On his site this morning McCain's campaign have decided to run a more positive campaign by using Democrat pass statements against Obama.. One thing you can say for them is they are (NOT) origianal:
John McCain 2008 Launches New Web Ad: "Praising McCain"
ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released its latest web ad, entitled "Praising McCain." The ad highlights major Obama supporters praising John McCain's record of working across the aisle to get results for the American people. If we are to move America forward, we need a President who will put partisanship aside to do what's right for the American people.VIEW THE WEB AD HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSpcxkKlEFA Script For "Praising McCain" (WEB 1:00) CHYRON: John McCain is a Maverick. Just ask Democrats. SEN. DASCHLE: He can work with Democrats on key issues whether it's campaign finance reform or tobacco policy. He's worked with us. SEN. BIDEN: John McCain is a personal friend, a great friend and I would be honored to run with or against John McCain. SEN. KERRY: I have enormous respect for him. He's a courageous, patriotic American who stands up for what he believes. HOWARD DEAN: I admire Senator McCain greatly, he's one of the people we modeled our campaign over because he is very direct, very blunt, and nobody has to guess at what he's thinking. SEN. FEINGOLD: I love John McCain, he's a great guy. CHYRON: Even Barack Obama has praise for the maverick. SEN. OBAMA: Since coming to Washington, I've believed that the right approach begins with the proposal put forward by Senator Lieberman and Senator McCain. CHYRON: Let's let Hillary Clinton have the final say. SEN. CLINTON: I know Senator McCain has a lifetime of experience he will bring to the White House. And Senator Obama has a speech he gave in 2002. CHYRON: John McCain - Country First AD FACTS: Script For "Praising McCain" (WEB 1:00) CHYRON: John McCain is a Maverick. Just ask Democrats. SEN. DASCHLE: He can work with Democrats on key issues whether it's campaign finance reform or tobacco policy. He's worked with us.
SEN. BIDEN: John McCain is a personal friend, a great friend and I would be honored to run with or against John McCain.
SEN. KERRY: I have enormous respect for him. He's a courageous, patriotic American who stands up for what he believes.
HOWARD DEAN: I admire Senator McCain greatly, he's one of the people we modeled our campaign over because he is very direct, very blunt, and nobody has to guess at what he's thinking.
SEN. FEINGOLD: I love John McCain, he's a great guy.
CHYRON: Even Barack Obama has praise for the maverick. SEN. OBAMA: Since coming to Washington, I've believed that the right approach begins with the proposal put forward by Senator Lieberman and Senator McCain.
CHYRON: Let's let Hillary Clinton have the final say. SEN. CLINTON: I know Senator McCain has a lifetime of experience he will bring to the White House. And Senator Obama has a speech he gave in 2002.
CHYRON: John McCain - Country First
Alike. I started this day feeling crappy because I am not where a lot of you are. I felt alone in it. I felt that it was weird and fake for me to all of a sudden be accepting of HRC and her supporters..but you know what? Over the course of the day, I've been fortunate to read post from Clinton supporters and I believe in my heart of hearts that some of them are trying really hard here. I was surprised mostly by my own Obama supporters, one of you, and you know who you are calling me a bitch who lacked decorum and tact because I'm not where you are in this process. But you know what? I thank that Obama supporter because he kind of helped me see how these Clinton supporters feel coming here and trying to be supportive.
One thing several of you have acknowledged today is, there is healing to be done on both sides. For months, I've been on blogs fighting my heart out for Senator/ now Nominee Obama (Future President Obama..:)) And doing daily battle like that and hearing the lies and the rumors and the innuendo I've heard makes it hard for me to accept things said today in HRC's speech on face value. I particularly had problems with HRC saying that McCain was better suited to be President. And those wounds were freshly opened up by a "meet barack obama" website launched this week, with her comments in her own voice. I'm glad some of you are all about healing the party and believe me, I want that too. I just need some space, I know I need to let it go. And coming here has helped me tremendously. For one, I see I'm not alone. And I also see that Clinton supporters are feeling the same things as me and it helps. It helps to see we are more alike than we admit. Any one who has ever been in a relationship with me can attest that I have a hard time letting things go. Why should this be any different? I need time to process things but I'm coming around.
And one thing I pride myself on, no matter what, a Democrat would have gotten my vote, HRC or Obama. I'm proud that I can say that.
Okay everyone,
Senator Frank Lautenberg is up for re election. His is an undeclared Super delegate and he is the current Senator for NJ. Please call him, email him, or contact him through snail mail ( regular postal mail) and tell him that the people of New Jersey are supporting Barack Obama. If he is unwilling to endorse Senator Obama then we are also unwilling to vote for him. How can we elect someone or either cannot or will not support our best interest?
Since his opponent Rob Andrews, a current member of the House of Representatives supports Hillary Clinton, make sure to tell him and his staff that you will simply not vote. But please be respectful and kind and let them know that you support Obama because he represents change and diplomacy and because he unites the American people and doesn't serve as a force to divide us. The Senate Primary is this Tuesday, June 3rd and the Senate Elections are in November. Please contact him. You will find his contact information below.
Also contact his opponent, Representative Rob Andrews is a supporter of Hillary Clinton. Please Contact him as well and let him know that if he desires to be the Senator of New Jersey then he should represent the will of the constituents of NJ and endorse Senator Obama because if he doesn't then we will be unable to support him. You may be able to encourage him to support Sen. Obama because he was quoted saying "I think the time for party unity is here, and I would encourage Sen. Clinton to understand the need for that unity and respectfully ask her to take a look at the situation." Click here to the entire article :http://cache.search.yahoo-ht2.akadns.net/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=us+rep+robert+andrews+Hillary+clinton&fr=yfp-t-501&u=www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article%3FAID%3D/20080518/COMMUNITIES/805180367/1005/NEWS01&w=us+rep+robert+andrews+hillary+clinton&d=fATefJzfQ2CJ&icp=1&.intl=us
Please once again be respectful and kind. You will also find the contact information for Rep. Robert Andrews below.
Thank you.
Obama '08
Sen. Frank Lautenberg's contact info: http://lautenberg.senate.gov/contact/
Rep Rob Andrews contact info: http://www.robandrewsforchange.com/contact
source: http://cache.search.yahoo-ht2.akadns.net/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=rob+andrews+super+delegate&fr=yfp-t-501&u=politickernj.com/tags/superdelegate-0&w=rob
It's a huge night for Obama, and we all feel like we're a part of it because we have been connected to the effort emotionally for a very long time, we have made the grassroots commitment to be there for Barack because he's there for us, the People, standing up with honor and dignity for what is needed in our nation's presidential leadership in the years to come.
Indiana is right next door, so is PA but what a difference. I am looking forward to return of my spouse who has been in Muncy and Indy the past 2 days, and also was there on Saturday by bus from Columbus, to help out. The margin is narrow enough that every vote really really did matter there.
The pundits have declared tonight the watershed moment of the end of the primary season with Barack the winner. If the opponent can bow out with sense we can move forward to prepare for the real effort of the fall contest and get this done right.
I am going to bed now, the results aren't yet reported (8 % left to be counted/reported in IN), but it appears to be turning Barack's way in actual title for a win in Indiana as well as the elected delegate count overall.
Whew,
Obama '08 OBAMA '08 FOR THE PEOPLE, YES WE CAN-- CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN. LET"S GET TO WORK and CHANGE AMERICA for the better!
Obama '08 OBAMA '08
FOR THE PEOPLE, YES WE CAN-- CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN.
LET"S GET TO WORK and CHANGE AMERICA for the better!
Who Can Provide a Positive Voice?
The Reverend Wright has said a lot of things in his tenure as a spiritual leader of men and women. Some of the things he has said over a lifetime sound, well, crazy, but I could frankly care less about him.
I am more concerned with issues that concern my nation, my community, my family. In an election year, a Presidential election year, I might remind the media, I think we should all focus on more Presidential issues. Issues like the state of our troubled economy, our growing uninsured population, the cost of a dozen eggs, the haze in our city’s sky, the death of yet another family friend in Iraq---these issues concern me much more than a vigorously loud reverend from a parish in Chicago. I want to discuss and debate how our prospective leaders can and will solve these problems. I want to be reminded that we are the good guys. That Americans are positive-minded, hard workers, good neighbors, great parents and international citizens. I want to identify the problems and look ahead to find the solutions. Yet the media, cycle after cycle, finds it easier to write about the past and how bad the problems are. Anyone who has a public voice has a professional responsibility. Many in the media have forgotten that. Reverend Wright has forgotten that. I urge you to use your voice, however small, in a positive way.
Solutions to our problems will take work that we, as a community, must provide. There is a great opportunity next weekend to begin the solution process here in Kansas City. The Obama Campaign is kicking off a national voter registration drive. Based on Senator Barack Obama’s conviction that when people believe they can make a difference, extraordinary things can be achieved, Vote for Change seeks to identify and register democratic and progressive-minded citizens who have not previously taken part in the electoral or political process. Community organizing is how your voice gets heard both locally and on the national level.
I know that there is one Presidential candidate that has continually shown an intelligent, positive outlook on shaping the future of this nation. In spite of repeated, negative distractions from the media and his opponents, Senator Obama has steered the debate to solving the issues that face us all. His history reveals a hard-working, thankful, inspirational force for intelligent change. While I don’t agree with many of Senator McCain’s ideas, his roots as a politician come from the same no-nonsense stock. I hope for a more Presidential debate from these two candidates and from the media, a debate that reflects the needs of communities across this great nation.
Eli C. Tate, Iraq Vet and elected member of the Kansas Delegation to the Democratic National Convention, 2008
Vote for Change begins May 10th. For more information go to http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/vfcks
I thought this was a REALLY well written article. Although I hope the first line is wrong, even if it's not...
Ten Things to Remember on Tuesday Night
by
Seth Grahame-Smith
Hillary Clinton will win Pennsylvania.
Arguments over the meaning or meaninglessness of her win will dominate MSM and stretch bandwidth to its breaking point. Bloggers and pundits will dust off their favorite boxing metaphors: "Hillary's off the ropes!" "Obama can't land the knockout!" Hillbots will rejoice, Obamabots will panic, and McCainbots will watch Murder She Wrote and go to bed at six-thirty. I'll probably write a scathing post attempting to prove that Hillary is the devil incarnate. We'll all lose our minds.
In hope of preventing some of this hysteria (especially my own), I thought it'd be helpful to keep a few things in mind during Tuesday night's results -- from Hillary's "victory" speech to the blizzard of spin that's sure to follow:
1. Remember that there's no way Hillary can become the nominee without a superdelegate coup -- which would alienate a generation of young Democrats and dangerously fracture the party.
2. Remember that her campaign leaked internals showing an eleven point lead (as a means of firing up her supporters and getting out the vote). Therefore, any win smaller than eleven points should be considered a disappointment by her own assessment.
3. Remember that every time Hillary begins a sentence with "you know," or "my opponent," the next thing out of her mouth is a lie.
4. Remember that when Clinton surrogates say "this proves Obama can't win the big states," they're ignoring the fact that he actually won more delegates in Texas -- not to mention twice as many states as she has.
5. Remember that when the pundits argue that Obama can't win in white rural areas because they broke for Hillary, they're ignoring the fact that he won (in alphabetical order): Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
6. Remember that when Hillary talks about who will be "better against John McCain in the fall," she's talking about the fall of 2012.
7. Remember that Hillary's campaign is $10M in debt, while Obama's has more than $40M in cash on hand.
8. Remember that Hillary's lead in Pennsylvania was as a high as 26 points only a month ago.
9. Remember that Hillary's late Pennsylvania rebound was forged in the fires of negativity and fear-mongering.
10. Remember that the only manufacturing job Hillary ever brought to Pennsylvania was the manufactured notion that she was a middle-class, whisky-swilling duck killer, and not an anti-union multi-millionaire.
Wow, Robert Reich has also endorsed Obama today. That's someone I respect for levelheaded rationality, and his reasons for endorsement were well stated. Obama's the one for our next President, of that I am more sure than ever!
Springsteen, Sam Nunn, John Kerry all have endorsed Barack. I am so happy and proud; I know there is more work to be done to get to this election day but the momentum for Change We Can Believe In -- for THe PEOPLE is stronger than ever.
I would have loved to see the candidates at the debate this week, have received the question of how they would fulfill the oath of President if elected.
I am certain that Barack will uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, of the People By the People and For the People.
OBAMA '08
BIO
Sam SteinThe Huffington Post
Obama Outraises Clinton Among Small Town Pennsylvanians
April 15, 2008 03:00 PM
Sen. Barack Obama's political opponents charge that his recent remarks on the economic woes and bitterness of low-income voters put him gravely out of touch with small town Pennsylvanians.
But a review of campaign finance records -- conducted for The Huffington Post by the Spotfire Division of software firm TIBCO -- reveals that it is Obama, not Sen. Hillary Clinton, who has received the majority of donations from these very same Keystone State communities.
Indeed, through the end of February 2008, Obama received nearly $250,000 in contributions from Pennsylvanians residing in zip codes with populations under 30,000 people. That total, which does not include Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and both city's suburbs, was roughly $30,000 more than the amount raised by Clinton: $220,000.
When the population size is made even smaller, Obama continues to best his Democratic rival. Among those non-urban Pennsylvania zip codes with populations under 20,000, the Illinois Democrat has brought in just over $200,000. Clinton has raised slightly more than $170,000.
(Obama's advantage may in fact be even stronger than these numbers show, since campaigns do not provide information on donors who gave under $200, a subset where Obama has excelled. See the complete data here.)
"Essentially, this is a separation between the smaller areas in Pennsylvania as opposed to the two major cities and their surrounding areas," said Tim Wormus, an analytics guru with Spotfire. "It gives you a much different demographic and donation profile than when you just look at the state as a whole."
Obama's advantage in these small rural communities is undoubtedly a reflection of his broader organizing and fundraising prowess. In March, for example, the senator raised twice as much as Clinton -- $40 million to her $20 million -- which in turn likely added to his small town Pennsylvania fundraising lead.
But the figures also cut against some conventional political wisdom: mainly, that Clinton has been challenging Obama almost strictly on the large advantages she has in rural, white communities.
Of course, the predictive powers of fundraising data are highly debatable. Rep. Ron Paul, for instance, did not win a single election in the Republican primary despite raising more than most of his challengers. And because the sample size of this query is small (smaller communities have fewer donors), and because Obama's remarks on the economic angst of these towns were only recently made, it would be difficult to jump to any conclusion about the state of Pennsylvania's upcoming primary based on the contributions of its low-populated communities.
Nevertheless, campaign finance experts argue, fundraising records do provide a limited snapshot of where voters will ultimately lean politically.
"People who contribute money are going to vote," Massie Ritsch, a spokesperson for the Center for Responsive Politics, recently told The Huffington Post. "I don't think anyone is making a contribution to a candidate and then staying home on Election Day. Because of that you can draw some conclusion about a candidate's popular support based on the money that they've raised."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/15/obama-outraises-clinton-a_n_96806.html
Attytood's Will Bunch has a new interview with Barack Obama:
Tonight I had an opportunity to ask Barack Obama a question that is on the minds of many Americans, yet rarely rises to the surface in the great ruckus of the 2008 presidential race -- and that is whether an Obama administration would seek to prosecute officials of a former Bush administration on the revelations that they greenlighted torture, or for other potential crimes that took place in the White House. Obama said that as president he would indeed ask his new Attorney General and his deputies to "immediately review the information that's already there" and determine if an inquiry is warranted -- but he also tread carefully on the issue, in line with his reputation for seeking to bridge the partisan divide. He worried that such a probe could be spun as "a partisan witch hunt." However, he said that equation changes if there was willful criminality, because "nobody is above the law."
Obama said that as president he would indeed ask his new Attorney General and his deputies to "immediately review the information that's already there" and determine if an inquiry is warranted -- but he also tread carefully on the issue, in line with his reputation for seeking to bridge the partisan divide. He worried that such a probe could be spun as "a partisan witch hunt." However, he said that equation changes if there was willful criminality, because "nobody is above the law."
Read the full transcript of the exchange here.
Despite firestorm, newspapers back Obama
Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor April 14, 2008 10:39 AM
The controversy over Barack Obama's www.barackobama.com comments about bitter small town voters clinging to guns and God made front page news in papers across Pennsylvania on Sunday -- not exactly the publicity he wants leading up to the pivotal April 22 primary.
But two of those newspapers endorsed him anyway on Sunday, including the one where Hillary Clinton's father was born and is buried.
"In a nomination campaign that has defied convention, Mr. Obama has energized an entire generation of voters that, for the most part, otherwise had checked out of political participation. That, at least, portends a new approach to governance that can help to dissipate the political miasma that has engulfed Washington at least since the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton," the Scranton Times Tribune said in its endorsement editorial.
"Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is an extremely talented politician who already has secured a unique place in U.S. political history. She repeatedly has proved her political death notices to be premature. She also has demonstrated that she is a master of public policy. And — this is not and should not be taken lightly in an area that prides itself on family and a tradition of supporting its own — the Rodham family has deep Scranton roots," the editorial continued. "But Mrs. Clinton also is a political lightning rod. There is little doubt that a second Clinton presidency would further the deep divisiveness that characterizes American politics — a divisiveness that dug itself deep during the Clinton presidency, and even deeper during the Bush-Cheney years."
The Morning Call in Allentown gave three reasons for its support for Obama: "The first is the quality of his campaign. It has surprised the experts by moving him close to the finish line against bigger, more established political machines and it has communicated his basic ideas well. The second is his message of hope and change. It conveys a vision of the nation's future that is in tune with the tenor and consensus of most Americans. And third, and most important for the Democratic Party at this moment in history, there is Sen. Obama's ability to inspire."
WASHINGTON (AFP) — Barack Obama www.barackobama.com on Monday accused Democratic foe Hillary Clinton of political pandering, after she pounced on his remark that some Americans turned to guns and religion because they were "bitter."
Obama counter-attacked after Clinton branded him an out of touch "elitist" over the comments, in a row which electrified the rivals' fight for vital blue collar and rural votes at a key stage of their nomination battle.
"You've heard this kind of rhetoric before," Obama told a coalition of manufacturing workers and firms in Pennsylvania, which holds its Democratic primary on April 22.
"Around election time, the candidates can't do enough for you," he said, and took aim at Clinton, who has been portraying herself as a champion of the working class, as fears of economic recession stalk battleground states.
"They'll promise you anything, give you a long list of proposals and even come around, with TV crews in tow, to throw back a shot and a beer," he said, accusing Clinton of being in thrall to corporate lobbyists not workers.
"Ask yourself, who are they going to be toasting once the election is over?"
Campaigning in Pennsylvania and Indiana at the weekend, Clinton spoke about how her father took her out and taught her how to shoot when she was a young girl, eyeing voters of rural areas where hunting is popular.
Then, at a forum on religion and social values, the former first lady branded Obama as "elitist, out of touch, and frankly patronizing" over comments which he had repeatedly admitted were poorly chosen.
"You know, the Democratic Party, to be very blunt about it, has been viewed as a party that didn't understand and respect the values and the way of life of so many of our fellow Americans," Clinton said.
The Republican presumptive nominee John McCain also took aim at Obama.
"I think those comments are elitist," McCain said at the Associated Press annual meeting here.
"That's a fundamental contradiction of what I think America is all about," he said, arguing that such small town Americans had sent their children off to war in the US armed forces for generations.
The furor erupted after Obama said at a fundraiser in liberal California last week that some voters were embittered by years of economic decline and cast their votes on social issues instead of economic ones.
"So it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations," he said, according to a transcript published by Huffingtonpost.com.
Obama spent the weekend trying to contain the damage.
"She knows better, she knows better, shame on her, shame on her," Obama said in a withering riposte to Clinton, in some of the most pointedly personal comments so far of their roller-coaster campaign.
The Clinton campaign hoped Obama's remarks represented a lifeline for her White House hopes, as she battles to overhaul his lead in the nomination race.
The dispute played into Clinton's contention that Obama cannot attract blue-collar, socially conservative voters that Democrats need in swing states like Ohio and Pennsylvania, to win the general election.
Her campaign also pushed the idea that Republicans would attack Obama as an out of touch, elitist liberal lacking the common touch, in much the same way as they did against the last two Democratic nominees Al Gore and John Kerry.
Obama sarcastically hit back against Clinton's claims to be a strong backer of gun rights.
"She is running around talking about how this is an insult to sportsmen ... she is talking like she is Annie Oakley," Obama said, comparing his foe to a legendary American sharpshooter.
"Hillary Clinton is out there like she's out in a duck blind every Sunday, she is packing a six shooter -- come on she knows better," Obama said in Steelton, Pennsylvania.
"That's the politics being played by Hillary Clinton."
Clinton has long led in the polls in Pennsylvania, largely due to support from working class voters and union members, but a respected poll by Quinnipiac University last week had her lead down to six points.
Only a big win, analysts say of at least 10 points, will inject her campaign with sufficient momentum for her to resist calls to drop out of the race, and to continue making the case that she, not Obama can win in November.
Times Tribune Editorial Board
All of the myriad issues facing the next president of the United States coalesce into a single question: Who can best lead?
For Pennsylvania Democrats, the best answer in the April 22 primary is Barack Obama.
In a nomination campaign that has defied convention, Mr. Obama has energized an entire generation of voters that, for the most part, otherwise had checked out of political participation.
...Mr. Obama decided not to wait his turn, however, and neither have Democratic voters. Democratic registration and voter turnout have soared in most of the states where he has been in play, including in Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Clinton has dismissed much of what Mr. Obama has had to say as “just words.” But they are words that millions find inspirational. Therefore, they are words that can be translated into action.
On policy matters, there are more similarities than differences between the candidates. The real difference lies in their likely ability to build the consensus needed to realize their vision. The advantage, in that regard, clearly lies with Mr. Obama.
Read the full endorsement from The Scranton Times-Tribune
http://www.barackobama.com/2008/04/13/barack_obama_for_leadership.php
Women for Obama Rally with Caroline Kennedy Saturday at Keswick Theatre near Abington, Montgomery County PA:
http://women.barackobama.com/page/content/WFOhome
See YouTube video to hear the remarks given by Ms. Kennedy, Jessica Lange, NARAL President Kate Michelman and Juge Melinda Hackett on Saturday before 1,000 of Women hit the streets and town of PA to Canvass for Barack:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PMOoa4g2Xo
Need help in Northeast Philly
During the last two weeks I spent time helping out at the Northeast Philly HQ office. Northeast Philadelphia campaign staff has put out an urgent call for additional volunteers to help with Get Out the Vote canvassing activities.
Northeast Philly is a strong Hillary area.
In a nutshell, they need people to go out and canvass, walk the neighborhoods and talk to the neighbors. They also need phone bankers to talk to neighbors to find which way they are leaning and to persuade wherever possible.
The office is located at 1607 Pratt St, Philadelphia, PA 19124, across the street from the Frankford Transportation Center .Doug's number is 361-446-5150
NE Philly Headquarters (Philadelphia, PA)
1601 Pratt StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19124
Doug 361-446-5150Dave 609-868-2733
Kim 215.704.8225 northeastphillyforobama@gmail. com
YES WE CAN!
I read this on someone else's blog and thought it was hilarious. Hope you enjoy.
This Just In: NCAA Declares Winners of First Round Games that Were Essentially Tied
The NCAA is confident that the delay caused by replaying the second and third round games as a result of these rulings will not unduly lengthen the tournement, undermine fan enthusiam or engender any problems with its television contract and revenue stream. The NCAA rejects and denounces all who say the officials have compromised their own credibility and likewise rejects the contention that the integrity of the tournement process has been undermined by these rulings. The NCAA is acting in the best interest of all concerned. The NCAA is absolutely certain that the fans and alumni of Duke, WKU, San Diego, Texas A&M, Marquette, Mississippi State, and Davidson will quickly get over any temporary ill will and will rally to the support of the teams who have now won their games in light of the fact that those games were, after all, essentially
Hi folks!John Morgan at the Pennsylvannia Progressive did a followup interview with General Stewart in regards to the Stolen Valor letter that Mr.Morgan published and General Stewart commented on. This is yet another note in the battle between the Obama camp's message of "Truth and Troops" and compares dramatically with the Clinton Camp's self-professed message of "Race and Religion.
-cheers!-chrishttp://pennsylvaniaprogressive.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/03/it-was-the-lie.html"It was the lie heard 'round the world."I sat down with retired Major General Walter L. Stewart Jr. this afternoon to chat about national security matters, his involvement with the Obama campaign and the Tammi Hetherington letter which stirred international interest about Hillary Clinton Bosnia Blunder. I published Tammi's letter last week and prefaced it with comments Gen. Stewart had made about the issue of "valor theft." We discussed that and more today but his most worthy comment was about his Goggle search following the publication of that article.I'll provide a bit more of the back story of the article for reference. Last week I was approached by a friend of Tammi's about publishing her letter about Sen. Clinton's claim to have been under sniper fire when she visited Bosnia in 1996. Of course we all now know it didn't happen but last week this remained a controversy. After reading Tammi's letter I immediately sensed it s importance within the public dialog taking place about the remarks the former First Lady made on St. Patrick's day. I also put it context with statements made that very morning by Major General Stewart. I put them together in an article which had significant impact. So much impact, in fact, that the General found references and links to it all over the world. I'll attest to that from looking at my site traffic. This article had the third biggest impact of anything that's ever been on this blog. Hits came, literally, from everywhere. It was, in his terms, "the lie heard 'round the world."It was a lie heard 'round the world because a young lady came forward with the courage to speak truth to power. A former Army Specialist dared speak out against Hillary Rodham Clinton, candidate for President and former First Lady. It was a brave act. Tammi has probably taken more hits from this than any danger she faced in Bosnia.My primary reason for interviewing Gen. Stewart however was to find out why he, a former military man and Republican, switched Parties to support Barack Obama. He said something I've heard very often from former Republicans: "I didn't leave the Republican party, the Republican party left me." Describing himself as an old fashioned sort of conservative, he believes in a strong military but also in using our power properly, morally and in accordance with our nations' principles.That's why he became a Democrat I suppose. Barack Obama strikes this history student of a General as Jeffersonian while his former GOP leaders impress him as Hamiltonians. You need to be a history buff to comprehend that, but, basically, he see Barack Obama as someone who understands what he doesn't know and smart enough to surround himself with smart people who do. That's always a crucial attribute in a president and something we've lacked under our current Chief Executive.Stewart believes "the beacon of hope has been turned off in this country." Hillary Clinton contributed to this when she voted for the AUMF and ceded Congress' constitutional powers of war and peace to the president. He believes Barack Obama is rekindling that beacon of hope in us all. As a career military man and student of history the Major General discussed the importance of civilian control of the military and that the king, monarch or other executive not have power over the sword: the ability, on their own, to make war or peace. It must be a deliberative process with open debate for an open, democratic society to decide to go to war, to send our young people into harm's way. These are themes we've been addressing here for some time.We also discussed the issue of torture. I asked the General why so many Americans have become so enamored of torture and the inhumane treatment of other people. He's mystified that America so readily and easily abandoned our moral high ground too. He had a great quote about our use of torture: "there are more souls at stake in torture than tortured souls." How true, how very true.Lexington and Concord was "the shot heard 'round the world" and, as the General pointed out, Tammi's letter made Sen. Clinton's Bosnia statements "the lie heard 'round the world." I was honored to publish her letter and to meet Gen. Stewart.
First, thanks. Rebecca, for taking care of the list while I had a much needed spring break!
Second, thanks to EVERYONE for your donations. Four names removed! Hot dogs! That makes 32 total! And #10 is almost there!
Third, Barack sent this email today: “If you donate before midnight tonight, your donation will be part of our March financial report.
Why is that important?
This will be the final report before the next series of primaries, and the results will be sized up and interpreted by everyone trying to gauge the strength of our campaign.”
There are reports that Clinton may out raise Obama in March: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/3/31/11059/1063/571/487599
WE CAN’T LET THAT HAPPEN!
Please contact family and friends.
URGE them to donate again - BEFORE MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.
The Top Ten List:
1. Here’s a Mama For Obama. She needs $4491 more to reach her goal, make that $4476-$4471-$4461-$4351-$4326-$4276-$4256-$4241-$4191-$4166-$4141-$4116-$4106-$4096-$4071-$4046-$3996-$3971-$3951-$3926-$3876-$3861-$3836-$3586-$3576-$3481-$3456-$3431-$3421-$3396-$3346-$3261-$3036
http://my.barackobama.com/page/dashboard/public/gGxTf5
2. Here is Lisa From L.A. She needs $880 more…make that $870-$865-$855-$805-$795-$780-$770-$610-$600-$570-$520
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/LPHOPE
3. New To This has raised much of her $5,000 but still is lacking $1475-$1465-$1455-$1420-$1410-$1400-$1390-$1380-$1370-$1345-$1320
http://my.barackobama.com/page/dashboard/public/gGGkj4
4. IManOBAMAmama has been VERY busy starting groups in PA and making calls. Can we help her make her goal while she’s busy on the ground? $980-$965-$915-890-$880-$830-$785-$775-$725-$715-$695-$550-$415 to go. http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/SabraT
5. Jill helped another Obama friend raise over $800. Now she needs help. Can we give her some? $1665-$1655-$1665-$1645-$1619-$1519-$1469 to go.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/JewsForBarackPart2
6. Denise wrote, “A year ago I would have never imagined I'd be spending a Saturday making calls soliciting support for a political candidate. For that matter blogging, sign waving, or reading every word a health care plan… Can anyone can help out?” Well? $900-$875-$850-$740-$715-$680-$615 to go.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/dashboard/public/gGXbBx
7. Willie B writes: If one has done it so can you, if no one has done it that one can be you. He’s looking for $1000-$855-$845-$825-$810 -$760
http://my.barackobama.com/page/dashboard/view/public/gGNZmL
8. Here’s Gigi, who’s fundraising on behalf of her grandson. Her fundraising goal is based on her family’s lucky number 27, as in $2700…make that $2660-$2598-$2558-$2523-$2498
http://my.barackobama.com/page/dashboard/public/gGXvgT
9. Here’s Dog Lover, who is fundraising $500 on behalf of Obama and in the memory of a close loved one they have lost. Can we help? $500-$385-$375-$365-$290-$230
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/DogLovermoney
10. Laurie is the daughter of Obamacrat and Obamacan. At 16 years old, she is our future and is taking an active role now. She’s trying to raise $500.. make that $365-WOW!-$53-$33
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/HighSchoolLaurie
The Diamond City Get's the ***STAR*** TREATMENT
Wilkes Barre, PA. 4/1/08 no joke just Barack @ Wilkes Unv doors open 9:45 AM open to the public but tickets required. Be there or fuggetaboutit. Call 570-825-6794 for tickets starting @ 9AM. You've been warned! Meet our own Obama Girl Lisa " the bunny", me Eric Hussein Graff & Barack & all the rest all for one money! The bus tour of HOPE continues to Dunmore later Tuesday evening. So NEPA here comes the national media & OUR GUY BARACK! Come out & See & Support..........EZHG
This week flew.
Wishing all of my friends a great weekend and a fresh start to the new month that includes that all important primary in Pennsylvania!!
