YES WE DID! YES WE MUST:
Þ Protect him from harm both verbal & phyiscal
Þ Stay "FIRED UP" by staying active
Þ Work Bi-Partisan to bring "Change" together
Þ Don't just bitch, get active and stay engaged
Þ Start and join a local "Change" group
Þ Be philanthropic, serve your community, state and nation
Þ Stick by Obama, STOP smears on the Right & the Left!!!! Hold yourself responsible as you hold Barack!
Join the future of this movement!!
http://change.gov/joinus
http://www.communityorganize.com
http://www.ourpresidency.com
http://www.usaservice.org
http://www.whitehouse.gov
Barack's DNC 2004 Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWynt87PaJ0&feature=PlayList&p=B1939005B8A4D4ED&index=188
Barack's DNC 2008 Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ato7BtisXzE&feature=channel
Barack’s Election Acceptance Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wJ-2Zu_Iic&feature=channel
Barack’s Inauguration Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjnygQ02aW4
From the DailyKos, it ain't over until it's over, especially in Georgia.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/11/5/31224/2461
It seems very likely that Saxby Chambliss will be forced into a runoff election.
Franken and Coleman are already headed to a mandatory recount. 60 Senate seats is still in the cards!
From: www.sothebysrealty.com
Listing Type: Resale
Status: For Sale What's this?
Year Built:
Price/sqft: $857
Lot Size:
Days on Market: More than 30 days
Neighborhood: Central Phoenix
A blog entry on www.barackobama.com supporting Palin? Say again? I'm for Obama all the way. My vote has been cast in early voting in Florida, my loyalities are true. But now I hear how McCain's senior campaign advisors are calling Palin a "diva" and "whack job." Excuse me? This is McCain's pick, and the Governor of Alaska. While I don't believe Palin is ready for the job of vice president, much less president, and I don't agree with most of her positions, I still have to say wait a minute.
How can the McCain campaign top advisors (as reported by most news stations) call her such names? She's not a stupid woman; she succeeded on her own terms and with her own ambition. She didn't have admirals in her family, or prior legislators, or any one that appears to have connections. She has accomplished quite a bit for any politician, be they woman or man. True, Palin's interviews have been disasterous, but when you've been force fed line after line from the campaign handlers, instead of trusting in the voice of the woman they picked to be the candidate for this office, its likely most of us would fail too. Like most people, when forced to be inauthentic, it comes off as a sham and interpreted as false or even worse, stupid. While I've heard others said disparging words about her, I have said, "she's intelligent or she wouldn't have gotten this far," the problem has been in the campaigns trust and support of Gov. Palin, which appears to be non-existant since they have refused most one-on-one interviews.
So to hear McCain's advisors call her "Diva" and "whack job" I have to say something. Why? Because I worked for these same men making these claims and know first hand how they like to control all attitudes and try to destroy lives with their careless labels. I worked for Charlie Black and Paul Manafort and Roger Stone - and frankly can hear them saying "diva" or "whack job" about me, about Palin, and frankly, about any woman that actually tried to have a voice about the campaign, about politics, about anything of relevance to the issues we face today. Women are for subjugation for the likes of Black, Manafort and Stone, and by calling Palin "Diva" and "whack job" that's exactly what they are trying to do: put the woman in her place. Or as I looked up on dictionary.com: 1. to bring under complete control or subjection; conquer; master; 2. to make submissive or subservient; enslave.
When I heard these slurs I was interested in seeing who was considered a McCain "senior advisor" and how many women were working as "senior advisors" and found the best, most recently updated list at: http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2008/mccain/mccainorg.html I think who is on the campaign is telling because there are few women in senior positions. Telling because I believe it is indicative of the value this campaign places on the opinions of women. Telling because the McCain campaign may have selected its first woman V.P. nominee, but has failed to support this idea of equality by equally filling its ranks with women. Telling, because usually as so goes the campaign, so goes the Administration.
If my vote for Obama was at least to keep the likes of these lobbyist - the Blacks, the Manaforts, the Stones - the men who subjugate by derisive comments - to keep them away from the center of power, then I will deem that a success. This name calling of Palin by top McCain advisors is disgraceful and just like in the Land of Oz, indicative of the kind of people behind McCain's curtain, making the smoke, pulling the levers of power, and giving voice and action to McCain's decisions. These same men would either be right in the White House with McCain, or lobbying at his door the day of his inaugeration seeking pay-back for themselves and their clients.
So its time for change in Washington, D.C. Its time to vote Obama.
Statewide, the Democrats enjoy a registration advantage of nearly 660,000 voters out of 11.2 million, up from a lead of about 370,000 voters in 2004.
From the news story in the Los Angeles Times, Barack Obama turns rivals' words on them in Florida, we see that this is the year we can finely get Florida back to voting on issues in a way that will actually help their ailing economy.
There are a lot of great Democrats that live there and a lot of great Republicans -- great because there care about their country deeply. In the VFW halls, in the retirement communities, in the communities that serve the tourism community as well as the export industries -- you see their patriotism on display.
My Dad and Step-mom used to live in Bradenton, at Golf Lakes Estates -- a community of around 640 retired families, many of them snowbirds from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania -- and that's where I went for his memorial service. I'll never forget the turnout from that community which he dearly loved. Because he was a veteran, and the Chaplain of the Department of Florida in the VFW, the local VFW veteran's honored him with a truly uplifting memorial service.
Many of those veteran's might be supporting John McCain today, yet I imagine even more will be supporting Barack Obama because they are aware of how John McCain has not really fought for Veteran's after they returned home. In fact, Barack Obama has been a greater champion of their causes because of the level of commitment he not only articulates but has offered in legislative efforts.
There are many resources online that point highlight his action over John McCain's bluster. I could find them and post them here if anyone doubts this is true. Just send me an email.
The point is, in 2000, Al Gore lost the Florida vote by 537 votes, though each candidate received over 2.9 million votes. This is the election when we can turn that around, because the Dems have over 600,000 more registered voters.
However, because of that advantage, there may be a tendency to stay at home on election day and just assume that registration advantage will automagically turn into a voting result advantage. I pray no one will be caught holding those feelings. Every registered Democrat needs to get out and vote this time around. And rather than wait until election day, vote early! This is a time when we need all hands on deck. And, if we have that kind of turnout, America will have a better day on the morning of November 5th.
That will be a great day in America and all the retirees in Manatee County will sing their songs on Sunday morning just a little louder; they can hold their heads a little higher, because Florida exercised the power of their vote and redeeming their state for the Great Statesman from Illinois -- to become the first mixed race President of the United States.
Glory Hallelujah!
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/20/palin-and-mccain-disagree-on-federal-gay-marriage-ban/
Hopefully hard-core Republicans and Undecideds are paying attention. This election shouldn't even be remotely close. It's hard to imagine any state thinking the McCain-Palin duo is capable of leading a country.
McCain calls Lewis remarks 'outrageous'
Well, surprise, surprise, surprise, Senator John McCain -- words actually do mean something. The idea that "Barack just had a few words in a speech" (as stated by Hillary Clinton during the primary) when she was contrasting her credentials, and the extensive experience of John McCain and herself to Barack's "words", discounted their importance, at her own peril. Now it looks like you're going to follow suit? Shame on you.
While Senator Obama was building this movement for change, he did use words and certainly he should know by now that words are every bit as powerful as weapons.
Or does he? Apparently not. Then I say that for a 72-year old, he's rather naive.
So, while John McCain has begun discounting the importance of his own words, here in the Obama camp we've been offended for month. Apparently, the John Lewis camp has has become offended by them, too.
Not only because they are something we don't care to hear, just because we like our guy better; no we're offended by them because we know they can be incendiary to those who love to hate, or may enjoy having the flames of racism fanned because it makes them feel superiority over the less powerful.
The woman who thought Barack was a Muslim, and you took the microphone and said, "No, he's not. He's a Christian and good family man" (paraphrased); why wasn't that stressed a lot more months ago, every time one of those hate mail messages was sent? Why do you allow your supporters to pound on Barack because of his middle name, as though it's some kind of sin to be named Hussein? For that matter, why does it even matter if he's a Muslim, though for the life of me, I cannot fathom why people continue to insist that he is.
Personally, I don't believe John Lewis' remarks are outrageous, at all. He's been on the receiving end of racist comments for decades, as have all people of color. Until you walk a few miles in his shoes, and in the shoes of Barack Obama, I think you'd be much better off just telling your staff and supporters to cool it with the attacks.
Even this "Palling around with Terrorists" mantra that Governor Palin has been espousing lately is incendiary. You would do well to remind voters that it was President Nixon who was impeached during this time, while the charges against William Ayers were dropped. Nixon's indirect role in the deaths of four students at Kent State, brought about because he was lying to the American public that he was NOT bombing Cambodia -- this was just the tipping point that lead to the end of this horrific war. I think you'd be wise just to drop this linking of Obama to Ayers, but, it's your campaign -- do as you wish.
President's would do well to remember it not nice to lie to the voting public, nor is it nice to make fun of community organizers, especially when the community Barack is organizing is the entire United States, which includes over 125,000,000 people who will vote on November 4th!
Words are very powerful, often more powerful than guns, though you military guys tend to forget that. I believe that's the reason you and George discount the importance of diplomacy, and of talking with your enemies. It's a tough lesson to learn, but learn it you must, apparently the hard way -- and from someone who has some insight you may soon learn to respect.
It's unfortunate, but you and your surrogates heckling the importance of being a community organizer as opposed to being a mayor -- well, it's just not a good idea to heckle anyone even if you are Rudy Guiliani. As I recall, Guiliani finished 5th in Iowa while Barack finished first. Where does Rudy Guiliani get off poking fun at anyone who has run a national campaign and become their parties nominee?
A little something I learned from my mother, and I think Barack learned it from his, as well. Just don't engage in the heckling of others -- you don't build friendships but instead build enemies, or you just come off looking uncultured. I know that's not a big goal of yours, but since you're running for President, a little diplomacy could go a long way.
Not that we want you to change, actually. We here in the Obama camp are looking forward to a landslide victory. 341-197, at a minimum. You could call that forecast "outrageous" but I would say, "It doesn't take a weatherman to tell which way the wind is going to blow".
From the NYTimes. Beyond Ideology, a Generational Clash
“At the time when the war started,” he said, “you said it was going to be quick and easy. You said we knew where the weapons of mass destruction were. You were wrong. You said that we were going to be greeted as liberators. You were wrong. You said that there was no history of violence between Shia and Sunni, and you were wrong.”
This was one of Barack's better moments last night. I agree with Mark Halperin and the CBS Poll results; Obama A-, McCain B-
In between Wednesday morning and Friday night, we were treated to a glimpse of what a McCain Presidency might look like -- reckless, aloof (he didn't even look at Barack once, that I could see), and he apparently needed a lot of notes on his podium. I don't know how many Barack had, since C-Span only showed the McCain coming to pick up the notes, but I wish the Presidential Debate Commission would simply provide blank paper and a pen. That's all they should get, IMO.
While Barack seemed willing to "reach across the isle" with his many references to when John McCain was correct on some point, he was also able to balance this with instances when he was very wrong.
McCain needed a zinger but unfortunately for his campaign, the best line of the night, the one above, was directed at him and it was a good line.
Barack looked very Presidential. Was it just me or did it seem like the longer the debate when on, the more frazelled Sen. McCain became. It's like he was just wanting this young upstart Obama to go away and leave him alone.
He kept semi-insulting him with that old line from the elderly they use whenever they can't come up with a good argument --
"Mr. McCain, 72, repeatedly argued that Mr. Obama, who is 47, was not ready for the job: “I’m afraid Senator Obama doesn’t understand” and “What Senator Obama doesn’t seem to understand” and “Senator Obama still doesn’t understand.”
John Podhoretz over at CommentaryMagazine.com wrote in his post Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Pundits the following:
"The only people on earth who are actually damaged by such a postponement are the staff of Ole Miss, where it is to take place, and the Commission on Presidential Debates, which sat around for months trying to pick just the right dates".
"Which sat around for months trying to pick just the right dates?" and "Honestly, what exactly is the big deal?"
Surely you jest, Mr. Podhoretz.
The McCain campaign woke up Wednesday morning to some very bad news. The Washington Post poll was showing him down 9-pts, in the national race (of which there is none. That race means almost nothing, except we like to track these numbers like handicapping “the economy” another emorphous noun like "the race" -- no, there are 51+ plus races, but I digress).
They’ve seen 3-pts up and 3-pts down for so long but this was a real zinger. It caught the whole campaign off guard -- a blow to the stomach in a prize fight — not going to take you out but certainly the wind was knocked out of them.
So, the team mustered up. They turned over the eight ball to see, "Throw another Hail Palin".
One maverick dash of inspiration later; “We’ve got to get back in the limelight! Our star is falling faster than an Obama Republican’s wish! Our post-RNC bounce has disintegrated. We need thunder and lightning!"
The Maverick steps into the room, sizes up the situation, opens his mouth and proclaims, “Leave the field. Let's just leave the field, now. We’ll call the game on the economic crisis, forget the 5-6 million that Ol' Mississippi has invested in getting ready for the Debate and we'll just shake things up. Let's call W, we'll head back to Washington. I wave a magic wand that erases my 20-years of being against government regulation and voila -- back on top".
Unfortunately, after he called his little summit meeting, he discovered that he has not distanced himself enough from Bush. His own Party is ready to sabotage the efforts of both Bush and McCain. Two days before the debate, his campaign has chosen the Jessie James grand finale approach; “If we can’t win, we're going down in a blaze of glory”!!!
It’s all over but the shouting for Senator McCain and his maverick protege, Gov. Palin. Soon he'll proclaim, “But I’ve always been a maverick who storms in to save the day! Nevermind that I’m better suited to be an Admiral than a President, I’m deserving! So what if I’ve put 100,000,000 debate enthusiasts — the vast majority of those who would choose to be the informed electorate -- on hold! And, I’m sorry I have so many houses and cars that I can’t count them all, but I really can relate to the middle class! Really, I can!!!
Set, game, match — Obama-Biden 341 vs. McCain-Palin 197 (or should it be Palin-McCain).
Ha ha ha ha. Just kidding. A ploy, like John McCain's most recent stunt.
John McCain is using this moment of crisis as a political ploy to try to avoid the debates. 100,000,000 Americans are poised to watch this event. It's the contest so many of us have been waiting for on Friday night but he wants to hang out in Washington where he feels a lot safer, among his cronies.
So now we have Gov. Sarah Palin, who has only been briefly vetted in three interviews since nomination, being followed up by her would-be sole boss wanting to delay a scheduled debate? Does he have any idea how much effort goes into planning one of those events? I imagine he does to some extent, but how this will play out with the Independents who were "leaning McCain" will be interesting to observe. I suppose many will just keep "leaning" because to them, he can do no wrong -- kind of like me with Sen. Obama!!!
I become more and more impressed with Senator Obama with every passing day. The opposition can attack him all they want, but to me, he is one of the most reasoned candidates I've watched (even come to know a little bit, from all the events I've attended, times I've shaken his hand and even been privileged to have personal questions answered) during the last 40 years -- since JFK, actually.
I actually kind of liked Reagan, too -- made the mistake of voting for him and his policies help destroy my real estate investment portfolio -- but we learn over time which party really is sticking up for the middle-class.
Anyhow, I'll not belabor the "let's privatize Social Security" argument. Let's hope it's another 50-years before some politician brings that up seriously again.
Stop the drama, just vote Obama.
I really don't know all that much about Gov. Palin. I, like probably 99% of us, wasn't introduced to her until John McCain picked her as his replacement at the top of the ticket -- just kidding, I know he picked her for VP nominee but you'd hardly know it from the sensationalism surrounding his choice.
The lack of media interviews is distressing to me, but stories like this one http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2000/05/23/news.txt confirm that this political manuever has not received nearly enough vetting.
Never mind Sarah Palin -- that she is a woman -- I don't care about her gender one iota. I wouldn't care whether she was black, white, hispanic, Asian or an Eskimo, a man, woman, crossgendered, gay, whatever -- all I care about is whether she is adequately qualified to be the President, should something happen to the only person to whom she answers in the Executive Branch. Sen. McCain picked her as the BEST-QUALIFIED to succeed him, should he be involuntarily forced to relinguish the post, thorough natural or unnatural means. Really Senator McCain? You surveyed the entire field of Republican alternatives and Sarah Palin was your best choice?
For the last decade, I've arguing been very strongly that what this country needs is a woman to become President -- that the world needs a LOT more women in charge! Ask my wife and she'll attest to my honesty on this position. I even quit an executive breakfast club, which I had belonged to for over four years, because the "good ol' boys" couldn't quit making jokes about woman and minorities. I hate prejudice so much that I've become prejudiced against prejudice, that's how non-prejudicial I have become!
It's the character, the intellectual prowess, the requisite skill set required of the position of POTUS that is all I care about. And, on this account, what I'm reading lately about Gov. Palin greatly concerns me.
I hope the debates allow Barack Obama to overcome the 6% of American's who seem hell bent on hanging onto their racial prejudices because there is no excuse that he should have to be that much better just to overcome the idiocy of prejudice. For their VP picks, Biden is so vastly superior to Gov. Palin that there isn't even a legitimate contest. Testimonies like the one referenced in this article confirm that for me. IMO, she is governor because of the outrageous corruption of her own party and chosen primarily because she was the lesser of two evils among the available choices. Sure she has some strengths, but to be President, or Vice-President, don't you think the media should be allowed to vet her? And when we dig deeper, what do we find? Stories like this one.
Palin-McCain -- not right for Republicans', not right for American. Just vote Obama-Biden and let's get this country headed back to a position of leadership in the world, instead of one of disgrace.
Sarah Palin and John McCain - Both "Energetically Wrong".
It's so easy to toss out statements, intended to make an audience believe you're up on your knowledge about an issue, but when there isn't a chance for rebuttal, the speaker can get away with distorting the facts. They may not be outright lieing, yet will they ever come back to the venue there were on when they asserted these claims, and offer a correction? Better yet, will they confess that they are simply pandering for votes through manipulating the data to promote their agenda -- not on your life!
Palin-McCain -- Wrong on Energy, wrong for America.
When Republican John McCain speaks of change, what he is talking about is he wants to change only the leadership, not the direction in which we're headed. Repubs are 100% happy with the direction and think everyone else should be, too!
If you don't believe that, watch Bill Maher's Real Time interview in which John Fund was given so much leeway to monopolize the conversation while Janeane Garofalo and Salman Rusdie had to fight to get a word in edgewise.
What a bigot. He's the problem and represents what's wrong with America. If you can't advance a plausible solution to a challenging issue, just talk louder and hog all the available time, make outlandish statements then don't allow time for rebuttal. Just claim everything is black and white, like George Bush does and use boistrous bluster instead of brilliance to advance your argument.
I would have loved to hear a LOT more from Salman Rushdi and a lot less from John Fund. Anyone who believes in the idea that there is no "gray" -- that you're either with us or you're against us -- sees the world through black and white glasses, denying the existence of alternative, plausible viewpoints. To say there is only black and white is to play God, which is what Republicans love to do.
By claiming "God sent us to Iraq", Sarah Palin uses the same bigotted logic which Osama bin Laden did when he had people fly planes into the WTC's. Committing henious crimes which destroy the lives of innocent people as "collateral damage" in one's cause, then to ask for redemption because your mission is "holy", is criminal! But Republicans don't believe in justice -- they just want to have their own way!
The argument that John Fund advances -- to have one fox (who destroyed the chicken coop during the last eight years) be replaced by another fox who'll do the same, i.e. lie to us all the while smiling and shaking his head affirmatively -- is ludicrous nonsense.
Obama would not only bring change, he would bring PROGRESS. Most people are 100% for progress and 1000% percent against change. I think its time to promote PROGRESS, not just change, now that McCain-Palin have stolen the mantra.
Obama represents the progress that only change can bring, but many old timers like the way things are; they feel secure. "What would happen if the government changed things? I might not like the outcome", so they vote for "security". Time to change the slogan, Barack.
Obama-Biden - Vote for Progress, Now!
A good read, by Andrew Hacker -- Obama: The Price of Being Black
I have to admit, the historic nature of Obama's candidacy seems to be receiving a lot less media attention than McCain's VP pick. While I respect the fact that having a woman as a VP pick is also historic, I'm more than a little disappointed by the press.
With Olbermann and Matthews being demoted at MSNBC, and Tim Russert's passing, who is going to be responsible for vetting this Palin? We know who was responsible for vetting Obama -- Hillary Clinton and the whole right-wing attack machine. But is Governor Palin being subjected to anywhere near the scrutiny she should be, since John McCain has a much higher probability of exiting the planet early.
Issues like voters having to have government issued photo-ID cards and spot checks for felons that may very well disenfranchise voters seems to loom large for infringement of voter rights. But, if people don't get out to vote in a few of their local elections, waiting to get registered just for the Presidential election, I imagine they could have a rude awakening on Nov. 4th. Best plan is to vote earlier than Nov. 4th, if at all possible, or to make sure you have a voter registration card.
There are enough stumbling blocks to trip up an Obama Presidency but fortunately, we shall overcome.
Obama-Biden '08!!!
The questions are flying, about whether Governor Sarah Palin would be ready to lead the country,on day one, if something should happen to John McSame.
Apparently, the McCain campaign thinks two months of prepping ought to be adequate to prepare someone for the vice-presidency. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13323.html
People who would vote for the McSame/Palin ticket, with ALL of these Bush-Cheney staffers involved in the campaign can't possibly be thinking they are voting for "change", can they?
They can't possibly think the American public is that stupid, can they?
Apparently so. With Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney available as VP choices, why wouldn't McCain have chosen one of them? I guess these guys wouldn't be quite as much fun to hug, even though they likely would have been a lot better-qualified.
I'm so glad Barack Obama chose Joe Biden. I just hope that after the hoola-hoop fad that is Sarah Palin stalls a bit, we'll get back to discussing the challenging issues that face this country.
When a Presidential nominee chooses a running mate, they are showing us how they will govern. As the largest free market economy for over a century, decisions made by Presidents have great influence on economic issues, and I believe we need to be first an economic leader and second, a military one. It seems Republicans would have it the other way around, and it shows.
Our economic leadership, primarily created during the 20th century when we wrested that mantle from Great Britian, is being chipped away by the Chinese. Their nation is prospering while our economy is faltering, as we spend inordinately on our military placing the em-PHA-sis on the wrong syl-LA-ble.
Sen. Barack Obama chose Sen. Joseph Biden to be his running mate, and the Democrats responded with high approval ratings for his choice. Sen. John McCain chose Governor Sarah Palin, and the Republicans responded with not only high approval but she appears to have raised his campaign from the dead! Recent national polls have shown a nice bounce to the McCain campaign following their convention, so they are relishing some momentary glory.
But just what have these candidates shown us with their picks? When the votes are all counted by November 5th, will the Bush's leave behind all their family photos, for John and Cindy to enjoy, or will it be Barack and Michelle saying, "one or two will be fine"!
Obama supporters certainly believe it will be the latter. I certainly do, because I see that Senator Obama is starting to take off a little more of the sheeps clothing; to let us know that he can be, is willing to be if the situation calls for it, an extraordinarily tough campaigner.
In Nedra Pickler's AP article, "Obama accuses Republican rivals of dishonesty" we're starting to see how our very intelligent Democratic nominees think and how they will govern. These two gentleman are two of the clearest thinkers who have ever walked the planet; intellectual giants among their peers.
What's more, they are skilled politicians. Obama is so skilled, he transformed himself from keynote speaker to Presidential nominee in four short years, knocking off his chief rival who was herself a master of her craft and supported by a juggernaut of a campaign team, to become our party's nominee. This was no minor feat and in my opinion, has not received nearly enough press. He has shown he can both throw a punch and take one.
And, he remained true to his ideals by not choosing Hillary. That singular decision highlights his strengths as a real leader. What other conclusion would we draw? He and Joe Biden are the best ticket we've had since Bill Clinton and Al Gore! My expectation is, 341-197, or better, just like James Whitson called it on March 2nd of 2008 (see President Elect).
Unfortunately, it would not be prudent to bet the whole farm on that outcome. Fortunately 270 plus is all we need.
Though Republicans have shown they are desparate, we musn't underestimate what they will do in order to win. John McCain (and his campaign leadership) let go with a Hail Mary with his selection of Sarah Palin. It has proven a good one, in the polls, particularly if the election were next week. Fortunately, we still have 8 weeks so time is on our side.
Mark Penn explains, in his Financial Times story, "Americans want to know how to fix the economy", "I think the logjam will be broken by the candidate who can explain the economic way forward".
In 2004, Dems just knew John Kerry was going to win, at 8 weeks out. He had the best plans, articulated clearly during the primaries and in the book, co-authored by John Edwards, "Our Plan for America". In Iowa, as a Precinct captain, I knew he'd carry our Precinct by at least 67%, and it seemed that Polk County would finish at least 60-40%. He did carry Polk County, by over 10,000 votes, but 10,000 votes was not enough to win the state. We needed 20,000+ to counterbalance the rest of the state. George Bush carried Iowa by 10,000 votes. And we've been grieving over that loss, and the national loss, but nearly four years.
And so this election would go, were it not for the grass roots organizing and voter registration drives that have been spearheaded by the Obama campaign. These are the greatest such efforts in history. The Republicans have become deparate, particularly since the economy is not working in their favor. The Feds taking over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should reveal to the undecideds that George Bush and John McCain live in a different world than the real one; one where the "economy is fundamentally strong". That phrase, if not a boldface lie, is fundamentally one.
I believe Senator Obama will be an outstanding President, on the order of an Abraham Lincoln. The jury is still out on whether the DNC can run a better campaign over the next two months than the RNC, but for trying to dupe the voters, the RNC may have earned a time out -- for at least eight years.
We'll see how it shakes out, but 341-197 is certainly the size of victory our country needs if we are to maintain our number one position of economic leadership. Eight more years of Bush-like governance and we'll be lucky if we can hang on for a close second.
I don't know what the conversation will be like when Barack Obama and Bill Clinton sit down to chat in two days, but I sure hope he'll help Barack Obama with some catchy phrases that will galvanize voters, like, "It's the economy, stupid". Some insight from James Carville, albeit behind the scenes, could be a good thing, too.
We have the wind at our back, and David Plouffe and David Axelrod have been a great guiding light for 19 months. Hopefully the halliards will hold and the Republican desparation will translate to volunteer exasperation. Unfortunately, our opponent has shown he can take a punch, and this little scrappy woman from Alaska is keeping John McCain energy level higher than we'd like.
Barack has hit it out of the park as he hangs the handle "No Change Express" on the McCain campaign. Our prayers are with you, Senators Obama and Biden -- let's paint the country blue!
Picture this sobering thought; we're all going to die -- ain't nobody getting off the planet alive -- it's the circle of life principal of the Lion King and brute reality. In any decision about who we want to be President, the choice of VP has to be factored in, and the older the candidate, the more weight must be given to the importance of this pick.
Of course the probability of a healthy person, like Barack Obama, of living a long life well into the 70's is something the actuaries seem willing to bet a cool $1,000,000 against a mere, what, $750? -- for a 47-year old, that is.
Something tells me they would charge John McCain more for the policy than they would pay out! (If anyone reads this and knows that answer, please enlighten me). Four instances of cancer, combined with his age of 72? Whoever wants to place that bet, please sober up and call 800-Bets-off.
So, let's examine that thought-provoking ad (albeit, the mean and nasty side of politics) which Hillary advanced during in her campaign, but with a twist. Let's call this ad, "It's 3:00AM, and the President is dead. Which VP do you want to summon to the post?"
In the the 4-day old campaign of the McCain/Palin team, a lot of the Republican base has been enthused about Senator McCain's pick of Sarah Palin. Yet why isn't the McCain campaign allowing the press access to her for interviews? She has but two months to introduce herself to the electorate and they have isolated her in virtual media-immune cocoon? See "Sarah Palin has yet to meet the press" by Michael Calderone as published at Yahoo! and Politico.
News Flash to Republicans -- this campaign is not only about "Change" (and don't we Dems just love how the McCain campaign is trying to steal the playbook of Senator Obama and Senator Biden?; plagiarism being the sincerest form of flattery) -- it is about judgment and qualities for leadership. Anything less than exemplary leadership skills and evidence that the candidates exercise good judgment in decision making is but a roll of the dice.
Barack Obama has shown time and time again, throughout his adult life, that when the situation called for him to make reasoned decisions and exercise sound judgment, he applies his own decision making skills, not those of his mentors or surrogates, and more often than not, makes a rock-solid choice. And in those rare instances where new facts create cognitive dissonance, he is willing to change his mind and take a new course.
John McCain has shown that he was a POW for 5.5 years (some would call him a war hero yet I would argue that while he's served his country honorably and with valor, his service was not more deserving of the label "war hero" than John Kerry'. In fact, as a Navy pilot, until he was shot down, he didn't really experience anything close to the actual front-line war experiences of John Kerry. That is a whole 'nother story but I agree with Wesley Clark -- being shot down from an airplane isn't a qualification to be President. It's of historical interest and speaks to character, yet there are 98% of us who will never serve in the military and the Presidency is not just about being CiC -- it's about being leader of the entire executive branch, not just the Pentagon.
But, to be fair, he has also shown, in 22-years in the Senate, that he can advance some helpful legislation. That, too, is another blog entry, somewhere I'm sure.
But what else has John McSame shown us? 1) a willingness to lie about his age to get a date, 2) a willingness to abandon his wife and three children while persuing another, whom he apparenlty found more attractive, 3) a willingness to commit adultery in the process, 4) a willingness to abandon all his morals about campaign finance reform, and 5) a willingness to change his mind about tax cuts when the Republican base says he ought to abandon his principals of fairness.
Now these may not matter much to others but actions do often speak louder than words. If he's willing to lie to achieve a desired end with critical decisions, exercising good judgment in decision making may not actually be a skill he possesses. He may have made support provisions with his x-wife and children, yet who do you want your children and grandchildren to see as the role models in their position of President and First Lady (or First Spouse). These character issues are important, aren't they? Ah, but I am indeed old-fashioned.
In this first critically important decision, John McCain has shown voters what kind of judgment he will exercise in the Oval office. He picked a gal who apparently thinks lipstick looks good on a pitbull, enjoys shooting wolves from a helicopter, and has a general lack of interest in learning about issues that don't directly impact her state, let alone the foreign policy of the United States Government.
When Barack Obama chose Senator Biden for his running mate, after a very long vetting process, while 18-million Hillary supporters were disappointed, over 16-million of them thought, "Joe Biden? Okay, that's cool. We can get excited about that decision".
If the McCain campaign is expecting the Republican leaning electorate to feel comfortable voting for this team; to ask for the benefit of the doubt that she is ready, why is she not ready to be vetted by the press?
Governor Palin has shown she can read a good speech. She may have edited it, but she certainly didn't write the first draft. The ability to read a teleprompter does not translate into an ability to lead. They don't provide teleprompters at G8 summits. Haven't we had a enough of a that kind of shallowness in our President?
As for her leadership of the Alaska National Guard (which she touted during her speech), see, "Official: Palin's never issued an order to Alaska Guard" By George Bryson | Anchorage Daily news -- not exactly a knockout punch to Obama. And comparing her skillset to Joe Biden's; well, that's just a joke.
Strike two, John McCain. Will strike three come during the debates. or before.
No way, No how, No McCain-Palin. We're choosing to use our brains and vote for Obama-Biden.
We all do better with the Democrats!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/31/business/31view.html?em
Send this one to everyone in Ohio, Pennsylvania, etc.
Keep Hope Alive!
Why, I just don't know how our Obama-Biden team is going to be able to compete! Holy Cow, man -- the woman can field dress a moose? All bets are off!
I just wasn't aware of the extent of the skill set she brings to the Republican ticket. While I still believe the outcome will be Obama >=341 and McCain <=197, I had been expecting a result more like 525-13 (as with Reagan vs. Mondale in 1984, but in reverse) following Senator Obama's pick of Joe Biden for VP.
I just learned (through Maureen Daud, in her NYT op-ed piece "Life of Her Party") that Fred Thompson claims Gov. Palin can field dress a moose. Why that's preposterous! It's ostentatious, gregarious and what's more, it's probably cheating for a Presidential ticket to include such talent!
I'm not sexist -- I truly am not -- but women who can field dress anything are too much of a cut above the rest of us. I don't know that we Dems have ever been up against such a lofty skillset for a VP, at least over the last 100 years. Golly Senator Biden, how can you prepare for a debate against such credentials?
A 26-year Senator, who is the current chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and a past chair of the Judiciary Committee, up against a 1.5-year governor of a state of 700K who can field dress a moose -- and a woman to boot?
Might as well just call it a day and go back to your lowly Senatorial duties. In fact, maybe John S. McCain should consider whether he might fare better in the VP slot -- just give it up now and let her have the top of the ticket.
But look on the bright side, Senator McCain. You're finally getting a little press, what will all this Prego business and the moose dressing talent. Like Michael Jackson knows, all publicity is good.
Sarah Palin, a moose killer. Who would have thunk it?
In the political world, things do get a little heated. The adage, "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen" is often referenced because it seems so appropriate to the type of contest political races have become. We're often pitting one idealogy against another and we should be glad that we've become so civilized that the worst weapon we use is words. After all, it's the power of words that change the course of humankind, even more so than military might.
Take, for example, the McCain add where the campaign is trying to drive home contrasts Hillary attempted to make in attacks on Barack during the primary. Here is an excerpt from Bed Goddard's "War on two Fronts" piece, published at TheHill.com on March 5, 2008.
"The Clinton ad, called “Children” by the campaign and “3AM” by most of the press, was a shot across the bow. It didn’t air enough to really move the electorate, but it sent a clear message that Hillary Clinton was going to get tough on Obama. She began to draw a stark difference in her speeches across Ohio and Texas: She had a lifetime of experience to prepare her for the White House, Sen. John McCain had a lifetime of experience to prepare him for the White House, and Barack Obama had “a speech he delivered in 2002.” She finally found the sound bite that punched home her experience theme."
These were rough and tumble days, and at this point Hillary was mounting an all out assault on Barack, because she could see her chance to become President slipping away. It's part of why the Clintons and the campaign pushed on relentlessly, nearly spending themselves into oblivion -- they could not believe that a man who seemed mostly about words to them, was inspiring people so many. He was taking them to the cleaners often enough that he was winning!
After all, this was a Goliath vs. David story -- the most powerful Democratic political machine going up against a relative newcomer; someone almost a generation younger, not married to a past president, equipped primarily with good speeches and an ability to draw his audiences in; someone who had won a statewide election but once; someone who started the race 30-points down. One can easily understand why the Clinton juggernaut felt the tide just had to turn in their favor; if only they could find the right words.
And therein lies the heart of the matter.
Words, the expression of our thoughts, not only convey what is in our heart and mind. Words can sometimes be transforming, when skillfully crafted such that they change the thoughts, even the motives and character, of those who hear them.
Such was the course of Abraham Lincoln, in his Gettysburg address. I would argue that, were it not for these 271 words of Abraham Lincoln, his actions might not have been enough. His accomplishments, which made him arguably one of our finest Presidents, might not have entitled him to such lofty prominence. It was his words that caused our nation to enshrine a likeness of him at the west end of the national mall. Words.
On June 1, 1865, Senator Charles Sumner commented on what is now considered the most famous speech by President Abraham Lincoln. In his eulogy on the slain president, he called it a "monumental act." He said, Lincoln was mistaken that "the world would little note, nor long remember what we say here." Rather, the Bostonian remarked, "The world noted at once what he said, and will never cease to remember it. The battle itself was less important than the speech."
The battle was less important than the speech? The battle was less important than the speech! Do you hear that Hillary Clinton? Do you hear that John McCain? Words, and power thereof, were more important than the battle itself!
This is what Hillary could have said in her convention speech but neglected to do so, and to her detriment. She could have driven home the point that words are even more important, at times, than actions, because words can change the course of a nation.
Who knows where the United States would be today, were it not for the words at Gettysburg from another man supposedly "too inexperienced for the job", Abe Lincoln.
When we heard the words of "A more Perfect Union" this spring, as delivered from a podium in Philadelphia after the Rev. Wright controversy had reared its ugly head, I thought that this speech, too, shall go down in history as one of those pivotal moments when mankind took a turn toward change. It may still.
Hillary could have referenced some of the power that comes from Barack's speeches, as an explanation for why he not only bested her in the contest for the nomination, but for why he is going to make an awesome President -- perhaps as good as JFK, FDR, or even Abraham Lincoln.
That's what Hillary neglected.
Seven weeks remain and I wonder if she'll get around to noting the power of Barack words, words which are transforming a nation.
