Latinos 4 Obama

ALL BUSINESS: Bond-market rout lifts mortgage cost

LindaLu Nordling — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:24:36 EDT

Affordability is obviously STILL the missing LINK to stablize the real estate, mortage, lending... industries.

Greenspan did his experimentations to prove his Economic Theory and Bernanke is working on fixing the ill effects of such "theory".

In truth, there are ways to allow "affordability" to take place again, and the experts do know how. The question is are THEY willing to make affordability happen instead of keep on trying to bury this administration by attempting to link the BAILout$$$ and the fall of mortages to this administration.

They can make the mortage notes longer ... irregardless of the life expectancy of the borrower by having "ballon" payments at reasonable time say every 7 years and have it amortized over the current "maximum". There's NO DOUBT that such SAFE and Responsible mortage options will again bring our economy back, as Housing is STILL the major purchase and American Dream.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ALL-BUSINESS-Bondmarket-rout-apf-15457158.html?.v=4

A Few Weeks to Inauguration: Reflections Before Thanksgiving

Jose — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:05:27 EST

On election day, my wife Brigtte Davila and I were volunteering as a Voter Protection Team in a remote polling station near Reno, Nevada. It was a frigid snowy day but hopes were very high.

After a 12 hour day/evening at the polling station....we trudged with friends/volunteers back to the hotel to shower, rest and watch the elections results. By then....the die was cast. Barack was projected the winner and we watched Barack on tv giving his victory speech in Grant Park. We both watched the screen intently, held hands, hugged and cried more than a few tears.

After 2 years of volunteering and hoping....the impossible dream became the possible...which will become reality on Nov. 4th.

It is still hard to believe. I've supported many causes in my 58 years of life......many were lost causes but had to be fought. Now I was part of a winning cause and I didn't know how to react other than shed a tear.....maybe for all those lost causes.

Barack will be inaugurated in a few more weeks and he is putting together his team as I write this blog. I will watch his inauguration from afar. I won't be in DC but I will be there in spirit as he becomes our President on that day. I'm looking forward to it.

He will continue to need our support and I hope all of us will continue to support him as we settle back into out lives.

Since we all made the impossible possible....I guess we can never go back to the way it was before.

That may be our greatest gift to ourselves, our families and our country.

Something to be thankful for.....as we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday.

May you be with loved ones this coming Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays.

Take care and so long,

Jose & Brigitte

QUE HA HECHO USTED POR LOS SOLDADOS EN IRAQ, AFGANISTÁN

NO A LA MARCHA EN CONTRA DE OBAMA — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:14:23 EST

Esa es la pregunta de los quinientos mil reales.He revisado muchos de los blog hispanos especialmente este y no veo por ningún lado algo que me diga o indique lo que Ustedes como grupo han hecho por los soldados en estas dos guerras. La Ilegal guerra de Iraq de George W Bush, ya se ha llevado mas de 4190 soldados y la de Afganistán, cerca de 1000 El brillante comandante en jefe George W Bush aun sigue buscando a Osama Bin Laden en la dirección opuesta! Por que será que lo hace?Este señor mando al ejercito mas poderoso del mundo a buscar al criminal mas buscado de todos los tiempos en la dirección opuesta así como permitió que la familia de Osama Bin laden, abandonara el país el mismo 11 de septiembre. Por que será esto?Por supuesto que nos podemos equivocar pero equivocarse por mas de 4 anos consecutivos y aun seguir en la dirección incorrecta es sospechosos.? Pero eso será otro tema de discusión cuando escriba mas sobre el mas nefasto presidente en la historia de la nación. Mi pregunta para Ustedes, si para Ustedes, que han hecho por los soldados, como los están apoyando y que han hecho para que la ilegal guerra termine de una vez por todas, cual ha sido su contribución? La comunidad hispana ha contribuido con cientos de muertos, de hecho es la segunda comunidad en aportar en términos de soldados muertos gracias a la desacertada conducción y decisiones de George W Bush. Realmente me resulta un poco desalentador para mi observar que esto este pasando acá mismo en MyBO Es hora que Ustedes empiecen a integrase mas a la realidad y los problemas de la nación y no esperen que todo caiga por su propio peso, si no con su voluntad decidida de cambiar las cosas y su participación las cosas cambiaran. Entonces, Que van hacer por los soldados en la Ilegal guerra de Iraq y por los soldados en Afganistán.

Percy H Florez

Who are those traitors | WARNING

NO A LA MARCHA EN CONTRA DE OBAMA — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:01:43 EST

At least the are two guys who are trying to organize a rally against Obama on day ONE.

This two TRAITORS are manipulating the LATINO community with false pretenses about the delicate issue of immigration.

It seems to me very strange this innocents creatures are telling us the good news if LATINOS go for a rally in day ONE.

It's my opinion these two craps a re-pug infiltrated in this blog.

Percy H Florez

Who are those traitors | WARNING

NO A LA MARCHA EN CONTRA DE OBAMA — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:57:09 EST

At least the are two guys who are trying to organize a rally against Obama on day ONE.

This two TRAITORS are manipulating the LATINO community with false pretenses about the delicate issue of immigration.

It seems to me very strange this innocents creatures are telling us the good news if LATINOS go for a rally in day ONE.

It's my opinion these two craps a re-pug infiltrated in this blog.

Percy H Florez

Long Journey Ending Soon: 2 Weeks to Go

Jose — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:15:08 EDT

After a journey that began for me in March 2007, I can see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

Obama is leading MCain with 2 weeks to go.

But lots of campaigning left to do in these remaining weeks and not much time to reflect.

It has been a wild and wonderful journey for me and thousands of volunteers

Many of my fellow Obama supporters and I will be in Reno Nevada campaigning to the last hour on Nov. 4th doing our best to win this swing state.

I think we will win it.

When the polls close at 8:00 p.m. on Nov. 4th....I will make a toast to Senator Obama and my fellow volunteers for a job well done.

Salud!

Keep Our Eye on the Ball: Go to Florida, Go to Ohio

Randy Wells — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 10:34:15 EDT

"This is a 51/49 country, not a 60/40 country... If you want to elect Barack Obama, go to Florida, go to Ohio. Go to the battleground states."

Obama supporters are more confident now than at any time this year. (Who even remembers the depressing days right after Sen. McCain chose Gov. Palin?) The media echo chamber is largely reinforcing this confidence, just as they have in months past. The powerful endorsement by Colin Powell today on Meet the Press will likely dominate press coverage for a day or two, with only two weeks and two days left to election day. That is huge.

But we should keep our eye on the ball! Lets focus our attention on the battleground states, because if Obama wins only one of these, we likely win the whole ballgame: Florida, Colorado, Ohio. And the single thing that will tip the balance is a significant move by older voters, particularly in places like Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

The Great Schlep

Sarah Silverman gives a funny take on our mission: go to your grandparents, your parents, your friends and family in these toss-up states, and make sure they are on board. It would be great to win North Carolina or Virginia, but it is essential that we will our share of toss-ups.

Fair warning: this humorous video does contain expletives.

http://www.thegreatschlep.com/

Conservatives sing the praises of Barack Obama

"I sense in this guy a first-class mind who might just do smart things." --Christopher Buckley

"Barack Obama is the sharpest knife in the [Democratic] drawer." --Rush Limbaugh

Colin Powell Strongly Endorses Barack Obama

Randy Wells — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 09:29:35 EDT

Colin Powell is now endorsing Barack Obama on Meet the Press.

"I have gone back and forth between someone I have the highest regard for, John McCain, and someone I have been getting to know, Barack Obama." Both candidates would be good presidents.

However, Barack Obama displays "intellectual vigor, intellectual curiosity", and he is surrounding himself with people that will give him the advice that he needs. "I think he is a transformational figure... I will be voting for him."

While Powell continues to love and admire John McCain, who he has known for more than 20 years, he is very concerned about the rightward direction of the Republican Party. "We must stop polarizing our country. John McCain is an non-polarizing as anyone I know, but there is a polarizing element in the Republican Party."

The effort by the McCain campaign to tie Obama to terrorism (via his relationship to Bill Ayers) is a "terrible stretch, its demogogary" and its further evidence that the McCain campaign has been "narrow, ... too narrow for America." Powell tells a compelling story about a young man who was 14 at the time of 9-11. This young man was born in New Jersey, and waited until he was of age to join the military and serve his country. That young man was killed in combat, and is buried in Arlington Cemetary. His gravestone has the star and crecent of his Muslim faith, just as others there have a cross or a Star of David. The McCain campaign effort to tar Obama as Muslim (despite the fact that it is not true) insults the memory of this young man, and the millions of American Muslims who should be able to aspire to serve this country, and yes to become President of the United States.

Barack Obama will electrify this country, and the world. He has established himself as the right candidate. At this point in history, we need a president who will be transformational, a generational change. That is Barack Obama.

Latinos and Friends to Organize in Worcester, MA

Marianne Bergenholtz Delegate — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:57:28 EDT

Latinos and Friends are joining together in Worcester, MA to organize the community neighborhood by neighborhood with the first meeting being held with Congressman Jim McGovern on Sunday evening, August 3rd, 6:00-8:00PM. This meeting will address issues facing the Latino community, which affects everyone and will also address old-fashioned door-to-door outreach to voters outside of cyberspace. Anyone interested in supporting this effort to harness the energy of this valuable community for voter participation, registration, and bilingual phone banks to battleground states - please sign up. You don't need to speak Spanish to participate, you don't need to be Latino to be a friend. Find the event details at http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/44fwm

Capitalism & the Offensive T-Shirt ...Obama is my Slave

Marta Fernandez — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:07:48 EDT

Hello Everyone,

How are you today?another day of defending our next President? Don't even sweat it. Keep working' harder ," am not gonna give up"," it makes me stronger" and I am not going to call you a racist name 'cause my momma taught me better than that." Beyonce Knowles lyrics to her song survivor..and she did-- to become the top icon, black, female and beautiful top "chick" in the music game ,despite, those of us who are not her fans, including me.

I say all that to say this, and Mr. Barack Obama is going to rise,nothing is going to stop him

As far as the entrepreneur, he is maximizing on the hottest topic in America.Could he have done it positively? yes, but the "marketplace" is filled with good things about B.O. It's only natural that he'd go the opposite direction and along the way, get free media coverage, great for advertising, Apparently he also gets an emotional/psychological boost, by putting out there his opposing stream to the tsunami of support for our next Presisdent. So he is making money from his frustration. It's the capitalist tool.

However, his statement that his lawyer assured him that he is within his First Ammendment rights is not that cut and dried.

As some of you may know I am an anthropologist with 40 years of training and empirical research and still doing it daily,it's my life,not my job. As such I always turn cultural oppression on its ear, gauging the response helps one to learn how irrational racism and prejudice is..ok breathe in ..What would happen if someone printed a T-shirt that said "Jews the First Slaves of Germany?" Oh boy..For those of you who have never visited the Holocaust Museum in New York, or Los Angeles, you might not entirely understand the question in the context of history..all of those black sambo caricatures, popularized in America..were similarly depicted towards Jews. I have read, Elie Weisel's "Night" "Kristallnach" and the horrible suffering of other survivors of the Concentration camps. Every racist epithet can be lodged against ANY cultural group. The pain is the same , we are all humans.

In my interviews, I have heard the most ridiculous, twisted, absurd reasons as to why one "clan" hates another. However I must note strongly, I still respect their opinions and beliefs.

Oppression and xenophobia, twists the mind and causes mental health problems. So let him sell his T-shirts, because we know, that Obama ,a Constitutional lawyer would defend his right to do so.

OOOOH , The Plan for Islam to take over America!!!

Marta Fernandez — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:47:11 EDT

Those of us who subscribe to Diversity4Obama have received an e-mail warning that "Muslims will take over in America by filling 1st local political roles (Think Gov. Jindal in Louisiana) the regional then National (Think Obama the Next President), and that Islam has a plan to take over Rome.

The subtext is the unrelenting lie that Mr. Obama is a Muslim. It comes from the uneducated opinions of a group that write chronicles under the banner of "HUMAN EVENTS."

Well if that is true we better hurry and donate as much to this campaign, and get that voter registration drive going,and canvass those sitting on the fence so we can get Barack Obama in office, a Christian man, to stop those "naughty Muslims" from taking over the Vatican (Rome) and punishing those nasty little devils, who vow celebacy a Priests, and have been doing naughty things with young pubescent altar boys entrusted to their Spiritual care.!

Here are some responses to those silly people!! A Muslim obviously hurt by this stuff, responding. I deleted the not so nice words, but in the sarcasm is pain:

Hey Andee, (expletive) I'm so scared. Thank you for warning me about the possibility that some day, along with bells ringing from a church, i may hear a melodic call to prayer... AAAAAAAAAAH. I can't take this, what is the muezzin saying.... OH MY GOD, He is saying GOD is Great. My EARS are BURNING. What was that? He said, "I bear witness there is no deity but God"?????? I can't take it anymore. O my, he is saying Muhammad was a prophet!!! How dare he. And how dare he tell me to make haste towards prayer and goodness. What NERVE.

Note from the Blogger: We are all people of the Book..meaning in Islam the followers are taught to respect all the Prophets, which include Jesus Christ.

But my favorite cool response is this: Don't let the trolls get under your skin.

As for Muslims taking over--yes. That is our plan. We have all converted to Islam and have a master plan to take over. It started with Muhammed Ali and gathered speed with Kareem Abdul Jabbar. When Cat Stevens converted to Islam and became Yusuf Islam, it was a done deal.

Praise be to Allah,

Beth Hussein

Bloggers note: This young woman who bears Obama's middle name and has been a strong supporter and hard worker for the campaign has a marvelous senses of humor, so I thank her for reminding us to stay cool , just like our fearless leader to be. President Barack Obama.

RACE; FRONT AND CENTER.THE GAMES HAVE BEGUN

Marta Fernandez — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:15:57 EDT

THE OBJECT OF THE "DON'TWANNAOBAMA DIVERSE GROUP" HAS ACHIEVED THEIR GOAL.

RACE BAITING IS NOW ON THE TABLE. THEY WERE SO BOTHERED THAT THIS MAJOR ISSUE JUST WASN'T OUT THERE--- NOW THE NEW YORKER HAS OPENED UP THE FLOODGATES.

WE CAN CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT. WRITE LETTERS TO LET THEM KNOW THAT WE UNDERSTAND THE INTENTION, AND THEN CHOOSE AN ISSUE THAT OBAMA SUPPORTS, THAT IS NEAR AND DEAR TO US AND DISCUSS THAT!

WE CAN CHOOSE TO IGNORE THEM, AND BRING THEM BACK TO THE ISSUES OF LIVING IN AMERICA.

HIS FIGHT IS NOT MCCAIN'S fight. He doesn't have to defend his being "white." This has to be taken of the table. This campaign, is not the forum to SOLVE RACE RELATIONS IN AMERICA!!

If you feel you want to discuss this issue then next week in Washington D.C. Former Rep. Cohen and his wife Janet Langhorne Cohen are having a 2 day Conference on Race.

The issues are clear. The losers want to distract Americans and pander to racial fears, xenophobia, dark skins vs. light skins, don't fall for it. They are race baiting , don't fall for it.

Marta Rosell Fernandez

Former Adjunct. Prof./Anthropology

B.M.C.C.,C.U.N.Y

Here is the circulation demographics for the New Yorker

Marta Fernandez — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:11:27 EDT

It is vitally important that we destroy lies with truth. I received e-mails from Diversity4Obama that said that the circulation of The New Yorker Magazine was 107,000 !!! Not so, and here is a link to get the stats:

http://emdashes.com/2006/08/ask-the-librarians-ii.php

The cover of New Yorker Magazine.

Marta Fernandez — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:15:33 EDT

I always look for the unusual in the usual. I dare say to the Editors, you want drama? How about a caricature of John McCain, breaking the Military Code by telling the North Vietnamese, (Vietcong) during his capture his ship's location his squadron and target? as he tells in his own words in his own book. Never mind that he "claims" he deliberately mislead them. Well, if he didn't say that,then he would be up for court marshall. That is not a Hero. It makes me think of all the P.O.W.'s that died without ever uttering a word. The true patriots.

How about that he turned his back on the poor Vietnamese farmer that saved him? as he was hanging to a raft for dear life?

The "satire" on the cover was bold. It reflects the media and their power. The editorial board had to green light it. I say fight fire with fire.

Kudos to New Yorks TV1! Obama T.V. 24/7. All the media outlets are screaming,unfair!! Really?

Marta

Summer is here!

Dave or David — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:59:37 EDT

Happy Gay pride to everyone!

Have a great summer and we'll see all of you at the polls soon!

Cuba: Obama has a 16 point lead in a South Florida poll

! A LUIS "Cuba!" MORO. . . . . — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:17:43 EDT

Yeah! The Cubans are coming, the Cubans are coming... spread the truth.

The best is yet to come.

Obama has a lead in South Florida, poll shows

A new Zogby International poll shows Barack Obama sitting on a 16-point lead over John McCain in South Florida.

BY BETH REINHARD

breinhard@MiamiHerald.com

In a sign that Democrat Barack Obama will be competitive in the nation's largest swing state, he is beating Republican John McCain comfortably in South Florida and has a slight edge among Hispanics, according to a new Miami Herald poll.

Obama is ahead 46-30 percent over McCain in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties in the survey of 807 people conducted by Zogby International. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

''Obama's 16-point lead in South Florida could springboard him to make it a competitive race statewide,'' said pollster John Zogby. ``I really think Florida is in play.''

READ FULL STORY AT: http://www.miamiherald.com/457/story/580781.html

Luis Moro

Cuba: There is no U.S. Embargo on Cuba.

! A LUIS "Cuba!" MORO. . . . . — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:13:21 EDT

Can someone who is pro U.S. Embargo on Cuba please for once; acknowledge your policies have not worked after 47 years? Please let me know you are all not so radically stubborn driven by psychosis and duplicity towards Cuba.

A person has to be ignorant, or knowingly ignorant, or ignorant again, to say

“What embargo on Cuba?”

Call restrictions and political abuse and laws designed to prevent actions whatever you want. They’re still restrictions and political abuse.

Out right abuse is what both Cuba and America has done when it comes to Cuban policy and Cuban people everywhere. Since you or I will never change the ways of Castro’s government. We can change the ways of our own U.S. Government; especially since our Cuba policies have not worked for 47 years.

That is why so many voters are supporting Obama. It’s one simple issue for me; Barack’s character to not follow the failed 47 year old ignorant, defiant outride arrogant line some U.S. Politicians out of Miami have taken towards Cuba, under the pretense of representing the people.

I've personally met Obama and spoke about our policies towards Cuba. He knows the reality of what the people want and Obama knows the majority of Americans do not want the existing U.S. Policies toward Cuba.

It’s been 47 years of failed policies.

That’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 years of U.S. Policies toward Cuba not working. It’s insane to continue them one more day.

Embargo, sanctions, travel band, call it whatever you want. It has not worked.

The bottom line is, Cuba has been destroyed by Cuban politicians in both Cuba and America.

I was born in Cuba, I have family in Cuba, I’ve been back to Cuba; and it’s the American Government that has come after me, with laws, fines and reams of paperwork, not the Cuban Government for making a movie. What ever happened to our First Amendment, freedom of Speech or Fifth Amendment freedom to travel?

My grandmother who is now 87 years old has to sneak into Cuba from the U.S. since she can’t fly their directly. I have seen my mother die without seeing her brothers again in 38 years. My grandmother has seen two of her children die because of the “there is no embargo on Cuba” attitude.”

If I want to sell, give, gift anything to a family, friend or stranger in Cuba, the U.S. Government does not let me. Our own U.S. Post Office won’t take a package to Cuba. I have to get approval directly from the Federal Government. That’s in sane, I have to go through an approval process to send a box of sox’s to Cuba. (New York Yankee Sox’s to be clear.)

The reality is the current course taken and maintained for the last 47 years by the political leaders of Miami has not worked. And yes it’s all high-jacked politics out of Miami.

We all know Castro’s Government has not worked.

What still amazes me is the duplicity some people still promote saying we, the U.S. have nothing to do with the results in Cuba? We are not the direct problem, but one can acknowledge we are sure an indirect problem.

Castro sucks, and we suck even more for not having the maturity as a nation, as a Cuban people in America to stop the political insanity perpetuated by our Cuban-American politicians.

You can act blind or stay in denial; even act in a state of psychosis saying,

“What embargo on Cuba” or “I won’t lift the embargo - that doesn’t exist - until Castro goes first” It’s all a form of children acting like adults. “I know what I am but what are you” – Pee Wee Herman. I trust the point is received with humor and love. We, the mature nation should, must act first.

Castro is only, and will only take actions that are for his best personal interest. It’s a known ‘fact’ that Castro has used our U.S. Policies toward Cuba as his excuse for his failure and troubles in Cuba.

We’re going on 50 years of the same nonsense, and some of the children of older Cubans simply “parrot” what they heard as kids with no present day thinking. Consider taking away the U.S. policies will eliminate the Cuban Governments excuses. This may truly give rise to an explosion of freedom invading Cuba through travel, commerce and communication. Nothing else has worked.

Truly written with much respect and friendship liberties.

Luis Moro

www.EveryThingCuba.com

Cuba: I'm sorry.

! A LUIS "Cuba!" MORO. . . . . — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:45:19 EDT

I’m sorry.

I did not mean to offend anyone with my recent post. If you actually read it through again, you should realize the title is not the point.

My point is not about race, rather lack of conciseness. A white rich Cuban politician out of Miami does not have the best interest of a black, white, green poor Cuban in Cuba or America. There is 47 years of evidence to prove that. AND I do agree 100% the embargo is not a race issue, but color, like gender, still a distinction that can't be ignored.

I trust you accept what I am saying next. I do not think the embargo is a race issue, it is a conciseness issue, an awareness issue. You and I are first aware of our own interest. I can bet everything I own that the most politicians supporting the embargo on Cuba have no idea who we really are, or care.

For example: most people refer to Obama as black, he is actually mixed. His mother is white. I personally don’t care, I’m for any person who actually thinks and makes decisions based on Character. I truly hope you get what I am pointing to, and by no means do I intend my point to be about race. Even though calling me “Negro” is perfectly find for most Latin’s, except of course if you are “Negro.”

I laugh at any name a person calls me. I give credit to that old school way of thinking. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Thank you for giving me your time and consideration. Luis Moro www.EveryThingCuba.com.

Cuba: The Death of Political Insanity: The Case Of Cuba.

! A LUIS "Cuba!" MORO. . . . . — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:37:25 EDT

ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN MAY/JUNE 2008 ISSUES OF

THE IMMIGRANT MAGAZINE

The Character Factor: The death of Political Insanity
The Case Of Cuba

By Luis Moro

Insanity may be defined as doing the same thing repeatedly with the expectation of a different result. A politician who supports a failed 40-year-old policy could be diagnosed with "Political Insanity". It is time we killed off Political Insanity by our elected U.S. officials. This and many more facts will be explored in the next issue of Immigrant Magazine.

Would you trust a person who continues to make the wrong decision for almost fifty years? Would you support a person who will speak in the name of helping people, PEOPLE who continuously say that person is not helping them? Would you believe a person who upon receiving a financial donation would change their vote?

"The Character Factor" is a full coverage story about the U.S. Embargo on Cuba and how a failed policy is still supported by so few even though it negatively affects so many. You will be surprised to find out how a one thousand dollar donation ($1,000) can buy a vote in Washington, DC. And even more surprising is how many politicians actually sell their votes for money. It is as blatant as one day they are against our U.S. policies against Cuba; they get a donation and the next day they vote for the failed policy against Cuba. We will explore why a few white politicians in America and Cuba strangle Cuba, a country with a predominantly black population.

With the duplicity, outright lying and misrepresentations by many of today's politicians there is one clear question that separates today's candidates for the U.S. Presidency. Are you for or against the four- decade failed, U.S. Policy on Cuba? The answer to this question could be the one answer that will determine the vote of every American.

Nobody can deny that U.S. Policies towards Cuba have failed over the last several decades. We all know that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result. It is clear in these times of political insanity that no politician can hide from his or her history. And all politicians should be judged on their present character to determine our future. The character factor requests all Americans to bring to the forefront politicians who sell themselves. If a politician votes for and supports a failed U.S. Policy, they clearly are not able minded, equitable and perhaps even honest leaders.

It is known that in our nation's capital, legislative votes are for sale and barter. But no one will get away from the factual report revealing once and for all our nation's leaders who have lost their character factor.

Are you for a four-decade-old failed U.S. Policy on Cuba? Your character factor will now speak.

About the author: Luis Moro is an award winning filmmaker. He was born in Cuba and now resides in exile in the United States. His family has been separated for 38 years due to the failed polices of both the U.S and Cuban politicians. www.EveryThingCuba.com

Contact Luis@MoroFilms.com

The above article reflects the opinions of L.Moro and in no way the opinions of The Publishers Of The Immigrant Magazine. We welcome your perspectives on issues that affect you and the Immigrant Community at large. Please write to us at publisher@immigrantmagazine.com.

Pamela Asobo Anchang
Publisher/Editor-In-Chief
The Immigrant Magazine Inc.
http://www.immigrantmagazine.com/

OMG! We did it!

Dave or David — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 01:11:59 EDT

Just wanted to post a blog about how excited and proud I am that Obama won the nomination!!

Let's just hope the republicans don't ruin this for us....... 4 more years of this??

Yeah right! :P

An HRC Fundraiser Defects To Obama!

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:45:55 EDT

BIG HRC FUNDRAISER DEFECTS TO OBAMA
Posted: Friday, April 25, 2008 2:18 pm

From NBC's Chuck Todd

One of the things that both Dem campaigns are always nervous about is defectors. In particular, Clinton is more vulnerable to this problem since she's the candidate that is trailing. Well, NBC News has learned that a major fundraiser for Hillary Clinton, former Amb. to Chile Gabriel Guerra-Mondragon is leaving the campaign to join up Barack Obama's campaign. Officially dubbed a "Hillraiser," Guerra-Mondragon raised nearly $500,000 for Clinton's campaign, according to some estimates. He has been informing people inside Clintonworld this week in what's been described as some tough conversations. A formal announcement of a role for Guerra-Mondragon on Obama's national finance committee will be made next week. Guerra-Mondragon was appointed Amb. to Chile by Pres. Clinton in '94 and served until '98.

Among the reasons for Guerra-Mondragon to defect, according to one informed source, was he was uneasy with the tone of the Clinton campaign and was beginning to worry about what this would mean for the general election.

It's unclear if this defection will lead to others; the Clinton camp has been particularly effective at getting folks to keep their powder dry. For Obama, this comes at a time when his campaign is trying to re-convince insiders that the math indicates he has the nomination virtually wrapped up. In addition, Guerra-Mondragon's defection could serve as a tipping point with some key Hispanic Democratic leaders that Obama is ready to start making a bigger effort to court Hispanics.

IN: Evansville Mayor Endorses Obama; Two Nobel Prize Economists Endorse Obama

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:21:25 EDT

Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel, the popular mayor of Evansville, Indiana, and a rising star in Indiana politics, endorsed Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States yesterday. Even though he is not a superdelegate, his popularity will help Obama secure more votes.

"I feel Sen. Obama brings integrity, a fresh perspective, good judgment, a wealth of experience and determined leadership to deal with the challenges our country faces," the Democratic mayor's statement said.

Mayor Weinzapfel joins 29 state legislators from the Hoosier state who announced their endorsements two days ago.

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Watch Bryant Gumble Inverview Obama About Basketball!

This will lift your spirits!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1Lqm5emQl4&feature=user

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Daily Kos Reports the following:

Two Nobel Prize Economists Recommend Obama by Overseas Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:50:05 AM PDT

MSNBC has two Nobel Prize economists on right now. They were asked which of the three - Obama, Clinton or McCain - would be best for the economy, and both replied Obama.

Joseph Stiglitz, who was connected to the Clinton presidency and a 2001 prize winner, said that Obama's speech 3 weeks ago on the economy was brilliant. He also said that the deregulation of the markets during Clinton's presidency was a mistake and the markets need to be re-regulated.

Edmund Phelps, 2006 prize winner, agreed. We need a new way of looking at the economy and Obama is the one that can do that. We do not need the thinking of the past.

What great endorsements there!
Stiglitz bio
Phelps bio
Per FlDem5 Video of show
Per ManahManah Obama's speech

Overseas's diary :: ::

Hope Monger reminds below that
Paul Volker has oficially endorsed Obama, and also John Bogle who changed from Repub to Dem to vote for Obama. Thanks Hope!

Oregon Rep. Wu, a Superdelegate, For Obama

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:18:34 EDT

04/24/2008

By JULIA SILVERMAN and BRAD CAIN / Associated Press

Oregon Rep. David Wu, one of Oregon's 12 Democratic superdelegates, announced Thursday that he'd back Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, citing Obama's stand against the Iraq war "from the very beginning."

Wu joins Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer in backing Obama. Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Rep. Darlene Hooley are supporting New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. The rest of Oregon's superdelegates have not yet announced their choice.

Wu, in a conference call Thursday with reporters, said his decision was not based on any polling showing Obama leading in Oregon nor on a sense that Obama would fare better than Clinton against Republican John McCain.

Rather, Wu said, Obama will make the best president and is most able to steer the country in a new direction after nearly eight years of the Bush presidency.

"He is best suited to turn the page on this pretty sorry episode in American history," Wu said of Obama.

The endorsement is an important win for Obama in one of the few states still to vote. Oregon's primary ballots are counted on May 20.

Polls suggest the state is tilting toward Obama, but political analysts have suggested that Clinton could be competitive, particularly if she can make inroads in the populous Portland suburbs.

But Wu represents much of that territory and is a popular incumbent there, so he could be a powerful force in the region for Obama.

The endorsement is Obama's third from a superdelegate since he lost the Pennsylvania primary to Clinton on Tuesday. Clinton picked up one superdelegate on Wednesday.

"This endorsement is a sign of the growing support for Senator Obama here in Oregon," said Nick Shapiro, the communications director for the Obama campaign in Oregon.

NC: Forty-Nine Former Edwards Backers Endorse Obama!

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:44:55 EDT

From the New York Times' The Caucus:
Edwards Backers Team Up With Obama

By Julie Bosman | April 23, 2008

No, John Edwards has not yet endorsed a candidate.

But nearly 50 of his most prominent backers lined up behind Senator Barack Obama today, in a gesture designed to give Mr. Obama a heavy boost of support less than two weeks before the North Carolina primary on May 6.

The group includes Ed Turlington, Mr. Edwards’s former national general campaign chairman; three North Carolina members of Congress; and 46 local activists, philanthropists and business leaders, among others. (Not surprisingly, given Mr. Edwards’s background, the list holds the names of 20 lawyers.)

Mr. Turlington, speaking from his law office in Raleigh, said that he had not expected to endorse a candidate after Mr. Edwards dropped out of the race on Jan. 30.

“I thought I was going to be on the sidelines,” Mr. Turlington said, adding that he made the decision about 10 days ago, after speaking to Mr. Obama. “I think his candidacy is doing a lot of important things that are similar to themes that John Edwards ran on.”

Among those things, he said, were Mr. Obama’s pledges to change the culture of Washington and fight for issues that are important to working people.

Throughout his second bid for the Democratic nomination, Mr. Edwards clashed repeatedly with Mrs. Clinton, particularly in debates. He criticized Mrs. Clinton for accepting campaign contributions from Washington lobbyists, a practice that he fiercely opposed.

And much of his campaign pitch centered on the notion that establishment Washington politicians have become corrupted by the influence of lobbyists for drug companies, oil companies and other corporate interests.

“You can’t just trade corporate Republicans for corporate Democrats,” he told audiences frequently, an attack aimed at Mrs. Clinton.

Mr. Edwards’s campaign sounded similar themes to Mr. Obama’s – both candidates positioned themselves as change agents who would clean house in Washington.

But despite heavy courting from both candidates, Mr. Edwards has still not made an endorsement. And the former Edwards supporters cautioned today that their announcement should not be viewed as a sign that Mr. Edwards’s endorsement was right behind. Two former campaign aides of Mr. Edwards said today that he has signaled recently that he may not endorse a candidate at all.

Mr. Turlington said he has “no idea” if Mr. Edwards agrees that Mr. Obama is the better choice. “He’ll make up his own mind,” he said.

Oklahoma's Gov. Henry AND Edwards' Top Adviser Endorse Obama

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:17:06 EDT

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Pennsylvania may have gone for Clinton -- but Oklahoma's governor is choosing Obama.

Governor Brad Henry has endorsed Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, calling him an inspirational leader who can unite the country.

The endorsement gives Obama the official support of three of Oklahoma's 10 superdelegates. Hillary has the backing of one superdelegate. The rest are uncommitted.

Henry is the first major Democratic elected official from Oklahoma to endorse Obama.

In the state's Democratic primary in February, 55 percent of the vote went to Clinton, while Obama drew only 31 percent. So this is BIG.

But also a big story is that:

John Edwards's Top Adviser, Ed Turlington is endorsing Obama:

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A top adviser to former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards is endorsing Barack Obama.

Ed Turlington was the National Chairman of Edwards' 2004 presidential campaign and a close adviser to his 2008 campaign. The Raleigh-based attorney said Wednesday that Obama and Edwards share a commitment to taking on special interests. (I hope this portends an Edwards endorsement. It would be a shame if Edwards totally sacrificed his ethics and endorsed a candidate that takes so much money from special interests. He would lose the respect of all of his prior supporters, including my husband.)

Obama raked in support from N.C. General Assembly Yesterday

N.C. General Assembly Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand announced Tuesday his endorsement of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, along with that of 28 other state legislators.

"The American people have had enough of the game-playing and the politics that says you should say or do anything to win," said former House Speaker Dan Blue.

"They want something new, and that's what this campaign is all about. That is why I'm supporting Senator Obama."

The 29 legislators also included local representatives such as Sen. Eleanor Kinnaird, D-Orange, Rep. Bill Faison, D-Orange, Sen. Vernon Malone, D-Wake, and Sen. Floyd McKissick, D-Durham.

Bedtime blog

Dave or David — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:28:30 EDT

Hi guys! I just wanted to post a blog before I go to bed. I want to voice my anger and concern for Hilary Clinton and her tax break issue. She said at the PA debate the other night that she firmly stands by and will act out her plan to give "Middle Class Americans" who make $250,000 and less a tax break. Although it is good for people like me and my friends who by no means make nowhere near that let alone $100,000 a year, it is getting votes from those people who do make close to that amount. Is it just me or does $250,000 mean A LOT to make in one year???!! Am I hearing this issue from her right? Even though I do think some tax breaks for middle class Americans would be great but to raise the limit that high???? This infuriates me!

I talked to my mother today and also some friends at work and they all don't make THAT much money and also thing that it is just for the votes. I wanted to vent here and see what others think about my thinking.

Thank you and lets go OR and PA!!!

PA: Daupin County Commissioner George Hartwick Endorses Obama

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:52:42 EDT

Hartwick endorses Obama
by CHRIS A. COUROGEN, The Patriot-News
Monday April 14, 2008, 5:54 PM

Photo: Gary Dwight Miller, The Patriot-News
Iowa Governor Chet Culver, left, and former Governors Ray Mabus of Mississippi and Jim Hodges of South Carolina meet with Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick in Steelton Monday to endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president,

Less than 24 hours after appearing on the stage with Barack Obama at a Steelton campaign event, Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick officially endorsed the Illinois senator's bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Speaking at what was billed by Obama organizers as a Jobs and the Economy Forum with Iowa Gov. Chet Culver and former governors Ray Mabus of Mississippi and Jim Hodges of South Carolina, Hartwick said he had decided the race was "far too important" for him to sit it out.

The former Steelton mayor said Obama has the ability to bring people together, reminding him of Steelton's motto, "Many countries, one people."

"No one else we have seen in this race has that ability to connect with the people," Hartwick said. "That is what a leader needs to do to solve the problems in Washington."

IN: Former (15-Term) Congressman Andy Jacobs Endorses Obama

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:47:40 EDT

From Howey Politics Indiana, April 14, 2008:

Former Indiana Congressman Andy Jacobs Endorses Obama

Former Indiana congressman Andrew Jacobs Jr., a 15-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, announced his endorsement of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama for president today. In his endorsement, Jacobs cited Obama’s commitment to uniting the country and ending special-interest influence in Washington to bring about change that we can believe in. Jacobs released the following statement: “Today, I am announcing my endorsement of our Illinois next-door neighbor, Senator Barack Obama, for president of the United States. My colleague Lee Hamilton has rightly said that Senator Obama, in the tradition of leaders such as Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt, has the ability to bring our country together. There are two overarching issues facing our country today and Senator Obama is right on both. First, Senator Obama had the judgment and courage to oppose an unnecessary invasion with undetermined consequences in Iraq. He was right from the beginning, and now he has a plan to end the blunder and keep us safe by refocusing on the most dangerous threats we face. Second, he has refused contributions from political action committees and federal lobbyists. Senator Obama is committed to taking our government off the auction block and ending special-interest influence in Washington so that we can give the American government back to the American people. In short, when you get right down to it, I think Senator Obama is head and shoulders above his opponents.” Jacobs is shown here at the Westin Hotel on the night of the 7th CD special election. (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey)

Make Your Own Obama Logo! (Here's How)

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:07:17 EDT

Make your own Obama logos! Upload a photo, and shazzam! At http://logobama.com/

Here's my cat:

.

Is American Research Group A Good Polling Company?

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:35:14 EDT

Today, American Research Group ("ARG") published shocking poll results for Pennsylvania. The poll results were a banner headline on Drudge Report (which is desperate for Hillary to win.) ARG reported that Hillary is ahead in Pennsylvania by 20 points.

Legitimate polling companies had Hillary ahead over the last few days, mostly in the single digits - from 3 points to 10 points, with only one legitimate company (over a week ago) having results of Hillary at +18:

Zogby: Clinton +4.0
Susquehanna: Clinton +3.0
Temple University: Clinton +6.0
Insider Advantage: Clinton +10.0
PPP: Clinton +3.0
Rasmussen: Clinton +5.0

I thought it was kind of bizarre, so I looked around for an explanation. There are two articles that report ARG is not a good pollster.

One of them is Is Clinton Pennsylvania Lead Really 20 Points? by Carl Bialik, known as "THE NUMBERS GUY" in the Wall Street Journal! He reports that In a polling report card of 2008 primary accuracy issued by a rival survey company, ARG ranked in the bottom half of more than three dozen polling firms, among 2008 primaries through late February. It also ranked near the bottom in another ranking of pollster accuracy at fivethirtyeight.com, a Web site that tracks the Electoral College. And, as I wrote last month, the widely tracked polling averages at the political Web site Real Clear Politics don’t include ARG numbers, because of concerns about transparency. Like they’ve been in Pennsylvania, ARG polls also were volatile in previous primaries, notably in Wisconsin, which saw a 16-point swing in just two days.

Read the rest of the article HERE.

----------

The next article is a blogpost called, A problem with American Research Group polling organization by "A Jacksonian" on Tuesday, December 25, 2007. In that blog post the author says

"Dick Bennett, The Manchester-based pollster (who runs ARG) defends the omission of cell phone users in polling, saying that the people without landlines – mostly young people – 'don’t vote.'
"Yes, the 'cellphone' blind spot phenomena, where those without a land line don't get called. I have some bad news for Mr. Bennett on that - a lot of folks have had it with landlines and are shifting over to a cellphone only lifestyle. He might want to look into that."

-----------

Finally, to remind folks of how well ARG does, here is an OLD 2004 article called "A Graveyard of Pollsters" from the WaPo (in 2004) looking back a bit at the 2000 race:

"The New Hampshire-based American Research Group's tracking poll ended up buried deepest in the snow bank: They had Bush winning by two the day before the primary, merely 20 points off the mark."

Pass These Tidbits Around!

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:30:30 EDT

This stuff is good to know - and pass around!

FIRST------------------------------------------------------------

Go vote! Of the presidential candidates, who is out of touch with the voters of Pennsylvania?

http://www.pittsburghpostgazette.com/polls/?pollID=2467

NEXT------------------------------------------------------------

Watch Hillary Clinton Make That Bosnia "Sniper Fire" comment Four Separate Times HERE:

http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=847d68b2-f00c-49c5-b721-c8b79bf50200

NEXT------------------------------------------------------------

Historical Quote of the Day

"If [Republicans] could cut funding for Medicare, Medicaid, education, and the environment, middle-class Americans would see fewer benefits from their tax dollars, feel more resentful paying taxes, and become even more receptive to their appeals for tax cuts and their strategy of waging campaigns on divisive social and cultural issues like abortion, gay rights, and guns."

-- Bill Clinton, in his 2004 memoirs, My Life, making the same argument as Sen. Barack Obama.
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/04/13/historical_quote_of_the_day.html

NEXT------------------------------------------------------------

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney endorses Obama

April 14, 2008PITTSBURGH (AP) - Barack Obama is picking up an endorsement from the owner and chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization.

Dan Rooney says he endorsed the Illinois senator for the Democratic presidential nomination because he believes Obama will prvoide the new direction and new leadership that the country needs.

The Obama campaign, which announced the endorsement, says the 75-year-old Rooney had planned to remain neutral in race between Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York. But Rooney met with Obama during a campaign appearance Monday in Pittsburgh and offered to endorse him.

NEXT------------------------------------------------------------

Ebay Founder Endorses Obama

By Jason Lee Miller - Mon, 04/14/2008 - 5:14pm.

Clinton loses another one

Ebay founder Pierre Omidyar blogged his endorsement of Senator Barack Obama, a decision he says was difficult given his relationship with both Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Though he questions whether his endorsement matters and labels it "self-indulgent," Omidyar takes the opportunity to talk about being inspired by Obama's vision for America:

"When he talks about America, it makes me proud to be an American. I want to believe, and I do believe that we live in the America he is talking about. I'm an immigrant, and even though I was raised here, I've always loved this country and its ideals with the fervor of a convert. He puts words to what I feel….

"We've got excellent candidates all around this year, but I truly think that only once in a generation will we see an exceptional leader like Barack Obama."

Internet businesses and their principals may have other, more practical (read: less inspiring) reasons to support Obama. Late last year, Obama pledged support of Net Neutrality, a measure intended to keep the barriers to entry for online businesses low. In his address at the Googleplex, Obama also laid out his "innovation agenda," which includes creating a more transparent, web-accessible government.

A MUST READ (ABOUT MINISTER WRIGHT & THE CLINTON SMEAR MACHINE)

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:22:37 EDT

WOW!

Obama's Minister Committed "Treason" But When My Father Said the Same Thing He Was a Republican Hero

By: Frank Schaeffer
March 16, 2008

When Senator Obama's preacher thundered about racism and injustice Obama suffered smear-by-association. But when my late father -- Religious Right leader Francis Schaeffer -- denounced America and even called for the violent overthrow of the US government, he was invited to lunch with presidents Ford, Reagan and Bush, Sr.

Every Sunday thousands of right wing white preachers (following in my father's footsteps) rail against America's sins from tens of thousands of pulpits. They tell us that America is complicit in the "murder of the unborn," has become "Sodom" by coddling gays, and that our public schools are sinful places full of evolutionists and sex educators hell-bent on corrupting children. They say, as my dad often did, that we are, "under the judgment of God." They call America evil and warn of immanent destruction. By comparison Obama's minister's shouted "controversial" comments were mild. All he said was that God should damn America for our racism and violence and that no one had ever used the N-word about Hillary Clinton.

Dad and I were amongst the founders of the Religious right. In the 1970s and 1980s, while Dad and I crisscrossed America denouncing our nation's sins instead of getting in trouble we became darlings of the Republican Party. (This was while I was my father's sidekick before I dropped out of the evangelical movement altogether.) We were rewarded for our "stand" by people such as Congressman Jack Kemp, the Fords, Reagan and the Bush family. The top Republican leadership depended on preachers and agitators like us to energize their rank and file. No one called us un-American.

Consider a few passages from my father's immensely influential America-bashing book A Christian Manifesto. It sailed under the radar of the major media who, back when it was published in 1980, were not paying particular attention to best-selling religious books. Nevertheless it sold more than a million copies.

Here's Dad writing in his chapter on civil disobedience:

If there is a legitimate reason for the use of force [against the US government]... then at a certain point force is justifiable.

And this:

In the United States the materialistic, humanistic world view is being taught exclusively in most state schools... There is an obvious parallel between this and the situation in Russia [the USSR]. And we really must not be blind to the fact that indeed in the public schools in the United States all religious influence is as forcibly forbidden as in the Soviet Union....

Hot Off The Presses: Endorsements for Hillary And For Obama

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:50:33 EDT

FIRST, HILLARY'S ENDORSEMENTS:

Today, Hillary received a rare string of endorsements after seeing one superdelegate after another pledge their support to Senator Barack Obama.

Her campaign was gleeful over two superdelegate endorsements today. Sophie Masloff, a former mayor of Pittsburgh, will endorse Hillary tonight at a dinner for Allegheny County Democrats. And Jackie Speier, a California lawmaker who this week took over the late Tom Santos’s seat in Congress, has also announced her endorsement of Hillary.

The Clinton campaign said that they have also picked up the support of Bill Burga, a former president of the Ohio AFL-CIO.

NOW, OBAMA'S ENDORSEMENTS:

At a press conference in Philadelphia today: PA state senators Shirley Kitchen and Vincent Hughes, and state representatives Jewell Williams, Harold James and Tony Payton Jr. endorsed Obama just now; as did Philadelphia city Council members Curtis Jones, Bill Green, Jannie Blackwell, Donna Reed-Miller, Jim Kenney and Wilson Goode, Jr.

City Council President Anna Verna, who did not attend the press conference, also informed Obama that he has her vote as leader of the 36th Ward in South Philadelphia. These people are not superdelegates, but endorsements from state leaders always helps undecided voters figure out which candidate should get their vote. And, one or two could be added as Super Delegate Add-Ons at some time in the future. Three add-ons will be determined on June 7th by the Pennsylvania State Democratic Committee.

Some could also be selected as PLEOs (Party Leaders and Elected Officials) after the April 22 primary, but if they are in that category, they are pledged delegates, not Supers.

Also, former Oregon governors Barbara Roberts and John Kitzhaber gave their endorsements today (but I think we knew these endorsements were coming.) The Democratic Party of Oregon holds its platform convention this weekend.

Wayne Holland, the chairman of the Utah Democratic Party, and a Super Delegate endorsed him too.

If I am doing the math correctly, Hillary increased her endorsement count by 3 and Obama increased his endorsement count by 15. He got 12 more endorsements today, than she. HOWEVER, two of Hillary's endorsers were Super Delegates and just one of Obama's 15 endorsers is a Super Delegate.

Wild Ride in Texas

Michele Bateman — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:21:43 EDT

Barack’s wild ride continues…

It was an incredible final two days in Texas… ups and downs, and feelings I have never felt before. Let me give you a not so brief run down of primary/caucus day, as well as the following day, as I tried to get back to SF.

Tuesday, March 5th, 2008

5:15am Alarm goes off, hit snooze

5:25am Alarm goes off again… sleep is not a luxury today

6am FIRED UP AND READY TO GO! Coffee and fruit/toast with Herschel, our host, and Monica and Angelica, other awesome volunteers from the Bay Area & Sacramento

6:30am Headed to the office…our hostess Gaye took Monica, Angelica and myself over to the Obama headquarters and dropped us off on her way to manage her own precinct’s visibility and polling/caucus experience.

7am Received my Visibility/Caucus Captain assignment for the day. Precinct 105, 800 West D Street, San Jose Elementary School in Robstown, Nueces County, TX Departed from the Obama Headquarters with Rosario, the Precinct Chair for our area, at the wheel. Rosario, Ivan, Sasha and myself were all heading to different parts of the Robstown area to try and use our Spanish speaking abilities and get through to the voters about just who would help them get affordable healthcare, get a better paying wage, and keep their diverse immigrant families together, with many here and many back in Mexico.

7:30am Arrived at my home for the next 14 hours. Yes, 14 hours. It was a bit daunting at the beginning. I mean, how was I possibly going to hold signs, talk to voters, and keep a smile on my face throughout the day? There were many local races going on for the same day – Would it be Gilbert Gomez or Frank Flores for County Constable? Would it be Lorenzo Rojas or Bobby Gonzalez for Justice for the Peace? Later on in the evening I would feel like a justice of the peace, fighting for fairness and equity during the caucus process. More on that at 7pm!

8am Settled in to my post. I staked out an area near the entrance to the school…it was a great way to approach people who were driving in to the parking lot to vote, and the gate was exactly the minimum 100 feet outside of the polling place. No, I did not have a tape measure…every polling place has a sign put up by one of the polling attendants as to the 100 foot marker. It was a very cold morning for the Corpus Christi area…high 30s! And windy! I had several layers on…each contained some trace of Barack!

8:30am People were CHECKING ME OUT. Not in the traditional sense that I get- the up and down, the ‘Whoa, nice booty’ kind of checking me out. I mean, the ‘She is NOT from here’ kind of checking out. The up and down kind of checking out happened later when they realized I wasn’t going anywhere… and that maybe I might be friendly!

10am I made friends with some fellow campaigners who were working for the local campaign for Gilbert Gomez. Gilbert’s son, Gilbert Jr. was holding signs for his Dad, as well as his friend Vanessa. They were both about 22 and were working and going to school at Texas A&M in Corpus Christi…definitely more of the ‘doers’ in the area. They were my Obama moral support for the day—they both voted for him, and were going to caucus for him, and we had some great conversations about politics over the day. Definitely my rocks!

12pm The cute little kids were let out (the pre-Kindergarten kids, I suspect) – lots of huge gas guzzling vehicles coming around to pick them up. As if everyone had money growing out of his or her ears. I think out of hundreds of cars I watched go by over 12 hours, I saw about 10 that weren’t trucks/SUVs. But the large wave of pickups precipitated a lot of campaigning efforts. Most people smiled and waved, some stopped for me and let me talk to them about Barack and encourage them to return for the caucus at night. Some just kept on rolling. It was a game- who would react to my huge Obama sign? Could I figure out whom they had voted for? Could I try to get them to show up for the caucus, or were they just nodding out of courtesy? Vanessa went in to the polling place to check the total number of Democrats that had voted; I think it was 47 at this point. Not a super busy morning. I called that number in to the Obama Boiler Room- really, that is how the recording answered the phone! It was part of my job to have a local voter find out the total number of voters at noon and 3:30pm, so we could help build accurate polls. As a CA voter, I was not allowed to go in…so I respected the rules!

1pm There were women driving around to each precinct polling place delivering sack lunches, soda and water to those of us sticking it out and stumping for our candidates. They served me with the same smiles and friendliness as they did the local campaigners, which was so nice…I had some yummy homemade carne asada tacos as well as chicken salad sandwiches on Wonderbread! There was one woman, Lorena, who told me she had voted for Obama. She was pretty excited about it, actually. When she told me how she voted, however, she lowered her voice a bit. As if letting others know how you voted was not cool… interesting. Where I was, it was no secret that I was in Hillary territory. The local politicians were in her back pocket—in fact, Hillary had a lunchtime parade in downtown Robstown, complete with the band, Más (one of the band members is Santana’s brother) and free food. No one’s buying votes here! (note sarcasm) Funny thing is that the band was super late and I think they actually missed the parade time. Rosario found one guy looking for the parade as late as 1:30pm. The parade was supposed to start at noon!

2pm I also befriended this guy, Isias, who was an Obama supporter among Hillary supporters. He is currently unemployed, but he had worked as a sandblaster, out on oil rigs all over the US- Michigan, Mississippi, Maryland, Alabama, etc. He was living out on a country road, and didn’t know where he was registered to vote, so I called headquarters and asked them to look him up. We could not find a precinct, because his former address was a PO Box, but I explained that even if he was not on a voting list, he could still vote on a provisional ballot—that no one could be refused the right to vote. I told him not to take no for an answer (it was shocking how many polling place volunteers were not familiar with the voting rules), and he actually drove to a polling place closer to his home and had the electoral judge call in to verify he was eligible to vote—and he was confirmed as registered to vote. So he did it! I was really proud that I helped him. His much older and tough looking girlfriend, a Hillary supporter and 20 year Marine Corps vet, was not too pleased. Not just by his voting for Obama, but by his camaraderie with me. Ah! The last thing I needed was a Hillary/Obama wrestling match outside of the elementary school. With me in it!

3:15pm The older kids were let out of class at about this time, and the ‘good’ kids got to wait in line for the bus/family to pick them up first… so I took this opportunity to do more stumping at the exit of the school parking lot. At this point in the day, I found that more effective, because then the kids were already in the car, and the parents’ attention was more on me, as they left the parking lot. The general consensus of the day was that less than 25% of the people I talked to knew about the caucus at all, and even less knew how it was run. Those who knew about the caucus realized they had a ‘second opportunity to vote’ but very few had planned to come. ‘Oh, I already voted!’ or ‘ I don’t have time to come back.’ I was getting people who had voted for Obama during the day, or had voted for him during Texas’ 2 week early voting period, but in this town, I wasn’t sure if my efforts would help get anyone to come out to the caucus who wasn’t already planning on it -- or who had not already been convinced by their Hillary Precinct Captain to make sure they showed their face for HRC. Argh! I think the biggest ‘a-ha’ was that Texas had never truly organized around the caucus concept before—in past primaries, the nomination had largely already been decided, and very few, if any, people turned up to caucus. It was as much of an educational process, on my behalf, as it was a campaign experience – at least for the day of the primary/caucus. I felt like I was as much of an electoral educator as I was an Obama supporter. It did give me a sense of accomplishment though, as I spoke with hundreds of citizens going in and coming out of the polls (and in and out of the school, for their kids) on March 5th. I especially appreciated being able to confirm to various people during the day that, no, Obama was not Muslim, but rather, Christian, and yes, he did indeed say the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. OMG. Mind boggling.

4pm I realize that I am totally sunburned. The cold morning had burned off and it was a nice sunny day. I had put sunscreen on my face, but should have reapplied to my chin, neck and forearms! Ah! I had the ultimate farmer’s tan on my arms. I put more sunscreen on, but at this point, I even had a watch tan. My white skin really did shine out there. At this point we had 97 people who had voted, and I called that in… not the biggest precinct, but certainly not the smallest. One of the main reasons that the Obama Headquarters had asked me to spend time at this polling place was because there was no Obama Precinct Captain for precinct 105. That meant no one had really been responsible for visibility and canvassing in this area on behalf of the Obama campaign.

5:30pm This was the final kids pickup, largely of those kids who stayed for daycare, and another attempt for me to try and convince their parents to come the caucus. It was just getting dark, and definitely had cooled down. I was still warm from my sunburn, though! I had been snacking and drinking soda and water all day, so was in good shape to keep pushing on through to the caucus. I sat down for maybe 45 minutes all day. At this point, my legs were really achy and my eyes were dried out from the dusty wind. I had my cowgirl hat on all day with an Obama button right in the middle…that was my attempt at looking local. Whereas in the morning, very few people waved at me, by this time, almost everyone was waving to me who drove by…Obama supporter or not. I think I earned the respect of all of the other campaigners by the time school was out. EXCEPT I hadn’t gained the respect of the students—one of the low points of the day was when I was chatting with some of the other campaigners near the exit of the school parking lot, and the kids who were waiting to be picked up starting screaming at ME. They were yelling, ‘This is a Hillary school! Go away Obama! Obama lies!’ I was shocked. I made that open mouth kind of face and looked at the other campaigners who were standing near me. Even they were shocked. I made a comment that someone must have been telling the kids what to say/think and was that really fair? Shouldn’t kids learn about the democratic process and shouldn’t the parents let them make up their own minds? Granted, these were elementary school kids, but if parents or teachers start brainwashing kids or better put, start telling kids how to think, so that their own rationale does not get constructed, organically, then how can we expect them to be independent thinkers when they grow up? Here we go to mob mentality. Not smart at all. Then the kicker, when I asked the kids where they heard Obama lies, they said, ‘Our teachers told us that Obama lies and that Hillary is the best person. We don’t want Obama. We are a Hillary school!” I was a bit wilted at that point. I mean, I had seen these kids when they went into school at 7am and here they had been in school all day and their own teachers, the people charged with their proper education were making things up to influence not only the children, but of course, their parents. Ugly. Just terrible. Funny, too, because there was no one carrying a Hillary sign all day, but on the back of Frank Flores’ sign, he had put Hillary signs. Frank also drove the biggest Suburban I had seen all day, wore big britches, and told me he was getting ‘2 for 1’ when he voted for HRC. Ugh. That argument makes me cringe. Money talks in Robstown. No question about that. Needless to say, I would have voted for Gilbert Gomez over Frank Flores for constable any day—Gilbert’s son was going to caucus for OBAMA later that night!

6:45pm

I was really nervous! I left my stuff under the watchful eye of Vanessa and Gilbert again, and ran in to use the restroom and to ‘freshen up’ (splash water on my dusty face and fix my afro-like hair) before the big event- the caucus! The sun was almost down and there was a chill in the air again. Going on 12 hours of being outside and exposed to the elements. Whoa!

7pm

There was a sizeable line up outside of the polling place, which was good. People had to wait until the polls had officially closed to go in and participate in the caucus. There were a few last minute voters at 6:58pm, so we had to wait until more like 7:15pm to get started. People who had seen me standing by the 100ft marker all day said ‘hello’ and ‘my, are you still here?’ – like an Obama supporter leaves his post or something- ha! Not me!

7:15pm

We are all still waiting and people are getting anxious and looking to me for answers (I am the only non-local there, at this point). So I push open the door and peek in to the polling place to see if they are prepping for the caucus or not. No voters, so that was good. The election judge was clearing up her things, and one of the guys I had met outside during the day, a Hillary supporter, ended up being the Temporary Chair. He had picked up the convention packet and was then supposed to lead the convention efforts. He was looking nervous and rummaging through the papers. He recognized me and motioned me to come in. Thus began perhaps the craziest 2 hours of my life!

7:30pm

I was shocked at how unprepared the supposed ‘leaders’ of the caucus actually were to run a critical portion of the electoral process—room for error and just general chaos= HIGH. Not that we didn’t get to an accurate result, but I truly feel (and many other volunteers felt the same way) that if Obama supporters, who had been trained in the process, and were acting fairly on behalf of the election process, had not been there, the people of the caucus would have been disenfranchised—not just the Obama voters, but also the Hillary voters. I was a caucus captain, which meant ‘helping’ with this process, but I was nowhere near prepared (mentally) to literally run/orchestrate the entire thing! The Obama volunteers had a decent training on the caucus process on Monday night (we ran a mock caucus), and thank goodness for that…but even still, no one memorized the step by step details for the caucus…especially not the Hillary supporters. In fact, they had instructions to try and take over the caucus and try to control things. You know me and control—if I don’t have some of it, I am not feeling good! What happened, in fact, was that there were literally Hillary sharks on the attack from the moment we walked in at 7:15pm. Again, this was not unique to my situation. This supposed ‘Democratic National Committee’ person came and challenged me to being there, brought in a minion to mete out his commands and then tried to make me look like I was not helping the process. Ha! I was the only one trying to make sure the process was going according to plan! I held my ground, stayed calm, made repeated calls to the Obama Hotline and to our Obama Headquarters to try and make sure I was doing to the right thing, and helped everyone get their name on the sheets and get the MATH done (oh, me and math…but it was simple math, so you just had to use a worksheet to calculate the number of delegates each candidate would get of the total eligible for that precinct). This number was determined based on the number of people who signed in for each candidate at the caucus. Thus the reason why we wanted as many Obama people there… Now these are not state delegates, but rather precinct delegates that then carry on to county delegates, to state delegates, and then to national delegates who will attend the National Convention. Let me tell you, I learned a lot about the democratic process in Texas over those few days…

8:30pm The Hillary sharks were in full effect. They were causing confusion, trying to get me to step aside, telling me I couldn’t be there, and then trying to make me look like I was not being fair/helping. I was telling voters that it would be great if they stayed to witness the full convention process, but that they did not have to stay…if they had signed in and put down their names and the candidate they supported, then they had completed their duties and could go. True statement. The minions then threw up their arms and said I was telling people to leave! I had heard enough bull-honkey! I asked the Permanent Chair, Ben Gomez, who had been nominated by the entire crowd, to come up to the desk and help out with the crowd control. He was great guy, and amazingly, in a sea of 78 Hillary supporters, they voted him, one of 6 Obama supporters, as the Permanent Chair! Ben Gomez was one of the younger members of the crowd, to no one’s surprise. He even had brought his 3 year old son with him to the caucus! My heart was racing for about 2 hours nonstop. How could I possibly tame the crowd long enough to help the other ‘ volunteers’ (aka Hillary advocates) accurately count the sign-ins, do the math to calculate the precinct delegates to go to Obama and to Hillary, and try to somewhat explain the process to the citizens of Robstown along the way? A nearly impossible task, it seemed. Once the bossy DNC representative left (to go wreak havoc in other precincts, no doubt) things were a little easier. We had several lines of people signing in, and I helped some of the older folks to fill out the forms (many could not read the fine print, many were illiterate and then there was the third category…) To my shock and awe, there were a few citizens who had a candidate’s name written on their hand and had to ask me what was on their hand, because ‘They were told to vote for the person whose name was written on their hand” – too much for me. Let me just say no one had Obama’s name on their hand! I had to pull out a fake cough to cover up a mixture of nervous laughter and cursing. I mean, you have got to be kidding me, right? Later, in talking with other caucus captains from Robstown, and other parts of town, I surmised that there honestly might have been some votes paid for- Robstown is known for its corruption and political instability, sadly enough. Finally, we determined that there were 2 precinct delegates to go to Obama and 17 to go to Hillary—not all 19 to Hillary, as the DNC rep would have called it at 7:30pm. Geez. He was such an ignorant loudmouth.

9:00pm Those few people who had stayed at the caucus for Obama wanted to know what they could do to show their support. I told them they could be one of the 2 delegates, else we could put their names down as alternates for Obama at the county convention. The Hillary people wrote down their 17 names and then we tried to gather all the info into one packet. The Permanent Secretary, Leti Gonzalez, was supposed to fill out a ton more stuff on the form, like how many women, how many men, create a master list of delegates, get full info for the Permanent Chair and the Electoral Judge, and even for herself, and I don’t think any of that happened. People were antsy to get out of there. I was holding fast to make sure we did things correctly. Let me tell you all, that I would have stayed for 3 more hours to make sure things were done correctly and fairly – irrespective of what delegates went where. My personal goal was to make sure everyone’s voice was heard and that people understood the caucus process. What a goal I set for a state that had never really completed a full-fledged caucus before!

9:30pm Things finally died down and the Obama supporters remaining begged me for Obama gear- any and all of it. I was so proud that they had stuck around that I gave away almost everything I had- buttons, bumper stickers, flyers, info sheets, whatever. I gave away the button on my hat, even! My Obama coordinator, Rosario, told me to call her when I was done with my work, and I did, never assuming anyone else had taken so long to do what we thought would have taken us 15 minutes to maybe 30 minutes to complete. She was still finishing up her work, at her polling place, and so I was going to wait in the dark – but then the school attendant was locking up the parking lot, so the Obama supporters offered to drive me to the school where Rosario’s polling place was located. So kind of them! So I got dropped off at another school in Robstown and connected with Rosario as she hustled to get her final work done.

9:45pm Rosario drove around and we picked up Sasha, and then Ivan and Shira (Shira came out later to help at a polling place that covered 2 precincts) at their respective polling/caucus locations. Once we were packed in the car, we all started commiserating about our incredible stories…it was just so much craziness and everyone was talking over each other because each of us had crazier stories than the next. I thought my precinct, precinct 105 had problems, but no, everyone had problems, and many worse than mine! Not following the rules at all, people creating confusion, intentionally, no one but us Obama supporters knowing how to run the caucus, people making up sign in sheets instead of using the officially authorized forms, people signing in too early, signing in more than themselves, indicating candidates for OTHER people—you name it, they saw it! It was just nuts. I felt like a member of a 3-ring circus, at that point. Was this how the democratic process was supposed to work? It felt more like a student body election gone bad…or worse, a popularity contest where someone was promising good grades in class in return for their vote. My blood pressure was through the roof at this point. I was so hyped up—so dehydrated and sunburned, too. And I had a big ‘ole headache, to boot. Whoa. Rosario drove us back to Corpus Christi and we all gushed our stories the whole way. And there were great stories of compassion, camaraderie, and solidarity, too. Don’t let make any mistake—as many shockingly bad stories as there were, there were an almost equal number of shockingly good stories. Sasha had learned how to dance cumbia with some local Obama supporters who were all, ironically, part of the same extended family and had not all planned on helping, but did! Rosario had blank slates on her Hillary delegate list, and the Permanent Secretary said, well, we have a lot of Obama people who want to go to the county convention, let’s put their names down. And so 2 delegates became 6! And the fact that I had never met Rosario, Ivan, or Sasha before in my life, (I had met Shira in SF, and loved her!) and we all bonded together so well, supported each other during the day by making phone calls to cheer each other up (to the point where my cell phone almost ran out of juice right at 7pm!) it was all priceless. I had an instant family of down to earth, hard working, diligent, intelligent and well versed Obama sisters and brothers!

10pm I saw the gulf for the first time since dropping Ellee off at South Padre on Saturday afternoon (that was 3 days earlier!). That was the extent of my sight seeing in Corpus Christi. Alas. We landed at some bar called the ‘Surf & Yacht Club’ at around 10pm.

Many of the Obama crew from Corpus Christi were at the bar putting back a few and watching the results roll in on CNN. I was distraught that the Temporary Chair in my precinct, who had left with the critical electoral packet, had not called in the results to the DNC, so I spent the next hour trying to get through to the DNC to report issues in Precinct 105. Ah! I kept getting passed off from one person to the next. Let’s just say that the phones were ringing off the hook that day for every office remotely related to the DNC, Obama or Hillary. I made a plea with the lady to try to get a hold of the Temporary Chair, whose name and number were listed with the county, to make sure he called in the results. 2 delegates or not, I was not going to see all of our efforts go to waste. As I finished up on the phone, dear Rosario brought me a margarita and I smiled and sucked it down. Phew! What a crazy day! We were trying to hear the TV over the loud and drunken people in the bar, and then before you know it they call ‘Last Call!’ – at 11pm? What?? So our Robstown team- Sasha, Rosario, Ivan, Shira, and myself, all pile back in to the car and head over to one of the Obama precinct captain’s homes and hostess’ for SF Obama volunteers, Jeanne. She happens to live across the street from my dear hosts’ house, Gaye and Herschel, so I was pumped to be able to just walk home from that final stop.

11:30pm We get to Jeanne’s house, somewhere on Louisiana Avenue, and the core of the Obama office is there drinking wine/beer, eating fantastic BBQ that Jeanne has cooked all day, and sharing stories about the day. We made sure to share email addresses so that we could stay in touch with our Corpus Christi team. We have done that, and shared pictures, to boot! There were certainly good stories about people’s experiences…heck, many people were in precincts where the exact opposite of what happened to me occurred. There were some where 17 of the 19 delegates went to Obama. Some where all 16 of the precinct delegates went to Obama—but those were precincts in Corpus Christi proper, not in Robstown or in the more rural areas, no. Jeanne has a beautiful home, as do Gaye and Herschel, and so the volunteers mingled with each other, gave hugs and shouts of solidarity as we watched more new reports roll in, and just gave thanks for each other’s efforts. It was a really nice way to close an insane day! The mood was one of hope and of accomplishment. No one felt defeated, and no one was feeling like things were slam-dunk for Obama, by no means. Herschel called me to tell me he and Gaye were going to bed, at 12:30am, but then I got back at about 12:45am and he was up waiting for me. Monica and Angelica had left at about 5pm that evening, so I was the only person staying in the guest house that night. Kathleen, another volunteer, from New Mexico was still there, but she had gotten home and was in bed much earlier than I (she stayed in the main part of the house).

Wednesday, March 6th

1am Herschel was as exhausted as I was, and so, as much as we wanted to chat, and as much as he wanted to hear my stories, we managed to share a few bits and then sign off. I told him not to get up for me in the morning, because I had to be ready to head back to San Antonio at about 6:30am…ah!! I was getting a ride with Annemarie (a big supporter from Oakland, who I know better than most volunteers, someone I now consider a good friend!) and with her friend Glenn. Her flight was earlier than mine, but I wanted to try and get on an earlier flight to SFO, instead of waiting until 2:30pm. He said he was sorry we didn’t get more time to talk over the 3 days I was there, and I was just so impressed with his and Gaye’s kindness I didn’t know how to thank them! I gave him a big hug goodnight and then tried to pack a few things so I could wake up, shower and go. I started this letter as a record of my experience, but I was too emotional and too tired to do it right. I figured a proper ‘debrief’ takes a few days (ok weeks, in my case) so I would start it while I was in the airport waiting to get home.

6:00am Alarm goes off and I am so tired I feel sick. I drag myself out of bed, shower, and pack the rest of my things. I creep out towards the front of the house and of course, Herschel is up and though not bright eyed and bushy tailed, like most mornings, he is there to help me out with my bags and to bid me adieu. What a guy!

6:45am Annemarie, Glenn and Shira pull up as the sign rises, we pack up my bags and off we go to the San Antonio airport. What a whirlwind ride! I sleep the better part of the 2 hour ride and give my fellow Obama supporters hugs goodbye at the airport.

9am I try to get on the 11am United flight from San Antonio to SFO, via LA, but it is booked. They put me on standby for the 11:45am that connects through Denver, but it is currently oversold, and I have lost all status with United since leaving IBM. Damnit! I am frustrated, but at that point all I could do was wait. I am sooo sleepy, but I was starving, so I hit the only non fast food offering and enjoyed some serious Huevos Rancheros. I hardly had any expenses this trip, because Herschel and Gaye not only let us borrow their car and paid for gas, but they fed us breakfast every day, and dinner twice, as well! I did try the fried fish and shrimp at ‘Bait ‘n’ Net’ – CC’s finest, and can say the tartar sauce and the fried cod were amazing. Ellee, who had generously picked me up in San Antonio on the first Saturday, had spent dinner with me at a local restaurant on Saturday night, and we enjoyed some yummy local fish. My Spanish speaking canvassing team had some real Tex Mex for lunch on Monday, during a 45 min break from going door to door, and then this final meal at the airport on the way home closed up my food expenses. Gaye and Herschel’s gourmet food and Jeanne’s homemade BBQ hardly count as eating out- that was some serious eating in!

10am The woman who got me so gung-ho involved in the Obama campaign, Dr. Ellee Koss, was in the airport, too, and we connected before her 11am flight. Funny enough, we were not the only ones waiting to return to SF. Yes, there were hundreds of other Obama and Hillary supporters waiting to go home, but Jesse Jackson was also in the airport and we sat really close to him, waiting for our flights. He created a bit of buzz…many people didn’t know who he was, though. I told this woman next to me to look over, and there was Jesse Jackson. She got all excited and turned to some white guy sitting near her and said, ‘Wow, are you Jesse Jackson?” I nearly bust a gut laughing. I had to just walk away, because she obviously had supremely embarrassed herself and the other man. Too funny.

10:40am I said goodbye to Ellee (who lives 10 minutes from me in SF, and who I see at least weekly) and then the United staff said all flights west were booked. I realized I was not going to get on a flight before my originally scheduled 2:30pm flight. Argh! I just sat around and did email, started this letter, and chatted with a variety of Republicans, Democrats, and ‘others’ as I sported my green Obama long-sleeved t-shirt. It was, in the end, a time for me to just reflect. What had just happened to me? To the Obama campaign? We were behind in the primary polls, but the caucus polls had not really even started being counted, at this point.

7:30pm (yes, really) I arrived at SFO. The only good part about checking in so early in San Antonio was that my bags went on the 11:45am flight, so they were waiting for me when I arrived. Considering that waiting for United bags at SFO has taken me up to an hour, I was not too upset about this situation. I got the shuttle back to the parking lot to pick up my car, and headed home. What an amazing experience. I met so many great Texas Obama supporters, and reconnected with many great SF Obama supporters. I got to better understand the overall electoral process in Texas, and the electoral process for primaries/caucuses in general. I got out there and talked with people, and tried to make a difference in the primary results. I educated people about the Texas caucus process. I tried to break down stereotypes (that a white girl from California CAN speak Spanish, CAN understand a little bit about their Latino heritage, and CAN explain why Obama is the best candidate for the Tex/Mex working class). I did my best to support the candidate I believe in and that I believe will make our country a better place to live. It was a wild ride in Texas, but it was worth every minute.

Hillary Clinton's Candidacy Puts Women on the Spot

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:07:40 EDT

Joni Balter / Seattle Times editorial columnist

Hillary Clinton's candidacy puts women on the spot

A 40-something woman approaches an acquaintance at a party and whispers, "Are you for Obama?" — like it is a secret or the seventh grade. Don't get caught by the other righteous women gathered.

Another woman in another setting buttonholes her friend about institutional sexism preventing voters from supporting Hillary Clinton. A pair of Hillary zealots use superglue to post campaign signs on the cars of voters who don't quite feel the Hillary love.

You've met these people. You've seen that look in their eyes. They will say with all confidence and pushiness that women voters who favor Barack Obama are somehow disloyal to the advancement of women.

Enough already.

The most conflicted group of voters this year is not male lunch-bucket voters. They may go for war hero John McCain or Obama, who promises the by-now-hackneyed term "change."

Sure, the white, ethnic bowlers of my native state of Pennsylvania, where Obama was campaigning in advance of the April 22 primary, had to be shocked and appalled by the measly bowling score of 37. They respect bowling but will forgive and forget his gutter balls.

The most conflicted group of voters this year is women of a certain age and political striping who have been told it is almost treasonous to support Obama because finally, at long last, a woman has a shot at the White House.

This is the worst part of gender politics, this notion that women should support women because of the double-X bond.

Psshaw. The most encouraging thing about women in general is that they are practical.

VA: Leaders Put Pressure On Superdelegates To Back Obama

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:24:56 EDT

Democrat Leaders Turn Up Pressure on Superdelegates to Back Obama
April 8, 2008 - 9:04pm
By BOB LEWIS | AP Political Writer

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Eager to stop intraparty fighting, dozens of local Democratic Party leaders are urging Virginia's superdelegates to unite around Barack Obama for president.

The petition was intended to push the state's uncommitted delegates into forsaking Hillary Clinton in her nomination battle with Obama.

It was signed by 36 local party chairmen, some of them from Virginia's largest localities, and five congressional district party chairs. Most of the signers, but not all, endorsed Obama, said Arlington Chairman Peter Rousselot, one of the architects of the petition.

There was no evidence Tuesday that the tactic was working, even on a superdelegate who endorsed Clinton but has wavered for weeks.

Jennifer McClellan, a member of the House of Delegates, said she won't make up her mind until all of the Democratic state conventions and caucuses are over.

"It's not clear to me because people aren't finished voting," said McClellan, of Richmond. In an interview Tuesday, she at times referred to herself as uncommitted. Finally, she described herself as a Clinton delegate who reserves the right to change her mind.

She also opposes any formal process for forcing superdelegates to decide the nomination before the August convention.

Already, she has received "well over 100 calls" from Clinton and Obama, from their celebrity spouses, and from proxies within both campaigns in recent months. The Clintons beseech her to stay put; Obama exhorts her to switch.

The candidate the Democrats choose to take on Republican nominee-apparent John McCain will be selected by about 3,500 delegates to the party's national convention in August. More than three-fourths are pledged delegates, obliged to support a specific candidate based on the outcome of state primaries or caucuses. About 800 are superdelegates _ elected officials or party insiders free to support any Democratic candidate at the convention.

Since neither Clinton nor Obama can win the 2,025 votes necessary to secure the nomination solely from pledged delegates, superdelegates will determine the outcome.

Across the nation, candidates are ardently pursuing uncommitted superdelegates and, in some cases, urging committed ones to switch. Virginia is the first state in which local chairmen petitioned superdelegates to switch to Obama, according to Clinton's campaign.

Five of Virginia's 16 superdelegates never have endorsed any candidate. A sixth, state chairman C. Richard Cranwell, was a John Edwards superdelegate who became uncommitted after Edwards left the race.

Cranwell remained uncommitted on Tuesday, but saw no harm in the petition. "Everybody's got a right to a point of view," Cranwell said. The rough-and-tumble would only toughen the eventual nominee to take on McCain, he said.

Sen. Jim Webb, through his office, also refused to take sides Tuesday.

Rousselot and Fairfax County Chairman Scott Surovell sent the petition to the superdelegates. Both are former Edwards backers, but neither is a superdelegate.

The petition contends that it's important for the party to unify sooner instead of later and shift its focus to McCain. With Obama and Clinton fighting each other through the convention, it asserts, Democrats will squander tens of millions of dollars and present the unappealing image of a party run by insiders.

"We're just saying look at the time, the money and the effort that will be spent fighting this. The cost-benefit of this is not adding up," Rousselot said in an interview.

The petition urges superdelegates to remember that Obama won the Virginia primary in February by nearly a 2-to-1 ratio over Clinton.

That galled Clinton superdelegate Susan Swecker, who rocketed a reply back to Rousselot and Surovell and, for good measure, copied in the pro-Obama Democratic blog Raising Kaine, which first reported the petition on Monday.

"...If that is your premise, then please encourage Congressman Rick Boucher (whose 9th Congressional District went overwhelmingly for Hillary Clinton) to switch his support from Obama to Clinton," she wrote.

Another Clinton superdelegate, senior Democratic strategist Mame Reiley, said she understood targeting undecided superdelegates, but including longtime Clinton supporters only created ill will.

"If we wanted to have a nominee decided in June then we'd have scheduled the convention in June," Reiley said. "It sort of makes me wonder what they're afraid of."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.

The Petition is after the fold.

Two Polls And Four Things That May Hasten Obama's Victory

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:25:45 EDT

Survey USA has released the first public survey of Oregon today, which votes on May 20th:

Barack Obama leads Hillary Clinton 52% to 42%. Obama benefits from a very large gender gap (+37%), as he leads by 30% among men.

In North Carolina, PPP reports that Obama is leading Hillary 54% to 33%. This is the same margin as last week; Obama is staying at +21%. Not bad.

The following is from Huffington Post. It is at the end of a long article, which I strongly recommend that you read. Click on the title below, and it will take you to the complete article:

Four things have happened to hasten an Obama victory.

By: Matt Littman | April 9, 2008

1. Senator Obama handled the Rev. Wright issue with honesty and without condescending to the audience. His speech made the superdelegates take notice: this guy can handle a punch. Why? Because Obama is comfortable with himself and that makes him uniquely able to convey his message -- because he knows his message. It's him. And he doesn't change with the prevailing winds.

2. James Carville caused the superdelegates to stand up for themselves when he called Bill Richardson "Judas." Carville, one of the legends of the political world, continued his attacks on the superdelegate from New Mexico, talking about it on TV and writing about it in the Washington Post. Carville's rage caused superdelegates to take note: is this guy threatening us? Is he going to use these tactics against all of us?

3. Hillary's Future Ambassadors Club, the big fundraisers, tried to bully both Howard Dean and Nancy Pelosi with threats to withdraw funding from the Democratic National Committee unless Dean and Pelosi sided with the Clinton campaign. Why in the world Hillary's big donors chose to put their threats on paper is beyond me. Does anyone have an answer for this?

4. The Clinton team has persisted, to this day, in spreading the message that Obama cannot handle the Republican attacks. But by showing he can in fact handle the Clinton campaigns smears, Senator Obama has shown his ability to take on the swift boating to come. The superdelegates are resting easier now that they see Obama is tested, plenty tough, and that his support is still strong. Come November, elected officials want one thing: to win. For themselves in their elections, and for the presidency. With Hillary's negatives rising as she tries to increase Obama's negatives, the superdelegates are quickly realizing that Senator Obama's ability to bring out new voters, and to put more states in play, will increase their chances of victory.

Those are four reasons why the race changed in the last couple of weeks. But if you ask me, the two biggest reasons for superdelegates turning to Obama were Carville and the Future Ambassadors. Those superdelegates will decide the election.

Did the obnoxiousness of Carville and the Fat Cats end this race? I leave that to you and to the history books.

PA: Quinnipiac Poll Shows Obama Gaining on Hillary

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:31:14 EDT

From Penn State Public Broadcasting:

Obama continues to narrow the gap

by Steve Biddle

WPSU-PRCN (2008-04-09) Little by little, Illinois Senator Barack Obama is catching up with New York Senator Hillary Clinton, with less than two weeks to go before Pennsylvania's April 22nd presidential primary, according to the latest Quinnipiac University Poll.

Now, according to Quinnipiac Polling Insitute Assistant Director Clay Richards, Clinton holds a six-point lead over Obama with 50% to Obama's 44%. There is a 2.7% margin for error. And that is a considerable change from the 16-point lead she held just two months ago.

Clay told Public Radio Capitol News, "What is significant is not just the three points from the week before, but that the trend has been continuing, where he is picking up voters, is continuing and it's a pattern that's almost classic in the erosion of Senator Clinton's support."

One issue that seems to be propelling Obama's candidacy is the economy. Richards says, "He is doing something to convince voters that he can better handle the economy, that is clear. 52 percent of the voters say the economy is the most important issue in this campaign. A week ago, 24 percent of voters said she was better able to handle the ecomony than Senator Obama -- that margin has now dropped to four points."

Governor Ed Rendell, who is a Clinton supporter, and a superdelegate, says the fact that she is still ahead in the polls, despite being outspent by Obama four-to-one, is significant. Ironically, the governor himself was called randomly and took part in the latest Quinnipiac survey. When asked if his own endorsement influenced how he felt about Clinton, he said "yes." © Copyright 2008, WPSU

Phone Banking And the Fellows Program

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:45:53 EDT

We need your help: Phonebank from home and help make a difference in key states. All you need is a few minutes, a phone line, and a desire to help change the country:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/phonebankmap

Don't like to phonebank alone? We have the answer. Grassroots organizers are (or will be) hosting phone banks for the next 2 weekends before the PA primary - please save the dates! Locations and times are (or will be) posted in your group's page, so make sure your cell phones are charged up and ready to go! Ours are posted in the Events section already, right in the middle of the page:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/Obamawest-SouthwestCD33

Want to learn how to change the world from the ground up? Apply to the Obama Organizing Fellows summer program and join a new generation of young leaders. If you apply and are selected, you will learn the basics of political organizing and then be assigned to a community to put those organizing skills to work:

http://my.barackobama.com/fellows

Can't take the time away from work or your family to participate in the Fellows program? You can still get involved:

Reach out to someone you know who may be interested in this program, and let them know we could use their help:

http://my.barackobama.com/fellowsinvite

House an Organizing Fellow -- If you have a spare room, you can help by offering housing to an Organizing Fellow near their training or near their eventual assignment. We haven't set locations for all of the trainings and assignments, but if you sign up, our staff will be in touch as the campaign grows:

http://my.barackobama.com/fellowshousing

Support the Fellows program by making a donation to this campaign:

https://donate.barackobama.com/fellowsdonate

Go To LobbyDelegates.com!

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:25:18 EDT

Let's do this! Go to:

LobbyDelegates.com is an impartial website providing rank and file Democrats with the power to influence which Presidential candidate their state's "SuperDelegates" will vote for at the Democratic Party Convention.

At that site you can lobby SuperDelegates to support Barack Obama in three scenarios:

Lobby those now pledged to Clinton to switch to Obama

Lobby those now pledged to Obama to keep pledge to Obama

Lobby those now Uncommitted to pledge their vote to Obama

So, folks; let's talk to them about why they should support Obama! Go to http://www.lobbydelegates.com/

WaPo: Clinton Told True Tale of Woe, Says Kin (except that she did not!)

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:36:56 EDT

The problem with this article from Washington Post's THE TRAIL is that the title is very misleading. The article clearly shows that Hillary simply did not have the facts straight. The woman HAD INSURANCE and she WAS ADMITTED TO A HOSPITAL which treated her. But you would not know this from the title of the article. Read the parts in the article that I bolded!

Since you are likely to be told about this article by Hillary supporters, know the facts that are stated in the article. In fact, send them the article! Read on:

Clinton Told True Tale of Woe, Says Kin

By Anne E. Kornblut
The aunt of a young pregnant woman who died after a hospital told her she needed to pay $100 up front for care said in an interview on Monday that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has been telling the story accurately on the campaign trail -- following claims by a different Ohio hospital that it did not turn the patient away.

For weeks, Clinton repeated an anecdote she heard in Ohio on Feb. 28 involving a young woman who lost her baby and later died because she lacked health insurance and did not have $100 to gain access to a nearby hospital.

But over the weekend, Clinton came under fire when officials at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital, after reading about her remarks, demanded that she stop recounting it because the patient, Trina Bechtel, was admitted there and did have insurance.

That part, it turns out, is true. But so is Clinton's claim that Bechtel did not get care at another hospital that wanted a $100 pre-payment before seeing her, according to the young woman's aunt, Lisa Casto. "It's a true story," said Casto, 53.

Casto added some details that were not part -- or differed from -- the Clinton anecdote: She said her niece had previously been in debt to a local hospital that later sent her a letter informing her that she could only be treated there in the future if she gave them a $100 deposit. At the time she went into debt to that hospital, Casto said, Bechtel was uninsured, though she later obtained health insurance and was insured at the time of her death.

Casto said she did not want to give the name of the offending hospital because the flood of calls over the incident has overwhelmed her and Meigs County deputy sheriff Bryan Holman, a friend of hers who retold the story to Clinton when she campaigned in southern Ohio.

But court records show that Bechtel had a civil judgment against her by the Holzer Hospital Foundation for the amount of $4,426, entered in 2002, which was repaid in 2005. A call to an official at Holzer Medical Center, which is run by the foundation, in Ohio was not immediately returned.

Casto said her niece, who suffered from preeclampsia during her pregnancy, did not seek care at the first hospital when she fell ill because she knew she did not have the $100 out-of-pocket she believed she would need to be seen. Instead, she went to O'Bleness Memorial Hospital, where her baby was stillborn. Bechtel was later flown to Columbus and died there. She was 35.

Casto said she has been stunned by the amount of negative attention her niece's story generated, and that she was sorry it had hurt the Clinton campaign. She was, and is, she said, a supporter. "Did I vote for Hillary?" she said. "You'd better bet I did."

WV: Charleston Gazette Endorses Obama

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:31:05 EDT

The Charleston Gazette, West Virginia's largest newspaper, endorsed Barack Obama for president today. Here is their endorsement.

OBAMA
Presidential endorsement

For the first time since the historic 1960 primary election, the Democratic presidential nomination remains hotly contested as West Virginians prepare to vote. So this state's Democrats and independents may, once again, help decide U.S. history.
For the first time since the historic 1960 primary election, the Democratic presidential nomination remains hotly contested as West Virginians prepare to vote. So this state's Democrats and independents may, once again, help decide U.S. history.

We hope they support the brilliant, inspiring, eloquent frontrunner in the race, Barack Obama.

Sen. Obama is a rare figure in U.S. politics - a deep thinker who rises above partisan sniping and makes statecraft seem noble. He raises hope that, after the disastrous Bush years mercifully come to an end, Americans can again be proud of their national leader.

Obama appeals to the innate decency in all groups of people, beyond party lines, without personal grandiosity. He fosters a desire to restore America's finest values of honor and fairness.

In endorsing Obama, Sen. Jay Rockefeller pointed out that the young Illinois lawyer had to work hard - "there was nothing sheltered about his life" - but he rose to national stature. Rockefeller said Obama was far-sighted enough to oppose President Bush's unwise plan to invade Iraq while most others, including rival Hillary Clinton, supported the invasion.

"The indisputable fact is, Barack Obama was right about Iraq when many of us were wrong," the West Virginia senator said. "It was a tough call and the single greatest national security question - and mistake - of our time. ... What matters most in the Oval Office is sound judgment and decisive action. It's about getting it right on crucial national security questions the first time, and every time."

PA: Harrisburg Council President Backs Obama

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 05:17:35 EDT

Every little bit helps. And every person counts in this upcoming primary. There are plenty of people in Pennslyvania who are not superdelegates but are looked to as leaders in their communities. And people read about them in their local press. And word spreads. And, at some point, we reach critical mass where the political discussion has changed and opinions have evolved. One town at a time. Here is an example, from the Midstate News Section of:

Harrisburg Council President Backs Obama

by JOHN LUCIEW, Of The Patriot-News
Monday April 07, 2008, 3:12 PM

Harrisburg City Council President Linda Thompson's endorsement today of Democrat Barack Obama already has persuaded one voter -- her mother.

In a speech hailing Obama as a voice for hope and change in America, Thompson joked that her work for the candidate included swaying her mother, Mary Crawford, from being an ardent supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton for president. "She's going to join her daughter and support Barack Obama," Thompson said.

Thompson joins fellow council members Patty Kim, Gloria Martin-Roberts, Dan Miller and Susan Brown Wilson in backing Obama, a U.S. senator from Illinois.

Meanwhile, Mayor Stephen R. Reed has thrown his support behind Clinton, along with Gov. Ed Rendell and mayors in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

Thompson had kind words for both Democratic presidential candidates, declaring "it's a great time to be a Democrat." In the end, she said, her belief in Obama's ability to bring true change to the country and become a uniter rather than a divider attracted her to his side.

"I firmly believe that he is the best candidate to effectively work in cooperation with Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate to build a better future for all Americans, one that is worthy of our daily sacrifices," Thompson said.

This Is Not The Year For Super Delegates To Decide

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 05:01:25 EDT

I replied to this article. And I find lots of things to disagree with, except the main point: the super delegates must not overrule the will of the people this time (and, IMHO they should never do it.) The authors are well known. Cokie Roberts co-hosted THIS WEEK with Sam Donaldson, and she is a current commentator for ABC News who does the Sunday morning news circuits.

From Montana's:

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Guest Opinion: 2008 wrong year for superdelegates to decide nominee

They're supposed to work as a reality check on a nomination process that can only be described as bizarre. They are the superdelegates, the elected officials and representatives of Democratic Party constituencies who this year are expected to make the difference - to add enough delegates into the column of one candidate or the other to put him or her over the top. But this is exactly the wrong year for them to play that role for one important reason: race.

Not only is it entirely within the rules for the superdelegates to vote their independent choice, rather than simply echo the voters of their states, that's their reason for being - these professional politicians are supposed to exercise their judgment, both political and personal.

They definitely can choose the nominee; the question is, should they? We think not. Not this year.

If the party elites elect Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama, many African-Americans will be convinced that the rules were rigged to lock them out.

COUNTER-REFORMATION

That's too bad, because the idea of ensuring a say for the politicians - people who have a stake in the future of the party, not just an individual candidate - makes a lot of sense. The concept of "power to the politicians" emerged as something of a counter-reformation, after the Democratic reforms of the 1970s had emptied out the smoke-filled rooms by giving the nomination choice to elected delegates, creating complicated procedures for choosing those delegates and apportioning them on the basis of race and sex.

Party stalwarts, convinced that the reforms resulted in the nomination and subsequent landslide defeat of George McGovern in 1972 and the inability of the convention to unify behind Jimmy Carter after his challenge from Teddy Kennedy in 1980, decided to reclaim some clout as uncommitted delegates. And in 1984, when Walter Mondale had not completely wrapped up the nomination after the last primary ballots were cast, the political pros played a useful role in bringing the party together before the convention, though their choice resulted in another landslide loss.

Puerto Rico Hearts Obama (While Bill Clinton Stumps For Votes)

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:13:38 EDT

Support For Barack Obama Grows In Puerto Rico

CaribWorldNews, SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Mon. April 7, 2007: Former President Bill Clinton touched down in Puerto Rico yesterday, hoping to drum up support for his wife`s race for the White House. But on the ground, there is a growing swell of support for Hillary Clinton`s rival, Barack Obama.

Bill Clinton may be hoping that his promise on behalf of his wife of jobs to residents on the U.S. dependent territory would resonate with voters going to the June 1 poll. But ahead of the former President`s visit, former Governor Rafael Hernandez Colon joined the growing group of leaders jumping on the Obama bandwagon.

Colon said he endorsed the candidacy of Barak Obama, (D-Ill), because Obama's opponent, Sen. Hillary Clinton, (D-NY), co-sponsored U.S. Senate legislation favorable to statehood for the island.

Speaking to the Latino-Latin American Studies Program at Syracuse University, Hernandez Colon cited a controversial bill introduced into the U.S. Senate in 2006 by Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fl) and Ken Salazar (D-Colo), calling for a referendum in Puerto Rico. Hillary Clinton co-sponsored the measure which was opposed by Hernandez Colon, a former three-time governor and the elder statesman of the Popular Democratic Party. A similar bill is currently going through the U.S. House of Representatives and is also opposed by the PDP.

`One thing that was clear to Congress from the beginning: Puerto Rico was not destined for statehood,` Hernandez Colon was quoted as saying in Syracuse. `American nationalism and cultural identity regarded us as an alien culture. Therefore, Puerto Rico was not named an incorporated territory... destined for statehood. We would belong to, but not be part of, the United States.`

Meanwhile Pedro Pierluisi, the candidate of the New Progressive Party for Resident Commissioner in Washington, also announced that he met with Obama in Philadephia last month to pledge his support for the Illinois senator. He released a photograph of the two and a statement by Obama regarding Puerto Rico.

Pierluisi is also a national Democrat and the running mate of Resident Commissioner Luis Fortuno who is an NPP member as well as a national Republican.

In the statement, Obama is quoted as saying, `The role of Puerto Rico in American history cannot be underestimated. Puerto Ricans have fought with distinction in every war since World War 1, and both Congress and the President have an obligation to help Puerto Rico decide its future status.

'Working in conjunction with distinguished leaders like Pedro Pierluisi, I will work to give a voice to the four million U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico and enable them to determine the course of their political future. I promise statehooders in Puerto Rico, indeed all Puerto Ricans, that I will honor my responsibility as President to assisting the people of Puerto Rico resolve their status issue.'

WE HAVE A CHANCE TO CONVINCE A SUPER DELEGATE!

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:09:18 EDT

Convince a superdelegate

OK, folks, here's your chance: Over at The Field, DNC member Debra Kozikowski (MA), has put up an invitation we ALL must respond to. This is it

“Here’s your challenge. Think about me wearing my super duper hat reading your posts. Convince me why I should deliver my superdelegate vote to Senator Obama or for the minority here who support Senator Clinton — you too can rise to the ocassion with civility and grace.”

Good luck! HERE'S THE LINK: http://ruralvotes.com/thefield/?p=1007

Remember to be nice and civil. There are very interesting posts, covering many angles; and there are the typical, long-winded "I love Obama," "I Love Hillary" posts. I recommend that you try something different and creative. Here is what I wrote (my pseudonym is "Prantha"):

The logic of the “superdelegate” was flawed from the beginning (IMHO.) I will explain precisely why.
I understand that the DNC insiders consider themselves “experts” in the party, but it is the PEOPLE who put them there, and it is the PEOPLE who, bottom line, fund the DNC and every DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED Democratic candidate in the presidential campaign.
So, if the Super-Ds decide to overrule the PEOPLE, there will be hell to pay. As there would have been if the Super-Ds had overruled the PEOPLE who voted for McGovern. The Democratic Party is, after all, by the PEOPLE, and for the PEOPLE who donate funds to the DNC, other Democratic organizations, and the individual campaigns of the candidates.
And, MORE IMPORTANTLY, can you imagine if the Super-Ds ended up picking a LOSING candidate? OH MY GOSH! Riots in the streets. Whereas, if the PEOPLE end up having been mistaken; well, the PEOPLE tried.
I hope I have convinced you to consider the votes of the PEOPLE your constituency represents. And, if I am not mistaken, it looks like the PEOPLE have - by a majority - voted for Barack Obama.
Go forth, and tell the rest of the Super-Ds that the PEOPLE have spoken!

Montana Super Delegate Retracts Obama Endorsement Due To Party Rules

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:44:27 EDT

What a bummer! From the Associated Press:

Mont. superdelegate retracts Obama endorsement, citing party rule

Associated Press - April 7, 2008 4:04 PM ET

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Montana superdelegate Margaret Campbell says she is being forced to retract her endorsement of Barack Obama.

Campbell is a state lawmaker from Poplar, and vice chairwoman of the state party.

Earlier today she said she was endorsing Obama, after the Illinois senator and rival Hillary Clinton visited Montana over the weekend.

A short time later, Campbell said Montana Democratic Party rules prevented her from endorsing a candidate in a contested primary.

Obama did pick up the backing of Jeanne Lemire Dahlman, a national committeewoman. However, Dahlman says she may reconsider if Montana voters pick Clinton in the state's June 3rd primary.

With Dahlman, Obama has commitments from 3 of Montana's eight superdelegates.

Obama Is Gaining Nationally And In Pennsylvania

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:37:13 EDT

PPP put Obama ahead by 2 in PA last week. PPP’s prior poll had Hillary ahead by 26, so that’s a 28 point difference.

Rasmussen has been showing a shrinking trend as well. Nationally, Obama now attracts 51% of the vote while Clinton earns 41%.

And In PA, Rasmussen shows Clinton leading Barack Obama by just 5 points, 47% to 42%. For Clinton, that 5-point edge is down from a 10-point lead a week ago, a 13-point lead in mid-March and a 15-point advantage in early March.

Looking like a trend to me. According to the Wall Street Journal, a few other polls show the same effect:

The Gallup Poll daily tracking report for April 4-6 shows that Obama has increased his lead to nine points, leading Clinton 52% to 43%. He had a 10-point lead in the March 27-29 tracking report, only to see that lead fall over the past week.

The American Research Group poll shows that Obama has tied Clinton in Pennsylvania, each with 45% of the vote. One month ago, Clinton led 52% to 41%.

In the latest CNN "poll of polls," Hillary Clinton now holds a 7 point lead over Obama, 49% to 42%, with 9% . undecided. That gap is 4 points narrower than a similar CNN poll of polls conducted Friday. In that average, Clinton held an 11 point lead, 51 percent to 40 percent.

CNN's poll of polls included recent surveys from the American Research Group (0% lead for Hillary), Muhlenberg College (which has Hillary with an 11% lead), and Quinnipiac University (which has Hillary ahead at 9%.) With that wide range, I dunno how valid their "poll of Polls" can be.

Dave Matthews Rocks for Obama!

Dave or David — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:58:49 EDT

OMG I am wicked excited to see Dave support Obama and have a FREE concert in Indiana for young people. Yet another singer who supports Obama.

I wish Dave would come to San Francisco to perform next!

GO OBAMA!

Just for a laugh

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:27:54 EDT

A Montana Super Delegate To Announce Support For Obama Today!

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:56:05 EDT

Yesterday, Obama got one more pledged delegate from North Dakota.

Today, according to the New York Times, Margaret Campbell, a Montana state legislator, plans to declare her support for Senator Obama. The NY Times says that Ms. Campbell will be the 69th superdelegate Obama has picked up since the Feb. 5 coast-to-coast string of primary elections and caucus votes. Pretty cool. Their (NY Times's) delegate count is different from the count at Real Clear Politics, which we've been tracking. On Saturday, RCP reported that Obama had 1415 pledged delegates and a total of 1636 delegates (So, he had 221 Super Delegates as of Saturday.) Clinton had 1251 Pledged delegates and a total of 1502 delegates (so, she had 251 Super Delegates on Saturday).

Tomorrow, RCP will only have update its delegate tallies for Obama because Hillary's numbers have not changed. Obama will have 1416 pledged delegates and a total of 1638 delegates (of whcih 222 will be Super Delegates.)

Doing the Delegate Math (as of this morning; who knows what will happen today), here is what I think Real Clear Politics will report:

Pledged Delegates:
Obama: 1416
Hillary: 1251
---------------
Obama has 165 more Pledged Delegates than Hillary

Super Delegates:
Obama: 222
Hillary: 251
--------------
Hillary has 29 more Super Delegates than Obama

Bottom line 165 minus 29 equals 136. Thus, Obama has a lead of 136 delegates.

Here's the article from today's New York Times blog: The Caucus

In Superdelegate Count, Tough Math for Clinton

By JOHN HARWOOD
Published: April 7, 2008

The hill that Hillary Rodham Clinton must climb to beat Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination will grow a little steeper on Monday, as it has most days lately.

Margaret Campbell, a Montana state legislator, plans to declare her support for Senator Obama, of Illinois. She becomes the 69th superdelegate he has picked up since the Feb. 5 coast-to-coast string of primary elections and caucus votes.

In the same period, Senator Clinton, of New York, has seen a net loss of two superdelegates, according to figures from the Obama campaign that Clinton aides do not dispute. That erosion may dim Mrs. Clinton’s remaining hopes even more than internal campaign turmoil, which led to the ouster on Sunday of the campaign’s chief strategist, Mark Penn.

Why We Care About Lee Hamilton's Endorsement

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:00:13 EDT

This article says it all:

STEPHANIE SALTER: When Lee Hamilton talks, serious politicos tend to listen

By Stephanie Salter of The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE— For people who like their political contests clear-cut and their candidates one-dimensional, Lee Hamilton’s endorsement of Barack Obama for president barely registered this past week.

After all, if you’re content to dismiss Obama as a gifted speaker but “an empty suit,” what do you care that the former Indiana Congressman chaired the House committees on both foreign affairs and security?

If you get a giggle out of referring to Obama by his middle name (Hussein), how much can it matter that Hamilton also chaired the 9/11 Commission, was co-vice-chair of the Iraq Study Group, and currently serves on the President’s Homeland Security Advisory Council?

If, on the other hand, you are someone who believes that people and presidential campaigns are infinitely complex, Hamilton’s stated choice for commander in chief was a grabber.

During his 34 years in the House of Representatives, Hamilton gained bipartisan respect as a deep, careful and open-minded expert on global affairs and the U.S. role in those affairs. Just two-weeks shy of his 77th birthday (April 20), he has filled his retirement with serving on the two commissions, the Homeland Security council, as a consultant to the CIA and with running the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. — among other jobs.

According to a story last month in The New Republic by senior editor Noam Scheiber, Hamilton has been a kind of off-stage, informal guru for Obama’s foreign policy advisers since day one of the campaign.

Obama’s foreign policy speech writer is Ben Rhodes, who assisted in writing Hamilton’s 9/11 Commission memoirs and “key chunks” of the Iraq Study Group Report. Three other former Hamilton aides — Denis McDonough, Dan Shapiro, Dan Restrepo — occupy significant spots on Obama’s foreign policy staff.

Even Obama advisers who served in the Clinton administration tend to subscribe more to a Hamiltonian philosophy than that of their former boss or any other high-profile political figure.

To Scheiber, “Hamilton is the kind of pragmatic, non-ideological foreign policy eminence who can flirt with heterodoxy without losing respectability.”

In other words, he is so experienced, even-keeled and devoid of the compulsion to enforce a rigid view of the world on others, he can credibly support the invasion of Bosnia, oppose the Iraq War and recommend — before Obama ever suggested it — that talks with dictators such as Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad should not be excluded from serious efforts at peace.

WOW! Penn Is Stepping Down As Hillary's Chief Strategist!

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:24:26 EDT

This had to happen. After Mark Penn was caught red-handed with representatives of the Colombian government to lobby for a pending free trade agreement that Hillary (allegedly) opposes. What I am surprised about is why it took so many days for this to happen! I am not surprised that Hillary will continue to take advantage of Penn's Polling services - and his advice. (Im other words, Mark Penn is still there, but we won't see him in the press.) From the Associated Press

Penn Out As Clinton Senior Strategist

By BETH FOUHY
Associated Press Writer

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- Mark Penn, the pollster and senior strategist for Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential bid, left the campaign Sunday after it was disclosed he met with representatives of the Colombian government to help promote a free trade agreement Clinton opposes.

"After the events of the last few days, Mark Penn has asked to give up his role as chief strategist of the Clinton Campaign," campaign manager Maggie Williams said in a statement released Sunday. "Mark, and Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, Inc. will continue to provide polling and advice to the campaign."

Communications director Howard Wolfson and pollster Geoff Garin will direct the campaign's message and strategic efforts for the campaign going forward, Williams said.

Penn's departure comes as Clinton, considered the front-runner for the Democratic nomination last year, trails Barack Obama in delegates and the popular vote with a must-win primary in Pennsylvania April 22 and nine other contests remaining. Clinton almost certainly will end the primary season narrowly behind Obama in the popular vote and pledged delegates unless the nullified primaries in Florida and Michigan are counted - a scenario that seems remote. Her challenge will be to convince some 800 superdelegates to back her despite the numbers.

ND: One More Delegate For Obama

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 21:48:33 EDT

HOT OFF THE PRESSES! (It'll be in the newspapers and on the blogs tomorrow!) Now, if we can get that one last superdelegate in North Dakota . . .

Obama supporters win final ND national delegate
By DALE WETZEL Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press - Monday, April 07, 2008

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- In the final hours of the North Dakota Democratic state convention on Sunday, Barack Obama supporters won a struggle for the support of a final, single delegate to the party's national convention.

Obama now has the backing of 15 of North Dakota's 21 delegates to the Democratic National Convention, which is being held Aug. 25-28 in Denver. Five support Hillary Rodham Clinton, while the 21st, David Strauss, the state party chairman, has stayed uncommitted.

The weekend contest was a reflection of the closeness of the Obama-Clinton Democratic presidential race nationally, which is narrow enough to magnify the importance of a struggle over a single North Dakota delegate.

Both Obama and Clinton spoke during the North Dakota state convention's opening night on Friday, and Democratic officials said the visits of both were motivated by the prospect of improving their North Dakota delegate strength.

On Sunday, Matt Weinstein, the Obama campaign's North Dakota director, and its senior North Dakota adviser, Fargo businessman Dan Hannaher, exhorted sympathetic delegates to stay in the convention hall.

The weekend convention drew almost 1,100 delegates. By midday Sunday, most had left, with many worried that a snowstorm that hit southeastern North Dakota would delay their travel home.

Weinstein and Hannaher wanted to ensure that Clinton's supporters, who gathered elsewhere in the Alerus Center, did not outnumber Obama backers when the two factions met late Sunday afternoon to choose a final national convention delegate.

At one point, Weinstein asked Obama delegates in the hall to call other delegates who had left to see if they could return.

"If anyone sitting in this room knows somebody who should be here, and is not, call them right now," Weinstein pleaded.

North Dakota's national convention delegate selection plan, which Strauss calls "fiendishly complex," divides the 21 delegates into groups.

Thirteen were allocated according to the results of North Dakota's Feb. 5 presidential preference caucuses. Obama won the caucuses with 61 percent of the vote; Clinton got 37 percent, with other candidates dividing up the remainder.

The caucus results suggested Obama should get eight of the 13 delegates, with Clinton getting the remaining five. Although the February vote was advisory, Sunday's delegate selections followed its blueprint. Eight of the 13 delegates are Obama supporters, while five are backing Clinton.

A separate group of seven delegates are "superdelegates" - party officials and North Dakota Democrats who hold elective office. Strauss is a superdelegate, as are Sens. Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad and Rep. Earl Pomeroy. Six of the seven superdelegates have endorsed Obama; Strauss has remained uncommitted.

The 21st delegate, who also may vote for whomever he or she pleases, was the last one picked on Sunday before the Democratic state convention ended at 3:37 p.m. Hannaher was chosen for the spot, placing first among four candidates with 195 of 304 votes.

"It reflects the Feb. 5 caucus vote," Hannaher said. "I think that reflects well on our caucus system ... and bodes well for the future. I think it sorted out very well."

Hannaher said he is confident the Obama delegates will stick with their candidate during any national convention fight.

"Talking to them and talking with their supporters, I am 100 percent convinced that we could go 100 ballots and not lose our strength," Hannaher said. "We have a solid Obama delegation going to Denver."

Gorman King Jr., of Fargo, a national delegate who supports Hillary Clinton, said the delegate selection outcome was fair.

"The people who are elected in this process are people who are here because they feel very strongly about their views," King said. "There's no question that the people who are elected out of our Hillary caucus are committed to Hillary, and I'm confident that people who were elected out of the Obama caucus are similarly committed to him."

The United Kingdom's View of Hillary?

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:52:59 EDT

I find it interesting that the UK press writes really in-depth articles about people in the US, especially the candidates. The following, from today's UK Sunday Times provides much more information about the Clintons' tax return. And there are some fascinating pearls within the paragraphs. Read on:

From The

Rapid rise of Hillary's fortune

April 6, 2008

Sarah Baxter, Washington

THE meteoric rise of the Clintons to the ranks of America’s wealthiest families has presented a challenge to Hillary Clinton’s presidential ambitions at a critical stage in the battle for the Democratic nomination.

The Clintons left the White House burdened by debt but have earned $109m (£55m) in the past eight years, putting them among the 14,500 richest families in the country and presenting a stark contrast to the impoverished families championed by her campaign.

Nearly half their income came from speeches given by Bill Clinton, often to companies that are big donors to his wife, raising ethical questions about the influence they were buying.

The former president reeled in at least $12.6m - and a possible further $2.7m last year - from a business partnership with his friend Ron Burkle, the supermarket magnate and financier. Bill Clinton has his own room in Burkle’s mansion in Los Angeles and travels so frequently on Burkle’s private jet that he jokingly calls it Air Force Two.

The Clinton campaign claimed that more than $10m of the earnings had been donated to charity, but the huge sum still raises more questions than it answers.

The bulk of the cash went to the Clinton Family Foundation and served as a tax write-off. The foundation has distributed only half its money - and most of that was after Hillary Clinton began running for president last year.

Delegates And Superdelegates: WAZZUP?

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:06:08 EDT

It's confusing. It's irritating. It's exciting and it is changing almost every day! It's the Delegate count and the Superdelegate count. In the last week the pledged delegate count has moved 6 more delegates into Obama's corner (and six away from Hillary.) First, the Delegate count. Read on:

Slate's Delegate Calculator

With revotes unlikely in Michigan and Florida, Hillary Clinton's hope is fading.

By Chadwick Matlin and Chris Wilson
Updated Saturday, April 5, 2008, at 7:07 AM ET

Since the last time we talked in this corner of the Internet, Mississippi and Texas have refined their delegate allocations—and Barack Obama has widened his delegate advantage by six. First off, Mississippi added a delegate to Obama's tally and took one away from Hillary Clinton after party officials realized they'd miscalculated the original delegate distribution. In Texas, meanwhile, the caucus results were finally certified, giving Obama a five-delegate margin overall when the caucus- and primary-delegate allocations were combined—a gain of two from our previous estimates.

Go to Slate's web page and play with the Delegate counter. It is very interesting!

. --------------------<o0O0o>----------------------

Now, the Superdelegate count

Obama gained four new superdelegates during this past week. Demconwatch.blogspot.com reports that another superdelegate has joined in Obama's corner today, in the following post:

Saturday, April 05, 2008 Missouri add-ons picked

Missouri picked its 2 add-on superdelegates today:

The state committee of the Missouri Democratic Party picked its final two supers today, and those slots went to four-term Attorney General and likely gubernatorial nominee Jay Nixon and state auditor Susan Montee.

The superdelegates are unpledged, meaning they are free to pick either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. Montee has endorsed Obama, but Nixon has not indicated a preference.

They're still waiting to hear from Delaware.

You should check daily with DemconWatch, as they keep full tallies of the superdelegates on their front page - and there are links to the names of both pledged and unpledged Superdelegates that you can check. (According to DemconWatch, Clinton now leads Obama by just 29 Superdelegates, most of whom are party insiders in the DNC.)

Colombian Government Cancels Penn's Contract

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 16:30:29 EDT

Hillary could make this problem go away by simply firing Mark Penn. (You can certainly pick your campaign managers!) Nevertheless, Penn is not going anywhere, even though his company lost a $300,000 contract with the Colombian government. The following is from Washington Post's THE TRAIL:

Colombian Government Cancels Penn's Contract
By Anne E. Kornblut

In another international incident on the campaign trail, the Colombian government has canceled its contract with the public relations firm run by chief Clinton strategist Mark Penn after he tried to distance himself from a meeting he held with the country's ambassador to the United States.

Penn has walked a tricky tightrope throughout the presidential campaign, serving both as the chief executive of the firm Burson-Marsteller and as the top strategist for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. The two roles collided last week, as Penn met with Colombian officials to discuss a pending trade agreement that Clinton herself opposes.

After news of the meeting was made public, Penn, an already controversial figure inside the campaign, came under attack from labor unions, with some officials calling for Clinton to fire him. Both Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama have said they are against the Colombia Free Trade Agreement, and Clinton has said new trade deals should undergo extra scrutiny before being put into effect to prevent another wave of job exportation of the kind that followed the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Penn issued a statement on Friday saying that his meeting with the Colombian ambassador was an "error in judgment." In return, a statement was issued by the Colombian embassy on Saturday morning that read: "The Colombian government considers this a lack of respect to Colombians, and finds this response unacceptable." The statement confirmed that the country is canceling its contract with Burson-Marsteller but will continue to seek passage of the Colombian trade deal. The Colombian government had hired the firm for $300,000. Penn did not have further comment.

PA: PPP Poll: Obama 45; Hillary 43 (Last Time it Was Hillary 56; Obama30!!!)

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 16:20:33 EDT

Public Policy Polling, which had Hillary ahead of Obama by a whopping 26 points a little over two weeks ago, had her down by 2 on Wednesday. That's a 28 point swing within three weeks!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 2, 2008
INTERVIEWS: DEAN DEBNAM 888-621-6988 / 919-880-4888 - QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POLL: TOM JENSEN 919-744-6312

OBAMA OVERTAKES CLINTON IN PA

Raleigh, N.C. – Barack Obama has taken the lead over Hillary Clinton 45-43 in Pennsylvania, according to the newest survey from Public Policy Polling.

It’s a remarkable turn around from PPP’s last Pennsylvania poll, conducted two and a half weeks ago, that showed Clinton with a 26 point lead in the state. That poll was released at the height of the Jeremiah Wright controversy and the day before Obama’s major speech on race in Philadelphia. Obama has been trending upward in national polling and in many state level polls since then and this survey reflects that pattern.

“In the last few weeks there has been increasing attention given to the fact that a continuing divisive Democratic nomination fight could hurt the party’s chances of defeating John McCain this fall,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “The major movement in Obama’s direction in Pennsylvania could be an indication that Democrats in that state think it’s time to wrap it up.”

Obama is narrowing the gap with white voters, trailing just 49-38, while maintaining his customary significant advantage with black voters. He leads that group 75-17.

Obama also leads among all age groups except senior citizens, with whom Clinton has a 50-34 advantage. The poll shows the standard gender gap with Obama leading by 15 points among men while trailing by 10 points with women.

PPP surveyed 1224 likely Democratic primary voters on March 31st and April 1st. The survey’s margin of errors is +/- 2.8%. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.

Public Policy Polling had the most accurate numbers of any company in the country for the Democratic primaries in South Carolina and Wisconsin, as well as the closest numbers for any organization that polled the contests in both Texas and Ohio.

Complete results can be found at www.publicpolicypolling.com.

CT: Former GOP Senator and Independent Governor Lowell Weicker Endorses Obama

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:43:20 EDT

Great news! And it shows that Obama's attraction crosses political party lines. It is long past the time for the two major parties to work together in these "United" States! Obama is going to do this. I simply cannot wait! Read on:

Former Connecticut governor Weicker endorses Obama

By STEPHANIE REITZ | Associated Press Writer
April 4, 2008

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Former Republican senator and Connecticut independent Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr. endorsed Barack Obama's presidential bid Friday, saying the Illinois Democrat "has the smarts, quite frankly, to do a damn good job."

Weicker, 76, said Obama's positive outlook, vision for the country's future and common sense made him the obvious candidate to endorse.

"Even though I'm almost 77 years old, I want a fresh start and a young start for this country," Weicker said. "I think we've had enough of the old-timers in both parties."

Weicker, a former U.S. congressman and senator, was elected Connecticut's governor in 1990 as an independent under his "A Connecticut Party" label. He served one term.

Reached by telephone Friday while traveling in Virginia, Weicker called Democratic contender Hillary Rodham Clinton "a very capable individual," but said he did not endorse her because "it's time to get on with some new thinking in this country."

An Iraq war opponent, Weicker said supporting Republican John McCain was never a consideration.

"Clearly on the issue of the war, there's no way I could back him," he said.

Weicker was a Republican senator from 1971 to 1989, but left the party and remains an independent. Despite his lengthy political career, Weicker said none of this year's presidential candidates actively courted his endorsement.

"I'm a has-been," he said.

Obama's campaign said in a statement Friday that he is grateful for Weicker's support, and "will continue to work hard to unite Republicans, independents and Democrats for change."

Obama won Connecticut's Democratic party primary in February, collecting 51 percent of the vote to Clinton's 47 percent.

Blair Latoff, a spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee, called Weicker's endorsement an example of people who listen to Obama's speeches without examining his record.

"From his far-left record to his old-style political attacks, there is nothing bipartisan or new about Barack Obama's 'most liberal' candidacy," Latoff said in a written statement.

Weicker lives in Virginia and is working with his alma mater, the University of Virginia, to sort and archive his Senate papers at its special collections library.

Weicker, who started his political career as a state representative and Greenwich first selectman, lived on Connecticut's shoreline before moving to Virginia a few years ago.

He said Friday that he and his wife, Claudia, are looking for a place to rent near Essex or Old Lyme after the University of Virginia project is completed.

"We're not leaving Connecticut," he said.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

WORDS DO COUNT. BUT SO SO ACTIONS!

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:35 EDT

Read this all the way to the end. It is from:
Factor military duty into criticism
April 3, 2008

By Lawrence Korb and Ian Moss

In 1961, a young African-American man, after hearing President John F. Kennedy's challenge to, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country," gave up his student deferment, left college in Virginia and voluntarily joined the Marines.

In 1963, this man, having completed his two years of service in the Marines, volunteered again to become a Navy corpsman. (They provide medical assistance to the Marines as well as to Navy personnel.)

The man did so well in corpsman school that he was the valedictorian and became a cardiopulmonary technician. Not surprisingly, he was assigned to the Navy's premier medical facility, Bethesda Naval Hospital, as a member of the commander in chief's medical team, and helped care for President Lyndon B. Johnson after his 1966 surgery. For his service on the team, which he left in 1967, the White House awarded him three letters of commendation.

What is even more remarkable is that this man entered the Marines and Navy not many years after the two branches began to become integrated.

While this young man was serving six years on active duty, Vice President Dick Cheney, who was born the same year as the Marine/sailor, received five deferments, four for being an undergraduate and graduate student and one for being a prospective father. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, both five years younger than the African-American youth, used their student deferments to stay in college until 1968. Both then avoided going on active duty through family connections.

Who is the real patriot? The young man who interrupted his studies to serve his country for six years or our three political leaders who beat the system? Are the patriots the people who actually sacrifice something or those who merely talk about their love of the country?

After leaving the service of his country, the young African-American finished his final year of college, entered the seminary, was ordained as a minister, and eventually became pastor of a large church in one of America's biggest cities.

This man is Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the retiring pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, who has been in the news for comments he made over the last three decades.

Since these comments became public we have heard criticisms, condemnations, denouncements and rejections of his comments and him.

We've seen on television, in a seemingly endless loop, sound bites of a select few of Rev. Wright's many sermons.

Some of the Wright's comments are inexcusable and inappropriate and should be condemned, but in calling him "unpatriotic," let us not forget that this is a man who gave up six of the most productive years of his life to serve his country.

How many of Wright's detractors, Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly to name but a few, volunteered for service, and did so under the often tumultuous circumstances of a newly integrated armed forces and a society in the midst of a civil rights struggle? Not many.

While words do count, so do actions.

Let us not forget that, for whatever Rev. Wright may have said over the last 30 years, he has demonstrated his patriotism.

Lawrence Korb and Ian Moss are, respectively, Navy and Marine Corps veterans. They work at The Center For American Progress. Korb served as assistant secretary of Defense in the Reagan administration.

Obama Outraises Hillary By $20 Million & President Jimmy Carter All But Formally Endorses Him

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:49:39 EDT

We again have good news to spread. Obama did very well (again) in the fundraising department, thanks to all of us - including more than 200,000 first-time contributors, according to the press release. The $40 million figure exceeded the campaign's expectations that predicted a haul between $30 and $35 million. In all, more than 442,000 people donated to the campaign - and the average donation was around $96. Hillary's campaign raised around $20 million, according to AP. So, Obama has a lot to smile about:

. . . .
By the way, did you see Chris Matthews' Hardball last night? It was one full hour with Barack Obama. I hear it is wonderful. We recorded it and hope to watch it tonight after work. I am told that it is on YouTube.com.

JIMMY CARTER PRACTICALLY ENDORSED OBAMA!

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported

Carter all but formally endorses Obama
From The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/03/08

Former President Jimmy Carter came close to endorsing Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, leaving little doubt who the Georgia native will back as a party superdelegate.

Speaking to Nigerian reporters Wednesday in the town of Abuja, Carter responded to a question about the prolonged race for the Democratic nomination.

"We are very interested in the primaries," Carter said, according to the Nigerian newspaper This Day. "Don't forget that Obama won in my state of Georgia. My town, which is home to 625 people, is for Obama. My children and their spouses are pro-Obama. My grandchildren are also pro-Obama. As a superdelegate, I would not disclose who I am rooting for, but I leave you to make that guess."

Carter spokeswoman Deanna Congileo confirmed the former president's remarks to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Thursday.

Carter was in Nigeria for a ceremony to celebrate the reduction of cases of Guinea worm disease to fewer than 10,000.

The former president is one of 13 Georgia superdelegates, those party leaders and elected officials who are free to support whichever candidate they choose. Of those 13, Obama currently has the support of seven; three are supporting Clinton and three are uncommitted.

Carter, U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Ga.) and DNC member and labor leader Richard Ray have yet to announce their choice.

OR: To back Obama, Oregon lawmaker is back as Democrat

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:52:45 EDT

Here's a Republican woman switching parties for the right reason! From:

To back Obama, Oregon lawmaker is back as Democrat
4/2/2008, 1:27 p.m. PDT The Associated Press

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — State Senator Avel Gordly of Portland is rejoining the Democratic Party so she can vote for presidential contender Barack Obama.

Gordly split with Democrats over differences in partisanship, but she re-registered to be eligible to vote for Obama next month. The primary votes are counted May 20.

The Portland lawmaker called Obama a "unifier" as she joined 23 Democratic lawmakers Tuesday on the State Capitol steps to endorse him.

IN: Actor Jeremy Piven Is Stuping For Obama In Bloomington

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:43:16 EDT

And the star endorsements keep coming! Last night, Jane Fonda; today, Jeremy Piven. Read on:

Actor Jeremy Piven is stumping for Obama in Bloomington. The star of HBO's "Entourage" is trying to get more I.U. students to register to vote.

"Being from Chicago, I kind of saw him come up in the ranks and I saw him deal with a lot of adversity coming up and do it kind of beautifully and articulately and always take the high road. He seems to be a man of his word and continues to be and that seems to be a rare thing in politics today," said Piven.

The deadline for voters to get registered for the May primary is Monday, April 7 at 5p.m.

. .

A Few Valuable Endorsements Today (Two From Superdelegates)

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:35:43 EDT

. .

I hope that this is a new trend. Last Friday, right on the heels of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson's endorsement, Senator Bob Casey, Jr. of Pennsylvania endorsed Obama. On Monday, Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota endorsed Obama. (This was a great endorsement for Obama because Klobuchar really fits the alleged "Clinton demographic.") Klobuchar is the second woman senator to endorse him and gives Obama more support in the upper chamber than Hillary has.

Today, Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal and former Montana Sen. John Melcher both endorsed Obama. As superdelegates to the national convention, they are among the Democratic Party leaders who will ultimately decide the nomination, because although Obama leads Clinton in delegates neither one can win solely with pledged delegates awarded through primaries and caucuses.

Obama handily won Wyoming's March 8 caucus; Montana holds a Democratic primary on June 3.

Since last Friday, Obama has cut Clinton's lead among superdelegates by four; she has 250 to his 220. Hopefully, a few more superdelegates will announce their endorsements before the end of this week and Hillary's overall super-delegate lead will continue to shrink.

Obama also received a few endorsements that are very important, even though they do not involve superdelegates.

An affiliate of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (which endorsed Clinton) broke ranks and endorsed Obama. The Philadelphia-based local of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees has about 16,000 members endorsed Obama. Henry Nicholas, the president, announced the endorsement while introducing Obama at a meeting of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO in Philadelphia. This is great news and the timing could not be better, as polls show Hillary leads in the blue collar sector of Pennsylvania.

Academy Award winning actress and Anti-Viet Nam War proponent Jane Fonda endorsed Obama last night as well! She was caught by cameramen leaving a restarurant last night when one of the shouted out, "Who are you going to vote for?" There was a moment of silence. Then, the actress turned around toward the cameras, paused and with a smile said simply, "Obama!" Then she got into a car and drove away.

Also today, longtime Indiana congressman and co-chairman of the 9/11 Commission, Lee Hamilton announced his endorsement of Obama. The following explains why Hamilton's endorsement is such a great thing for Obama, from the Washington Post's THE TRAIL:

Hamilton's support helps Obama in Indiana, where the May 6 primary looms as perhaps the most evenly matched of the remaining contests, and thus a possible media bellwether. Until now, Hillary Clinton has held an edge in establishment support in the state, thanks mostly to her backing from Evan Bayh, the senator, former governor and son of a former senator.

As importantly, the nod from the respected co-chairman of the 9/11 commission bolsters Obama's claim as a credible candidate for commander in chief, a point on which the rookie senator has been hammered by both Clinton and McCain. (In fact, Hamilton is not the first 9/11 commission member from Indiana to endorse Obama -- former congressman Tim Roemer came out for him last month.) There is the added twist of the 9/11 commission co-chairman passing over the senator from the state that suffered the worst of the attacks, though the symbolism is not as stark as it was when Tom Kean, the former New Jersey governor and Republican co-chairman of the panel, endorsed McCain instead of Rudy Giuliani, the presidential candidate most closely identified with the attacks.

Hamilton told the Associated Press that he was supporting Obama because he practices "the politics of consensus and not of partisan division."

"I think he is driven by the search for the common good," Hamilton said. "I begin by asking myself what kind of leadership the country needs at this juncture and I think, for me at least, the answer is that you want a candidate that will try to bring together a country that is very evenly divided, a country in which partisanship has been very sharp and to try to get a candidate who will create a new sense of national unity and will try to transcend the divisions within the country."

Indiana's place on the calendar -- on May 6, twinned with North Carolina and the first contests after Pennsylvania -- has given the state outsized importance. If Obama can win there and in North Carolina, where he is favored, he could halt Clinton's expected momentum coming out of the Keystone State. Yet Obama so far has given the Hoosiers little attention. He is planning to drop by Friday, on his way to North Dakota and two days in Montana.

"The more we can get him in the state the better we are," Roemer said. "I'd like him in the state 25 hours a day if I could get my druthers."

But Hamilton's endorsement could help, Roemer said, especially in the conservative southern regions. "I think Lee's endorsement is a great shot in the arm and a boost to the campaign," he said. "He's revered, especially in southern Indiana."

ICKES: RACE & THE WRIGHT ISSUE IS CENTRAL TO HILLARY CAMPAIGN

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:13:22 EDT

HOW LOW CAN SHE GO?

One of Hillary's top advisors, Harold Ickes confirmed that Hillary plans to use the issue of OBAMA'S RACE and to attack Obama on the Wright issue; and even to get superdelegates - and other delegates - to switch their vote to her. Watch this video of the April 1 Keith Olbermann show episode:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/23908351#23908351

Worse, Nancy Pelosi seems to be backing off from her strong stand. Did the threat letter from Hillary's billionaire buddies change Pelosi, or are the Clintons doing even more sleazy stuff behind the scenes?

We need to contact the superdelegates - and the press - to respond by looking at her misstatements about dodging sniper fire and the true facts shown in the CBS News Bosnia video - and by using her billionaire buddies to threaten the speaker of the house.

Hillary's APRIL FOOLS JOKE! (Really! It was, well, kinda funny.)

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:24:58 EDT

Wow! From:
.
Clinton's April Fools Joke
By BETH FOUHY | April 1, 2008 (April Fools Day)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton walked somberly into a press conference Tuesday and stood before microphones. Reporters tensed, sensing something big might be afoot.

"This has been a very hard fought race," she said. "We clearly need to do something so that our party and our people can make the right decision. So, I have a proposal."

The tension grew. Reporters shifted in their seats. Was she dropping out of the race? Offering to join rival Barack Obama as his running mate?

"Today, I am challenging Senator Obama to a bowl-off," Clinton said, provoking relieved laughs from the assembled scribes.

Clinton carried on, making reference to Obama's disastrous outing at a Pennsylvania bowling alley Saturday.

"A bowling night. Right here in Pennsylvania. The winner take all," she went on. "I'll even spot him two frames."

"It is time for his campaign to get out of the gutter and allow all the pins to be counted. I'm prepared to play this game all the way to the tenth frame. When this game is over, the American people will know that when that phone rings at 3 a.m., they'll have a president ready to bowl on day one."

"Let's strike a deal and go bowling for delegates. We don't have a moment to spare, because it's already April Fool's Day. Happy April Fool's Day."

Will Hillary Lend Her Campaign Another $5 Million?

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:29:25 EDT

Looks like Hillary's campaign needs another cash infusion. The question is, will Hillary take the risk and loan her campaign the money? Only she knows whether she is good for it. The following is from a Philadelphia TV station's web page and, ironically appears under this banner:

This was brought to you by

Hill's Bills: Claims Rise That Clinton's Not Paying Bills On Time
April 1, 2008

PITTSBURGH -- Sen. Hillary Clinton is set to arrive in Pittsburgh on Wednesday morning for what her campaign is calling an important economic summit, but she comes at a time when some are wondering about the fiscal health of her own campaign.

Campaign finance records show Sen. Barack Obama appears to have perhaps $25 million more and far less debt than Clinton.The news comes as some of the companies Clinton recently hired have publicly accused her campaign of not paying its bills on time.

Clinton hired a Youngstown, Ohio, production company to set up for a February stop in nearby Lordstown, along with a few others.

The total tab was $25,000, which, according to the company, the campaign never paid until the company complained publicly. They said they then received a check for half of the amount.The sales manager of the company said, "We're insulted by the way they're handling their campaign."

Poll: Clinton slides in trustworthiness

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:04:31 EDT

So far, Hillary's campaign is proceeding as we expected:

Poll: Clinton slides in trustworthiness

Published: April 1, 2008 at 5:15 PM

NEW YORK, April 1 (UPI) -- Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., trails Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in the number of pledged delegates and in trustworthiness as well, polls indicate.

A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll indicates 20 percent of the nearly 1,000 respondents said they had a very negative opinion of Clinton, compared to 15 percent for Obama and 12 percent for presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

A Pew Research survey indicated 29 percent of Democratic voters asked describe Clinton as "phony," compared with 14 percent for Obama.

Clinton's trustworthiness came under question last week when she admitted to overstating the danger she had faced on a 1996 trip to Bosnia as first lady. The incident prompted claims she exaggerated her role on other issues, such as the Northern Ireland peace process, North American Free Trade Agreement opposition and bringing about child healthcare.

The Clinton campaign has tried to shift focus away from recent debates about her record and toward the economy, an issue polls indicate voters believe she understands better than Obama.

NBC/SurveyUSA: Clinton's Lead Shrinks In Pa. Poll

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:54:42 EDT

Exclusive Poll: Clinton's Lead Shrinks In Pa.

Clinton Leads By 12 Points, Survey Finds (April 1, 2008)

If the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania were held Tuesday, April 1, Hillary Clinton would defeat Barack Obama by 12 percentage points, according to a recent SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for NBC 10 and three other Pennsylvania TV stations across the state.

However, the poll showed Obama gaining ground in the Keystone State, particularly in cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and among older voters, men and conservative Democrats. Compared to an identical SurveyUSA poll released three weeks ago, Clinton is down two points and Obama is up five, with Clinton's previous 19-point lead cut to 12, the survey found.

The movement in support came almost entirely from men, according to the survey results. Clinton had led by five points but now trails by seven -- a 12-point swing to Obama. To see this illustrated, go to SurveyUSA's exclusive interactive tracking graph here.

Among women, Clinton's lead remains largely unchanged. Among voters ages 50 and older, Clinton had led by 26 points and now leads by 22. Among voters under 50, Clinton had led by 12 points but now leads by two, a 10-point swing to Obama.

In southeast Pennsylvania, which includes Philadelphia and makes up 43 percent of likely Democratic voters, the candidates have traded places: Clinton had been up two points but is now down three. In southwest Pennsylvania, which includes Pittsburgh, Clinton had led by 31, but now is at 17, a 14-point swing to Obama. In the northeastern part of the state, which includes Scranton, there is movement to Clinton.

The survey concluded that there is also movement to Obama from conservative and anti-abortion Democrats.However, Clinton continues to dominate among voters focused on the economy, the No. 1 issue, and health care, considered the No. 3 issue, according to the survey.

Obama has gained ground but Clinton continues to lead among voters focused on Iraq, the No. 2 issue. The survey data was collected from March 29 to March 31 in Pennsylvania. Of the 1,600 Pennsylvania adults interviewed, 1,405 of them were registered to vote.

Rasmussen: Clinton's Lead in PA is SHRINKING!

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:28:27 EDT

Hillary can no longer claim a double-digit lead over Obama in Pennsylvania! It is now Hillary 47%, Obama 42%! The following from Rasmussen Reports:

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Senator Hillary Clinton's lead in the Pennsylvania Primary is shrinking.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Pennsylvania shows Clinton leading Barack Obama by just five percentage points, 47% to 42%. For Clinton, that five-point edge is down from a ten-point lead a week ago, a thirteen-point lead in mid-March and a fifteen-point advantage in early March.

Support for Clinton slipped from 52% early in March, to 51% in mid-month, 49% a week ago, and 47% today. During that same time frame, support for Obama has increased from 37% to 42%.

Obama recently received a key endorsement from Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey and has also spent more on television ads than Clinton. If Obama is able to pull off an upset in the Keystone State, it would effectively end the race for the Democratic Presidential Nomination. Obama currently leads Clinton nationally in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll. However, while an Obama victory could end the nomination battle, Clinton remains ahead in the state and recently demonstrated her ability to finish strong in the Ohio and Texas Primaries.

Tensions clearly remain in the contest. If Obama is nominated, just 56% of Clinton supporters say they are likely to vote for him against John McCain. Forty percent (40%) of Clinton voters in Pennsylvania say they are not likely to vote for Obama.

On the other hand, if Clinton is nominated, just 67% of Obama supporters say they are likely to vote for her against McCain. Twenty-nine percent (29%) are not.

Just 21% of Pennsylvania’s Primary Voters say that Clinton should drop out of the race while 18% would like Obama to leave. Those figures are similar to results from a recent national survey. Fifty-one percent (51%) in Pennsylvania say it’s very likely the contest will not be resolved until the convention in Denver. That figure includes 61% of Clinton voters and 38% of those who support Obama. Overall, another 33% say a convention decision is Somewhat Likely.

Forty-seven percent (47%) say they have followed news stories Very Closely about Clinton’s Bosnia misstatements. Another 27% have followed those stories Somewhat Closely. Overall, 19% consider that issue to be Very Important in their voting decision. That figure includes 6% of Clinton supporters and 36% of Obama voters. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of Pennsylvania voters say that most politicians lie or embellish the truth when discussing their own accomplishments. Only 12% disagree.

Clinton voters, by a 64% to 26% margin, believe that American society is generally fair and decent. Obama voters are evenly divided—45% hold that optimistic view while another 45% say society is generally unfair and discriminatory.

Among voters who say the economy is the top voting issue, Clinton maintains a sixteen-point lead over Obama. Among those who view the War in Iraq as the top issue, Obama has a seventeen-point advantage. Among those who say health care is most important, 48% prefer Clinton and 40% choose Obama. Overall, 54% say the Economy is most important, 19% say it’s the War in Iraq, and 10% say Health Care.

In the Keystone State, Clinton is now viewed favorably by 74% of Likely Democratic Primary Voters, Obama by 73%.

A separate survey found that both Democrats are in a competitive race with John McCain for Pennsylvania’s Electoral College votes. Nationally, McCain currently leads both Democrats in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll. Looking at the Electoral College, the race is essentially a Toss-Up.

Just 3% of Likely Democratic Primary Voters rate the economy as good or excellent while 70% say it’s in poor shape. Just 2% say it is getting better while 91% say the economy is getting worse. Nationally, the Rasmussen Consumer Index shows that consumer and investor confidence has fallen to the lowest level of the past seven years.

Rasmussen Markets data just prior to release of this poll shows that Clinton is overwhelming favored to end up victorious in Pennsylvania (current prices: Clinton 82.6 % Obama 18.4 %). Overall, the Markets give Obama a 84.0 % chance to win the Democratic nomination while expectations for a Clinton victory are at 16.7 %. Numbers in this paragraph are from a prediction market, not a poll. Using a trading format where traders "buy and sell" candidates, issues, and news features, the Rasmussen Markets harness competitive passions to provide a reliable leading indicator of upcoming events. We invite you to participate in the Rasmussen Markets. It costs nothing to join and add your voice to the collective wisdom of the market.

Limbaugh's "Operation Chaos" Is Expanding! Good news/BAD NEWS

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:08:30 EDT

Read the rest of the article - after the fold. Don't believe the reasons posed by the Republican radio personalities. Rush Limbaugh and Laura Ingraham want Clinton to win the nomination because McCain can beat her - and he cannot beat Obama. Read on:

April 1, 2008, 2:07AM
Clinton-Obama race spurs party switches

By JULIA SILVERMAN, Associated Press Writer
© 2008 The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. — Matthew Buckingham, a stay-at-home father in Portland's suburbs and lifelong Republican, is fired up about voting for Sen. John McCain in November.

But on May 20, the date of Oregon's unexpectedly consequential presidential primary, Buckingham's choice for the primary is still up in the air: Should it be Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, or Sen. Barack Obama?

Like nearly 10,000 Oregonians — and thousands more voters in other late-primary states — Buckingham has temporarily switched his party affiliation in order to be able to vote in the red-hot Democratic primary.

"The bottom line is, this is the first Oregon presidential primary I have ever voted in my life that actually could matter, and I am not going to pass up that chance just because I am registered with the wrong party," said the 45-year-old Buckingham. "I want to make sure whoever gets in there, it is someone I can live with."

Many voters say they have made the switch to grab the chance to have a voice they never thought they'd have, in a historic race that conventional wisdom had predicted would be decided on Super Tuesday in February.

Some renegade conservatives, though, will admit to switching in order to drag out the Democratic primary as long as possible in the hope of bruising both candidates along the way.

University Of Chicago: Obama Was A Professor

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:44:40 EDT

This issue keeps coming up. Barack Obama taught Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago Law School. People are receiving mailers that say something different - and they are misleading. From the Huffington Post:

University Of Chicago: Obama Was A Professor

The Huffington Post | March 28, 2008 11:03 AM

A recent Clinton campaign research document charged that Barack Obama was falsely claiming to be a professor:

Sen. Obama consistently and falsely claims that he was a law professor. The Sun-Times reported that, "Several direct-mail pieces issued for Obama's primary [Senate] campaign said he was a law professor at the University of Chicago. He is not. He is a senior lecturer (now on leave) at the school. In academia, there is a vast difference between the two titles. Details matter." In academia, there's a significant difference: professors have tenure while lecturers do not. [Hotline Blog, 4/9/07; Chicago Sun-Times, 8/8/04]

Today, the University of Chicago released the following statement:

The Law School has received many media requests about Barack Obama, especially about his status as "Senior Lecturer." From 1992 until his election to the U.S. Senate in 2004, Barack Obama served as a professor in the Law School. He was a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996. He was a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004, during which time he taught three courses per year. Senior Lecturers are considered to be members of the Law School faculty and are regarded as professors, although not full-time or tenure-track. The title of Senior Lecturer is distinct from the title of Lecturer, which signifies adjunct status. Like Obama, each of the Law School's Senior Lecturers have high-demand careers in politics or public service, which prevent full-time teaching. Several times during his 12 years as a professor in the Law School, Obama was invited to join the faculty in a full-time tenure-track position, but he declined.

Top 10 Myths Keeping Hillary in the Race

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:57:19 EDT

New You Tube Music Video (Roger Waters song used.) Here's another really beautiful You Tube Video, though it is not directly about Obama (but moving just the same.) And here is a slightly humorous You Tube Video created by a member of my group!

Top 10 Myths Keeping Hillary in the Race
Posted March 31, 2008
Chip Collis

I have noted a number of myths amongst the comments here as to why Hillary should stay in the race. Here are ten enduring, kudzu-like myths, with the debunking they sorely need.

Myth: This race is tied.

No, actually, it's not. Obama has the lead in number of states won, in pledged delegates and in overall delegates. Nothing will happen in the remaining primaries to substantially change that. As to the one thing Hillary does lead in, superdelegates, her quickly shrinking margin is among DNC personnel only. When you look at the elected superdelegates, Congressman, Senators and Governors (i.e. people who actually work with both Obama and Clinton) Obama leads there, too.

Myth: Okay, the popular vote is tied.

There are people who claim that because of the 3% separation, that Obama's lead in the popular vote is a "statistical tie." This is a myth because, when you can actually count things, there's no need of statistics and no such thing as a margin of error. The popular vote is not an estimate based on a sampling, like a poll. Like the general election, there are winners and losers and, so far, Obama is the winner.

Myth: Fine, but what if we count electoral votes? NOW Hillary is ahead!

Not so much. The proportions of electoral votes to population versus delegates to population are pretty comparable. So if you allocated electors proportionally in the same manner that you allocate delegates, Obama is still ahead. If you allocate them on a winner-take-all basis, then that would be the same as allocating the delegates on a winner-take-all basis, so why bring electors into it?

Myth: But if we did do it like the Electoral College, that proves Hillary is more electable than Obama, because of states like California.

This is perhaps the saddest little myth of all. It's ridiculous to suggest that Obama will lose New York and California to McCain because Clinton won them in the primaries. No, come November, those states will join with Obama's Illinois to provide 40% of the electors necessary for him to win.

Myth: Very well, then, Mr. Smarty-Math. But if we counted Michigan and Florida, THEN Hillary would be winning!

Nooo, she wouldn't. The margin would depend on how you allocate the delegates, but Obama would still be ahead. And he'd still be about 100,000 ahead in the popular vote, too, despite not even being on the ballot in Michigan. However, it would enhance Hillary's chances of catching up in the remaining races.

Myth: Ah HA! So Dean is keeping them out just to help Obama! And Obama is keeping them out.

That's two myths, but I'll treat it like one. The only people who can come up with a solution to this problem are the states themselves, to be presented to the Rules and Regulations Committee of the DNC for ratification. It was Rules and Regs, not Howard Dean, who ruled that Florida and Michigan were breaking the rules when they presented their original primary plans. If the two states cannot come up with a plan to reselect delegates, they can try to seat whatever delegates were chosen in the discounted primaries by appealing to the Democratic Convention's Credentialing Committee, which includes many members from Rules and Bylaws.

Myth: If they don't get seated until the convention but a nominee is selected before these poor people get counted then these states are disenfranchised.

There are two ways to debunk this myth: semantically and practically. The first is based on the word "disenfranchised:" these people have not been deprived of their right to vote. Through the actions of their states, their votes don't impact the outcome. Now, you may say that that is specious semantics (Myth: I do say that!) but practically speaking, this is the usual effect of the nominating process, anyway. All of the Republican primaries since McCain clinched the nomination have been meaningless, but those voters are not disenfranchised.

Florida and Michigan tried to become more relevant in the process by breaking the rules. They risked becoming irrelevant instead.

Myth: Well, I say they are disenfranchised, and Hillary Clinton is their champion.

Only when it suits her. Last fall, when the decision was first made to flush 100% of Michigan and Florida delegates, Clinton firmly ratified it. That was because the typical punishment of only 50% representation also kept the candidates from raising money in those states. Figuring that she would wrap up the nomination handily anyway, the clear front-runner agreed with all the other candidates - including Obama - to completely "disenfranchise" those two states.

Myth: Well, never mind 2007. She's doing more now to bring them in.

Not really. Recent stories in the St. Petersburg Times political blog said that 1) the Obama camp has reached out to the Florida Democratic party about a compromise and that 2) the Clinton camp will discuss nothing else but re-votes, which are legally, practically and politically dead.

Myth: Whatever! Hillary can still win! I know she can! She and her 37% positive rating will sweep through the remaining primaries and Michigan and Florida, winning 70% of everything and superdelegates will flock to her banner and Barack Obama will personally nominate her at the Convention and John McCain will give up and George Bush will even quit early so she can take over and... and... and... can I have a glass of water?

Yes, and you should lie down, too.

Gallup: Obama is Back Up . . . AGAIN, By a BIG 10% Margin

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 19:13:41 EDT

Folks, I think this will be it for Hillary. Her fabricated Bosnia story and the threats against the entire Democratic Party that Hillary's billionaire buddies made on Nancy Pelosi may have been the final nails in her campaign's coffin.

Hillary's campaign is, again, not paying all of its bills; and - this time - she is not lending her campaign another $5 million.

Most of the liberal press and the blogosphere are pressing on Hillary to step down. With Art Bell's endorsement of Obama last Friday night (a huge blue collar contingent listens to him), Hillary may not win as large a margin in Pennsylvania as Rush Limbaugh predicts.

Now, there is statistical support coming from the pollsters; the latest from today's Gallup Poll. Read on:

Gallup Daily: Obama Now at 52% to Clinton’s 42%
March 30, 2008

PRINCETON, NJ -- Barack Obama has extended his lead over Hillary Clinton among Democrats nationally to 52% to 42%, the third consecutive Gallup Poll Daily tracking report in which he has held a statistically significant lead, and Obama's largest lead of the year so far.
.

The latest results are based on Gallup Poll Daily tracking conducted March 27-29. Obama did particularly well in interviewing conducted on March 29.

This marks the first time either candidate has held a double-digit lead over the other since Feb. 4-6, at which point Clinton led Obama by 11 percentage points. (To view the complete trend since Jan. 2, 2008, click here.)
.
Rasmussen Reports (a more conservative leaning polling group) shows that Obama has a lead as well: Obama 47% Clinton 42% (see recent daily results).

Semana Latina

Sam — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:44:59 EDT

Amigos,

On the week of April 13th, Latinos across the country will be participating in low dollar fundraisers nationwide to support the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama. During this"Semana Latina", Latinos nation-wide will say in one collective voice - Sí se puede por Obama.

Will you be adding your voice?

We need you to plan or attend an event. To organize an event for "Semana Latina," please register your event on my.barackobama.com. We will then feature it on the National Latinos for Obama site.

We can also provide instructions on planning a successful event and connect you with other activists in your area. If you are interested and would like more information, please contact: latinosporobama.events@gmail.com.

This is an opportunity to have our voices heard and organize our community as we head toward the remaining primaries and the general election.

Our goal is to have events in all 50 states.

This is a grassroots effort to raise our voice and help elect Senator Obama to the White House. You can make it happen by planning or attending an event during Semana Latina.

Sí Se Puede.

Latinos for Obama Grassroots Organization

Famous Late Night Radio Broadcaster, Art Bell Endorses Obama!

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 05:40:31 EDT

On Friday night, March 28, 2008, famous late night radio personality Art Bell, announced that he supports Barack Obama!

Art Bell's radio show, Coast To Coast AM, which at its peak in popularity was syndicated on over 500 radio stations across the country, and claimed upwards of 30 million loyal listeners nightly (when he hosted the show), probably still claims at least 15 million loyal listeners - which is three times Rush Limbaugh's listenership.

This announcement probably stunned most of Bell's loyal audience, most of whom are conservative, gun-toting, Ron Paul types. In fact, a loyal listener called in and tried to suggest that Mr. Bell consider John McCain's credentials; to which Mr. Bell responded something to the effect of, "No sir. I have been studying Barack Obama. I have been listening carefully to what Obama has actually said in his speeches and I like what I hear. I like what I see. I am an Obama guy!"

No coaxing from Art Bell's audience would change his mind. He has decided. Barack Obama is Art Bell's candidate for president of the United States. And this, my friends, is a GREAT endorsement.

What makes this really interesting is that, earlier this year, Mr. Bell expressed support for Ron Paul.

Bell's show discusses very interesting off-beat topics like conspiracies (including 9/11 and the JFK conspiracy) the paranormal, occult knowledge, UFOs, protoscience and pseudo-science, which is perfect for people who, like me, suffer from insomnia.

More interesting to people like me, he also frequently treats us to interviews with guests like physicist Michio Kaku and SETI astronomers Seth Shostak and H. Paul Shuch, and composer, engineer, philosopher, lawyer, mathemetician and author of Fuzzy Thinking and NanoTime, Bart Kosko (whom I particularly like - perhaps because I went to the same college he went to.) Coast To Coast AM is perfect for insomniacs: I cannot reccommend it enough, especially now that Art Bell supports Barack Obama!

This is Art Bell's precious daughter, Asia Bell, and their cat. (Art Bell has always been an ardent cat lover. And he is passing that love to his new daughter.)

CA: S.F. Sentinal Switches Endorsement From Clinton To Obama!

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:43:06 EDT

Wow! Read the reasons why. It makes me (much more) proud to be an American!

THE SAN FRANCISCO SENTINEL ENDORSES BARACK OBAMA
29 March 2008
.

BY PAT MURPHY
Sentinel Editor & Publisher
Copyright © 2008

The Sentinel long preferred Hillary Rodham Clinton to lead the nation. A second President Clinton truly could hit the ground running.

For eight years, she proved herself an assertive and dynamic First Lady with hands-on experience in moving her agenda with Congress and the U.S. people.

She needs no learning curve to experience how effective policy shaping really goes down.

And she would have the counsel of her husband Bill Clinton, who knows the reality of being president as only a United States President can.

Barrack Obama, for all his intellect and integrity — and the best and brighest Obama would bring to the Oval Office — would become more effective as president only through experience.

But Obama stood tall in a harsh crucible not seen in recent presidential campaigns and both Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton sometimes hit too low.

Obama, in turn, rose to defining stature.

Americans were able to connect with Obama in a time when the great national hunger is to feel connected to the institutions which shape our lives.

Through those comparisons the San Francisco Sentinel now endorses Barack Obama for the United States Presidency.

The Sentinel asks Clinton to cede a real chance for the nation to feel that desperately needed sense of community again, and now throw her support to Barack Obama.

John McCain is a more honorable man than President George Bush.

The Sentinel believes a President John McCain would be an implacable protector of First Amendment rights, where too many Republicans prefer media constraints, the first-cause threat to liberty.

‘Not For Quitting’ framing of a continued Clinton campaign does not show backslap stamina or courage.

It brings a brokered convention, an insider super-delegates fix, and probability of national campaign workers sitting out the election.

Likewise, the Sentinel dreams of an Al Gore second campaign for presidency.

But fears both Obama and Clinton supporters would therein sit on their hands.

It is time for this country, and world, again to thrill with revitalization of another John F. Kennedy.

McCain myopia could not return us to that hopeful America which JFK brought.

The San Francisco Sentinel urges all Americans quickly to make it possible for Barack Obama to return us to hope.
PAT MURPHY
Sentinel Editor & Publisher

Subject: Do Billionaires Own the Democratic Party?

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:00:57 EDT

I don't know if you saw this, but 20 big Clinton donors tried to bully Nancy Pelosi for saying that superdelegates should let the voters decide who becomes the Democratic nominee. This is the worst kind of insider politics, and it has to stop.

You and I and everyone who has ever given money or time to a progressive candidate make up the backbone of this party.

We need to send a strong signal that we, the small donors, will back Democratic leaders with the courage to stand up for Democracy in the Democratic party. Please join me and sign this statement today.

http://pol.moveon.org/democracy/?r_by=-6449717-84YfCL&rc=paste

Thanks!

Hope4

NY: Mayor Michael Bloomberg Introduces Obama - Obama On the Economy

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:40:49 EDT

Mayor of NYC, Michael Bloomberg introduced Barack Obama when he delivered an address at Cooper Union today about the country's economy - and what needed to be done. Bloomberg’s office took the highly unusual step of announcing the event late last night. Hillary's camp must be really frosted, as Hillary has been trying to get Bloomberg to endorse her campaign for a very long time. Since Bloomberg is more in Hillary's neighborhood than Obama's, I think this will help Obama grab a few more votes from the gang in the neighboring state of Pennsylvania on April 22. You can read Obama's full speech after "the fold."

Hot Air (which is surmizing that Bloomberg's plan is to get a VP slot or another high-profile position in Obama's cabinet) had this to say about Bloomberg's relationship with Obama:

Their joint appearance on Hillary Rodham Clinton’s home turf could provide a boost for Obama in the tightly contested race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The introduction will fuel endorsement rumors — and more. Obama will need a dynamic, experienced executive as his running mate to convince general-election voters of his substance and ability. Bloomberg has made no secret of his ambitions, and having put aside the presidency, may see a VP run as an entree to something bigger down the road. He could wind up being the economics guru of an Obama administration — and he could potentially keep Hillary voters from defecting to McCain.

Bloomberg understands business and politics. His endorsement will come with a price. Whether that price involves policy preferences or something more personal remains to be seen. However, the big buildup to today’s event gives a strong indication that a deal of one kind or another has either been made or is close enough.

That will undoubtedly worry Hillary Clinton. New York has already had its primary, so the votes make no difference now. Bloomberg appeals to the same moderates she hopes to reach, though, and if he aligns himself with Obama, it will almost certainly end any appeal she has to the superdelegates. The Democratic establishment will take one look at Bloomberg’s deep pockets and fall in love with n Obama/Bloomberg ticket.

The text of Obama's speech follows the break, but keep the following calendar in mind:
-- Pennsylvania: 26 days
-- North Carolina, Indiana: 40 days
-- Election Day 2008: 222 days
-- Obama's Inauguration Day 2009: 299 days

IN: Twenty Five members of Indiana's House and Senate endorse Obama!

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:45:50 EDT

This is great news, from

Twenty Five members of Indiana's House and Senate endorse Obama
Updated: Mar 27, 2008
Legislators from across the state cite Obama's Judgment and Commitment to Changing Politics

(INDIANAPOLIS - WANE) At a press conference in Indianapolis, the Obama Campaign Thursday announced the endorsement of 25 Indiana State Legislators. Leaders from across Indiana came together to speak about their support for Senator Obama's campaign to change politics in Washington, D.C. and bring change we can believe in.

"This election is about the past versus the future and Barack Obama represents the future," Sen. Earlene Rogers said. "The American people are ready to turn the page on the failed politics and policies of the past. I trust Senator Obama to bring people together to help provide affordable health care, revive our economy and bring our troops home."

Rogers cited Obama's work to expand tax breaks for working families in Illinois and his plan to save everyday Americans $2,500 annually in health care costs as key reasons why she had earned his vote.

"I support Barack Obama because he is the only candidate who can take on the special interests, put an end to petty partisanship, and unite this entire nation around a common purpose so we can finally start making progress for ordinary Americans," Rep Jeb Bardon said. Senator Obama's campaign does not accept money from lobbyists or special interests PACs.

Nancy Pelosi On "The Rules Of The DNC"

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 06:38:21 EDT

From The Associated Press:

A Redux Convention for Lady of the House

By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS – March 25, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nancy Pelosi is scrambling to quell Democratic infighting. Two states broke the rules with earlier-than-allowed primaries, and two candidates are dueling for an advantage among superdelegates who could hold the key to the nomination.

Sound familiar? It was 1984, and the woman who is now Speaker of the House — and chair of this summer's national convention — was getting an early and sometimes painful education in how delegate rules can breed party strife.

Back then Pelosi, a rising star and fundraising powerhouse in California politics, headed the Compliance Review Commission, tasked with enforcing party rules. She was also playing host to the convention in San Francisco, with her image and that of her city on the line.

This year Pelosi is toiling to keep her distance from the party disputes and her public neutrality in the increasingly intense fight between Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, but she has much more at stake.

Bitter divisions threaten to keep Democrats at odds right up to their Denver gathering, potentially hurting the eventual presidential nominee and undercutting the chances of Democratic candidates nationwide.

A prolonged dispute over how to deal with Michigan and Florida — which defied party rules to hold early contests and now face having their delegates shut out of the nominating process — shows no signs of a quick conclusion.

Democrats also are divided over the proper role of superdelegates — the elected officials and leaders who by party rules are free to support the candidate of their choice.

Clinton, who is ahead among the superdelegates, is counting on that edge to reverse Obama's lead among pledged delegates awarded through primaries and caucuses. Obama's camp argues — in a view endorsed by Pelosi — that the superdelegates should not overturn the will of the voters.

Alluding to her 1984 experience, Pelosi has happily punted questions about what to do about Michigan and Florida to Howard Dean, the party chairman.

Time To Laugh?

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 06:34:33 EDT

I thought the following article from Seattle PI (dot com) was really humorous. I just had to pass it along.

What Price Friend$hip

Posted by document.writeln(showE2("lsharp03","aol.com","Linda Sharp"))Linda Sharp on March 25, 2008

I had read the James Carville comment over the weekend equating Bill Richardson and Judas.

I laughed it off.

After all, that's mostly what I do at James Carville. Laugh.

Not because looking at him alone provides endless entertainment value, but because he is loathe to ever censor himself, saying exactly whatever bubblegum ball of "wisdom" drops from his cranium to his tongue at any given moment.

As for the looking at him part? Well, I often find myself spending long moments staring at him on the TV and attempting to define just who, or what, he looks like.

My latest thought?

Is It Hillary's Turn to 'Denounce and Reject' a Problematic Pastor?

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 06:26:36 EDT

This is GREAT!

Is It Hillary's Turn to 'Denounce and Reject' a Problematic Pastor?
We hear about Rev. Wright’s racism 24/7, but there's nary a peep about Clinton's former pastor who's been convicted for sexual child abuse.
Posted by Steven Reynolds, The All Spin Zone at 10:08 AM on March 24, 2008.

The blogs are talking about it, but the mainstream news is not. Still, this is interesting. Blogs such as AdvanceAmericablog, commondreams.org, the National Journal’s Hotline, and wakeupfromyourslumber.com are talking about the scandal that has enveloped the former Pastor of the Clintons, but it appears only the Utica, NY newspaper is covering the story. The rest of the mainstream media is silent. Perhaps the story isn’t divisive enough for the mainstream media to take notice. Of course, it is as unfair to blame Hillary Clinton for her former pastor’s abuses just as it is unfair to blame Barack Obama for Rev. Wright. Still, that means the mainstream media is far more enamored of condemning Obama for his Rev. Wright’s tirades about 9/11 and race than it is concerned with the plight of a seven year old girl abused by Hillary Clinton’s former pastor. From the Utica Observer-Dispatch:

UTICA -- When the Rev. William Procanick put his hand on the Bible during his sex-abuse trial in Oneida County Court earlier this year, he swore to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

But as the former Clinton pastor was sentenced Friday to three years in prison for inappropriately touching a 7-year-old girl at his home last March, Judge Michael L. Dwyer said Procanick sacrificed his honesty the day he testified. "

As a minister of God, you got on the stand and you lied," Dwyer told Procanick, the 54-year-old former pastor of Resurrection Assembly of God church on Kirkland Avenue.

A jury found Procanick guilty Jan. 22 of first-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.

David Goldman Says 'It's Over For Hillary'

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 06:18:34 EDT

The following is from a comment in The New Republic by poster David Goldman:

Face the facts folks. This thing is over.

Hillary will not leave the race until the superdelegates put Obama over the top. That will either happen after Pennsylvania primary (unlikely), after the North Carolina primary (possibly) or in early June after the last of the primaries (definitely).

At some point the Clintons' l'etat c'est moi politics of personal and party destruction must be brought down. The Obama campaign is anything but panicky. They are cool, calm and collected and that unnerves both the Clintons and the Republicans. Admittedly, that is not always the case with Obama supporters.

Conservative Constitutional Law Professor Defends His Endorsement of Obama

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 06:12:50 EDT

Amazing!

From

Douglas Kmiec, Conservative Professor, Defends Obama Endorsement

Posted by Dan Slater March 25, 2008, 2:13 pm

Yesterday, the Law Blog mentioned that the Pepperdine con law prof, Douglas Kmiec, had endorsed Barack Obama’s bid for the presidency on the Slate Convictions blog – a surprising move for the high-profile Republican who was a lawyer in the Reagan and Bush I administrations.

In Kmiec’s endorsement letter, he confirmed his belief in “traditional marriage,” a “limited judicial role” for the Supreme Court and that “life begins at conception.” Kmiec went on to write: “In various ways, Senator Barack Obama and I may disagree on aspects of these important fundamentals, but I am convinced . . . . he is not closed to understanding opposing points of view, and as best as it is humanly possible, he will respect and accommodate them.”

News of the endorsement quickly ricocheted around the blogosphere, eliciting moans from conservative legal bloggers like L.A. lawyer Patrick Frey, who writes the Patterico’s Pontifications blog. “Prof. Kmiec, that’s all very nice,” Frey responded. “But, you see, there is a candidate — his name is John McCain; you might have heard of him — who actually supports the principles for which you claim to stand. Why are you refusing to support him?”

The Law Blog caught up with Professor Kmiec to get a response to his critics.

Hi Professor. Thanks for chatting. Many have criticized your Obama endorsement, arguing that, based on your stated beliefs, Senator McCain would be a better candidate for you.

I have nothing against McCain. Indeed, he was my candidate in 2000, and I would still think him the better choice in 2000. But, perhaps like my time, his time has passed. John’s understanding of warfare is the understanding of, as Tom Brokaw put it, the greatest generation. Just as shock and awe did not prevail in Iraq, McCain’s under-estimation of the cost of deployments both in terms of money, life, and international standing, make him not well suited to protect our national security in a time of terrorist threat.

PA: Will Republicans (As Temporary Democrats) Provide a Landslide For Hillary?

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 06:06:26 EDT

As you probably have heard by now, the number of Pennsylvania's voters registered in the Democratic party have grown to a staggering over four million - for the first time ever. What this means is that lots of Republicans and Independents in Pennsylvania have switched their party affiliation for the upcoming primary election.

The big question is HOW MANY OF THE NEWLY REGISTERED DEMOCRATIC VOTERS IN PENNSYLVANIA WILL CONTINUE TO BE DEMOCRATS AFTER THE PRIMARY ON APRIL 22?

I am not optimistic. My cousin is one of the Republicans who registered as a Democrat about a month ago (for the very first time in his entire life - and he is around 65 years-old.) He is voting for Hillary; only because he knows McCain can beat her. As soon as the primary is over, he is re-registering as a Republican. He swears he is not a minion of Rush Limbaugh who, by the way, instructed all of his lemmings to switch parties for the same purpose. Rush, however, says he wants Republicans to do this simply to cause chaos within the Democratic Party.

My cousin says that Rush's reason is not really to create chaos. Limbaugh holds the same belief held by all Republicans who switched sides just for this upcoming primary; they know McCain can beat Hillary. And they also know that Obama can beat McCain.

So, imagine my surprise when an article in Time Magazine suggested that the unprecedented increase in voter registrations from Republican to Democrat in Pennsylvania was primarlly related to the Obama campaign's efforts to get voters to change their affiliation to vote for Obama.

While it would certainly be nice, the author simply does not know what he is talking about. Pennsylvania is going to be really tough for Obama. Both Hillary's campaign and the GOP are campaigning for Hillary in Pennsylvania. Folks, we (all of us) must give up our free time - for the next three weeks - and attend every phone banking party we can. We must call registered Democrats in Pennsylvania from our homes. We must act as if the future of our country depends on our commitment to the Obama campaign for the next few weeks; because it does!

Here are snippets from even though the author is apparently unaware of Limbaugh's "Operation Chaos."

Obama Plays Catch-Up in Pennsylvania
Tuesday, Mar. 25, 2008
By JAY NEWTON-SMALL/PHILADELPHIA

Woody Mosby, a 59-year-old semi-retired architect, got to know the concrete corridor between Dunkin' Donuts and tracks 1 & 2 of Philadelphia's Suburban train station really well this Easter weekend. Mosby was registering voters on behalf of Barack Obama, and by his count he'd gotten more than 130 forms filled out by Monday afternoon. "The deadline's today, register to vote!" Mosby, in an Oxford shirt and slacks, shouted over a flutist — a lifelong Republican Mosby had already converted — busking nearby. When people stopped he not only offered help filling out their forms, he gave them his pitch on why he changed his registration from Independent to Democrat to vote for the Illinois senator. "He's the greatest breath of fresh air I've seen in eight years, and possibly in my whole voting career," Mosby said.

Despite the hard work of dedicated volunteers like Mosby, Pennsylvania's April 22 closed primary — in which only registered Democrats may vote — is a problem for Obama, who has done better in states where Republicans and Independents can just show up at polls and register on-site. In an attempt to compensate, the Obama campaign for weeks has been running a quiet but massive effort in Pennsylvania to register tens of thousands of new Democrats, many of them traditional Independents and Republicans but also new voters. To the exclusion of virtually all else, his 150 campaign staffers and more than 2,000 volunteers across 25 offices have focused the power of Obama's grassroots organization on the registration effort, which ended at midnight Monday night when the state closed its books.

This Week Hillary Got Murtha And Obama Got Richardson

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:29:23 EDT

Even though John Murtha's endorsement of Hillary is a bummer, especially as far as Pennsylvania goes, I think Obama got the better, more visible endorsement (Nationally, at least) from New Mexico's Governor, Bill Richardson.

The following is from the Trail blog at the

Five Ways the Richardson Endorsement Boosts Obama
By Dan Balz

Endorsements rarely determine the outcome of presidential races, but the decision by New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to announce his support for Barack Obama is nonetheless an important boost for Obama in his nomination battle with Hillary Clinton.

The endorsement is valuable for at least five reasons. The first is timing. Richardson has ridden to Obama's rescue during what has been the roughest stretch of his candidacy. It comes after the uproar over Obama's spiritual mentor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, which has knocked Obama off stride. It comes after losses in Ohio and Texas, which cost Obama the opportunity to force Clinton out of the race.

It comes also at a moment when the Clinton campaign has become, if not confident, at least hopeful, that there is still a way for her to win the nomination, predicated on perceptions that Obama might be a risky candidate in the fall campaign. Richardson's endorsement won't eradicate all the problems that have sprouted up around Obama's candidacy, but his timing could not have been more helpful.

Second, Richardson sends a signal to superdelegates that they too should back Obama. This may be the most significant aspect of his decision to back Obama. Superdelegates will decide the nomination. There is no way either Clinton or Obama can get to the 2,024 votes necessary to win the nomination without the superdelegates.

Clinton's hope has been to keep those superdelegates on the fence long enough for her to demonstrate that she would be the stronger nominee -- whether by a string of victories in the final contests, by overtaking Obama in the popular vote (now a long shot, absent do-over votes in Michigan and Florida) or by growing doubts about Obama's staying power in the fall.

Richardson empowers other superdelegates to begin moving toward Obama now, or immediately after the primary season ends, to prevent a bloodletting inside the party that could damage the Democrats' chances of winning in November. As he put it in an e-mail to supporters, "It is time, however, for Democrats to stop fighting amongst ourselves and to prepare for the tough fight we will face against John McCain in the fall." That is a message that could resonate with the Democratic establishment, which is now implicitly in Obama's camp, and prompt other calls for an end to hostilities.

Jonathan Alter on: The Obama Dividend (Newsweek)

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:53:30 EDT

I believe that America craves one thing more than any other from our next president; an intelligent, articulate leader. Jonathan Alter explains why Obama should win the presidency:

The Obama Dividend
Instruct. Illuminate. Rearrange our mental furniture. That's a president's challenge.

Jonathan Alter | for: NEWSWEEK
Mar 22, 2008

"The Presidency," Franklin D. Roosevelt told a reporter shortly after he was elected in 1932, "is pre-eminently a place of moral leadership." We don't know yet whether Barack Obama can get himself elected president, much less prove a success in office. He could get swamped by unanticipated problems or suffer from crippling flaws we haven't seen yet. All presidents are blind dates. But Obama is showing signs that he could project his voice in the theater of the American presidency. Even if his legislative agenda founders, he might be able to help the nation raise its sights in new ways. You might think of it as the Obama Dividend.

As the afterglow of last week's landmark Philadelphia speech on race fades, even many conservatives agree with liberal editorial writers that Obama's approach was brilliant. I'm skeptical of that adjective and reluctant to hazard a guess about the political impact of the speech on blue-collar whites. Until the Pennsylvania primary on April 22, we won't know if they even heard about the story of his white grandmother, or how he gave voice to white frustration about affirmative action and busing. But I do know that the speech was "presidential" in the best sense of that word, and for reasons beyond a tone of gravitas and a backdrop of American flags. To succeed in a crisis (and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.'s inflammatory sermons were at least a mini-crisis for Obama), presidents must do more than rally the country enough to win backing in polls for a course of action. That's relatively easy. The hard part is using the bully pulpit to instruct and illuminate and rearrange our mental furniture. Every great president has been a captivating teacher. By talking honestly and intelligently about a subject that most Americans would rather ignore, Obama offered a preview of how he would perform as educator-in-chief.

Obama's unique assets have usually been viewed in international terms. The election of President Barack Hussein Obama would blow the minds of people in the Middle East and other regions, and help restore American prestige. Of course, given unpredictable global events, the Obama Dividend abroad may last about as long as the much-hyped post- cold-war "peace dividend." It could pay returns for only weeks or months instead of years. Just look at Kenya, where one tribe involved in the recent unrest loves Obama (because his father was a member), and the other tribe has no use for him.

Obama Gains on Hillary Once Again in Gallup Poll

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:41:35 EDT

Hillary's strategist Mark Penn said that Hillary's 7-point lead in last Wednesday's Gallup poll suggested voters were experiencing "buyer's remorse" over Obama. We didn't buy it. Gallup proves we are correct and that Mark Penn (once again) is wrong in his assessment. Now, I wonder what Mark Penn is saying?

Yesterday (Thursday), Hillary's lead over Obama in Gallup's national Democratic nomination preferences had dwindled to the point that they were nearly tied, with Hillary at 47% and Obama at 45% in Gallup's March 18-20 Gallup Poll Daily tracking - and that 2% difference is within the margin of error.

What a difference a few days make! Today, Gallup reports that Barack Obama has quickly made up the deficit he faced with Hillary Clinton earlier this week, with the latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking update on Democratic presidential nomination preferences showing 48% of Democratic voters favoring Obama and 45% Clinton.

Obama's campaign clearly suffered in recent days from negative press, mostly centering around his association with the controversial Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Perhaps as a result, Clinton moved into the lead in Gallup's Wednesday release, covering March 16-18 polling. But Obama has now edged back ahead of Clinton due to a strong showing for him in Friday night's polling, perhaps in response to the endorsement he received from well-respected New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a former rival for the nomination. (To view the complete trend since Jan. 2, 2008, see below - and for details, click here.)

Both Obama and Hillary inched closer to John McCain in the latest update on registered voters' general election preferences. McCain holds just a two percentage point edge over both -- 46% to 44% over Obama and 47% to 45% over Clinton. It is just a matter of time before Obama overtakes McCain once again.

Survey Methods

Gallup is interviewing no fewer than 1,000 U.S. adults nationwide each day during 2008.

The general election results are based on combined data from March 17-21, 2008. For results based on this sample of 4,376 registered voters, the maximum margin of sampling error is ±2 percentage points.

The Democratic nomination results are based on combined data from March 19-21, 2008. For results based on this sample of 1,264 Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters, the maximum margin of sampling error is ±3 percentage points.

In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.

To receive Gallup Poll Daily tracking reports each day as soon as they are published, please register here and add Gallup Daily to your e-mail subscriptions.

Web 2.0 Says Obama Will Be President!

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:24:29 EDT

This is a GREAT read, from IT Management Earthweb (dot com):

Has Digg Already Picked the President?
March 19, 2008
By Mike Elgan

It's a longstanding tradition in American politics: Newspapers officially endorse local and national politicians running for office and for each major parties' nominations. For example, the New York Times has endorsed Senators John McCain for the Republican nomination and Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.

The purpose of endorsements isn't to predict the outcome, but to influence it. Still, an analysis of major newspaper endorsements is just one of the metrics political pundits use to guess who might win an election.

The idea behind the newspaper endorsement tradition is that you, the reader and voter, choose a newspaper based on trust and a history of agreement with the editors' perspectives on politics. If you're on the fence about a candidate, a newspaper endorsement can persuade you one way or the other.

As we gravitate toward online news, we find ourselves without this editorial perspective on candidates on the major news aggregator sites. Who, for example, does Google News endorse?

Social bookmarking sites, on the other hand, actual do endorse candidates without actually trying to do so. By searching the sites, and sorting those searches by votes or popularity, you can get a sense of who members prefer.

For example, every link with significant popularity on Digg about John McCain that has an "opinion" is negative, every one about Hillary Clinton is also negative, and every one about Barack Obama is positive. The preference by the Digg community for Obama is very clear.

On MySpace, you can gauge candidate support by searching Google for mentions and counting them, as most mentions tend to be expressions of support. Searches for "John McCain" gets 56,800 Google links; "Hillary Clinton" 120,000; and "Barack Obama" 161,000.

Create a 30 Second Obama Spot; Win $20,000 Worth of Video Gear!

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:49:42 EDT

Wow! Flex your creative muscles and create the next big 30-second spot for Barack Obama!

Folks:

This is cool! MoveOn.org has a competition where contestants create a 30-second ad demonstrating why Obama will win the Democratic nomination. MoveOn.org invites all filmmakers, writers, directors, actors, editors, composers, graphic artists, and animators to participate: Whether you're a total amateur or a total pro, now is the time to use your creativity to help Barack Obama win. Participate in Moveon's ad contest: "Obama in 30 Seconds."

Celebrity judges Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are among many celebrity superstars who will help pick the winning ad. Fellow actor Steve Buscemi, film director Oliver Stone, musicians Moby, Eddie Vedder and John Legend and hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons are on the list (see the current list of stars below.)

Participants in the 'Obama in 30 Seconds' contest have until April 1st to submit their entries. Members of Moveon.org will then vote for their favorites on the MoveOn website. Then, the top 15 will be put to the panel of liberal activists actors, recording artists and other Hollywood celebs to vote on. How cool is that???

Well, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GET TO WORK ON YOUR WINNING 30 SECOND VIDEO SPOT FOR OBAMA!!!

Go to ObamaIn30seconds.com/ and start participating! By the way, if you'd like to participate, but don't have the wherewithal to do it yourself, check out the bulletin board dedicated to putting creative people together to help create the winning ad. It is at http://bb.moveon.org/bb/ Also, check out the handy tips and resources provided by Moveon at ObamaIn30seconds.org/Tps.html

Important Dates

March 27th: Submission Period Begins
April 1st: Submission Period Ends
April 4th: 1st Round Voting Begins
April 9th: 1st Round Voting Ends
April 10th: Finalists Announced
April 11th: Judging Panel Begins
April 17th: Winners Announced

The Current slate of Judges:

Endorsements: Hillary Got Some Good Ones, But . . .

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:17:35 EDT

I was disappointed to hear that Hillary got some really nice endorsements out of Superdelegates in Pennsylvania this week. Bummer.

So, I looked around to see if Obama got any endorsements. Here's what I found:

1. Both Democratic candidates for governor in North Carolina have now endorsed Barack Obama. Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue recently threw her support behind Obama, while her opponent, Treasurer Richard Moore, endorsed him last month. Ms. Perdue's endorsement is great considering that she, like Hillary, is a woman seeking to be the first female Governor in North Carolina!

2. Seventeen Iowa Officials, including Lt. Gov. Patty Judge and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, endorsed Obama Right before Iowa's State Convention.

3. Harrisburg (PA) City Council members Susan Brown Wilson, Patty Kim, Gloria Martin-Roberts and Dan Miller went public today with a group endorsement of Barack Obama for president at the Obama '08 headquarters in downtown Harrisburg.

4. The Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity voted overwhelmingly to endorse Obama.

So, that's cool. However . . . It would be great to get some really influential endorsements...

On Tuesday, speaking at UCLA's Burkle Center for International Relations, Bill Richardson came as close as one can to endorsing Obama without actually doing so, as he recalled Obama selflessly lending him a hand during one of the debates.

And a few days ago, Nancy Pelosi cut short any debate about the Clinton-planted notion of a joint ticket featuring Obama as VP. While she didn't precisely state that it was the idea of Obama on the bottom half of the ticket that she found objectionable, she flatly stated that it was the demagoguery of Clinton's Commander in Chief rhetoric that was the dream-ticket buzz killer. Pelosi told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos today that it would be "harmful" to Democrats if superdelegates were to give the party's presidential nomination to a candidate who is trailing in the delegates awarded in primaries and caucuses.

"If the votes of the superdelegates overturn what's happened in the elections," said Pelosi, "it would be harmful to the Democratic Party." Although Pelosi offered her assessment without directly referencing Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., her comments lend considerable support to the Illinois Democrat.

Al Gore has kept remarkably quiet, although one suspects that with supposed acrimony between him and Hillary During Bill's years as president, that he too would come out for Obama, if at all. So, it was kind of interesting to hear that Obama had a conversation with Al Gore last week . . . I can't imagine that Hillary has chatted with Gore recently.

National Journal Interviews Greg Craig On Hillary's "Experience" Claims

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:08:06 EDT

Q&A: GREG CRAIG
Transcript: Greg Craig On Hillary Clinton's Foreign Policy Experience

© National Journal Group Inc.
Friday, March 14, 2008

National Journal's Linda Douglass sat down with Greg Craig for the March 14 edition of "National Journal On Air." This is a transcript of their conversation.

Q: I want to welcome Greg Craig. He is a Washington attorney and a senior adviser to the Barack Obama campaign. And he was, back in the Bill Clinton administration, the assistant to the president and special counsel and at that time a senior foreign policy adviser to President Clinton's administration. Welcome, Greg.

Craig: Nice to be here, Linda.

Q: So you have written a provocative memo for the Obama campaign making the argument that Hillary Clinton's experience as first lady, in terms of its relevance to being commander in chief and an expert on foreign policy, may have been exaggerated. How so?

Craig: Well, that was the point of my memo. If you're running for president on the basis of your claims of experience, when you then cite examples, you should be careful to be accurate. The evidence should be accurate. And my point is that Senator Clinton and her supporters have in serious ways overstated, if not grossly exaggerated, the nature of her experience. Take the Irish peace process -- which was a lengthy and arduous and difficult negotiation. She said, initially, that "I helped bring peace to Northern Ireland." Well, if you took the many, many heroes who were responsible for achieving that agreement -- I could name 20 people in Ireland. Primarily, the Irish were responsible for doing this, and the Americans were strong supporters.

But it's a little bit presumptuous for the first lady, who would meet people and support people to take credit away from the Irish themselves who did it. Terry McAuliffe said, "We would not have peace today had it not been for Hillary's hard work in Northern Ireland." That's just not true. This morning, Senator Clinton said on NPR that the role that she played in the Irish peace process was "instrumental." Well, that's not accurate. That's an overstatement. And anybody who is really knowledgeable about what went on, including George Mitchell, who wrote a book about it -- he wrote a book about the peace process, and he never mentioned any role whatsoever that Senator Clinton, or the first lady at the time, played.

Q: Well, you know, of course, that the Clinton campaign immediately put out a memo quoting George Mitchell saying that she did play a positive role over the decade in bringing peace to Northern Ireland.

Craig: Well, playing a positive role is a little bit different than claiming that you were instrumental. She wasn't involved in the tough negotiations. She played no role in resolving the tough issues. She met on one occasion in the White House with Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, and that was nice. It was a photo opportunity. She traveled to Ireland with her husband and met with the women, and the women, of course, were heroic in their work for peace. But she can't take credit for bringing the women together. They were the courageous ones that did it themselves. What she said was, "It's a good thing you're doing it. We're all for you. I hope you're successful." That's not instrumental. That's not bringing peace to Ireland.

Q: You also say that the claim that she has passed the commander in chief test, then, is not supported by this record.

Craig: No, I think, look -- I think she would be a capable commander in chief. I think Barack Obama, who is my candidate, would also be a capable commander in chief. I'm not denigrating that. What I'm saying is that when you talk about evidence of experience, you should be accurate as to what your role really was. Here's another example -- she claims that she negotiated the opening of the borders in the former Republic of Macedonia, and she arrived the day after that had been achieved. She traveled there, but she had nothing to do with the negotiations. And Ambassador [Robert] Gelbard, who was very much involved, said that she really didn't play any role in that at all and that it's a mistake and not accurate for her to take credit for it.

Q: And again, of course, you know that the Clinton campaign has said that former senior foreign policy adviser to the Clinton administration, Richard Holbrooke, said she did play a role.

Craig: She claims that she negotiated the opening of the borders -- that's not accurate, and Ambassador Holbrooke would be the first to agree that that's not accurate.

Q: So let's just put this on a scale of one to 10 here. Are we talking exaggeration, or are we talking about something more serious, such as not being truthful?

Craig: Well, I think it's exaggeration. It's inflated résumé. It's in that category. I think she is misleading the American public on the nature of her experience.

Q: But was that experience, do you think, that is -- having a lot of influence with advisers, giving private advice to her husband -- was that experience that has helped prepare her to be commander in chief?

Craig: Oh, I don't doubt that. The point that I am making is that her claims of the nature of that experience are overstated. The fact is she did not sit in on national security meetings. She did not have a security clearance. She did not attend meetings in the situation room. She conducted no negotiations. She did not manage any part of the national security bureaucracy. She did not have her own national security staff. That's the fact. Now the experience that she did have -- watching and sometimes sitting in the room where discussions were going on and also meeting heads of state and foreign ministers -- that is good experience, and it's invaluable to understanding how the world works when it comes to international organizations as well as international negotiations.

Q: Let's talk for a second about your own candidate, Barack Obama. You did say earlier that certainly Senator Clinton's experience as first lady gives her some preparation that is important. She did travel to -- what was it? -- 80 countries, and Barack Obama has been in the Senate just a few years.

Craig: Three years.

Q: How does his foreign policy experience possibly stand up to hers?

Craig: Well, I don't think that you necessarily look at the number of years in Washington as the basis for judging whether someone is going to be a good commander in chief. On that score -- Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld -- they've been many, many years in Washington, D.C. Longevity isn't what you look at. I think what you want to look at is judgment.
The point I would make about Senator Obama is that on foreign policy issues, not only the ones that he has framed and debated in the campaign, but also prior to this -- his speech in 2002, when he laid out the reasons that he was opposed to the invasion of Iraq and the war in Iraq, and those reasons turned out to be prophetic. He actually predicted very much of what has happened in Iraq and why we should not have gone in in the first place. He's served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and he's got a record of good judgments and strong views on this that, I think, make him fully qualified to be a good commander in chief.

Q: OK, well, very interesting perspective from Greg Craig, who is a senior adviser to the campaign of Barack Obama. Greg, thank you so much for being with us.

Craig: Not at all. I enjoyed it.

COMMENT FROM HOPE4: I enjoyed it too!

Hillary's Foreign Policy Experience; "Just Words"

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:01:24 EDT

Greg Craig is a Washington attorney and a senior adviser to the Barack Obama campaign. During Bill Clinton's presidential administration, Mr. Craig served as the assistant to the president, special counsel, and - at that time - a senior foreign policy adviser to President Clinton's administration. Thus, he knows what he's talking about!

From Time.com's THE PAGE:

Obama Foreign Policy Memo

To: Interested Parties

From: Greg Craig, former director, Policy Planning Office, U.S. State Department

RE: Senator Clinton’s claim to be experienced in foreign policy: Just words?

DA: March 11, 2008

When your entire campaign is based upon a claim of experience, it is important that you have evidence to support that claim. Hillary Clinton’s argument that she has passed “the Commander- in-Chief test” is simply not supported by her record.

There is no doubt that Hillary Clinton played an important domestic policy role when she was First Lady. It is well known, for example, that she led the failed effort to pass universal health insurance. There is no reason to believe, however, that she was a key player in foreign policy at any time during the Clinton Administration. She did not sit in on National Security Council meetings. She did not have a security clearance. She did not attend meetings in the Situation Room. She did not manage any part of the national security bureaucracy, nor did she have her own national security staff. She did not do any heavy-lifting with foreign governments, whether they were friendly or not. She never managed a foreign policy crisis, and there is no evidence to suggest that she participated in the decision-making that occurred in connection with any such crisis. As far as the record shows, Senator Clinton never answered the phone either to make a decision on any pressing national security issue – not at 3 AM or at any other time of day.

When asked to describe her experience, Senator Clinton has cited a handful of international incidents where she says she played a central role. But any fair-minded and objective judge of these claims – i.e., by someone not affiliated with the Clinton campaign – would conclude that Senator Clinton’s claims of foreign policy experience are exaggerated.

Northern Ireland:

Senator Clinton has said, “I helped to bring peace to Northern Ireland.” It is a gross overstatement of the facts for her to claim even partial credit for bringing peace to Northern Ireland. She did travel to Northern Ireland, it is true. First Ladies often travel to places that are a focus of U.S. foreign policy. But at no time did she play any role in the critical negotiations that ultimately produced the peace. As the Associated Press recently reported, “[S]he was not directly involved in negotiating the Good Friday peace accord.” With regard to her main claim that she helped bring women together, she did participate in a meeting with women, but, according to those who know best, she did not play a pivotal role. The person in charge of the negotiations, former Senator George Mitchell, said that “[The First Lady] was one of many people who participated in encouraging women to get involved, not the only one.”

News of Senator Clinton’s claims has raised eyebrows across the ocean. Her reference to an important meeting at the Belfast town hall was debunked. Her only appearance at the Belfast City Hall was to see Christmas lights turned on. She also attended a 50-minute meeting which, according to the Belfast Daily Telegraph’s report at the time, “[was] a little bit stilted, a little prepared at times.” Brian Feeney, an Irish author and former politician, sums it up: “The road to peace was carefully documented, and she wasn’t on it.”

Mikeystyle Provides A Model Response To Email Smear Campaigns

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:31:44 EDT

Post from a Barack Obama (dot com) Member named Mikeystyle on ways to fight back:

My response to the email smear campaign (send THIS)

I'm emailing this to everyone I know. If you use the BCC line to put everyone's address in, the people you send it to will only be able to see their own email address. They won't know who& else you sent it to so you can protect everyone's privacy.

If anyone sends you one of the email smears against Obama, you can reply with this. You can also SEND THIS TO EVERYBODY YOU KNOW so they'll have an easy response as well. We need to get this in front of as many eyes as possible and get people to foward it on if we're going to counter the smear campaign.

Subject: End the smears

I hope you will take the time to read this. It's not an attempt to sway you towards a particular candidate, it's an attempt to end the reckless smear campaigns that plague this nation.

When Sen. John McCain ran for president eight years ago, the far right ran a smear campaign against him in South Carolina, accusing him of fathering an illegitimate black child. Such tactics were an outrage then and they’re an outrage now.

Their new target is Sen. Barack Obama. They claim he's secretly a Muslim, went to an extremist school as a child and doesn't say the pledge of allegiance. Yet not ONE word of this is true.

The bottom line? Obama is a Christian, he attended a secular (non-religious) school in Indonesia and he has led the pledge of allegiance on the Senate floor numerous times.

Whichever candidate you support isn't the point here, the point is this: are we going to tolerate such negative and baseless attacks that have nothing to do with the real issues?

Unfortunately, some people might take such emails at face value and believe them to be true. There are also those who forward such emails simply because it fits their agenda.

This is made especially worse by the fact that Fox "news" ran some of these rumors without bothering to even try to verify them. So much for being “fair and balanced” or even responsible, for that matter.

Real news organizations, such as CNN, have debunked these rumors and they’ve done so without the “unnamed sources” and innuendo used by the smear campaign.

Again, this email isn't an attempt to sway you to towards a particular candidate. I feel as strongly about this as I did when the far right went after McCain eight years ago. It’s about negative, baseless attacks and trying to put an end to them.

If anyone forwards any such emails to you, PLEASE send them this email or at least send them these links. Look at it this way, if they're going to send you a pack of lies that they haven't bothered to verify, they certainly can't take issue with you responding with the truth.

They’re all here in video, so they don't even have to read a thing.

Obama LEADING pledge of allegiance on Senate floor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svo9mutE6TM&feature=related

Discussion of the pledge of allegiance myth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPT6edfURTI&feature=related

Obama As A Muslim Extremist - CNN Counters FOX Lies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhWaiULqkp4

Obama responding to dirty tricks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7INpMhtG3g&feature=related

Barack Obama Speaks Out About His Controversial Pastor

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:12:32 EDT

Obama sent the following post out to the online and print press. I got this from the Huffington Post. I hope the following statement, in Obama's own words, will put the issue to rest. (But do not bank on it. I can already see Hillary's camp working on email blasts.)
Barack Obama
On My Faith and My Church

Posted March 14, 2008 | 04:28 PM (EST)

The pastor of my church, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who recently preached his last sermon and is in the process of retiring, has touched off a firestorm over the last few days. He's drawn attention as the result of some inflammatory and appalling remarks he made about our country, our politics, and my political opponents.

Let me say at the outset that I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy. I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country or serves to divide us from our allies. I also believe that words that degrade individuals have no place in our public dialogue, whether it's on the campaign stump or in the pulpit. In sum, I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue.

Because these particular statements by Rev. Wright are so contrary to my own life and beliefs, a number of people have legitimately raised questions about the nature of my relationship with Rev. Wright and my membership in the church. Let me therefore provide some context.

As I have written about in my books, I first joined Trinity United Church of Christ nearly twenty years ago. I knew Rev. Wright as someone who served this nation with honor as a United States Marine, as a respected biblical scholar, and as someone who taught or lectured at seminaries across the country, from Union Theological Seminary to the University of Chicago. He also led a diverse congregation that was and still is a pillar of the South Side and the entire city of Chicago. It's a congregation that does not merely preach social justice but acts it out each day, through ministries ranging from housing the homeless to reaching out to those with HIV/AIDS.

Most importantly, Rev. Wright preached the gospel of Jesus, a gospel on which I base my life. In other words, he has never been my political advisor; he's been my pastor. And the sermons I heard him preach always related to our obligation to love God and one another, to work on behalf of the poor, and to seek justice at every turn.

The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach while I sat in the pews of Trinity or heard him utter in private conversation. When these statements first came to my attention, it was at the beginning of my presidential campaign. I made it clear at the time that I strongly condemned his comments. But because Rev. Wright was on the verge of retirement, and because of my strong links to the Trinity faith community, where I married my wife and where my daughters were baptized, I did not think it appropriate to leave the church.

Let me repeat what I've said earlier. All of the statements that have been the subject of controversy are ones that I vehemently condemn. They in no way reflect my attitudes and directly contradict my profound love for this country.

With Rev. Wright's retirement and the ascension of my new pastor, Rev. Otis Moss, III, Michelle and I look forward to continuing a relationship with a church that has done so much good. And while Rev. Wright's statements have pained and angered me, I believe that Americans will judge me not on the basis of what someone else said, but on the basis of who I am and what I believe in; on my values, judgment and experience to be President of the United States.

Obama Lists Requests for Pet-Project Funding

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:56:13 EDT

Honoring his pledge for more transparency, Barack Obama has disclosed his earmarks. Clinton says she'll disclose hers, some day (in the next millennium...) Read on

Obama Lists Requests for Pet-Project Funding

By Matthew Mosk, Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 14, 2008; Page A05

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) disclosed yesterday the more than half a billion dollars' worth of pet projects, or earmarks, he sought to fund during his first two years in the Senate, and he immediately called on rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) to do the same.

Obama released the list as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, championed a one-year moratorium on earmarks, which the Senate took up yesterday. Obama and Clinton back the moratorium.

Obama had already published his 2007 requests, but he faced pressure on the campaign trail to release the ones for 2005 and 2006.

Philippe Reines, a senior adviser to Clinton, said in an e-mail that she "will make public the requests she submits this year," though he did not say when that will happen. He noted that Clinton has announced the earmarks she has won, but he did not say whether she will match Obama's disclosure and reveal all of her requests.

Obama has pledged to make Washington more transparent if he is elected president, and his campaign cast the disclosure as part of his call for more openness.

But Obama's list raised questions because it includes $8 million for a defense contractor that has ties to one of his most prodigious campaign fundraisers. According to the earmark disclosure, the money was for a project overseen by General Dynamics. Obama's Illinois finance chairman, James S. Crown, serves on the company's board of directors, and his family holds a sizable stake in the firm.

Crown and his wife, Paula Crown, are members of Obama's national finance committee and have raised more than $200,000 for the campaign, according to Obama's campaign Web site.

In an e-mail, James Crown said he has "never discussed any General Dynamics program or contract issues with the Senator" and was "unaware of this request."

NC: Obama Stages Unbelievable Comeback

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:08:44 EDT

Some people in the business world actually like Barack Obama! The following is from yesterday's:

In one of the greatest comebacks in the history of unscientific online polls, Barack Obama outdistanced rivals John McCain and Hillary Clinton as the presidential favorite of readers of The Business Journal of the Greater Triad's website.

Obama received 49 percent of the 549 votes cast, compared to 35 percent for McCain, 11 percent for Clinton and 2 percent for Ralph Nader.

The informal poll was conducted between March 5 and March 12.

Readers were asked simply "Who's your candidate now?' among the remaining presidential candidates.

Amazingly, McCain had a comfortable lead in the poll as of Tuesday morning, with more than 50 percent of the vote. But in the poll's final 24 hours, about 170 more votes were cast -- virtually all for Obama.

Talk about "get out the vote!" Did we mention the poll was unscientific? If you voted today, who would get your vote for U.S. president?

John McCain
36%

Hillary Clinton
12%

Barack Obama
50%

Ralph Nader
3%

Actor Ed Norton Producing Documentary On Obamas Campaign

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:01:06 EDT

Let's hope Ed Norton's documentary has a happy ending! Read on:

Actor Ed Norton preparing documentary on Obama campaign

March 13, 2008
LOS ANGELES (AFP) — US actor Ed Norton and his Class 5 Films are producing a documentary about Democrat Barack Obama's historic bid for the White House, according to reports Wednesday in Hollywood.

The feature film planned for release in 2009 will focus on the political campaign of the Illinois senator, who is locked in a bitter fight with former first lady Hillary Clinton to be their party's nominee for president, industry daily Variety reported on its website.

The as-yet-unnamed documentary's co-directors Amy Rice and Alicia Sam have had their cameras rolling since an Obama trip to Africa in 2006, according to the report. He launched his presidential campaign shortly thereafter.

It was Obama's inspiring speech to the Democratic National Convention in 2004 that motivated Norton to do the film.

"We were all so struck by Barack's speech and talked about how exciting it was to see someone from our generation, not our parents', make his presence felt in such an inspiring way," Norton told Variety.

Class 5 was reportedly working with Ari Emanuel, a partner in the Hollywood production company Endeavor, to conclude a distribution deal for the film.

Emanuel, who worked on sales of Sacha Baron Cohen's film "Borat" and the Michael Moore documentaries "Sicko" and "Fahrenheit 9/11," is the brother of Illinois Democratic Representative Rahm Emanuel and an outspoken supporter of Obama.

Filming is set to continue through the November elections.

The Obama I know

Hope 4 Obama, DNC- CA Delegate At-Large — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:48:43 EDT

Florida and Michigan are moving closer to an agreement with the DNC on how to get their delegates seated. It looks like Michigan will be holding a new primary on June 3rd. I am confident that Obama will win Michigan. (Florida is another story, but we could be surprised...) In the meantime, the following commentary is from today's:

. The Obama I know
Terrific listener goes wherever reason takes him

By Cass R. Sunstein
March 14, 2008

Not so long ago, the phone rang in my office. It was Barack Obama. For more than a decade, Obama was my colleague at the University of Chicago Law School.

He is also a friend. But since his election to the U.S. Senate, he does not exactly call every day.

On this occasion, he had an important topic to discuss: the controversy over President Bush's warrantless surveillance of international telephone calls between Americans and suspected terrorists. I had written a short essay suggesting that the surveillance might be lawful. Before taking a public position, Obama wanted to talk the problem through.

In about 20 minutes, he and I investigated the legal details. He asked me to explore all sorts of issues: the president's power as commander in chief, the Constitution's protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, the Authorization for Use of Military Force and more.

Obama wanted to consider the best possible defense of what Bush had done. To every argument I made, he listened and offered a counterargument. After the issue had been exhausted, Obama said he thought the program was illegal, but now had a better understanding of both sides. He thanked me for my time.

This was a pretty amazing conversation, not only because of Obama's mastery of the legal details, but also because many prominent Democratic leaders had already blasted the Bush initiative as blatantly illegal. He did not want to take a public position until he had listened to, and explored, what might be said on the other side.

This is the Barack Obama I have known for nearly 15 years -- a careful and evenhanded analyst of law and policy, unusually attentive to multiple points of view.

The University of Chicago Law School is by far the most conservative of the great American law schools. It helped to provide the academic foundations for many positions of the Reagan administration.

But at the University of Chicago, Obama is liked and admired by both Republicans and Democrats. Some local Reagan enthusiasts are Obama supporters. Why? It doesn't hurt that he's a great guy, with a personal touch and a lot of warmth. It certainly helps that he is exceptionally able.

But niceness and ability are only part of the story. Obama has a genuinely independent mind, he's a terrific listener and he goes wherever reason takes him.

Those of us who have long known Obama are impressed and not a little amazed by his rhetorical skills. Who could have expected that our colleague, a teacher of law, is able to inspire large crowds?

The Obama we know is no rhetorician; he shines not because he can move people, but because of his problem-solving abilities, creativity and attention to detail.