on Tuesday.

You can make their decision easy.

The West Virginia primary is coming up on Tuesday, May 13th, and we have an opportunity to secure some of the final available delegates and move a big step closer to the nomination.

We can't do this without your help — and you can make a difference right from your home.

Our team has put together a list of the potential supporters here in West Virginia whom we most need to reach by Tuesday. Your voice could persuade them to cast their votes for Barack — but only if you use our simple online tool right now and give them a call.

We have thousands of potential supporters to reach, and no time to waste — please pick up the phone and start calling for Barack right away.

Barack had a big night on Tuesday because people like you, not just from North Carolina and Indiana but from states near and far, decided to take action, reach out to potential supporters, and build this movement one voter at a time.

You can carry our momentum forward in West Virginia — and with Election Day just four days away, we need your help now more than ever.

Even if you have never made a call for Barack before, you'll be able to make a difference. Simply log in and get started — it's easy!

I hope you'll make a few calls every day between now and Tuesday — start right now.

Thank you,

Rachel

Rachel Sigman
West Virginia Field Director
Obama for America

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The Too-Long Goodbye

The ArchDruid — Fri, 09 May 2008 05:39:50 EDT

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF Published: May 8, 2008

New York Times

After the Tuesday primaries, Hillary Rodham Clinton now has maybe a 2 percent chance of winning the Democratic nomination. But if she pursues her losing battle, she has perhaps a 20 percent chance of costing the Democrats the presidency in the fall.

Skip to next paragraph Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times

Nicholas D. Kristof

So should she soldier on if continued campaigning is 10 times more likely to benefit John McCain than herself?

My percentages are, of course, wild estimates, but they suggest the orders of magnitude. With Mrs. Clinton trailing by 700,000 votes in the cumulative popular vote, and also behind in pledged delegates and number of states won, she just doesn’t have a plausible route to the nomination. Even if you include Florida, she’s more than 400,000 votes behind.

In contrast, Mrs. Clinton does have a plausible route to winning the election for Mr. McCain.

The most terrifying numbers for Democrats in Tuesday’s exit polls should be those showing how many of Mrs. Clinton’s supporters are planning to vote for Mr. McCain in November.

In Indiana, only 49 percent of Clinton voters said they would cast votes for Mr. Obama in November if he were the nominee; in North Carolina, the figure was 47 percent. In both states, a majority of Mrs. Clinton’s supporters said that they would either vote for Mr. McCain or stay home.

Ron Wyden, a senator from Oregon who is uncommitted as a superdelegate, is among those who take the more optimistic view that the contest will end in June, that tempers will cool and that voters will come together long before the general election.

“I don’t buy this theory that the other’s supporters will walk in the fall — not when the choices are so stark,” he said.

It’s true that most of Senator Clinton’s supporters presumably will flinch if they contemplate a McCain Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. But the longer this primary warfare continues, the less time to heal the intraparty antagonisms.

In 9 of the last 10 elections, the nominee chosen first has ended up winning the general election.

Suppose that 80 percent of people who voted for Mrs. Clinton in the primaries end up supporting Mr. Obama in November, but that 20 percent stay home or vote Republican. That 20 percent would amount to far more popular votes than Ralph Nader won in 2000.

One worrying parallel for Democrats is the 1980 election, when Ted Kennedy challenged Jimmy Carter’s re-election and continued until August of that year. “I have a real chance to win,” Senator Kennedy declared on Aug. 9, long after he his chances had utterly evaporated, and he claimed that the clash would be good for the eventual nominee.

Mr. Carter probably would have lost anyway to Ronald Reagan, but it didn’t help that his own party was fractured and demoralized by the endless challenge from Mr. Kennedy.

The upshot is that Mr. Obama’s election prospects in November may depend on Mrs. Clinton. If she stops the attacks and withdraws gracefully — perhaps after winning West Virginia next week — and then she and Bill Clinton campaign for Mr. Obama, then that will boost his prospects. But that’s not the scenario that Mrs. Clinton is signaling.

“I’m staying in this race until there is a nominee,” Mrs. Clinton declared on Wednesday. If the battle continues all the way up to the convention in August, the chaos over delegates from Florida and Michigan will complicate the Democrats’ chances of winning both states. In that case, Mrs. Clinton may be remembered as the spoiler of 2008.

That would be partly the fault of the uncommitted superdelegates. Their fence-sitting is dragging out the contest and undermining their party’s chances in the fall.

One of the reasons that Mrs. Clinton is resolved to keep fighting is, I think, a resentment that she and many of her followers feel over sexism in the campaign. On that issue, she has a point. One of the political lessons of this year — backed by psychological research and polling data — is that the bar is probably higher for a woman candidate for president than for a black candidate.

It’s interesting that two strong women — Katie Couric as well as Mrs. Clinton — have foundered this year in roles that are stereotypically male. Granted, the presidency is very different from the job of an evening news anchor, but some psychology experiments suggests that one factor in each case may be public resistance to a woman in a position in which we are accustomed to seeing a man. One of Mrs. Clinton’s legacies will be that she will make it easier for the next woman candidate.

So Mrs. Clinton’s frustration is understandable. But if it leads to the election of a president whose views and values are antithetical to everything her career has stood for, that would be inexcusable.

Obama Tours the House

The ArchDruid — Fri, 09 May 2008 05:16:26 EDT

Race Over or Not, Obama Takes a Victory Lap

Doug Mills/The New York Times

Senator Barack Obama came to the Capitol on Thursday, trying to rally Democrats around him.

By CARL HULSE and DAVID M. HERSZENHORN

Published: May 9, 2008

New York Times

WASHINGTON — Senator Barack Obama began trying to rally the Democratic Party around him on Thursday and struck a tougher tone against Senator John McCain, saying Mr. McCain was “losing his bearings” in his pursuit of the White House

After spending time on the House floor on Thursday, Barack Obama rode the Senate train. Mr. Obama’s campaign worked to portray him as the inevitable nominee of the Democratic Party.

Even as Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton persisted with her campaign for the nomination, Mr. Obama made a celebratory return to the Capitol, where he received an enthusiastic reception on the House floor in an appearance staged to position him as the party’s inevitable nominee.

Behind the scenes, there were new discussions between Mr. Obama and the party leadership. Senior Democratic officials said he met with Speaker Nancy Pelosi when their paths crossed at Democratic Party headquarters. They had spoken by telephone earlier in the week. Ms. Pelosi and Mrs. Clinton have had no known recent talks.

Addressing concern among some Democrats that Mrs. Clinton would fight on to the national convention in late August, Terry McAuliffe, chairman of the Clinton campaign, suggested that the race would end quickly after the final primaries early next month, sparing the party a potentially debilitating summerlong battle.

“After June 3, this is going to come to a conclusion,” Mr. McAuliffe said on NBC’s “Today” program.

Other Clinton allies said much the same thing, evidence of a consensus that Mrs. Clinton has four weeks to make her case but then should exit quickly if she has not turned the race around. Her campaign grappled with a number of impediments to fighting on, including a decline in fund-raising.

“I think she should complete the primary season, and then she has to re-evaluate and her supporters have to re-evaluate,” said Representative Nita M. Lowey of New York, a Clinton backer.

Mr. Obama made no public effort to pressure Mrs. Clinton from the race, and in interviews with CNN and NBC News he praised her as a formidable candidate who could not yet be counted out. But he said that he was likely to lock up a majority of the pledged delegates — those awarded by voting in the primary and caucus states — after the Kentucky and Oregon primaries on May 20, and that at that point he could declare victory.

While he was respectful to Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Obama seemed eager to challenge Mr. McCain. Asked on CNN about Mr. McCain’s recent statement that the radical Palestinian party Hamas, considered by the United States to be a terrorist organization, would favor Mr. Obama’s election, Mr. Obama said it was offensive and called it a smear.

“And so for him to toss out comments like that I think is an example of him losing his bearings as he pursues this nomination,” Mr. Obama said.

In the meantime, Mr. Obama continued to scoop up more support from the superdelegates, the elected Democrats and party officials whose votes will be necessary for either candidate to secure the nomination.

Representatives Brad Miller of North Carolina and Rick Larsen of Washington said Thursday that they would back Mr. Obama. Several more uncommitted superdelegates in Congress told Mr. Obama that they would be announcing their support in the coming days, campaign advisers and House Democratic officials said.

Mr. Obama’s very public arrival in the House chamber on Thursday morning underscored the fact that the most important front in the Democratic nominating fight was suddenly Washington, where many of the superdelegates were milling around on the House floor voting on amendments to a housing bill.

And it was in marked contrast to Mrs. Clinton’s private meetings near the Capitol the day before as she sought to convert undecided lawmakers. Aides to Mr. Obama said they saw his visit as an opportunity to create an image of Mr. Obama as the soon-to-be-nominee. Elated members on the floor seemed to share that view.

“I think he is feeling comfortable and confident, and he should,” said Representative Ed Perlmutter of Colorado, an Obama backer. “My colleagues are beginning to really see him as the candidate. The consensus is that he is the nominee.”

Mr. Obama created an uproar as he worked the chamber for more than half an hour, accepting congratulations for his primary showing Tuesday, shaking hands and sharing hugs with Democrats in his camp, some in Mrs. Clinton’s camp and even some Republicans. He did a little curtsy before Representative John M. Spratt Jr. of South Carolina, chairman of the Budget Committee and one of the sought-after uncommitted superdelegates.

Mr. Obama made his way into the well of the chamber, at one point stopping by Representative Yvette D. Clarke of Brooklyn, who showed him a copy of The Daily News from Wednesday, which ran his photo on the front page with the headline “It’s His Party.”...

Brad Miller Super Delegate from NC for Obama

The ArchDruid — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:58:29 EDT

Congressman Brad Miller (D-NC) endorses Barack Obama; Delegate Countdown - 168 To Go

by Sam Graham-Felsen

Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 04:18 PM

Chicago, IL – Today, United States Congressman Brad Miller (D-NC) endorsed Barack Obama, citing his commitment to fighting for policies that honor America’s working families and his leadership taking on the subprime mortgage crisis.

Miller is a superdelegate from North Carolina. His endorsement bring the total number of superdelegates to endorse Obama to 263. Senator Obama is 168 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.

Congressman Miller said, “Senator Obama understands that he has the chance not just to win the election this year, but to be a great president. Americans know that Republican policies have failed because their ideas are wrong. Americans know that our government has not acted, to use Franklin Roosevelt’s words, as trustees for the whole people, but have taken the side of powerful economic interests on every issue. Americans want a fundamental change in course. Senator Obama has seized that opportunity.

“If Senator Obama and Democratic candidates up and down the ticket win this year and then deliver next year, we can build a consensus that will last a generation.

“I look forward to serving on a unified Democratic ticket with Senator Obama. He has shown great vision, strength and resilience during a very tough campaign against a worthy opponent.”

Senator Obama said, “We are grateful today for Congressman Brad Miller’s support. In this time of economic turmoil, Congressman Miller has shown real leadership in fighting to crack down on predatory lenders and provide relief for struggling homeowners. Our campaign was fortunate to have record numbers of voters turn out to support our movement for change this week in North Carolina, and I’m proud to have Congressman Miller’s support as we continue this fight to bring about real change for families across the country.”

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George McGovern Changes Endorsement to Obama: Calling HIm a Second Lincoln

The ArchDruid — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:11:57 EDT

'We may have a second Lincoln': McGovern explains endorsement switch The Mitchell Daily Republic | May 08, 2008

By Seth Tupper

George McGovern has a history of associations with transformative political figures.

He campaigned at the sides of John F. and Robert Kennedy during their respective runs for the White House, and he’s currently writing a book about Abraham Lincoln.

McGovern thinks Barack Obama may be cut from the same historic mold as those men, and that’s one reason McGovern said Wednesday that after eight months of supporting Hillary Clinton for president, he is switching sides.

McGovern even compared Obama to Lincoln, saying he discovered similarities between the two men while doing research for the Lincoln book.

“As I have researched this book and followed the current presidential nomination contest, I have slowly come to believe that, in Barack Obama, we may have a second Lincoln,” McGovern, a Mitchell native and resident, said in an Obama campaign news release.

“With passion and eloquence, he is calling America home to its founding ideals, both at home and abroad.”

Read the full article from The Mitchell Daily Republic

Edwards Campaign Manager David Bonior to Endorse Obama

The ArchDruid — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:46:14 EDT

Breaking from ABC: Edwards' Campaign Manager David Bonior to Endorse Obama By Sam Graham-Felsen - May 8th, 2008 at 9:58 am EDT Comments | Mail to a Friend | Report Objectionable Content

Breaking from ABC...

ABC News has learned that David Bonior, the campaign manager for the 2008 presidential race of Sen. John Edwards, D-NC, will endorse Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, today.
Bonior, a former Michigan congressman, was once the second highest ranking Democrat in the House, and is influential with labor unions.
Tuesday night's results were said to be key to Bonior's decision -- specifically the fact that Obama's lead over Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, appears insurmountable.
Bonior is also said to like Obama's general positive tone, as well as Obama's message of change and stance against taking money from federal lobbyists.

Stay tuned for an update on this endorsement! And if you can, make a small donation to grow this movement and help secure the nomination for Barack...

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An Open Letter to Uncommitted College Dem Super Delegates

The ArchDruid — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:50:27 EDT

An open letter to uncommitted College Dem superdelegates

by Marc R. Peters

Wednesday, May 07, 2008 at 01:25 PM

Jason Rae attracted a lot of attention this campaign season. At 21 years old, Rae is the youngest superdelegate eligible to cast a vote at the Democratic National Convention in August, and in February he declared his support for Senator Obama. Right now, Students for Barack Obama is trying to organize students to lobby uncommitted superdelegates who happen to be College Democrats. I asked Jason to write an open letter to Lauren Wolfe and Awais Khaleel to let them know why they should join him in supporting this campaign for change.

Awais and Lauren—

I wanted to take a minute as both your friend and a fellow super delegate and encourage you to endorse Senator Barack Obama. I know that you have been hesitant because of your role within the College Democrats of America, but as you well know, Senator Obama has emerged to speak to and speak for our generation. He is the voice of this generation.

I appreciate and respect the efforts you have made to make sure you are representing the millions of college students involved in the Democratic Party through your YouTube video. However, I think you need to make your choice known now. I firmly agree with DNC Chairman Howard Dean that it all of the remaining superdelegates need to make their candidate preference known. We need to come together as a party and go forward to November united behind a candidate. We need to stop fighting with each other and take the fight to the Republicans. We need to fight for health care for all Americans. We need to fight for an improved K-12 education system. We need to fight to make college affordable for all who want to pursue a degree. We need to fight to give a voice to the voiceless and hope to the hopeless.

This letter would not be complete if I did not encourage you to support Senator Obama. After being lobbied heavily by both campaigns because of my role as the youngest superdelegate, I endorsed the Senator in February. I encourage you to do the same. He has done more to draw new voters into the process than I have seen of any candidate. I believe he can keep them engaged through November and through his eight years in office. He has truly brought out a new generation of loyal and dedicated activists. Youth turnout in the Democratic primary has doubled or even tripled in most primary and caucus states. Not only that, but young people are overwhelmingly supporting him. In Wisconsin alone, Senator Obama received 73% of the votes of 18-to-24 year old. This is similar in states all across the country. Our generation is speaking clearly and loudly in support of Senator Obama.

I sincerely hope you will consider endorsing Senator Obama and doing it soon. If we unite behind a banner of hope and change, we can take back the White House and resume our position as the leaders of the free world. We can mend damaged relationships abroad and return our focus to those who need our help here at home. It's time to stand up.
Sincerely,
Jason Rae

You too can contact Lauren Wolfe and Awais Khaleel to let them know why they should endorse Barack Obama.

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Obama Wins North Carolina

The ArchDruid — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:22:49 EDT

Obama Wins North Carolina! By Sam Graham-Felsen - May 6th, 2008 at 7:30 pm EDT Comments | Mail to a Friend | Report Objectionable Content

CNN just projected that Barack Obama will win the North Carolina primary!

With tonight's victory, Barack Obama has won 32 primaries and caucuses so far... Thank you, North Carolina!

Please make a donation today and help bring this movement to the White House...

We've built this thing from the bottom up and it's up to us to continue grow this movement. Yes We Can!

UPDATE: If you're in line to vote in North Carolina or know someone who is in line and hasn't voted yet, there's still time. Stay in line and vote... With proportional allocation of delegates, every vote counts!

Barack at the Jefferson Jackson Dinner in Indiana

The ArchDruid — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:59:41 EDT

Indiana's Jefferson Jackson Dinner

by Amanda Scott

Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 11:01 PM

Barack spent today traveling across Indiana, and ended his night by speaking at the Indiana Jefferson Jackson dinner in Indianapolis.

Here's an excerpt of what he told fellow Hoosier Democrats:

This year you have a choice. If you want to take another chance on the same kind of politics we’ve come to know in Washington, there are other candidates to choose from.

But I still believe we need to fundamentally change Washington if we want change in America. I still believe this election is bigger than me, or Senator Clinton, or Senator McCain. It’s bigger than Democrats versus Republicans.

It’s about who we are as Americans. It’s about whether this country, at this moment, will continue to stand by while the wealthy few prosper at the expense of the hardworking many, or whether we’ll stand up and reclaim the American dream for every American.

Reclaiming this dream will take more than one election. It will take more than one person or one party. It will take the effort and sacrifice of a nation united. And that’s the truth.

We’ve always known this wouldn’t be easy. The change we’re looking for never is. And that’s why the only way a black guy named Barack Obama who was born in Hawaii, and started his career on the streets of Chicago, can win this race is if you decide that you’ve had enough of the way things are; if you decide that this election is bigger than flag pins and sniper fire and the comments of a former pastor – bigger than the differences between what we look like or where we come from or what party we belong to.
I will never forget that the only reason that I'm standing here today is because somebody, somewhere stood up for me when it was risky. Stood up when it was hard. Stood up when it wasn't popular. And because that somebody stood up, a few more stood up. And then a few thousand stood up. And then a few million stood up. And standing up, with courage and clear purpose, they somehow managed to change the world.

Now it’s our turn – our turn to follow in the footsteps of all those generations who sacrificed and struggled and faced down the greatest odds to perfect our improbable union. And if we're willing to do what they did; if we're willing to shed our cynicism and our doubts and our fears; if we're willing to believe in what's possible again; then I believe that we won't just win here in Indiana, we won't just win this election in November, we will heal this nation, we will repair this world, and we will extend America's promise into the twenty-first century.

Tomorrow is a big day in Indiana. Help us with our last final push the day before the primary! And if you live in the Indianapolis area, join us at a rally with Barack tomorrow night!

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Three Indiana Papers Endorse Obama

The ArchDruid — Sun, 04 May 2008 16:23:39 EDT

Digg Facebook Newsvine Stumble del.icio.us Indiana: Three Sunday Newspaper Endorsements for Obama

by Christopher Hass

Sunday, May 04, 2008 at 12:23 PM

With the Indiana primary just days away, three more Midwestern newspapers formally endorsed Barack Obama in this morning's Sunday editions: the Muncie Star Press, the Gary Post-Tribune, and the Louisville Courier-Journal (which has a large southern Indiana readership, and endorsed Barack both in Tuesday's contest and Kentucky's May 20th primary).

From the Muncie Star Press:

Sen. Barack Obama is the best candidate in the race for the Democratic nomination for president. He represents America's best chance for a real and positive change in direction for a country beset by an unpopular war and economic doldrums.

The United States is as polarized as it has ever been in its 232-year history. From the Oval Office all the way to Main Street, the division has paralyzed the country. Obama has demonstrated a unique ability to unite Americans of all ages, race and gender and has the best chance to end the culture war at home. He also could unify a country that that needs to pull together, not apart, if it expects to keep its position as world leader and restore its moral authority.

... Obama has breathed new life into the Democratic party, helping to rebuild it into a 50-state party through his appeal to important and previously disaffected young voters. Youth are the future of our country, but both parties have either ignored or been unable to reach them for generations. The fact that many are paying attention now, thanks to Obama, bodes well for the future.

... Obama represents our best hope for a different kind of presidency with a different attitude that could lead to a better America. Change is a word that has become the key -- and the most overused -- word in this campaign. The truth is, however, a real change in the leadership style at the top could lead to change all the way down to Main Street. We need someone who will inspire us to be better as a people and as a country -- to change. Barack Obama is that person.

From the Gary Post-Tribune:

The buzz word in the race for the Democratic nomination for president has been “change” — change from the failed policies of President Bush, who has little positive to hold on to as he approaches the end of his presidency.

Barack Obama has taken the crusade for change a step further, calling for a change in the politics and policies of Washington and the country as a whole.

We recommend a vote for Obama because he potentially represents more of what is new than Hillary Clinton, who is part of the inside crowd in Washington.

From the Louisville Courier-Journal:

"We were always the longshot," [Senator Obama said in an interview last week with this newspaper's editorial board]. "The fact we've done so well speaks to the hunger of the American people for a different message and a different direction."

We agree, and we also believe that Sen. Obama is the Democratic candidate better equipped to restore Americans' hope for the future and to bring change to Washington.

For that reason, we endorse Sen. Obama in Tuesday's Indiana primary and in the May 20 contest in Kentucky.

Read the list of over 100 newspapers that have endorsed Barack Obama . . .

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