Kyle Greene's Blog; SC ON DECK!!

NOW WHAT MUST WE DO......

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:15:13 EST

We now lead the TOTAL vote, TOTAL overall delegate vote, and won the MOST states. We have built a broad base of supporters, donors, and voters of all ages, races, genders, and religions. SO, now where do we GO? We go back to what has been WORKING for US thus far. Their's a cliche we all are aware of "IF IT's NOT BROKE DON'T FIX IT"! Barack needs to continue to campaign in EVERY state only 3%-5% of Barack donors have max out. So Barack, if YOU need US like we are depending on YOU, please don't hesitate to ASK for money. We have made a headway into the Latino and low income voters and that re-draws our coalition. WE CAN AND WE WILL WIN if we never become COMPLACENT on the NEAR future!! WE MUST WIN THE PRIMARIES FIRST!! So let's not even think about the GENERAL ELECTION and John McCain. NOW IS OUR TIME!! Their comes a time in everyone lives in which we come to a crossroads in which we must make a DECISION and a STANCE in our lives in what's IMPORTANT NOT to just US but our KIDS!! I have a ten year old daughter and two year old son and I want to leave them a better country that my parents left me. LET's CONTINUE TO APPLY THE PRESSURE!! I played basketball and football all throughout middle/high school and college and our coaches always said "PRESSURE BURST PIPES" let's bust some PIPES and CHANGE NOT THIS COUNTRY BUT THE WORLD!!

NOW WHAT MUST WE DO......

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:14:13 EST

LET's CONTINUE TO APPLY THE PRESSURE!! I played basketball and football all throughout middle/high school and college and our coaches always said "PRESSURE BURST PIPES" let's bust some PIPES and CHANGE NOT THIS COUNTRY BUT THE WORLD!!

From My South Carolina Eyes to YOUR Listening Ears.......

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 15:51:41 EST

As a proud resident of Columbia South Carolina I could not have been more happier for my state then I was last night. It was a long time coming but a time that needed to COME so we the voters of the Palmetto state could show OUR GOOD JUDGEMENT on who WE felt was honest loyal and trustworthly of our valuable vote. Luckily, for us the state of South Carolina felt like Barack Obama was the BEST CANDIDATE!!

On Friday night I attended the rally at the Kroger Center in which Barack and Michelle took the stage to FIRE UP his broad base. The media if (YOU GUYS/GALS remember) wanted us to BELIEVE somehow that Barack was the "black" candidate while he was in South Carolina. Needless to say, the crowd that night all the rallies I attended, and me on the ground NEVER could confirm their theory. Barack would go on that night and FIRE US UP so much until I think so of those people left the rally and went to go stand in line for the next day (LOL).

Saturday morning, I woke up to a beautiful day in South Carolina and adventured off to my polling place with my Barack shirt (that reads on the back "AMERICAN HISTORY IN THE MAKING" (thanks to my NJ buddy Akeem). I was over-joyed by the number of people waiting to cast their ballots hopefully with Barack beaming in their minds. After I voted, I went into my community and rallied my friends and neighbors to go vote and to cast their ballots for BARACK OBAMA!! It was funny because two paid staffers from the campaign came up behind me while I was discussing to someone why he needed to vote for Barack. They asked if I worked with the campaign and I gladly responded "NO! But I am one of those secret weapons Barack has that he doesn't even know about!" They were elated to know that I was going door to door with them getting people in thier cars to go and vote for Sen. Obama. Remember what Barack beleives, "If ONE voice can change a room; it can change a CITY and if it can change a city it can change a STATE and if it can change a state it can change a COUNTRY and if it can change a NATION!!" I took those words and worked outside the campaign because I know the people and didn't want a script, nor an address nor did I want anyone getting in my way because I was a MOTIVATED BLACK MAN WITH A MISSION!!

To my amazement as the polls closed in my great state at 7pm (EST) CNN along with MSNBC and FOX called our state for Barack not even a minute into the percints reporting. The media FELT what the state of SOUTH CAROLINA said VERY LOUDLY "WE WANT CHANGE AND WE, THE PEOPLE GET THE LAST CHOICE ON WHO WE FEEL CAN SPEAK ON OUR BEHALF!!" With record turnout across the state and us winning just about every voting bloc (and yes both young and old) the final numbers reflected BARACK WINS IN A LANDSLIDE!! At the victory rally as we watch John King of CNN say something to the affect "Their aren't anyother states besides GA with such a large African American voting bloc as we see in South Carolina" the crowd began to chant in unison "RACE DOESN'T MATTER!! RACE DOESN'T MATTER!!" The media quickly turned on thier cameras in shock that whites blacks, Asians, Native Americans and Mexicans could stand together chanting these powerful words. Barack and his beautiful wife took the stage and Barack gave a speech that was needed to propell him into those Feb. states. Barack said "When I came to South Carolina a year ago, I didn't see a white South Carolina or a black South Carolina; what I saw was SOUTH CAROLINA!!" It took me back to when he said at the DNC 2004, "Their is no white America or black America their is a United States of America!!" This weekend was PRICELESS and I just wish each of YOU when it's your turn YOU speak out and cast your votes loudly. SOUTH CAROLINA DELIVERED and I have never been as proud of my state as I was last night because out of 46 counties WE WON 44!!!! We won every district and every region of the state (Low Country, Midlands, Upper State etc.). Iowa THANK YOU!! New Hampishere THANK YOU!! Nevada THANK YOU!! SOUTH CAROLINA WE DID IT!! You other states the jury is still out but I strongly believe your verdict will ring loud and clear for BARACK OBAMA!!

Love always,

Kyle Aubrey Greene

From My South Carolina Eyes to YOUR Listening Ears.......

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 14:54:59 EST

A proud resident of Columbia South Carolina I could not have been more happier for my state then I was last night. It was a long time coming but a time that needed to COME so we the voters of the Palmetto state could show OUR GOOD JUDGEMENT on who WE felt was honest loyal and trustworthly of our valuable vote. Luckily, for us the state of South Carolina felt like Barack Obama was the BEST CANDIDATE!!

Love always,

Kyle Aubrey Greene

From My South Carolina Eyes to YOUR Listening Ears.......

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 14:52:55 EST

Love always,

Kyle Aubrey Greene

BARBER ENDORSE BARACK!!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:52:13 EST

Barber Endorses Obama

South Carolina’s 2006 Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor, Robert Barber, endorsed U.S. Sen. Barack Obama in his presidential bid today. A former member of the South Carolina State House of Representatives, Robert Barber ran one of the closest statewide races in 2006, receiving more votes than any other Democratic candidate on the ballot.
“Sen. Obama has shown that he’s the candidate who can deliver change we can believe in, put an end to politics as usual and bring Democrats, Republicans and Independents together to win in November 2008,” Barber said. “We have to turn the page on the divisive politics of the past if we’re going to see progress on the critical issues that that face us as a nation. I look forward to working with the campaign here to help win the state of South Carolina for Sen. Obama.”

http://thestatecom.typepad.com/ygatoday/2008/01/barber-endorses.html

SC Dem race tight in two new polls

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 14:42:09 EST

SC Dem race tight in two new polls

Two new polls show a tight Democratic presidential race in South Carolina. A SurveyUSA tracking poll conducted for WCSC-TV in Charleston shows Hillary Clinton is at 41% and Barack Obama with 39%, within the survey's 4.5 percent margin of error. John Edwards comes in with 17%. http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportPopup.aspx?g=84bfc14a-9487-49f8-a7fc-af6d0d7a0ec2&q=44162

A just released CBS News telephone survey puts Sen. Obama slightly ahead, with 35% to Sen. Clinton's 34%. Again, that is within the poll's 4% margin of error. The former N.C. senator, John Edwards is at 13% in that poll.

On the Republican side in South Carolina in the CBS poll, Mike Huckabee has 28 percent and Mitt Romney has 20 percent. The margin of sampling error in the Republican poll is 5 percentage points. Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Fred Thompson are bunched together at 12, 11 and 10 percent respectively. http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=84bfc14a-9487-49f8-a7fc-af6d0d7a0ec2

P.S. I'VE BEEN TELLING ALL YOU GUYS AND GALS SOUTH CAROLINA WILL GO TO BARACK!! WE WIN IOWA OR NEW HAMPSHIRE AND THE WALL WILL FALL!!! FIRED UP AND READY TO GO!!

New SC poll: Obama closes on Clinton, Huckabee 'makes it onto the radar'

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 12:31:46 EST

A new poll suggests the presidential nomination races in South Carolina are getting as tight as those in Iowa. The Clemson University Palmetto Poll finds many people are still undecided -- including about a quarter of Republicans and half of Democrats. Among voters who have a favorite:

The top three Democrats are Hillary Clinton (19%), Barack Obama (17%) and John Edwards (12%). In the same poll in September, Clinton led Obama 26%-16%.

The top three Republicans are Mitt Romney (17%), Fred Thompson (15%) and Mike Huckabee (13%). Huckabee has "made it onto the radar" in South Carolina while Rudy Giuliani has dropped, says David Woodard, a political scientist at Clemson.

You can read more about the Clemson poll here. South Carolina Republicans hold their primary Jan. 19; Democrats vote a week later on Jan. 26. Click here to read our post earlier today about the close races in Iowa.

POLL: Clinton in qyest of MALE VOTERS!! Good Article

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:05:49 EST

WASHINGTON — More than eight in 10 Republicans and more than half the married men in a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll say they definitely wouldn't vote for Hillary Rodham Clinton for president.

The poll provides an early snapshot of who's ruling out Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama, the three leading candidates for the Democratic nomination.

RACE: Front-runners maintain big overall leads2008: Campaign coverage from USA TODAY

Clinton, who tops national polls of Democrats, is strongest within her party. Only 10% of Democrats said they'd rule her out; nearly three times as many said they wouldn't vote for Edwards.

The new poll found that Clinton would defeat the leading Republican, Rudy Giuliani, in a hypothetical matchup. Still, some Democrats wonder whether she's potentially unelectable or a drag on candidates lower on the ballot, and rivals such as Edwards say they're better bets.

In a general election, the poll suggests that Clinton has the least potential for winning votes from Republicans — 84% say they definitely would not vote for her, compared with six in 10 for either Obama or Edwards. Independents show the least resistance to Obama and the most to Edwards.

The poll found that 36% of women wouldn't vote for Clinton, compared with 50% of men — and 55% of married men. Obama had comparable appeal to women and more to men. Clinton's appeal overall falls as income rises, the reverse of the findings for Obama.

Pollster Mark Penn, a top Clinton strategist, says Clinton's strength against GOP hopefuls is growing. "With candidates who are lesser known, typically we see the opposite pattern happen," he says, citing 2004 nominee John Kerry as an example. Penn also says her appeal to Republican women is rising, and nearly a quarter of them could defect to her in a general election.

Clinton's unfavorable rating in the poll was 45%, vs. 30% for Obama and 31% for Edwards. "A fairly substantial number of ordinary voters have doubts about her," says Jack Pitney, a political scientist at Claremont McKenna College near Los Angeles.

Even so, he and others say that doesn't mean Clinton is unelectable. Political scientist John White of Catholic University in Washington, D.C., says she benefits from "the demise of the Republican brand" and trends such as more minority and single voters.

Overall, 43% in the poll would not vote for Clinton. Top reasons: They don't like her, her husband or her views. Retired professor Charles Bilbrey of Harrisonburg, Va., 65, a GOP-leaning moderate, calls Clinton "abrasive."

Others cite Clinton's marriage. "My biggest reason is she put up with her husband" after his affair with intern Monica Lewinsky, says Republican Betty Muse, 77, a retired nutrition director in New London, N.C.

Political scientist Gerald Benjamin at the State University of New York at New Paltz says old scandals "certainly will surface" if Democrats nominate her. Mark Mellman, Kerry's pollster in 2004, says they won't matter much. "People know who she is. There's not a lot you can tell them that's going to change their fundamental perception."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-11-07-clinton-poll_N.htm

OBAMA REJECTS BILL CLINTON'S CRITICISM

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:36:17 EST

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama said Tuesday that former President Clinton is making a leap to compare treatment of his wife in the presidential race to the "swift boat" criticism of John Kerry in 2004.

The former president had encouraged an audience in Nevada Monday not to let "trivial matters" take away the election from the Democrats as they have in the past. He cited the television ads during the 2004 presidential campaign that questioned Kerry's patriotism and campaign commercials in 2002 suggesting that Sen. Max Cleland, D-Ga. was soft on terrorism.

Both Kerry and Cleland won medals for their service in Vietnam, during which Kerry commanded a Navy "swift boat" and Cleland lost three limbs. Both were defeated after the ads aired.

"I was pretty stunned by that statement," Obama said with a chuckle when asked about the former president's comment in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

He said that when debating last week whether illegal immigrants should be given driver's licenses, Hillary Rodham Clinton "seemed to contradict what she said previously."

Both Obama and John Edwards have criticized her repeatedly on that score, but Obama said in the interview: "How you would then draw an analogy to distorting somebody's military record is a reach."

Sen. Chris Dodd, another candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, called the Clintons' response to the debate "outrageous."

"To have the former president come out and suggest this is a form of swiftboating ... is way over the top in my view," Dodd said in a telephone interview.

"If elected to the presidency, there will be a lot of tough questions and if you can't handle it in a debate without accusing everybody who has an issue with you of piling on or a sexist attack, somehow, first of all that's unwise and, secondly, it's false," Dodd said.

Obama, during his phone interview, also had criticism for his top two campaign rivals — Clinton and former Sen. Edwards.

The Illinois senator said Clinton does not have the track record to back up two of her proposals — increasing fuel economy and the production of renewable fuels like ethanol — both of which he said she's voted against in the Senate.

"I think it is important to look at who has been a consistent champion on these issues," Obama said. "I think I can make a legitimate claim that I have been consistent even when the politics is hard."

Edwards has said he would be the stronger fighter to get rid of the influence of special interests in Washington. But Obama said Edwards did not take on those interests when he was a senator from North Carolina.

"I'm happy to put my track record next to John's," Obama said. "He's been talking about it on the campaign trail, but when he was on position to do something, we fare well in that track record."

Sen. Clinton's comments on driver's licenses came at the end of a televised Democratic presidential debate last week. She hedged on whether she supported a plan by her home state governor, New York's Eliot Spitzer, to issue licenses to illegal immigrants. Both Democratic and Republican rivals have criticized her answer, accusing her of trying to have it both ways, and since then the Clinton campaign has accused them of ganging up on her.

Obama said he didn't protest when a debate in Iowa over the summer began with questions about his lack of experience and public foreign policy views.

"You didn't hear us complain that somehow we were being picked on," Obama said. "I mean, I think it's assumed that we are running for the presidency of the United States of America and that we've got to answer tough questions."

Bill Clinton made his comments at a convention of the American Postal Workers Union.

"We listened to people make snide comments about whether Vice President Gore was too stiff," Clinton said. "And when they made dishonest claims about the things that he said that he'd done in his life. When that scandalous swift boat ad was run against Senator Kerry. When there was an ad that defeated Max Cleland in Georgia, a man that left half his body in Vietnam."

"Why am I saying this? Because, I had the feeling that at the end of that last debate we were about to get into cutesy land again," Clinton said. "Ya'll raise your hand if you're for illegal immigrants getting a driver's license. So, we then let the Republicans go ahead saying all the Democrats are against the rule of law."

___

Associated Press writer Ron Fournier in Newton, Iowa, contributed to this report

BARACK BUSTING A MOVE WITH ELLEN!!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:38:51 EDT

Barack is cooler than the other side of the pillow. I know this isnt much of a post but LOOK AT BARACK'S MOVES!!

http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-us&tab=m1191248204226&vid=db89a2b5-625c-45ff-8038-769d37d87500&playlist=videoByTag:tag:election_08:ns:Gallery:mk:us:vs:1&from=MSNHP&GT1=10450

MASSACHUSETTS GOV. DEVAL PATRICK TO ENDORSE BARACK!!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:10:04 EDT

BOSTON - Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, a one-time Clinton administration aide, has decided to endorse Barack Obama over rival Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic presidential primary, The Associated Press has learned.

Patrick planned to make his declaration next week during a rally with the candidate in Massachusetts, according to a top administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity prior to the official announcement.

While Patrick served in the 1990s as head of the Justice Department's civil rights division under former President Clinton, husband of the New York senator, he also shares a strong connection with Obama from their mutual Chicago heritage and experience as black student leaders at Harvard Law School.

Last fall, Patrick became the first black governor of Massachusetts and only the second black state leader in the nation's history. Obama has the potential to become the nation's first black president. He also visited Massachusetts on Patrick's behalf during last year's gubernatorial campaign and his endorsement returns the political favor.

The administration official played down race as a factor in the decision, pointing instead to the governor's belief that Obama is attempting to inspire the public to re-engage in the political process — a goal of Patrick's since his "Together We Can" gubernatorial campaign.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071017/ap_on_el_pr/obama_patrick_1;_ylt=AiZHJbcwUzDU5lH.50lbmEpg.3QA

Obama’s wife takes fight to Hillary Clinton

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 22:55:51 EDT

GO AHEAD MICHELLE SHOW HILLARY WHAT YOU GOT!!!

ON the eve of a campaign visit to Britain, the wife of Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential contender, has delivered a spirited warning to Hillary Clinton, his toughest rival.

“Nothing is inevitable,” said Michelle Obama, vowing that her husband was a “uniter” who could beat Clinton to the party nomination.

Asked if she thought Clinton was a polarising figure, she replied: “That is definitely one of the challenges she faces. You can see it in the surveys.”

In an interview with The Sunday Times, she said that her husband had the magic to defeat the Clintons’ machine even though he was behind in the polls.

“People know Hillary and Bill, so their first instinct is to say: well, I’ve heard of these people,” she said. “But the more people see Barack, the more they like him. His favourable ratings are higher and, to top it off, he has brought in more money than any other candidate from a broader base of support.”

Drawing an explicit contrast with Clinton, she said: “The ‘inevitable’ candidate has not raised the most money and doesn’t have the biggest base of donors . . . So where’s the ‘inevitability’?”

She implicitly likened the rival campaign to a familiar but faded outfit at a time when America needed a fresh approach. “There is a choice we can make. It is a little scary because change is scary. Americans are creatures of habit,” she said.

“Sometimes we wear the same suit even if it’s got holes in it. We need a new suit, not just a new tie or new pants.”

Michelle Obama, 43, is an attractive and eloquent advocate for her 46-year-old husband. At 5ft 11in she has the looks of a model, but she is also emerging as a feisty campaigner.

She made it plain that they had no intention of letting Clinton walk over them. “A lot of times we’ve had leadership that has played on the divisions in this country, but the core values that unite us are real.” She thinks the key to victory lies in early primary states, where voters are seeing her husband close up. Obama, she claimed, was “neck and neck with one of the toughest political dynasties that we’ve seen in my lifetime”.

She added proudly: “The Clintons were supposed to be able to out-organise us. They haven’t . . . We’re building a grassroots movement of people and have an organisation that is unmatched in the early states.”

Michelle Obama will be the star guest at a $100-a-head “Obama for America” fundraiser in London tomorrow – a sign that her husband’s team is creatively targeting every possible source of revenue, including affluent Americans abroad. “We talked about whether I could go to the theatre or maybe shop, but it will just be one day in and out,” she said.

Then it will be back to Chicago’s South Side to daughters Melia, 9, and Sasha, 6, and a new round of campaigning.

“When I walk into a roomful of people, the purpose of what we’re doing takes hold in my mind and I’m energised and ready to go,” she said. “I really enjoy it. You have the privilege of being reminded just how decent people are.”

The sheer competence of the Illinois senator’s organisation initially caught Clinton’s camp off-guard but her veterans have recovered their poise.

Both candidates have raised nearly $80m each for the presidential race, a record-shattering sum, although Obama has raised more for the primary campaign from nearly 350,000 donors.

Yet Clinton has moved into a commanding 21-point lead over Obama in the opinion polls. In Iowa, an early voting state, Clinton holds just a three-point lead but the dial appears to be shifting in her direction.

The Obamas are sharpening their critique. Barack Obama has condemned Clinton for handing Bush a “blank cheque” for war after she voted to designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guards a terrorist organisation. It was a repeat, he suggested, of her vote to authorise the use of force in Iraq. “Now is the time that we’re going to be laying a very clear contrast between myself and Senator Clinton,” he told CNN.

Obama’s greatest appeal, his wife said, was that he was a “uniter, not just here but globally”. The process of democracy did not have to be “caustic”, she added: “You can disagree without being disagreeable. Barack has built his entire success in politics on this strategy.”

Obama has a vision of “who we want to be”, she said. “That’s the excitement he taps into and where his energy comes from. We’ve settled so much in this country for less than we want because we think that’s all there is.

“The thing Barack and I stay focused on is what we think politics should truly be in this country, words like honesty and truth-telling and getting to the point where leaders tell us what they really think, even if it’s not what we want to hear.”

It was a staunch tribute from a wife who has sometimes been criticised for joking that her husband does not always pick up his socks or is too “snorey and stinky” for his daughters when they sneak into bed for a cuddle.

She is proud that their daughters have a happy home life. “When we entered the race, Barack and I said there is a way to do this and keep the kids sane and stable. It requires a lot more juggling but it’s worth it. They are very confident about who they are, and that they are still the centre of our universe.”

If Obama wins the presidency, his wife will be the first African-American first lady. She is concentrating on “getting through the days” rather than making history she said. But she allowed herself one tempting thought. “If Barack becomes the next president of the United States, I’ll be in Britain often!”

Find out details of Michelle Obama's visit to London at the Obama abroad website

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article2652770.ece

BLACK SPLIT BETWEEN OBAMA & CLINTON..GOOD READING

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:37:38 EDT

WASHINGTON - Blacks are split down the middle over Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton in the presidential race, seeing both as on their side, a new poll says.

At the same time, blacks and whites have starkly different perceptions of Obama's credentials, the Associated Press-Ipsos poll said Wednesday. Blacks are significantly more satisfied than whites that the youthful Illinois senator has sufficient experience to be president.

Many blacks seem torn between the two. Obama would be the first black president, while the New York senator and former first lady, along with her husband, is widely popular among blacks.

"I'm a black person, but that's not the only thing I like about him," said Raymond Monroe, 63, a retired production supervisor from Abilene, Texas, who backs Obama but says he might shift. "He's young and has new ideas, but she's pretty sharp, too. Instead of good old boys all the time, I think we need a change."

Blacks make up about a tenth of voters overall. They are reliably loyal Democrats, voting nearly nine-to-one for the party's candidates in the 2004 and 2006 elections. And while blacks are few in New Hampshire and Iowa, they comprise about half the Democratic primary voters in South Carolina, another early voting state.

Their allegiance is especially strong to the Clintons, which will help the New York senator, according several black leaders from around the country.

"It's not so much Mrs. Clinton they're backing, it's that she's married to the ex-president," said Mayor Willie Adams Jr. of Albany, Ga.

In the late September poll, Clinton led Obama among whites by 35 percent to 18 percent, Blacks were essentially evenly divided, 40 percent for Obama and 38 percent for Clinton. Among all Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, Clinton led by 35 percent to 23 percent. All those measurements have been steady for months in the AP-Ipsos poll.

Faced with choosing between two potential White House firsts — the first black president or the first female — black women split 47 percent for Clinton, 37 percent for Obama. Clinton has led decisively among all women nationally.

Mayor Gwendolyn Faison of Camden, N.J., the city's first female black mayor, said a breakthrough for women would appeal to her but she has yet to pick a candidate.

"Being a female, we don't have that many females in authority positions," said Faison. "We have to show the men that we, too, can do the job."

Black men leaned toward supporting Obama over Clinton by 44 percent to 28 percent, and he had an edge among younger black voters — the opposite of her lead among all men and young people. He also gets stronger support from college-educated blacks — one of the few areas where he leads Clinton overall.

The nation is evenly split over whether Obama has enough experience for the White House, but with clear racial differences. Besides almost three years in the Senate, Obama, 46, was an Illinois state senator, law professor, community organizer and Harvard University law graduate.

On an issue that pits those credentials against Clinton's longer resume, blacks by 66 percent to 23 percent said Obama is sufficiently experienced to be president. Whites said "no" by 48 percent to 40 percent, and even white Democrats divided evenly over whether his experience was satisfactory.

Toni Pena, 36, a homemaker in Odessa, Texas, said she preferred Clinton or former Vice President Al Gore to Obama because "they both obviously would have more experience than he would, being that both of them have been in the White House."

The experience question could be crucial for Obama. Democrats who say he has adequate experience prefer him over Clinton by 40 percent to 28 percent, while those who say he does not back Clinton by an overwhelming 47 percent to 4 percent.

Some blacks in the survey said doubts about Obama's experience represent a racial double standard because President Bush — deeply unpopular among blacks — had only been Texas governor before his 2000 election victory.

"I hate to play the race card, but I don't remember people saying George Bush didn't have the right experience," said Patricia McCree, 70, a retired college administrator from San Diego who currently supports Clinton.

Asked about the survey, Obama pollster Cornell Belcher said it is "very impressive" that Obama is winning as much support as he is against Clinton, who is far better known. Mark Penn, Clinton's chief strategist, said the black community "sees her as a champion for their issues."

About half of both blacks and whites said Obama would do a better job of representing blacks' interests as president. Thirty-nine percent of blacks — compared with 26 percent of whites — said she would do better.

Blacks signaled more support than whites for Obama should he become the Democratic nominee. Eighty-three percent of blacks and 60 percent of whites said they would at least consider voting for him in November 2008, with the blacks who said they would definitely vote for him outpacing whites by nearly three-to-one.

The survey was conducted Sept. 21-25 and involved telephone interviews with 1,317 adults. It had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

Included were interviews with 368 blacks, for whom the margin of sampling error was plus or minus 5 percentage points. 865 whites were interviewed, with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 points.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071003/ap_po/obama_ap_poll;_ylt=AitVHq.jcxL3TpKECO0S8rFh24cA

SEIU ENDORSEMENT POSITION...Good reading

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 12:02:37 EDT

Union's non-choice is loss for Edwards, gain for Obama

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- After an eight-hour board meeting in Chicago on Monday, the executive board of the Service Employees International Union decided not to endorse for now in the Democratic primary. The executive board will revisit an endorsement on Oct. 8, after the third-quarter fund-raising totals are in.

This is a big setback for White House hopeful former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.), who has been working the SEIU leaders (first, second and third tier) for years. This is very good news for rival Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), who now has bought time to persuade SEIU leaders that he is the most politically viable contender.

I'm told the leaders of the SEIU -- one of the most politically active unions in the nation -- want to make an endorsement. And there are elements within the leadership who want to stop Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), who is the frontrunner in most polls -- national and in the four early primary states.

I'm told the executive board never even took a vote. That's all bad news for the Edwards forces, who hoped to lock in the SEIU endorsement last week, after the top Dem contenders addressed their political conference in Washington. But SEIU chief Andy Stern and SEIU chief politico Anna Burger said the executive board needed to hear more from the top strategists for the campaigns. Team Obama sent strategist David Axelrod and campaign manager David Plouffe.

Obama delivered a stemwinder last week at the conference. I wrote last week he faced an uphill battle getting the union's backing. By slowing down the process on Monday, he's leveling the hill.

Presumably, Obama will have a strong third-quarter fund-raising showing. The books close Sept. 30 and Edwards will be lucky to have $8 million. Obama and Clinton should be reporting at least $20 million in third-quarter results.

Today, Change-to-Win, a labor federation of which the SEIU is a member, meets in Chicago. No endorsement is expected.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/572706,CST-NWS-sweet25.article

I'LL TAKE A STRAW POLL OVER NATL POLLS ANY DAY!!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:01:55 EDT

Obama wins Dems straw poll OAKLEY – It won’t help make him the Democratic presidential nominee, but Illinois Sen. Barack Obama came out on top Tuesday night, winning a straw poll of Hamilton County Democratic Party activists.

Nearly 300 local Democrats crowded into the 20th Century Theater on Oakley Square to choose from among a slate of eight Democratic presidential contenders.

When the votes were tallied, Obama won with 102 votes – about 35 percent – over New York Sen. Hillary Clinton (69 votes) and former North Carolina senator John Edwards (64 votes).Another 50 votes were spread among five other candidates.

“It’s tremendous,” said State Sen. Eric Kearney, an Obama supporter who has hosted a fundraiser for the Illinois senator in Cincinnati.

“It’s exciting.”

The straw poll, of course, won’t mean anything in the end. Ohio’s presidential primary comes next March; and, by that time, most Democrats believe the presidential nomination will be in the bag, given the number of early primary and caucus states that precede Ohio.

But Obama supporters seemed well-organized at Tuesday night’s straw poll vote, with volunteers out on the street in front of the theater, passing out Obama T-shirts and stickers and urging the arriving Democrats to vote.

Edwards’ supporters had some signs plastered to the walls inside the theater lobby, but there seemed to be no organized effort for Clinton.

Obama supporters erupted in cheers when county party chairman Tim Burke announced the results.

“We need to bring the government back to the people and Obama understands that,” said party activist Freeman McNeil, wearing an Obama “Got Hope?” T-shirt.

“That’s what Obama’s campaign is all about – bringing people together – rich, poor, black and white. The message is getting through.”

Ronn Rucker, a gay rights activist from North Bend, said he considered supporting Obama early on, but switched to Clinton and cast his straw poll ballot for her Tuesday night.

“I’ve met her and I know what a kind and caring person she is,” Rucker said. “And she is ready to be president. I’m not sure Obama is.”

U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Cleveland, had 17 votes in the straw poll, while New Mexico governor Bill Richardson had 16.

Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware was next with 13 votes, while Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut had 4. Former Alaska senator Mike Gravel had no votes.

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070911/NEWS01/309110061

Democrats have key in Obama -- however ...

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 13:51:46 EDT

By Bob Ray Sanders
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
The Democratic Party, with an array of strong, diverse candidates for president, cannot win the 2008 election without Barack Obama on the ticket.

But if the Democratic Congress doesn't do something soon about getting American troops out of Iraq, the party won't be able to win even with Obama on the ballot.

The young senator from Illinois -- despite his lack of experience on the national scene, and regardless where he currently stands in the national polls (double-digit percentage points behind New York's Sen. Hillary Clinton) -- is the Democrats' real hope, whether they realize it or not.

As we get closer to the primary season, or as the primaries get closer to us, voters no doubt will realize that. But it all may be for naught, no matter how pathetic the current administration is, how many new scandals emerge between now and then, or how bad the current Republican field of candidates is.

Now, I'm not discounting the GOP hopefuls. Most have learned from George W. Bush how to stay on message even if it doesn't make sense, and especially if it's different from the position that a candidate took just a few years ago.

And you know Democrats. They could be running against the devil in drag and still manage to find a way to lose. Somewhere the late humorist Will Rogers is laughing at his own joke about his disorganized political party.

My feelings about Obama have not changed. I predicted several months ago, shortly after he announced his candidacy, that he would be on the ticket.

He is smart, articulate, charismatic and, yes, qualified. It is clear that he has captured the attention of many voters in some of those key early primary states, and he especially has invigorated a growing audience of young potential voters.

His crowds are genuinely enthusiastic, and I'm convinced that many of them think he is the candidate who most exemplifies change.

Frankly, I think he still has a chance to win the nomination, especially since Oprah Winfrey has decided to become more involved in the campaign. After all, Oprah, who can turn a boring self-help book into a bestseller overnight, once put then-candidate Bush on sure footing with one simple interview.

Let's say that Clinton gets the nomination. She can't win without persuading Obama to be her running mate.

Then there's John Edwards, whose candidacy I will not dismiss. Edwards, who has grown tremendously since he was John Kerry's vice presidential nominee, has invested a lot in Iowa, where polls show he's leading the other Democratic opponents.

If he wins Iowa, his campaign will get a much needed boost of publicity and money. Still, assuming he becomes the party's nominee, he can't win without Obama.

But if Obama gets the nomination, whom does he pick as his running mate? It can't be Clinton -- he's already painted her as a thing of the past, and at every opportunity, he tries to hang Iraq around her neck.

As America's first African-American presidential nominee (except for Bill Clinton, of course), he might be wise to choose Edwards, a matured, white guy from the South.

The only question is: Would Edwards go for it? Yeah, of course. What else does he have to do besides make money?

But like I said, if we're still losing troops in Iraq this time next year, with no significant drawdown there and no end in sight for getting out of that quagmire, then Edwards, Clinton and Obama can all go join Al Gore on his magnificent global warming tour.

As new reports are made to Congress in days to come, Democratic politicians -- and especially those running for president -- will be under significant pressure to support staying the course in Iraq. You can hear the refrains already: The surge is working; warring insurgents are beginning to work together to fight al Qaeda; we can't let the Iraqi people down; America can and must win this war.

If a Democrat manages to win despite the continued American presence in Iraq, the next administration will wear an albatross so weighty that it will be incapable of doing anything significant for the country, thus assuring Democratic defeats for decades to come.

Yes, the Democratic Party needs Obama to win -- but it needs withdrawal from Iraq even more.

bobray@star-telegram.com
Bob Ray Sanders' column appears Sundays and Wednesdays. 817-390-7775

http://www.star-telegram.com/245/story/228065.html

The movie 300

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 21:56:25 EDT

I recently watched the movie 300 and I cant call the name of the main actor(s)/actress to save my life but as I watched that movie and look over OUR campaign I felt compelled to share this with my new dearest friends. At the start of the movie it spoke on how they only picked the strongest boy to one day become a fighter/soldier for thier army. (I will focus on only key points I felt were vital to my conclusion) These kids/young men at very young ages were tested in some of the most exterme conditions but thier dedication was in perserving what they felt was vital to thier community. The main actor (also King) of this movie had a strong women (Queen) who stood by her husband in even the most troubling time of the movie. As the movie continued their community didnt want to be overtaken by a ruler who possed all the riches/followers in that part of the country. His army was like 20times the size of the Sparta army but Sparta's 300 strong were determined and preservered through the long battles. Even though they eventually losted they won in the hearts of thier city but more importantly themselves. I see Barack as our strong leader who has created a team, staff, volunteer base, grassroots level, white folks, black folks, young people, old people to fight for him against armies that largest than us and have been created and in place long before us but WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO BULLY US, SCARE US, OR MAKE US FOLD CAMP AND RUN AWAY WITH OUR TAILS TUCKED BETWEEN OUR LEGS!! We will fight every fight, run every race and stand untill the end with a leader in which we know 100% is right to lead our country in the direction not just right for the American people but other countires that look to us for guidance, wisdom, and comfort in the face of touch decisions. While our grassroots orangization is larger than 300 and may even surpass other campaigns looking at the movie that's the parallel I took away from it. to those of you who have seen the movie let me know if you agree with it and for those of you who havent its an excellent movie to watch. While Im not getting a dime to promote this movie I am getting a sense of relief in sharring my thoughts with each of YOU!!

BARACK OBAMA 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The movie 300

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 21:55:22 EDT

BARACK OBAMA 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When the Cameras are in New Orleans.......

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 08:24:12 EDT

http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2007/08/29/when-the-cameras-are-off-barack-obamas-hurricane-katrina-record/

I THOUGHT THIS WAS A AWESOME STORY!!!!

WHO WOULD THINK!!! Castro's tip: Clinton-Obama the winning ticket

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:44:56 EDT

HAVANA (Reuters) - Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro is tipping Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to team up and win the U.S. presidential election.

Clinton leads Obama in the race to be the Democratic nominee for the November 2008 election, and Castro said they would make a winning combination.

"The word today is that an apparently unbeatable ticket could be Hillary for president and Obama as her running mate," he wrote in an editorial column on U.S. presidents published on Tuesday by Cuba's Communist Party newspaper, Granma.

At 81, Castro has outlasted nine U.S. presidents since his 1959 revolution turned Cuba into a thorn in Washington's side by building a communist society about 90 miles offshore from the United States.

He said all U.S. presidential candidates seeking the "coveted" electoral college votes of Florida have had to demand a democratic government in Cuba to win the backing of the powerful Cuban exile community.

Clinton and Obama, both senators, called for democratic change in Cuba last week.

Castro has not appeared in public since intestinal illness forced him to hand over power to his brother Raul Castro in July last year.

He has turned to writing dozens of columns and essays, but rumors that his health is worsening or that he may even be dead have swirled through the Cuban exile community in Miami in the last two weeks.

Castro's only reference to U.S. President George W. Bush in his latest essay was to say that he "needed fraud" to win Florida's electoral college votes and the presidency in the fiercely contested election in 2000.

Castro said former President Bill Clinton was "really kind" when he bumped into him and the two men shook hands at a U.N. summit meeting in 2000. He also praised Clinton for sending elite police to "rescue" shipwrecked Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez from the home of his Miami relatives in 2000 to end an international custody battle.

But even Clinton was forced to bow to Miami politics and tighten the U.S. embargo against Cuba in 1996, using as a "pretext" the shooting down of two small planes used by exile groups to overfly Havana, Castro wrote.

He said his favorite U.S. president since 1959 was Jimmy Carter, another Democrat, because he was not an "accomplice" to efforts to violently overthrow the Cuban government.

Sixteen years after Dwight Eisenhower broke off diplomatic ties with Cuba, Carter restored low-level relations in 1977 when interest sections were opened in each country's capital.

Castro made no mention of Republican Cold War victor Ronald Reagan, or of John F. Kennedy, whose Democratic administration launched the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion by CIA-trained Cuban exiles in 1961.

One of the most dangerous moments of the Cold War came a year later when Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev faced off for 13 days over Soviet missiles that Castro allowed Moscow to place in Cuba.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070828/pl_nm/cuba_castro_usa_dc_2;_ylt=Ar3Omnb_2etj3nd9eFkybg5h24cA

HILLARY WORLD IS SHRINKING!! Obama Media Coverage Closing the Gap on Clinton

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:33:20 EDT

While Barack Obama's media coverage has been lagging behind Hillary Clinton's, the gap is getting narrower.

San Mateo, CA (PRWEB) August 28, 2007 -- Biz360® Inc., the leading provider of media and market intelligence solutions, today released its analysis showing that Barack Obama is now within 3 percentage points of Hillary Clinton's presidential candidate media coverage. This represents Obama's greatest monthly share of coverage in 2007. Each day Biz360 analyzes thousands of print, online and broadcast news articles covering the presidential candidates as well as blog posts from millions of different sources.

Hillary Clinton was mentioned in 41 percent of all media articles covering presidential candidates in August, the same share of coverage Clinton generated since May, 2007. Barack Obama's coverage increased to 40 percent of media articles in August compared to 34 percent since May, an increase of 17.8% over his average. While there has been some negative coverage on his foreign policy position, according to Biz360's Point-of-View Sentiment™ tone analysis, the majority of Obama's recent increase in coverage has been positive or neutral.

Candidates in this presidential election are paying more attention to their online discussion than ever before In blogs, Obama trails Clinton by 3 percentage points with 28 percent compared to her 31 percent of online discussion. While they maintain similar levels of blog coverage compared to each other, their share of coverage is at least 10 percentage points lower than in traditional media. The lower percentages of share between the lead candidates in blogs compared to mainstream media suggests more broad representation of the entire candidate field among social media sources.

"Candidates in this presidential election are paying more attention to their online discussion than ever before," said Tony Priore, chief marketing officer at Biz360, Inc. "Building a strong base of online promoters can influence other constituents on the Internet and within traditional media coverage as well. With the staggering amounts of information published daily online, measuring both traditional and social media coverage for visibility and tone versus competitors is critical for managing reputation."

Please contact Biz360 for more information or to request custom analysis of presidential candidate media coverage and online discussion.

About Biz360

Biz360 delivers media and market intelligence solutions to Global 2000 business decision makers, providing them with a 360-degree view of their marketplace. The company gathers and analyzes the vast amount of traditional and social media about an organization, its brands, its competitors and its products to deliver real-time insights that help our clients shape market perception, respond to competitive threats, evaluate trends and issues and improve the return on their marketing investments.

Our clients include industry-leading global companies, including AAA, Aetna, AstraZeneca, PacifiCare Health Systems, Sun Microsystems and Xerox. Biz360 can be reached at 866.424.9360 or http://www.biz360.com

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/8/prweb549719.htm

WOW!! LETS GO OBAMA!! Obama supported by Wilder

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:31:31 EDT

Obama supported by Wilder

RICHMOND, Va. — L. Douglas Wilder of Virginia, who made history as the nation's first elected black governor, is preparing to campaign aggressively for Barack Obama, and predicted in an interview that the charismatic young candidate could shatter the Republican Party's virtual lock on the South.

"He's not race-less," Wilder said of Obama, "but the skin color is of no moment. I don't think he would be an easy target for the Republicans."

The unstinting embrace by Wilder, now the mayor of Richmond, could be important in Virginia and other southern states, where his reputation still looms large and the African-American vote could prove decisive in the Democratic nominating contest.

His lavish praise was also surprising. Wilder's frequent practice has been to haze fellow Democrats, either with public digs or a mischievous silence, if he believed they had not paid their dues or could challenge him for influence.

In a 90-minute interview, Wilder also denounced African-American activists who question whether Obama is "black enough" in his style or agenda, a criticism Wilder said comes simply because Obama does not share their interest in "the pimping of race."

He was also notably cool toward Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton. He said that Clinton's explanations of her 2002 vote authorizing the Iraq war make no sense and that her polarizing personality makes her less electable than Obama in Virginia and similar moderate states.

Wilder, whose gift for theater is intact after a tumultuous life on the public stage, said he he won't make a formal endorsement for a month or so. He relishes his maverick reputation and remains unpredictable even in his unusual mayoral encore, where his days are consumed, apparently happily, with skirmishes over transit funding and police cadets. But he made it plain he hopes to make his endorsement echo beyond his Richmond base and throughout the South.

Wilder became a racial trail-blazer in the 1980s and early 1990s by downplaying race and cracking conservative, white voting blocs that once looked off-limits to a black man in the Old Dominion. In the interview Friday, he said Obama's style reminded him of his own, calling him a politician who "doesn't use race as badge, nor does he consider it a barrier."

He called the "black enough" criticism "inappropriate."

"What is blackness?" he asked. "Is it the way you talk? Do you got to say, 'Dey this, dey dat.' Or the way you dress? Or is it the forgiving of certain things? What is black enough? Is [Jesse] Jackson black enough? Is [Al] Sharpton black enough?"

Wilder's embrace of a fellow African-American may at first blush seem natural, but long-time political observers in this former Confederate capital said it was hardly a foregone conclusion given Wilder's independent streak.

In Obama's case, at least for now, it appears flattery will get him everywhere.

The former governor said he met Obama at one of the Washington correspondents' dinners, shortly after he was elected senator from Illinois in 2004. "I was very impressed with him — nice looking guy," Wilder recalled. "He came over to my table, as a matter of fact. He said very nice things — how he had been inspired by what we had done in Virginia, and it meant a lot to see that take place. And he wrote something similar to that in the book when he autographed it."

Wilder recalled that in his statewide races, some "were accusing me of not spending enough time in the black community, not recognizing that 85 percent of the vote was not in that community.

"Where was that criticism coming from?" he asked. "Some of the African-American community. They ultimately were supportive. But they were questioning the strategy."

Wilder flashed annoyance when he recalled conversations with people who say Obama "is a nice man — he's got a lot to learn."

"That's a put-down," Wilder said firmly. "What has he got to learn?"

Part of Wilder's sense of fraternity with Obama comes from the success the latter is achieving independent of the African-American establishment, with its high-profile representatives who are self-appointed but receive great deference.

"Certain black leaders would believe that you have to go through their prism: 'If I lay my hand on you, you're OK,' " Wilder said with a chuckle. "So many people have made a living off of the pimping of race. I told him when he runs, one of his big problems he would have is with the African-American leadership, as such. He didn't question it. He said, 'I think I know what you mean.' "

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0807/5518.html

Please LOOK AT THIS LINK!!! TEARS 2 MY EYES!!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:21:47 EDT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H__cqOtEiAs

Several prominent South Carolinians publicly supporting Obama

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Wed, 02 May 2007 03:57:07 EDT

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Senator Barack Obama has the support of several prominent South Carolinians.

Obama has announced the backing of the South Carolina leaders, including:

David Agnew- Former Executive Assistant to Charleston Mayor, Charleston
Labrena Aiken-Furtick-Community Activist, Orangeburg
E.W. Cromartie- Columbia city Councilman, Columbia
Thomas Earl Drayton- Georgetown County Councilman, Georgetown
Emile DeFelice-2006 Candidate for State Commissioner of Agriculture, Columbia
Bud Ferillo- Community Activist, Columbia
Kenneth Glover- Businessman, Orangeburg
Dick Harpootlian-Former Chairman of South Carolina Democratic Party, Columbia
Tameika Isaac-Devine- Columbia City Councilman, Columbia
Joe Jefferson- South Carolina House of Representatives, Pineville
I.S. Leevy Johnson- Former State Representative, Columbia
Kenneth Mosely- Professor at South Carolina State University, Denmark
Phil Noble- Businessman, Charleston
Aaron Polkey- First Vice Chair Charleston County Democratic Party, Charleston
Terrance Roberts- Mayor City of Anderson, Anderson
Todd Rutherford- South Carolina House of Representatives, Columbia
Bakari Sellers- South Carolina House of Representatives, Denmark
Inez Tenenbaum- Former State Superintendent of Education, Lexington
Barry Walker- Irmo Town Councilman, Irmo
Billy D. Williams- City of Florence Councilman, Florence

South Carolina -N- Obama

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 17:42:40 EDT

I must say that I'm bless to live here in South Carolina and to other supporters that dont live in major states in which a candidates time and money isnt so important right now I ask that in spirit, you live through my personal experiences this past week/weekend.

You guys/gals all know that this past Thursday South Carolina held the first Democratic Presidential Debate in Orangeburg, SC on the campus of South Carolina State University (SCSU). And I must say the students and staff of that fine institution were GREAT!! From helping the staffers get to thier destinations to helping the delegates find thier tickets and get seated was a collective effort in everyone that was involved. I was called by someone from the South Carolina office in Columbia (where I volunteer) staff and they needed a person(s) to help drive the staff from Columbia, SC to Orangeburg, SC (about a 30-40 minute drive depending on the driver). I said without even thinking yes!! Not knowing if I would somehow run into Barack or even having any clue who I would be driving. I just wanted to help and be a part of a very intergal role that goes unseen by many people. To my surprise I drove/meet five (or maybe six) very important people of OUR campaign. It gave me great pride and dignity to drive them safely to the debate site. We arrived on SCSU campus and to my amazment the campus was transformed into what looked like a Holloywood set for a motion picture; thier were camera, light fixtures, stands, stages, tents, campaign flyers, signs and whatever else you could think of. I've been on SCSU campus several times and while I didnt graduate from SCSU (Benedict College, Columbia SC) I felt proud to stand there and be aprt of should a grand event. While I walked the yard, I spoke with our wonderful Congressman Jim Clyburn, Al Sharpton, former Governor Hodges etc; I was as if I were a deer caught in headlights or a kid in a candy store because my feelings were so overwheleming. Sad to say as the evening grew old I grew sick and missed the entire debate but watching and reading from news stations/newpapers/my Goggle Alerts Barack did really well.

Ok, now on Friday evening Jim Clayburn had his annual fish fry and since he's the Majority Whip all of the heavy weights were there; Hillary, Biden, Richardson, Dodd, Edwards, and yes our man OBAMA!! When he arrived I thought Bono had entered the parking garage, the crowd went crazy and began chanting, "O-B-A-M-A OBAMA!!" and Barack tired to touch and feel every supporter that wanted his attention. I was with my family and trying to stay as one with a crowd of four was almost impossible and as I picked up the baby stroller to make my way near Barack guess what...........I WAS ABLE TO SHAKE HIS HAND AND LET HIM READ MY SHIRT (that my good/dear/kind friend Akin from NYC sent me) and on the front it read "BARACK" and the back "AMERICAN HISTORY IN THE MAKING" Barack seemed as if that made his night from the facial expression, to his smile, the pat on my back and to him giving a BIG THUMBS UP!! WAS AWESOME/AMAZING/REMARKABLE/PRICELESS or any other adjective that you wanted to put in to describe the situation. As Barack and the other candidates made thier way to the main sage with Clayburn; he introduced each of them and allowed them two-three minutes to just say something to the crowd. The crowd didnt boo any candidate and clapped to whatever struck thier cord but I must say when Barack was introduced the crowd clapped the longest for him and erupted as if Clayburn had endorsed him in which he said everything else but that in his intorduction of Barack. As the candidates left Edwards walked out shaking hands with the crowd but what's strange that happen at that time is Bill Richardson left and I walked up to him and said, "Mr. Richardson sir, while I do wear my Barack shirt and support him 100% I would be remorse if I didnt tell you how great of a leader I think you are to this country. And while I know nobody runs to place/win second I just want to say I think an Obama/Richardson ticket would do our country and others great purpose." He shook my hand and said, "That's the warmest thing anyone has every told me since running." As we looked eachother eye to eye and stood thier man to man I felt like he honestly meant that. He knows he really has no chance in SC by looking at the polls and even said that in out State paper today but his platform and what he brings to the table in the foriegn affairs spectrum is impressive.

My week/weekend was GREAT, I meet Barack, many top staffers and a special friend that serves as one of Barack's top Advisors was a priceless experience I would HOPE any of you could LIVE one day in this wild primary race. Like I always say, "I love you guys to death just know TOGETHER WE STAND AND DIVIDED WE FALL!" Whose going to allow us to fall? Sure as hell not ME!!

South Carolina -N- Obama

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 20:48:22 EDT

South Carolina -N- Obama

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 16:40:33 EDT

4/24: Why Obama Will Win

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 19:57:04 EDT

Sen. Barack Obama's (D-IL) 4/22 address to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs was received warmly, but not enthusiastically, by the netroots. They liked his emphasis on the need to solve global problems by cooperation and leadership and his de-emphasis on the threat terrorism poses. But they didn't like his plans to leave some forces in Iraq or his call for a larger military. MyDD's Matt Stoller said the speech was straight "from the Clinton playbook."

And that's exactly why Obama will win the Dem nod. Whether its his rock-star quality or '03 anti-war position, whatever the reason, the netroots just trust him more on foreign policy even if his actual positions are indistinguishable from Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-NY). So even though Matthew Yglesias says "the idea of maintaining a semi-permanent counterterrorism force in Iraq is a very bad idea" he's still eager to give Obama some "wiggle room" on the issue since he's "pretty confident that Barack Obama and his team would exercise good judgment in this matter." With his anti-war credentials beyond reproach, Obama will have way more flexibility to appeal to undecided primary voters as events in Iraq unfold.

DEM FIELD: Don't Be So Pushy

MyDD's Chris Bowers is touting a Garin-Hart-Yang poll reported by a Columbia, SC NBC affiliate showing Hillary Clinton at 24% with Barack Obama with in the margin of error at 23% and John Edwards further behind at 16%. For Bowers, the poll is just more evidence supporting his "Inflated Clinton Poll Theory," which argues that most polls inflate Clinton's support by under-sampling hard-core Dem primary voters, who Bowers claims are less likely to be HRC supporters.

More Bowers: "If I had to guess, my first reaction is to say that this poll is the most accurate reflection of where the race stands in the Palmetto state. Not only does it not push undecideds, but the underlying implication of the Inflated Clinton Poll Theory is that Clinton and Obama are virtually tied. Thus, I am obviously pre-disposed to trust polls showing a tied campaign."

DODD: He Gets To The Point

Blue Hampshire's Mike posts audio from Chris Dodd's Keene, NH, campaign stop and comments: "I liked the speech, partially because in this age of conversational candidates it's nice to hear a good, old-fashioned I'll-talk-you-listen speech. It's relaxing. You don't have to dig through phrases to find the point."

OBAMA: Clinton Without The Clinton

Barack Obama's foreign policy address to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs is receiving passing marks in netroots circles, but is also being portrayed as not substantively different from establishment Beltway thinking. Reactions include:

MyDD's Matt Stoller: "It's good speech, what I would expect from a brilliant neoliberal. ... his plan leaves forces in Iraq to fight Al Qaeda. ... There's a lot to like here, though it's not so much a progressive vision ... It's from the Clinton playbook."
Matthew Yglesias: "The "vision thing" is what Obama's good at, and I think it's on display here. ... The section on when to use force is fuzzy, and manages to not distinguish Obama's view from things Edwards or Clinton could also espouse.
The Washington Monthly's Kevin Drum: "On the whole, I thought it was a pretty good speech, one that set out a much-needed vision not 100% obsessed with terrorism and nothing else - though I'd add the caveat that it's actually easier to make a good foreign policy speech than a good domestic policy speech. Why? Because people expect policy details when you talk about domestic stuff, but not so much when you talk about national security."
The Washington Note's Scott Paul: "The themes he strikes are good: in particular, he discusses the importance of America's standing in the world and the need to solve global problems by cooperating, leading by example, and taking stock of the needs and aspirations of others. ... I was disappointed, but not surprised, to see a bit of energy isolationist rhetoric in what is largely a very globally oriented outlook on the energy situation."

Link

Hillary Clinton vs Barack Obama--The Winner Is?

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:15:21 EDT

There are many good candidates for president, under the Democratic Flag, for next years primary.
The problem is that the big states, such as California and New York, have pushed their primary date to February 5, 2008.
This basically means that the person with the most name ID and money will most likely be in the finals.
Although John Edwards is raising a lot of money, he is not without controversy, considering he used 400 dollars of campaign donations to get a haircut.
Edwards should do well, and so should Governor Richardson of New Mexico, but in reality, as of April, 2007, the super primary means the top heavyweights will be facing each other off.
Ordinarily, if Richardson or Edwards does better than expected in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada, it would propel them into a real contest.

But, since they will have only a week or so to convert into a national campaign, it appears, unless they do something really stupid, Hillary and Barack will still be the two front runners.

I think that Obama will do better against Hillary in New York, than expected. I also think, because of her early support for the war in Iraq, she will do poorly in northern California, and Barack will do well in Los Angeles, thus just about giving the Democratic Nomination to Obama in 2008.

With the former First Lady's high negative rating, I believe that Obama has a better chance of beating the GOP nominee for President in 2008.

Once Republican's figure out that Bill Clinton would be the first man to be the "First Man" back in the White House, again...they will run to the polls to vote against Hillary.

The Southern Myth:

Many people are saying that Obama, cannot win the Presidency, because he would lose the entire South, during the general election to the Republican.

This is not a problem. John Kerry lost the entire south, and only lost to Bush, because he couldn't win Ohio.

Obama is much more the savvy political candidate than Kerry.

The Vice-Presidential factor:

If Obama picks US Senator Jim Webb for his VP candidate, a father of a Marine serving in Iraq, and being a Vietnam Veteran, himself, it would give a solid balance to a ticket, which may encourage moderate and independent voters to pick the Democrat for President of the US.

I believe the toughest situation for the Democratic Party would be facing former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Therefore, at this early stage, my guess is that the Democratic Party wins the presidency, as long as Hillary isn't nominated, and Mitt Romney is not the GOP candidate.

Thanks for reading:

Bob Kholos

Hillary Clinton Maintains Modest Lead Over Barack Obama Among Potential Democratic Voters

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 22:19:32 EDT

However, Obama has more appeal than Clinton to Republicans and Independents

    ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With fully ten
months to go before the first primary elections for the 2008 presidential
elections, Senator Hillary Clinton maintains a modest lead among potential
Democratic voters over Senator Barack Obama. However, Senator Obama has
more potential support than Senator Clinton among Republicans and
Independents.
    These are some of the results of a Harris Poll of 2,401 U.S. adults
surveyed online by Harris Interactive(R) between April 3 and 16, 2007. Like
all polls conducted well before an election, it should not be read as a
prediction. Rather, it is a snap shot of the presidential "horse race", at
a very early stage in the race. We will review the data on the Republican
candidates in an upcoming column.
    The survey includes a sub-sample of 844 adults who say they expect to
vote in a Democratic primary or caucus. When asked who they would be most
likely to vote for, 37 percent picked Senator Clinton and 32 percent picked
Senator Obama. No other potential candidates came close. Former Senator
John Edwards, whose wife's cancer has received widespread media coverage,
was picked by 14 percent of potential Democratic voters while former Vice
President and Oscar- Winner Al Gore was selected by 13 percent. Three
percent chose New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson while Senator Joe Biden
and Congressman Dennis Kucinich were each chosen by one percent.
    Before being asked to pick their first choice in the primary elections,
the adults surveyed were shown a list of all the main candidates in both
parties and some other well known Republicans and Democrats, and asked
which of them they would consider voting for. They could name as many
people, in both parties, as they wished.
    Among Democrats, more people say they would consider voting for Hilary
Clinton (68%) than for Barack Obama (61%). However, Obama leads Clinton
among Independents (by 37% to 29%) and among Republicans (by 14% to 7%). As
a result very slightly more people overall would consider voting for Obama
(39%) than for Clinton (37%).
    The bad news for Senator Clinton is not just that Senator Obama is
close on her heels among Democrats, but that the proportion of all adults
who say they would consider voting for her has slipped from 45 percent in
February to 41 percent in March to 37 percent in this new poll.
    TABLE 1
    DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ADULTS "WOULD CONSIDER VOTING FOR" FOR PRESIDENT
    "Although the U.S. presidential election is not until November, 2008,
there are a number of people who may run for president. If you were to vote
and had
to select from the following candidates, for which of the following people
                         would you consider voting?"
    Base: All adults

                          Total 2007             Party ID (April 2007)
                       Feb    Mar    Apr   Republican   Democrat   Independent

                         %      %      %        %          %             %
    Barack Obama        37     41     39       14         61            37
    Hillary Clinton     45     41     37        7         68            29
    John Edwards        28     29     31       10         51            28
    Al Gore             26     29     29        5         51            23
    John Kerry          12     14     14        1         26            10
    Joe Lieberman       12     10      9       12          8             8
    Bill Richardson      8      8      9     %3

A major state endorsement for Barack Obama!!!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:10:49 EDT

JUST THOUGHT YOU GUYS SHOULD KNOW IF YOU ALREADY DIDNT!! LET'S CONTINUE TO FIGHT YALL!!! WE ARE CHANGING THINGS SLOWLY BUT SURELY!!

Senator Barack Obama (D-Il) brings his presidential campaign to Wisconsin tonight and picks up a major state endorsement

Milwaukee Mayor and former Congressman, Tom Barrett, says Obama is the right candidate at the right time.

While he admires all the democrats running for the White House, Barrett says the country is at a crossroads and he feels Senator Obama is the one to provide a new generation of leadership.

Barrett is confident Obama, coming from Chicago, will not turn his back on cities such as Milwaukee. The Mayor says he would have a partner in the White House trying to fight the tide of illegal handguns, upgrading the schools and helping people find jobs to support their families.

Barrett says Obama's experience as a state legislator and now Senator will help him hit the ground running at the White House.

Obama holds a 25-dollar per person rally tonight in downtown Milwaukee and then attends a 1-thousand dollar a person private event in River Hills with other prominent democrats including former DOA chief Marc Marotta and Governor Jim Doyle.

WHY THE $25 MILLION IS IMPORTANT; 3 REASONS

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 13:27:58 EDT

The numbers are in and they are HUGE. Senator Barack Obama raised $25 million from 100,000 donors. What's so huge about this?

Most of Senator Obama's money was in primary funds, while more of Sen. Clinton's fundraising likely came in general election contributions. While Sen. Clinton likely has a cash-on-hand advantage at this point, it won't be as significant as some might think.
Obama raised roughly as much as Clinton, but had twice as many donors. That clearly indicates huge grassroots, committed support for the Illinois Senator.
The huge number of contributors is helpful in another way -- the people who have not maxed out to Sen. Obama will probably donate again next quarter. The people most likely to contribute to any cause are people who have contributed before. Sen. Obama's list of people is twice as big as Sen. Clinton's, and he probably has fewer total people who have maxed out.

In the 2004 race, huge fundraising numbers (and by huge, I mean like $25 million) did not start appearing until the 4th Quarter of 2003. Barack Obama's 4th Quarter numbers could simply be unreal if his campaign can keep growing.

There were rumors the number would be this big, but it is simply insane. I'm not even committed to Sen. Obama, but today -- this is the big news in the presidential race.

Barack Obama Lands $25 Million; 100,000 Donors

Posted Apr 4th 2007 11:24AM by Matt Singer
Filed under: President 2008, Money Trail, Barack Obama

Good Post for Young/Hip Hop Voters

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 23:38:09 EDT

Chuck D vs. ObamaIs Barack the best choice for the hip-hop generation?By Eric K. Arnold Published: April 4, 2007

Does the hip-hop generation finally have a viable presidential candidate? Before we answer that, a little history is in order. In 1984 and 1988, the Reverend Jesse Jackson ran for president of the United States. Jackson even had a rap song commissioned in his honor — Grandmaster Melle Mel's "Jesse" — yet in truth, the former MLK aide was much closer to the civil rights generation than to the then-emerging hip-hop demographic.

Ariel Shepard

Subject(s): Barack Obama, John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, hip-hop generation, 2008 presidential race, Adisa Banjoko

In 2004, Dennis Kucinich, an über-liberal congressman from Ohio, publicly stated he wanted to be the candidate for the hip-hop generation. Yet when directly asked, he couldn't name even one song by his favorite rapper, Tupac.

As the '08 campaign gets under way, with a Democratic field including self-aggrandizing ice queen Hillary Clinton and long-lost Duke of Hazzard John Edwards, Barack Obama seems the only logical choice for hip-hop generationers in 2008. Though he doesn't rhyme or namedrop rappers, the junior senator from Illinois has much in common with the hip-hop generation: At 45, he's (relatively) young. He's fresh. He's charismatic. He represents a new way of thinking. Oh, by the way, he's also black.

Even as media flacks debate his "blackness," Obama's greatest strength might be his ability to depolarize race. During a St. Patrick's Day rally at Oakland's Frank Ogawa Plaza, his overall message seemed to be "It's not a black thing, it's an American thing." Obama openly relished his lack of Washington experience (causing one middle-aged white woman to exclaim "Thank God!") while championing "politics not based on fear, but based on hope." Obama raised the specter of slavery and outlined proposed legislation to prevent racial profiling, yet his platform is otherwise typical moderate lib-Dem fodder: universal healthcare, education, disabled veteran support, ethics reform, opposition to the war, etc.

At the Oakland rally, Obama spoke in a soothingly Midwestern "Farmer Jim" voice, a folksy cadence that resonated with confident leadership. This could prove to be his secret weapon as far as the all-important issue of electability is concerned. Both G.W. Bush and Bill Clinton plain-talked their way into the White House; Obama's ability to twang like a geetar-picker might make statements like "we can't continue this occupation" seem sensible to America's heartland, while still appeasing progressive pockets like the Bay Area.

Barack's speech told only half the story. His visit generated excitement in an Oakland crowd estimated at twelve thousand, many of whom brought their children. At the end of his 45-minute oration, instead of jaded cynicism, a palpable sense of optimism resonated through the venue. Yet hip-hop's political observers are divided over whether Obama can be what Jackson and Kucinich weren't.

Writer Adisa Banjoko, for one, supports Obama because he "makes me feel I could say to my son, 'If you work hard, you could be president.'" To Banjoko, Obama's candidacy is bigger than hip-hop. "The hip-hop generation is too small," he says. "America finally has a real candidate. ... My question is, will hip-hop rise to the occasion?"

That's a good question. In a recent blog entry, radio personality Davey D skewered all the Democratic candidates, opining that "none of these clowns are making it happen." His gripes revolved around the lack of critical dialogue on issues like Katrina, police brutality, immigration laws, and prison overcrowding — all of which could theoretically be addressed by Obama's legislation to reduce profiling. Furthermore, until hip-hop can offer a consistent voting bloc, politicians will overlook its concerns. Plus, with a year and a half until the election, there's plenty of time for dialogue. Davey's suggestion? That hip-hoppers draft Public Enemy's Chuck D instead (with Flavor Flav as his running mate? Wowwwwww). That might be an amusing protest vote, but a purely symbolic one that stands little chance of altering the status quo in America.

On the other hand, as Obama noted during the Oakland rally, "If we change our policies, we will change the nation." He added that "change has never come from the top down, it's come from the bottom up."

There's little doubt that electing a black president would flip the script of American history. But don't vote for Obama because he's black: Vote for him because he ain't wack. If Barack were a rapper, Banjoko speculates, he'd be Kanye West or Lupe Fiasco: "He looks good, but he's not soft." Underestimate him, and "you could get caught slipping."

Barack's Live Healthcare Meeting

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 17:38:20 EDT

SIMPLY AMAZING!!!!!! ENOUGH SAID!!!!!!

My House Party Experience...............

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 18:10:09 EDT

WOW!! WOW!! WOW!! I must first start off by saying, "Thank you Jon for such a wonderful experience and a warm welcome into your mothers home." This gathering was small and well-diversed (a trend that I'm begining to fall heads over heels for) crowd; thier were a young/old/middle aged white women, young African-American male/female, young white male, a young women either Arabic, Indian, Muslim, or Hindu (not sure), a young white female that works on Barack staff, a nine year old and fifteen month old :) that knew nothing going on. Also not to exclude another young African-American women with a Barack for President 08 shirt walking up as everyone was walking out but I could feel her excitement late, but yet still excitement was truly there!!

With all that said about our well-diversed crowd, Jon had his laptop connected to about a 36' flat screen with a picture quality so amazing I could count the change in Barack's left pocket :). (I couldn't really but that's how fine the picture quality was) As we sat to watch Barack drinking on our personal beverages of choice from water, to coke, and cranberry juice we ran into issues that everyone else across the country did with the bandwith problems having our man Barack streaming video cut in and out but still we were able to hear him, the questions, and responses given by Barack. I felt so inspired and again motivated in my decision to endorse Barack (if you think about it when we decide to select a candidate to vote for we too ENDORSE them just as other political figures; they just have more clout in a sense than we do) for President. Barack provides us with endless opportunites, hope to move monutians, a chance to repair or tainted image across the country, motivation to people like Jon (host of party) that has never been involved in politics ever but feel a sense of urgencey through Barack, a vision for a better America through healthcare, education and issues that affect the middle class. All these issues Barack touched upon and I'm willing to bet anyone any amount of money if people came in unsure feeling like that needed to hear or see something from Barack; I know without a shadow of doubt he picked up even more SUPPORTERS!!!

Remember yall and I'm a big believer to this, "WHEN A MILLION OF ORDINARY FOLK GET TOGETHER WANTING/SEEKING CHANGE EXTRAORDINARY THINGS HAPPEN!" (not exactly how Barack may say it but its with a little twist of Kyle added on the side) Barack has made his campaign our campaign and he has rooted himself among us the grass; so put him (the root) and us (the grass) you get a GRASSROOT campaign that depends upon eachother. I still wear my button that reads "Barack Obama for President; COMING SOON!" and people look, stare, ask questions and I get them involved; its that simple yall. If we take action and each of us touch at least one person a day half the battle is won.

Jesse Jackson Backs Obama for President!!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 19:55:04 EDT

CHICAGO - Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson said Thursday he's backing Democrat Barack Obama in his presidential bid, giving his support to a new generation of black politicians.

"He has my vote," the Rev. Jackson told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

Jackson sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, winning 13 primaries and caucuses in 1988. His son, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois, has already endorsed Obama.

Jackson represents a different era of black politician, battle-tested by the civil rights struggles of the 1960s with Martin Luther King Jr.

Obama, 45, is biracial - his white mother was from Kansas, his father Kenyan - and educated at Ivy League universities.

In his best-selling memoir, "Dreams From My Father," Obama said he couldn't even get in the door at national civil rights groups when he was younger. He wrote letters to them after graduating from Columbia University but said none responded.

In a statement responding to Jackson's support, Obama said, "This campaign has been about giving hope since Day One and I am proud to have the support of my friend Jesse Jackson. It is because people like Jesse ran that I have this opportunity to run for president today."

Jackson could help Obama to secure the support of black voters, a critical bloc in the Democratic primaries.

Jackson has a long history with one of Obama's chief rivals, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and her husband former President Clinton. He counseled the two when the president's affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky became public.

But Jackson said his history with the Clintons doesn't complicate his decision to back his home state senator, calling Obama Illinois' "favorite son."

"It's not awkward at all," he said, adding, "I don't owe a debt to any of them."

Jackson said he will support the winner of the Democratic nomination, whether it's Obama or not, and he is talking to other candidates because of his agenda that includes the war on poverty and voter protection.

Although Jackson failed in his bids for the White House in 1984 and 1988, he said that helped make it easier for not only blacks, but women and other minorities to run for president and function at the highest levels of government.

"We broke down barriers," Jackson said.

Jackson said Obama has not asked him to campaign for him and he is not in Obama's inner circle of advisers and fundraisers.

"I just have an appreciation of him," Jackson said.

Here's the Link

Some Will Leave.......I Guess?

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 23:47:15 EDT

I felt compelled to write this blog and it's maily due to the fact that someone I meet through Barack and his vision has decided to leave our campaign and join John Edwards. To me I felt like this guy was a friend that I've met through the journey of life but however I never had a chance to meet him personally. It's funny because through this website I've meet several people that it feels like I've known for years but this one guy particularly; we have each other cell phone numbers, emailed each other about Democratic events throughout SC, and he's even sent me 2 of the Barack bumperstrickers that I now proudly drive around on my automoblies. I guess I say all that to say this, "what, where, and why do people leave?" Do people leave on fear, hope for another vision (even when they brought into one's vision prior), a slip of words, a dull moment, or contorversey? Or was it that Edwards wife now has cancer once again and people now feel compelled to join his campaign because of the sympathy vote towards his wife or maybe it's something else? Edwards and his wife are strong and I will not take what either has done for this country, but MY SUPPORT NOW IS STRONGER THAN EVER FOR MY CANDIDATE!! Sometimes in life I guess it takes someone to leave you, just to make you even more stronger and make you even more willing to go that extra mile!! My former Barack supporter, SC neighbor, buddy and dear friend I ask that if it's truly in your heart than fight for your candidate hard because now I fight against you with all the BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS that my body may hold. Barack, you had 100% of my energy, computer assistance, and me as a free walking billboard; but now I have decided to GIVE YOU 200% OF MY ENERGIES!! Thier isnt a doubt in my mind rather my friend is with us or against us, I still believe that we're going to CARRY SOUTH CAROLINA AND WIN THE DEMORACTIC NOMINATION!!

WHO HAS MY BACK????

PLEASE, WE MUST BEGIN TO ACT!!!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 14:54:26 EDT

Dear Fellow Obama Supporters,As many of you know, Tom Vilsack, the former Iowa Governor, will announce on Monday that he is endorsing Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination. This is a big deal for her campaign and I really would like to see us rally behind Barack even stronger than we are now! In an effort to help influence prominent politicians and create an awareness of the enormity of Barack's grassroots support, RockwithBarack.com has drafted a petition to Congressman (and Majority Whip) Jim Clyburn of South Carolina. SC is an extremely important primary state and we need to help push that in Barack's direction. Letting Clyburn know of the massive movement behind Barack may influence his decision to endorse him. "We the people" can help move this!Would you mind taking a few seconds and signing this petition to Jim Clyburn? You can find it here:Link like to see Barack Obama win some more support in key states. It's time for our online activism to start making that happen!Thanks for all you do to support Barack and I'm looking forward to our "politics of hope".

(If you can open that link then try this petitiononline.com/rwb08/petition.html (put www. in front)

Executive DirectorRockwithBarack.com

Barack Obama Fever Puts Hillary Clinton In Cold

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:21:04 EDT

For years, political analysts assumed that U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) would be the frontrunner in the 2008 race for the Democratic Party presidential nomination. Her advantages are numerous, as she is a very high profile figure, the former First Lady, who possesses an incredible network of supporters across the nation. She is also married to the popular former President, who is a big plus, despite his legacy of impeachment and the various controversies that continue to swirl around him.

Yet, something significant happened on the way toward Hillary collecting the nomination. People started to really listen to her and found her campaign lacking in a number of areas. For one, Hillary suffers from a charisma deficit. She does not compare favorably to her husband, who oozed charisma. She has been exposed as a political robot, constantly programmed and calculating her remarks. Her stance on the Iraq War has infuriated the base of the Democratic Party. She voted to give the President the authority to engage Iraq militarily and even today believes that at least some troops must remain in Iraq for the long haul. This position is diametrically opposite from the hard core left of the Democratic Party, the voters who determine the nominee of the party.

This dissatisfaction has helped U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) make his incredible journey forward in the presidential race. In 2004, Obama was an unknown Illinois politician, but was thrust on the national stage after a compelling speech at the Democratic Party national convention. He won the 2004 U.S. Senate race in a landslide and has been a “rock star” ever since. Obama fever is growing and it is clearly concerning Clinton. Obama seems to be making the right moves, while Clinton is looking like the amateur. For one, Obama has the “right” Democratic Party position in Iraq, being opposed to the war from the beginning and supporting a quick withdrawal of U.S. troops from the war torn country.

Now, Clinton is beginning to lose significant support as even Hollywood stars and producers are abandoning her and expressing strong support for Obama. For example, Hollywood mogul David Geffen is fervently backing Obama and recently blasted Clinton and her husband as politicians who lie with such ease “it’s troubling.”

Today, a groundbreaking Internet commercial is making the rounds. It is an update on the award winning 1984 Apple Computer commercial, but this time the person being lampooned in the video is Hillary Clinton. In the commercial, she spouts nonsense to the mind numbed masses until a woman runs toward the imposing video screen and throws a sledgehammer at the image of Clinton. It is very symbolic showing Clinton as the institutional candidate and Obama as the revolutionary alternative. By the time, this video reaches its conclusion; millions of Americans will have seen it.

So, the Democratic Party nomination is basically a two person race between Obama and Clinton. The others, such as former Vice Presidential nominee John Edwards are well behind. Of course, these two could slip and others could gain traction, but it seems more likely that either Clinton or Obama will be the nominee. The past few weeks have exposed Clinton’s weaknesses as a candidate, while showcasing the tremendous enthusiasm for Obama.

In the end, Obama’s lack of experience, only two years as a U.S. Senator, may be his undoing; however, to win Clinton will have to improve as a candidate and connect with the base of the Democratic Party. So far, she has failed. It might be time for her husband to give her some badly needed political training.

Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 8:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and Noon till 2 p.m. weekdays on several Louisiana radio stations. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.

SORRY FOR THE MISUNDERSTANDING

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 14:31:36 EDT

Hello guys/gals for everyone that signed up for the S.C. Legislative Black Caucus with Barack I wanted to personally apologize for the misconception that I were either over the event or directly connected to the S.C. Legislative Black Caucus. I spoke with a wonderful lady from the office and we got an understanding about the whole issue in my event post. Again, I'm sorry if I mislead any of you in that regard, that if you signed up for this event (through my site) it blocked off a seat(s) for you(guest) at this event (even though I didnt say that in any descriptions) or provided you a ticket to purchase. Below is the direct link so join this movement through leadership and even sign for the newsletters and become active in what matters to you the most.

HEY I STILL LOVE YOU GUYS TO DEATH AND REMEMBER THAT WE ARE HERE TO FIGHT FOR BARACK AND DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO MAKE NON-BELIEVERS AWARE; HOW WONDERFUL BARACK IS AND WHY THEY SHOULD JOIN OUR MOVEMENT!!!!

Link href="http://www.sclbc.org/1.htm">www.sclbc.org/1.htm

Not sure which link works or you can do a search on S.C. Legislative Black Caucus

Obama Passes Clinton in Black Support

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 00:38:32 EST

REMEMBER I TOLD YALL BLACKS WILL SEE BARACK AND BEGIN TO LOVE NOT JUST HIM BUT HIS VISIONS AND IDEAS!!!

U. S. Senator Barack Obama's rock star-like following in his Democratic bid for the presidency has now overtaken Sen. Hilary Clinton's support in the Black community, causing two former Black presidential candidates to skeptically say Obama really could become America's first Black President - if he overcomes major hurdles. "I guess anyone has a chance," says activist Al Sharpton, a Democratic candidate for president in 2004. "But, the poll challenges him more than anything else. I see the poll saying that he was better than he was, but he's got a long way to go before he talks about winning." A Washington Post-ABC News poll shows Clinton at 36 percent and Obama at 24 percent generally consistent since January. But, in Black support, the poll shows a dramatic shift since January when Clinton led Obama 60 percent to 20 percent. The most recent poll late last month showed Obama with 44 percent to Clinton's 33 percent. The margins of error were three percentage points. Sharpton is not impressed. "He's got to get more than 44 percent of the Black vote. He's got to get double that and a lot of White votes to win," Sharpton says. "With the cover of Time Magazine, 60 Minutes, all of the positive press put together, and he doesn't have 50 percent of the Black vote? That's not good," The first-term senator from Chicago, who climbed to national fame after an electrifying speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, appears to be slowly winning the hearts of Blacks who have been uncertain about his stances on issues important to Black America. The same poll shows that 70 percent of African-Americans say they now have a favorable impression of Obama, up from 54 percent in January. University of Maryland Political Scientist Ron Walters says the more that African-Americans hear Obama, the more they like him, dispelling early questions of whether he was "Black enough". "He's reaching out, I think, being at the right places," says Walters. "People were doubting at first because everything they heard about him was Hawaii (his birthplace) and Indonesia (his mother's home, where he spent part of his childhood), etcetera. But, now, he's beginning to roll out his record, I think that makes a difference." As of last weekend, that record included a key note speech Sunday morning by Obama at the historical Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma, Ala. as part of a service to commemorate "Bloody Sunday," when African-Americans were beaten during a voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery more than 40 years ago. But, Obama had company. In the same neighborhood, at Selma's First Baptist Church Sen. Clinton was the Sunday morning speaker. Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, was also inducted into the National Voting Rights Museum's Hall of Honor as part of the commemorative activities. Sharpton speculates the former president could be Hilary Clinton's secret weapon. "Hilary hasn't even brought out Bill Clinton yet, who a lot of Blacks rightfully or wrongfully like. If I was Hilary, I'd not be scared of this poll. I'd say wait 'til I bring out Bill who some Blacks called the first Black president," says Sharpton. But, twice presidential candidate Jesse Jackson Sr. says Blacks will be able to distinguish the difference between a Black presidential candidate and a former White president who was popular with Blacks. "Let's dispel the foolishness of that. Clinton was a White president," says Jackson. "His reaching out to Black people socially was endearing. There's not a question about that, but this time, there will be intense competition for the Black vote and there should be. No one should be able to take the Black vote for granted or inherit the Black vote." Jackson and Sharpton agree that Obama must aggressively seek the Black vote in order to win the Democratic Primary. The Black vote could also determine the margin in a general election. Therefore, strategy will be key, they say. "He must identify areas of interest in his constituents, [Blacks, Whites, Jews, labor], and stay close to them," says Jackson, who won 77 percent of the Black vote in 1984 and 92 percent of the Black vote in 1988. "He must find the lines between constituency groups and the common ground…We are not dealing with who. We're dealing with what. Who has the best plan to end the war in Iraq and to end poverty at home? What is the agenda?" Sharpton says Obama must become even more personable in the Black community. "If he's got more than half of Black people saying they're not supporting him, what does that say?" Sharpton quizzes. " Jesse Jackson got 90 percent of the Black vote, I carried every Black district in Washington and Detroit. … He's going to have to start doing things on the ground. He's going to have to have organizers on the ground. He cannot do it through the media." Among the hottest issues for both Clinton and Obama is how to end the war in Iraq. Clinton voted for the war authorization in 2002. But, both candidates are proposing phased deployment strategies. Therefore, for Black voters, they must distinguish their candidacies on other issues. That may be difficult when both have scored 100 on civil rights issues of the NAACP Congressional Report Card and the Children's Defense Fund's Score Card. If the race between Clinton and Obama gets too nasty, political observers speculate voters might opt for other Democratic candidates in the wings, next of which could be former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina. Former Vice President Al Gore has said he will not run again. The leading candidates among Republicans are former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Sen. John McCain of Arizona. At least for the moment, Obama appears to be making the right moves, says Walters, who was an organizer for both of Jackson's presidential campaigns. "I do believe he could become the first African-American president. But, I think a lot depends on it." A benefit for his campaign, Walters says, is that he has distinguished himself from Jackson and Sharpton as well as former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun and the late Rep. Shirley Chisholm, also Democratic presidential candidates. "Everyone else rose in the margin of the electorate. He had a level of acceptability that was widespread in the middle of the electorate and that had a lot to do with the war and his position on the war," says Walters. "But, also his story, an American story, was very compelling and a lot of that had to do with his intelligence, his charismatic presentation and so forth." But, at the end of the day, Walters concludes, "The caveat is that just because he is up in the polls doesn't mean that's how they're going to vote."

S.C. pol could tip Dem primary

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 00:32:34 EST

READING THIS TO ME SEEMS AS IF JAMES CLYBURN HAS THE RIGHT IDEA HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA!!!!! READ THIS BLOG, TELL ME WHAT YOU GUYS/GALS THINK BY LYNN SWEET Sun-Times ColumnistThe path of all the 2008 presidential Democratic contenders leads to House Majority Whip James Clyburn, whose political influence is exponentially magnified because he is from South Carolina, one of the four states holding the initial presidential votes in January 2008. The strongest January finisher probably has the best chance of winning the Democratic nomination, with what amounts to a Feb. 5 national primary taking shape.

"I think that people are going to, you know, look at these candidates and make judgments about them based about not just where they stand on issues but whether or not they are able to arouse their aspirations, whether they are going to move them emotionally," Clyburn told me.

He also, in the course of our conversation, threw water on the title poet Toni Morrison bequeathed on former President Clinton: She called him "the first black president."

The powerful Clyburn reigns from a majestic office with gold trimmed warm yellow walls on the third floor of the Capitol just above the House speaker's suite, with splendid views of the national mall. When I interviewed Clyburn on Tuesday about the new importance of South Carolina since it moved up its primary to Jan. 29, my weekend visit to Selma was on my mind. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama filled the pews of two historic churches in Selma, preaching in separate sermons about the civil rights agenda.

Bill Clinton flew down to stump in public by his wife's side for the first time and accept an induction into the Voting Rights Hall of Fame. He got a rousing reception, and one scene is vivid: how he jumped out of his car and bounded out to greet the crowds gathered on the grounds of what seemed to be a low-income housing complex across the street from the Brown Chapel AME.

Though Obama was a toddler and Clinton in high school during the 1960s civil rights struggle -- including the violent March 1965 battle on the Edmund Pettus bridge in Selma commemorated on Sunday -- each laid claims to being the fruits of the fights fought by the elders of the civil rights movement.

African Americans could make up more than half of the 2008 Democratic primary votes in South Carolina. Clyburn is the first House member from South Carolina to be majority whip -- and just the second African American to hold the post.

Clyburn told me he will likely endorse. But it is clear he will take his time. He wants to keep South Carolina in play, and if one candidate seems to have a lock on the Palmetto State, the pack will just move on to the Feb. 5 contests.

I asked Clyburn an overall question about the impact of the Clinton and Obama visits to Selma. His answer addressed specifically Obama and the African-American vote.

"I think this whole thing that is developing that you've got to have civil rights credentials in order to be a credible black candidate is b.s.," Clyburn told me.

"I mean that is craziness. If that is what's required, that means that we failed. And I don't think we did. I think John Lewis made the sacrifices he did on the Edmund Pettus Bridge so his son would not have to make that kind of a march.

"So why are we saying that you have to make that march? That if you are not from that march you are not credible. That's crazy stuff."

He said Obama "energizes young people in a way that I have not seen. . . . The extent to which that all gets translated into votes is an open question."

I asked Clyburn about Bill Clinton's impact, if he campaigned in South Carolina for Hillary.

"I don't think all that much."

"Why would that be?" I asked.

"Because you know, this whole thing; Toni Morrison is a poet and her reference to Clinton as the first black president was poetry. . . . She was being poetic when she said that. She was not being prophetic. There is a difference."

I wondered, "What is the difference."

"Poetry is poetry. It deals with emotion. . . . Bill Clinton, I thought, was a good president. But come on, the first black president? Nah, come on."

As for a timetable, Clyburn won't say. "Look, this primary is important not just to me, it is important to the South Carolina Democratic Party. And I am not going to do anything that I think will lessen the impact of this primary

NOTE TO BLACK POLITICAL LEADERSHIP: IT IS TIME TO FALL IN LINE:

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 10:03:41 EST

by Melissa Harris-Lacewell

It is time for black political leadership to throw their full support behind Barack Obama. No more public questioning of his racial identity. No more accusations that he is disingenuous. No more demanding perfection of him when we watched you stand with O.J. Simpson, Michael Jackson, Mike Tyson, and R. Kelley. No more petty jealousies when we are faced with social, international and ecological crises that threaten our survival. Time to mobilize, inspire and act on Barack's behalf. And here are the reasons why.

1. Obama got it right in Selma
Barack Obama's speech in Selma, Alabama, on March 4, 2007, was one of the most powerful, accurate, and compelling discussions of civil rights and its legacy ever delivered by an American elected official. Barack helped us to remember that the civil rights struggle was not and is not a parochial, domestic effort. It was a broad, international human rights struggle. American segregation was linked with European colonialism in an international system of white supremacist domination. The struggle in the U.S. South was deeply connected to the anti-colonial struggle in Africa and the anti-fascist struggles in Europe. He was audacious, bold, and right when he challenged black leaders, "don't tell me I don't have a claim on Selma." Of course he does. Any black leader, intellectual, or journalist who asserts that he does not is not honoring the fullness of the movement itself, by claiming that it was small, limited, and meant for only a few who had experienced specifically defined forms of oppression. We know better and Obama helped to remind us of that.

2. An Obama surge among black voters is good for democracy and the Democratic Party
If black voters get excited about Barack and existing black leadership throws the full weight of their organizations and inspiration behind Barack it is very good for democracy and for the Democratic Party. It is good for democracy because it demonstrates the capacity of our political system to inaugurate leaders who show courage, talent, and commitment without the benefit of family connections. It is good for the Democratic Party because his candidacy could potentially lead to a massive increase in black voter registration and primary turnout. Jesse Jackson is largely responsible for the fact that the Congress remained Democratic during the Reagan era. Why? Because the enthusiasm of black voters in 1984 and 1988 lead to huge registration and turnout increases. These new voters couldn't turn the tide against Reagan, but their participation in congressional contests and local politics helped balance power in Washington during those tough years. Black leaders need to fall in line so that we can infuse excitement and courage into black voters who will be indispensable for any eventual Democratic nominees for president, congress and local races. Even if he does not win the nomination, the most important thing that we can do as a community is to get behind him now, claim him as our own, and start the registration drives.

3. If you don't fall in line, you will find yourself leading no one at all
Obama got it exactly right when he laid claim to the "Joshua Generation" on Sunday in Selma. It was Moses who lead the people out of bondage, but Joshua who was charged with the completing the task of full liberation. We are the Joshua generation. We grew up at a time of great promise and substantial retrenchment. We have seen the progress and the backlash. We watched the middle class grow and the poverty deepen. The rhythm or our hearts is hip hop but we still know gospel. We are going to claim leadership. We have a right to be excited about Barack. We know he is not perfect, but leaders never are. We know that we will have to hold his feet to the fire of accountability, but that is what the very heart of democracy is and we are up to the challenge. We are going to support Barack and it is time for you to fall in line.

SC Black Caucus invites Obama as keynote speaker

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 01:51:08 EST

IT'S NOW OFFICIAL!!!!!!!!!!! LOOK AT WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT HILLARY AT THE END!!!! HOW DOES THAT SOUND TO YOU GUYS!! PLEASE LET ME KNOW...

(Columbia) March 6, 2007 - South Carolina's Legislative Black Caucus has invited Senator Barack Obama to be the keynote speaker at the group's big fundraiser next month.

Obama was campaigning in the state recently.

The Caucus Chairman, Representative Leon Howard, said the vote was unanimous. Howard emphasized that it was not an endorsement of Obama as a presidential candidate.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, another Democratic candidate, has also campaigned in the Midlands. Several weeks ago, her spokesperson said Sen. Clinton had also been invited to speak.

Howard said she was not invited to speak, but Clinton could attend if she wanted to buy a ticket.

Clooney supporting Obama

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 09:20:09 EST

From correspondents in New York, United States, 01:04 PM IST

Oscar winning actor George Clooney is lending his support to Illinois Senator and Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

Clooney said that Obama is 'the true rock star' of the Democratic party, reports newsweek.com.

He added: 'I've never been around anybody who walks into a room and everyone just stops and listens to him. He's magnetic and charismatic in a way that we haven't had for a long time. I would certainly go out and fundraise for him.'

Obama's major contender as of now seems to be Senator Hillary Clinton, wife of former president Bill Clinton.

Barack's Selma Speech Seen Through my Eyes....

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 14:43:53 EST

The Moses and Joshua GENERATIONS!!! Barack masterfully were able to parallel the Civil Rights of the 60s to Moses and the movement of equality in todays society to Joshua. Moses was the man God elected to fight Phorah and free his people from bondage; while Jousha was the man God elected to contiune to fight for his people after Moses. Barack told the crowd and viewers (like myself) that our past Civil Right leaders like Dr. King, Rev. Lowery, and Rosa Parks (just to name a few) fought that we as blacks no longer have to sit in the back of the bus and we didnt have to take test (that were meaningless to basic knowledge - for example how many bubbles came from a bar of soap) just to have the opportunity to vote but now the JOSHUA GENERATION (US) have the chance to continue to fight for equality and justice for all walks of LIFE no just blacks or white, young or old, rich or poor, Civil Rights or Equal rights but we the generation of today, plays an imperative role in shaping our future. But Barack, implied that we the JOSHUA GENERATION know our HISTORY!! To me and he didnt say, meant, inorder to move foward in life we must first understand and in a sense conquer our past.

For those that question if Barack was black enough, I hope thier assumptions were answered. Barack told of his grandfather that was a cook for the British and was even told in Africa where he could go and couldnt. He then spoke of a man name Barack Obama who was given an opportunity to come to America for an education provided by our government and here this man met this white women from Kansas in which BARACK OBAMA JR. was the offspring of. Barack said if it wasnt for the people marching and fighting peacefully this union of a black and white being together and having a baby wouldnt have been possible. So Barack said he has a reason to be there in Selma and thank the past giants for all that they've done in the past.

On a more personal note it takes a lot for me to cry for anything and I probably can count on one hand the number of times I've actually cried for anything but Barack brought tears of joy and hope for not just me being an African-American but for Amercia as a whole!! This man is a true American and the only thing I truly believes that he wants is equal opportunities in the educational, healthcare, economic specturms of our world. If you miss this speech please and I pray that C-Span have this on file somewhere. If you are a true Barack supporter please find this speech and listen to it.

BLACK VOTERS LIKE BARACK - LEADS IN NEW POLL

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 11:29:11 EST

The big news in today's Washington Post/ABC Link is that black voters like Barack Obama (Link, Link, Link record). He now leads Hillary Clinton among black voters by nine points, a huge shift from last month, when the same poll found black voters preferred Clinton by a whopping 40 percent. ADVERTISEMENT

Reporters had jumped on that early gap to write speculative stories about Obama's supposed trouble with the "black vote." The Washington Post ran a front page Link last month under the headline "Obama's Appeal to Blacks Remains an Open Question," citing Clinton's "3 to 1" edge among black Democrats. (Never mind that everything is an "open question" when the candidate hasn't even announced yet.)

Then this month, The New York Times offered a Link page news flash under the headline, "So Far, Obama Can't Take Black Vote for Granted." The article quoted Debra J. Dickerson's claim that "Obama isn't black" in an American racial context, and then explored why "some black voters" are "so uneasy" about Obama. One barber explained that Obama might not be right for the Presidency because he was not "born, raised, bred, [and] fed in America." Whatever. That kind of talk has been shredded by The Nation's Link Williams, among others. Now these new poll numbers should remove one crutch reporters were using to write premature stories about how black voters supposedly did not like Obama "enough."

The poll has already been shooting around the blogopshere. Oliver Willis, who has Link about Obama and the "black vote," Link the new poll is a reminder that the "arguments in the media and academia about Obama's 'blackness' are just kind of nonsense noise in the real world." Over at MyDD, Chris Bowers Link that with these numbers, if Obama "continues to rise among African-Americans while maintaining his young, progressive, netroots base, it may only be a matter of three or four months before he catches Clinton in national polls."

Yet so far, the most fascinating part of the new poll has been mostly ignored. It's a section that could be called Pick Your Prejudice. (See questions Link Pollsters asked voters how certain "attributes" of a candidate -- like being black or female or smoking cigarettes -- would affect their vote. If you believe the numbers, smokers have a much bigger challenge than black or female candidates. Over 20 percent of voters say they are less likely to vote for a smoker, while only 13 percent say that about a female candidate, and a slim 6 percent say so about a black candidate. (Apparently older candidates should hang it up now: 58 percent of voters claim they are less likely to vote for "someone who is over age 72.")

Of course, like most early presidential polling, these numbers are pretty meaningless -- and probably misleading. You don't usually find sexists by asking people if they are sexist. The data reveals more about which biases people think are acceptable than what actual prejudices are out there. On that score, Mitt Romney may have a bigger challenge than Obama: 29 percent of Americans admit they are less likely to vote for someone simply for being Mormon.

Black Voters Shift to Obama - US BLACKS DO SUPPORT BARACK!!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 23:17:18 EST

Sen. Barack Obama has cut Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's lead in half, thanks to a shift by black voters.

According to a Washington Post-ABC News poll, Clinton was favored by 41 percent of voters in January, when she announced her candidacy for president. Then came Obama (17 percent), former Sen. John Edwards (11 percent) and former Vice President Al Gore (10 percent).

In the latest poll, those numbers show Clinton still ahead (36 percent), followed by Obama (24 percent), Gore (14 percent) and Edwards (12 percent).

According to the Post, white voters' preferences remained the same, while black voters shifted their support in a major way. In the previous two polls, Clinton had the support of 60 percent of black voters, and Obama had 20 percent. In the latest poll, Obama surged into the lead, garnering the support of 44 percent of the black voters, to Clinton's 33 percent.

Barack Obama raises $453,000 in Portola Valley- MUST BE DA MONEY!!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 23:12:39 EST

Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama rolled into Portola Valley around 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, spent 45 minutes speaking and taking questions from some 300 donors, and came away with $453,000 to add to his campaign for the 2008 election.

The Democratic senator from Illinois visited the home of Portola Valley resident Eileen Chamberlain-Donahoe, who confirmed the amount raised -- the minimum donation was $1,000 -- and added that Mr. Obama's "authenticity" has removed any doubt about her vote next year.

"I've met John Edwards and think he's great, and I think Hillary (Clinton) is great, but they don't compare," she said. "I think people are shocked to hear people in politics speak in such a true way. People are just sick of polarization in this country. I think (Mr. Obama) represents the possibility that we can rise above that and actually solve some problems instead of pointing fingers at each other."

About 100 Portola Valley residents attended, said co-host Danna Breen. A commissioner on the town's Architectural & Site Control Commission, Ms. Breen said she invited Mayor Ted Driscoll and Councilwoman Maryann Moise Derwin, but both were unavailable.

Ms. Breen said her e-mail invitations went out without regard to party affiliation. "It's all about the dialog," she said. "It's important for everyone to stay open. How lucky we are that there's such a large pool of candidates, both Republican and Democrat."

She said she and her daughters had their pictures taken with Mr. Obama before his public remarks. "... I loved his spirit of unifying," she said of the evening. "I came away feeling wonderful about that."

Councilman Steve Toben, who said he hopes every 2008 candidate for president pays a local visit, said he was asked to talk about Portola Valley with Mr. Obama. He said he declined, in part to the cost ($1,000 minimum donation) and because "it was not an event where I felt I could really add value."

Resident Angela Siddall, a retired psychotherapist and registered Democrat, did give $1,000 and called Mr. Obama a good listener and described his self-deprecating sense of humor as "lovely."

"He is just exceptional, and he's not full of himself, you know," she said. "Compared with the person in power at the moment, what a great representative (Mr. Obama) would be. ... He really addressed some of the big things that all politicians have to look at."

Among them: a more "socialized" health care system, a "more fair" tax system, and an end to the war in Iraq.

Ms. Siddall said John Edwards, a "really smart man who's very ethical," might yet sway her, but added: "I don't see that anybody would give me the same kind of experience" as Mr. Obama.

He was reportedly short on specifics, but no one interviewed for this story faulted him. "It's early days," Ms. Siddall said in a typical comment. "I don't think you can have a plan for everything at this point."

Among the volunteers recognized for raising money for Mr. Obama was Steve Westly, an Atherton resident, venture capitalist and a recent Democratic candidate for governor. Mr. Westly, who was not present, is a co-chair of Mr. Obama's California campaign, said a spokesman for Mr. Westly's political action committee, the California Leadership Committee.

Mr. Obama is scheduled to return to the Bay Area for another fundraiser on Saturday, March 17, Ms. Breen said. Send e-mail to Ms. Breen at pvlily@aol.com for more information.

Spotted: Barack Obama and Bono

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 14:21:50 EST

Spotted: Barack Obama and Bono

Posted by Mike Dorning at 11:35 am CST, updated at 1:10 pm CST

Spotted, waiting to meet with presidential candidate Barack Obama, at the Illinois senator's office in the Hart Senate Office Building: Bono of the band U2.

Update: Ben LaBolt, a spokesman for Obama, said the two met for about a half hour in the senator's personal office to discuss the ONE Campaign, a non-profit organization that the Irish rock star helped form to combat AIDS and global poverty.

"Bono was making rounds on the Hill to build support for the ONE campaign. He particularly wanted to meet with Senator Obama since he’s a member of the Foreign Relations Committee – and has been active on international poverty and global health issues," LaBolt said.

LaBolt said the two did not discuss particular programs or legislation but "had a general discussion about how foreign assistance to the right programs (anti-poverty, global health) can boost our security and the standing of the U.S. around the world."

Obama, Giuliani do best in general election match-ups

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 10:14:00 EST

Hillary Holds On; Giuliani Expands Lead in National Primary Tests

Obama advances, but McCain fades in partisan contests; Obama, Giuliani do best in general election match-ups

New York Sen. Hillary Clinton clings to a shrinking lead over Illinois Senator Barack Obama in a national test of Democratic primary voter preference, while Republican Rudy Giuliani is expanding his edge over John McCain, the maverick senator from Arizona, a new Zogby International telephone poll shows.

The survey was the first since last week’s very public spat between the Clinton and Obama campaigns over Hollywood fund–raising and the conduct of the first Clinton administration.

The telephone survey, which asked Democrats, Republicans, and non–aligned voters in which primary or caucus they planned to vote next year, was conducted Feb. 22–24, 2007, and included 1,078 likely voters (397 Republicans - MOE: +/- 5.0 percentage points, 439 Democrats - MOE: +/- 4.8 percentage points). The survey's overall margin of error was +/- 3.0 percentage points.

Among those who said they would vote in the Democratic primary or caucus for President, Clinton leads with 33% support, up 4% from our last telephone survey in early January. However, Obama has made dramatic gains in the last six weeks, moving from 14% support to 25% backing. Former North Carolina Sen. John Edward is a distant third, winning 12% support. One in five said they were undecided about which Democratic candidate to support.

Democrats

Republicans

Clinton 33%

Giuliani 29%

Obama 25%

McCain 20%

Edwards 12%

Romney 9%

Richardson 5%

Rice 7%

Biden 2%

Gingrich 7%

Clark 1%

Brownback 4%

Someone else 3%

Tancredo 1%

Not sure 20%

Hunter 1%

Someone else 4%

Not sure 19%

On the Republican side, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has extended his lead over McCain, leading 29% to 20% in our latest polling. Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who had a successful career in business before entering politics, placed a distant third on the GOP side of the fence. Nearly one in five Republican primary or caucus participants (19%) said they were unsure about whom to support.

Giuliani led McCain in our early January survey, 21% to 17%.

In the Democratic race, Clinton wins solid support among older voters, while Obama has the edge among younger counterparts. Clinton holds a 31% to 24% edge among white Democratic voters, while Obama leads among African–Americans, 36% to 27%. Progressives gave the nod to Obama, while moderates favored Clinton. The two were deadlocked at 30% support among male Democratic voters, but Clinton led among women, 34% to 22%.

In a measurement of how firm the support is for the candidates overall, Clinton’s support is just a bit weaker than that of Obama. A slight majority of Clinton supporters – 54% – said they are likely to change their minds before they actually cast a primary or caucus vote, while 48% of Obama supporters agreed. While his overall support lags, Edwards appears to have strong–minded backers: just 28% said they are likely to jump from the Edwards ship over the course of the next year.

Republican Giuliani is favored in nearly every age bracket, the Zogby telephone survey shows. He leads in all groups. McCain comes close only among those age 50–64, where the former New York mayor’s lead narrows to a 24% to 21% edge. More than one in four in that specific age group said they were yet undecided whom to support.

Among those Republican voters who consider themselves “very conservative,” Romney wins 23%, compared to 22% for former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich. The much–ballyhooed very conservative vote is split even more among second–tier candidates, with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice winning 13% support and Sen. Sam Brownback winning 9%. Giuliani (4%) and McCain (3%) failed to win more than token support among this demographic.

General Election Match–Ups Show Obama Strength

The Zogby International survey also tested several combinations of possible 2008 presidential general election match–ups, pairing the top three candidates from each party:

Giuliani 47%, Clinton 40%

Giuliani 40%, Obama 46%

Giuliani 46%, Edwards 40%

McCain 47%, Clinton 39%

McCain 40%, Obama 44%

McCain 47%, Edwards 38%

Romney 35%, Clinton 45%

Romney 29%, Obama 51%

Romney 32%, Edwards 47%

While 32% gave Bush positive marks for his overall job performance, 68% gave him negative ratings. Older Americans were more likely to give him slightly better ratings than younger counterparts, the survey shows. While 61% of Republicans gave him positive marks, just 9% of Democrats and 26% of self–described independents awarded the President a positive job approval rating.

Overall, just 23% support the President’s handling of the war in Iraq, while 35% said the Iraq war has been worth the loss of American lives.

TO MY MYSPACERS!!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 23:49:08 EST

I DONT HAVE A MYSPACE PAGE BUT I WORK THROUGH MY ARTIST PAGE WITH TRAFFIC/FRIEND'S REQUEST/RESPONDING TO EMAILS AND I NOTICE SOMETHING THERE THAT CAN HELP US!!!

POST A BULLENTIN AND THAT POST GOES OUT TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND ASK THEM TO ADD BARACK'S PAGE AND JOIN THE WEBSITE!! IN MY ARTIST CASE HE HAS LIKE 2500 FRIENDS SO THATS PRETTY GOOD TRAFFIC FROM ONE PERSON!! LETS GET IT YALL!!!

p.s. Im not sure if anyone has already came up with that idea but I just done it and I wanted to share it with you guys. And check out Snook at myspace.com/snookmusic

WORDS FROM A REPUBLICAN HIMSELF!! WOW

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 22:18:35 EST

Barack Obama: The Audacity of HopeI am a fan of politics in the same way that most guys are a fan of professional sports. My idea of heaven: sitting in a comfortable chair watching C-SPAN for all of eternity. My idea of hell: sitting in the same chair watching ESPN for all of eternity. Seriously. So, it should come as no surprise that I picked up Barack Obama’s book, The Audacity of Hope, to see what he had to say.As I’ve mentioned before, I’m literally a card-carrying Republican. I voted for George W. Bush twice before finally throwing up my hands in exasperation over his stubborn and dogged pursuit of policies that show no sign of success. At this point, I’m no longer interested in voting on the basis of political party affiliation. Instead, I want to vote for the individual who I believe has the best intellect, philosophy and demeanor to lead this country effectively.Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) has an interesting personal story. As has been widely reported, Obama was born in Hawaii to a black Kenyan father and white mother from Kansas. He spent his youth in Jakarta, Indonesia, and in Hawaii. Obama finished a Bachelors degree from Columbia University in 1983. Less than two years later, he moved to Chicago to direct a non-profit project assisting local churches to organize job training programs for residents of poor neighborhoods. Obama entered Harvard Law School in 1988, where he became the first African American to be elected president of the Harvard Law Review. Obama was later elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1996, and to the US Senate in 2004. Obama wrote and delivered the keynote address to the 2004 Democratic National Convention, which catapulted him onto the national stage.I could review The Audacity of Hope by summarizing, theme by theme, Obama’s message. However, this is not a book that one should experience using CliffsNotes. Instead I’ll talk about what I took away from the book.More than anything, Barack Obama strikes me as a straight shooter, the Democratic answer to John McCain and his Straight Talk Express. Obama also strikes me as both a skilled and pragmatic analyst, as you’d expect from someone at the Harvard Law Review. In his prologue, Obama acknowledges that he is “new enough on the national political scene that [he serves] as a blank screen upon which people of vastly different political stripes project their own views.” He knows that as people get to know him, he’s bound to disappoint some. He goes on to introduce himself fairly thoroughly in this 375 page work.Obama doesn’t disguise the fact that he’s a liberal. If presented with a problem, his natural inclination is to identify how we - American society - can deal with it as a whole. Yet he realizes the need to compromise, rather than pursue the fundamental ideologies of either the left or the right. In fact, he specifically warns against either/or thinking. I welcome this balanced approach, especially after six years of Bush’s “you’re with us or you’re against us” rhetoric. Obama is also the first person who I’ve heard make a compelling argument - from a political perspective - for the necessity of government social programs that have the potential to lift up segments of our society that need help the most. Though I’m a conservative at heart, I feel like Obama is likely to see all sides of an issue, garner enough support on both sides, and strike a balance that most people are able to live with.I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised that Obama mentions Jim Wallis of Sojourners twice in his book. As I mentioned not long ago, I got an opportunity to meet some folks at Sojourners in DC in January. They’re advocating within Christian circles the very same social justice issues that Obama is working for in the political arena.Bottom line, if I were voting for the next President of the United States today, there’s no candidate in either party that I’d rather vote for than Barack Obama. I’m thoroughly glad I took the time to read The Audacity of Hope and become more familiar with this man.

HIS SPEECH WAS LIVE AND RIGHT ON TIME!!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 20:46:13 EST

I truly believe that Barack, once again out did himself on the Cleveland speech. Our wonderful website allowed us the luxury through that local towns television station to watch this rally/speech live (streaming) at our computers. Barack masterfully crafted his message and you got a sense that the people in the crowd felt compelled to get behind the MESSENGER because of his MESSAGE!!! Barack plugged the website so I'm going to take it, we should have an influx of new "friends" joing within the next few hours. I must say every this guy goes he's have a John F. Kenndy affect on the people in that area and surrounding areas as well. IM TELLING, IF YOU ARE EVER ABLE TO ATTEND ONE OF HIS FUNCTIONS PLEASE DONT SECOND GUESS YOURSELF!! He has an uncanny way in connecting with you even if you dont directly come into contact with him. So with that said I would like to say now, "LETS PUT OUR HEAD BACK DOWN IN OUR HOLE BUTTS IN THE AIR AND CONTINUE TO DIG IN, I THINK WE GOT A FREW MORE DIGGERS/SUPPORTERS ON THE WAY!!!"

1000 PAY TO SEE BARACK!! A MUST READ!!!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 18:57:30 EST

Update: 1,000 pay to see ObamaBY HOWARD WILKINSON | HWILKINSON@ENQUIRER.COM

Even the event’s organizer - State Sen. Eric Kearney - said he was astounded by the success of this morning’s Barack Obama fundraising event at the Westin hotel downtown, which may have raised as much as $500,000 for the Illinois Democrat’s presidential campaign.

About 1,000 Obama supporters - including a handful of Republicans - crammed the main ballroom at the Westin to the point where there weren’t enough seats at the tables to go around. Dozens had stand through the breakfast event, lining the ballroom walls.

It was an unusually large fundraising event for Cincinnati, which spoke to the star power Obama carries. Even former President Clinton drew only 600 to a downtown hotel last October when he appeared at a fundraiser for John Cranley’s congressional campaign.

Even so, it was something of a "stealth" event for the Obama campaign - no reporters or cameras were allowed inside; and an impromptu press conference promised by a campaign aide after the breakfast failed to materialize. Obama’s security detail, concerned about moving the Illinois senator through a crowd of hundreds of supporters to where the media was camped out, whisked him out of the Westin through a side door, out of sight of the camera-and-notebook crowd.

The cheapest ticket for the morning event was $100, but those who paid $1,000 or more got to spend about half an hour in a private room with Obama before the main breakfast.

Those who donated $2,300 - the maximum contribution allowed for the presidential primary cycle - had their picture taken with the candidate who is hands-down the rock star of the early campaign for the 2008 presidential nomination.

Asked afterwards how much was raised, Kearney - whose wife, Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney was a Harvard Law School classmate of Obama – said that while the checks are still being counted, the event raised at least $350,000 and perhaps as much as $500,000.

“It was unbelievalbe,’’ said Kearney. “The people just kept coming.”

What was most impressive, Kearney said, was “how diverse a crowd it was – whites, blacks, Latinos, Asian folks, rich and poor. It shows the broad appeal Barack has.”

There was a considerable number of people who bought “walk-up” tickets to the 8 a.m. breakfast. As of Sunday night, about 750 tickets had been sold. In the end, at least 1,000 people paid the price to see and hear Obama, a first-term senator whose presidential campaign has created much of the early buzz on the 2008 presidential campaign trail.

One of those inside the reception for large donors was Cincinnati’s most high profile supporters of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, whose campaign has been trading barbs with the Obama campaign over the past week.

Class-action lawyer Stan Chesley, who has raised millions for President Clinton and for Sen. Clinton’s campaigns, said he was there because he has "enormous respect" for Obama.

"Of course, I am supporting Hillary, but, mainly I want to see the best Democrats run for president,’’ Chesley said. "Sen. Obama is very impressive."

The crowd inside the main breakfast event ranged from enthusiastic supporter of the Illinois senator to Democrats who have yet to make up their minds about the field of Democratic presidential contenders.

Myrtis Grace of Bond Hill, a retired teacher, said Obama has “re-ignited my interest in politics.”

“I worked for (John F.) Kennedy and for Bill Clinton, but I haven’t been involved lately,’’ Grace said. “But Sen. Obama is inspiring. He’s so passionate.”

Cincinnati Councilwoman Laketa Cole, a Democrat, said she has yet to make up her mind about which presidential candidate to support, but came away impressed by Obama.

“I want to hear Hillary; I want to hear all of them,’’ Cole said. “But he made a great speech, talking about bringing the country, healing the divisions. I like that.”

Harold Brooks, a long-time Republican party activist from Westwood, said he came to the breakfast because he plans to help organize a “Black Republicans for Obama” organization in Ohio.

“My party may not like it, but I support Sen. Obama,’’ Brooks said. “He’s the best candidate I’ve seen.”

Obama is the first of the announced Democratic candidates to campaign in Cincinnati. After the Cincinnati event, Obama was scheduled to go on to Columbus for a private fundraising event and then on to Cleveland for a late-day public rally, making the rounds of the major cities in a state that is likely to have a great deal to say about who becomes the 44th president of the United States.

Barack Obama Campaigns In Ohio

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:22:39 EST

Barack Obama Campaigns In Ohio
Around Ohio
Feb 26 2007 7:59AM
Reported by Eve Mueller

The race for the White House came to Ohio Monday.

Illinois Senator Barack Obama planned four events in the Buckeye state as he chased his dream to become president.

This was Senator Obama's first trip to the Buckeye State since announcing he's running for president in 2008.

He kicked off the Ohio trip Monday morning at a private fundraiser in Cincinnati and 750 people showed up. They paid between $100 and $2300 each to see him.

"I think he's got broad, broad, and diverse appeal," said state Sen. Eric Kearney, D-Cincinnati, who helped organize the event.

Attorney Stan Chesley, a Hillary Clinton supporter who also raised money for President Bill Clinton, said he thinks Obama is an exciting addition to the Democratic field. Chesley said he was at the event for a variety of reasons, including to support Kearney.

From Cincinnati, he took off to Columbus for a noon private fundraiser at Miranova.
Tickets for the Columbus event were $500, $1,000 and $2,300 a piece.

Monday afternoon, Obama is holding his only public event in Cleveland, a 6 p.m. rally at Cuyahoga Community College. That is free and open to the public and no tickets are needed.

The Obama for America campaign said the senator will be in Ohio, "a lot," because this is a very important state to him.

If you want to follow his movements, there's a blog with pictures of all his public events on Link

STAND ON THIS....

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 16:51:52 EST

Luckily enough for me, my dinner was some Chinese food and since I dont eat the fortune cookies, I do believe in reading thier quotes/words of encouragement and todays cookie read

"You can make the best of a bad situation - they make diamonds out of coal."

To me that puts everything that we're trying to do into prespective; because believe ME, we are going to have people speak bad on Barack, say things that he dont mean, mis-read what he said and give it thier own meaning but for ever piece of COAL that they throw our way, it's up to US to make it into a DIAMOND!!

Please remember Barack said it himself, this campaign is for US!! So it's up to US to have Barack's back during the good times and the bad ones as well. My good days always outweigh my bad ones!! What about yours?

SOUTH CAROLINA SHOWS BARACK & HILLARY IN DEAD HEAT!!!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 12:30:10 EST

Link To read story.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former New York May-or Rudy Giuliani hold an edge among prospective candidates for the White House in five southeastern states, where most voters remain undecided, according to a poll released yesterday by Elon University.

Thirty percent of those polled who said they would vote Democratic supported Clinton, 14 percent backed Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, and 8 percent supported former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards. But 24 percent said it was too early to decide and 22 percent didn't know who they would support.

"While the number of people who aren't sure who they will support in the upcoming election shows that we're very early in the process, it is somewhat unexpected to see Hillary Clinton, a New York senator, doing so well in the South," said poll director Hunter Bacot.

"It is particularly unexpected with a viable Southerner, John Edwards, in the race," he said. "If these findings hold over time, the race for the Democra-tic nomination may be over before it starts."

In North Carolina, Clinton led with 32.4 percent to Edwards' 13.5 percent, and Obama had 9.5 percent. In South Carolina, where Edwards was born, he had 5.6 percent, and Clinton and Obama each had the support of 16.7 percent of the Dem-ocrats polled.

In the GOP field, 31 percent of respondents who identified themselves as Republicans said that it was too early to tell, and 25 percent said they didn't know who they would vote for.

Giuliani had the support of 21 percent of those polled. Sen. John McCain of Arizona had 16 percent, and former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts got 3 percent.

Bacot said that the GOP race seemed more open "since none of the candidates has a commanding lead."

The poll was conducted Feb. 18-22 by the Elon University Institute for Politics and Public Affairs, which surveyed 719 residents in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

The margin of error was plus or minus 3.7 percent.

SOUTH CAROLINA LETS GO IT'S THERE FOR OUR TAKING!!! A DEAD HEAT TIE AND HE'S ONLT BEEN HERE ONCE I KNOW WE GOT THIS!! LETS CONTINUE TO FIGHT!!

OBAMA DRAWS LARGE CROWDS!! LOOK AT US GO!!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 14:17:21 EST

Obama Draws Large Crowds in Urban AreasBy NEDRA PICKLER (Associated Press Writer)From Associated PressFebruary 22, 2007 1:20 PM EST

WASHINGTON - Leah Hanes had never been much into politics until she ended up at a Barack Obama rally this week in Los Angeles, wearing a campaign T-shirt that she bought onsite like a concertgoer who found a new favorite band.

Hanes, a Canadian who lives in Los Angeles, said she is going to push to get her U.S. citizenship in time for the 2008 election so she can vote for the Democratic presidential candidate. The 52-year-old producer said Obama's challenges growing up of mixed race had given him a depth of understanding she didn't see in other candidates and she thinks he can make a difference.

"He is a combination of both sides of the country," said Hanes, one of thousands who turned up to hear the Illinois senator at a Los Angeles park, sprawling 360 degrees around the stage. "He's been through his own struggle. (It's) given him a center."

Hanes is among the throngs of people who have turned out to hear Obama speak during the two weeks since the Illinois senator formally entered the race. Obama is drawing eye-popping crowds in an unusual campaign swing that is taking him to large urban areas outside of the early voting states where presidential candidates typically stump for votes.

The people Obama is attracting in those cities won't be able to cast votes in states like Iowa and New Hampshire that are so critical to deciding who makes it to the White House. But his tour is designed to build his reputation among voters nationwide who still don't know much about him and to create an army of small-dollar donors who are invested in his success.

Obama is expecting huge turnout for rallies Friday in Austin, Texas, and Monday in Cleveland. More than 10,000 people have signed up on Obama's Web site for free tickets to each event, according to the campaign.

That's a larger turnout than President Bush usually gets and certainly more than Obama's rivals in the 2008 campaign are pulling in.

"I think the crowds are indicative of people wanting a fresh face and wanting a leader who can bring America forward," said Trav Robertson, an experienced South Carolina Democratic campaign operative who attended events for Obama and rival Hillary Rodham Clinton in the past week and hasn't settled on a candidate to support.

Robertson said both Clinton and Obama brought out packed and excited crowds, although Obama held his event in a larger setting and seemed to bring out more people he hadn't seen around in politics before.

Obama's challenge is twofold - to maintain his popularity for the next 11 months until primary voting gets under way, and to turn the curious into devoted followers who will give money and time.

Tickets to the rallies are free, but the campaign requires attendees to register with a name, phone number and street and e-mail addresses.

"Our biggest challenge is to take this energy and focus it on building a strong, lasting organization," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton. He declined to say exactly how many people have signed up with the campaign so far at the events because it's strategic information, but he said it's in the tens of thousands.

Burton says the campaign is using the Internet to keep the attendees informed and organized and asks them to donate and attend campaign meetings.

Obama is also routinely selling out his fundraising events. His Los Angeles rally was paired with a star-studded Hollywood fundraiser that had to be moved from a 400-seat restaurant to a hotel ballroom that fit 600 because of the demand for tickets that required a $2,300 donation. When the Obama campaign announced a $25-a-ticket fundraiser in Louisville, Ky., Sunday evening, 2,500 of the 3,000 tickets were sold in 12 hours.

His draw was also strong in the early nominating states on his announcement tour earlier this month. The campaign moved a free event at Iowa State University from a recreation hall that could hold 1,500 to a coliseum where the more than 5,000 who showed up were able to fit comfortably, although some of the curious were from out-of-state and can't vote in the Iowa caucus. All 2,300 tickets for a free town hall meeting in Durham, N.H. - the largest 2008 presidential campaign event yet in the state - were snatched up within six hours of the event being announced, Burton said.

The same day, Obama tried an old-fashion campaign stroll down the street in Concord, N.H. Campaign volunteers were prepared to keep reporters at bay with yellow ropes and directed curious pedestrians onto the street to avoid crowding the scene.

The crowds are reminiscent of those that turned out across the country to hear Howard Dean in the 2004 primary race on his "Sleepless Summer" tour across the United States. Dean had been in the race for months at that point versus the few weeks that Obama has been running, but former Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi sees similarities in how both candidates were able to motivate supporters on the Internet with a message of change.

Obama needs to avoid Dean's pitfall of peaking too early, only to be brought down by gaffes and criticism from rivals.

"You can still make a mistake and take your own candidacy down, or the other candidates can start attacking you," Trippi said. "There are all kinds of things that happen in politics that blunt this advantage.

"In the end, you still have to get by Iowa and New Hampshire and the other campaigns," Trippi said.

---

Associated Press writers Michael R. Blood in Los Angeles and Philip Elliott in Concord, N.H., contributed to this report.

---

On the Net:

Link

A WONDERFUL STORY!! SHE'S NOW ON OUR TEAM

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:03:17 EST

THIS IS A TRUE STORY AND I GOT HER FROM MY JOB. SHE SAW MY BADGE THAT READ "BARACK FOR PRESIDENT-COMING SOON" AND WONDERED WHO HE WAS. PLEASE READ ITS THIS EASY TO GET PEOPLE YALL!!! START FROM BELOW

I haven’t done my donation yet. I’m waiting until my friends list get to like 100 and then you can do your own fundraiser and have people give to your goal. But I personally plan on giving at least like $20-25 per pay period. And never say what someone never wont do. I was the one that got you curious to see what it was and it came your attention enough so maybe it’ll work on them as well Thanks, Kyle Aubrey GreeneSupport Tech Store Infrastructure Technical SupportLowe's Companies, Inc.kyle.a.greene@lowes.com

From: Whittington, Tanis - Tanis N
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 7:04 PM
To: Greene, Kyle - Kyle A
Subject: RE: Hey Yeah I thought about that last night when I was on there, but I’ve never had the best group of friends so I don’t know how many of them I could persuade but maybe if they would just look at it like I did, maybe they would find something that would affect them. Do you also donate money, I seen that listed as an option as well

From: Greene, Kyle - Kyle A
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 6:24 PM
To: Whittington, Tanis - Tanis N
Subject: RE: Hey See I’m into the whole political process and even on Barack campaign for President and to see someone like you coming into a bleak situation and not knowing anything really is very impressive to me. I commend you for the time you took and even accepting the friendship. You should get active and become a part of the staff and add friends and get them involve. Trust me your friends and family will look at you different and be very proud of you Thanks, Kyle Aubrey GreeneSupport Tech Store Infrastructure Technical SupportLowe's Companies, Inc.kyle.a.greene@lowes.com

From: Whittington, Tanis - Tanis N
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 5:34 PM
To: Greene, Kyle - Kyle A
Subject: RE: Hey Yeah I understand that. Well if I would have never went there, I would still be in the dark not knowing nothing but what little I knew already (which wasn’t much). I do agree with you though that he does have a good standpoint on things.

From: Greene, Kyle - Kyle A
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 5:27 PM
To: Whittington, Tanis - Tanis N
Subject: RE: Hey I mean I’m not sure. Some people you can take them to the water but it’s up to them to drink it Thanks, Kyle Aubrey GreeneSupport Tech Store Infrastructure Technical SupportLowe's Companies, Inc.kyle.a.greene@lowes.com

From: Whittington, Tanis - Tanis N
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 5:12 PM
To: Greene, Kyle - Kyle A
Subject: RE: Hey Did you not think I would take a look at it

From: Greene, Kyle - Kyle A
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 11:19 AM
To: Whittington, Tanis - Tanis N
Subject: RE: Hey Tanis I’m truly impressed that you took the time out to check him out and here his stance on positions that not just affect me but you as well. J Thanks, Kyle Aubrey GreeneSupport Tech Store Infrastructure Technical SupportLowe's Companies, Inc.kyle.a.greene@lowes.com

From: Whittington, Tanis - Tanis N
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 9:35 AM
To: Greene, Kyle - Kyle A
Subject: RE: Hey I went to that website last night. I read the information about him and his wife so now I know more than just he’s the guy running for president. I also looked at a couple of those speeches that were listed. I am glad to see that it is not all about the war and all, that is one thing that I can say I’m against, I’m mean I know that they are over there because of the oil situation and 9/11 but come on its been about three years and seems like nothing is getting accomplished and bush just keeps sending more and more over there. I’m really not feeling that. From the things I read it seems like he would make a good leader.

From: Greene, Kyle - Kyle A
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 7:46 PM
To: Whittington, Tanis - Tanis N
Subject: RE: Hey Yeah he’s one of us and that’s just not the main thing he is for the people; white, black, old or young. I was there when he visited my city Columbia SC last Friday and the energy and diverse crowd was AMAZING!! You should get involved and just feel the excitement that’s in the air Thanks, Kyle Aubrey GreeneSupport Tech Store Infrastructure Technical SupportLowe's Companies, Inc.kyle.a.greene@lowes.com

From: Whittington, Tanis - Tanis N
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 6:33 PM
To: Greene, Kyle - Kyle A
Subject: RE: Hey I didn’t know that was his name, I’ve watched a couple of things about him on TV, probably bad to say, but it caught my attention because he was “of color”. That’s cool that you follow stuff like this. A lot of people I went to school with could care less about what goes on and what is said, but then in the end can always find something to complain about.

From: Greene, Kyle - Kyle A
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 6:26 PM
To: Whittington, Tanis - Tanis N
Subject: RE: Hey Yes he’s the man running for president. You should check him out and see the issues he stand for and see if it’ll impact your life and if you feel like it will join the movement. From: Whittington, Tanis - Tanis N
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 6:22 PM
To: Greene, Kyle - Kyle A
Subject: RE: Hey Some things lets see…. Like stuff that I feel like has an impact on me or more so how I live I follow. If I see something in the paper I’ll read it or if I’m flipping channels and come across something I’ll pay attention to it, but overall I’m not that into it I guess. And to be honest I have no idea who he is, unless it is the man that is running for president. My email is whits47@aol.com.

From: Greene, Kyle - Kyle A
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 6:08 PM
To: Whittington, Tanis - Tanis N
Subject: RE: Hey I’m on Barack Obama web page I’m a part of his campaign. Do you follow politics and if so did you give Obama a chance. What’s you personal email I want to see you a friend invite

Thanks, Kyle Aubrey GreeneSupport Tech Store Infrastructure Technical SupportLowe's Companies, Inc.kyle.a.greene@lowes.com

From: Whittington, Tanis - Tanis N
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 5:55 PM
To: Greene, Kyle - Kyle A
Subject: RE: Hey Not much, taking a few calls and looking at the rocawear web page. What you up to?

From: Greene, Kyle - Kyle A
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 5:53 PM
To: Whittington, Tanis - Tanis N
Subject: Hey What’s good buddy? What’s new on your end

Thanks, Kyle Aubrey GreeneSupport Tech Store Infrastructure Technical SupportLowe's Companies, Inc.kyle.a.greene@lowes.com

FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DASCHLE ENDORSES BARACK

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 21:03:09 EST

Ex-Senate Leader Daschle endorses ObamaSites 'great capacity to unify our country and inspire a new generation' Kevork Djansezian / APDemocratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., reaches for supporters during his first campaign rally in Los Angeles Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007. View related photosSlide show • A call to serve
Sen. Barack Obama has long heard the call to a public life.MSNBC Political CalendarFEBRUARY 200722Bill Frist’s birthdayTony Snow headlines a GOP fundraiser in Allegheny County, Pa. Mitt Romney campaigns in South Carolina 23Hillary Clinton headlines a fundraiser in San FranciscoTom Vilsack campaigns in Iowa Nancy Pelosi appears on NBC's "Tonight Show with Jay Leno"Barack Obama campaigns in Austin, Texas 24Bill Richardson headlines a fundraiser in Broward County, Fla. Duncan Hunter headlines a fundraiser in San Diego Ron Paul campaigns in New Hampshire Tommy Thompson campaigns in Iowa 26Barack Obama headlines a fundraiser in Cleveland, Ohio Democratic Governors Association's Taste of America in D.C.Rudy Giuliani headlines a Virginia GOP fundraiser in Vienna John Edwards headlines a fundraiser in New Jersey Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks about energy to the National Governors Association in D.C. 27Chicago mayoral election(pdf) Kansas City mayoral electionJanet Napolitano speaks at the National Press Club Sam Brownback headlines a fundraiser for Scott Garrett in New Jersey MARCH 20071GOP straw poll in Spartanburg County, South Carolina 1-334th Annual Conservative Political Action Conference in D.C.2Russ Feingold‘s birthdayBill Clinton speaks at Kansas State University Tom Tancredo campaigns in Iowa 3Nancy Pelosi headlines a Colorado Democrats' fundraiser in Denver 4Barack Obama keynotes the annual voting rights march commemoration in Selma, Alabama5McCain, Romney & Giuliani campaign advisers speak at Harvard University 6Hillary Clinton, Claire McCaskill & Amy Klobuchar headline an EMILY's List lunch honoring Nancy Pelosi8George Allen’s birthdayTerry McAuliffe headlines an Arizona Democrats' fundraiser in Phoenix 8-14President & Mrs. Bush travel to Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Guatemala & Mexico 10Hillary Clinton headlines a New Hampshire Democrats' fundraiser 11Dennis Kucinich campaigns in St. Paul, Minnesota 12Mitt Romney holds a fundraiser in Las Vegas 14Newt Gingrich speaks at Goucher College in Baltimore, Md. 16Rudy Giuliani headlines Macomb County GOP fundraiser in Michigan17Chris Dodd headlines a fundraiser in Concord, N.H. 18Bill Clinton headlines a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton in New York City 19Clinton, Obama & Edwards campaign advisers speak at Harvard University 21Al Gore testifies about global warming on Capitol Hill242008 presidential health care forum in Nevada Hillary Clinton holds a fundraiser in Los Angeles Karl Rove headlines a GOP fundraiser in West Bloomfield, Michigan 31Al Gore’s birthdayAPRIL 20072Saline County GOP fundraiser honoring Mike Huckabee in Little Rock, Ark. 7World Health Day13Newt Gingrich speaks to the American Medical Association in Tampa, Fla. 14Iowa GOP's Lincoln Day fundraiser 17Chicago mayoral election (pdf)Mitt Romney headlines a Virginia GOP fundraiser in McLean Rudy Giuliani speaks at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia 19John McCain headlines a GOP fundraiser in Clark County, Nevada 21Minnesota Democrats' Humphrey Day fundraiser Rich Little performs at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in D.C. 26MSNBC's 2008 Democratic primary presidential debate in Orangeburg, S.C.27-28South Carolina Democrats' state convention27-29California Democrats' state convention in San Diego MAY 20071Denver mayoral election 3-6Log Cabin Republicans' national conference in Denver 5Rudy Giuliani delivers the commencement address at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C. Mitt Romney gives the commencement address at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia 15South Carolina GOP hosts a presidential debate in ColumbiaPhiladelphia & Pittsburgh mayoral primaries15-18GOP state chairs meet in Columbia, South Carolina 19South Carolina GOP state convention & possible 2008 straw pollGeorge H.W. Bush & Bill Clinton speak at the University of New Hampshire 22Kentucky gubernatorial primary23-25U.S. Chamber of Commerce's small business summit in D.C.28Rudy Giuliani’s birthday.JUNE 20072Iowa Democratic Party's Hall of Fame Dinner fundraiser in Cedar Rapids, Iowa 22-2675th Annual Conference of Mayors in Los Angeles 28Democratic presidential forum at Howard University 27Republican presidential forum at Morgan State UniversityJULY 20077Al Gore's global warming concerts 7-12NAACP's annual convention in DetroitAUGUST 20072Nashville mayoral election7Mississippi gubernatorial primary11Iowa GOP presidential straw poll in Ames, Iowa SEPTEMBER 200711Baltimore mayoral primary24Bill Clinton chairs the Little Rock Nine 50th Anniversary Gala26-28Florida Democrats' state convention and possible straw poll OCTOBER 20072Salt Lake City mayoral primary4Memphis mayoral election20Louisiana gubernatorial primary21GOP presidential debate in Orlando, Florida NOVEMBER 200722008 Democratic presidential candidate debate in Las Vegas 6Gubernatorial elections in Kentucky & MississippiMayoral primary in Houston and mayoral elections in Philadelphia & San Francisco10Iowa Democratic Party's Jefferson Jackson Dinner fundraiser in Cedar Rapids, Iowa 17Louisiana gubernatorial runoff JANUARY 200852008 Republican presidential debate in Johnstown, Iowa62008 Democratic presidential debate in Johnstown, Iowa 14Iowa caucuses152008 Democratic presidential candidate debate in Las Vegas 19Nevada Democratic caucuses 29South Carolina Democratic primaryFEBRUARY 20082South Carolina Republican primaryAUGUST 200825-28Democratic National Convention in Denver SEPTEMBER 20081-4Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul NOVEMBER 20084Election Day• Print this interactive• Analyzing the 2008 presidential field Updated: 4:48 p.m. ET Feb 21, 2007

WASHINGTON - Sen. Barack Obama won the endorsement Wednesday of former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, who said the White House hopeful "personifies the future of Democratic leadership in our country."

Daschle said Obama has a "great capacity to unify our country and inspire a new generation of young Americans, just as I was inspired by the Kennedys and Martin Luther King when I was young."

Obama began his term in the Senate after Daschle lost his seat in 2004. But the South Dakotan served in the Senate with several of the other Democratic presidential hopefuls, including Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, Joe Biden of Delaware, Chris Dodd of Connecticut and John Edwards, a former lawmaker.

NATIONAL MEETING OF OBAMA SUPPORTERS

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 15:50:11 EST

NATIONAL MEETING OF OBAMA SUPPORTERSBy User from New York, NY - Feb 21st, 2007 at 9:56 am EST Also listed in: NYC for Barack Obama | BrooklynforBarack | Website Feedback | Citizen Strategy ThinkTank | 0bama Worldwide | WALL STREET FOR OBAMA | NYC Fundraising Efforts for Obama | *Group Administrators* for Obama - Collaboration Group | ITALIAN AMERICANS FOR OBAMA | NYC4Obama | "The Secret" Believers for President Obama | DODGEBALL FOR OBAMA Comments | Mail to a Friend Rate this Post:
(What is this?)

In answer to some of my critics who complain I am looking for this campaign to do too much too quickly. My response is NONSENSE. Two important points 1) Hillary has been running for President for SIX years and we have a lot of catching up to do, and 2) anyone who thinks Barack is assured the nomination is a FOOL there are all kinds of challenges between now and August 2008. And I will also repeat for all the neophytes in this effort YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW VICIOUS THE CLINTONS AND THEIR OPERATIVES CAN BE. They will attempt to destroy Obama by any means necessary.

More importantly showing our strength, building momentum and constantly organizing should be our mandates. There are enough of us already that I RECOMMEND A NATIONAL "MEETING" OF OBAMA SUPPORTERS as early as Saturday March 31st. Or soon thereafter. Here is my specific suggestion. On Saturday mornings movie theatres all over country are dark and many are also increasingly set up for broadcast ( such as the Metropolitan Opera live ).

The Obama campaign should organize a LIVE broadcast in theatres in major cities throughout the country featuring Barack Obama most of all speaking at length and informally just as if he was at a private meeting with his supporters PLUS other key individual maybe even some live entertainment broadcast most likely from Chicago that will assemble thousands of Obama supporters in dozens of movie theatres from coast to coast for a 2-3 hour LIVE broadcast which can prove an important milestone in the development of the campaign, And display to the media and the other candidates the strength of the Obama campaign. I think it is more than reasonable for each attendee at each theatre to contribute just $10 to cover the cost of the event.

NO CANDIDATE IN HISTORY has ever done anything comparable. It will be one more example of this innovative campaign, And i believe the success of the first event can result in this format working for the campaign on a regular basis solidifying its support and bringing together supporters in large numbers making it dramatically clear we are all part of a unified NATIONAL campaign effort. Keeping and building MOMENTUM is all important. Momentum is a precious priceless resource and if it lost it is almost impossible to revive in my experience. This campaign needs to a a blazing "engine" of momentum all the way to August 2008 if need be and the convention in Denver.

I hope they are listening in Chicago ?? Best wishes, Arthur

BARACK PICKS UP ANOTHER ENDORSEMENT!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:19:38 EST

Ellison endorses Obama for president3 hrs ago Ellison endorses Obama for president

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The Associated Press
Feb 21, 2007 9:10 AM (3 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 2,369 of 14,749 articles

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison says he supports Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for president.

"Not because he's black," said Ellison, who is black, on Tuesday. "That's identity politics. I reject identity politics.

"He speaks with a unifying spirit," Ellison told about 100 employees at the Star Tribune newspaper during a lunch-hour event for Black History Month.

Ellison, a Democrat, is the first Muslim elected to Congress and the first black elected to Congress from Minnesota.

While Ellison is supporting Obama at this stage of the campaign, the congressman acknowledged that he may end up backing New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton if she wins the Democratic nomination.

---

Hollywood stars attend Obama fundraiser

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 19:43:58 EST

Primary Navigation

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Search: All News Yahoo! News Only News Photos Video/Audio Advanced">Link Hollywood stars attend Obama fundraiser

By MICHAEL R. BLOOD, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 54 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES - Checks from Hollywood's A-list stars such as George Clooney, Eddie Murphy and Barbra Streisand added up to an expected, one-night take of $1 million for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama (news">Link, bio">Link, voting">Link record).

Three of the entertainment industry's biggest names — DreamWorks studio founders Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen — planned a private, Beverly Hills fundraiser for the freshman senator from Illinois.

The lineup of celebrities writing checks read like a red carpet's who's who — Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington and Ben Stiller among others.

Tickets to the fundraiser are $2,300, the maximum individual donation to a federal campaign, or $4,600 for a couple. A later, private dinner at Geffen's home is being held for fundraisers who brought in at least $46,000 for the evening.

The fundraiser underscored the intense competition among the party's leading 2008 candidates for Hollywood dollars and endorsements. The entertainment industry is a perennial source of cash for Democrats, with big names often donating to multiple campaigns while withholding formal endorsements until later.

Spielberg, for example, is a host of the event but has not made an endorsement. Katzenberg and Geffen are backing Obama.

The movie, television and recording industries gave $33.1 million to federal candidates and parties in 2004, with much of that coming from Hollywood, according to the nonprofit Center for Responsive Politics.

Obama's display of celebrity sizzle and campaign dollars challenges any assumptions that Hollywood dollars would default to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., who has longstanding ties to the industry, along with her husband, former President Clinton.

"I think this guy is for real," said longtime Democratic consultant Garry South, who is unaligned in the 2008 race. "I was skeptical at first, but something is going on here. ... Whether it can sustain itself remains to be seen."

Before the closed-door fundraiser, the Illinois senator was scheduled to speak to a crowd, potentially numbering in the thousands, at a public rally in Los Angeles.

Clinton will be pulling in Hollywood dollars next month, when a fundraiser is scheduled at the home of supermarket tycoon Ronald Burkle, a longtime friend and fundraiser for her husband.

In addition to money, the state has taken on new importance in presidential politics with lawmakers poised to move its primary to Feb. 5 from June.

Among other candidates, Republican Rudy Giuliani was in the state earlier this month. Sen. John McCain (news">Link, bio">Link, voting">Link record), R-Ariz., is planning to appear Wednesday with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Los Angeles area to discuss climate change.

Obama was on a three-day swing through California, his first since announcing his candidacy. He also held a fundraiser in La Jolla, near San Diego,

Beside the celebrity giving, checks have come in from studio bosses, including Paramount Pictures studio chief Brad Grey; Richard Cook, chairman of Walt Disney Studios, and Ron Meyer of Universal Studios.

RECOMMEND THIS STORY

THIS WILL MAKE ANYONE OF YOU PROUD!!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 17:45:10 EST

Link LET ME KNOW WHAT YALL THINK!! THIS IS GRASSROOTS IN EVERY FORM!!! THIS MAKES ME PROUD TO BE A PART OF BARACKS MOVEMENT WHICH IS FOR THE PEOPLE!! AND IM NOT EVEN FROM NYC BUT I FEEL THIER PASSION CAUSE I TOO SHARE THIER DESIRES!!!

S.C. STATE REP. TODD RUTHERFORD ENDORSES BARACK!!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 16:16:06 EST

16 February 2007Rutherford endorses ObamaIt is the first significant endorsement for the Illinois Democrat and came just 90 minutes before Obama's first appearance in the state as a presidential contender. State Rep. Todd Rutherford, D-Richland, is endorsing U.S. Sen. Barack Obama for president.Rutherford said this afternoon that he had just left a meeting with Obama and "it made up my mind."

LET'S GO EVERYBODY SOUTH CAROLINA IS ROCKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BARACK PICKS UP ANOTHER SC ENDORSEMENT!

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 14:32:03 EST

Harpootlian backing Obama
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(Columbia-AP) February 19, 2007 - Former South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Dick Harpootlian is backing Illinois Senator Barack Obama for the presidency.

Harpootlian says he sees the same magnetism in Obama that he saw in then-Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton in 1991.

Harpootlian's announcement comes as Hillary Clinton is making her first campaign visit to South Carolina. The New York Senator is to be in Columbia, Florence and Charleston Monday.

Harpootlian says he met with Obama for half-an-hour Friday. He says the Illinois senator is the embodiment of Martin Luther King Junior's dream that people be judged by their character, not their skin color.

Harpootlian says he thinks it will be easy to raise money for Obama.

Harpootlian was party chairman from 1999 to 2003.

Posted 12:28pm by Bryce Mursch

BARACK ROCKED IN COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA

Kyle "a CHANGE GONNA COME" Greene — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 20:55:23 EST

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY AND TIME TO SAY HOW ENCOURAGE AND PROUD I AM JUST TO HAVE BEEN IN THE PRESENCE OF BARACK AND THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA TODAY!!! HE HAS NOT JUST INSPIRED ME TODAY BUT EVERYONE THAT STOOD WITH ME AT THE CONVENTION CENTER; FROM THE LADIES I STOOD WITH, THERE DAUGHTER, TO THE FOLKS AROUND USC, BENEDICT, THE EDUCATORS, THE LAWYERS, AND JUST THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING FOR CHANGE AND A FRESH START!!!!

WE ARE GOING TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET BARACK ELECTED BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN THE VISION OF A BETTER AMERICA!!!

"YES I CAN!" YES I CAN!" "YES I CAN!" "YES I CAN!" "YES I CAN!"