Well, strange and spurious political sham has finally invaded my email. Today, I received an unsolicited email from a Paul Revere (hmmm...) of Shelbyville, Indiana, inviting me to follow his group of purported Senator Hillary Clinton supporters and join them in disparaging commentary on Senators Obama and Biden. Their website is chock full of lies and inuendos and would likely make Senator Clinton ill to have her name associated with them.
Will they never listen? Do they not hear? We must get Barack and Joe elected! It appears some things, like hate and bigotry, may never entirely be eradicated. But the Obama-Biden ticket is the only one that can change our country, making it better, stronger, more livable, and returning us to a place of respect in the world.
It has been scientifically proven by the pharmaceutical industry: giving people a small "token" or freebie bearing a logo will trigger a recurrent, subconscious, positive reinforcement. It is a tried and true trick that the pharmaceutical industry has been using for years to get doctors to preferrentially prescribe their medicines over their competitors. The chatchkes or "tokens" are usually small items of a nominal cost: pens, paper pads, pencil holders, clocks, refrigerator magnets, giant clips, etc. The studies have all shown that regardless of the value of the item, the frequency of exposure to the logo-bearing item is what determines its power of reinforcement.
To translate this into canvassing for Barack Obama, my fiancee and I decided that we would make refrigerator magnet "chip clips", bearing the inscription "Vote Nov. 4th!"...
As many of you may know, Warren Buffett is a strong Obama supporter. In addition to recently helping Obama with fund-raising events, Buffett is a very outspoken opponent of the unfair Republican tax plan that "rewards" ultra-wealthy citizens such as himself by giving them a negligible tax rate compared to hard-working, middle class employees.
This morning, John McCain, was interviewed by Meredith Vieira and when questioned about the economy, he invoked Mr. Buffett's name (along with Michael Bloomberg and Mitt Romney), saying that he would be on his list of economic advisors to form an "oversight board" who he would recruit to help solve this economic crisis. (Conspicuously, he omitted Phil Gramm's name from this list.) I found this "plan" a little sardonic because I'm fairly certain that Warren Buffett would tell Senator McCain quite the opposite of what he would want to hear: that he should shift the tax burden off of the middle class and onto the wealthy.
When I have been doing my neighborhood walks, I have found that prospective voters are very receptive to hearing about Warren Buffett's preference for Barack Obama over John McCain -- especially the challenging upper middle class voters who might just be in that $250K category and might need a fairly solvent reason to vote for someone who might raise their taxes...
I was going to write this blog yesterday, but today it is a whole different story.
Yesterday there was a PPP poll released that had Obama ahead in Ohio by something like 8 points. This made me incredibly happy and have faith that Obama can win here even though Bush took the state narrowly in the past two elections (potentially crookedly).
Today, a Rasmunsen poll comes out with McCain ahead by 10 points. That is an 18 point difference between the two polls - way outside of the margin of error. I can't understand how two polls measuring voters from the same state can be so different.
So, the question is, which poll is closer to actuality? Pollster.com shows Obama ahead 3.5 points in an aggregate poll of polls. I would probably lean more heavily towards this number as the acutaul way that Ohioans feel right now. I expect that margin will grow in the months leading up to the election.
One good thing I see daily is the Obama team registering voters at Kent State and around town. Every percentage point that the voter rolls are increased is a point that goes to Obama in the general election. I also tend to think that the Obama numbers in Ohio could be low due to the high number of students who are cellphone only users and are under-polled.
Ohio is a state Obama can win with the correct allocation of resources. There is definitely a large contingent of conservative voters here (which is why Ohio is a perennial battleground state), but the enthusiasm for McCain the candidate is absent. At a recent event, I watched the Obama tent (directly across the street from the McCain tent) be busy all day long. The McCain tent would have maybe two people occaisionally stop. The Obama supporters were signing up new voters while the McCain camp sat idly by. There is no incentive for them to register voters because it will hurt them in the general election, so they don't (thats not the kind of party I want to belong to).
I am excited by the prospect that Ohio could be a blue state again. I am going to do my part before November 4 to make it happen.
The republican activists are beginning to come out of the woodwork. Soon their tyrades of dishonesty and scare tactics will threaten the progress of this movement. It is up to us to counter back, hard, with the Truth. We cannot afford to sit by with complacency anymore.
I was reading this article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/going_after_obama) discussing the recent resignation of Jim Johnson, and the mounting attack on Eric Holder. The contention is that people so connected to the nation's largest mortgagers shouldn't be a member of the team to find the vice-president, especially in this housing crisis. Though these people wouldn't be attacking fannie-mae if they had anything else to stand on, I'm going to have to say I agree with them.
I don't know all the details of this story, but, appearances are everything. If our message is against lobbyists and corporate representatives, the last thing we want is one high in our ranks. I don't know, I would love to hear some more detail from you.
The story then goes on about Obama saying it would have been easier on us had gas prices not rose so sharply so quickly. I was reading an article I wrote four years ago that was complaining about $2 a gallon. I think its apparent that the speed of the rise was the real problem. We can watch prices rise by the day... that sounds like the Soviet Union.
And even though Barack said if fuel efficiency rose along with prices "(encourage the market to adapt, particularly US automakers)" the problem would almost be moot, that is not going to get a mention by these dellusional partisans. The good of any message is lost when people see only what they want to see. We cannot cease in our efforts to get the message of the strength of brotherhood our to the people.
For far too long in history have the zealots and autocrats threw tantrums to get their way. It is time for reasonable people to stand up, put our foot down, and push the self-centered back to where they came from.
This was posted a few years ago in the Daily Kent Stater. I think it still has complete relevance today.
"Corporations to blame for the media’s bias
Dear Editor,
It would blow me off of the face of the Earth if this story was actually printed in any of the corporate media outlets, but they have this entire country hustled. Trying to figure out if the media is left or right is like getting stuck in M.C. Escher’s House of Stairs; once you finally think you have picked the right way, you find yourself right back where you started.
Conservatives blame the media for pushing the liberal, socialist agenda and coddling liberal representatives. It’s all Hollywood Communists and traitors in the form of peaceniks. They go on all day about the so-called global warming and “evolution,” all while doing everything they can to render God non-existent.
And yet liberals blame the media for cow-tailing to Republicans. Just watch any FOX or MSNBC “news” program; the “debates” are two or three hard-nosed Republican ideologues against one weak, easily intimidated little girl who is more likely to agree with them then stand up for herself. (This is what they call the “FOX effect.”) Liberals say the media loves to jump on any pseudo-scandal involving a Democrat (Monicagate, etc.), but they won’t even touch a Republican one (the propaganda for Medicare, Tom DeLay, the weapons of mass destruction fraud, etc.). They say the media shows nothing but sensationalist crap designed to scare us into obedience. When you can’t trust your fellow man, who are you going to team up with to take what’s rightfully yours back from the establishment?
Trust me, left or right, the media’s not on either side. They’re on their own. They push the agenda of those who pay their bills. Corporate sleazebags like Rupert Murdoch who care for nothing more than the size of their pocketbooks and how much power their wealth gives them over others.
I think it’s time we un-mortgaged the deed on the fourth estate! I always thought they were supposed to help us keep a check on government and elitist exploitation, not be an agent to it. We’re looking at the left and calling them traitors; looking at the right and calling them chauvinist idiots; and all the while we’re getting something from behind — a hand in our wallets that isn’t ours!
Adam ZandarskiSophomore history major"
Over the past 30 years our legislature has lost its connection to us. On all sides of the political arena there is fear and discontent for our government. We have no personal connection, no say in the matter, and no idea what is really going on. This, sounding an awful lot like governments of old, does not bode well for our representative democracy. If we ever want to turn this around, it is up to us, the people, to do it.
Contrary to the extremist news media's coverage of us, the vast majority of Americans are decent, generous people. If we want to continue America's course in a positive direction, we have to figure out how to get these people involved. We, as supporters of this movement, need to get out and show people that the world isn't as bad a place as they are led to believe. We need to show them that to live in fear is only to compound the problem. We, as a country, need someone who will shatter the dome of secrecy surrounding our government, and encourage our citizens to see just who there leaders are representing.
Our defecit has gone out of control. And the so called leaders who claim to want to cut spending, only want to cut it for social programs. They want to continue giving welfare to corporate america, but real americans are just lazy to them. They continue spending money on intelligence and warfare, but abhor the idea of sanity and diplomacy. They cut taxes as a courtesy to us, knowing full well they don't have the resources to do so, which just makes everything else more expensive (have you tried buying license plates recently?). It's time we had a leader who will bring about sound economic policy that is dedicated to peace, prosperity, and the future of human advancement.
But, as we have seen in the past, we can't rely on our leaders to represent us. As much as I have supported Obama, it is up to us, the people, to assure our rights are being protected. When the election season is over we cannot afford to go back to sitting on the couch. We have to become actively involved. And our involvement shouldn't just be standing around a square, complaining. If we don't like something, we have to interrupt it. If we like it, we have to support it. We have sat on the sidelines for thirty years, and for thirty years the right to prosperity has gradually disappeared.
If we dedicate this country to bringing wealth and knowledge to the great mass of people, and to breaking up consolidated power structures, I can assure you this nation will usher in an era of hope unseen in this world.
And with John Edwards comes 18 PLEDGED DELEGATES!!!!!
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/05/edwards_will_endorse_obama_tod.php
Obama picks up superdelegates in New Jersey, OregonWASHINGTON (AP) — The movement of Democratic superdelegates to presidential hopeful Barack Obama gained steam Friday, with endorsements expected from two more congressmen.
Obama spokesman Dan Pfeiffer said the Illinois senator plans to receive the endorsement of Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon an event Friday in his homestate. Oregon holds it's primary on May 20.
While polling in the Oregon has been sparse, Obama is believed to hold a significant advantage over New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. With DeFazio, he will have the endorsement of three of the state's four Democratic House members. Reps. Earl Blumenauer and David Wu earlier endorsed Obama, while Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Rep. Darlene Hooley have endorsed Clinton.
In New Jersey, Donald Payne — a black congressman who had been backing Clinton for the nomination — is switching his support to Obama, Pfeiffer confirmed.
"After careful consideration, I have reached the conclusion that Barack Obama can best bring about the change that our country so desperately wants and needs," Payne told The Star-Ledger in Newark, N.J. It was "one of the most difficult decisions I have made," Payne said. "I've really been mulling it over for quite a while."
Obama's endorsements from superdelegates has picked sharply since Tuesday, when he soundly defeated Clinton in North Carolina's primary and held her to a narrow victory in Indiana.
AWESOME!! AWESOME!! AWESOME!!
President Obama ROCKS!!!
by: Lynn Sweet
The scoop from Washington
Obama picks up 3 more Illinois superdelegates: Daley, Currie and Stroger.
WASHINGTON--When the Democratic Party of Illinois meet next week to finish filling out the delegate slate, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) will pick up three more superdelegates, according to Steve Brown, a spokesman for state party chair Michael Madigan, who is also the speaker of the Illinois House.
That's because the three appointments are all pledged to Obama: Mayor Daley --he shares strategist David Axelrod with Obama and brother Bill, the former Commerce Secetary is on the Obama team; Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago), a Hyde Parker who lives near the Obamas'; and Cook County Board President Todd Stroger.
Please show support for red state down-ticket dems standing strong for Obama while being demonized by the GOP for supporting him! Help make a statement to the DNC, the superdelegates and the GOP smear campaign how ObamaNation stands up for its own!!!
Ben Chandler, KY-06 has bravely stood by Obama. Please donate HERE.
Read Daily Kos entry concerning Mr. Chandler HERE.
I donated $10. Every little bit helps!!!
GOBAMA! GONATION!
AP NewsBreak: Former Democratic leader switches to Obama
WASHINGTON - A leader of the Democratic Party under Bill Clinton has switched his allegiance to Barack Obama and is encouraging fellow Democrats to "heal the rift in our party" and unite behind the Illinois senator.
Joe Andrew, who was Democratic National Committee chairman from 1999-2001, planned a news conference Thursday in his hometown of Indianapolis to urge other Hoosiers to support Obama in Tuesday's primary, perhaps the most important contest left in the White House race. He also has written a lengthy letter explaining his decision that he plans to send to other superdelegates.
"I am convinced that the primary process has devolved to the point that it's now bad for the Democratic Party," Andrew said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press...
Andrew said in his letter that he is switching his support because "a vote for Hillary Clinton is a vote to continue this process, and a vote to continue this process is a vote that assists (Republican) John McCain."
REMEMBER: Clinton only won Ohio with her lie about Obama's position on NAFTA
The Untold Story of How the Canadian Government Sabotaged Barack Obama
So much for her "big state" theory.
KY Congressman Chandler To Endorse Obama
The endorsement would give Obama the support of Kentucky's two Democratic congressmen - who represent the state's most urban areas - leading into the state's May 20 primary.
Carolyn Tandy, Obama's campaign director in Kentucky, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Chandler will announce his support for Obama at a late-morning news conference in downtown Louisville.
"I think it's phenomenal; we are delighted," she said by phone. "He is going to definitely be important. We're happy to have him on the campaign trail working for us."
Chandler represents a central Kentucky district that includes Lexington. He entered Congress in early 2004 after winning a special election to fill the seat of Republican Ernie Fletcher, who defeated him in the state's 2003 gubernatorial election. Chandler is also a former attorney general and state auditor.
The Chandler name is one of the most famous in Kentucky politics. Ben Chandler's grandfather, A.B. "Happy" Chandler, was twice elected governor, served in the U.S. Senate and was commissioner of baseball.
A Chandler spokeswoman would not comment on the late-morning news conference.
Obama previously won the endorsement of first-term U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, who represents the Louisville area.
Hillary Rodham Clinton, Obama's rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, made a campaign swing through Kentucky last month with stops in Louisville and Madisonville. Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, and her daughter have also campaigned in Kentucky.
As any Browns fan knows, and there are many around the country, we are die-hard loyal Browns lovers. Whether we're up or we're down, even when they make stupid plays (over and over) through all the years going back to Brian Sipe, Bernie Kosar and Mayor White who fought and won to keep the Browns from being stolen by Art Modell, we have cheered on and supported our Browns with blood, sweat and tears.
But the storied history of the Browns is one of heartbreak. During the worst years, some of which are in the very recent past, we'd turn on our TVs every Sunday, don our favorite Browns gear from dog masks to painted faces to just an orange and brown baseball cap, to cheer on a team who went on to lose week after gut-wrenching week. This is the feeling I'm getting from our beloved Barack, and our beloved campaign.
Yes, it feels like another loss is coming on.
We've cheered on our man, we've made the calls, spent weeks away from home in strange states to knock on doors and spread the word. We've inundated the press with outrage when Barack was treated unfairly and railed against "politics as usual" and silly season.
We have been inspired, our hearts filled with hope and cheeks stained with tears at the New American Resurgance so badly needed for us all, all over the world.
Yet still, the "bad guys" the toxic tactics of hate, division and ugly lies and smears of one of the most uplifting, intelligent men ever to grace American soil, steal victory. They steal it in any and every way throwing integrity, morality and ethics to the wind. And people eat it. They stand mesmerized and unified in the politics of personal destruction, as if all the jobs they've lost and health care they cannot afford is personally Barack Obama's fault and that only Hillary can save them.
It's the fourth quarter, and the Browns have fought a hard, tough game. They've even overcome their own turnovers to lead the opposition 14-7. With eleven minutes left, there's more than enough time for them to undo their advantage. Every Browns fan screaming at the TV or in the seats in below zero weather is holding his or her breath, because no matter how many points the Browns have led by they always seem to hand victory to the opposition.
It's been the yearly frustration of Browns fans everywhere that they cannot steal victory from the arms of defeat. If Barack cannot or will not douse the burning fires of Hillary "GOP" Clinton, if he cannot settle Wrightgate, she will certainly wrestle the football from his arms and go on to win the game. She's already got her hands on the ball, but it's still Barack's to lose.
GOBAMA, GO BROWNS!!!
I KNEW IT WOULD WORK!!!
THEY HAVE IT IN RED ON THEIR FRONT PAGE:
www.huffingtonpost.com/politics
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SENT THEM EMAILS!!!
PENNSYLVANIA VOTERS: KEEP SENDING YOUR VOTING EXPERIENCE STORIES TO HUFFPO!!
scoop@huffingtonpost.com
Ok fellow supporters! Get ready for the hit job on Barack. And it's beginning in North Carolina. The same man who created the Willie Horton ad which effectively lost the election for Dukakis against GHW Bush in '88 has created this ugly doosy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cabl0KSFUqo
From Time Magazine:
"Starting Tuesday, a group of conservative activists led by Floyd Brown, author of the famous Willie Horton ad used so effectively against Michael Dukakis in 1988, will begin a campaign to tar Obama as weak on crime and terrorism, a strategy that aims to upend Obama's relatively strong reputation among Republican voters...
Brown says the initial effort, a 60-second spot called "Victims," will be aired later this month in North Carolina and e-mailed to between 3 and 7 million conservatives this week, with a plea for more funding to further spread the message. "All of the efforts I have ever done in my life have been significantly funded," Brown claimed, though he declined to describe the size of the purchase. "This is going to be the most Internet-intensive effort for an ad debut ever."
RAPID RESPONSE, GET READY!!!
WE CAN BEAT THE GOP MACHINE, BUT IT'S GONNA GET UGLY!
The GOP's plan is to rally primary voters to vote for Hillary or to get Obama supporters, particularly GOP defectors, to stay home instead of voting for Barack.
And the fallout continues over ABC's "debate" from HuffPo:
"The North Carolina debate has been canceled, according the local Democratic party:
We regret to inform you that the proposed Democratic Presidential Debate scheduled for April 27 has been canceled due to time constraints and logistical issues associated with such a large, national event. You have shown tremendous passion and interest in being a part of history as Democrats are poised this year to elect the first female or African-American President. However, there were also growing concerns about what another debate would do to party unity."
You have shown tremendous passion and interest in being a part of history as Democrats are poised this year to elect the first female or African-American President. However, there were also growing concerns about what another debate would do to party unity."
Please go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKjomr1Afq0
Apparently, last night the Obama website was hacked into. When I press "view all blogs" the page just keeps reloading with nothing on it except the top heading and the blue background.
If anyone has any information or similar experience, let me know. Maybe HQ is working on it?
Hillary will stop at NOTHING. This is not the kind of POTUS America needs, EVER, but especially not after the disastrous Bush years.
