NEA and AFT Partner with the Inaugural Committee to Bring the Inauguration to the ClassroomLesson Plans for Teachers on Inaugural History Now Available on PIC Website
Washington, D.C. - The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC), in cooperation with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), is pleased to offer a series of instructional guides to help teachers across the country bring the 56th Presidential Inauguration to life in their classrooms. The guides are now available on the PIC website: www.pic2009.org/page/content/lessonplans. "We are thrilled to partner with the AFT and NEA to make these lesson plans available to teachers across the country," said PIC Executive Director Emmett S. Beliveau. "Inauguration Day is rich with tradition and speaks to both our common history and our shared future. We hope that these resources will help inspire students to learn more about this historic day.""The American presidential inauguration is a transformational moment that brings together our collective past and present, and our hopes for the future," said AFT President Randi Weingarten. "It reminds us more clearly than mere words ever could that power in this country truly rests with the American people. These lesson plans are intended as tools to help teachers and their students live our rich history and build our brighter future. The AFT is proud to have been part of this important project and this historic moment."
"It is crucial that our students understand that we are not only living history and making history with this inauguration, but also carrying forward the historical contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his influence on our incoming 44th president," said Dennis Van Roekel. "These important lesson plans will help students understand President-elect Obama's message of a 'sense of unity and shared purpose' into the next four years and beyond."The lesson plans, developed jointly by AFT and the NEA, are designed to teach students about the history of Inauguration Day, and include information about the 2009 Inaugural schedule of events and background about traditional Inaugural ceremonies. The guides also suggest ways to supplement the lessons with discussion topics, films, books and other educational websites. The lesson plans are divided into three sections: "Learning History," which highlights the evolution of Inaugural events beginning with George Washington's Inauguration in 1789, "Making History," which lets students follow along with President-elect Obama's swearing in on January 20th, and "Living History," which encourages students to continue studying the American Government and the Presidency beyond Inauguration Day. The materials are geared toward students from elementary school to high school, and offer lesson modifications based on the students' ages. The Presidential Inaugural Committee has committed to making President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden's Inauguration the most accessible and inclusive in history, and these lesson plans are just one more way that communities across the country can become involved in this historic event. The PIC is confident that the lesson plans developed by the AFT and NEA will help students of all ages feel part of this historic moment in our country. For more information on the NEA and the AFT please visit www.nea.org and www.aft.org.
For the latest information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, please visit www.pic2009.org.
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Nevada * Nevada Bible Study * Obama for Nevada * State of Nevada
Join fellow Democrats and Barack supporters at an election watch party. Let's enjoy the evening together as the results come in. The parties all begin after the polls close at 7pm.
Here are the details:
Las Vegas Rio Hotel Brasilia Ballroom 3700 W. Flamingo Las Vegas, NV
Reno Grand Sierra Resort Nevada Room 2500 E. 2nd Street Reno, NV
Elko Elko Red Lion Humboldt Room 2065 Idaho St. Elko, NV
Pahrump Our Bar 3720 W. Bell Vista Pahrump, NV
Election Day is here. Find your polling location and go vote if you haven't already. And be sure to watch the short video below so you know your rights before heading to the polls.
Already voted? Take two hours of your time and help get out the vote in your neighborhood. It's not too late to knock on doors, drive neighbors to the polls, and make a difference in your community.
The course of this nation will be set today. Remember Barack's words: This is our moment. This is our time. Now let's go change the world.
Terence Tolbert
May 13, 1964 - November 2, 2008
Terence Tolbert, the Nevada Field Director for the Barack Obama campaign died last night of an apparent heart attack. Although I did not know him well, I did know him well enough to know that he was an absolute prince of a man who had a ready smile, 24/7 sense of humor, and welcoming hand for everyone he met.
A dedicated and talented campaign organizer, Terence was on loan to us from his home in New York. Terence worked tirelessly for us and it is cruel and ironic that he did not get to see the fruits of his labor realized.
Rest in peace Terence. You made us proud and we hope to return the favor. These last two days are now for you, too.
The funeral will take place next Monday in New York. Here is some info about where to send your condolences:
Unity Funeral Home
2352 8th Ave
New York, NY 10003
Leave a comment: www.terencetolbert.blogspot.com
For more info:
Larry Scott Blackmon: ldigs4u@aol.com
Tomorrow is election day. Be sure to know when, where, and how to vote.
Watch this short video below to make sure you know your rights as a Nevada voter.
The main takeaways from this video are:
Please join Senator Obama and fellow Barack supporters for a Change We Need Rally in Henderson.
Change We Need Rallywith Senator Barack ObamaCoronado High School Football Field1001 Coronado Drive Henderson, Nevada 89052Saturday, November 1st Doors Open: 7:00 a.m.Click here to RSVP
The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required; however an RSVP is strongly encouraged.
Please join Michelle Obama and fellow Barack and Michelle supporters on Monday, October 27 for a Change We Need Rally.
Doolittle Park 1950 J Street Las Vegas, NV 89106 Doors Open: 7:00 p.m. Program Begins: 9:15 p.m. Click here to RSVP
Join Barack Obama and fellow supporters at Early Vote for Change Rallies in Las Vegas and Reno on Saturday, October 25.
Las Vegas Bonanza High School Judy K. Cameron Stadium 6665 Del Rey Avenue Las Vegas, NV 89146 Gates Open: 12:00 p.m. Program Begins: 3:00 p.m.Click here to RSVP
Reno Peccole Stadium University of Nevada, Reno Reno, NV Doors Open: 7:30 AM Click here to RSVP
Dear Members of "AFRICANS and AMERICANS FOR OBAMA" online group,
Fellow Americans, Congolese and Friends of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire),
I'm Franklin Katunda, community leader and organizer. Since 2001 I'm been president and editor of the Congoboston Network --that helps thousands of African immigrants to social networking online and through events. I learned about Senator Barack Obama after the 2004 DNC Convention, have learned about his judgement and character during his US Senate during the War in Iraq. I endorsed Barack Obama for US Senate Re-election in December of 2006 after he adressed my "Class of 2006" at the Universirty of Massachusetts-Boston. I did not know he was going to run for the higher office, but I have watched his US senate's moves to pass bills working with both sides of the aisles and ... I discovered the Man's mind.
I knew Obama is the "Man with the Plan", not a follower! Now, soon as he announced his candidacy in February of 2007, It was easy for me to back someone that I as a role model, a leader, a charismatic visionary; young and refreshing politician like I would like to be. I knew which candidate, against all odds of backing a least experienced candidate, to choose from Clinton, Biden, Dodd, Edwards bids, and I decided to believe and to back Barack Obama (D. Illinois) in the 2007 pre-primaries.
Currently I am a Non-paid Field Organizer, and an Online Group Coordinator; I am working on an ambitious current project to rally a voter's registration that supports and raises awarness in politics from newly African Naturalized US-Citizens. I work in campaigning for and in helping to elect Barack Obama as President of the United States of America. This year has been busy for us since the launch of the campaign in February of 2007, so we put our Congoboston's activities on hold to make sure the Illinois Senator is elected "President of the United States of America", first.
Why Barack Obama? Well, it is not because he is running for office and has a better chance at winning, but because the United States of America is seen and wanted as a strong ally by African countries, and particularly to the Congo. (Second), because among all US Senators from the 109th US Congress, Democrat Senator, Barack Obama is the only one who dared to introduce a bill that was passed and signed into law to require the Bush Administration to eefectively act on protecting the new Congolese Nation's choice of governance.
After a five years period of civil war and a coslty, unprepared and yet rigged election in 2006 in Congo, the US Senate and US House's bill was needed in DC to ensuring the welfare of not less than 40 millions of desperate Congolese, entrapped in a series of civil wars and social misery, as a result of a four decades reign of Mobutu. This is a vast and war-torn country that continues to provide to US and European Corporations tons of minerals such as the Coltan, the Uranium, the Cupper, Diamonds, and Gold. The Congo produces also a dozen of more unheard of minerals (exploited even during the recent killings that resulted in the loss of more than 5 million souls. [Read about the bill here] http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-2125
In December 2006 when the bill was introduced, passed and signed into law, Senator Barack Obama, works in a bi-partisan way to make sure this bill also called the " S.2125" : Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act of 2006, could be used by both the Executive Branch of the US government and Congress as a test piece to measure how the Bush foreign affairs' cabinet would handle this country's fate. The bill tells where the US stands in its diplomatical efforts to help to prosperity and peace in Congo. Response: The US government has done almost nothing since 2006 to ensure the bill was acted upon. The War (another insurrection) has started again in the eastern Congo, President Kabila of Congo has violated human rights on numerous occasions; his operatives (army, security agencies and presidential guards) continue to persecute and/ or to murder opposition leaders; Congolese protests are being shut out, when manifestants are being killed at every occasion without our embassy getting involved in checking facts; More than ever, I strongly believe that the future of this vast country in the heart of Africa is on the 2008 US presidential ballot.
Facts About US- DR Congo Foreign Affairs
The Bush GOP Cabinet had all the diplomatical tools to run a better foreign policy in regards to the DRC, [ ...and we had not need to sit with "hostile" leaders in order to save these innocent lives], but acted timidly, according to most US and Congo's politicians, newsmedia makers and well-informed human rights and citizen's networks in the DRC and here in US. How do we know it? Check facts on the ground: The Democratic Republic of Congo has plunged once again (September 2008) into another civil unrest in the eastern region where thousands of citizens are being bodily-mutilated with machettes and displaced by dissident troops of the war lord and domestic terrosist; Sir Nkunda Batware.
This man is well-known for his fame in killings and terrorism on civilians by the US State Department's African Affairs Office in Washington DC; His prouesses are well-acknowledged by the UN's Mission and its "Bush Friend" Mission's coordinator -- Mr William Swing. Yet Kunda Batware is being ignored by our embassy officials while he should be arrested as he is the most dangerous war criminal to be "deported" to the the Hague's Court. This former rebel and Kagame's army dissident is backed by current authorities of Rwanda (Congo eastern-border neighboring country). Amazingly, Sir Batware has been a close friend and a former political ally to the current Congo's president Joseph Kabila. [Bush supports Kabila who made it to the White House for official visits more than twice in less than four years of Bush re-elect term in the Oval Office.] Both Congolese President Kabila and Rwanda's president Kagame (another beloved-Bush ally in North Eastern Africa's region) have not done enough to crack down on dissident Nkunda Batware's operatives in the Kivu Eastern Region of the Congo; a pre-condition in restoring peace and democracy in Congo, and to ensure welfare of citizens in the region.
How long are we going to count our failed US diplomacy deeds, while a clear foreign policy was pushed by a known US senator on a bi-partisan way? Why do we have to continue another four years-period of uncertainty in the Congo if the United States has a chance to elect democrat candidate to wipe the republican failure? When issues of lack of consistency and involvment in our relationships with African countries are clearly established in the current GOP agenda -- the Congo has been flagged as a threat to national security and our strategic position in Africa. Congo is a strong ally to the US since the 60s when the country became politically independent from the Belgian Kingdom.
The DR Congo had aligned itself as one of the most pro-American philophical "stronghold" in Central Africa for three decades while the country has been surrounded by socialist colors; (pro-former USSR, pro-China, pro-North Korea and even ... because of its African roots, pro-Cuba) .... The regime of Kinshasa has resisted ideals and ties to African military regimes in countries like its neighbors: the people's republic of Congo-Brazzaville, the people's republic of Angola and some left progressist leaders such as the Zambian president Kaunda (in South) or the mighty President Machel of Mocambique; far the Congo secured America's presence in southern Sudan in efforts to stop the Khartum socialist agenda, their push in Ethiopia, Guinea and so forth etc...
The Congo ( known as Zaire) has been a reliable US "pied-a-terre", serving as a US military runway (the Kamina military base) to face and to deter both the rise of a communist ideology during the 30 years long civil in the war-torn country of Angola (South-Western border) and to help the US diplomacy to reign in isolating and rallying other African countries in the region to help end the threat to human rights, segregation and racism in the South Africa's Racist White-Supremacist regime of Peter Botha.
Minerals and components used in most US weaponry and the world's telecommunication devices are put together for decades with resources extracted from the Congo's soil. Congo has offered a best terrain to most US Presidents like Jimmy Carter (D), Ronald Reagan (R), Bush Sr (R) and Bill Clinton (D) to execute very complicated but vital national security decisions in regard to the stabiltity of Africa, by establising our intelligence in the region, a competitive market and intelligence strategy that helped the US to compete with Europe and Asia. The sin about our relationship with Africa, and for this case the DR Congo, is that we often benefited from all of the above for a less sustainable cooperation tools of diplomacy in regard to how African leaders offer a better governance, a sound fiscality, and the observance of citizens' human rights.
No doubt the DR Congo should remain a strong US ally in the Central African region where the French and the Belgians did nothing to disengage the "former" Soviets-aligned "Eastern-European Regimes" to establish their strong holds and networks in Africa. Now How in the world, with today's rise of another Russia's "impulse" with Georgia and its attempts to raise fears of an imminent "cold war", are we going to afford another war-torn Congo in the midle of Africa?
Distabilized - the Congo still produces tons of extractions of its massive "Uranium", very essential to make nuclear weaponry. That we cannot afford... remaining silent in America after it has been established that many Al-Qaeda and other terrorist operatives have been seeking to exploit and engage in illicit trade of these highly dangerous materials that can provide them with real weapons of mass destruction. The world knows it, President Bush does and Congress (with what I call Obama bill) warns it too!
Breaking the Silence (0n the behalf of Congo)
Many NGOs and associations around the world are observing a "Seven-Days" or the "Congo's Week". It is an Awarness Campaign with a theme: BREAKING THE SILENCE on the behalf of the DR Congo across the US and around the world. They have gotten the attention of several media cells in Western countries: France, Belgium, US, Australia etc to learn and advocate for the Congo, at least by talking about theese atrocities that took place when elections are taking place in US. One of them, I currently hold a membership, is the "Friends of The Congo" - FOTC [please visit their website] : www.FriendsoftheCongo.org
I cannot tell you enough how important and timely right it has been for US citizens who long for justice, equality and peace and the world; for those US-born Congolese, Americans and Friends of the Congo to rein in with their vote and support only "15 days" left before the 2008 elections to pass on this message. With this November 4th's Countdown to US elections, let all remember that the 109th Congress in its Democratic Majority with the help of 12 senators: 4 prominent Republicans and 8 Democrats had joined to co-sponsor a bill initiated by Senator B. Obama (D, Illinois). This 2006 bill had unanimousely (with few amendments and fewer objections) passed, and was signed into law to ensure better foreign policy , security, development, better governance in the Congo, and yet "nothing" consistent [ in other words "just a little"] has been done to follow through.
So, I am inviting those who are willing to visit the webpage that features that ONE-week (Sunday, October 19th through Saturday 25th 2008) event at this link: http://www.friendsofthecongo.org/time_critique.php for your own knowledge, to participate or donate if you cannot attend. Students, Capitol Hill's news professionals, Graduates-Interns, Human Rights Organizers...This is a great moment to raise awarness of the American public! Overhaul, lets remember that the 2008 US presidential elections is an answer to the failures the US developped in Africa.
One among our failed approaches in diplomacy with AFRICA
The GOP's last eight years continues to prophecy without actions for the US to rely on the Department of State's reports and on our European Allies' out-of-touch lines of diplomacy towards Africa; our current foreign service envoys are still using those heavily-biased and politically-partisan lines of policies that are ( ... as old as Pres. Nixon's talking points on African Affairs; demoded in their essence like the pre-Berlin Reagan's views on our relationships with Africa; our policies have been much of the former French president Mitterand's philophy; he forecasted a "pro-but-fake" democratic way of governance in Africa) -- And no wonder we cannot be relevant in solving most crisis in Africa where the United States have common strategic and national security interests as the Europeans, but where we still lagging in being equally involved economically like the Europeans are, and even the Chinese, the Russians and South-Koreans have been.
The US cannot afford being less politically and diplomatically involved in Africa in 2008, and expect our relationships to be economically sound in trades and to earn respect from the African People. News stories and real facts on the ground show that the Russians, the Chinese, and even South-Africans are developing sound trade deals and back-door deals with or without the Congo's approval in its soil. All this is happening far ahead of Washington's less aggressive approach in its African Affairs agenda. We are talking about the Congo in a vast continent, the one Historian Frantz Fanon said: (Africa) "...It has the map-shape of a gun with its trigger located in the Congo"
[ Please check the Africa's map and the Congo's location on in to better understand the metaphore].
The DR Congo is located at the (trigger)- the heart of the African Continent (in Yellow)
He was right because like I said before, the strategic plan to position in the region comes a sustained stability, peace and democracy in the Congo. This is an African country where, if there is not a strong leadership in Washington DC, our national security interests in the region will be in a permanent danger for real. Congo's strategic location on the Africa's regional map is economically a better market to engage and invest in, and with respect to the US intelligence and our military overahaul strategies in the region, the next president of the USA should do better than "all" his predecessors.
Change We Need in our relations with AFRICA
Where have we been all this time? Good question. I will tell you what? We always have developped that mentality that to deal with Africans, we ought to be careful on who (public officials) we send out to carry the message in Africa; we are always careful in choosing our "envoys", we emphasize on their ethnic and religious backgrounds; we base our selection of diplomats or State departments Officers on what is their knowledge of the region as we anticipate "wrongly" that our African counterparts (presidents, royalties or their ministers) would line up with how Europeans lines of diplomacy would dictate our stance, given the history of Africa colonists in the 1960s. For e.g. countries like Portugal, Spain, England, France, and even smaller numbers of Germans and Italian adventureers in Africa have marked their foot-prints, cultural landmarks and have shaped political philosophies in Africa.
In 2008, just like in other continents where colonists have no longer dictate the way business should be conducted, countries and territories like Hong-Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Brasil, India and many other lands where colonists left their foot prints, citizens and their government decided to "admit" they are ready to be on their own, and to embrace new ideas, new horizons, new opportinities -- to launch new markets of the 21th century. What Can the US do at this point? It is the role of the USA, I believe, to engage a new quality diplomatic approach that restores confidence from the African People's stand point. The US have to guarantee two aspects with a new and successful diplomacy tactic in its relationship with Africa: Engaging in Economic and Strategic Security Initiatives in the Continent and to Restoring democracy and a regulated and fiscally-sustained system of governance.
The African Affairs Office at the Department of State ( during the next Obama Administration) should actively work in exploring ways to offer "sticks and carrots" to hold African leaders "accountable" to respect of their signed-and-agreed upon treaties, their local politics dealings and issue promises, their binding bi-lateral agreements with the United States. We should compete with other countries like China, South-Korea or Argentina where African leaders are NOT being asked much to qualify in dealings. Economically speaking , it is about securing America, in one hand, our trades and investments' operatives (guarantying peace and stability) for "highly" profitable African markets. On the other hand, the US should ensure civil liberties are respected, they should reward fiscally-sound governance and encourage the enactment of national laws that promote the eradication of the culture of corruption as a way to monitor the improvement, to re-enforce the laws and ensure the respect of rule of law overahaul, as the 2006 Congo's "Obama Bill" outlined.
Besides many other failures to enforcing our treaties and bi-lateral accords in the African Affairs office at the Department of State, there are these US Governemt's weak actions that did not do much US initiative to Africans in terms of reenforcing the presence with the peace corps, humanitarian organizations and educational and relief organizations on the ground to work with local networks that canvass their communities.
The US should engage pre-emptively the health and human services approach in Africa in order to prevent diseases, pandemies and better nutrition for the population. To denounce and to stop adverse trends in ways of governance that leed to recent African Nation's cases of Genocide, such as Darfour (In Sudan) , Rwanda and the Eastern-Congo. Our relationships with African Leaders have to go beyond just helping them to stay capable militarly but to offer them logistic assistance when it comes to dealing with conflict resolution of hot national topics.
Our embassies in Africa should double efforts like do their couterparts in middle-eastern regions with bi-cultural and bi-lingual envoys to deal with and to clearly decongest the national political apparatus in every country where foreign service officers are assigned to. We need to learn how culture, history and tribal aspirations can shape and benefit US present and future relationships; they have to be active, as intelligence becomes available, to not only report, but to repudiate violations of human rights and to work in these countries' educational settings. Our cooperation in education should promote an agenda that eradicate sentiments of hate and philosopies that oppose the US...
The US should assist and reward only those countries that offer a progress report with fiscally-sound ways of governance; the observance of democracy and human rights. They haven't been doing so in the last decades, because we buy into fallacious French "Mitterand" ideas that because there: "... was election in a given African country, means that country's regime is "democratic".
It's Time to Turn the Page !
The 2008 elections is a time to change course in our foreign policy and to recognize our moral and historical responsibility in regards to Africa; It is an opportunity to raise awarness to the facts that the US has crucial need of a solid "diplomatic machine", made of a new generation of effective "foreign service" officials, effective appointed-government officials, foreign affairs officers in DC and in our consulates. Paramount, the US should show a stronger leadership in the White House that will level with a better diplomacy and will apply a "Peace-and-Democracy" philosophy versus the current "Our interest-Only" approach in Africa.
Like never before there is a need of a US President and an Administration in DC that hold a pro-democracy and human rights-compliant agenda in Africa. Senator Barack Obama (author of S. 2521) has the record to prove it, maybe did not articulate much about it, but worse John McCain never been vocal (not even once) for such an agenda in Africa. He won't do it, won't promise he would look into it. We can't even hold him accountable in doing some thing about it because I doesn't KNOW much about !
Barack Obama is the only alternative to save millions of lives who die in civil conflicts, of diseases and pandemies, of lack of economic development, because of political persecutions or ethnic cleansing! I will be launching a "MySpace Outreach Page" to continue rally efforts from Americans, Congolese-Americans, Africans, Friends of the Congo and Organizations that work for peace, prosperity and the economic development of this nation. We want to help solidify and organize thousands more entities for this humanitarian cause.
I believe that Africa and the Congo's fate are definetely tied to the outcome of the US Presidential Elections.
Barack Obama, a real President in theWhite House; Change for a better World.
I'm Franklin Katunda - Barack Obama Surrogate, and I approve this Message.
Thank You !
Recent newspaper endorsements of the presidential candidates, selected for the quality of their writing and the depths of their insights
___
Chattanooga (Tenn.) Times endorsed Democrat Barack Obama on Oct. 5:
We now face a future fraught with difficulty. It is no time to fear, but rather to change directions and unite behind a dynamic, thoughtful and progressive leader, Democrat Barack Obama.
He has stirred hope among millions of Americans, many of whom were alienated from politics or marginalized in society. He has restored a sense of idealism and promise that American values will again be our respected guide in the world, that the American dream is still very much alive in our nation, and that what is wrong can be fixed.
Sen. Obama's opponent, Republican John McCain, has long served his country, and as a young man, at great personal sacrifice. But he is not ready to lead America in the 21st century. His view of the world is outdated and unduly restricted by a military lens.
The Durango (Colo.) Herald endorsed Obama on Oct. 12:
The United States faces a pivotal choice in this presidential election, and the alternatives are clear. What is needed in that decision, as in our markets and our dealings with the world, is to act like Americans and approach the future with optimism. Voters should reject the politics of fear and elect Barack Obama.
Obama offers what America now needs: Confidence without swagger, intelligence without condescension, a mind unencumbered with the baggage of the '60s, and an optimistic outlook eloquently expressed.
After the feckless leadership of the last eight years, the offer of hope is beyond appealing. It is essential. We need to restore this country's position as a bastion of human rights and re-establish respect for the United States government at home and abroad. We must reinvigorate and restructure our economy, revive the idea that children will be better off than their parents, and face the 21st century with confidence.
John McCain cannot do that. He is intellectually and emotionally trapped in a bygone era. And since his 2000 run, the maverick McCain has been replaced by one with a wet finger in the wind.
Obama, however, offers a clear and certain break with the past. And that is absolutely necessary. It is taking a chance, of course, but that risk is less than that of continuing Bush's work.
The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., endorsed Obama on Oct. 16:
American adults are asking a terrible question as Nov. 4 approaches: Will my children have the opportunities that I was afforded in my youth?
The times call for a steady hand, a confident voice and a messenger who delivers hope rather than fear.
While the country negotiates some of the most treacherous waters in the last 50 years, (Obama) is the candidate most capable of leading it to a safer shore.
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COLUMBIAN, WASHINGTON STATEIn Our View: Obama for PresidentAs voters consider unprecedented change, this race hinges on leadership and judgmentThursday, October 16 | 1:00 a.m.
Americans face what is arguably the nation's most historically significant presidential election ever. Either the first black president or the first female vice president will be elected Nov. 4.
But this election also is a milestone for a reason unrelated to race or gender. For the first time in 20 years, the next president will not be a Bush or a Clinton. Never have just two families occupied the White House for so long. Today's typical college freshman has never lived under a president by any other name. It's time for a change.
So it's no surprise that John McCain and Barack Obama are campaigning as agents of change. All the more reason for voters to participate. In Clark County, ballots were mailed yesterday.
Any successful reformer must excel in leadership and judgment. In the past several months, Obama has distanced himself as the superior candidate in those two areas, and today he receives The Columbian�s endorsement for president. Two quick reminders:
Our opinion is only that, refuted by many, carrying no distinguishable impact. Our opinion is offered more to stimulate conversation than to change minds.
No candidate is perfect, as evidenced by our 2004 endorsement: Bush, Reluctantly
Obama carries baggage we consider unsightly, such as the unfair advantages he would grant labor unions. We also are wary of a few past relationships he's had with controversial figures. McCain carries that same baggage, to a lesser degree.
But as we examined leadership qualities of both men, we saw Obama's massive strides in uniting his own Democratic party, even reaching beyond his party to speak to all Americans. McCain, in stark contrast, continues to slog through a fractious Republican Party that often is his worst enemy.
It takes strong leadership skills to enlist record numbers of volunteers and to continually explore new heights in the polls, as Obama methodically demonstrates.
As for judgment, Obama chose a running mate who neither hurt him in the polls nor diverted the spotlight from the main man on the ticket. McCain's choice has done both. McCain tries to masquerade this recklessness as the virtue of a maverick. Would he use that same recklessness in appointing Supreme Court justices and Cabinet members? Which candidate in recent weeks has shown a presidential demeanor? Which could best restore worldwide respect for the U.S.? Which man has tried to soothe not stoke rancor in the homestretch of this campaign? Clearly, that man is Obama.
On the issues, Obama and McCain share similar views on immigration, Social Security and Medicare. Their differences on how to repair the economy are not overly contradictory. On the Iraq War, Obama prefers a quicker withdrawal of troops than we would like, but his proven leadership and solid judgment indicate he can resolve the Iraq dilemma collaboratively, certainly not by waving a white flag as McCain repeatedly claims. Both men urge public investment in science and technology. On health care, Obama believes it is a right; McCain believes it is a responsibility. Obama would raise taxes on the rich but not the rest of us, while McCain wants to make permanent the Bush tax cuts of 2003.
Beyond these issues, let's review two popular but empty charges against Obama. His supposed lack of experience, history reveals, is a red herring. His 12 years in elected office are more than Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt or Ronald Reagan each brought to the presidency. Too young at 47? Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton were younger. (Also on the subject of age, is McCain too old at 72? Certainly not.)
America's comparison between the upstart reformer and the venerable war hero inexorably returns to the qualities of leadership and judgment. Obama wins that comparison, and his message of partnerships at home and abroad seals the deal for us.--------------THE TENNESSEAN
This newspaper believes Obama would be an inspiring choice at an extraordinary time for the nation. The country needs a fresh, energetic face in the White House. Every race for president is important, but the current confluence of events, including the war on terror, mountainous challenges in the economy and a growing strain upon the nation's health-care system make the current race a call for vigorous new approaches and enthusiasm.
Obama has managed to put a tone of optimism in his campaign at a time it would be very easy to be downhearted, worried and pessimistic. That characteristic alone goes a long way in demonstrating the kind of leadership the nation needs.
Obama has made the case effectively that his Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, represents too much of the same failed policies that have plagued the nation during the Bush administration. McCain, it must be said, is a genuine military hero and an honorable candidate. His years of service both in the military and in Congress are traits any American should admire. But at this time, at this juncture, McCain does not embody the motivational leader Americans deserve for such crucial issues.
There is no question the economy is foremost on the minds of many Americans today. People are witnessing a financial system in chaos, and they are seeing their personal lives in upheaval because of the problem. People are fearful about their jobs, their retirement, their ability even to meet day-to-day needs. At the moment, the nation is still trying to get a handle on exactly what is happening in its economy, as some of the best economic minds in the country try to sift through possible solutions. Obama offers no magic wand, but he has been effective in linking the crisis to failed economic policies, and he expresses a keen understanding of how the crisis is creating hardship on American families....
Further, Obama demonstrated sound judgment in selecting as his running mate Sen. Joe Biden, whose experience and knowledge of foreign policy prepare him to step in if need be as chief executive. McCain's selection of Gov. Sarah Palin, by comparison, may have shown political savvy, but at the expense of offering a vice president the country could rally around....
The nation could ask for no more. Obama has the opportunity to lift the United States at a time when its burdens are heavy. His campaign has carried a theme of "Yes We Can," which is exactly the message the nation needs to hear most now.
THE POST-GAZETTE PITTSBURGH
In three weeks, Americans will be called upon to make an exceptional judgment worthy of the times. The forces of history appear to invite boldness and the Post-Gazette believes they should be heeded by voting for the only authentic, fresh agent of change in this race, Barack Obama....
Despite the recent nastiness of his campaign. Sen. McCain is essentially a good man, but he is yesterday's man. His campaign takes its core text from the "Wizard of Oz": Don't mind the man behind the curtain. That man is George Bush, the failed magician who cannot be spoken of lest the American people be reminded of what he has wrought and what party he belongs to.
To make their trick work, Mr. McCain and his running mate, Gov. Palin, trade heavily on being mavericks -- too heavily to be believed.
It is true that Mr. McCain has a capricious streak that has made him a thorn in the side of his own party on various issues. Yet while he has not joined the know-nothing brigade in climate change denial, he has picked a running mate who is a diva in the drill, baby, drill chorus of fossil-fuel adulation. Mr. Obama, while he has recognized the need for more drilling, has put more emphasis on new sources of alternative energy, the only real hope for the future.
On Iraq, Mr. McCain did needle the Bush administration to put in more troops and he makes much of the fact that he backed the surge. That the surge was a success to the point that it reduced bloodshed does not vindicate the wrong decision in the first place to invade a country that was not behind the 9/11 attacks and did not have weapons of mass destruction; Iraq has been a huge diversion from Afghanistan.
All of this Mr. McCain, despite his vaunted experience, got wrong at the start when Barack Obama recognized the folly. That fundamental error is still costing the nation $10 billion a month, funds desperately needed at home, yet Mr. McCain sees the surge as more reason to stay than to plan now to leave and put the war in the hands of the only people who can ultimately win it: the Iraqis. That is what Mr. Obama wants to do in stages and what Mr. McCain only hopes for over the rainbow.
On health care, Mr. McCain's insurance plan is straight from the George Bush playbook, with its heavy reliance on private competition to give Americans coverage. His $5,000 tax credit for families is a pittance that won't solve America's national shame, the millions in the ranks of the uninsured. Mr. Obama's health-care plan will address that directly -- and, no, it won't be socialism. Americans will still have their choices.
On the economic meltdown, Mr. McCain famously said "the fundamentals of our economy are strong" shortly before it collapsed. Although he has admitted that economics is not his strong suit, he foolishly suspended his campaign briefly to interject himself into a situation that he did not understand and where he was not wanted.
Mr. Obama doesn't have all the answers either, but he does acknowledge what former champion of deregulation John McCain can't: While there's blame to go around both parties, the economic crisis is the final verdict on the failure of the Bush administration.
In this and much else, Mr. McCain is not the steady hand he purports to be, and nothing proves it more than his reckless selection of Sarah Palin, whose lack of knowledge to take over as president has becoming increasingly obvious and embarrassing. If Mr. McCain had chosen one of the many accomplished women in the Republican Party, his candidacy would have the stamp of seriousness. Instead, it bears the superficial imprint of pandering populism.
But this election is not just about the shortcomings of Mr. McCain and Ms. Palin and the failed legacy of a philosophy that they seek to perpetuate under the hastily erected banner of maverick.
It is about the strengths of Barack Obama, whose rise to prominence is not a fluke or national infatuation but the consequence of his remarkable skills --a keen intellect, noble intentions and the wit and grace to express them in ways that have inspired millions across the country. He has a rare gift exactly suited to the fearful times -- he knows the language of reassurance and hope.
If his were just empty words, this would be just another cheap political gift. But what he says is carefully considered. In the debates and on the hustings, Mr. Obama has been the voice of moderation, combining common sense and compassion on issue after issue. When the subject turns to foreign policy, supposedly Mr. McCain's strong suit, Mr. Obama gives no indication that he will have to learn on the job.
That the argument about issues has been essentially won by Sen. Obama is plain from the scurrilous attacks now being launched against his character -- increasingly by Ms. Palin -- alleging guilt by association, unpatriotic behavior and worse.
This closing blizzard of slime is another attempt to spread the wizard's curtain further: Don't look at how the economy has impoverished you while a Republican has been in the White House, look at Mr. Obama's passing acquaintance with an old radical who did bad deeds almost 40 years ago, because that is more important.
Yes, they apparently do think the American people are that stupid.
On Nov. 4, we believe Americans will heed the better angels of their nature and recognize that the election of the eloquent Barack Obama -- whose story is a quintessentially American one of impossible odds overcome -- will best answer the pressing call of history.
_______________________
Obama’s ‘Diplomacy’ Wins a Republican Endorsement By Adam Graham-Silverman, Congressional Quarterly Staff The ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee parted ways with his party’s presidential nominee Wednesday by endorsing Democrat Barack Obama ’s approach to diplomacy.
In a lengthy speech at the National Defense University, Indiana Sen. Richard G. Lugar weighed the benefits of talking to foreign leaders, including U.S. enemies, against other actions, such as military force. The issue marks one of the sharpest divides between Obama and John McCain , who has called the Democratic nominee naive for suggesting that he would sit down with leaders such as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Lugar, however, praised Obama, noting that isolation often does not resolve contentious issues.
“He correctly cautions against the implication that hostile nations must be dealt with almost exclusively through isolation or military force,” Lugar said in a prepared remarks released before his speech. “In some cases, refusing to talk can even be dangerous.”
Lugar, however, said McCain is right to warn that “there are times when diplomatic approaches to rogue regimes have little efficacy.” But he cited North Korea, which was just removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terror, as a diplomatic success story and urged more contact with Syria and Iran.
This is not the first time Lugar and Obama have seen eye-to-eye on foreign policy issues. Lugar noted back in July that he was “pleased” to have worked with Obama on nuclear proliferation issues after an Obama ad ran mentioning Lugar by name.
Lugar also used his speech to underscore his concern that U.S. foreign policy has become too reactive.
“If most U.S. foreign policy attention is devoted to crises fomented by hostile regimes, we are ceding the initiative to our enemies and reducing our capacity to lead the world in ways that are more likely to affect our future,” Lugar said.
___________________________________________
EDITORIAL: Obama for President: We believe the senator from Illinois is the right man to lead our country in a new direction
The Lufkin Daily News, PULITZER PRIZE WINNING NEWSPAPER IN TEXAS
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Today through Sunday, we're making our endorsements for the 2008 election. Our endorsements are not partisan — we supported George Bush in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004. Our choices reflect whose policies and strengths we think, after careful consideration, will mean a better, stronger economy and way of life for Angelina County, Texas and the United States.
To that end, the choice for this year's president is clear: Barack Obama, senator from Illinois.
His strength has been to appeal to a broad range of people, including the vital youth who are tomorrow's leaders. After watching an inflexible president go overboard in a $700 billion bailout on loyalty for his nominee, Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson, we think it's time for a changing of the guard.
The East Texas economy is fundamentally doing well, and we're not hitting highs and lows like other areas, some local leaders have said. But it remains a fact that while the rich battle it out over billions, poverty is barking louder than ever at our rural doors. As a litmus test, consider the Christian Information Service Center, our largest area food bank. It has had more people than ever through its doors — including more elderly and middle class than ever before.
Hundreds of local families have been impacted as fuel and utility costs skyrocket, and job losses mount as major employers have circled the drain or gone down altogether. It's hard to remember the fundamentals when you're deciding between buying your medication or keeping the lights on.
Those people who think what's happening nationally has had little effect on East Texas haven't checked their 401(k)s, or more likely aren't among the many whose worry is about surviving until the end of the month, let alone retirement.
It's the working class that are the backbone of this country, and we need someone to help us share the wealth while still encouraging a free market economy. We believe Obama has shown more interest in helping the middle class, and has proposed plans to make that happen.
Another consideration is that we should elect a president whose vice president would be ready to lead if, heaven forbid, the president were to die in office. We think Joe Biden's experience overwhelms Sarah Palin's limited appeal as a candidate who would instill confidence during a national crisis.
At the end of the day, it's about how you and your family will fare — while still caring how your neighbor and the needy guy down the block is doing.
We're making our voice heard. We hope you'll go to the polls Nov. 4 and do the same.____________________________________
HUNTINGTON WEST VIRGINIA:The Herald-Dispatch editorial board met today. We spent a lot of time discussing the presidential endorsement, which comes out Sunday.
First, a bit of history. As best I remember, The Herald-Dispatch has endorsed every Democratic candidate since Jimmy Carter in 1976. Before then, I have no memory. So going by those elections, the HD is 3-5 in agreeing with the American voter.
I can't say here who gets our endorsement, but I can say that the discussion was calm at times and less sedate at others. The thing was that no one was really excited about either candidate.
But we were all over 50, and we have seen too much to be too excited about candidates. None of us sees anyone running as a Messiah who will lead us to the promised land.
________________________________UNATTRIBUTED, BUT KEEN INSIGHTS:
My own prediction: Obama will win, and Democrats will control both houses of Congress. In 2010, Republicans will regain control of one house, and the Republicans will win back the White House in 2012. Whether they regain control of both houses of Congress I cannot say, but I seriously doubt it.
This assumes the Republican Party acts with more intelligence and foresight than it has shown since 2004.
This year, the Democratic Party had two strong candidates in the primary. The GOP really had none. For a party that is supposed to be conservative, the GOP had no strong conservative with wide appeal in the primaries. McCain won almost by default, and if he surprises a lot of us and wins the election this year, it will be more a vote against Obama than a vote for McCain. I have talked with several Republicans, and very few are voting for him. They are either voting for Palin or against Obama. Or they are voting for the Republican candidate, whoever it may be. I know of no one who is voting for McCain because he is John McCain.
You can't do well in the long run if that's your base. But it's what the GOP did to itself.
____________________________________
Fidel Castro Endorses Obama -- AgainBy Humberto FontovaThe American Thinker
Barack Obama's Kenyan cousin Raila Obinga did well in naming his son Fidel Castro Odinga. From Havana this week, Obama's nephew's namesake issued his 2nd Barack Obama endorsement.
"The only thing that abounds in McCain are years" wrote the Stalinist Cuban dictator in his regime's official paper. "His (electoral) adversary far surpasses McCain in intelligence and serenity. And his health is not guaranteed."
So a major concern for Castro is,
"that the lady with the rifles, the inexperienced ex-governor of Alaska, could became U.S. President. We observe that she knows absolutely nothing about anything."
Castro's favoritism towards Democrats is nothing new. "We'd better hope Kennedy wins this election," Fidel Castro confided to a subaltern in 1960. "If Nixon wins our revolution won't last." the Bay of Pigs and Missile Crisis betrayals (of free Cubans) vindicated Castro's foresight a thousand times over.
I admit to imprecision when labeling Fidel Castro a "Stalinist dictator." For the record: the Castro-Che incarceration of political prisoners actually surpassed Stalin's. In her authoritative book, Gulag, Anne Applebaum documents that, all-told, 18 million people passed through Stalin's prison-camps. At any one time 2 million were incarcerated. That was out of a Soviet population of 220 million. Cuba's population in 1960 was 6.4 million. According to Freedom House, 500,000 Cubans (young and old, male and female) have passed through Castro and Che's prison camps. At one point in 1961, 350,000 Cubans crammed Castro's Gulag. Do the math.
"A profound racism exists in the U.S.," continues Fidel Castro in his Obama-endorsement. "It's a miracle that the Democratic candidate has not suffered the fate of other Americans who dreamed of equality and justice like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King."
For the record: Fidel Castro, forcibly overthrew a black Cuban head of state (Fulgencio Batista) and replaced his government with one where only nine percent of the ruling Stalinist party is black and where the prison population is 80- 90 percent black. He jailed the longest suffering black political prisoner of modern history (Eusebio Penalver who suffered longer in Castro's dungeon's than Nelson Mandela suffered in South Africa's.) He sentenced other blacks (Dr Elias Biscet, Jorge Antunez) to 20 year sentences essentially for quoting Martin Luther King Jr. in a public square.
"(Obama) has a habit of looking at his adversary with serenity and laughing at the verbal gaffes of an opponent who looks blankly into space," continues Castro's chucklesome article, where he proceeds to denounce McCain as "a habitual liar, who lacks an ethical code and is an instrument of the "Miami Mafia" (overwhelmingly Republican Cuban-Americans.)
Castro laments the "brutal measures" the U.S. is adopting during "this capitalist crisis," because these "will provoke more inflation, more devaluation and more loss of markets." Thus a McCain victory would be economically disastrous, because, "he was one of the worst students ever at West Point and knew nothing about mathematics, and knows nothing about economic complications."
For the record: Fidel Castro converted a nation with a higher per capita income than half of Europe, the lowest inflation rate in the Western hemisphere, a larger middle class than Switzerland, a huge influx of immigrants and whose workers enjoyed the 8th industrial wages in the world into one that repels Haitians. And this after being lavished with Soviet subsidies that totaled almost ten Marshall Plans (again, into a nation of 6.4 million) -an economic feat that defies not only the laws of economics but seemingly the very laws of physics.
Actually, Castroites have been associates of Obama's associates for decades. "I have been affiliated with the Cuba Council of Churches since the 1980s," boasted Rev. Jeremiah Wright in a sermon on July 16, 2006. "I have several close Cuban friends who work with the Cuba Council of Churches and you have heard me preach about our affiliation and the Black Theology Project's trips to Cuba. The Cuban Council of Churches has been a non-partisan global mission partner for decades. I have worked with them for two decades."
"Non-partisan," Reverend Wright? Not according to Cuban intelligence defector Juan Vives, who from hands-on experience reports that the Cuba Council of Churches is in fact an arm of Cuba's ICAP (Instituto Cubano de Amistad con los Pueblos) itself an arm of Cuba's DGI, Cuba's secret police, founded and mentored by the KGB and East German STASI. The ICAP's long-time chieftain was Rene Cruz Rodriguez, perhaps one of Reverend Jeremiah Wright's "friends."
Rodriguez' meteoric rise through Cuba's Stalinist bureaucracy was facilitated by his diligence as an early executioner, often beating out Che Guevara and Raul Castro themselves in his zeal to shatter the firing-squad victim's skull with a coup d' grace from his .45.____________________________________________________
About 100 Napa County-based Barack Obama supporters showed up Monday afternoon on the front steps of the Napa Valley Register building in downtown Napa to protest the newspaper's Sunday endorsement of John McCain for President.
____________________________________SAN DIEGO CITY BEAT:
Seems kind of pointless to run through a litany of policy areas in which Barack Obama is a far superior choice over John McCain, what with California already signed, sealed and delivered for the Democrat, but we’d like to run up the score and make it a landslide, so we’ll say, briefly, that Obama has shown himself to be the more thoughtful and, dare we say it, more presidential candidate. He’s the guy in whom we’d have far greater trust on the economy, energy, healthcare and foreign policy.
As for McCain, we can go into his past and detail his fondness for industry lobbyists. We can go into his neoconservative, imperialist views on foreign policy that would absolutely be a continuation of the past eight years. We can cite our concerns about how he was once rightly against the Bush tax cuts before he was wrongly for them.
But we’ll simply point to a couple of recent decisions his campaign made. The first was his choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate. It was a cynical move to shore up the conservative Republican base, and it showed no regard for real-world possibilities—such as, What if McCain were to die or be incapacitated while in office? The second was the desperate, disgusting decision to portray Obama as a terrorist sympathizer, which is the kind of thing you do when you have nowhere else to turn, when you know you can’t capture votes on serious policy issues facing Americans.McCain would likely win this election four years ago—before the public realized how wrong the invasion of Iraq was, before the Republican Party imploded amid scandal after scandal (Cunningham, Foley, Abramoff, DeLay, Craig, Stevens, et al.), before the current president became radioactive and before the economy descended into unimaginable crisis.
So, it’s the right time for you moderate Republicans and you independents to give our guy a chance. McCain’s thinking is no different than Bush’s in the key areas—costly military interventionism, trickle-down economics and free access for lobbyists—and if you really think about it, you’ll realize that it’s unsustainable. Please vote for Barack Obama.
________________________________________
NEBRASKA REPUBLICAN SENATOR'S WIFE ENDORSES OBAMA
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The wife of Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel plans to endorse Democrat Barack Obama.
Lilibet Hagel has scheduled a 10 a.m. news conference in Alexandria, Va., on Tuesday with Susan Eisenhower, the granddaughter of Republican President Eisenhower. Susan Eisenhower also is an Obama supporter.
Hagel, R-Neb., has made no endorsement. Lilibet Hagel said in an Associated Press interview that her decision was independent of her husband. She said she didn't know whether he would make an endorsement or whom he would support.
"You'd have to ask him," Lilibet Hagel said.
She said it will be her first endorsement of a Democrat and that perilous world conditions were a factor.
"The fact is we're in two wars, two of the longest we've ever been in. We've run up a third of our nation's debt in just the past eight years. We're in the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression," she said.
The Hagels know John and Cindy McCain, and she said her endorsement was not meant to slam them.
"This isn't anti-McCain. This is pro-Obama. I'm just convinced he's the right person," she said.
The Hagels vote in Nebraska, but they have lived in Washington's Virginia suburbs since Hagel won his first Senate term in 1996.
A moderate Republican and veteran wounded in combat in the Vietnam War, Hagel has been a fierce and credible critic of the Bush administration's Iraq policies. During the summer, he accompanied Obama and Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island to Iraq and Afghanistan. He was briefly the object of speculation as a possible surprise Obama running mate selection.
The first compendium of the best endorsement editorials from many states, & the top 3 papers in Tennessee! & one by Fidel Castro & the Republicans Lugar and Hagel endorsements
Friday, October 17 is an especially exciting day for Nevada. On the day before Early Voting begins all across the state, Clark County will host a Change We Need Rally with Vice Presidential Candidate Joe Biden and a National Security Conversation with Former Secretary of State Madeline Albright.
Change We Need Rally with Senator Joe Biden Morrell Park 500 Harris Street Henderson, NV Friday, October 17th Gates Open: 4:30 p.m. Click here to RSVP
National Security Conversation with Secretary Madeline Albright UNLV Student Union- Room 207 University of Nevada, Las Vegas 4505 Maryland Parkway Las Vegas, NV Friday, October 17th Doors Open: 10:45 a.m. Click here to RSVP
Tomorrow, Senator Barack Obama will debate Senator McCain for the third and final time. Barack supporters all across Nevada will meet at 5:30pm to watch the debate with their neighbors. Here are a few locations:
Paradise Cantina - Las Vegas 4480 Paradise Rd Las Vegas, NV 89169 Click here to RSVP
Amendment 21 Grill & Sports Bar - Reno 425 South Virginia Street Reno, NV 89501 Click here to RSVP
Latino Advisory Committee Watch Party at Fresh Mex - Reno985 W 5th St Reno, NV 89503 Click here to RSVP
To find more debate watch parties on my.barackobama.com, click here.
Dear Obama Friends,
We are at 23 days of the November victory; at the finish line of this long lasting campaign in the history of US. Our economy is in crisis in Wall Street as a result of less oversight of our market system and the deregulation some politicians called (among them John McCain) for our financial institutions; The executive and legislative branches and now our financial market suffer of a known seed of corruption and the influence from the lobbyists in Washington DC.
We are reminded of many scandals of our government such as the firing appointed officials without cause; 2008 reminds voters that our government has been violating our fundamental rights as citizens, violating in many instances the constitution of the United States. Barack Obama (D, Illinois), first time black candidate with a serious chance to win the election, has run a good campaign which has been all inclusive and diverse; focused on the issues and only on the issues. First, he run agaisnt Hillary Clinton (a long time democratic opponent during the primaries) and succeeded to overcome the obstacles in his way in order to deliver to the american people.
Sen. Obama got tested and was vetter for two years and responded to various issues the country is facing. He came out with early proposals such as Healthcare for All...A first and inclusive version that would bring the country to universal healthcare plan. He also at a personal level, underwent scrutinity that ordinary candidates don't go through given he was new to the manistream. His race and background helped and hurt him in various ways compared to Sarah Palin whom McCain spoke to only twice before he picked her. Fox News and other right wing outlets spent time screaming and obssessing on some facts surrounding Obama's vetting process. Today, only a few pundits and syndicated radio fanatic talk shows agree with the same media's argument that Governor Sarah Palin has been vetted lesser than was her other fellows like Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and other Huckabee...
The McCain-Palin campaign, on the other hand, has run a poor race addressing important issues since the primaries; a negative campaign in the final days of the election, injecting by their rhetoric (both McCain and Palin) the race, the smears in their speeches and ads, and igniting hate and violence among their right-wing supporters.
Given the poll numbers and the gains Obama Camp is enjoying, the Economy but more the rhetorics developed in recent weeks, it is safe to suggest that John McCain has made a wrong choice to the ticket as far the vice-president pick at the moment when the US is facing the most critical financial crisis in the history.
His choice for Gov. Sarah Palin might just frustrate their electorate, (which shos signs now) because all she does (energizing negatively the base of the Republican Party) radically alienates the American in their majority.
She did not convince the independents, and far is she still to convince the Democrats (men or women), - disaffected Clinton's supporters to go her way. Two reasons why Sarah Palin was a wrong choice for the job: Republicans ( like John McCain) think this election is about personality because of the aura Hillary and Barack have displayed with their supporters and voters during the primaries. Sarah Palin (a woman) has positions on issues and philosophy that are fundamentally not in line with the NOW American people's aspirations.
She also has been a bad case of "Mavericks", especially when the troopergate and some of her comments on the US constitution define her as an elected official with most flawded understanding about the use of the power in the executive branch: Palin calls for expanded power to the Vice President (while Americans see Dick Cheney as a portrait of an official who abused his authority in many instances). Her gubernatorial past dealings in Alaska has proven she can overuse her power to get what she needs done. This is an example that reminds Americans of George Bush's bad handling of foreign affairs and our decision to occupy Iraq.
All she got in her agenda (which she does well is spread among fearful voters), is a seed that fuels the language of hate, violence and animosity towards the opposite candidate. Using past happenings to smear and portray Obama as an unpatriotic is just wong; misrepresent facts on issues and positions he stands for are a pure failure in debating skills. Sarah Palin happens to be a debater who avoids questions and speaks of her opponent with a desdaigning and condescending attitude. That's about all she can offer to the McCain's bid.
The first McCain choice (the VP pick) after being nominated by his party was wrong, and America while apparently excited just about her first introduction, now rejects her pick all together when it comes to the issues and more her personality!
Now and unto victory!
I'm Franklin, and I approve this message!
Please join the Nevada Campaign for Change this Saturday, October 11th, for the "Last Chance for Change" Rally and Canvass Kickoff featuring Justin Timberlake.
"Last Chance for Change" Rally and Canvass Kickoff with Justin TimberlakeClark County Amphitheater500 South Grand Central ParkwayLas Vegas, NV
Saturday, October 11thDoors open: 10:00 a.m.
Click here to RSVP for the Justin Timberlake rally and canvass kickoff.
Don't miss out on one of your last chances to register to vote.There are only a few days left before the deadline, so bring your friends and get registered at the rally.
Following the rally, volunteers will be going door-to-door to talk to voters. Canvass packets may be picked up at regularly scheduled events or at the rally.
Check out this video about the urgency of registering to vote.
The deadline to register to vote by mail in Nevada is Saturday, October 4 -- that's only two days away. Be sure to register to vote, and once you've done that, make sure your friends are registered too.
1%, or 1 vote out of 100There have been 12 Presidential elections that were decided by less than a 1% margin; meaning if less than 1% of the voters in certain states had changed their mind to the other candidate the outcome of the entire election would have been different. More than half were decided by less than a 2% margin.
In 2004, 57,787 votes would have given us President Kerry.In 2000, 269 votes would have given us President GoreIn 1996, 575,515 votes would have given us President Dole.
From ABC News:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/scienceandsociety/2008/09/squeakers.html
=========="Squeakers"Ned PotterABC NewsSeptember 29, 2008How close have Presidential elections been? Closer, perhaps, than we ever guessed. Mike Sheppard, a grad student in statistics at Michigan State, has done a mathematical exercise that shows it.He ran a computer program to answer this question: "What is the smallest number of total votes that need to be switched from one candidate to another, and from which states, to affect the outcome of the election?"The answer: in some years, very, very few. Take a look at his analysis HERE. It shows the powerful interaction between the popular vote and the electoral college.[...]==========
Full article here:http://blogs.abcnews.com/scienceandsociety/2008/09/squeakers.html
Detailed analysis here, including colored maps:https://www.msu.edu/~sheppa28/elections.html-Mike Sheppard
I expect 700 billion dollars to be used changing the energy grid to wind...solar..and water power...
THIS WOULD ENSURE TONS OF NEW BUSINESSES AND JOBS...SAVE OUR PLANET...WHILE LOSING
DEPENDENCE ON "DIRTY OIL"...GO AHEAD...BAILOUT THESE GREEDMONGERS... BUT AT THE SAME
TIME...BAILOUT US OUT WITH THE FUTURE OF CLEAN ENERGY...I DON'T WANT "WALL STREET"
HAVING THIS KIND OF ALL ENCOMPASSING POWER EVER AGAIN....
The first of three critical Presidential debates between Barack Obama and John McCain will take place this Friday at 6:00 p.m. Nevada supporters will be hosting debate-watching parties all across the state. This is a great time to bring an undecided friend or neighbor into the Obama network. It's a time to listen, discuss, persuade and inspire each other to work for change.
Click here to find or host a debate watch party in your neighborhood.
