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Bokonon, the spiritual voice behind Vonnegut's first great novel, says it is our nature to question, yet accept. The positions we take often mask the vulnerability we feel. That vulnerability is all too apparent on-line as we who have been part of the Obama campaign throughout the primary season try to sort ourselves out during this summer of change. As Obama addresses the concerns of the broad constituency of the American people, we struggle with the changes occurring in our campaign.
Ironically, as we question Obama's vote on FISA, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, he is handing us an opportunity to lead the party ourselves. We are being offered the opportunity and challenge to meet with our const ituents to form the planks of the Democratic Platform. For those among us who think that Obama has recently been "doing it wrong," this is our opportunity to do it right. For those who see Obama's choices as an effort to be more inclusive by reaching out to a larger constituency, this is our opportunity to bring more people to the table. In either case, we must learn how to frame issues so that those who might see things differently see them our way.
It is as though we have been invited to sit at that table of brotherhood set for us 45 years ago by Dr. King. Though, ostensibly, we come to join hands, we most likely will come to this party wearing masks--masks that assert our certainty and hide our doubts. Unfortunately, the masks will not only prevent us from talking openly with each other, but they will also keep us from seeing the vulnerable human features of our companions. It is important that we all lower our masks so we can see each other clearly, for, as linguist and cognitive researcher George Lakoff says, this will engage our mirror neurons, creating empathy that can bring us together.
In his new book The Political Mind: Why You Can't Underst and 21st-Century American Politics with an 18th-Century Brain< /span> [for his views on Obama's shift, see http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-lakoff/the-mind-and-the-obama-ma_b_111105.html?view=print], Professor Lakoff explains how our minds and nervous systems work. Most of our thinking is unconscious, reflexive, beyond our control. Our conscious minds are reflective but seldom engaged. Perception of "color and shape are registered in di fferent parts of the brain," but what fires together wires together, so that messages moving upstream toward the brain are integrated "at convergent zones via neural binding" (p 25). All of this is as unconscious as the brain controlling our heartbeat. Repeated actions create dramatic event structures that "are carried out by brain circuitry." This "dramatic str ucture circuitry" seems most likely to be in the forebrain where it is joined by two "emotional pathways" from the limbic system: "one for positive emotions (happiness, satisfaction)--the dopamine circuit--and one for negative emotions (fear, anxiety, and anger)--the norepinephrine circuit" (p 27-28). Thus our unconscious narrative with its attendant emotional structure becomes a frame. "Frames are structures we think with" (p 22). This thinking is tied to action through "mirror neuron circuits" that "fire when we either perform a given action or see someone else perform the same action." These circuits are connected like a two-lane highway to "the so-called super-mirror neurons in the prefrontal cortex, which modulate the activation of the mirror neurons, apparently to either enhance or limit their capacity for empathy" (p 39). Thus, we are predisposed to accept progressive thought and the politics of empathy.
Even so, we hesitate before lowering the mask. Our neural narratives are grounded in the process of growing up. Trust is framed by physical metaphors developed through experience. As we learned to walk, we risked hurting ourselves. We fell with each step, only to catch ourselves with our advancing foot. Then we would risk again, fall again, and catch ourselves again. Because our steps were uncertain, we felt safe r holding onto furniture or the hand of someone who cared about what happened to us.
Trust, like love, is also tied to an investment metaphor. Again, as child ren, we take what we have as given. Much time passes before we question it. It takes an imagination to speculate on the outcomes of actions that might change our circumstance. Though we might yearn to become what we think we truly are, we are afraid to let go of the positions we hold. Thus, we tend to keep our mask in place, even as we avow "Change You Can Count On."
Like it or not, we are all invested in the Old Politics. It has been a given, like the air we breathe. It is the politics of the closed doors and the smoke-filled rooms. It is the politics of any hierarchy, where bosses hold power by excluding anyone who might have a different point of view. Obama claims to be a leader, not a boss. He promises to shift from the politics of excl usion to the politics of inclusion. This is a pluralistic politics that is criteria-based. As with the offer to allow us to create the planks for the Democratic platform, all people will be welcomed to the table.
Let's look at the creation of an energ y policy to see what that means. Sitting at the table would be companies that represent the interests of oil, coal, and nuclear fuels along side representatives of companies representing solar, wind, and geothermal approaches. Given criteria for cleanliness, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, low environmental-impact, and reliability, some groups' proposals will be more attractive than others. No one is excluded; therefore, no one can complain as long as the rules for decision-making are honorabl e and clear. If we who have supported Obama have a problem with this model, imagine how difficult it will be to convince others that Obama would represent us all.
We have to be willing to develop our understanding of this new model of government. Presently, we have as much difficulty accepting it as those we must persuade to vote for Obama. Both groups might react positively to the billboard of an African-American woman, standing by her stove, saying, "My kitchen, my rules!" But, when facing polluters, both groups are not ready to embrace the notion, "Our country, our rules!" The reason is that the word "our" implies common ownership by a people united as one. Our states might be united as one nation, thanks to the Civil War. But, it will t ake an Obama presidency to unite us as one people. That is where we are headed if we stay on course.
But, George Lakoff argues, we don't need to wait for an election to unite us. We ca n learn, right now, to use language that frames arguments so that others will feel included. Here are statements from his book that should resonate:
Obviously, in this time of change, we must take the risk to change ourselves. If we are going to move forward, we must ground ourselves with one leg while falli ng and catching ourselves with the other. We must learn to trust ourselves to move forward. We who are invested in a future that is better than our past must act as if we can be the leaders we want Obama to be.
Our campaign, as many have noted on-line, is in crisis. Crisis signifies opportunity and danger, a time when a decision must be made. It is time to lower our masks and face each other as human beings. By being human, we will opt for the values humanity holds dear. The long road ahead is in some ways an illusion. As Lakoff says, we need only to reframe our thinking to realize we are already there.
The Obama Campaign and the Thurston Co. Democratic Party is looking for someone who would like to do Voter Registration at St. Martins before school is out or during the Summer Quarter. You would set up a table in a public area and just ask people to register or change their address if they need to. We'll provide all the materials and get you going. Feel free to recruit people to help you. As you know college students are a core part of Barack Obama's base and turning out new voters is critical to our campaign. You can play a vital part in electing Barack and helping the down ticket in WA State.
If interested, E-mail me. rayleeholden@live.com
There are still several ways you can help out with our Change We Can Believe In Voter Registration Drive beginning May 10th.
1. We'll have a booth a the Olympia Farmer's Market. Come by and register or change your address if you have moved. Bring friends or family, a neighbor, or a disabled person who might otherwise not be able to get out. The weather looks good. It will be a good day to take in the market and the Wooden Boat Show.
2. Canvass. We are specifically canvassing 6 neighboorhoods in Lacey that have no data yet. You could join one of those teams or just pick up some forms and go knock on doors in your own neigborhood. Everyone counts. Lacey walkers please show up about 9AM.
Please do not leave your car parked at the market all day. It will be towed.
3. It is Wooden Boat Weekend. You can pick up a clipboard and walk around and register people on the boardwalk. Not everyone makes it down to the market.
The primay isn't over and it's important we stay strong. The Super Delegates are watching our grassroots efforts as they answer their question about electibility. They are also watching to see who has the best downline organization to help in the other democratic races. We know the answer. Now lets get out and show them.
The important thing is to do something positive. Don't sit at home. Come on out and lend a hand.
You can get more information the mybarack.com event section, RSVP at info@tcforobama, or just show up.
This is getting depressing.
First I delivered some Obama signs and buttons to our booth at the Yelm Home and Garden Show at Yelm High School. Stop by and say hi to Anita. She’s a great lady who loves to talk Obama.
My good deed of the day was done by 11:30 AM and since it was such an absolutely beautiful day and I was already headed in the right direction; I spent $25 dollars for $5 worth of gas, grabbed one of those foot-long for $5 Subway specials and headed on up to Mt. Rainer. The snow is still piled high and deep, the sun was out, the day was warm and people were out in force. A great day was had by all or at least by me.
Then I got home and turned on this magic box and my good mood turned to shit. Hillary really is out to destroy the party in order to save it for the Clintons and man that really is depressing. If she can’t win then it seems that she intends to make sure that Barack can win the WH.
I can’t afford Prozac on my Medicare part D because it would just run me into the, so called, donut hole earlier which would be even more depressing. If you aren’t old enough to know about the famous donut hole, it’s were you get screwed but don’t even get a kiss from the drug companies. But I digress. Prozac wouldn’t get rid of the Clintons anyway and it seems that our party is in the process of self emulating once again.
This has happened quite frequently but we don’t have to look far for examples. In 1999 the economy was going great guns and despite his problems Bill Clinton was popular enough to have been re-elect-able if he were eligible. The election should have gone to Gore in a walk off but he snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. In 2003 the president was already unpopular and the polls indicated that the majority of likely voters thought the country was headed in the wrong direction yet John Kerry couldn’t win a campaign for dog catcher. Then he gave up before the votes were even counted in Ohio.
This year the presumptive Republican nominee is comfortable running on the presidents agenda which is lower than dirt in the polls. He’s for everything that got us in the economic mess we are in and against anything that will get us out and stabilize our economic engine against future melt downs. He’s old and tired and doesn’t really even seem to know a lot about what’s going on as evidenced by a whole list of “misstatements” about Iraq and the economy.
This year surely the Democrats will win in a laugher. Surely we can defeat Grandpa McCain who would be the new torturer in chief. Surely……Well……Well. Then there is Hillary. Sigh. She has to know she is tearing the party apart. She isn’t that stupid. She isn’t stupid at all. Well at least we don’t think so.
So my brain digs deep in the closet for the tin-foil hat and wonders. Did John Kerry actually throw the race in 2003? After all he couldn’t have possibly run a worse campaign could he? Is Hillary destroying our ability to take the WH on purpose? Who knows.
No wonder many of my friends have given up. They don’t vote anymore because they have no confidence in the system. To them Hillary, Barack, and McCain are all the same. Yes some are indeed bitter. They don’t believe any of these people represent their interests. Why should they? They are too busy just trying to get by to bother anymore. They’ve been beaten down, sold out, and had their votes stolen until they feel so powerless that they just don’t care. That’s the world they live in. Isn’t that what Barack said about in the latest flap? Well, yes but then he gets slapped down every time he gets too close to the truth.
How do I convince my friends that this really does matter? If Hillary or McCain win the WH I doubt that I’ll think it matters much myself and if Hillary destroys Barack’s chance to win then I know it won’t.
Where’s the Prozac for Clintontis?
I’m a YellerDog and unfortunately I endorse this post.
Warmonger: “A person who advocates, endorses or tries to precipitate war.”
Random House Unabridged 2nd edition.
“A Sovereign or political leader or activist who encourages or advocates aggression or warfare toward other nations or groups.”
Oxford American Dictionary
Dear Barack Obama:
When Ed Schultz called John McCain a warmonger your campaign was quickly said that you didn’t think it was a term that applied to him. My question is: What part of the above definitions do not apply to John McCain? Words mean what they mean and I suggest that someone on your staff consult a good dictionary before being so quick on the draw.
I understand and support your high road policy. I’ve always hated personal attack. I understand it, in politics it is not only permissible but desirable to attack your opponent on policy. Aren’t we all getting a little too thin skinned and reactionary? This is the majors after-all.
Yes warmonger is a loaded word but a casual reading of history shows that John McCain advocates and endorses the Iraq war. John McCain not only voted for the war but was a head- cheerleader in the senate for the original resolution. He is strongly in the senate coalition that thwarts democratic action to bring the war to a halt. Furthermore he advocates further aggression toward Iran. Can you sing, “Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran?”
He later claimed it was a joke. If so it’s a very sick joke. Anyone who knows the horrors of war as up front and personal as John McCain should understand the inappropriateness of joking about beginning another war with another country. A county that poses no direct threat to the United States, a country that sent troops to support our cause in Afghanistan following 9-11 and a country that was poised on the edge of a moderate revolution until George Bush included them in the so called Axis of Evil statement.
I’m disappointed that you took the bait. Ed Schultz did not lie or misspeak. He did not attack Mr. McCain personally He was spot on.
To paraphrase: By his fruits shall you know him and by his words and deeds John McCain is a warmonger. He would love to spin the meaning of the into something it isn’t, but by two of the most authoritative dictionary’s published, his actions can’t be called anything but warmongering.
Sincerely
A YellerDog Democrat and an ardent supporter.
Reset: Progressive, Liberal, Conservative
Progressive: “Favoring or advocating progress, change, improvement or reform, as opposed to wishing for things to stay the same. Making progress toward better conditions; employing or advocating more enlightenment or liberal ideas. Characterized progress or continuous improvement.”
Liberal: “Favorable to progress or reform. Favorable to or in accord with concepts of the maximum individual freedom especially guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties. Favoring freedom of individual choice and action.”
Conservative: “Disposed to preserve existing conditions. Limited change.”
Random House Unabridged Dictionary 2nd edition. That’s the really big one at the library.
Three questions:
What in the name of God would you want to preserve about current Republican politics? The economy? The war? The national infrastructure? The health care system? Don’t tax and spend? The trade deficit? The cost of drugs? Maybe gas prices? Now there’s one I could get behind. Let’s preserve $4.00 a gallon
In the 21st century should America be looking forward or backward?
This is a repost of a Move On E-mail that I picked up from an NC group. They say to share it so here you go. Hillary is toast. Lets get them McSame talking points shapened to a fine edge.
Dear MoveOn member,
For all the coverage this week of Senator John McCain's background, there are some important things you won't learn about him from the TV networks. His carefully crafted positive image relies on people not knowing this stuff--and you might be surprised by some of it.
Please check out the list below, and then forward it to your friends, family, and coworkers. We can't rely on the media to tell folks about the real John McCain--but if we all pass this along, we can reach as many people as CNN Headline News does on a good night.
Click here to tell us how many people you can pass it on to--and to see our progress nationally:
http://pol.moveon.org/mccain10/?id=12407-9119259-Xfi.sA&t=231
1. John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now he says his position has "evolved," yet he's continued to oppose key civil rights laws.1
2. According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan says McCain "will make Cheney look like Gandhi."2
4. McCain opposes a woman's right to choose. He said, "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."4
5. The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children's health care bill last year, then defended Bush's veto of the bill.5
6. He's one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires. The Associated Press reports he and his wife own at least eight homes! Yet McCain says the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a "second job" and skip their vacations.6 7. Many of McCain's fellow Republican senators say he's too reckless to be commander in chief. One Republican senator said: "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He's erratic. He's hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."7
8. McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than any of the other presidential candidates.8
9. McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his "spiritual guide," Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a "false religion." McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church "the Antichrist" and a "false cult."9
10. He positions himself as pro-environment, but he scored a 0--yes, zero--from the League of Conservation Voters last year.10
John McCain is not who the Washington press corps make him out to be. Please help get the word out--forward this email to your personal network. And if you want us to keep you posted on MoveOn's work to get the truth out about John McCain, sign up here:
http://pol.moveon.org/mccaintruth/?id=12407-9119259-Xfi.sA&t=232
Thank you for all you do.
-Eli, Justin, Noah, Laura, and the MoveOn.org Political Action Team Saturday, April 5th, 2008
Sources: 1. "The Complicated History of John McCain and MLK Day," ABC News, April 3, 2008 http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/04/the-complicated.html
"McCain Facts," ColorOfChange.org, April 4, 2008 http://colorofchange.org/mccain_facts/
2. "McCain More Hawkish Than Bush on Russia, China, Iraq," Bloomberg News, March 12, 2008 http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aF28rSCtk0ZM&refer=us
"Buchanan: John McCain 'Will Make Cheney Look Like Gandhi,'" ThinkProgress, February 6, 2008 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/06/buchanan-gandhi-mccain/
3. "McCain Sides With Bush On Torture Again, Supports Veto Of Anti-Waterboarding Bill," ThinkProgress, February 20, 2008 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/20/mccain-torture-veto/
4. "McCain says Roe v. Wade should be overturned," MSNBC, February 18, 2007 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17222147/
5. "2007 Children's Defense Fund Action Council® Nonpartisan Congressional Scorecard," February 2008 http://www.childrensdefense.org/site/PageServer?pagename=act_learn_scorecard2007
"McCain: Bush right to veto kids health insurance expansion," CNN, October 3, 2007 http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/03/mccain.interview/
6. "Beer Executive Could Be Next First Lady," Associated Press, April 3, 2008 http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h-S1sWHm0tchtdMP5LcLywg5ZtMgD8VQ86M80
"McCain Says Bank Bailout Should End `Systemic Risk,'" Bloomberg News, March 25, 2008 http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aHMiDVYaXZFM&refer=home
7. "Will McCain's Temper Be a Liability?," Associated Press, February 16, 2008 http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=4301022
"Famed McCain temper is tamed," Boston Globe, January 27, 2008 http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/27/famed_mccain_temper_is_tamed/
8. "Black Claims McCain's Campaign Is Above Lobbyist Influence: 'I Don't Know What The Criticism Is,'" ThinkProgress, April 2, 2008 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/02/mccain-black-lobbyist/
"McCain's Lobbyist Friends Rally 'Round Their Man," ABC News, January 29, 2008 http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4210251
9. "McCain's Spiritual Guide: Destroy Islam," Mother Jones Magazine, March 12, 2008 http://www.motherjones.com/washington_dispatch/2008/03/john-mccain-rod-parsley-spiritual-guide.html
"Will McCain Specifically 'Repudiate' Hagee's Anti-Gay Comments?," ThinkProgress, March 12, 2008 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/03/12/mccain-hagee-anti-gay/
"McCain 'Very Honored' By Support Of Pastor Preaching 'End-Time Confrontation With Iran,'" ThinkProgress, February 28, 2008 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/28/hagee-mccain-endorsement/
10. "John McCain Gets a Zero Rating for His Environmental Record," Sierra Club, February 28, 2008 http://www.alternet.org/blogs/environment/77913/
Support our member-driven organization: MoveOn.org
I just wanted to remind you that if you are a delegate for Obama in Thurston County we have several recources set up to help you. One there is a new Facebook group just for you to meet up on the net and get to know each other, and we will be posting information there as well.
We also have our own stand alone website that is operated by Team Obama here in Olympia. Check it out. We post new things everyday and there is a seperate page just for you delegates. We are encouraging all who want to run for a CD delegate seat to e-mail and bio and pic and we'll post it for you.
Stay tuned in. We are probably the most active Obama HQ in the state.
Volunteers who are not delgates or alternates are needed for the April 19th Thurston County Convention. There are a variety of tasks that need to be done all of which are important to getting our delegates to the national convention in Denver. If you are interested in a good day of politics, call Linda at HQ. 956-0325.
Finally you're local HQ doesnt' get any money from the national campaign but we do have expenses. Donations no matter how small are welcome to keep the lights on.
I'm a YellerDog and I approve this message.
big state stratagy hit a speed bump. Maybe Texas isn't big enough for
Clinton sized ego. Haha.
On another website someone asked what they can do for Obama now that their primary is over. A couple of thoughts came to mind.
One: You’re local Obama Campaign group can use donations. The campaign didn’t stop on Feb 5. We’ve been busy ever since getting ready for county convention and congressional district caucus’ which will pick delegates to represent Obama in at the National Convention.
Statewide hundreds of people are putting in thousands of hours making sure that the rules get followed, that delegates are trained, and that you’re caucus vote gets translated into the correct number of National Delegates for Obama.
We’re all volunteers but there are costs, rent, postage, utilities, printing, phones and the like. You’re local group has to move the process forward but receives no money from the national campaign. We’re own our own. So, hunt up you local HQ, stop by and buy a yard sign, bumper sticker, button, or make an outright donation. Even small amounts help keep the lights on.
In Thurston County we’re at 2120 Pacific Ave. 956-0235. www.tcforobama.com
Volunteer’s who are not delegates or alternates are needed to help with our county convention and I’m sure other counties have the same need. In Thurston County you can contact us at the number above. Elsewhere contact you’re county Democratic Party HQ and sign up.
Finally if you are a delegate or an alternate it’s vital that you show up or call and let someone know that you won’t be attending. In the caucus system it’s use it or loose it. If a delegate doesn’t show and there is no alternate then the seat goes to Hillary. If you are an alternate then you need to be there at least until the delegate you would replace is seated.
I’m a YellerDog Democrat and I approve this message.
If you don't listen to Rachael Maddow on Air American you should cause she's great. I just discovered that yesterday she said basically the same thing I wrote this morning only she only took a paragraph. In a nutshell it's time for the democrats to stop bashing each other and get on with taking John McCain to the woodshed. It's either that or loose. Here's a link to Daily Kos.
http://joe-buck.dailykos.com/
In fact, John McCain is the perfect candidate to run against. He's old and tired; he's a war-hawk who insists that on running on Bush's failed foreign policy; he knows nothing about the economy; his health care plan isn't a plan at all. John McCain has no honor as evidenced by his willingness to sacrifice his principles for power and for the presidency. John McCain is a Democrats dream, a gift from heaven. John McCain is a great opponent. Now all we have to do is not defeat ourselves.
I read you're wonderful posts and love you're passion and spirit. Collectively we are a political force like none ever assembled. However, we are in danger of slipping into a Clinton Party and an Obama Party. We are in fact the Democratic Party and our goal is to win the White House. Realistically it's time we ourselves trust the numbers and accept that Hillary can't win the nomination. We can be vigilant for dirty tricks but her options are very limited and growing smaller everyday. Pennsylvania may be a firewall of sorts but Indiana and North Carolina look like a brick wall.
Just yesterday two of our Washington super-delegates, who were previously committed to Hillary, (Cantwell and Rice), said that they would vote for whoever gets the most delegates. The math just isn't here for the Clinton's. Even if they run the table they will have fewer pledged delegates, fewer wins and a smaller popular vote count. Reality is setting in and I have to believe that the same super delegate softening process is going on elsewhere. Supers just aren't switching to Hillary and we have no indication what-so-ever that pledged delegates are even considering a switch. Basically all she can do is run out the clock and hope Barack's campaign completely melts down. Not likely.
Hillary is largely a distraction and it's obvious that the notion of the Clinton's as master politicians is a myth. If they were so good and so well organized they would have wrapped things up on Super Tuesday the way they expected. Meanwhile, passions are high and our party is divided.
We can't assume that everyone just hold hands and fall in line behind Barack Obama. If 28% of Hillary's supporters stay home, or worse yet, vote for McCain, we're screwed. Barack may as well give up, strike the flag, surrender his sword, go home, and save us all a lot of time, money, and personal grief. We couldn't win.
I repeat, Barack Obama can not win the general election if he starts with a 28% disadvantage in his own party. It's not possible; end of discussion. This fall we are going to need every Hillary vote on our side.
I call on you, wonderful Obama supporters, to begin the healing process. Let's stop bashing Hillary. Nobody likes an ungracious winner. And we will win.
Her people have an emotional investment in their candidate just like us. Many have waited years, for what they thought would be their turn, not just for Hillary, but to elect a female president, and loosing will be a bitter pill. Now is the time to reach out and touch a Hillary supporter. Give them a hug, buy them cup of coffee and warm muffin with butter. It's OK they aren't the enemy. They just backed the wrong donkey and in any other year Hillary Clinton would have been the unstoppable object they expected. It just isn't their year. They are fellow democrats who have fought a valiant campaign and are about to loose the battle. Lets welcome them home and do whatever we can to heal their hurt. The first step is to stop attacking Hillary which they perceive as an attack on them.
The primary season is a series of skirmishes. The real war isn't to defeat Hillary but to win the presidency and throw a nationwide house warming party when the Obama's move into the big house at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. We can not win the White House without Hillary's supporters and further pissing them off is counter productive.
John McCain is the perfect candidate to run against and the White House is ours to loose. We can't keep the Clinton's from carrying on until the end, we can get out of our own way. We can unilaterally stop beating up on Hillary and pivot to focus our energies where they belong. John McCain is getting a free ride. Lets trust Barack and his people to close this deal out. We should be vigilant but not paranoid about Clinton dirty tricks but now is the time to stop giving John McSame a free ride. Now we should unleash our powerful grass roots organization on our real opponent, John McSame.
What the Clinton's failed to understand is that we are the unstoppable force. We the people, not the political insiders, are the ultimate unstoppable force and John McSame is about to learn that lesson too.
Yes we will heal our party rift. Yes we will defeat John McSame and throw that house warming party for Barack and Michelle Obama. Yes We Can and Yes we will.
YellerDog.
Happy Easter or Happy Spring Equinox if that is more appropriate. Lot's going on at Team Obama HQ here in Olympia in the past week. We're knee deep in preparing for the Thurston County Convention April 19. There is lots of data entry left to do and volunteers are welcome for that and other tasks.
Our first Obama Delegate training session was held on Friday night with approximately 80 supporters in attendance. The purpose of the training is to let Obama supporters know what to expect at the April 19 Convention and some basics on how to run for the next level, CD delegate. The discussion was lively with lots of great questions. There are two additional training dates. Please go to our website and register for one. If you were elected as a delegate or alternate you'll be a big step ahead when you get to the convention. If you want to run for CD delegate and are new to the process then you especially need this training.
To all Delegates and Alternates: If you are not able to attend the Convention please let us know so we can make sure you're alternate is will be there. This is a use it or loose it process. If all the Obama seats aren't filled they may go to Clinton. Please call 956-0352 and let us know if can't attend.
Alternates should plan to attend. You will be able to participate in the County Convention part of the program and vote on the party platform for the first time this year even if you are not seated as a delegate. You'll get to meet lots of the local candidates and do plenty of good old fashioned politicking too. Most importantly you'll be available to fill in for any last minute no shows. This is where the rubber meets the road. We have to fill the seats to hold on to the delegates we elected at the caucus.
We learned this week that box lunches from Pellegrino's will be available for $10. There will be a selection to choose from including a veggie lunch. You you'll get more about this in you're Call to Convention Package in the mail.
Most of our Web related efforts are going into our own website and we encourage all of you to check us out. It's a work in progress and we've added new features in the past few days. We'll keep up to date content posted, we hope daily. The problem isn't not enough things to post but almost too much. www.tcforobama.com. You can now e-mail us at info@tcforobama.com too. Spread the word and encourage you're friends to sign up on the site. We are assuming the close. We assume that Barack will be nominated are are building local network to carry us into the fall campaign. We don't want to assume anything when the actual presidential campaign gets underway. We want to be able to mobilize people and get the job done with a record turnout and a record victory. If we have extra resources, we are learning how, through the Internet to shift some to other states that are in contention. This should be the most exciting campaign in history and because we're organized we'll all have front row seats.
Several of us were at the Vets for Peace rally at the fountain and 4th. Ave Bridge and there was lots of support and enthusiasm shown to us by the crowd. After the rally about 15 people showed up at the office to buy their own signs and buttons. Personally I thought the turn out wasn't very good. The economy my be Issue #1 now but we can't take our eyes off the ball. Americans and innocent Iraqis are still dying and we are still spending $12 BILLION dollars a month, which despite the Liar-in-Chief's assertion, is a major drain on the economy.
That's the news from the front line for tonight. Visit our website, stay enthusiastic and don't let the bastards get you down. We will elect Barack Obama as president. That's Job #1 for 08.
PS: Guess we settled the Barack isn't a Christian issue this week. But damn, now seems he's just not the right kind of Christian. Can you just imagine the audacity of a black family attending a black church? Jeez.
Dear Thurston County Obama Delegates & Alternates:
You should have received an e-mail today asking you to RSVP for one of three pre-convention trainings. Please pick one date and sign up. The training is very important to help you function at the convention. If you didn't get an e-mail and you were elected as either a delegate or alternate at the caucus, please contact us.
You can get more information on our new site http://tcforobama.com/default.aspx or call 360-956-0325.
If you are unable to come to the Thurston County Convention Sat. April 19 please let us know so we can make sure an alternate is available. It's also important for Alternates to plan on spending that Saturday with us too. Remember if there is no Obama Alternate available to replace an absent delegate, the seat could go to Hillary.
Hi everybody I'd like to share my Livespace Blog link with everyone.
It gives me a central place to write posts which are RSS linked to our
www.tcforobama.com Olympia HQ site. If you read it directly on YellerDog you can leave live
comments. http://yellerdogblog.spaces.live.com/. Feel free to link to me if you have a site.
Keep Hope Alive. Don't Just Sit There Do Something. "We must be the change
we hope to see in the world."
Here's a link to our new stand alone website. You may want to bookmark it because we'll be posting delegate and convention information for the upcomming county convention and especially any new local Obama Campaign Info. There will be a live blog in the next couple of days, (we hope) so you can contribute. If you want to blog for Barack on the site send an e-mail to apply.
For those of you who are anxious about all the delegate lists and the fairness of the caucus conventions just hang on. We announced trainings for Obama Delegates today and the process of putting the convention together is well underway. Yes it's bottom up and may seem chaotic especially if you are new to the process but remember we've been doing it this way in WA State for many years.
Democracy is like making laws and sausage, it's not pretty, but the people who are doing this are familiar with the process. Yes there will be some gliches there always are but we'll get it done. Just be glad you aren't a Republican. Look at the mess they made out of their caucus.
Take a deep breath and don't fret. Yes we will elect Barack Obama as our next president.
www.TCforObama.com
If you haven't seen it, here's the link to Keith Oberman's woodsheding of Hillary. Now when Keith takes you to the shed you're in for one big butt whoop'en. This reminded me of when Walther Cronkite came out against the Vietnam War and Pres. Nixon said when we lost Cronkite we lost the war. Of course Keith Oberman doesn't have anything like the clout that Cronkite did but this has to be one of the class acts of the 21st. Century.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23601329#23601329
Share this with everyone you can. You'll laugh yourself to tears.
I made a sign today to post here at Obama HQ in Olympia. It is also the County Democratic HQ and there are Hillary people about so I wanted to rub their nose in it everytime they came in. I can't get it to format right in HTML so I'm just posting the totals here for you. You can get all the info from CNN Election HQ and the RealClearPolitics.com Homepage to put you're own sign together and post it if you want. I'll keep this up to date as new numbers come in but there won't be a lot of changes for awhile because he next primary isn't until 4-22-08. You might want to bookmark Real Clear. They are a primary source for polling information. I check their daily national poll average every day.
Delegate Count
CNN Obama +127
RCP Obama +131
The diffrent sites have slightly diffrent estimates of the super delegates which is why the numbers are not the same.
Primarys and caucuses Won
Obama +16
Popular Vote
Obama +2.6 million. This number seems high and it as are all popular vote counts is just and estimate. Obama is well in the lead in all counts though.
Yes we can is about to become "Yes We Have" won the nomination.
