LJB Blog

Joe Biden: A Smart Pick

ljb27 — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:32:35 EDT

Like many others, I was very anxious to see who Senator Obama would pick as his running mate. I signed up to recieve the text message but for some reason, I never got that message.

But anyway...I was watching Tv the night that it was revealed that Senator Joe Biden would be Senator Obama's running mate

I have respected Biden for sometime and I had thought that he had a very good chance of being selected. He has a very impressive record with his long career in the Senate, most notably for his work as the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee but also for writing the Violence Against Women Act and the Assualt Weapons ban.

Some people have obviously brought up that it seems somewhat contraditory for Senator Obama to choose a lifelong politician as his running mate when the whole message of his campaign has been change.

I can understand how someone could see that at first, but I feel that there is more to why Obama choosing Biden is a smart move than it first seems. I believe that Biden could serve as how LBJ served for Kennedy in their campaign. The seasoned, experienced politician advising the young charasmatic leader. I feel that most voters will see Biden as a smart choice (recent polls have shown that the vast majority of Democrats feel that Biden was a good choice) because I don't think people necessarily see Obama possibly reaching for support from a politician who knows the game very well. I would think that Biden would also help Obama apeal to voters who feel that he is too inexperienced to be president.

Biden may have spent most of his life in Washington, but he comes from very humble roots and remains a respectable family man. I feel he was a very smart choice for Obama.

OBAMA/BIDEN 08!

I shook hands with Barack!

ljb27 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:18:47 EDT

I went to a Town Hall with Senator Obama and I actually got to shake hands with him! A couple of times! First when he came to speak and then again after his speech. It was so awesome, I was right in the front row and got so close.

It was one of the coolest moments of my life and I'll never forget it!

Wow! What a day!

ljb27 — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:47:18 EST

Today was so awesome! My parents and I went out to lakewood high school to see Bill Clinton speak about Hillary. We waited about 1 hour and half outside in the cold and then another 45 minutes or so inside. But it was so worth it! Bill came out with Ted Strickland and Lee Fisher and the place went nuts! We were about 30 feet away from where Clinton was speaking, and he gave a pretty interesting speech about what Hillary would do as president. He talk about a real range of issues during his 50 minute or so speech.

Then at the end, Bill went around and starting shaking hands. My Mom, Dad and I got as close as we could to the front. As Bill was coming around, I extended my hand as far out as I could and Bill saw my hand and shook it! I still can't believe I shook the president's hand! This is the coolest thing I've ever had happen to me! Then my Mom and Dad both got to shake his hand as well as he made his way around. This was just an incredible feeling, to shake the hand of the man who at one point, was the most powerful man in the world! It was just awesome!

Then, later in the day, we headed out to Valley Forge high school to see Barack Obama at a town hall meeting. This was really cool too. We were sitting right in line with the podium about 40 feet away. Barack gave a great opening speech, similar to the one we heard last week. And then he took questions from audience. This is really is his best way of campaigning. This was just an awesome thing to witness, seeing Obama so close and listening to him speak about his plans for the country.

At the end, we rushed to the front to try and shake his hand. I got within about 4 feet of him, but I wasn't close enough to get my hand out there. I did have the camera and I started snapping away and actually got some really good pics, which I'll post later tomorrow.

Overall, this was an awesome day, which I thought I would share and I should have a bunch of pictures up sometime tomorrow. Goodnight all!

Awesome Rally in Cleveland!

ljb27 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 01:02:24 EST

On Saturday night, my family and I went to the rally to see Senator Obama in person in downtown Cleveland. This was an amazing night and it was so really cool to actually see Barack in person. I'm working on a paper for school right now, so hopefully I will be able to post a more complete blog about the rally and post some of the pictures I took sometime tomorrow. Good night all!

Obama's Plan for NASA

ljb27 — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:56:33 EST

I recently posted a blog asking about Senator Obama's position on NASA and funding the agency. Here is a link that was provided to me about Obama's plan I'd like to share:

Barack Obama's Plan For American Leadership in Space

Over the decades, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has embodied the adventurous spirit that lifted this nation to greatness and inspired people around the world. Barack Obama believes that the United States needs a strong space program to help maintain its superiority not only in space, but also here on earth in the realms of education, technology, and national security. Over the years, NASA technology has been applied to improve everything from computers and medical technology to baby formula and automobiles. Work done at NASA, whether here on earth or in outer space, impacts the daily lives of all Americans.

Develop the Next-Generation of Space Vehicles: The retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2010 will leave the United States without manned spaceflight capability until the introduction of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) carried by the Ares I Launch Vehicle. As president, Obama will support the development of this vital new platform to ensure that the United States' reliance on foreign space capabilities is limited to the minimum possible time period. The CEV will be the backbone of future missions, and is being designed with technology that is already proven and available.

Complete the International Space Station: The International Space Station is an example of what we can accomplish through international cooperation. Barack Obama is committed to the completion of the International Space Station.

Continue Unmanned Missions: Robotic missions provide a level of endurance and cost-effectiveness that is unsurpassed. The Voyager probes, launched in the 1970s, are still sending back data beyond our solar system. Closer to home, the Spirit and Opportunity rovers have been exploring the surface of Mars for more than 1,300 days, 14 times longer than their intended mission length. Along with Earth-orbiting platforms like the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, unmanned missions have yielded some of the greatest scientific discoveries of the last century. Barack Obama is committed to a bold array of robotic missions that will expand our knowledge of the solar system and lay the foundations for further manned exploration.

Monitor the Forces and Effects of Climate Change: Barack Obama has proposed bold initiatives to put America on the path to stop global climate change. His administration will set standards based on rigorous scientific inquiry that, in turn, cannot take place without a capable space program. The task of researching and understanding the forces that affect our home planet will require a constellation of climate monitoring space platforms. As president, Obama will ensure that NASA has the funding necessary to play its part in the fight against global climate change.

Support Scientific Research: In the past, government funding for scientific research has yielded innovations that have improved the landscape of American life, technologies like the Internet, digital photography, bar codes, Global Positioning System technology, laser surgery, and chemotherapy. Today, we face a new set of challenges, yet the United States is losing its scientific dominance. Over the last three decades, federal funding for the physical, mathematical and engineering sciences has declined at a time when other countries are substantially increasing their own research budgets. Barack Obama believes federally funded scientific research should play an important role in advancing science and technology in the classroom and in the lab. He will work to diversify the makeup of the scientific community and provide federal research programs a much- needed infusion of funds.

Maintain Surveillance to Strengthen National Security: Orbiting surveillance satellites provide a vital way to ensure compliance with non-proliferation treaties and monitor emerging threats. For example, nuclear facility construction in North Korea and Iran can be closely monitored from above without the challenges faced by weapons inspectors on the ground. Satellites can be further used in the effort to secure loose nuclear weapons and materials around the world, an effort which Barack Obama has promoted aggressively in the U.S. Senate.

Keep Weapons out of Space: China's successful test of an anti-satellite missile in January 2007 signaled a potential new arms race in space. Barack Obama does not support the stationing of any weapons in space. He believes the international community must address the issue of space weaponization head-on and enter into a serious dialogue with Russia, China and other nations to stop this slow slide into a new battlefield.

Strengthen Math and Science Education: Fifty years after Sputnik, science and math education in American schools is facing a crisis. As the Gathering Storm report concluded, "danger exists that Americans may not know enough about science, technology or mathematics to contribute significantly to, or fully benefit from, the knowledge-based economy that is already taking shape around us." Barack Obama will make math and science education a national priority, and provide our schools with the tools to educate 21st-Century learners.

Recruit High-Quality Math and Science Teachers: Barack Obama's will establish a Teaching Service Scholarship program to recruit an army of new teachers. These scholarships will prioritize recruiting math, science and technology degree graduates. Obama will create Teacher Residency Programs to train teachers using mentorship, graduate study and hands-on training to develop 30,000 teachers a year, providing additional teachers in math and science. In addition, Obama will devote $100 million a year to Professional Development Schools to help new teachers, or veteran teacher needing to hone their skills, learn from professionals in the field. Professional Development Schools will partner universities with school sites that exhibit state-of-the-art practices and train new teachers in the classrooms of expert teachers while they are completing coursework.

Enhanced Science Instruction: Barack Obama will work with governors to create flexible and workable systems for the states to achieve the goal of ensuring all children have access to strong a science curriculum at all grade levels. Obama will also support state efforts to make science education a priority at the pre-K level.

Improve and Prioritize Science Assessments: Science assessments need to do more than test facts and concepts. They need to use a range of measures to test inquiry and higher-order thinking skills including inference, logic, data analysis and interpretation, forming questions, and communication. Barack Obama will work with governors and educators to ensure that state assessments measure these skills.

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=26647

Obama's position on NASA

ljb27 — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:36:32 EST

I have recently heard that Senator Obama is for making cuts to the NASA space program, which is going to have a lot work being brought to the center in Cleveland. Has anyone else heard about this? Or anything else about Obama's position on NASA and funding it? Thank you for any information.

My feelings on John Edwards and NASA

ljb27 — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:19:10 EST

I have just seen the news that John Edwards will be dropping out of the presidential race. I was tore between Edwards and Obama. I have recently heard that Obama may not supportive of the NASA agency, which is where my father works. (Also, if anyone knows Obama's position on this issue, I would very much appreciate any information.) I feel that John Edwards is a good man and a very good candidate, however he just failed to really gain momentum. I do hope that he will endore Obama, I think its not a matter of whether he will endorse Clinton or Obama, but whether will he endore Obama.

To be honset, I'm not 100% about Obama, I really respect him on a lot of issues and feel he would be a good president, I am just unsure about supporting someone who may take funds away from the place where my father works. President Bush tried to make cuts to NASA and luckily things worked out for us, (actually thanks to the help of Dennis Kuninich).

So, now I plan to investigate into the NASA issue further and see what Obama's feelings are on it. I e-mailed this campaign, (as well as the Edwards and Clinton campaigns) but I'm not sure if I will get a response. I may try calling the headquarters directly, because this is a very important issue to me and my family and I really want to know Senator Obama's position on it before I put more of my support behind him.

Iowa down, now time for New Hampshire!

ljb27 — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:42:48 EST

Obama did a great job in capturing a first victory in Iowa and I really believe he is going to do it again in New Hampshire tomorrow, because he is the only true agent of change in this election! OBAMA 08! I can't wait to see the results tomorrow night!

Here We Go!

ljb27 — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:29:09 EST

The first cauceses in Iowa are just about to begin! I'm so excited! Can't wait to see the results! I'm going to stay up all night if I have to in order see the results! OBAMA 08!

My Thoughts on the Latest Polls

ljb27 — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:29:53 EST

I just wanted to take some time and reflect on the latest Iowa polls which put Barack Obama ahead of Hillary Clinton 30-26%. (If you haven't seen this new information, its available on the homepage of the site) This is such awesome news to hear! If Senator Obama can come in first in Iowa, that will be a major boost to him campaign and will allow him to focus his attention on the rest of the early states.

Also, if Obama is able to come in first in Iowa, I feel it will totally change the media and the way they are looking at this campaign. It always seems that they just assume that the race for nomination is already over and that Hillary is already the nominee. Thats NOT the case and I wish all the news comintators would realize this.

Taking the time reflect on the differences between Obama and Clinton, to me it is easy to see why Barack would be a better president. First, it is a fact that in order to get things done in Washington, it must be done in a bipartisian way. Obama is the only candidate who really wants for everyone to work together to solve the problems that everyone is facing. If Hillary becomes president, it will just be another 4 years of bickering and partisian fighting with nothing getting done for the American people. I know that deep down, most Republicans are good people. I would bet that many of them would like to step away from this brand of partisian politics run by the Bush Administration if they are shown a leader who will take the first step to reach out to everyone to create a different brand of politics.

Hillary says "Its time for a change!" But she simply does not represent change, she is a polarizing figure who will only divide up the nation. Barack Obama has a proven record of reaching out to Republicans and Independents to get the necessary work done for the American people.

Of course, there is the issue of experience. Many of Obama's critics say he lacks experience to become president and that Hillary is the more experience cadidate. Well, this is the way I see it. Judgement is more important than experience. Obama had the judgement to question the Iraq war and stand against it, even at a time when it was unpopular.

Anyway, those are just some of my thoughts on the current state of the presidential race and the latest poll showings in Iowa.

Obama says religion should play major role in Climate Change

ljb27 — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 01:40:47 EDT

In this article, Senator Obama talks about climate change and that it is a moral issue. Its refreshing to see a cadidate seriously look at the problem of global warming and have enough guts to accually do something about it. I'm so glad to have found this article in which Senator Obama says:

"The bible tells us that when God created the earth, he entrusted us with the responsibility to take care of that earth," he said. "It is a responsibility to ensure that this planet remains clean and safe and livable for our children, and for all of God's children."

Senator Obama is the only candidate who will lead and take charge on these important issues of our day, and he is the only one who will be able to unite all Americans together to tackle these issues.

Full Story

Obama on Ahmadinejad

ljb27 — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 18:43:30 EDT

In this short video clip, Obama talks about how he would approach diplomacy with Iran as president. I feel that its very important for the United States to have a president who will meet with our adverseries in order to negiotate with them. Obama does not follow the "Axis of Evil" approach of dealing with other countries who we dont' agree with. Again, I think its very important that America has a president like Obama who will actually talk to our adverseries, because it is certainly not helping anyone by simply ignoring them.

Link to video

First Blog

ljb27 — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:05:21 EDT

Well, this is my first blog on the Obama 08 website. I'm not sure what to write, I'm a little new to this, but here we go. I watched the debate last night. I can honestly say that I feel Obama did a great job. He answered his questions very well and he looked very presidential. The current polls say that Clinton is in the lead with about 43% and Obama is second with around 20%. But so far Obama has continued to keep up with Clinton in fundraising, so its going to be very interesting to see how this all plays out. I honestly feel that many of the Clinton supporters will evantually make their way over to Obama. I'm really not one for dirty politics, but Barack is going to need to be more on the offensive against Hillary if he really wants to win this. Obama opposed the war from the start, Clinton voted for it. That alone speaks volumes. I also feel that after the first primary, many of the lesser known candidates will drop out and I think Obama will pick up those supporters in the other primaries that follow.