Northwest Connecticut for Obama

Almost to The Finish Line

Kartay5 — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:59:44 EDT

It's hard to believe that only two weeks from now we will be going to the polls to vote in this historic election. I know for those of us that have been following this campaign for the past year or more, it seems like a lifetime. I got up today ready for the Sunday morning routine of breakfast with the family and watching Meet the Press. I have to say that I was nearly moved to tears by Colin Powell's endorsement of Senator Obama. There has been such ugliness in the past few weeks, and I was beginning to feel a pit in my stomach from it all. General Powell reminded me that Americans of all walks of life, all faiths, and all political ideologies can come together and see the good in each other and move beyond the culture of fear that has predominated our country for too long.

I have seen so many good things come out of this campaign. My 63-year-old mother and her husband, who have not voted in many years, went out a few weeks ago and registered so they could vote for Barack Obama. My 70-something in-laws, who live in Florida, have been making phone calls, talking to neighbors, and taking a very active role in the ground campaign for Barack in their area. Many of my Republican friends are saying enough is enough and have decided to vote for Barack.

Yes we can. Yes we will...And I can't wait to go to vote on November 4th!

OBAMA ~ Leadership for the 21st Century Now Available as a Free Download

Victoria DePaul, Author — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:19:26 EDT

Greetings All

Well the book is finally available. Many thanks to those who participated. Your quotes are included. For those of you who still wish to participate for the print version, you can still do so. visit www.obamaworcester.com to enter your quote. Please pass this information to everyone you know so that everyone will understand the power of leadership based on positive human energy!

www.ebookobama.com

Send this link to your distribution lists. If you have a website, post it on your site, myspace, facebook and anyplace else. A synopsis of the book follows. In the homestretch.

Successful leaders understand that people are the basic energy unit and therefore the source of energy and power of any organization. Barack Obama stands out as an example of superior leadership– a leader who understands the difference between inspiration and motivation. Inspiration awakens people. Motivation moves people. Barack Obama knows that personal empowerment is the ultimate motivation of all our efforts and behaviors. Understanding this difference is what moves ordinary people from complacency to positive action. Positive action, originating in positive energy, is what yields positive results.

This is the basis of his campaign, one of the most powerful Grassroots organizations ever. Understanding the power of the ‘intrapreneurial’ spirit (intrapreneur: an entrepreneur that works within an organization) that lives within, Barack Obama doesn’t call forth volunteers– he calls forth the leader that resides in all of us. He demands personal accountability—and gets it. In Obama: Leadership for the 21st Century, I define the dynamics of human energy and organizational human energy systems. I explain how Barack Obama, by using the concept of intrapreneurship, has succeeded in establishing a culture of ingenuity, enthusiasm, passion, collaboration– unlocking new levels of personal power and control. Leaders such as Barack Obama, who are able to unleash human energy, to foster intrapreneurship will ride the wave of the future into the third millennium.

November 5th Headline

Kartay5 — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:10:38 EDT

This is what John McCain will be thinking on Nov. 5th:

"That won?"

What a condescending, horrible performance tonight by Senator McCain!

Come to PA!

PA Border States Team — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:25:44 EDT

Pennsylvania is a critical state in the general election, and polls show a tight race heading into the final weeks of the campaign. We need the support of volunteers each and every day in Pennsylvania to help us reach the voters who are key to winning within the state and nationally.

Sign up today for any day, week or even the entire time between now and Election Day! We need tens of thousands of volunteers for Get Out the Vote Nov. 1 - Nov. 4, so please make sure you sign up for those days as well.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/PABorder

Thank you for all that you do. We look forward to seeing you in Pennsylvania!

Realtors don't want Rove to speak; protestors threw things at him

Carole@www.Americans-Away-From-Home.com — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:22:24 EDT

http://www.khou.com/news/local/galveston/stories/khou080702_jj_rovespeech.16ca2e71.htmlR

Fundraising Event with Phylicia Rashad

Evan Blewett — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:09:05 EDT

Hey Connecticut folks!

Just wanted to let you know of a very exciting fundraiser coming up for Senator Obama next week in CT with historic Tony-Award winning actress Phylicia Rashad.

MyBO Event Page
Contribution Page

We hope to see you there!

America's Voice - A Call to Future and Current Democrats

Victoria DePaul, Author — Wed, 28 May 2008 08:26:49 EDT

Greetings!

My name is Victoria DePaul. I am the Coordinator of Youth in Action for Nation For Change. Nation for Change began as a grassroots organization in support of the candidacy of Barack Obama. While we remain committed to that objective we are also committed to being a positive agent of change for the Democratic Party. This is a great time to be an American. It is a great time to be a Democrat. When this race began we were faced with having to choose from amongst so many high caliber possibilities. Over the last months interest in our political process has sky rocketed as evidenced by high first time voter registrations.

It is not only citizens of voting age that are interested in this presidential campaign but our youngest citizens as well. If you doubt that ask any child of school-age who is running for president and you will be pleasantly surprised. In response to this enthusiasm and interest in our democratic political process, Youth in Action calls citizens of all ages to participate in a nation-wide mock Democratic National Convention. This first-ever nation-wide event will simulate a real Democratic Party convention, culminating in the selection of the democratic presidential nominee. The event will allow participants an experiential learning opportunity of government in action AND have fun.

So how will this happen? In all 50 states coordinators will organize activities throughout the summer that will give youths the opportunity for debate, campaigning and politicking. The event will also provide a platform for youths to be a ‘voice’ for the issues that are important to them. More information on this event can be found at:

www.AmericasVoiceNow.com.

Please consider how you can add your support to this event. We need coordinators, teachers, and participants of all ages, public relations assistance and more! Whatever your talent- I need you.

Please forward this information to everyone you know who is interested in the American political process and doesn’t mind having fun at the same time. Feel free to contact me at info@AmericasVoiceNow.com.

“We stand together, in unity to proclaim our commitment to equality and justice. We further proclaim our commitment to the democratic process that gives us our Voice. In our unified quest for diplomacy we are guided by the principles of wisdom, strength, compassion, integrity, and accountability. Our unified mission is to honor the vision of our founders who fought for our liberty. We understand that it is our similarities- a desire for economic justice, equality, and peace- that define us. We embrace our diversity as cause for celebration.”

We Are One.

We Are .....

America’s Voice

A nation-wide Mock Convention To be held on August 16, 2008

Reactive or Proactive?

Barbara Putnam — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:36:43 EDT

I'm distressed by what I am reading about how Barack Obama is reacting to attacks by Clinton or statements by Wright. I dearly wish that he would Keep His Eyes on the Prize and focus on how he will bring us together, negotiate an end to the war and balance our economy so that the Rich and the Poor are not so far apart. He can ignore the attacks by Clinton and Wrght and turn his attention to how he will lead us when he's president. This reacitve stuff is getting old.

I got into supporting him because I saw ing man of vision. I want him back.

This reporter from FOX picked the wrong priest to argue with

Victoria DePaul, Author — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:26:18 EDT

This reporter from FOX News picked the wrong priest to mess with on Rev. Wright:

This priest is a friend of Rev. Wrights. We should all have such devoted friends. Very inspirational. Please view and pass on to your email list.

http://www.foxnews.com/video2/video08.html?videoId=1fd1c0cf-5c80-4d75-996f-bd53b2461ae0&sMPlaylistID

Bill Moyers and Rev Wright - A must see interview

Victoria DePaul, Author — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 09:40:01 EDT

For those who didn't see Rev Wright on Bill Moyers here is the link:

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04252008/watch.html

This is an incredible interview. Everyone in the country needs to see this, particularly the traditional news outlets. A real lesson in credible journalism.

New York Times

Mike DeMazza — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:50:59 EDT

A story from Sunday, march 9, New York Times ... Senator Obama's first years in the Senate according to the paper that endorsed Senator Clinton

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/us/politics/09obama.html?hp

Good News ... But Don't Relax This Week!

Mike DeMazza — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 22:10:40 EST

PROBABLY THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT WEEK OF THE ENTIRE CAMPAIGN - DON'T RELAX ....

LINK = http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/02/24/new-poll-puts-obama-ahead-of-mccain-as-clinton-claims-to-be-better-equipped-for-general-election-fight/

Obama, Clinton Fight for Votes as Battle Rages to Take On McCainby FOXNews.comSunday, February 24, 2008

The best political gift of the day for Barack Obama’s campaign has been served up by Iowa’s Des Moines Register, the largest newspaper in the swing state that put the Illinois senator on top in possible head-to-head match-ups in the fall election.

The poll shows Obama ahead of Republican nominee John McCain by a substantial margin, 53-36. A head-to-head match between McCain and Hillary Clinton shows McCain is the preferred choice, 49-40.

The poll comes as Clinton continues on the campaign trail to say that she is best equipped to beat McCain in the general election. The New York senator is under mounting pressure to win both of the big-state contests of Texas and Ohio, which vote with Rhode Island and Vermont on March 4.

If she doesn’t, two Democratic governors suggest it could be curtains for her campaign.

“She’s the leader in both states in the polling now, but what we see in the Obama campaign is really strong momentum in both Ohio and Texas. And if she’s not able to win both, I think it makes it mathematically very difficult for her,” said Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, an Obama supporter.

“She turns that momentum around if she does well there. If she doesn’t, I think she’ll have to review where she stands, and that’s what the former president talked about this week,” added New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, who appeared with Kaine on “FOX News Sunday.”

Out on the campaign trail Sunday, the candidates addressed the big buzz caused by Ralph Nader’s decision to enter the race. The famed consumer advocate announced he will again run for president — his third effort, one that is sure to anger Democrats who are still miffed over his role in the 2000 race that many believe cost Al Gore the election against George W. Bush.

Nader said Sunday he’s not the reason Gore lost the election and blamed everything from voter fraud in Miami to the Supreme Court. In any case, he said, that’s no reason why he shouldn’t run.

“The political bigotry that’s involved here is that we shouldn’t enter the electoral arena? We — all of us who think that the country needs an infusion of freedom, democracy, choice, dissent — should just sit on the sidelines and watch the two parties own all the voters and turn the government over to big business?” he asked on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” where he announced his candidacy.

Asked about the possible impact, Obama and Clinton both downplayed it while also criticizing Nader.

“Mr. Nader is somebody who if [you] don’t listen and adopt all of his policies, [he] thinks you’re not substantive. He seems to have a pretty high opinion of his own work,” Obama said. “Historically, he is a singular figure in American politics and has done as much as just about anybody on behalf of consumers, so in many ways, he is a heroic figure and I don’t mean to diminish him, but I do think there’s a sense now that, you know, if somebody’s not hewing to the Ralph Nader agenda then you must be lacking in some way.”

Clinton was also less than enthusiastic.

“Obviously, it’s not helpful to whoever our Democratic nominee is. But it’s a free country. I don’t know what party he’ll run on. Where did he run on last time? Does anybody remember? Was it on the Green Party? Well, you know, his being on the Green Party prevented Al Gore from being the greenest president we could have had and I think that’s really unfortunate. I think we paid a big price for it,” she said.

Clinton, who was traveling in Providence, R.I., tried to emphasize that state’s importance, as her campaign noted the latest American Research Group poll has her above Obama by 12 points in that state. The same poll has her down 26 points in neighboring Vermont.

Clinton continued to compare her and Obama’s plans for healthcare, and said universal healthcare is only effective if it’s mandatory.

“Of all our differences, the one that is just inexplicable to me is [Obama’s] refusal to put forth a plan on universal healthcare, and his continuing attacks on my plan to do so. I believe Senator Obama says one thing in speeches, but his campaign does something else. In his speech, he says he’s for universal healthcare, but his plan is not. His plan cannot cover everyone, because there is no requirement that people be covered. That would be as though Franklin Roosevelt had said, ‘Social Security is a good idea, but we shouldn’t make it required. Let’s just sort of go halfway and see what happens.’ Or if President Johnson had said, ‘Medicare is a good idea. Why don’t we cover a lot of but not all of our seniors?’” she said.

Clinton also hit again on Obama’s rhetorical flair, suggesting that while inspiring, he doesn’t solve problems.

“Now I could stand up here and say, let’s just get everybody together. Let’s get unified. The sky will open, the light will come down. Celestial choirs will be singing, and everyone will know that we should do the right thing, and the world will be perfect. Maybe I’ve just lived a little long, but I have no illusions about how hard this is going to be. You are not going to wave a magic wand and have the special interests disappear,” Clinton said.

For his part, Obama, campaigning in Ohio where the two are set to debate Tuesday night, hit Clinton on her support for NAFTA, the free trade agreement signed into law by Bill Clinton.

NAFTA has cost 50,000 jobs in Ohio, Obama said, while acknowledging that a repeal of the trade deal “would probably result in more job losses than job gains in the United States.”

Still, speaking to factory workers in a working class community west of Cleveland, Obama continued to repeat his contention that Clinton supported the trade deal up until she decided to run for the Democratic presidential nomination. He added that Clinton can’t run from the Clinton administration record, of which she claims to have been a key part.

The former first lady has “essentially presented herself as co-president during the Clinton years. Every good thing that happened she says she was a part of and so the notion that you can selectively pick what you take credit for and then run away from what isn’t politically convenient, that doesn’t make sense,” he said. “If she suggested she had nothing to do with economic policy in the Clinton White House then it would not be fair for me to bring it up but as you know, that’s not the claim that she is making.”

A spokesman for Clinton, Phil Singer, said the former first lady was critical of NAFTA long before she ran for president. He cited remarks from March 2000 in which she said, “What happened to NAFTA, I think, was we inherited an agreement that we didn’t get everything we should have got out of it in my opinion. I think the NAFTA agreement was flawed.”

Singer also said that in 2004 in Illinois, Obama spoke positively of the trade agreement, saying the United States had “benefited enormously” from exports under NAFTA.

Obama also addressed questions about his patriotism, saying that Republicans who want to point to his not putting his hand on his heart during the national anthem or his wife’s comments that she is only now proud of America, will not win the argument.

“The way I will respond to it is with the truth — that I owe everything I am to this country,” he said, adding that he will fight back with the charge that Republicans are the “party that presided over a war in which our troops did not get the body armor that they needed or [are] sending troops over who were untrained because of poor planning, or are not fulfilling the veterans’ benefits that these troops need when they come home, or [are] undermining our Constitution with warrant-less wiretaps that are unnecessary. That is a debate that I am very happy to have. We’ll see what the American people think is the true definition of patriotism is.”

FOX News’ Steve Brown, Bonney Kapp and Aaron Bruns and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

TEACHERS AND PARENTS TAKE NOTE

Mike DeMazza — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 17:14:57 EST

Though he has been derided for his "lack of substance" I believe quite the opposite is true.

As an educator (public high school) for the last 23 years I am particularly excited about Senator Obama's education plans. Here are those plns for your reference:

From Obama '08:

A World Class Education

“I don't want to send another generation of American children to failing schools. I don't want that future for my daughters. I don't want that future for your sons. I do not want that future for America.”
— Barack Obama, Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Des Moines, Iowa, November 10, 2007

At a Glance

Speak your mind and help set the policies that will guide this campaign and change the country.

Present your ideas

No Child Left Behind Left the Money Behind: The goal of the law was the right one, but unfulfilled funding promises, inadequate implementation by the Education Department and shortcomings in the design of the law itself have limited its effectiveness and undercut its support. As a result, the law has failed to provide high-quality teachers in every classroom and failed to adequately support and pay those teachers.

Students Left Behind: Six million middle and high school students read significantly below their grade level. A full third of high school graduates do not immediately go on to college. American 15 year olds rank 28th out of 40 countries in mathematics and 19th out of 40 countries in science. Almost 30 percent of students in their first year of college are forced to take remedial science and math classes because they are not prepared.

High Dropout Rate: America has one of the highest dropout rates in the industrialized world. Only 70 percent of U.S. high school students graduate with a diploma. African American and Latino students are significantly less likely to graduate than white students.

Teacher Retention is a Problem: Thirty percent of new teachers leave within their first five years in the profession.

Soaring College Costs: College costs have grown nearly 40 percent in the past five years. The average graduate leaves college with over $19,000 in debt. And between 2001 and 2010, 2 million academically qualified students will not go to college because they cannot afford it. Finally, our complicated maze of tax credits and applications leaves too many students unaware of financial aid available to them.

Barack Obama's PlanEarly Childhood Education

Zero to Five Plan: Obama's comprehensive "Zero to Five" plan will provide critical support to young children and their parents. Unlike other early childhood education plans, Obama's plan places key emphasis at early care and education for infants, which is essential for children to be ready to enter kindergarten. Obama will create Early Learning Challenge Grants to promote state "zero to five" efforts and help states move toward voluntary, universal pre-school.
Expand Early Head Start and Head Start: Obama will quadruple Early Head Start, increase Head Start funding and improve quality for both.
Affordable, High-Quality Child Care: Obama will also provide affordable and high-quality child care to ease the burden on working families. K-12
- Reform No Child Left Behind: Obama will reform NCLB, which starts by funding the law. Obama believes teachers should not be forced to spend the academic year preparing students to fill in bubbles on standardized tests. He will improve the assessments used to track student progress to measure readiness for college and the workplace and improve student learning in a timely, individualized manner. Obama will also improve NCLB's accountability system so that we are supporting schools that need improvement, rather than punishing them.
- Make Math and Science Education a National Priority: Obama will recruit math and science degree graduates to the teaching profession and will support efforts to help these teachers learn from professionals in the field. He will also work to ensure that all children have access to a strong science curriculum at all grade levels.
- Address the Dropout Crisis: Obama will address the dropout crisis by passing his legislation to provide funding to school districts to invest in intervention strategies in middle school - strategies such as personal academic plans, teaching teams, parent involvement, mentoring, intensive reading and math instruction, and extended learning time.
- Expand High-Quality Afterschool Opportunities: Obama will double funding for the main federal support for afterschool programs, the 21st Century Learning Centers program, to serve one million more children.
- Expand Summer Learning Opportunities: Obama's "STEP UP" plan addresses the achievement gap by supporting summer learning opportunities for disadvantaged children through partnerships between local schools and community organizations.
- Support College Outreach Programs: Obama supports outreach programs like GEAR UP, TRIO and Upward Bound to encourage more young people from low-income families to consider and prepare for college.
- Support English Language Learners: Obama supports transitional bilingual education and will help Limited English Proficient students get ahead by holding schools accountable for making sure these students complete school.
Recruit, Prepare, Retain, and Reward America's Teachers
- Recruit Teachers: Obama will create new Teacher Service Scholarships that will cover four years of undergraduate or two years of graduate teacher education, including high-quality alternative programs for mid-career recruits in exchange for teaching for at least four years in a high-need field or location.
- Prepare Teachers: Obama will require all schools of education to be accredited. He will also create a voluntary national performance assessment so we can be sure that every new educator is trained and ready to walk into the classroom and start teaching effectively. Obama will also create Teacher Residency Programs that will supply 30,000 exceptionally well-prepared recruits to high-need schools.
- Retain Teachers: To support our teachers, Obama's plan will expand mentoring programs that pair experienced teachers with new recruits. He will also provide incentives to give teachers paid common planning time so they can collaborate to share best practices.
- Reward Teachers: Obama will promote new and innovative ways to increase teacher pay that are developed with teachers, not imposed on them. Districts will be able to design programs that reward accomplished educators who serve as a mentor to new teachers with a salary increase. Districts can reward teachers who work in underserved places like rural areas and inner cities. And if teachers consistently excel in the classroom, that work can be valued and rewarded as well.
Higher Education
- Create the American Opportunity Tax Credit: Obama will make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new American Opportunity Tax Credit. This universal and fully refundable credit will ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans, and will cover two-thirds the cost of tuition at the average public college or university and make community college tuition completely free for most students. Obama will also ensure that the tax credit is available to families at the time of enrollment by using prior year's tax data to deliver the credit when tuition is due.
- Simplify the Application Process for Financial Aid: Obama will streamline the financial aid process by eliminating the current federal financial aid application and enabling families to apply simply by checking a box on their tax form, authorizing their tax information to be used, and eliminating the need for a separate application.
Barack Obama's Record
Record of Advocacy: Obama has been a leader on educational issues throughout his career. In the Illinois State Senate, Obama was a leader on early childhood education, helping create the state's Early Learning Council. In the U.S. Senate, Obama has been a leader in working to make college more affordable. His very first bill sought to increase the maximum Pell Grant award to $5,100. As a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee, Obama helped pass legislation to achieve that goal in the recent improvements to the Higher Education Act. Obama has also introduced legislation to create Teacher Residency Programs and to increase federal support for summer learning opportunities.

LINKS

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/pdf/PreK-12EducationFactSheet.pdf

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/pdf/CollegeAffordabilityFactSheet.pdf

http://www.barackobama.com/2007/11/20/remarks_of_senator_barack_obam_34.php

http://www.barackobama.com/2007/11/07/remarks_of_senator_barack_obam_31.php

Can You Help? Yes, You Can!

Mike DeMazza — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 10:12:12 EST

As Americans, we dream of a President who is honest, personable, intelligent, and, we hope, wise when making decisions that will impact our lives and the lives of our children.

We crave leaders with courage and integrity who know and understand the struggles of everyday Americans. A lot of people have stopped believing that may even be possible.

I had stopped believing that true change is possible. As a "Republican For Obama" I am proud to be a part of this movement that is sweeping our nation. I am 50 years old and understand Michelle Obama's message this week of finding something to be proud of again in America - I am not a starry-eyed child, I am not a liberal by any stretch and I am very proud of former students and others now in service to our country - but I am again proud of the American political process that has been reinvigorated by the campaign of Senator Obama. I attended his rally in Hartford, Connecticut two weeks ago with my 17 year old daughter and was thrilled to see the way this man has been able to unite races, creeds and generations in ways I have not seen in my adult life. The quote from the New Yorker Magazine sums it up for me - I thank God that Senator Obama has come along in my lifetime. I disagree that he is a phenomenon - he is simply what Americans want ... someone who wants to work WITH us instead of "for" us. Doing what is best "for me" is insulting - asking me to work WITH others for positive change for the vast majority of Americans is what I want to be a part of. "Going negative" has been a bust. It could never be anything but a bust, because there is no audience for it in the Democratic Party... Barack Obama is a phenomenon that comes along once in a lifetime. Unfortunately for Hillary, it's her lifetime; fortunately for the rest of us, it's ours. I now support Barack Obama as our next President because he is the leader that we need. Join me in supporting Barack by making a donation to my personal fundraising page:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/RepublicnasForObama
(If you type in the page you must type it in as is ... WITH the typo!)

This campaign for the presidency is unparalleled in history. Our need for an honest, fresh-thinking leader could not be more urgent. Americans are hungry for change and I am convinced that Barack Obama will bring that change when he is elected.

Please take a minute to check out my page and make a donation of any size:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/RepublicnasForObama
(Again, if you type it in, do so WITH the typo!)

Republicans, Democrats and the unaffiliated have come together in recent primaries to give Senator Obama the momentum he needs to take to the Democratic National Convention.

Thanks and please forward this email to all who support Senator Obama and his vision of the future of our nation!

The Florida and Michigan Controversy

Mike DeMazza — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 10:01:06 EST

FROM THE OBAMA '08 SITE

Reality Check On Clinton's Claims on Florida and Michigan DelegatesFebruary 22, 2008

CLINTON RHETORIC: "Let's talk about the agreement. The only agreement I entered into was not to campaign in Michigan and Florida. It had nothing to do with not seating the delegates. I think that's an important distinction. I did not campaign... that's not the case at all. I signed an agreement not to campaign in Michigan and Florida."

REALITY: Clinton Said "It's Clear" That The Michigan Primary Won't "Count For Anything"

Clinton Said "It's Clear" That The Michigan Primary Won't Count For Anything. Clinton, on why she stayed on the ballot for the Michigan primary said, "Well, you know, people in Michigan are flat on their backs. They have the highest unemployment rate in America. They are now grappling finally with what they are going to do with the auto industry. 1 in 10 jobs in America is tied to the auto industry which is -- the American auto industry, which as we know is centered in Michigan. You know, it's clear this election they're having isn't going to count for anything. But I just personally didn't want to set up a situation where the Republicans are going to be campaigning between now and whenever. And then after the nomination we have to go in and repair the damage and be ready to win Michigan in November 2008." [NHPR Interview, 10/11/07]

RHETORIC: "Now, the DNC made the determination that they would not seat the delegates, but I was not party to that"

REALITY: Clinton Top Delegate Adviser Voted To Strip Michigan And Florida Of Their Delegates

Clinton Top Delegate Adviser Harold Ickes Voted For Democratic Party Rules That Stripped Michigan And Florida Of Their Delegates. "Harold Ickes, a top adviser to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign who voted for Democratic Party rules that stripped Michigan and Florida of their delegates, now is arguing against the very penalty he helped pass. In a conference call Saturday, the longtime Democratic Party member contended the DNC should reconsider its tough sanctions on the two states, which held early contests in violation of party rules. He said millions of voters in Michigan and Florida would be otherwise disenfranchised - before acknowledging moments later that he had favored the sanctions." [AP, 2/17/08]

RHETORIC: "The people of those two states disregarded adamantly the DNC's decision that they would not seat the delegates. They came out and voted. If they had been influenced by the DNC, despite the fact that there was very little campaign, if any, they would have stayed home but they wanted their voices heard. More than 2 million people came out. I mean, it was record turnout for a primary. Florida, in particular, is sensitive to being disenfranchised because of what happened to them in the last elections. I have said that I would ask my delegates to vote to seat."

REALITY: Many Voters Stayed Home Because They Knew Their Votes Would Not Select Delegates To the Nominating Convention

TNR: "Knowing That Their Ballots Meant Nothing, Many Voters [In Michigan And Florida] Stayed Home." "Without ads and stump speeches--Obama's name wasn't even on the ballot in Michigan--the actual primary votes in these states were meaningless beauty contests, and perhaps not even that. Knowing that their ballots meant nothing, many voters stayed home. And, as everyone expected, Hillary romped to victory on the basis of her brand name and voters' lack of familiarity with the alternatives." [Editorial, TNR, 2/8/08]

The Pledge Clinton Signed

WHEREAS, Over a year ago, the Democratic National Committee established a 2008 nominating calendar;

WHEREAS, this calendar honors the racial, ethnic, economic and geographic diversity of our party and our country;

WHEREAS, the DNC also honored the traditional role of retail politics early in the nominating process, to insure that money alone will not determine our presidential nominee;

WHEREAS, it is the desire of Presidential campaigns, the DNC, the states and the American people to bring finality, predictability and common sense to the nominating calendar.

THEREFORE, I, [Name], Democratic Candidate for President, pledge I shall not campaign or participate in any state which schedules a presidential election primary or caucus before Feb. 5, 2008, except for the states of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina, as "campaigning" is defined by rules and regulations of the DNC.

POLITICIANS AND EDITORIAL BOARDS SAY THAT THE MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA DELEGATES SHOULD NOT COUNT

Clinton Backer Bob Kerrey Said "You Don't Change The Rules In The Middle Of The Game. Period" When Asked If the Delegates From Florida And Michigan Should Count. "You don't change the rules in the middle of the game. Period," said former Nebraska Senator Bob Kerrey, The New School's president, when asked if the delegates from the Florida and Michigan primaries should be represented at the Democratic National Convention in August. Scoopy ran into Kerrey on Sunday at Chelsea Piers, where Kerrey had taken his young son and a friend bowling. "No new vote and no new caucuses, either. Just stick to the rules that they agreed to," Kerrey said firmly. The Democratic National Committee stripped both Florida and Michigan of all their delegates because, defying party rules, they held their primaries before Feb. 5. The candidates all agreed to abide by that decision and not campaign in those states. Barack Obama withdrew his name from the ballot in Michigan and didn't compete in Florida. Hillary Clinton won the popular vote in both states and now says their delegates should be counted toward the total. Although Kerrey endorsed Clinton in December, he clearly doesn't endorse her position on the Michigan and Florida delegates. [The Villager, 2/13/08]

Nancy Pelosi Said That Florida And Michigan Delegates Should Not Be Seated If Those Delegates Would Decide The Nomination. Nancy Pelosi had one more stunner in the interview: She said the Florida and Michigan delegates should not be seated if those delegates would decide the nomination. "Well, I don't think that any states that operated outside the rules of the party can be dispositive of who the nominee is. That is to say they can't make the difference because then we would have no rules," she said. Pelosi added, "But I do think that the best outcome for us is if one of the candidates pulls ahead and this issue is disposed of long before we get to the convention. We certainly don't want to ignore Florida and Michigan, but we can't ignore the rules which everyone else played by." [San Francisco Chronicle, 2/15/08]

Tom Harkin Said He Staunchly Opposed Seating The Delegates From Michigan And Florida. Tom Harkin said he will staunchly oppose seating delegates chosen in the Michigan and Florida primaries for the same reason he will uphold the superdelegates' independent vote: It's the rules. Michigan and Florida Democrats broke the rules when they moved their primaries ahead of Feb. 5 without permission, Harkin said. "No way I'd ever be in favor of seating them," the senator said. [Telegraph Herald, 2/17/08]

Al Sharpton Said Seating Delegates From Florida And Michigan At The DNC Would Be A Grave Injustice. Seating delegates from Florida and Michigan at the Democratic National Convention would be a grave injustice, the Rev. Al Sharpton said Wednesday in a break with prominent civil rights leaders. "I firmly believe that changing the rules now, and seating delegates from Florida and Michigan at this point would not only violate the Democratic Party's rules of fairness, but also would be a grave injustice," Sharpton said in a letter to Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. [AP, 2/13/08]

Cleveland Plain Dealer: Clinton Wants To Seat The Michigan And Florida Delegates And The Obama Campaign Dismisses That As "Hogwash"; The Obama Campaign Is "Right About That." "Clinton says Michigan and Florida should be seated and their delegates divided in accord with the primary vote. She's won support from NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, who says the party is disenfranchising minority voters. The Obama campaign dismisses that as hogwash. They say Obama ignored both states at the national party's request and shouldn't be penalized for playing by the rules. Even if we hadn't endorsed Obama for the Democratic nomination, we'd have to say he's right about that." [Editorial, Cleveland Plain Dealer, 2/22/08]

Austin American Statesman: Clinton Wants To Seat The Delegates From Michigan And Florida. "That Would Be Patently Wrong" and "Grossly Unfair To Obama." "Clinton, who won the most votes in the outlaw primaries in Michigan and Florida, now wants those delegates recognized and seated at the Democratic Party national convention in Denver in August. One of her top advisers, Harold Ickes, a Democratic National Committee member who voted to strip delegates from those states, now wants them seated. That would be patently wrong. Party officials told the legislatures in both states they would lose their delegates if they moved their primaries ahead of Super Tuesday, Feb. 5. And the party's presidential candidates agreed not to campaign in states being punished by the Democratic National Committee for setting early primaries...Seating the 156 Michigan and 210 Florida delegates would be grossly unfair to Obama, who, unlike Clinton, didn't go to Florida... The only fair thing for Democratic officials to do is to stick to their guns and ignore the Michigan and Florida delegations or redo the primaries." [Editorial, Austin American Statesman, 2/18/08]

New York Post: "No Changing The Rules In The Middle Of The Game" When It Comes To Michigan And Florida. "No changing the rules in the middle of the game. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean must be prepared to deliver that message to Sen. Hillary Clinton and her allies. With a razor-thin delegate margin separating them and ever-fewer states left on the campaign calendar, Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama are working all angles to get to 2,025 - the number needed to win their party's presidential nomination. Which is why the Clinton forces are looking at Michigan and Florida." [Editorial, Editorial, TNR, 2/8/08] ">New York Post, 2/11/08]

TNR: When It Became Clear That Clinton Faced A Potential Battle For Delegates, She Began To Demand The Rules Be Changed In The Middle Of the Game. "But as soon as it became clear, in the wake of Iowa and on the eve of South Carolina, that Clinton potentially faced an extended battle for delegates, she began to demand that the rules be changed in the middle of the game. Her campaign has been arguing that the non-contested elections in Michigan and Florida should be made retroactively meaningful--and, therefore, that Clinton should be handed a gift of nearly 200 delegates. The Clinton team has wrapped its case in the logic of voter disenfranchisement. ‘I hear all the time from people in Florida and Michigan that they want their voices heard in selecting the Democratic nominee,' Clinton has said. There is a perfectly cogent case to be made that Floridians and Michiganders deserve their say. (Some of our best friends and elderly relatives reside in those states.) The way to address this complaint is to schedule new elections so that candidates can advertise, make speeches, organize voters, distribute yard signs--you know, do ‘democracy,' a concept Clinton seems not to understand. The DNC, if it does decide to redress Clinton's complaint, needs to do so immediately." [Editorial, TNR, 2/8/08]

Senator Clinton and NAFTA

Mike DeMazza — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 09:58:47 EST

FROM THE OBAMA '08 SITE

Hillary Clinton's Support of NAFTA Has Been Well DocumentedFebruary 23, 2008

HILLARY CLINTON PRAISED NAFTA FOR YEARS

2006/2008: Newsday Reviewed Clinton's Statements, Concluded She Supported NAFTA. According to a Newsday issues rundown, "Clinton thinks NAFTA has been a boon to the economy." Newsday wrote in 2008, the word "boon" was their "characterization of how we best understood her position on NAFTA, based on a review of past stories and her public statements." [New York Newsday, 9/11/06; Newsday blog, 2/15/08]

2003: Hillary Clinton Expounded on Benefits of NAFTA, Calling it An Important Legislative Goal. "Creating a free trade zone in North America—the largest free trade zone in the world—would expand U.S. exports, create jobs and ensure that our economy was reaping the benefits, not the burdens, of globalization. Although unpopular with labor unions, expanding trade opportunities was an important administration goal. The question was whether the White House could focus its energies on two legislative campaigns at once [NAFTA and health care]. I argued that we could and that postponing health care would further weaken its chances." [Living History, 182]

2003: Clinton Called NAFTA a "Victory" For President Clinton. In her memoir, published in 2003, Clinton wrote, "Senator Dole was genuinely interested in health care reform but wanted to run for President in 1996. He couldn't hand incumbent Bill Clinton any more legislative victories, particularly after Bill's successes on the budget, the Brady bill and NAFTA." [Living History, p.231]

1998: Clinton Praised Corporations for Their Efforts On Behalf of NAFTA. The Buffalo News reported, "As first lady, Hillary Clinton had nothing to do with either trade move. Nor has she repudiated them. In a 1998 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, she praised corporations for mounting "a very effective business effort in the U.S. on behalf of NAFTA." [Buffalo News (New York), 7/16/07]

1996: Clinton Said "I Think Everybody Is In Favor Of Free And Fair Trade. I Think NAFTA Is Proving Its Worth." A questioner pointed out that UNITE opposes the North American Free Trade Agreement, backed by the Clinton administration, on grounds it sends American jobs to Mexico. In March 1996, three years after President Clinton signed NAFTA into law, Hillary Clinton said, "I think everybody is in favor of free and fair trade. I think NAFTA is proving its worth," she said, adding that if American workers can compete fairly, they can match any competition. "That's what a free and fair trade agreement like NAFTA is all about," she said. [AP, 3/6/96]

1996: Clinton "Vowed That Her Husband Would Continue To Support Economic Growth In South Texas Through Initiatives Such As The North American Free Trade Agreement." AP wrote, "Mrs. Clinton vowed that her husband would continue to support economic growth in South Texas through initiatives such as the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Rio Grande Valley empowerment zone, which allows tax breaks to businesses that relocate to the border." [AP, 11/2/96]

1996: Hillary Clinton "Touted" President Clinton's Support for NAFTA, Saying it Would Reap Widespread Benefit. On a trip to Brownsville, Texas, Clinton "touted the president's support for the North American Free Trade Agreement, saying it would reap widespread benefits in the region." [United Press International, 11/1/96]

DURING THIS CAMPAIGN, WHEN ASKED ABOUT NAFTA, CLINTON HAS NOT CLAIMED SHE DID NOT SUPPORT IT

Asked Whether NAFTA Was a Mistake, Clinton Said It Was a Mistake To the Extent That It Did Not Deliver. Clinton, asked whether NAFTA was a mistake, said "Look, NAFTA did not do what many had hoped. And so we do need to take a look at it and we do need to figure out how we're going to have trade relations that are smart, that give the American worker and the American consumer rights around the world. ... NAFTA was a mistake to the extent that it did not deliver on what we had hoped it would, and that's why I call for trade timeout. When I am president, I'm going to evaluate every trade agreement. We do need to get back to enforcing the ones we have, which the Bush administration has not done. They have totally abdicated that. But I think we have to get broader than that. We've got to have enforceable labor and environmental standards. We've got the WTO that enforces financial and corporate rights. We need the International Labor Organization and other mechanisms that will be there to enforce labor rights and environmental rights. And that's what I intend to do as president." [Democratic Debate, 11/15/07] VIDEO HERE

Clinton Didn't Say Whether NAFTA Should Be Repealed; Just Said It Didn't Realize The Benefits It Promised. Clinton, on whether she'd be willing to repeal four things (DOMA, Telecom Act of 1996, NAFTA and Welfare Reform) that happened during the Clinton years said, "NAFTA, you know, I have said that NAFTA did not realize the benefits that it was promised for a number of reasons. This is not just about Mexico but about the tri partied relationship. So I thing generally we've have to generally have smarter trade agreement that not only have labor and environmental standards which I fully support but really have an ongoing evaluation of the impact of trade agreements." [YearlyKos, 8/4/07]

BILL CLINTON CONTINUES TO ARGUE FOR NAFTA

JANUARY 2008: Bill Clinton Said "A Lot Of People Think NAFTA's A Bigger Problem Than it Is. During an event in Las Vegas, Clinton said "She [Hillary Clinton] believes that NAFTA, she believes that all our trade agreements should be reviewed in the first 90 to 120 days of taking office. She would have a total moratorium on all new trade deals until we conducted a review. And one of the things that we have to examine is the point I made earlier. That is, is the trade agreement basically fair, but we just don't enforce it. A lot of people think that NAFTA's a bigger problem than it is. Our problem with Mexico, our trade deficit with Mexico is mostly because we buy oil from them." [Bill Clinton, 1/18/08]

Bill Clinton Defended His Decision To Enact NAFTA And Disagreed With His Wife That It Has Hurt Workers. "President Clinton is closing one policy disagreement with Senator Clinton while keeping another alive, saying his wife is right to forbid the use of torture but wrong that his signature trade deal has ‘hurt' American workers. ... He staunchly defended his decision in 1993 to support the North American Free Trade Agreement, which Mrs. Clinton said over the summer had ‘hurt a lot of American workers.' Asked directly by ABC's George Stephanopoulos if he agreed that the pact had hurt workers, Mr. Clinton replied, ‘No.' He said NAFTA had become a ‘symbol' but America had worse trade deficits with countries such as China and Japan than it did with Mexico." [NY Sun, 10/1/07]

COMMENTERS HAVE CRITICIZED CLINTON FOR HER FLIP ON TRADE

Bloomberg: Clinton "Praised" NAFTA, Friends Said She Was "A Free-Trader at Heart." Bloomberg News reported, "Clinton promoted her husband's trade agenda for years, and friends say that she's a free-trader at heart. 'The simple fact is, nations with free-market systems do better,'' she said in a 1997 speech to the Corporate Council on Africa. 'Look around the globe: Those nations which have lowered trade barriers are prospering more than those that have not.' Praise for Nafta At the 1998 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, she praised corporations for mounting 'a very effective business effort in the U.S. on behalf of Nafta.'' She added: 'It is certainly clear that we have not by any means finished the job that has begun.' Clinton 'is committed to free trade and to the growing role of the international economy,' said Steven Rattner, a Clinton fundraiser and co-founder of Quadrangle Group LLC, a New York buyout firm. 'She would absolutely do the right thing as president.' There was little evidence of a protectionist tilt to Clinton's trade views during either her 2000 campaign or first years in the Senate. She stressed issues such as homeland security and children's health care, and wasn't a major voice in trade-policy debates. As she began to gear up for a White House run, Clinton became less of a free-trade booster and more skeptical about the payoff of globalization." [ Bloomberg News, 3/30/07]

SF Chronicle: Clinton's Position On Trade "Clearly A Flip-Flip To Unions And Industry Sectors" And A "Bid To Outflank Her Rival, Senator Barack Obama." "Add to this Democratic front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton's coolness to the idea. Her husband moved earth and sky to win passage of the NAFTA trade pact with Mexico and Canada in 1993. Now she favors periodic reviews to continue such deals, a "timeout" on new ones, and more federal officials to oversee complaints. It's clearly a flip-flop favor to unions and industry sectors hit by layoffs and cheap imports and bid to outflank her rival, Sen. Barack Obama, who is more favorable to free trade." [San Francisco Chronicle, 10/12/07]

Seven Conditions Common to Revolutionary History

Mike DeMazza — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 21:50:53 EST

Godslave commented on one of my posts and mentioned that he had heard there are "Seven Conditions Common to Revolutionary History", according to sociologists. Here is a link to that article:

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/02/15/7241/

I hope you all find it an interesting read!

REPUBLICANS FOR OBAMA

Mike DeMazza — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 21:03:24 EST

Here is a site for those who have an interest in working with other Republicans:

http://www.republicansforobama.org

Refuting Anti-Jewish Allegations

Mike DeMazza — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 20:30:35 EST

It is gratifying to see that Jewish leaders in the United States and in our Congress have spoken out against the smear techniques of Obama opponents ... how much more gratifying it would be if Senator Clinton joined the chorus and similarly spoke up for Senator Obama's character - though the attacks are not from the Clinton Campaign her silence on the issue speaks volumes.

http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/apps/nl/content.asp?c=fwLYKnN8LzH&b=312458&content_id=%7BB03F16FC-B9E1-4AC9-BD73-3B410581C1E7%7D&notoc=1

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/01/seven_unaffiliated_jewish_us_senators_release_letter_condeming_obama_muslim_smears.php

Proud to Be a Republican for Obama

Mike DeMazza — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 20:21:56 EST

As a "Republican For Obama" I am proud to be a part of this movement that is sweeping our nation. I am 50 years old and understand Michelle Obama's message this week of finding something to be proud of again in America - I am not a starry-eyed child, I am not a liberal by any stretch and I am very proud of former students and others now in service to our country - but I am again proud of the American political process that has been reinvigorated by the campaign of Senator Obama. I attended his rally in Hartford, Connecticut two weeks ago with my 17 year old daughter and was thrilled to see the way this man has been able to unite races, creeds and generations in ways I have not seen in my dult life. The quote from the New Yorker Magazine sums it up for me - I thank god that Senator Obama has come along in my lifetime. I disagree that he is a phenomenom - he is simply what Americans want ... someone who wants to work WITH us instead of "for" us. Doing what is best "for me" is insulting - asking me to work WITH others for positive change for the vast majority of Aemricans is what I want to be a part of.

New Yorker Quote =

"Going negative" has been a bust. It could never be anything but a bust, because there is no audience for it in the Democratic Party... Barack Obama is a phenomenon that comes along once in a lifetime. Unfortunately for Hillary, it's her lifetime; fortunately for the rest of us, it's ours.

Yes, We Are!!

Kartay5 — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:39:50 EST

It's no longer about what we CAN do, but what we as Americans from all walks of life ARE doing. We are letting our voices be heard from (as my daughter just sang it to me) SEA TO SHINING SEA!

Americans from across the country are joining together to support a candidate that represents the things that America is all about.....Opportunity, patriotism, unity....

There are some people out there that think that Obama is a man of platitudes, and that there is no substance behind what he is saying. These are the people that catch the headlines and hear those "Hopeful" sound bites the media loves to replay. I'm sorry, but to really know what ANY of the candidates is about you have to take it upon yourself to READ about their plans and stand on the issues, watch and listen to them in debates, and really study history and facts to fully understand the direction they want to take this country in.

Yes, the issues are of the utmost importance in any political campaign, especially one for the highest office in this country. However, behind the issues has to be a person that can inspire the people to believe in themselves and to get people involved in the process.....DEMOCRACY...what a concept!

Oh, sorry, I guess I am just one of those hopeful people that wants a president that will make decisions and judgements based not only on the highest intellect, but also on very sound principles and values. After all, only billions of people will be affected by the decisions the President of the United States makes.

Well, my daughter just pointed out to me that I am rambling on....So back to my original thought....

Yes, we CAN...and more importantly...Yes, WE ARE!!!!!

OBAMA08

The Obama Bandwagon

Jeff Nicholas — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:32:47 EST

Obama's candidacy makes me proud to be an American. His campaign excites and challenges ever voter. His message of hope is inclusive and relevant. His reliance on support from the people rather than the PACs and special interest groups is refreshing and inspiring. Unlike the other candidates who tell us what we can't do he emphasizes and challenges us to work together to do what we can. We need to spread the word and to get his message out and to help him with this historic cause. As he says, "Our Time is now!"

On the topic of Superdelegates

Kartay5 — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:14:37 EST

First of all, congratulations to Senator Obama for his grammy award! It must just be eating away at Bill right now...(LOL) Obama sweeps ALL the weekend contests!!!

Now on to a more serious topic: SUPERDELEGATES. I personally don't think it is going to come down to this. However, if it does, and Hillary Clinton wins this nomination based on the number of superdelegates on her side, we can wave BYE BYE to the Democratic party in this country. I don't think that anyone is going to stand for it (except the HC supporters) if the nomination is decided by a bunch of political insiders who in essence get to "vote" twice if you include that they vote in their own state's primary, etc. There will be riots. I think the Party will do whatever is necessary to not let that happen because they know what their fate will be if it does. They also have to figure out what to do with the whole Mighigan and Florida thing.....The Republicans have internal problems of their own, but the Dems need to straighten up if there is any chance of beating them in November....Barack Obama is the man to do it!

Of course, Obama could continue to sweep and win the Potomac, Texas and Ohio, et al and the point will be moot. I think if HC didn't back out then, her already unfavorable ratings with many voters would drop even further. Obama does have momentum on his side now, and last week the Clinton campaign gave two very definitive signs that it is struggling ($$ and new campaign manager).

I will be interested in seeing what happens with "the John Edwards talks" that have happened over the past two days. I don't see how he could come out in support of Clinton based on the ideals he based his own campaign on. However, stranger things have happened.

It's going to be an exciting next few months!!!

Senator Obama vs the "NY team "

Kartay5 — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:25:49 EST

I, like the thousands of other Patriot fans, am in mourning today. My husband's comment last night was that he'd rather have an "upset" in the Super Bowl than on Super Tuesday....We don't want to lose out to the "NY Team." I told my kids that if they thought that Sunday's game was a real nail-biter...just wait until Tuesday when Mom and Dad will be glued to the TV and hanging on every return.

I am continuing to be HOPEFUL, and love that all these highly respected women are coming out in support of Senator Obama. There has been a lot of chatter that I've seen and heard among women about feminism and how having our first female President would be somehow more historic than having our first African-American President.....What? Yes, this is historic to have these two candidates in the position they are in, but the bottom line is still which one is going to be better for this country? First of all, Obama never set out to have this be about race or gender or anything else. The media began to spin it that way leading up to SC. I have heard Hillary playing the "female card," however, many, many times over the course of this campaign.

Regardless of that, women have a very powerful voice in this country when it comes to voting, and we as women should stand tall and be proud that we can vote for the candidate that we want to and that we think is best for this country, regardless of gender, race, or anything else. I, like many people I've spoken to, have never seen Obama as a "black candidate." I see him as a human being and I believe in him and support him because of his stand on the issues, his character, his intelligence and his ability to unify people and motivate people from all walks of life.

I know that some day there might be a woman running for President that is the RIGHT PERSON for the job, and she will be elected by the people. That is possible in this country, and I know it, my young daughter knows it, and that is what matters!

Women, vote for what you believe in!

A question for Senator Obama

Kartay5 — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:26:19 EST

Last night in the debate Senator Clinton said, quote, I believe in coercive diplomacy. I was extremely bothered by that statment. I don't feel that is the message the US should continue to send to the rest of the world. I think that concept that we can "bully" other countries into doing what we want them to do just perpetuates the Bush/Cheney "with us or against us" foreign policy tactics of the past 8 years. I really would like to hear Senator Obama's response to that particular point. I've read enough of his position papers and interviews, etc. to assume that he would not necessarily agree with that statement, but I kind of wish he had said something last night. I think it made me that much more confident that Hillary Clinton is not the person I want in the White house. So my question to Senator Obama is, Do you believe that coercive diplomacy is an effective foreign policy tactic, and secondly do you think it would have worked as an alternative to war in Iraq?

Well, I am no political science expert, nor am I an expert on US foreign policy, but I do believe in studying history to help define and clarify what I believe in terms of my government's policies. From what I have read, I think history has shown that these tactics are most often unsuccessful. That being said, and to invoke some of Senator Obama's own rhetoric, at this critical moment in history we need to present a new and positive image of the United States to the world....That can't be accomplished if we continue to have this policy of bullying and threatening and imperialism. Shame on you, Senator Clinton!

I am not so naive to think that there are not real threats to the United States out there....but some of it is what I would call a self-fulfilling prophecy. How about reaching out to other countries to share our innovativeness and technolgy to combat the real issues facing the world like global warming, disease and hunger? The United States needs to lead the way when it comes to climate change and the development of a clean energy future for all. That is the pathway to ending our dependence on foreign oil and the conflicts arising from that dependency.

The Distinction Was Made Last Night

Kartay5 — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:40:10 EST

I have watched many a debate over the past six months, both Democrat and Republican, but last night's made the distinction between these two candidates very clear to me. I think Senators Obama and Clinton obviously agreed that this should be a very cordial exchange....a strategic move to contrast the Democrats from the Republicans, whose debate on Wednesday night was a bunch of mud slinging and posturing. Obama and Clinton are beginning to align themselves as Democrats because more than anything, the Democrats need to show a very strong and united front in the race for the White House. However, after watching the exchange last night, I feel most confident that I made the right choice in supporting Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States.

I think it is obvious that we are looking at two people with basically the same ideals. Each of them has an admirable record in public service to the people of this country. We can squabble over semantics and intricacies of their different health care plans and immigration policies, but the absolute fundamental difference comes down to the Iraq issue. That, in my opinion, was Obama's most critical point in the debate last night. Hillary Clinton was once again given the opportunity to admit that she made a mistake when she voted for the resolution, and she again chose to dance around and give a very politician-like answer......Does this ring any bells and sound like someone else we all know and can't wait to leave the oval office next January? It does to me.

Senator Obama said, and I believe he is 100% accurate, that when the Democratic candidate comes head to head with the Republican candidate, there needs to be a very clear and concise contrast that only he is in the position to provide. The fact remains that Senator Clinton was one of the 77 senators that voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002, and she can try to defend herself all she wants. It was not the "Resolution to send inspectors to Iraq and try that first...." There is one other point that really bothered me about this particular point in the debate. One of the first things out of her mouth in her defense of her voting for the resolution and claiming she was voting for the use of inspectors was, and I quote, “I believe in coercive diplomacy.” It is really frightening to me that the first thing that came to her mind was that she believes in coercive diplomacy. I think it bothered me so much that I will have to write a whole blog entry on that topic alone…..

The second critical distinction that Senator Obama made last night is he is the candidate that is, and will be, the most effective at uniting the people of this country. America wants and needs a leader they can respect, that involves them in the political process, and that they feel confident will make choices based on principles rather than politics. That person is Barack Obama. I can’t wait to proudly cast my vote for him on Tuesday and hope to have that same honor in November!

It Didn't Work!!!

Kartay5 — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:56:43 EST

Well, I got my wish that enough voters would see through the garbage the Clintons have been doling out! Congratulations to Senator Obama for his huge win in SC!!

I don't know about anyone else, but on Sunday I noticed the Clinton campaign started hitting hard in Connecticut. We got two calls within an hour and a half on Sunday evening and then I woke up this morning to hear that Hill was stopping in Hartford today. The first call we got was a pre-recorded message as opposed to the call I got from the Obama camp last week in which I got to speak to a real person and have a very pleasant conversation! The personal touch really does matter, in my opinion. The second call we got, which came up as "Hillary 4 Pres" on the caller ID, my daughter didn't want to answer and unfortuantely my husband didn't catch it in time. He was looking forward to a possible little debate on the phone if it had been a real live person instead of the "Clinton Machine".

Senator Obama's message of hope is spreading and reaching more and more people, which is evident in the results coming out of SC. Let's all do what we can to spread the word in Connecticut so that we can see a similar result on Super Tuesday!

The Clinton Machine

Kartay5 — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 07:09:54 EST

I am going to be 38 this year, and for my entire adult life there has been either a Bush or Clinton in the White House. It is obvious I am ready for a change, or I would not be here in strong support of Senator Obama's campaign. I am just so distraught that even this man with incredible integrity and ability to unite so many people is being forced into politics as usual by the "Clinton Machine". There is no doubt that every move Hillary makes is cold and calculated, from her ters in New Hampshire to her attacks in SC. Her campaign was obviously trying to get a "rise" out of Obama to try to destroy his message of hope and change and force him to have to defend himself in what ends up being the same old thing we have seen for so many years. Let us all hope that there are enough of us out there that see through this and maybe this whole ploy will backfire on the Clintons. In spite of the heated debate the other night, I still think that Obama showed that he could remain relatively steadfast even in the shadow of the "crouching tiger and hidden dragon".....I mean Clintons.... Unfortuantely there were very few real issues addressed as a result. I agree with John Edwards on that.

We'll see what happens on Saturday.

The Waterworks Effect

Kartay5 — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 08:42:45 EST

There is no doubt that Senator Clinton's tears were real. I am sure she was weary and frustrated, etc. The way the media handled it afterwards was the catalyst for what happened in New Hampshire. She got an unbelievable amount of press coverage following that little incident. I think she was on the TV or radio several times an hour immediately after the "waterworks" were turned on. Even the few days after the media was still playing that clip. I was ready to throw my TV out the window, personally! I just wonder if her campaign advisors had some idea of what would happen if she let her more "feminine" emotions show on camera?? Hmm....

That being said, I don't think the "Waterworks Effect" is going to last. I have no doubt that Obama is going to get the nomination and be the next president.

Is Obama the next "Grey Champion?"

John from Barkhamsted — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:13:24 EST

At certain times in history, this nation has faced great crisis. At each of these critical turning points, a “grey champion” has led a youthful generation that had been raised as a hero generation. World War II saw FDR give vision to this country and great nomad generals such as Eisenhower and Patton led the GI generation to victory. Before that, Lincoln led this country out of disunion and through one of the most horrific points in this nation’s past. During the founding of this great nation, George Washington led the young republicans (small r) through periods where there was no hope and finally achieved the victories that led to who we are today.

At this moment in time, we are faced again with great crisis. The old way does not hold the answers to our problems. We are faced with a crisis that has the potential to not only threaten America and our way of life, but also the whole world. We are facing the crisis of Global Warming, Peak Oil and Economic Justice. The answer to the problems of today must be met by large coalitions of individuals who are willing to work together towards new answers. Who will be our “Grey Champion” that will ask Generation X to manage the mobilization of the next greatest generation to work together towards a better future for all? I believe that Barack Obama is the one, and I will work with the coalition he is building towards the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

What It's All About!

Kartay5 — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 17:40:30 EST

As I look around the site and read other people's blogs and look at discussion boards, etc. I can see what this is all about. Barack Obama is bringing together people from all walks of life. He is the most electable candidate of any of them...Republican or Democrat. Barack Obama has the mojo needed to win this race! Hands down. When was the last time we had a leader that so many different people could (and do) support? Obama's ability to offer a positive vision for the future and to make people feel valued and a part of this political process is truly extraordinary. It is exactly what this country needs in a leader right now.

Did anyone watch the debates last night? I was so disgusted with both Clinton and Edwards. They came across as if they were obviously on the defensive, and very negative. When Senator Clinton was talking about "change," I felt like I was getting a lecture from my mother. Not the way to get my 30-something female vote Hilary.....Senator Obama, on the other hand, remained calm, natural, and statesman-like throughout the debate.

I personally have been following the Senator's campaign for several months now, while keeping an open mind to the other candidates (on both sides), but I am ready to start getting busy campaigning for Obama.

Got Hope? I do now!

Why I support Barack Obama

randy williams — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:17:02 EST

My asssessments of Barack Obama, both of him as a person, and of his potential stature as leader: he is, to me, the only candidate who is a genuine statesman, rather than a politician. And when he speaks, what he says comes directly from his intellect and best impulses, rather than from any backroom poll-driven playbook.

That is why I trust what he says, and mistrust all the others of both parties. When a person speaks so clearly from such fine perceptions of history and present reality, and directly from personal ethics and and benevolence -- that rarest combination for any public figure -- that inspires admiration, hope, and trust.

I have been voting since 1964 and this is the first Presidential candidate to awaken this feeling. Most years I have had to vote in opposition to obvious inferiority or from personal loathing. This time, for the first time, I feel unalloyed enthusiasm. This is how we should feel in a democracy, but so seldom do. Glad to see the day!

Barack Obama: The Right Kind of Experience

Val McCall — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:05:43 EST

When I hear someone question Barack’s experience, I am compelled to ask that person to clarify what they mean by “experience.” The dictionary defines experience as “the apprehension of an object, thought, or emotion through the senses or mind; (a) active participation in events or activities, leading to the accumulation of knowledge or skill: a lesson taught by experience; a carpenter with experience in roof repair; and (b) the knowledge or skill so derived.

Each of the presidential candidates has experience on various levels. It is not enough to look at their experience but rather what has each one done with the knowledge they derived from active participation in events or activities. What did they do with lessons learned – were these lessons honed into a skill or did they become empty, null and void bearing no fruit, i.e., creating no value. The goal of experience should be to create value for oneself and others.

As the people, let's take a look at our collective experience that we have gained thus far, focusing on two vital issues in our society today:

Health Care: 47 Million Americans are without health care. Insurance premiums are through the roof and the average American finds it difficult to impossible to pay for health insurance. We keep hearing from Hillary Clinton over the past 15-20 years about how she has fought long and hard, collecting many wounds on the battle field for health care. Over the past 10 years, a considerable amount of lobbying dollars has been spent: PHARMA $115,008,600.00; Blue Cross/Blue Shield $90,163,317.00; the American Medical Association $157,247,500.00; and the American Hospital Association $138,084,144.00 are among the top spenders. And, this year there are 4,481 registered lobbyists who lobby on behalf of health care issues, Medicare and Medicaid running around Washington. At the end of the day, all those lobbyists and all that money have left us with 47 million Americans without health insurance. And, too many Americans who do have health insurance are under-insured; especially the most vulnerable –- our children and the elderly. So, Hillary Clinton’s experience seems to be in collecting lots of the money from special interests groups and lobbyists. This, she does very, very well. This is the way that Washington works. This is the experience and skill that Hillary has gained. Our collective experience with the health care crisis – it’s only gotten worse.
Education: We have to import engineers, doctors, technicians, etc., from other countries because our public school system has lost the ability to teach our children. In fact, we are taught to fear our children, and to have low expectations to none for our children. We heard all about the village that it would take to raise a child. Even a book was published and read to children in a few select urban centers (we were treated to some well-planned photo opts on the national news). And the only thing that came out of the village was that the village-you-know-what enacted the “No Child Left Behind Act,” which, in fact, made certain that not just our children, but the teachers and administrators are left behind. In hind sight, I guess you could say that all things being equal, everyone is in the same place – left out. Yet education is a top campaign and lobbying issue. Over the past 10 years, 14,328 registered lobbyists have been running around our nation’s capital and millions of dollars have exchanged hands. Once again, Washington experience shows just how you can collect that money. This is the kind of experience that Hillary and some other candidates have to offer. And yet, our collective experience with the education crisis – it’s only gotten worse.

So what have we learned from this experience? What lesson have we been taught? It’s time to elect someone who is not wedded to the special interests groups and whose decisions are not indebted to the dollars of lobbyists. It’s time to elect someone who can, is and will continue to stand up for justice and the American people. Someone who will not let the voices of millions of Americans go unheeded. That someone is Barack Obama. Barack Obama has the kind of experience we need and are looking for.

Historically, throughout his many years of public service, Barack Obama has shown sound judgment, integrity, the courage to fight for justice and true leadership. Barack is the single candidate who can genuinely change the politics of Washington, move us past partisan infighting, and build the consensus to meet the major challenges of our day.

Already, Barack has defined his brand of leadership with frank and thoughtful plans to end the war in Iraq; promote national security and rebuild alliances abroad; provide affordable, high-quality health care to every American; put America on the path to energy independence; improve teaching and learning in all of America's classrooms; and reduce the power of special interests to steer our national agenda.

Becoming the Change We Wish to See

Val McCall — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:40:00 EDT

After sharing several luncheons and cups of coffee with folks, talking to them one on one about themselves, their hopes for an ideal candidate and why I support Barack Obama, I discovered that there is a great divide between those who are grassroots volunteers and what is perceived as the traditional party machine and people of influence. The disparity between the two became more apparent, the more people that I met with.

The concept of grassroots often conjures up negative images of people who are on the fringe of society; people who have done away with their self interests for the betterment of everyone else but themselves. There are other negative images, including, no social standing, low income to no income, lack of education and influence.

At first, I found myself leaving that little piece of information for the end of the conversation. “Oh, by the way, I’m grassroots.” This would be followed by a brief pause with a sigh of slight disappointment or a look of confusion, and then “Oh.”

This caused me to question just who are we grassroots folks, where do we come from and, more importantly, how did this “divide” come about.

It was mentioned to me on more than one occasion that that divide was a traditional divide and there was no way getting around it. I realized that the traditional divide exists solely to stop the groundswell of people, regardless of who they are, from taking a stand against those policies that serve to keep them out of the process, and stop them from uniting to correct that process.

This campaign is historic! It is removing those negative concepts, allowing us to all emerge victorious. Who are we? We are doctors, single moms, lawyers, laborers, students, grandparents, parents, people of means and people who struggle daily, people of all colors and ethnic backgrounds, and of all gender preferences, walks of life and religious beliefs. We are an 80 year-old man with prostate cancer that comes out to canvass in the rain. We are youth – the great promise for tomorrow with all the energy of change. We are people who are empowered to create value for ourselves and others by uniting together and becoming the change we wish to see. That empowerment is the greatest power and influence of all because it comes from within.

I am so fortunate to be alive at this time and be a part of this campaign and great waive of change. I open my conversation with pride and confidence stating, “I’m a grassroots volunteer.”

Barack Top Ten - 9-22-07 - Victory2008.net

Barack Daily Buzz - Victory2008.net — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 17:21:34 EDT

1) Obama Condemns Jena Charges during Iowa State University Speech
9-22-07
Lisa Rossi - Des Moines Register
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070922/NEWS09/709220328/-1/NEWS04

2) Obama and Edwards Step Up Criticism of Clinton
9-22-07
Beth Fouhy - Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jPDo-NMvpVY4UgXpm2c296R0i3Jw

3) Obama Leads Both Giuliani and Thompson in Recent Poll
9-22-07
Rasmussen Reports
http://news.yahoo.com/s/rasmussen/20070921/pl_rasmussen/obamamatchup20070921_1

4) Obama's Mother Featured in New TV Ad Airing in Iowa
9-22-07
John McCormick - Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-obama_adsep21,0,7546153.story?coll=chi-news-col

5) JFK Advisor, Counsel and Speechwriter Ted Sorensen Backs Obama
9-22-07
Jennifer Feals - Seacoast Online
http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070921/NEWS/709210402/-1/NEWS11&sfad=1

6) Students Like Obama in Iowa But Will They Caucus?
9-22-07
Dan Gearino - Sioux City Journal
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2007/09/22/news/iowa/3d06824cc7f1e10c8625735e000ce490.txt

7) Obama Wants to Expand Senior Volunteer Programs
9-22-07
Mike Glover - Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jDkaLoCLlGNuKVxZbfOhsUW7F7Dg

8) Democrats 2008 - Clinton - 36% - Obama - 23% - John Edwards - 18%
9-22-07
Angus Reid Global Monitor
http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/28315/democrats_2008_hillary_36_obama_at_23/

9) Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Ben Cohen Accuses Obama and Clinton of Timidity over Pentagon Cuts
9-22-07
Teddy Davis and Mike Chesney
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=3632367&page=1

10) In Polls Obama Lurks - Analysts Say Barack Needs to Soar
9-22-07
Jason Clayworth - Des Moines Register
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070922/NEWS/709220332/1001/ENT