USA – France – Alsace
By his African father, American mother, the new President of the United States also has ancestors from Alsace. Barack Obama is a genuine Metis. We knew his white American mother, his black Kenyan father. But we did not know his ancestors came from France. Back on a genealogy that takes us in Alsace.
A Bischwiller more accurately (12 800 inhabitants), 30 kilometers from Strasbourg. From Alsace in Pennsylvania Christian Gunther, archivist and head of cultural services in the city does not hide his pride: “Bischwiller is the only French city to have ancestors of Obama.” When the German press discusses the Alsatian ancestors of Obama, Christian Gunther engages in the research and discovered that parents were bischwillérois. If one goes back to the 6th generation of the maternal branch of the family of Obama are Johannes Gutknecht. Come to Switzerland, he moved in 1715 to Bischwiller, where he is a carpenter and night. In 1722, he has a son, Christian, who during the War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748), left France for America with his wife and 2 children. The family then moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania, the birthplace of German immigrants at the time. Obama Strasbourg – Funny coincidence: the first official trip to France by Barack Obama was to Strasbourg. The Alsatian city hosted the April 4 and 5 2009 NATO summit, involving the new President of the United States who has a bit of French blood.
Amazing. I am soo excited and emotional to be in this space of time, to be alive and present with my son on this glorious and historical day,
The day has finally arrived, WE BELIEVED, WE HOPED and WE DID!
GOD BLESS PRESIDENT BARRACK OBAMA!!
I have concluded of late that I could only consider myself a political independent if there is such a thing. I do not think I should be labeled Republican or Democrat, on the Left or on the Right or any other affiliation except to be a proud citizen of this United States and live by the principles on which this great nation was founded.As far as I am concerned, our government, as it stands today, is in great need of an overhaul and a wake up call. I firmly believe that if our founding fathers could see the way our government and institutions run today, they would be greatly disturbed and dismayed on how far We The People have strayed from the principles that our republic was built on.There was a time long ago and at the beginning of our republic and our experiment in democracy, that to serve in public office was considered a privilege and not a right. To serve in public office often meant financial sacrifice to those who gladly served the people and this great country, sacrifice or not.Today most who serve in public office expect a windfall financially and are mainly interested in the influence they can gain to increase their wealth in office and for when they leave office. Where is the personal and financial sacrifice to serve? They look at their title as a possession and not a privilege. They pontificate to attempt to bend the will of the people to their ways of thinking instead of deriving their actions from the will of the people to whom they profess to serve. Some politicians become so entrenched in their governmental powers; they often feel themselves above the law.Today's politicians are a washed in a tsunami of lobbyists, who bend the ears of those in government in order to influence the politicians' vote that will most benefit the interests of the lobby they represent. How often do we see politicians, who when they leave office, become pawns; working for one lobby interest or the other? Elected federal government officials need to be banned by law from working for a lobby for at least 5 to 10 years after they leave office in order to stop the habit of influence peddling after they in fact leave public office. I dare say, I lay a good part of the guilt for the perversion of public office on We The People themselves whom have absolved their responsibility to impose and elect officials on their merit and desire to serve the people. They have abdicated their rights by allowing so-called public servants to make their own decisions of policy and directions for the public servants own benefit. "To hell what the people want!" they say. "We know what is best for them. Where would they be without us?" they say as they puff up their chests and proudly strut.I always thought that there should be some sort of term limitations for all federal elected positions, not just for the presidency. Change is good, as it allows the government to refresh itself on a regular basis by bringing new ideas and approaches to work for the people.When will We The People ever wake up and demand that the government of the people, for the people, by the people be truly put into the hands of the people and not political demigods'? I see the slow demise of our republic if We The People are not brought to our senses. Will we follow the demise that history has shown us be-felled other once great nations and peoples? I would say, it is likely, considering the current state of affairs of government and the distance we have traveled from our roots of our democracy and our republic.
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Bill Wallmuller aka Mr. Merokee is the founder of Merokee Enterprises: www.merokee-enterprises.com
Just wanted to send out a quick notice about my event.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gptmxq
It invites folks to shop at sites like:
http://madebysurvivors.com/
http://www.thehungersite.com, and it's companion sites, and
http://kiva.org/
Feel free to suggest others...
I am immensely proud to be a part of this great community, and with you all I was a part of the most historic election in history.
We did it. We spent many hours in N. California on phone banks, sometimes landing on pretty hostile anti-Obama folks, but it was all worth it. The undecideds we spoke to from the DNC offices, asking them to vote for Barack, were the most encouraging part of this journey for me.
Now, it's time for us to show resolve and to be disciplined, focused and unrelentant in our drive to change this country.
It will be impossible for one man to reverse the global economic downturn we're experiencing. He will be a positive catalyst, without doubt. But let's not expect overnight solutions to a complex, global problem.
The power of unions in America's automakers and other troubled sectors must be balanced with the need to allow some weaker players to fail. We can't afford artificial prop-ups - not for Wall Street, not for Detroit either.
And it's time for divisive politics to be put to sleep. Part of Obama's gift is his refusal to answer a wrong with another wrong. We must all follow this example and refrain from GOP-bashing, Joe the plumber bashing, Palin-bashing. This behavior feeds the fire and is divisive, not constructive.
America is already in rebuilding mode. Almost like a post-war nation, we are in convalescence and nursing our injuries. This takes hard work, courage and grit. It isn't about handouts - it's about opportunity.
We did it!
If you plan to volunteer on election day, please make sure you vote absentee.If you haven't done so yet, print out the form: http://www.elections.state.md.us/pdf/2008_Absentee_Ballot_Application.pdfPrint out the form, fill it in, and then take it to your board of elections office TODAY. To find the office in your county, check here: http://www.elections.state.md.us/about/county_boards.htmlYou can also pick the form at the office and fill it there.After you get the ballot, please make sure your ballot gets back to the board of election before the ellection day.
World Food Day is coming up soon. It may be timely for Americans to take a moment to reflect upon our hard times, and think about how fortunate we are in America in comparisons with many others places on this earth.
There is certainly a slowdown here and in other developed nations, which are hurting our citizens. It is a time for change which everyone agrees is necessary after the last 8 years.
Can we take a few minutes to reflect on those spots on this planet where poverty and hunger are an everyday fact of life. How many places are in need of markets that have never been developed? Is it possible to focus attention on building both our markets and new marketplaces at the same time? Is it possible to create jobs here that will also create jobs in developing countries at the same time?
America has not shown the leadership required necessary to help the world’s most poor and dispossessed rise above their poverty. Our foreign policy has been too militaristic. We are spending altogether TOO MUCH on our common defense, or perhaps not getting the best value from the expenditures we are making.
Joseph Sisco (former chairman of the American Academy of Diplomacy and career US diplomat) was quoted as saying, "The United Nations has been sanctified and buried more times than any institution in history. Somehow we Americans seem to have an affinity for characterizing problems as crises. At the same time we tend to expect each problem and crisis to be resolved by some single convulsive act -- a summit meeting, some kind of a showdown with a yes or no, fish or cut bait answer. We tend to expect the UN to usher in perpetual peace or collapse to the ground." The American Academy of Diplomacy website has lots of good recent articles worth perusal.
The Obama Small Business Plan has lots of room to encourage entrepreneurs to create jobs:
- Lower Health Care Costs and Ease the Health Care Burden –
- Expand Opportunity for Small Businesses –
Roland Martin says the McCain campaign is launching desperate attacks to derail Obama.
McCain's campaign is no longer about issues. He and his supporters want to bring up anything and everything to derail Obama, and nothing is sticking, so they just keep returning to their old bag of tricks.
In the past two weeks, we've seen Minnesota Republican Rep. Michelle Bachmann make one of the most audacious statements ever, suggesting that Obama holds anti-American views, that other members of Congress have the same views, and that the media should launch a widespread investigation to ferret them out.
No, seriously, she said that on MSNBC's "Hardball."
It didn't take long for the folks on the left to get ahold of her comments. After the video spread like wildfire, Democrats across the country pumped $700,000 into the campaign coffers of her opponent. The normally talkative Bachmann is now on lockdown, not granting any interviews, as she has to work hard to hold onto her seat.
Cindy McCain, who has barely moved her lips during this campaign, is now accusing the Obama campaign of running the dirtiest campaign ever, and lighting up the New York Times and others for their viciousness. Never mind what's happening in her own backyard with all of the false and outlandish comments coming from her husband, his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, and their supporters.
They are now in full blame-the-media mode.
Then you have both McCain and Palin slamming Obama for essentially being a socialist. We shouldn't be surprised that it's come to this because we already had radio hosts like Lars Larson, Glenn Beck and others trying to paint Obama for months as being a Marxist. Now the junior senator from Illinois is a student of Lenin!
This has totally gotten out of hand, but instead of trying to castigate Obama and tar and feather him, the Republicans should look inward and look at how their actions have seriously harmed this nation.
The Republicans ran Congress for six years. The Republicans have held the White House for the last eight years. The Republicans have advanced the deregulation agenda that played a major role in creating the financial mess we are currently in.
The Republicans have led the foreign policy we have in place that has destroyed the moral authority we once held. Their president is one of the most unpopular in history, so bad that he and Vice President Dick Cheney can't even come out of the White House to campaign on behalf of McCain because they are so reviled by Americans.
Can someone please remind these folks of this?
Every campaign says they want the election to be about the issues, but when McCain's campaign manager Rick Davis made it clear that they want it to be about character and not issues, well, we should have realized we would get to this point.
That's why we're hearing so much about Bill Ayers. That's why they've spent more time blasting out statements about ACORN than real policy points.
It's pretty sad, really. It's sad that instead of making it about a vision for America, they want it to be about the castigating of a good man. It's sad that McCain can't fully articulate an economic plan that encompasses all Americans, instead of redistributing income upwards to the super rich.
It's sad that his only answer to the economy is tax cuts, when we need a much broader answer.
Much can happen over the next 13 days. I've seen campaigns won and lost with less time on the clock.
McCain will continue to throw jabs, swinging wildly, ignoring the game plan he came into the fight with, hoping something -- anything -- connects against the jaw of his younger, more fluid opponent. And like any aging fighter, as the rounds tick away, he could get even more desperate and fearful. So hold on to your seats. Lord knows what will come out of the GOP side over the next 13 days.
Leçon rapide d'impôts que vous savez probablement déjà : La différence entre un crédit d'impôt et un abattement fiscal est qu'un crédit d'impôt réduit votre assujetissement à l'impôt réel, alors qu'un abattement fiscal réduit votre revenu imposable. Les crédits d'impôt peuvent également être remboursables, dans lesquels le crédit peut réduire l'assujetissement à l'impôt de l'individu en-dessous de zéro leur permettant de ce fait de recevoir un contrôle de « remboursement ». Si un crédit d'impôt est non remboursable, le crédit peut réduire l'assujetissement à l'impôt d'un individu mais il ne peut pas le réduire en-dessous de zéro.
Certains l'appellent l'EITC « bien-être » parce que de l'argent « est souvent remboursé » à ceux qui ne doivent aucun impôt en premier lieu. L'intention de ce crédit d'impôt est juste l'opposé : Afin de recevoir le remboursement, une personne doit travailler et doit introduire une déclaration fédérale. Les coûts de tous les deux crédits au gouvernement fédéral sont discutables (principalement parce que sur environ 25% de retours éligibles l'EITC disparaît et donc non-revendiqué), mais les évaluations conservatrices déclarent que le crédit d'impôts sur le revenu gagné coûte environ $36 milliards par an tandis que le crédit d'impôt d'enfant coûte environ $7 milliards par an. Voyons la perspective : Le budget fédéral pour 2008 était de $2.9 trillion de dollars. Plus de 80% du budget fédéral est dépensé sur la défense, Assurance-maladie/Medicaid, sécurité sociale et intérêt sur la dette nationale. Le reste est employé pour les autres départements fédéraux du genre - l'énergie, le commerce, le transport, la justice, l'état etc.
Obama a également proposé d'augmenter le taux d'imposition fiscal sur le revenu plus de $250 mille à 39%. Maintenez à l'esprit que ce n'est pas $250k des reçus bruts, mais dans la tranche de $250k du revenu brut ajusté (AGI), la part sur laquelle ils payent des impôts aux Etats-Unis. Ainsi, une famille qui a un revenu brut combiné de $300 mille, les déductions de $40 mille et l'AGI de $260 mille, payerait $300 additionnels dans ses impôts sur la part au-dessus de $250k, c.-à-d. $10.000 x 3% (39% - 36%).
L'impôt sur le revenu est calculé aux États-Unis utilisant un programme d'impôt à taux progressif, qui peut être consulté dans les tables d'impôts 2008. Exemple simple : Votre première tranche de $8k de revenu brut ajusté est imposé au taux le plus bas , 10%. Le revenu brut ajusté additionnel au-dessus de $8k et jusqu'à $32k est imposé à 15%. Le revenu brut ajusté additionnel au-dessus de $32k et jusqu'à $78k est imposé à 28%. Les tranches augmentent jusqu'à $164k (28%), à $357k (33%) et le revenu brut ajusté au-dessus de $357k est imposé à 35%.
En résumé :
Oui, Obama a proposé d'augmenter des crédits remboursables aux acquéreurs de revenu faible. J'ai essayé de prouver qu'aux niveaux actuels ces crédits représentent un morceau incroyablement petit du pâté en croûte et non dignes de l'étiquette « de richesse redistribuée » qui les accompagne.
Oui, Obama propose d'augmenter les taux d'imposition fiscaux sur le revenu brut ajusté jusqu'à plus de $250 mille. Certaines rumeurs laissent croire que cette taxe supplémentaire décourage de travailler dur puisque la politique d'Obama punit ceux qui travailllent et récompense les fainéants. Obama n'a pas inventé l'impôt à taux progressif de six-tranches courant aux Etats-Unis, il propose simplement de relever le taux pour les deux tranches principales par des points pour les couples. Si c'est insuffisant pour rendre les américains riches,alors qu'il en soit ainsi.
Vous pouvez être en désaccord avec Obama sur sa politique fiscale, de grâce ne l'appelez pas « socialisant ou même socialiste ».
Colin Powell l'a dit meilleur hier matin :
Les « impôts sont toujours une redistribution d'argent. La plupart des impôts qui sont redistribués retournent à ceux qui les payent -- dans des routes et des aéroports et des hôpitaux et des écoles, et les impôts sont nécessaires pour le bien commun, et il n'y a rien de mal à examiner ce qu'est la structure fiscale américaine et voir qui devrait payer plus, et qui devrait payer moins sans pour cela etre traité de socialiste, je pense qu'il y'a un pas à ne pas franchir, du reste je n'ai rien contre les socialistes; mais aux USA, cela fait penser au Macarthisme!! non? »
The Obama Factor
By Alison Hill
Something is happening in America. People are speaking out. Down to earth, hardworking people, facing increasing debt, unemployment and lack of health care. The middle class has finally had enough. Groups notorious for political apathy are even getting involved.
The ‘proles’ have found a voice and are no longer using such excuses as, ‘my vote doesn’t count.’ So what has caused this surge of interest? The answer could be Barack Obama and his ability to inspire. It could be the fact that people are so fed up with President Bush they are desperate for change – any change. Or maybe it’s a combination of both. Either way Barack Obama is definitely seen as the man of the people; champion of the little guy. Whether you like him or not, it’s hard to deny that the Illinois Senator has stirred the nation and woken people up.
Even the most cynical would have to concur. But is it all just artfully crafted rhetoric? If elected, will he actually deliver on all the promises he’s made to the American people? Or will he ignore middle class issues when he no longer needs to win votes, like so many politicians before him?
In the words of Senator John McCain, “who is the real Barack Obama?” At a campaign rally in the small city of Asheville, North Carolina, 28,000 people seem to know the answer.
Many have been standing for hours in the hot sun to hear Obama speak. Some even camped out over night to ensure a spot. It sounds like fans at a rock concert not voters at a political event. But this is how it’s been for Obama. At first some of Obama’s admirers came across as fanatical and naive, fawning over someone they knew very little about, asking no questions, just believing everything he said. But speaking to Barack Obama supporters in North Carolina has educated me a little about the candidate and his campaign.
It goes much deeper than mere idolatry of one man. Let’s call it the Obama Factor, a movement that has inspired and united the downtrodden. He has managed to reach people and appeal to their deepest emotions. In some ways the leader loses dominance once the momentum is unleashed and the followers find a common cause.
In this case the cause is the treatment of middle class America. The energy and enthusiasm in the packed Asheville High School Stadium is palpable. Thousands of people are ready for something new, something better. And they truly believe Obama is the candidate who will deliver. “He’s inspiring,” says a teenage girl, “every time he speaks it’s amazing and it’s impossible to listen to him without getting emotional.” A woman concerned about health care says she relates to Obama because he too encountered problems with insurance companies, when his mother had cancer. “He really listens to people and he listens to the needs of the people,” someone else tells me as the camera zooms in on her smiling face. What did you think of the speech? I ask an articulate ten year old girl. “Remarkable,” she answers, “I absolutely loved it.” A fifth grader – talking about a political rally! Obama is the candidate tackling the real issues that effect real people, not pampered film stars, Wall Street CEO’s, rich politicians and multi millionaires, his supporters remind me. “That’s why I like Obama and Biden, they’re for everybody, not just the healthy wealthy,” says a young woman.“Ninety percent of the people that are paying taxes are being abused - they’re being taken advantage of,” a man in the crowd tells me, “The tax dollars are going to the wealthy and we’re being forgotten about.” I approach a man holding a ‘yes we can’ sign and ask him if he thinks Obama will deliver on his promises, “yes,” he answers immediately, “I believe he will, to the best of his abilities.” I probe further, “why do you believe this?” “I just believe it… I feel a connection with him.” Another man tells me Obama will win by a landslide and all you have to do is look at the numbers attending his rallies for proof, “that’s what we represent,” he says, “that’s what change represents.” Others tell me Obama’s ‘for the middle class’, which constitutes most of North Carolina and the rest of the country. He’s also the only politician reaching out to young people, and according to a first time voter, “Barack Obama speaks down to earth with us – he doesn’t sugar coat it.”
Obama supporters are plentiful, they’re demanding to be heard and feeling empowered for the first time in years. They’re full of passion, inspiration and most of all hope. With this kind of following it would seem that McCain doesn’t stand a chance. My ten year old interviewee thinks the battle’s already won. I ask her how close the race will be. “I think McCain will be in the toilet,” she says, with a serious face, “and Obama is going to be living the high life.” Others agree that Obama will win the election by a healthy margin, while some exercise caution and anticipate a very tight race.
As for the Tar Heel State: “We’re going to win North Carolina this time,” a woman exclaims with confidence as a crowd around her cheers. “We have a record number of new voters and it’s Obama who they overwhelmingly support.” North Carolina has voted Republican since 1976. But polls now show it’s practically neck and neck. Can this momentum hold out? Is enthusiasm enough to swing this traditionally red state to Obama?
As the saying goes, talk is cheap, and promises can be broken. Obama is a great orator and has tremendous presence. But one could argue that the message may be a little too full of rhetoric and lacking substance. Is there more belief than proof? Is the word ‘hope’ too idealistic? Can Obama, or anyone else for that matter, implement true change?
John McCain is a formidable opponent with a strong support base in North Carolina and across the country. Republicans are not as vocal and not as visible as the Democrats this time, but they’re out there, waiting patiently to cast their ballots. Republicans always turn out to vote.
Will Obama supporters do likewise? Will there be enough of them to win him the election? Either way, this is a fascinating race and has captured the attention of most Americans, who are happily involving themselves in the Democratic process – some for the first time. Politics has therefore become inclusive in some ways. Maybe that’s the change we should celebrate.
Alison Hill is a featured writer for Xomba.com
www.xomba.com/obama_factor
Colin Powell's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama was as much a rejection of the Republican Party and Sen. John McCain's campaign as an embrace of the Democratic presidential nominee, political analysts said Monday.
Colin Powell may have given voice to moderates unhappy with the GOP ticket, an analyst says.
Syndicated columnist David Sirota said Monday that the Powell endorsement was a troubling sign for McCain as his campaign enters its final weeks.
"The repudiation of John McCain by such a high-profile Republican certainly hurts John McCain," he said.
David Gergen, a CNN senior political analyst who has advised the last four presidents, said the Powell endorsement may give voice to "disillusioned" moderate Republicans disappointed by the negativity of the McCain campaign.
"They've been muttering about [it], but they were afraid to give voice to, and he came out and said it, in a way," Gergen said.
Powell's endorsement may also sway some voters who were hesitant to vote for Obama because they felt he was not ready to be the nation's commander in chief, said Bill Schneider, a CNN senior political analyst.
"It was extremely reassuring for this experienced military leader, a general, someone who is chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was secretary of state, to endorse Barack Obama and say, 'His world experience, his commitment and knowledge of national security are fine. You can vote for him without those kinds of reservations,' " Schneider said"
And CNN contributor Alex Castellanos, a Republican strategist, said "Colin Powell ... is a warm glass of milk and a cookie for those voters who have a hard time going to sleep at night."
On Monday, Obama said Powell would advise him if he becomes president.
"He's already served in that function, even before he endorsed me," Obama told NBC. "Whether he wants to take a formal role, whether there's something that's a good fit for him, I think is something that he and I would have to discuss."
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Ann Nixon Cooper, 106 years old, has seen presidents come and go in her lifetime and has outlived most of them. On a sunny fall morning, she left her weathered but well-kept Tudor home in Atlanta, Georgia, to vote early -- this time for Barack Obama.
Ann Nixon Cooper, 106 years old, lived during a time when blacks and women did not have the right to vote.
The African-American centenarian remembers a time not long ago when she was barred from voting because of her race. Now she hopes to see the day that Obama is elected as the nation's first black president.
"I ain't got time to die," Cooper said with a smile.
"Even if he didn't win, I was happy for him just to be nominated," said the former socialite. "The first black president -- isn't that something, at 106 years old?"
At the Fulton County government center, Cooper was greeted by Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin.
"I thought that I would accompany her today to support her, but also to say to all people that this is a choice we have," Franklin said.
"As all Americans, we should cherish the right to vote and take every opportunity we have to vote our opinions. She is an inspiration to me personally, but she is also quite an inspiration to all Atlanta."
Cooper, in a wheelchair and helped by two caretakers, bypassed the long lines of early voters and headed right to the voting machine. Her 106-year-old hands reached out to the 21st-century touch screen to cast her vote for Obama.
Back at her home, surrounded by the elegance of a bygone era, Cooper clutched the photo albums laid out on her dining room table. The longtime socialite and community leader has called Atlanta home since the 1920s.
She and her late husband, prominent dentist Dr. Albert Cooper, raised four children in this house.
"Our days and nights were just social affairs," she said. The home was a center of Atlanta's black society and the scene of many parties. Celebrities, including the late singer Nat King Cole, dropped in to visit
"It's been a house with a heap of living going on in it," said Cooper.
She wears a charm bracelet that former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. and Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young gave her when she turned 99.
"He adds a charm every year," said friend and caretaker Sally Warner. "Andy says he will have to apply for a loan soon to keep up with Mrs. Cooper."
Cooper danced the electric slide up until the age of 103. She has recently slowed down after suffering several heart attacks and a fractured hip.
On a typical day, Cooper spends hours watching television in her wood-paneled sitting room.
"Her favorite show is 'The Price is Right,' although she is getting used to Drew Carey as the new host," said Warner. Other favorite shows include "Oprah" and "Dancing with the Stars."
When the weather is nice, Cooper spends afternoons on her screened porch, watching traffic go by and reminiscing about old times. Occasionally she leaves the house for an outing.
Cooper was born in Shelbyville, Tennessee, in 1902. She grew up in Nashville with uncles and an aunt who worked as a domestic for wealthy whites.
She married Albert Cooper in Nashville in 1922, and the couple moved to Atlanta. Three of Cooper's four children have died; her surviving daughter is 83. She has 14 grandchildren living and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
To young people, Cooper offers this advice: "Keep smiling. No matter what, you get out and vote. Vote your choice."
At a glance one may be tempted into believing that as a result of Sen. McCain’s war experience and coupled with his military background he will be better position to deal with the issue of national security better than Sen. Obama, nevertheless the reality completely suggest a different scenario that may be shocking to many Americans.
Those who argue that the Arizona Senator is better equipped to deal with the issue of terrorism are quick to point at his veteran record and tough talk on the subject matter. However, while acknowledging his vast experience, it suffice to note that in the prevailing conditions in which the country’s economic status is at an anemic and abysmal level and coupled with the inimical conditions of its citizenry, the United States of America need the administration that has as its leader a candidate that is calm, cool, calculated and capable of reversing the trend for the best.
Sen. McCain’s display of temperament and tough talk is not in any way different from those of the incumbent and the results are there for Americans to see and elucidate the realistic conclusion that it has failed the country and hurt its idealism. Unfortunately for those who may think that McCain is best for the national security, his erratic and unstable disposition is a burden that needed to be substantially explained before one can trust his actions, let alone judgment.
“Joe the plumber” achieved sudden national fame in the final presidential debate, but it was John McCain who needed the headlines. Although the Republican nominee was energetic, focused and, at times, emotional in his last on-stage appearance before Election Day, it was likely not enough to change the underlying trajectory of the race. With Barack Obama by all accounts holding a solid lead and less than three weeks to go, McCain came out aggressive from the very beginning. He grabbed onto a recent exchange Obama had with a small businessman, Joe "the plumber" Wurzelbacher, and used it like a hammer to pound away at the Democrat as a tax-and-spend class warrior. “Hey, Joe, you're rich, congratulations,” McCain said at one point to illustrate a point about the level of taxation in Obama’s plan. McCain took what many in his own campaign reportedly thought to be a risk by directly raising the issue of Obama’s association with William Ayers, challenging him to describe the fullness of their relationship. He emotionally described how hurt he was by assertions by Rep. John Lewis about some crowd behavior at McCain’s campaign rallies, then turned around and accused Obama of disparaging his supporters. He jumped in at awkward moments, rolled his eyes and demonstrated near-contempt at Obama’s answers. And he pointedly sought to distance himself from President Bush, both on issues and seemingly personally. As if taking offense to the continued comparison, McCain curtly told his opponent, “Senator Obama, I am not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago.” The kitchen sink was not thrown in but one sensed it was positioned under the table and within reach, just in case it was needed. What McCain did not manage to do was ruffle the ever-calm, cool and collected Obama. As he has been several times during these debates, the Democrat was on the defensive at several points, especially on taxes. Obama continues to refuse to say which of his big-idea proposals he’d have to shelve because of economic realities, instead choosing to focus on those he won’t put aside. If he’s not a big taxer, as McCain asserts, he certainly has a lot of things he wants to spend on. But Obama continues to do a masterful job talking directly about and to the middle class. Polls show overwhelmingly that voters trust Obama more on the economy than McCain and he used that as a wedge to keep it that way. “What we haven't yet seen is a rescue package for the middle class,” he said when discussing the Wall Street bailout and John McCain’s mortgage proposal. The Illinois Senator was clearly prepared for the William Ayers issue and McCain’s attempts to link his campaign to ACORN, the group which has spurred a flood of voter registration controversies. And while he engaged McCain on who’s responsible for the negative tone of the campaign, his heart didn’t seem to be into a prolonged exchange. Obama wanted a quiet, low-key affair and for his part, he pulled it off. The campaign now moves into its most intense phase, if such a thing is even possible in a campaign that has redefined the concept. With just 20 days to go, there’s no longer any room for error, adjustment or new approaches. Americans have seen these two candidates at three of these debates now and they’ve seen a striking contrast - McCain has been at turns uplifting and irritated, if not flat-out angry, while Obama remains steady and level, almost too cool at times. Those traits were clearly on display last night in New York. McCain did a better job of explaining his economic philosophy than he has during this entire campaign, and perhaps it's better late than never. If not the inspirational, transformational leader he was billed as over the past year, Obama has gone a long way toward making voters feel comfortable seeing him as a president. Even though he was uneven at times, McCain likely did himself some good last night, particularly among voters like “Joe the plumber” who worry about Obama’s plans for the country and remain open to the Republican argument. The problem for McCain, less than three weeks from the election, is that there simply might not be enough of those voters left to do him much good.
The much-vaunted TV debates turned a very public spotlight on the presidential candidates, illuminating their every forte and flaw. But with the third and final talk-off now over, who emerged as the superior speaker? Elaine Monaghan, MSN’s Washington correspondent, weighs up John McCain and Barack Obama's war of words.
John McCain promised to whip Barack Obama's "you-know-what" going into last night's debate in Hempstead, New York – the last before the election. He may not have quite done that, but by any measure he acquitted himself better than in their previous two head-to-heads.
Obama was eloquent and, although not at his sparkling best, put in a solid performance. According to a flash CNN poll, the Democrat was considered to have won by 58 to 31 percentage points. Crucially, 57 percent of independent voters gave the victory to Obama and 31 to McCain. Nonetheless the Republican showed an improvement when it counted most. However, with Obama at least seven points ahead in the polls, it may have been too late.
McCain possibly had his best moment when, after Obama pointed out how much damage the Bush Administration had done to the budget deficit, he turned directly to him and said: "I am not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush you should have run four years ago." McCain's biggest problem is his association with the party in power at a time of financial and economic crisis and an unpopular war.
Welsh/Cymraeg
Cwrdd a Obama
Gafodd Barack Obama ei eni yn Hawaii yn mis Awst 4, 1961, i Ann Dunham, yn wreiddiol o Kansas a Barack Obama,Sr,yn wreiddiol o Kenya. Ar ol raddio o Prifysgol Columbia, symudodd Barack i Chicago, ble weithiodd gyda Asiant Eglwysig i gwella bywyda ardaloedd tlawd Chicago a gafodd ei chwalu a'r ol cau lawr nifer o Gweithdai Haearn yn yr ardal.
A'r ol ychydig o blynyddoedd fe wnaeth Barack i Ysgol Gyfraith Harvard, a daeth yn Affrican American gyntaf i fod yn Arlywydd y "Harvard Law Review". Wedyn aeth yn nol i Chicago, I weithio fel Cyfreithwr hawliau dynol, darlitho yn gyfraith cyfansoddiado a dechrewyd ymdrech i rhestru 100,000 o pleidleiswyr newydd. Yn ystod y cyfnod yma fe wnaeth cwrdd a Michelle ei wraig. Mae nhw rwan efo dwy ferch: Malia 9, a Sasha, 6.
Dilyn ei waith eiriolaeth gafodd ei ethol i Senedd talaith Illinois, ble roedd yn gwasanethu yr pobol am 8 mlynedd. Yn ystod y blynyddoedd yma daeth y Democratiad a Gwerinaethwyr at ei gilydd i ffurfio llywodraeth a fydd yn gwella bywydau teuluoedd Illinois. Fe paswyd $100 milliwn mewn toriadau trethi i teuleuoedd gweithiol. Wthiodd tyfiant mewn rhaglenni addysg plant oed babanod. a gallu ehangu y system iechyd i dros 150,000 mwy o blant a oedolion. Fe newidiodd system cosb eithaf a oedd wedi lladd 13 o pobol di euog. Hefyd gweithiodd gyda y ddwy blaid i gwthio trwadd newidiau yn y maes moeseg mewn 25 o flynyddoedd.
Yn 2003, fe wnaeth Barack rhedeg am sedd yn y Senedd, ble roedd yn sefyll arwahan o holl ymgeiswyr eraill yn erbyn y rhyfel yn Iraq.
Yn yr senedd, fe Wnaeth Barack Obama rhoi y sialens ymlaen o dod a syniadau newydd i Wleidyddiaeth a ddim derbyn canlyniadau siomedig traddodiadol y Senedd. Daeth yn canolbwint o fiown ei blaid i dod a newidiadau moeseg mwya ers digwyddiad Watergate. a cyd weithio gyda Seneddwr Gwerinaethol Dick Lugar cadeirydd y pwyllgor perthynas Tramor i pasio gyfraith a fydda atal rhai o arfau mwya beryglus y byd i disgyn i dwylo terfysgwyr. Yn y maes tlodi a gafodd dipyn o sylw a'r ol Katrina neu yr hil-laddiad yn Dafur, neu y role mewn ffydd mewn gwleidyddiaeth, Mae Barack Obama yn cario ymlaen i siarad a'r materion llosg a fydd yn dylanwadu a'r America yn yr 21 ganrhif, credwr fod angen newid yr wlad a'r gwleidyddiaeth. Mae'n rhaid i ni dod at ein gilydd fel Americanwyr i ymateb i'r holl problemau sydd ein wynebu.
Ewch i BarackObama.com am mwy o wybodaeth!
Ewch i My.BarackObama.com i cysylltu efo cefnogwyr agos i chi. Os fydda chi hoffi mwy o wybodaeth am Seneddwr Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, neu syniadau yr Seneddwr ond ddim efo gallu mynd a'r y we, ffoniwch 866-675-2008
English/Saesneg
Meet Obama
Barack Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961, to Ann Dunham, originally of Kansas, and Barack Obama, Sr., originally of Kenya. After graduating from Columbia University, Barack moved to Chicago, where he worked with a church-based organization to improve living conditions in Chicago neighborhoods that had been devastated by steel plant closings. After a few years, Barack went to Harvard Law School, where he became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review. He then returned to Chicago, where he practiced as a civil rights lawyer, lectured on constitutional law, and started a voter registration drive that registered 100,000 new voters. During this time, he met and married his wife, Michelle. They now have two daughters: Malia, 9, and Sasha, 6.
Barack's advocacy work culminated in his election to the Illinois State Senate, where he served for 8 years. During these years, Barack brought Democrats and Republicans together to make government work for Illinois families. He passed $100 million dollars in tax cuts for working families. He pushed through an expansion of early childhood education programs, and was able to expand health care coverage to 150,000 more children and parents. He reformed a death penalty system that had sent 13 innocent people to death row. And he worked with both parties to pass the first major ethics reform in twenty-five years.
In 2003, Barack launched his improbable race for the U.S. Senate, where he stood alone among all the candidates in opposing the invasion of Iraq.
In the U.S. Senate, Barack Obama has focused on tackling our challenges with fresh thinking and a new kind of politics that no longer settles for the lowest common denominator. He was his party's point person on passing the most sweeping ethics reform since Watergate, and he's worked with Republican Senator Dick Lugar, the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, to pass a law that will prevent some of the world's most deadly weapons from falling into terrorist hands.Whether it's the poverty exposed by Katrina, the genocide in Darfur, or the role of faith in our politics, Barack Obama continues to speak out on the issues that will define America in the 21st century, believing that in order to change our country and our politics, we must come together around our common interests and concerns as Americans.
Visit BarackObama.com for more information.
Log on to My.BarackObama.com to connect with supporters near you. If you would like more information about Senator Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, or the Senator's ideas but don't have internet access, call us at 866-675-2008.
Hi, 'Seren Media' is a North Carolina based production company that was founded and is run by a Welsh expatriate named Alison Hill. Some of her work will be featured on URTV Channel 20 in North Carolina and also will be streaming live on www.urtv.org details below: Cheers Welsh Dave Barack Obama Rally in Asheville, N.C.(This program includes Obama's speech and interviews with supporters)
Produced by Seren Media and Crooked Alignment Productions Streaming live on URTV Channel 20 this week. On October 5, 2008, a crowd of around 28,000 people gathered at Asheville High School's Memorial Stadium to hear Barack Obama speak. View Obama's speech in its entirety and find out what people in Western North Carolina are saying about the election. Streaming live on URTV Channel 20 www.urtv.org at the following times: Thursday 10/16/08 - 9 p.m. (ET) - for UK viewers 2 a.m.Friday 10/17/08 - 2 a.m. (ET) - for UK viewers 7 a.m.Saturday 10/18/08 - 9 p.m. (ET) - for UK viewers 2 a.m.
Alison HillWriter/ProducerSEREN MEDIA828.633.0391 (Home/Office)303.378.0441 (Cell)serenmedia1@yahoo.comwww.serenmediaproductions.com
