david cohen public interest advocate's Blog

People's Pocketbooks: Democrats Are Economically Fair; Republicans Aren't

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:54:59 EDT

What I'm about to present has been vetted by Alan Blinder, a Princeton economist, with an outstanding reputation, who served as Vice-Chairman of the Federal Reserve. Blinder draws on the work of economic historian Larry Bartels. Bartels studied the rising income inequality divide over hte last 30 years in the US. Furthermore, Bartels is one economist who does not advise political candidates.Blinder calls Bartels's discovery the The Great Partisan Inequality Divide (GPID). It makes for great talking points when you're meeting with voters.

Here's what Bartels found in his studying the last 60 years of economic incomes as reported by Blinder:

1. Income inequality trended substantially upward under Republican Presidents.

2. It trended slightly downward under Democratic Presidents. Remember how Clinton promoted the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) that benefitted the working poor. That's one major illustration of why Democrats are fairer than Republicans.

3. GPID is not limited to the poor. At the 20th percentile--that is 20% of all families have less income and 80% have more-- and the Democrats were fairer. That's also true at the 40th, 60th, 80th and 95th percentiles.

4. The 95th percentile divides the rich from the non-rich. It means a family earns about $180,000.That includes two wage earners combining their income. (Remember McCain defined the rich at $5 million dollars, thereby confirming he knows nothing about how American families live or economics as an informed layperson.)

5. All percentiles, except the 95th, families fare better under Democratic presidents than Republican ones. At the 95th percentile there is not much difference.

6. Under President Reagan the growth rate fell and the income transfers benfitted the rich. This fits Republicans favoring tax cuts to the rich that Democrats oppose. In addition Democrats, more than Republicans, favor raising the minimum wage and supporting unions to bargain wage increases for its members. Republicans oppose the minimum wage increase and are hostile to unions.

7. Conclusion: If history is a guide an Obama presidency leads to greater economic growth, less economic inequality and more equity. A McCain presidency means slower growth and far greater economic inequality and therefore more inequity.

McCain Wages Class War

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:01:37 EDT

Republicans are always trumpeting about how we progressive Democrats are waging class war. A just and fair society is not in the Republican lexicon. But they wage all out class war to protect their very wealthy contributors.

On October 16, McCain is holding a fund raiser in New York by shaking down Wall St. fat cats--yes, they may be poorer but as Fitzgerald said the rich are different from you and me. So they've lost some money. They still have lots and some of it is going to the Republican National Committee (RNC) for its TV, newspaper and internet ads. We know that some of these ads have a sub text to cast Obama out of the USA mainstream. They're ugly and it's not paranoid to recognize that they play on racial fear.

Yes, it wasn't easy for the Republicans to raise the dollars. They did it by waging class war, by appealing to people's fears that the rich would have to pay a fair share for making our country great again.. 1,000 people coughed up $1,000.00 each and 200 gave $25,000.00 each. Said one fundraiser to the Wall St. Journal: "Reality set in. Donors realized they could face an Obama Administration next month." They are plainly "petrified", said the Wall St. Journal, "they will face steep increases in personal and corporate tax rates." The fund raisers went after all resisters by saying that "Obama will be a disaster for you."

These multi-millionaires want the government to subsidize them without paying any increase, let alone a fair share. The McCain tax cut benefits the richest people who have already benefitted from the Bush- tax policies. McCain, on tax policy, is a Bush clone.

Trumpeting Republicans for Obama

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:24:01 EDT

When speaking with Independents, it's effective to trumpet the lifelong Republicans who support Obama for President. In a courageous act they have broken with their party. They are ready to take the consequences of political opprobrium from their erstwhile colleagues.

These are some of the Republicans behind Obama:

Lincoln Chafee-- former Senator from Rhode Island and a candidate for Governor

Susan Eisenhower-- national security expert and grand-daughter of President Eisenhower.

Lilibet Hagel--an indpendent woman's voice from the Nebraska heartland and wife of Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Nebr.).

Linwood Holton--former Republican Governor of Virginia

Jim Leach--Long serving House member from Iowa and National Chairman of Common Cause.

A stpry worth telling: Susan Eisnehower received a call from Senator Obama in 2007. He had already announced for President. He asked her for her ideas on national security matters. She told him she is a life long Republican and was not prepared to support him. He said that didn't matter. He wanted her ideas. Only later did she decide to support Obama after watching him in action, studying his national security views and comparing those views to his opposition. She admired the process of how Obama came to his public judgments. Only then did she break with her life long support of the Republican Party. This story was told to me by a voter who heard Susan Eisenhower tell it at a public meeting in Virginia.

Voice of the People

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:47:43 EDT

Finishing a canvassing that was very positive iwth Virgina voters, and really energized, I hear a hotel doorman chant a refrain. Here it is:

"No drama with Obama, no trauma with Obama."

Let's listen to this authentic voice and weave his wisdom into our talking with people including when we canvas.

Obama's Strong Hispanic Strength

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:15:44 EDT

August can be the cruelest month for Democrats. But take heart. In spite of all the nervous making headlines on polls Obama shows real strength among Hispanic voters. That adds to his exisiting strength in many age groups and population sectors.

For McCain to be competitive in the November election political analysts believe he has to get 35% of the Hispanic vote. That's not where McCain is headed. That 35% is necessary in states such as Colorado, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and southern states with growing Latin voters and that are competitive: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.

Right now the thoroughly reliable and dispassionate Pew Hispanic Center reported that the Hispanic vote is 66% to 23% for Obama over McCain.

The Center also reported that 3/4 of the Hispanic voters who voted for Clinton in the primaries are inclined to vote for Obama.Only 8% of Clinton voters support McCain. Added to the mix is an increasing identification by Hispanics with the Democratic Party.

We all know the challenges of registration, getting people to the polls, overcoming the harassment and obstacles to voting faced by Hispanics and African Americans in too many polling places. Organized efforts everywhere will challenge and overcome these obstacles.

More than any campaign in my living memory-- I go back a long way, working precincts for Stevenson in 1952-- this organized political effort shows this election is a beginning not an ending. In my own organizing and advocacy work, I know the importance of organized issue activity between elections. That is well understood by the Mexican and Central American communities. These participants bring their cuture of particpation to the USA world. It's refreshing and energizing for all of us.

Even if the margin doesn't stay at 66-23, McCain is not likely to get close to the 35%overall that he needs. What's more the voter turnout by Hispanics will likely be substantially greater than in the past. These represent hopeful signs. They are based on organized action.

McCain Violates Fair Play and Acts Hypocritically

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:39:54 EDT

Obama set a simple and direct standard for fair play: families are off limits for being attacked personally. Specifically Obama said he would not attack McCain's wife Cindy McCain period and expected the same from fellow Obama supporters. Obama challenged McCain to follow suit and hold himself (McCain) and his suppporters to the same standard of fair play.In no way does the Obama standard interefer with robust public debate on the election issues.

McCain refused to disown the various right wing attacks on Michele Obama from Hannity and other talk radio hate spewers. McCain claimed that Obama failed to disown the Democratic National Committee's (DNC) criticism of Cindy McCain's initial and repreated refusal to disclose her federal tax returns (since disclosed). The Obamas made disclosures that included the time before Obama was elected to the US Senate.

As the non-partisan Salon News documented, the DNC attack was on Senator McCain and not on Cindy McCain. Senator McCain had to take responsibility for not disclosing his tax returns. McCain, un-chialrously, used his wife as a shield against his being transparent.

Now McCain's behavior leads to the next expisode: approve attacks on Michele Obama by his supporters. By McCain's behavior he violates fair play, acts hypocritically and aids and abets uncivil political discourse.

McCain Violates Fair Play and Acts Hypocritically

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:39:12 EDT

Obama's Leadership for fathers and Families

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:51:56 EDT

Obama demonstrated strong leadership in speaking directly to a predominantly African-American Church worshippers on Father's Day. He challenged the audience to live an alternative parenting practise to AWOL fathers. The challenge of overcoming the absent parent applies to two-parent families as well. Obama set a standard for why fathers have the responsibility to be loving, caring, providers and present for their children. Absence is desertion and unacceptable.

At this Church audience Obama did what he is comfortable doing: he made the references to Jesus sing. In the substance of his sermon he effectively drew on a Torah teaching: Moses is a "nursing father." Moses obeyed God's command and carried the children in his bosom as a "nursing father" carried his sucking child.

Obama's talent, more than ever, demonstrates that he is a "tough liberal" who challenges people to face up to their challenges even if they often would like to avoid the hard truths--truths that Obama articulates as he prepares himself to act on the multiple challenges we face as a society and as a people.

Why the Election Matters for an Independent Judiciary

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 08:53:57 EDT

The Supreme Court decision ruled that foreign prisoners at Guanatanamo have the right to challenge their detentions. The Court again reversed Bush Administration policies that violate our Constitution. Habeas corpus stands protected thanks to an independent judiciary with a precarious narrow majority.

The Supreme Court ruling gives us added insight into how high the stakes are in this election. Obama embraced the decision. McCain attacked it. Justice Kennedy, no liberal by any stretch of the imagination, in his opinion pointed out that "some of these petitioners have been in custody for six years with no definitive legal determination as to the legality of their determination." As Kennedy wrote, "The laws and Constitution are designed to survive and remain in force in extraordinary times."

McCain chooses to reject what constitutional democracy is about or even recognize the centuries old habeas corpus protections which stand the test of time for protecting our liberty. His opposition to torture now lacks credibility.

Here's what Obama said about the Supreme Court decision: "This is an important step toward reestablishing our credibility as a nation committed to the rule of law, and rejecting a false choice between fighting terrorism and respecting habeas corpus. Our courts have employed habeas corpus with rigor and fairness for more than two centuries, and we must continue to do so as we defend the freedom that violent extremists seek to destroy."

What is at stake is who sits on the Supreme Court flows from Kennedy's pithy comment that "few exercises of judicial power are as legitimate or as necessary as the responsibility to hear challenges to the authority of the Executive to imprison a person."

McCain will be on a path to give the judicial extremists--Roberts, Scalia, Thomas and Alito--an absolute majority. To maintain historic protections Obama needs to be the person appointing all our Federal judges including the Supreme Court where vacancies are likely to occur.

Why the Election Matters for an Independent Judiciary

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 08:53:57 EDT

Obama's Leadership Pushes Forward: Srong and Resolute

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Sun, 04 May 2008 06:34:18 EDT

Before cheering Steeleworkers Obama showed the recklessness of the Clinton-McCain gas tax holiday. Obama said, "Our roads, our bridges-- that is the steel that puts people to work." Yes, steel workers, construction crews, maintenance workers and the hundreds of thousands that support these workers. The Clinton-McCain solution represents the road to more unemployment.

Peter Schwartz, the head of the company Global Business Network, pithily stripped the Clinton-McCain policy bare: "Maximize demand, minimize supply and buy the rest from the people who hate us the most."

Thomas Friedman, the New York Times columnist wrote on April 30, "The McCain-Clinton proposal is a reminder to me that the biggest energy crisis we have in the country today is the energy to be serious--the energy to do things in a sustained, focused and intelligent way. We are in the midst of a national political brownout." Sustained, focused and intelligent is what Obama is all about.

The message must go forth: Obama stands up to the old and sick Washington game of gimmicks and bait and switch schemes in place of doing what actions we need to take as a people, The steelworkers in Indiana get it and so should we.

Political Leadership from Obama at Demanding Times

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Sat, 03 May 2008 08:28:31 EDT

Obama has showed again the stuff of Presidential leadership in the midst of the difficult and close Indiana and North Carolina primaries. He's done it by opposing forthrightly the so called gas tax holiday that Clinton and McCain have been trumpeting.

Clinton and McCain play their cynical Washington game of bait and switch with their summer gas tax holiday. They are fooling people with an average saving of 30 cents a day on federal gas tax payments. Meanwhile their reckless policy would further put our roads into into disrepair and damage the maintenance of our bridges. Repair and maintenance of our roads and bridges is what the federal gas tax pays for. To add to the irresponsibility of Clinton and McCain it would cost people needed jobs--work that benefits us all.

Obama knows we have a broken system and the only way we can stand up to the oil companies, and their price gouging, is to not surrender to them. They are not entitled to the easy pass that Clinton and McCain give the plundering oil companies.

Obama's leadership is what the country needs and what his campaign is about. Obama will not be deterred from telling people what they need to know and hear. He does it, as he has in Indiana and North Carolina, by listening to people and helping them understand what it takes to deal with our big problems..

Obama respects the voters. That is so different from Clinton and McCain who disrespect people by pandering to them.

Clinton Administration Officials Supporting Obama

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:50:20 EDT

Walking in Washington a person near my age--early 70s--stopped me to tell me it is a beautiful spring day. It is and she and I began to talk. It didn't take long to say why Bush was our worst President. She asked me if I had a candidate. Isaid Obama!!!. She smiled. She voted for him.

She worked for President Clinton in protocol and events related matters. My light bulb lit up. Let's list all the Clinton Administratyion officials we know who supportg Obama: Robert Reich, Governor Richardson, Anthony Lake, Joe Stiglitz, Richard Danzig and countless others.

There is a reason so many former officials, including other White House staff members I know, support Obama. That tells a powerful story. let's get it out.

Older People Supporting Obama

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:41:50 EDT

Let's show easily and practically ways that older people enthusiastically support Obama. I'm eligible at 71 and so is my wife and many of my friends. We have telephoned, canvassed, worked at the polls, contributed money and are ready to do more. A prime example is my mother-in-law who will be 98 in less than a month.

I bet our younger colleagues will have easy and effective ways we can express our suppport. That's especially important for older voters in Indiana, North Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia and Oregon. Let's get authentic voices form those states to speak out

Let's get practical steps going and show that an army of older and experienced people who want Obama to be President. Younger folks we want and need your help.

McCain Tolerates Pastor Hagee's Extremism

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 13:51:23 EDT

I believe an increasing part of the pro-Obama strategy has to show why Obama is the strongest and most effective presidential candidate to defeat McCain. Obama can win. Clinton cannot. Battling McCain effectively is the way to solidify the nomination and the election. That is why I'm writing this particular blog.

A journalist I deeply respect for his good judgment and careful reporting is Leonard Fein who has a weekly column in the Forward, an English language Jewish newspaper. He has documented quotes of Pastor Hagee, an all-out McCain supporter, that are extreme. They are important because Senator McCain actively sought Pastor Hagee's support and allowed himself to be introduced by Pastor Hagee in the all important South Carolina primary. McCain is an initiator in this effort and thus bears responsibility for Hagee's extremism.

It has been over a month since Tim Russert raised the initial questions about Louis Farrakhan's endorsement of Obama. What is worth exploring is the difference between an endorsement that is neither sought nor welcome: Farrakhan endorsing Obama. Obama repudiated and rejected the endorsement and denounced Farrakhan. Contrast that with McCain seeking and standing with Hagee, an endosement that McCain sought and welcomed.

McCain's initiating efforts to obtain the endorsement make him responsible to repudiate and denounce a set of extreme quotes from Hagee.

Fein did the research on the Hagee quotes. More than 3 weeks after they appeared they have not been repudiated by Hagee in the Forward where they first appeared. It reflects Fein's careful journalism. These quotes appeared in the March 14, 2008 Forward and readers received their copy on March 7.

Hagee on Hurricane Katrina: All hurricanes are acts of God, because God controls the heavens. I believe that New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God and they were the recipients of the judgment of God for that... I believe that Hurricane Katrina was, in fact, the judgment of God against the city of New Orleans.

Hagee on the Catholic Church: Most readers will be shocked by the clear record of history linking Adolf Hitler and the Roman Catholic Church in a conspiracy to exterminate the Jews.

Hagee on Muslims: Hagee was asked whether he believes that Muslims have a mandate to kill Christians and Jews, he replied: "Well the Quran teachees that. Yes, it teaches that very clearly."

Hagee on women: Do you know the difference between a woman with PMS and a snarling Doberman pinscher? The answer is lipstick. Do you know the difference between a terrorist and a woman with PMS? You can negotiate with a terrorist.

Hagee on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process: When the Annapolis Conference (this refers to the Bush 43 effort) was being planned and the topic of Jerusalem came up, one man asked me, 'Where do you stand on this based on the Bible?' I responded that 'the plan of the Anti-Christ is to divide Jerusalem.' If America puts pressure on Israel to divide Jerusalem we are following the blueprint of the Prince of Darkness.

The McCain-Hagee connection is one that McCain has actively promoted and sought. His failure to denounce and repudiate these quotes are fair matters to be raised publicly by those of us who are Obama advocates.

On each of the quotes cited, McCain has so far neither repudiated Hagee nor denounced him. McCain tolerates Hagee's extremism by this failure. McCain should does not deserve a free ride!

Obama Focuses on Solving Public Problems: Health Care

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:37:25 EST

South Carolina (SC) showed in a landslide election that Obama's message of problem solving and leadership cut across all communities--urban, suburban, rural-- driven by multi-racial support that draws on more than 2/3 first time voters and 58% of the people aged 18-64. It was no accident that Obama swept SC, winning every county but two.

Senator Harris Wofford, a strong Obama supporter, and a battle scarred veteran of health care reform, wrote in the January 28, Philadelphia Inquirer why Americans have a new chance for universal health care under Obama's leadership. Wofford points out that "all of the Democratic (health care) proposals are designed to reach the goal of universal coverage." Wofford, noting Hillary Clinton's "acrimonios campaign style in the current primaries" rightly wonders whether her old failed approach of 15 years ago on health care is repeating itself. Wofford "would not roll the dice today" with an expectation that Clinton, as president, could exercise the political leadership necessary to overcome the partisanship, and the power of the vested interests who will work overtime, to block universal health care. The Clinton campaign of recent weeks points to a hard edged partisanship by her surrogates and her that calls into question her effectiveness as a leader if she were to be president..

Obama's strength draws on his abundant political skills, and a leadership style that brings people together around real and difficult issues. Obama's experience as a community organizer demonstrates that he can talk with and build agreement with people who are different from him. That is what Obama would do as he advances important goals and policies such as universal health care.

Wofford tested by years of experience in health care, civil rights and many other public issues deserves listening to. We Obama supporters should be echoing his message.

Obama's Leadership on Tough Issues: Israel and Palestine

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:18:56 EST

I have just returned form an extensive trip to Israel. My wife and I met with US government officials, an Israeli army intelligence person, Israeli Arabs, Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, Israeli Jews engaged in the peace process who advise Israeli government officials including Israeli President Peres, a retired Israeli air force officer, religiously observant and secular Jews and people working to build relationships between American Jews and Israeli Jews with Palestinians, psychologists, teachers, social workers, journalists and people who have retired. We met with many Israeli Jews who want the settlements to come to an end. Against great odds they are working for a peaceful and secure Israel and want to see a functioning Palestinian state that can protect its security and stop suicide bombing and violence internally in Palestine.

In this personal trip we renewed relationships with old friends who in turn generously opened their networks to my wife and me. I have made many trips to Israel. This trip provided a range of deep and intensive discussions unmatched by any of my previous trips.

I return even more determined to nominate and elect Senator Obama, President in 2008. My consistent theme on this blog and elsewhere is that Obama will provide the sustained political leadership to enable us to improve upon and deal with our toughest problems. Obama has consistently told audiences what he thinks they should know and increasingly people have been willing to listen.

There are third rail issues in US politics and on these issues most politicians pander excessively. Israel and Palestine is one of those third rail issues. Obama believes in the deep US consensus that Israel should be free and secure and that there has to be a two state solution--Israel and a Palestinian state. Our difficulties stem from the Bush-Cheney 7 years of active neglect. These policies through their negligence and inaction caused serious harm to Israel, the Palestinian people and US influence in the world.

Obama in 2007 (early in the campaign) made two major speeches on the Israel-Palestine topic to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the premier pro-Israel government lobby, and the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) which consists of Jewish people who are Democrats. (I am a contributor.) This is what he said:

To NJDC: It is in the interest of Israel to establish peace in the Middle East. It cannot be done at the price of compromising Israel's security. An Obama presidency, and the United States government, cannot ask Israel to take risks with its security. But it can ask Israel to say that it is still possible for us to allow more than this status quo of fear, terorism and division. That cannot be our long term aspiration.

To AIPAC: Nobody has suffered more than the Palestinian people from the failure of the Palestinian leadership to recognize Israel, to renounce violence and to get serious about negotiating peace and security for the region.

In the context of Israel and Palestine being an electric issue in American politics note that Obama makes it clear that he will work to move Israel past the status quo. Obama expects the same of the Palestinian leadership. He acknowledges the Palestinian people's suffering and is clear about protecting Israel's security.

Obama provides the leadership of "stepping up," of giving us his judgement and not ducking tough political problems. That is as good a reason among many as to why Obama should be our next President.

Obama's Leadership on Government Accountability

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:18:40 EST

On November 27, 2007 the Midwest Democracy Institute released its questionnaire on government integrity and accountability. Senator Obama and John Edwards answered the questions forthrightly. Senator Clinton remains silent on these core issues.

While there is no important substantive differences between Obama's and Edwards's answers, it is fair to say tha Obama has in the US Senate and Illinois Senate provided ongoing leadership on issues affecting govenment integrity, ethics, accountability, the abuse of money in politics and voting rights. Senator Edwards Senate record did not emphasize this range of issues.

The Midwest Democracy Institute is supported by 20 membership organizations in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin who focus on the government reform issues covered by the questionnaire.

Obama made it clear that he would work to change the atmosphere and the institutional arrangements in Washington on the plethora of special interest money in election campaigns that pollute our atmosphere with a system of public financing for elections, effective lobby disclosure, an end to the revolving door whereby the special interests move in and out of government, election reform and a comprehensive transparency policy.

What Obama understands and conveys is what the Boston Globe said when it endorsed him: Obama knows and feels "how much people felt locked out of their government." The Globe went on to say "that experience anchors his commitments to transparency and accountability in Washington." Obama connects the "good governance and good government" ideas with their direct relationship to having a goverment that is accessible, effective, repsonsive and accountable to the people not the vested and moneyed interests. He makes the connection of money and special interest power to health, tax, environmental, trade policies. That provides a special quality of leadership.

I have fought these fights in the trenches in Washington for over 40 years, including six as the President and CEO of Common Cause. When Obama is President we will owe it to him to support these efforts because we know as sure as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west the special interests will work overtime to derail Obama's reforms. As Finley Peter Dunne's Mr Dooley said over a century ago, "politics ain't bean bag.".

Meanwhile in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina and all the caucus and primary states Obama's clear cut proposals and ideas to overhaul Washington's broken political system should be trumpeted in meetings and as people canvas door to door. Obama answered the questionnaire because he knows what he believes while Clinton stands mute.

Leadership and Substance from Obama

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:54:48 EST

Senator Obama's leadership on tough isues that conventional politicians avoid resonates increasingly with voters. Many voters want a new start grounded in core beliefs and values of creating opportunity in our land--a land blessed with abundance and a chance for all at our best.

Obama steps up and deals with hard issues. He goes beyond dealing with grievances and has remedies. Obama's leadership is visionary and practical. He shuns the apocalyptic. Here are two examples:

1. On social security Obama has been out front on taxing all earned income for social security. This is a simple matter of equity that was recognized by Robert Kennedy as far back as 1967. It's straightforward, simple, doable and therefore practical except for the absence of past political will. Obama wants to change all that. Bill Gates and Warren Buffett earn lots of money. On that earned income they should pay social security taxes on all of it and so should everyone else. Advocating this simple proposal dosn't buy into the scare rhetoric that social security is in trouble. Obama is addressing a basic equity question without ambiguity. He's stepping up with his leadership.

2. On World Trade Obama has shown that trade does have adverse labor and environmental consequences to workers, consumers and these include children. Obama's brilliant answer in the Las Vegas debate that we should do what the Japanese do and send inspectors to China to inspect the potentially dangerous toys, food and other products shows what a country can do when it puts its mind to it. In one swoop Obama got past the free trade/protectionist argument, brought in another critical dimension of the problem (environment and health) and has a practical solution. Obama's very background of moving in diffferent worlds, and keeping his roots, enables him to recognize a distinct foreign contribution and praise the Japanese for it.

So as we enter the gift giving season, as we visit our elderly relatives and friends, These proposals from Obama should be in the drumbeat of public messages. That is among the stuff to take to primary state voters and caucus state participants. It is the stuff of a new politics of hope and getting things done!

David Cohen

Obama the Patriot

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:08:25 EDT

James McCain is a real American hero. He was a civil rights warrior. He organized voters to register when there was blatant racial discrimination. This majestic sainted organizer went to the barber shops, beauty shops, pool halls and restaurants and created freedom schools in South Carolina and other southern bastions of hostility to fair play for African-Americans. As an African-American the risks he undertook cannot be measured. He fortunately had a long life and was honored by South Carolinians before his death.

McCain mentored House Majority Whip Clyburn. I had the good fortune to work wth him registering voters in Plaquemine and Baton Rouge Louisiana right after the enactment of the great 1965 Voting Rights Act. McCain taught me much and protected me more from all sorts of risks our team was engaged in.

That's why I am proud of Senator Obama choosing not to wear a replica of the US flag in his lapel. Like many of us--including me-- he did so right after 9/11. But within a few short weeks President Bush began desecrating our unity with his lies, deception and policies that fly in the face of our Constituion and its principles of liberty, equity and fair play. Wearing of the flag became the way of masking and distorting the real issues facing American citizens and immigrants.

In the past few weeks Obama has effectively opposed two Bush Administration officals--Hans von Spakovsky and John Tanner-- who are architects of the Bush/Cheney/Gonzalez Justice Department policy to support the racially discriminatory Georgia voter identification law. It requires a photo identity before people can vote--in practice an act of raw intimidation

This racially harmful law--a throwback to the racial hostility of yesteryear-- requires all voters to have in their possession certain government provided information to vote. Civil servants in the Justice Department saw the law for what it is: keep people of color--African-Americans, Asians and Latinos--from voting. These professionals thought the law clearly hinders the ability of people of color, from voting. The perpetrators and architects of the policy are Hans von Spakovsky and John Tanner.

Obama broke up a deal that would have confirmed von Spakovsky to the Federal Election Commission. How can one hostile to African-Americans exercise their voting rights, interpret the Federal election law fairly. He cannot and should not be confirmed.

Obama called on Tanner to be fired for saying on video that the photo identification law's requirements do not dienfranchise minority voters because: "Our society is such that minorities don't become elderly the way white people do; they die first." This statement comes from the head of the Civil Rights Division--a division that was once a star in government and is now depleted with a demoralized alumni-- demoralized for what has happened to their cherished government agency.

Obama's patriotism is expressed in actions that protect Americans in exercising our treasured rights. It's not about wearing lapel pins. Let us be proud.

David Cohen

Obama Stays Strong: Time, Money, Message

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:50:12 EDT

The spate of stories about campaign finances and Clinton's poll lead leaves out key matters: (a) no votes have occurred; (b) primary polling results are volatile and have moved at the end of a specific state primary election cycle; (c) the large absence of land lines among young voters leads to their being under represented in polling.

Obama has an important asset: the advantage of time. He is using it strategically and not relying on a last minute kick at the end of the primary and caucus decisions. Rather he is building steadily through organization, money and message which will bring out supporters and have a bevy of people working to influence others. They will be using the Obama message.

As a former President and CEO of Common Cause I know lots about politics and money. Obama's second advantage is that he leads Clinton in total donations and contributors directly given to the Presidential nomination by nearly $13 million. Remember $10 million of Clinton money was transferred from her Senate campaign. It's perfectly legal but it can't be counted in the same way as Obama's money which comes from individual contributors.

We know that Obama has more than 350,000 contributors including purchasers of memorabilia, bumper stickers etc.. We don't know Clinton's number as of this writing because she has not disclosed it. That includes her purchasers of memorabilia, stickers, buttons etcwhat Obama rightly counts as contributors.

Obama's strength is that he has raised more money than Clinton. He has done so from more contributors in smaller amounts. It tells us he attracts people with fewer resources who are strongly committed to him. They pony up, will vote for him and many will work for him during the nominating and election campaign.

Obama's third advantage is his message of looking ahead while he is rooted in community and knows who he is and what he is about. His time as a community organizer gives him a special leadership talent that enables him to work with people of different backgrounds and outlooks leading to their focusing on a worthy common goal and objective. That's what leadership is all about.

History is full of changed results in primaries that are very different from early polling reports. That's why it's important to remember that only voters can nominate anybody or knock them out. That's why the nominating campaign continues. We Obama supporters surely have a critical part in it all.

Leadership on Tough Matters

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:52:38 EDT

The conventional wisdom in electoral politics is don't touch social security except to cheer it. Avoid a political third rail by genuflecting to the status quo. When Reagan questioned the status quo, admittely recklessly and carelessly, Tip O'Neill let him have it between the eyes, thereby boosting the chances of a Democratic congressional win in 1982.

Obama challenged conventional wisdom by recognizing social security needs more revenue. Changes have to be made not only because of the baby boomers moving into the system but to help low income wage earners. They should get a break to boost their income and not have their first hard earned dollars taken out through the payroll tax.

Obama stepped right up and bluntly said take off the income ceiling. So if you earn $200,000 or even $100,000 per year tax it all. People at that level can afford the tax as I can attest to. It's only fair that we pay it.

Obama's proposal is not new. Hubert Humphrey, Robert Kennedy and Walter Reuther over 40 years ago made the same proposal. It's practical, workable and equitable.

Obama's leadership is in taking an old idea, well vetted, that has been ignored and he strongly advocates it. He knows that it may well open up other issues on social security. Efforts to strip social security--Bush and his allies have tried and failed--can be warded off as they have been in the past.

Warding off bad ideas is no excuse for staying silent on good ones. That is very different from Clinton who hides behind the status quo and with it abandons leadership for governing.

Leadership on Tough Issues--Cuba in Florida

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 18:52:51 EDT

We Obama supporters need to make the case to others on why Obama is the one candidate who has a chance to lead us out of the morass we are in from the damage Bush and Cheney have done to our country's liberty, equity, security and respect within the US and outside of it. Once again Obama showed leadership in Florida with the Cuban-American community.

Senator Obama breaks with political tradition and long standing conventional wisdom by advocating a slight loosening of of the over four decades old embargo. The political consultants for years have said to change the embargo is political recklessness and stupidity of the first order. Obama challenges the conventional wisdom.

A younger generatinoo of Cuban-Americans want increased contact with family members and others in the island. They have no illusions about the state of civil liberties in Cuba: it's not acceptable nor is the economic poverty. They want the lives of family members and fellow nationals improved. With Castro in declining health political space can be created to renew family contacts and expand economic activity in Cuba. Such activity would be bolstered if and when money order remittances are allowed.

I worked with Cuban-Americans, a few years back, I know that the younger Cuban Americans will welcome the political leadership Obama has shown. This is true in places such as Philadelphia, New Jersey and Illinois as well as Florida. In Florida the emotions run raw and high. Families divide. Obama gives a lift to these folks and the word is spreading to other Cuban Americans.

Ethics Leadership

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 05:51:17 EDT

More significant than the dust up between Obama, Clinton and Edwards on whether or not to take money from lobbyists, is the pioneering work Obama has done on ethics enforcement in the US Senate. That cuts to the chase. Currently self-enforcement within the House and Senate has bred a culture of winking and bare compliance. Attention is paid only when the scandal is visible and public. That has to change and that is what Obama addresses.

From Obama's start as a Senator he has called for an independent process of compliance and enforcement. Under Obama's proposal the Senate doesn't avoid its constitutional responsibilities for deciding specific cases, but the process for fact finding is taken away from the Senate. That makes it independent. When people are cleared, and no wrongdoing has been found, it helps the member because the process has integrity.

What Obama is proposing will move the Congress to a culture of vigorous, fair and respected enforcement.. If adopted it would create a fundamental change for Congress in its effort to meet high ethical standards. That salient point takes Obama's advocacy out of the realm of self righteousness--a too common pattern of advocacy for many reformers-- to one of saying and doing what has to be done to make our institutions of self governance accountable and steeped in integrity. .

Enforcement stands as one of the systemic reforms Obama has pressed. He recognizes that the broken branch of the Congress requires comprehensive and systemic changes. Obama is making his case to to his Senate peers. On this issue you don't win popularity contests with many of your colleagues. Obama is not deterred. His style and stamina stand him in good stead. That's leadership!

Continued strong Obama leadership

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 14:15:05 EDT

Obama's August 21 speech to the VFW on --a tough audience-- told it like it is: The speech representss another important example of leadership for Obama. He tells people what they need to hear not what they want to hear.

Obama said: "No military surge no matter how brilliantly performed can succeed without political reconciliation and a surge of diplomacy in Iraq and the region." He went on to say "Iraq's leaders are not recinciling. They are not achieving political benchmarks." Obama held nothing back when he called the efforts to stabilize the country a "complete failure" that has US troops entangled at risk to their lives and limbs in a sectarian strife.

What Obama does brilliantly is clearly demonstrate his empathy and understanding of the post combat emotional, psychological, spiritual and economic needs of those who have served. To get people to listen, as he successfully did at the VFW, he shows his respect for those serving.

Leaders don't just declaim or exhort. They have to persuade and Obama goes well beyond a well thought out public argument. Obama has the powerto persuade because he puts himself in the place of the aydience and their prime reference groups. His empathy can be felt!. Exclaiming cannot persuade without the necessary empathy and compassion. Obama demonstrates that empathy and compassion repeatedly.

Obama's Leadership: Speaking to the National Education Association

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 05:34:13 EDT

Senator Obama continues to demonstrate high qualities of leadership in his presidential campaign. That's the essential message that his supporters must convey in this campaign at meetings and coffee ckatches.

Just as Obama stepped up when he spoke to the auto exceutives in Detroit, Obama made the hard points when he spoke to the National Education Association (NEA). When presidential candidates speak to such groups these groups anticipate that the candidate will swallow their agenda completely. Obama refuses to pander. That's an essential aspect of leadership.

Merit pay to organized teachers unions or the NEA is anathema. Right now these groups have a veto power on this issue in spite of the fact that while more teacher pay is warranted other changes to the system must occur. These include merit pay and sufficient accountability so that school districts can dismiss ineffective teachers. Obama stepped up to the plate and in the question and answer period and directly dealt with the question of merit pay.

Senator Kennedy, the lion of the Senate, has recognized what Obama told the NEA:Obama said, "It may not be popular to say in Democratic circles, but there were good elements to this bill (No Child Left Behind)--its emphasis on the achievement gap, raising standards and accountbility." It has highlighted differences between rich and poor schools, between black and white students and places pressures on the educational system to address and close its opportunity gaps.

Obama is challenging the groups he speaks to. In this instance he challenged the teachers to move beyond a dominant emphasis on their own interests and recognize that a fair merit pay system is needed to give children a chance to shine in an America based on equity and fairness. That's leadership.

Obama's Leadership: Taking Washington Back for the People

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:32:44 EDT

Obama's Manchester NH speech deserves all the plaudits it's received so far. As a veteran partiicpant in clean government issues since the Nixon period, and a principal lobbyist for Ethics in Government Act as CEO of Common Cause when Carter was President, I know how tough these fights are. Obama's leadership is in willing to take them on as a State Senator in Illinois, no easy task; he continued in the Congress and knew how to cross pary lines to advance his ideas. Again by standing up for what is right, he was willing to change the comfortable ways of Washington privlege and corruption.

Obama's proposals meet the test of what ought to be. Going from what is to what ought to be takes him up a steep incline. Obama does not exaggerate when he compares our period to the Gilded Age. It has bred a deep cynicism in too many of our fellow citizens. We have to reverse that.

If, and when, Obama becomes President the rapacious interests will try and undo a stiff, tight and walled revolving door; they will work overtime to restore no-bid contracts; they will whine about creating space for gifts--just tiny emoluments, they'll say; and keep officials chosen on merit and dedication to public purpose and public service won't be easy; and there will always be those who want to blur transparency and keep government secret and inaccessible.

These ethics and clean government issues deserve continued addressing and repetition. By Obama addressing them, he will show his toughness and steeliness. Obama's leadership, if it gets a chance to be exercised will bring to public life a group of people who want to dedicate themselves to public service.

There are plenty of people who exemplify this. Obama rightly saluted Teddy Roosevelt. There are others. General George Marshall, John Gardner LBJ's Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, Archibald Cox, the Watergate Prosecutor who refused to knuckle under to Richard Nixon and Elliot Richardson the person who refused Nixon's order to fire Cox. These exemplars of public integrity and accomplishment will be the kind of people Obama must pledge to fill government offices. Then we will have in Lincoln's Gettysburg peroration, "a government of the people, by the people and for the people."

Obama's Father's Day Message: An Example of Leadership

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 07:06:50 EDT

Senator Obama's Father's Day Message, movingly given, as reported by the Charlotte Observer, has Obama again stepping up and providing the leadership our country needs.

Single mothers are doing the best they can. But strong fathers are important to reduce the chances of children living in poverty or dropping out of school. We all knw that.

Sure we need a safety net for health and retirement and when people are laid off and need work.

Obama is a powerful messenger to step up and challenge the progressive orthodoxy that there is a program for every problem. Parents--and that means fathers too-- the TV has to be turned off, in Obama's words, "once in a while, put away the video games and start hitting the books." Obama rightly puts personal and parental responsibility at the center of any effort to improve the lives of children. Obama's strength is that he is willing to say so as he did a few days ago in the Mt. Moriah Church in Spartanburg South Carolina.

Yes, we need to do job training, expand the Earned Income tax Credit and increase child support enforcement. That's why Obama can credibly say, "There are a lot of men out there who need to stop acting like boys...who need to know that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child but the courage to raise a child."

Suggestion: In organizing meetings of Obama supporters tell what Obama stands for and then have people go into small groups and discuss what does parental and personal responsibility mean to that group , what steps do you take to make it happen, and include young pepople in this part even if they are non-voters.

People are being asked to vote for Obama in the primaries and caucus states and then help elect him when he is nominated. What makes the Obama campaign different is that Obama supporters are being asked to spread the message, the conversation and the commitment of the essential importance of personal and parental responsibility. It continues during and after the election. That's the change our country needs.

Clinton and Iraq

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 17:56:48 EDT

I normally do not think votes cast by legislators provide a clue for presidential leadership. However, a set of issues documented by the excellent journalists Jeff Gerth (former NY Times investigative reporter) and Don Van Natta, current NY Times investigative reporter, make a compelling case for Clinton's absence of leadership on Iraq. Examine their compelling book Her Way: The Hopes and Ambitions of Hillary Rodham Clinton. Here's why:

1. She failed to read the 90 page National Intelligence Estimates report before the vote authorizing the Iraq war. Senator Bob Graham (D-Fla), the then Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, at a Senate Democratic Caucus, urged all Senators to read the report before they cast their votes. For Clinton not to have done so is a dereliction of duty and failure to follow due diligence.

2. She opposed the pro-diplomacy Levin amendment although in her public statements she said she wanted diplomacy pursued. The Levin Amendment had the President going to the UN to authorize war. If that failed the Congress would vote on going to war. Senators who in the end authorized the President going to war supported Levin. But not Senator Clinton.In fact, she was silent during the debate and never stated why she opposed the Levin amendment.

3. In December 2005 Clinton, and other Senators, met with the President to discuss Iraq. She had voiced her criticisms of the policy and said she wished she knew when she voted what she knew now. In the meeting with the President she was silent thereby making anybody reasonably wonder if she really meant what she said publicly. Her failure to speak her thoughts to the President is a form of buckling under when it counts and with it a failure to speak directly to the President.

Taken together these three items--failure to read the NIE report, opposition to the pro-diplomacy Levin Amendment, and silence before the President--show an absence of leadership on Iraq by Clinton.

Clinton is clearly far far preferable to any Republican. That is not the choice now. This combined failure of leadership needs to be part of public discussion and debate. Obama supporters, and other supporters of a rapid and prudent end to the Iraq war, should bring this pattern of deficient leadership to Democratic voters in primary and caucus states.

David Cohen

Washington DC

Obama's Leadership on the Iraq War

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 13:45:35 EDT

As a veteran worker and lobbyist for public interest, anti-poverty, pro-peace issues, I believe strongly that Obama has demonstrated tremendous leadership on the Iraq war issue. In Iowa he has challenged the quaint folkways of the Senate by directly urging voters in Iowa to let Senator Grassley, the well ensconced veteran Republican, to begin opposing the war and certainly not to be perfectly supine for president Bush's harmful policies for America, Americans and Iraqis. Obama shows that important issues i.e. the war in Iraq are more important than the club-like courtesies of the Senate. In my book that's leadership!

David Cohen

leadership by Obama!

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Mon, 14 May 2007 19:17:04 EDT

Part of exercising strong and effective leadership is saying what needs to be said even though conventional political wisdom says avoid, duck, you only get people mad. Forget it. Not Obama. Obama exercised tremedous leadership in Detroit when he told the car manufacturers that they are responsible for the sad state of the US auto industry. Theirs is a history of resistance whether it was seat belts, and keep driving unsafe at any speed, or the lack of effective emissions control or their contribution to our energy insecurity, their reckless insistence on building gas guzzlers, and their overwhelming lack of imagination in contributing to solving energy, environmental or safety problems. Obama called them to account, castigated them deservedly and didn't stop with that denunciation. Obama proposed constructive remedies. That's what I call strong and effective leadership. We all see too little of it. Let's embrace it when it occurs.

Obama's Major Fopreign Policy Speech-- Chicago

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Sat, 05 May 2007 19:30:41 EDT

Obama's Chicago speech on foreign policy blends vision with detail, tackles tough questions and avoids simplistic and tactical approaches, recognizes that America must be a leader in the world, not withdraw from it, and has a moment with the prudent use of power drawing on idealism that is rooted in what we are as a country and is not messianic. It's more FDR than anyone has shown in the last 50 years. It gives us an insight into Obama's perspective and what he sense leadership in a complex, difficult, unsafe world is.

David Cohen

Daily Kos and Obama

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 10:17:13 EDT

The liberal intolerance of attacking people who try to be thoughtful and realistic has to be rejected. Daily Kos is a perpetrator of a politics that rejects robustness and depends on the use of the verbal rack.

Obama in no way has compromised his early and consistent anti-Iraq war stance. What we all know will happen is that the anti-Iraq war fight will continue once the veto has been made. It will continue in future legislation and Obama will be there to fight for it and vote for it.

Part of leadership is not to be intimidated by the screeching from people who mistake reflection for action, and Daily Kos's editor is a lead screecher.

Obama and campaign contributions

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 15:32:44 EDT

Here's a way to look at the dollars analysis in the campaign funding race. How many contributors does Obama have? How does that compare with Clinton and Edwards? What is the average contribution for each. It's not who has more money, ( Clinton's includes general and primary elections, is not transparent about breaking it down, and includes money from her Senate campaign.)

Building a movement involves lots of people in small contributions, making contributions that are affordable by committed people. Of course, it will have large givers but they are not dominant in the money game.

The reported Obama figure of $20 illion is good but let's analyze further and be prepared for comparisons.

Organizing Volunteers

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 16:20:42 EDT

Obama's wanting his suppoorters to meet one another and organize themselves into a movement reflecting his vision is another turning point in the campaign. Movements can only be built around people meeting one another, seeing one another and learning each other's priorities and idiosyncracies. That sparks energy and action and gives people a chance by meeting one another, to learn from each other and work together.

As important as the nomination and election of Obama is, it is about making operational the vision, values and energy that drives Obama and his supporters. The campaign is part of a beginning to continue the real change that's needed so that America will reach its promise of fairness and equity. It's an America that includes all and recognizes that we can only be secure if we earn the world's respect.

The organizing motif of the Obama campaign will make it possible to develop what historian Jeremy Brecher calls "structured networks." These networks run far deeper than meeting and talking. It even goes deeper than taking responsibility for a campaign activity or serving as an advance person for Obama or his entourage.

It's about doing the necessary work that builds sustained efforts after the election because as sure as the sun rises in the east you can bet the special interests will try to derail decent changes in health, education, environment and countless other issues.

Obama recognizes that organizing people is the essential step for movement building when people are as highly motivated as the Obama supporters are.

We have begun. Let us continue!

David Cohen

Washington DC

perceptive articles on Obama

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 22:35:55 EDT

Insights from Nicholas Kristof in the New York Times and Ryan Liuzza in the New Republic offer perceptive understanding into Obama as a grass roots organizer, who learned how to work with people who are different from him and who may even disagree with him.

As a one time organizer, and as one who has worked closely with organizers, I know it's the hardest job, and least glamorous one, in social movement building. Laurels to Kristof and Liuzza for understanding this point and recognizing it as part of Obama's leadership.

Kristof's piece was posted on the Obama web site. I don't think Liuzza's was but it should be.

more leadership

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 22:30:05 EDT

Another example to demonstrate Obama's leadership. McCain has agreed to join with Obama on saving the public financing provisions if he is nominated.

In 1972, when I was part of the leadership team at Common Cause, we asked candidates to disclose their campaign finances voluntarily. McGovern and Pete McCloskey (he challenged Nixon) did. That led to Humphrey and Muskie doing so as well. Scoop Jackson and Wilbur Mills refused. So did Nixon.

Nixon's refusal led to the Common Cause suit against CREP (pronounced "creep") which we won. It forced the disclosure of secret corporate contributions and helped unravel the corruption behind Watergate.

I think Clinton, and all other candidates, should be asked publicly (Democrats and Republicans) to join Obama's efforts.

More Leadership from Obama

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 05:49:52 EST

At the recent well noted Hollywood fundraiser for Obama, the Senator again demonstrated leadership. He told Geffen, Spielberg and Katzenberg, his powerful hosts, and the movie stars present (Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller, Morgan Freeman, Ron Howard, Jackson Browne, Natalie Maines and the like) that they "are the story tellers of our age." With that art and skill comes "enormous power" that brings with it "an enormous responsibility." They are expected to exercise that responsibility.

Leadership is about challenging your supporters and making it clear that it's not enough to write checks and cheer. That's what Obama did.!

David Cohen, Washington DC

Obama's Leadership

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 05:42:12 EST

We all know that the Presidential public financing system is in deep trouble. Obama's recent statement, reminding the attentive public that the reason for Presidential public financing serves core public purposes by its "limiting the escalation of campaign spending and the associated pressures of candidates to raise, at the expense of time devoted to public dialogue, ever vaster sums of money."

Nobody expects Presidential candiates to disarm unilaterally on money raising. What Obama did, as one who puts his actions where his thoughts are, is to call on the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to rule on Obama's creative point: permit him to legally collect campaign money now for the race but leave froom for him to choose to use public financing after nominated. If both major parties candidates use public financing Obama rightly says they will be "freed from any dependence on private fundraising."

Obama has shown how to use the Campaign Finance law creatively and protect Presidential candidates from engaging in a harmful money camaign finance arms race. That's leadership!

David Cohen, Washington, DC

Obama is Making It

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 17:30:35 EST

On Valentine's day the acerbic and witty Maureen Dowd took after Barack Obama in her New York Times column which is widely syndicated. In the past she has skewered Bill and Hillary Clinton and Bush and Cheney regularly. Her making Obama her target of the day is yet another example of Obama being treated seriously. This is added political recognition.

David Cohen

Washington

being direct with the voters

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 20:29:53 EST

Oback exercised leadership when he indicated to a group of iowa voters that under an Obama

presidency there is likely to be an increse in the Defense budget. The Bush policies have

recklessly depleted our military. Obama told voters what he thought they had to know rather

than pander to their wishes. As the House debate on the Resolution of no confidence in

Bush's escalation policy makes clear, our readiness capabilities in a crazy world are seriously

at risk. All of us want the defense budget to come down. The place to start is to begin the

orderly withdrawal of US troops, as part of a phased and definite redeployment-- no room for

the Iraqis to kid themselves-- and begin to get control of defense spending that fits our real

national security needs.

What has to be remembered is that Obama knew what was behind is questioner Sunday night

in Cedar Rapids. He is skilled enough to have dodged the question. He chose not to.

That's real leadership!!!

David Cohen. Washington DC

February 14, 2007

quick recognition by Obama, an added opportunity

David Cohen, active public interest advocate, retired from a paycheck — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 07:55:36 EST

Senator Obama's quick recognition that "wasted" is not a word he should have used about those who have been killed in Iraq is an added strength of his leadership. Political leaders rarely acknowledge mistakes and when they do it's invariably late and therefore too late. Obama stands out as a welcome contrast.

How then to best honor those who have served? Our responsibility goes to the women and men who have served and their families whether they have been killed, wounded or survived without injury. The family members' sacrifices have been great. Thought should be given on how best to create opportunities for spouses and children as well in education, housing and health. They should be included as among those who are honored in addition to those who have served.

David Cohen Washington, DC